Canada PoliticsNDP tables motion to end muzzling of Canada’s scientists
It isn't a strait jacket, it's a lab coat.
That's the primary message by the New Democrats who, on Monday, introduced a motion that would incline the Harper government to un-muzzle Canada's scientists.
Since 2007, as per an Environment Canada Media Relations protocol, federal scientists were required to vet media communications through a centralized body.
That has caused a lot consternation throughout the science community.
In 2011, for example, it was reported that scientist Kristi Miller was barred from granting interviews about her research into a virus that might be killing wild sockeye salmon, off B.C.'s coast.
Also in 2011, in Parliament, Green Party leader Elizabeth May complained that an Environment Canada team that had published a paper about global CO2 increases weren't allowed to speak with media either.
Kennedy Stewart — the NDP's Science and Technology critic — says, by interfering with the open communication of scientific research, "the government is undermining the nation's capacity to make democratic decisions using the best evidence available."
"The federal government restricts the ability of scientists and researchers to communicate to the public, through the media," he told Yahoo! Canada News.
"That has never happened before. It's a new thing."
The NDP motion — modeled after President Obama's scientific integrity directive in the U.S. — would ensure communications officers, elected officials, and Ministerial staff could no longer restrict public access to government scientists.
The motion was scheduled to be submitted in conjunction with Monday's Stand Up For Science rallies — a series of protests across the country against government funding cuts for science.
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As explained by CBC News, the feds argue that they have invested an unprecedented $8 billion in scientific research and development since 2006 but admit that priorities have shifted with the focus now on applied research and commercialization.
But the protesting scientists and Stewart don't agree with the Harper government's narrative.
"We've had a little to-ing and fro-ing with the government. But Stats Can has confirmed to us that since the government came in in 2006, they've actually cut our scientific and technology budget spending by about six per cent," Stewart said adding that the Harper government has fired 1,500 researchers and scientists.
"So you're laying off scientists, you're muzzling them but also you're closing labs and research centres right across Canada.
"And that puts us way behind other countries. I think right now we're 26th in the world in terms of research and development and that's very worrying. We can't just export oil. We have to use our great brains here and develop our knowledge economy."
The NDP Motion:
Motion submitted today to Parliament would protect scientists from political interference
That, in the opinion of the House, federal departments and agencies conducting scientific research should identify, develop, and implement communication policies that:
(i) actively support and encourage federal scientists to speak freely to the media and the public about scientific and technical matters based on their official research, including scientific and technical ideas, approaches, findings, and conclusions;
(i) allow federal scientists to present viewpoints that extend beyond their scientific research and incorporate their expert or personal opinions providing they specify they are not speaking on behalf of, or as a representative, of their department or agency;
(iii) ensure that public affairs or communications officers, elected officials, and Ministerial staff do not restrict, limit, or prevent federal scientists from responding to media requests in a timely and accurate manner;
(iv) prohibit public affairs or communications officers, elected officials, and Ministerial staff from directing federal scientists to suppress or alter their findings;
and (v) affirm the right of federal scientists to review, approve, and comment publicly on the final version of any proposed publication that significantly relies on their research, identifies them as an author or contributor, or purports to represent their scientific opinion.
(Note: Kennedy Stewart says that the motion can still be introduced even though the House is prorogued.)
(Photo courtesy of the Canadian Press)
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