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Scientists stand up to Government of Canada

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• published: 17 Sep 2013
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http://www.friends.ca/ http://www.peoplestandup.ca Stand Up for Science rallies Canadian scientists and their supporters call on the federal government to stop cutting scientific research and http://www.friends.ca/ Scientists protest program cuts, muzzling of Canada's researchers OTTAWA — The organizers of a nationwide protest against cuts to Canada's public science programs said the situation for federal researchers has only declined in the year since they first raised the alarm. On Monday, hundreds of scientists and supporters rallied at Parliament Hill to take part in the Stand Up For Science protests, held in 18 cities across Canada. The events, organized by a group called Evidence For Democracy, built on last year's mock funeral for the "death of evidence," which took aim at the perceived "muzzling" of Canadian scientists and cuts to research programs by the Harper government. Dr. Katie Gibbs, organizer and executive director of a newly formed advocacy group called Evidence for Democracy, said conditions have continued to deteriorate for Canada's public scientists. At least one federal department — Fisheries and Oceans — has in the last year implemented a policy forbidding scientists to publish in peer-reviewed journals without managerial approval, she said. "It requires a government manager to have an additional sign-off, even after a paper has been accepted by peer-review and accepted by a journal," she said. "So it gives an extra power to the government to withhold science that might be inconvenient for them." Earlier this year the government also shifted the mandate of the National Research Council, directing it to carry out work that stands to benefit industry and away from basic scientific inquiry, which scientists say is essential to foster innovation. Additionally, Gibbs said, strict communication policies limiting scientists' contact with media remain in place and have grown stronger. Dr. Jeremy Kerr, a biology professor at Ottawa University told the crowd the government's "Orwellian plan" and shifting mandate has had serious ramifications on Canadian policy and on Canada's reputation in the international scientific community. He noted that in 2006 the National Research Council published nearly 2,000 peer-reviewed publications and 53 patents. In 2012, the agency's publication output had dropped by 80 per cent and the patent rate by 95 per cent, to just three. "Telling scientists they are not able to communicate their work to the people who paid them to do it is a pretty striking statement on the condition of Canada's democracy," he said. Minister of State for Science Greg Rickford was not available for an interview Monday, but insisted in an emailed statement there were no problems with the government policies. "Our government is committed to science, technology, innovation and taking ideas to the marketplace," he said. "Canada is ranked number one in the G-7 for our higher education research and development. We are building on these successes to improve the quality of life for Canadians and to create jobs, growth and long-term prosperity." While science in the name of commercial application is valuable to society, it is basic science — the kind that is curiosity-driven and not often supported by commercial research and development budgets — that has led to some of the greatest scientific discoveries, said Dr. Kapil Khatter. The Ottawa-based physician, who spoke at the protest, pointed out government-funded science was responsible for the development of MRI technology, as well the discovery of the health threats posed by asbestos and tobacco. "A strong economy relies on strong, publicly funded science," he said. NDP science and technology critic Kennedy Stewart said he hoped Rickford would heed public concern and consider an NDP motion to remove communication restrictions on government scientists. "I think the government is eventually going to have to admit that what they're doing isn't working," he said at the Ottawa rally.