The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest scientific society, chose Vancouver to hold its prestigious annual conference. This is no small matter. The scientists of the AAAS lead the way on issues of the highest importance to humanity. The health, wealth and indeed the future of our planet depend on their expertise.
The Professional Institute's membership includes 23,000 scientists and researchers working for the federal government who are pleased to welcome the AAAS. But while we welcome the scientific world and celebrate with pride our many Canadian achievements, it is also time to share a few home truths. Thanks to misguided government policy, Canada's investment in science is becoming negligible and our reputation as a leading science nation is at risk.
In fact, Canadian science has come up against a new and potentially lethal threat. It is a toxic mix of disdain for evidence-based decision-making and a disappearing commitment to transparency. The release of preliminary data from the truncated 2011 Census reminds us of a key policy decision -- to end the long-form census -- that stands out as symbolic of a raft of actions by the federal government that indicate a clear preference for ideology over evidence and a basic lack of respect for scientific knowledge.
South of the border, the Obama Administration has challenged its departments and agencies to open up government science. This has resulted in the forward thinking decision by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to actively encourage its scientists to reach out to the media and the public. As President Obama summed up the objective: "The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions."
The Professional Institute's membership includes 23,000 scientists and researchers working for the federal government who are pleased to welcome the AAAS. But while we welcome the scientific world and celebrate with pride our many Canadian achievements, it is also time to share a few home truths. Thanks to misguided government policy, Canada's investment in science is becoming negligible and our reputation as a leading science nation is at risk.
In fact, Canadian science has come up against a new and potentially lethal threat. It is a toxic mix of disdain for evidence-based decision-making and a disappearing commitment to transparency. The release of preliminary data from the truncated 2011 Census reminds us of a key policy decision -- to end the long-form census -- that stands out as symbolic of a raft of actions by the federal government that indicate a clear preference for ideology over evidence and a basic lack of respect for scientific knowledge.
South of the border, the Obama Administration has challenged its departments and agencies to open up government science. This has resulted in the forward thinking decision by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to actively encourage its scientists to reach out to the media and the public. As President Obama summed up the objective: "The public must be able to trust the science and scientific process informing public policy decisions."