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WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

The goal of the Science Canada website is to highlight science policy issues in Canada's political arena and media.

Science policy is the discipline that lies at the interface of the scientific enterprise and public administration. It encompasses two related and complementary spheres: (i) “policy for science” – strategies for managing and enhancing the conduct of scientific research; and (ii) “science for policy” – mechanisms by which scientific knowledge informs government decision-making. Science Canada aims to keep you up-to-date on recent developments on both fronts.

PS - In the interests of promoting healthy debate and reflecting the full marketplace of ideas, links to many types of opinion pieces are posted here... including ones with which I may strongly disagree. (Don't interpret a link to an editorial as an endorsement of its point of view.)

Happy reading!

Jeff Sharom

Connect with Jeff Sharom on LinkedIn or Nature Network.

Why Science Canada?

Canadian scientific community suffers from lack of active engagement in decision making processes, dynamic network of science advocacy and lobbying. That is due to various factors but mainly lack of strong professional associations, and as result frail networks, and absence of science policy discourse in the mainstream of Canadian society. However the involvement of scientists at decision making levels differs in different provinces depending on the degree of cosy relationship and personal friendship between the scientists and policy makers rather than strong professional and systematic engagement.

In United States, there are numerous research centers, and many scientists that are being trained in science policy, numerous networks and organization which provide a strong base for science policy discourse and strong lobby for science in mainstream of the society. One of the latest examples of this effective science lobby in the United States is the efforts to hold a debate dedicated to science and technology between the candidates in 2008 presidential race. There has already been one public debate of scientific advisers of both democratic presidential candidates, and the efforts to convince the final two candidates to dedicate one debate to science and technology has been continued. Regardless of appropriateness of such debate, the fact that serious efforts are present and has taken momentum somehow that according to polls 85% of voters agree with having one debate on science issues , indicates that science policy discourse in the United States is in the mainstream of American society.

It is time for Canadian scientific community to start bringing science into mainstream of Canadian society and get engage in policy making processes. The necessity of dynamic scientific community being involved at policy making levels, in collaboration with social scientists, technology experts, engineers, government officials, policy makers and private sector, has not ever been more urgent. It is up to Canadian scientists to recognize the need and starts preparing essentials for this goal.

Mehrdad Hariri

Science Canada

Dion, local Liberal MP play down differences on issue of Victoria sewage

Pro-environment voting site gets almost 1.5 million views in 13 days

Where They Stand: Climate change

Putting humans in their place

Listeria reporting rule dropped before crisis

Policy change delayed alarm signal over listeria, inspectors say

Poverty fight a key to better national health

Wind turbines cause health problems, residents say

Pandering to populism: farewell to reason in public discourse

Bisphenol A issue is a complicated one

Experts think flu vaccine is a good match this year

East Coast 'critical' refuge for bluefin tuna: Scientists

Medical professionals should get say in public health policy: Ottawa committee

Canada's PM on hotseat in debate over climate change

Protection of electronic health records urged

Palin: cause of global warming 'doesn't matter'

Ont. court rejects breast-implant suit against Health Canada

Science And Technology: Central To Canada's Success

Chief medical officer gets more power, responsibility

Canada quietly opposes calls to drill in Alaska wildlife refuge

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WELCOME TO SCIENCE CANADA

Why Science Canada?

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