The fight over the future of food

- Backlash against GM crops complicates bid to feed world
- Resistance to science-based agriculture grows in U.S.
- Is a second Green Revolution needed, or even desirable?
Nov 10, 2009
Claudia Parsons, Russell Blinch and Svetlana Kovalyova
Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN091742

Doctor misled on cancer rates, report finds

Doctor denies obstructing Health Canada
Nov 10, 2009
Gwendolyn Richards
Canwest News Service
http://www.nationalpost.com/related/links/story.html?id=2204160

Climatism is more than a belief system

A fired official believes climate change is equivalent to a religious belief. Who could disagree?
Nov 10, 2009
Peter Foster
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/11/10/peter-foster-climatism-is-more-than-a-belief-system.aspx

U.S. isotope industry will be Canada's loss

Congress approves $163M subsidy to build new reactor, begin domestic production
Nov 9, 2009
Joanna Smith
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/723019--u-s-isotope-industry-will-be-canada-s-loss

Big Oil makes case for carbon-capture subsidies

But companies unable to forge consensus on the best way to proceed with emissions reduction
Nov 9, 2009
Shawn McCarthy
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/big-oil-makes-case-for-carbon-capture-subsidies/article1356162/

Why should Ontario pony up for Alberta's exploits?

Nov 9, 2009
Tyler Hamilton
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/business/cleanbreak/article/722990--hamilton-why-should-ontario-pony-up-for-alberta-s-exploits

Medical isotope bill in U.S. a loss for Canada

Nov 9, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/09/medical-isotopes-us.html

Zealots throw another dagger at our oil industry

If we don't produce our oil and gas resources, countries that refuse to be bound by Kyoto targets will
Nov 9, 2009
Gwyn Morgan
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/zealots-throw-another-dagger-at-our-oil-industry/article1356167/

Ottawa's mind closed on carbon

Nov 9, 2009
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/722919--ottawa-s-mind-closed-on-carbon

Reducing salt levels to be voluntary: Report

Nov 9, 2009
Tiffany Crawford
Canwest News Service
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Reducing+salt+levels+voluntary+Report/2201757/story.html

World youth will have to lead the way to climate change

Nov 9, 2009
Barbara Yaffe
Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/World+youth+will+have+lead+climate+change/2201215/story.html

Top environmental group downplays global warming threat

Nov 9, 2009
Lawrence Solomon
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/11/09/lawrence-solomon-top-environmental-group-downplays-global-warming-threat.aspx

Too much awareness is bad for your health

Nov 9, 2009
Marni Soupcoff
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/11/09/marni-soupcoff-too-much-awareness-is-bad-for-your-health.aspx

Schoolchildren are the next priority

Children deserve the utmost in protection at a time of a public-health emergency
Nov 9, 2009
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/schoolchildren-are-the-next-priority/article1357350/

For many, vaccine will be available after flu peaks

Come December, public health officials will be faced with the task of persuading people to get the shot after the worst is over
Nov 9, 2009
LISA PRIEST
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/h1n1-swine-flu/for-many-vaccine-will-be-available-after-flu-peaks/article1356125/

Does BPA give you the willies? It shouldn't

When activism is disguised as science
Nov 9, 2009
Margaret Wente
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/does-bpa-give-you-the-willies-it-shouldnt/article1357124/

Don't over-politicize H1N1 issue, warn pollster and Butler-Jones

Pollster Nik Nanos says there's no benefit for any politicians who 'manufacture a problem' where there isn't one
Nov 9, 2009
CYNTHIA MÜNSTER, BEA VONGDOUANGCHANH
The Hill Times
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/page/view/h1n1_issue-11-9-2009

Feds' $100-million for stimulus ads should be spent on H1N1 clinics, say opposition

Tories accuse opposition parties of frightening the public and creating panic by overstating the degree of the threat of the H1N1 pandemic
Nov 9, 2009
TIM NAUMETZ
The Hill Times
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/page/view/100_million_stimulus_ads-11-9-2009

Canada commits to wilderness deal

Environment Minister signs memorandum of understanding with the United States and Mexico that binds the three countries in defending uninhabited spaces
Nov 9, 2009
Canadian Press
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/canada-commits-to-wilderness-deal/article1356547/

Denying Canada's environmental truths

Ottawa has offered a false choice between economic growth and environmental progress
Nov 8, 2009
Clare Demerse
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/722486

Online Q&A: B.C.'s salmon crisis

Discuss how to save B.C.'s salmon stock with Fisheries Survival Coalition spokesman Phil Eidsvik
Nov 8, 2009
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/british-columbia/online-qa-bcs-salmon-crisis/article1355700/

Report casts doubt on MD's claims about Alberta reserve's cancer rates

The Globe and Mail obtained findings of a lengthy investigation by Alberta's College of Physicians and Surgeons into whistleblower John O'Connor's claims
Nov 8, 2009
Katherine O'Neill
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/report-casts-doubt-on-mds-claims-about-alberta-reserves-cancer-rates/article1355980/

H1N1 death toll grows, as problems, scandals plague vaccination efforts

Nov 8, 2009
Canwest News Service
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/H1N1+death+toll+grows+problems+scandals+plague+vaccination+efforts/2199578/story.html

Health officials battle H1N1 rumours

Vaccine wastage, disease management among crucial messages
Nov 8, 2009
Denise Ryan
Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Health+officials+battle+H1N1+rumours/2200356/story.html

Mould, slime found at Listeria-stricken meat plant weeks after heavy cleaning: reports

Nov 8, 2009
Steve Rennie
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5je2m5NwiGu53xn-I-rZ1QKfFGIfg

The bear facts about the polar bear hunt

Polar bears are in decline, alright, but not everywhere. There is a case for keeping the hunt alive in Nunavut and the Inuit are making it
Nov 8, 2009
Paul Watson
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/722760--the-bear-facts-about-the-polar-bear-hunt

Be patient on carbon policy, Raitt counsels

Energy minister meets industry in Calgary
Nov 7, 2009
Dan Healing
Calgary Herald
http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy-resources/patient+carbon+policy+Raitt+counsels/2196666/story.html

Federal inquiry into salmon fishery could save stocks, say Nfld. cod fishermen

Nov 7, 2009
Tamsyn Burgmann
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5g-Fsl3Lr3yu2D2fRAj8rUBCOyCDg

Clouds gather over climate talks

Emissions Targets. Chances of reaching a treaty at next month's UN conference in Copenhagen appear more remote than ever as the gap in demands between rich and poor countries continues to widen
Nov 7, 2009
WILLIAM MARSDEN
The Gazette
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Clouds+gather+over+climate+talks/2195365/story.html

Energy's 'face of the future'

In his new book, Satya Das argues that so-called dirty oil can help build a cleaner future. He focuses on Albertans, such as Evan Chrapko, who are paving the way
Nov 7, 2009
SATYA DAS
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/722497--energy-s-face-of-the-future

Jim Prentice gets it right

Canada is calling the bluff of Big Green and its army of unquestioning acolytes
Nov 7, 2009
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=2197134

Numbers racket

Politicians the world over claim that 4,000 scientists believe in global warming. Depends on who’s counting
Nov 7, 2009
Lawrence Solomon
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/11/07/lawrence-solomon-numbers-racket.aspx

Canada steps up oil sands push in United States

Nov 6, 2009
Jeffrey Jones
Reuters
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/western-focus/Canada+steps+sands+push+United+States/2194535/story.html

Red cloud over Alberta

On the environment, Quebec is content to play the holier-than-thou role
Nov 6, 2009
Lysiane Gagnon
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/red-cloud-over-alberta/article1354846/

Copenhagen toughens up Prentice

Nov 6, 2009
Don Martin
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/related/links/story.html?id=2191843

Swine flu snafus

How many bureaucrats does it take to give your kid a shot in the arm?
Nov 6, 2009
Margaret Wente
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/swine-flu-snafus/article1354773/

H1N1 flu nears peak, experts suggest

Nov 6, 2009
Tom Blackwell
National Post
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/H1N1+nears+peak+experts+suggest/2193765/story.html

Small nations urge tougher climate deal

Nov 6, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/11/06/climate-change-treaty-delay.html

Governments should get real on drugs

Nov 4, 2009
David Nutt
New Scientist
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18099-david-nutt-governments-should-get-real-on-drugs.html

A postdoctoral crisis in Canada: From the “Ivory Tower” to the Academic “Parking Lot”

Nov 3, 2009
Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars
http://sites.google.com/site/canadapostdoc/Home/CAPSSurvey2009Final.pdf?attredirects=0

Canary in the Coal Mine #1: The Changing Human Resources in Academia

Nov 2, 2009
The Black Hole: Science in Canada - Issues Affecting Trainees
http://scienceadvocacy.org/Blog/2009/11/02/canary-in-the-coal-mine-1-the-changing-human-resources-in-academia/

Canary in the Coal Mine #2: Tying of SSHRC funding to business-related research

Nov 8, 2009
The Black Hole: Science in Canada - Issues Affecting Trainees
http://scienceadvocacy.org/Blog/2009/11/08/canary-in-the-coal-mine-2-tying-of-sshrc-funding-to-business-related-research/

Ottawa calls inquiry into collapse of sockeye fishery

Answers sought after about 9 million B.C. salmon disappear
Nov 6, 2009
David Akin
Canwest News Service
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Ottawa+calls+inquiry+into+collapse+sockeye+fishery/2193016/story.html

Justice to head Fraser River salmon inquiry

Nov 6, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/11/06/bc-cohen-fraser-salmon-inquiry-vancouver.html

H1N1 overplayed by media, public health: MDs

Nov 6, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/06/h1n1-media.html

Caribbean, Gulf spared widespread coral damage

Nov 6, 2009
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/11/06/tech-biology-caribbean-coral.html

The planet's lonely optimist

Matt Ridley makes the case that humans have been doing quite well - for the past 50,000 years at least
Nov 6, 2009
Neil Reynolds
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/commentary/the-planets-lonely-optimist/article1353390/

Canada needs two vaccine suppliers, Ottawa admits

Official says 'there is no debate' about enlisting more than one flu-shot manufacturer in future pandemics to avoid current delivery delays
Nov 6, 2009
DANIEL LEBLANC AND PAUL WALDIE
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/h1n1-swine-flu/canada-needs-two-vaccine-suppliers-ottawa-admits/article1353348/

Burning dead wood in forests won't help climate, expert says

Nov 6, 2009
Hanneke Brooymans
Edmonton Journal
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/technology/Burning+dead+wood+forests+help+climate+expert+says/2191703/story.html

Prison hep C problem will cost millions, MPs told

Nov 6, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/06/hepatitisc-prison-health-care.html

UNSM hears of future sea level rise

Municipalities’ representatives in Halifax for conference
Nov 6, 2009
MICHAEL LIGHTSTONE
Chronicle-Herald
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1151365.html

The case against action on climate change

Nov 6, 2009
Rudyard Griffiths
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/11/06/rudyard-griffiths-the-case-against-action-on-climate-change.aspx

From Berlin to Copenhagen

Nov 6, 2009
Peter Foster
Financial Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=2191954

H1N1 hospital admissions, deaths up three-fold: health officials

Canada's chief public health officer cautions against thinking worst is over, saying: ‘until people are either immunized or become ill this could go on and will go on for several months yet'
Nov 5, 2009
Caroline Alphonso
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/h1n1-hospital-admissions-deaths-up-three-fold-health-officials/article1352508/

Drug safety provisions in US and Europe outshine Canada

Nov 5, 2009
CMAJ
http://www.cmaj.ca/earlyreleases/05nov09_risk.shtml

McGill removes research regulation

Senators critical of McGill’s stance on military research and anonymous funding
Nov 5, 2009
Stephanie Law
McGill Daily
http://mcgilldaily.com/articles/22341

Oshawa cracks Maclean's annual university list

School cited for grants, spending on services
Nov 5, 2009
Jennifer Yang
Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/721412--oshawa-cracks-maclean-s-annual-university-list?bn=1

Climate change and public opinion: (Not yet) marching as to war

Even as politicians and protesters gear up for a fateful climate-change meeting in Denmark, some of their fellow citizens have little stomach for a fight
Nov 5, 2009
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14807107

Climate change: For peat's sake, stop

The world’s wetlands are big sources of greenhouse gases
Nov 5, 2009
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14793393

Nanobiotechnology: Seeding the seeds

Carbon nanotubes find an unusual use as fertilisers
Nov 5, 2009
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14793403

Agriculture and satellites: Harvest moon

Artificial satellites are helping farmers boost crop yields
Nov 5, 2009
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/sciencetechnology/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14793411

‘Largest tax increase in world history’

Despite huge spending, it has not been proved that the human effect on the climate is significant
Nov 5, 2009
Václav Klaus
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/11/05/v-225-clav-klaus-largest-tax-increase-in-world-history.aspx

H1N1 vaccine safe after millions of doses: WHO

Nov 5, 2009
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/05/h1n1-who.html

Pushing the drug policy envelope

Nov 4, 2009
MINDELLE JACOBS
Winnipeg Sun
http://www.winnipegsun.com/comment/columnists/mindelle_jacobs/2009/11/04/11628296-sun.html

Flax situation underscores science vs. philosophy conflict

Nov 4, 2009
Kevin Hursh
The StarPhoenix
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/business/Flax+situation+underscores+science+philosophy+conflict/2181762/story.html

It’s a dirty business — the new gold rush that is blackening Canada’s name

Nov 4, 2009
Ben Webster
The Times
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article6902006.ece

Canada ranked 25th in world infant mortality

Nov 4, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/04/infant-mortality-canada.html

H1N1 fears cause boom in natural medicine

Nov 4, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/04/nb-natural-medicine-h1n1-652.html

On H1N1, Canada is a jurisdictional mishmash

The structure of our federation means that, as with the national outbreak of swine flu, cracks form between the levels of government
Nov 4, 2009
John Ibbitson
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/h1n1-swine-flu/on-h1n1-canada-is-a-jurisdictional-mishmash/article1351466/

What's scarier to Al Gore than global warming? Solving it

Nov 4, 2009
Kevin Libin
National Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/11/04/kevin-libin-what-s-scarier-than-global-warming-solving-it.aspx

Second-hand smoke linked to breast cancer: International study

Nov 4, 2009
Allison Cross
Canwest News Service
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Second+hand+smoke+linked+breast+cancer+International+study/2184489/story.html

Quebec’s “Days of Knowledge”

Nov 3, 2009
Leo Charbonneau
University Affairs
http://www.universityaffairs.ca/margin-notes/quebecs-days-of-knowledge

Our leaders need to be led

Nov 3, 2009
Rebecca Tarbotton
Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/leaders+need/2175150/story.html

Vancouver Olympics push for carbon-neutral status

Nov 3, 2009
Vancouver Sun
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Vancouver+Olympics+push+carbon+neutral+status/2179044/story.html

Environmental rules more lax on reserves than off: audit

Nov 3, 2009
Steve Rennie
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iak0qyD2OSoMV3PJBFEt_h-7aA5w

UN says climate deal unlikely

When 192 countries meet in Copenhagen next month, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns it won't result in a Kyoto successor
Nov 3, 2009
Peter Griffiths
Reuters
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/science/un-says-climate-deal-unlikely/article1349585/

3,000 rally for bolder climate change policy

Power Shift summit and Fill the Hill rally target Canada’s role at December’s Copenhagen talks
Nov 3, 2009
Toby Davine
McGill Daily
http://mcgilldaily.com/articles/22201

Arctic surveillance research moves ahead

Nov 3, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2009/11/02/northern-watch.html

Did Canada botch the vaccine rollout?

Nov 3, 2009
Tom Blackwell
National Post
http://www.nationalpost.com/most-popular/story.html?id=2174227

Piecemeal Tory approach puts ecosystems at risk: report

Nov 3, 2009
Mike De Souza
Canwest News Service
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2179050

Global endangered species list grows

Nov 3, 2009
The Associated Press
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/11/03/tech-biology-endangered-species.html

Urgency from feds still lacking

From the beginning of the H1N1 pandemic there has been a calm, verging at times on complacency, from federal officials
Nov 2, 2009
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/editorials/urgency-from-feds-still-lacking/article1349010/

Tories slammed for bad decisions, poor communications on H1N1 vaccine

'The communications have been terrible,' says Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett
Nov 2, 2009
TIM NAUMETZ
The Hill Times
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/page/view/tories_slammed_h1n1-11-2-2009

Kilimanjaro glaciers could go within decades

Nov 2, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2009/11/02/tech-climate-kilimanjaro-glacier.html

The models are unreal

We are sleepwalking into some of the most disruptive and costly energy-policy misadventures since the National Energy Plan of the 1970s without the Conservatives having published a single estimate of the economic consequences
Nov 2, 2009
Ross McKitrick
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/11/02/ross-mckitrick-the-models-are-unreal.aspx

David Suzuki: a man of science revealed

Move over Al Gore. The Canadian scientist and broadcaster is moving to the big screen, shooting a feature documentary about his life and ideas
Nov 2, 2009
Marsha Lederman
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/movies/david-suzuki-a-man-of-science-revealed/article1347719/

Tricks of the trade

Can the world stop governments from paying for the over-exploitation of fish?
Nov 2, 2009
The Economist
http://www.economist.com/world/international/displayStory.cfm?story_id=14788199

Canada hopes to soon end canola dispute with China

Nov 2, 2009
Rod Nickel
Reuters
http://ca.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idCATRE5A13G120091102?sp=true

Canadian concern over climate change plummeting

Nov 2, 2009
Lawrence Solomon
Financial Post
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/11/02/lawrence-solomon-canadian-concern-over-climate-change-plummeting.aspx

PhDs should run for office to push policy

Stick to research or get into politics -- but not both
Nov 2, 2009
Jon Ferry
The Province
http://www.theprovince.com/health/PhDs+should+office+push+policy/2171930/story.html

Are meat eaters killing the planet? It's hard to say

We can't stop global warming if we can't agree on its main causes
Nov 2, 2009
Margaret Wente
Globe and Mail
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/are-meat-eaters-killing-the-planet-its-hard-to-say/article1348702/

Should boys get the HPV shot?

In lots of countries, males get the vaccine. It’s not approved here.
Nov 2, 2009
Kate Lunau
Macleans
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/11/02/should-boys-get-the-hpv-shot/

$39B needed to cut child pneumonia deaths: UN

Nov 2, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/02/pneumonia-children-un.html

Malaria talks focus on vaccine

Nov 1, 2009
CBC News
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/11/01/malaria-conference-kenya.html

Health Canada demands cash on the barrelhead for government grass

Oct 31, 2009
Dean Beeby
The Canadian Press
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hJ24bU8vGSV_rije4xMncH-Gxq0g

Separating partisanship from technology

Oct 30, 2009
Burton Richter
Washington Post
http://views.washingtonpost.com/pundits/contestants/burton.richter/2009/10/getting_partisanship_out_of_technology.html

Science and Innovation

Nov 4, 2009
Rob Annan
Researcher Forum
http://dontleavecanadabehind.wordpress.com/2009/11/04/science-and-innovation/

Science and Communication

Nov 3, 2009
Rob Annan
Researcher Forum
http://dontleavecanadabehind.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/science-and-communication/

Canada Science Policy Conference, Day 3

Oct 30, 2009
Rob Annan
Researcher Forum
http://dontleavecanadabehind.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/canada-science-policy-conference-day-3/

Canada Science Policy Conference, Day 2

Oct 29, 2009
Rob Annan
Researcher Forum
http://dontleavecanadabehind.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/canada-science-policy-conference-day-2-2/