SCROLL

Standing Up for Science

Putting evidence at the heart of public policy in Canada

Media
Mentions

0 +

Supported by thousands of Canadians

Public policy needs science more than ever to meet today’s increasingly complex societal challenges.

However, without a secure voice at the decision-making table in Canada, science and evidence remain at risk of being sidelined in the policy-making process.

Evidence for Democracy (E4D) is a fact-driven, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization advocating for the transparent use of evidence in government decision-making in Canada.

We believe that we all benefit when governments make policy decisions informed by the best available evidence.

Through our original research, training programs and issue-based campaigns, we empower the voice of the science community in public policy and cultivate public demand for evidence-informed decision-making in Canada.

Our Work In Action

Talks & Panels

0 +

Webinars, Workshops & Training
Sessions

Rallies &
Marches

Evidence-Based Research
Reports

Research

We conduct original research to address knowledge gaps at the interface of policy and evidence.

About Our Research Programs

Training

We use education and outreach to put knowledge and skills into the hands of Canada’s scientific community and the wider public.

See Training

Campaigns

We tackle emerging issues affecting science and evidence-informed public policy in Canada through advocacy. We believe having our voices heard is paramount in activating change.

Get Involved in Issue-Based Campaigns

Latest from E4D

AI and Democracy: Navigating Trust, Truth, and Technology in Policymaking

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping how governments gather evidence, analyze information, and make decisions. In recent years, the Government of Canada has rapidly deployed new AI technologies and tools across the federal public service. While new technologies ostensibly promise improved efficiency and productivity, their deployment hasraised serious questions around perceived lack of transparency, gaps in regulation, implementation challenges, and potential for misuse and biased decision-making.

This project aims to explore how AI is reshaping evidence usage in the federal public service, and the implications AI usage has on federal policymaking and public trust in Canadian democracy.

News & Events

News

What Does Meaningful AI Transparency Look Like? We Asked Our Community

October 9, 2026

News

Media Release: E4D Warns Bill C-39 Centralizes Power Over Major Project Decisions. Transparency Must Follow.

September 24, 2026

Media Coverage

Ottawa is using AI mainly for governance and security, not for increasing transparency and public accountability

April 8, 2026

Mark Lowey

Research Money

Events

Finding Your Role in Science Advocacy – University of Calgary – 2 Day Workshop

Active

Researchers
& Scientists

Collaborators
& Partners

Advocates for
Science

It is of paramount importance for all Canadians that policy making at all levels of government be directed by proven facts and peer-reviewed research. More and more, our leaders (which often lack any real scientific expertise, in ANY field) champion fashionable ideologies that have no sound basis in science. This will inevitably lead to serious problems now and for future generations. This must stop.

E4D believes what I believe in: Canada’s democracy must support and treasure the scientific method not just as a solution to dangerous and critical challenges, but as a way of thinking about the world in general. Fancy words and handshakes and thoughts and prayers don't make change. We do.

Well-functioning democracies need a strong dedication to the truth. Since the scientific community is at the forefront of searching for the best and most relevant truths, we need scientific perspectives to be a key part of the discussions and choices we make as a society. For that reason, we need to stand up for science and ensure it is, and always will be a key pillar of our democracies and the world at large. Unfortunately, this is not (yet) a given, so we need organizations like E4D to help make it happen.

Increasing concern about manipulation of science in the public sector, and far beyond, and seeing E4D stepping up to fight back

Having retired from Fisheries and Ocean Canada after almost 40 years studying and working at the world-renowned Experimental Lakes Area, I was appalled when, in 2012, the government was closing and dismantling the ELA. While, through prompt and decisive action by many key people, the ELA was “saved,” it was removed from federal control and many other important federal research programs were lost. At a time when scientific research is so critical in guiding governmental decision making, we need Evidence for Democracy, an arms-length organization, to monitor how scientific information is being used/and or stifled by our elected leaders.

A desire to have a more open and transparent government that bases its decisions on the best science available.

I got involved with E4D to support a movement dedicated to improving uptake of science-informed policy in Canada.

Standing Up for Science

Putting evidence at the heart of public policy in Canada