Halifax
On the East Coast, a panel discussion was held at the Halifax Central Library on how both Canadians and Haligonians have, can, and will adapt to climate change.
This multidisciplinary panel included:
Alex MacDonald, Climate Change Specialist with the with the Halifax Regional Municipality
Dr. Sara Seck, Associate Professor of Law at Dalhousie University specializing in International Environmental Law and Climate Justice
Dr. Nancy Shackell, Research Scientist at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans specializing in Climate Change Adaptation and Biodiversity
Christine Stortini, a PhD Candidate with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans specializing in ecological impacts of predator depletion and climate change
Montreal
The Montreal March for Science started with the serenading sounds of the Montreal Raging Grannies. Beginning at Place Émilie-Gamelin, participants maneuvered through downtown Montreal before finally arriving at Place des Festivals.
Once the marchers reconvened, speeches were given by:
Cristian Zaelzer of the Convergence Initiative
Maryse Lassonde, Directrice scientifique du Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies
Rackeb Tesfaye of Broad Science
Vanessa Sung and Shawn McGuirk, Co-Presidents of Science & Policy Exchange - Dialogue sciences et politiques
Jessica Ford of STEMM Diversity McGill & Musée Redpath Museum
Alexandra Gellé from Pint of Science Canada
Amy Kim, a Science Educator and Educational Consultant
Rachel Jean-Pierre and Rebecca Woodmass of Lesbians Who Tech Montreal
Nicolas Chevalier from Leap Montreal
Ottawa
Ottawans gathered at the Centennial Flame to kick of the 2018 March for Science.
Science-enthusiasts marched from Parliament Hill to the Byward Market to participate in Evidence for Democracy’s Science in the Market event.
Dozens of science storytellers mingled with citizens to discuss their research interests and personal experiences as a person with a career in and around science. Amongst coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, a variety of storytellers discussed a myriad of different science topics and issues, prompted by questions such as:
How should we encourage high school students to be interested in STEM?
Why does coffee taste different than it smells?
What is the difference between creativity and imagination?
Regina
In Regina, organizers opted for a talk and screening rather than a march. The event, co-hosted with the Centre for Inquiry Saskatchewan at the Saskatchewan Science Centre, drew people to a showing of Natalie Newell’s documentary Science Moms.
The short film depicts the lives of five mothers with careers in science, who are advocates for the use of evidence-based decision making with regard to the health of their children.
Before the lights came down, Dr. Britt Hall, a biologist from the University of Regina, gave an opening speech on the importance of the intersection of science and democracy. Dr. Hall is no stranger to civic engagement in science, she served as the as the Executive Director for the Coalition to Save ELA.
St. John’s
In St. John’s science supporters rallied at Bannerman Park before marching on City Hall. As participants marched downtown along Military Road and Duckworth Street they were welcomed by friendly passerby honking and waving.
The March was preceded the prior evening by a sign-making event on Friday.
The activartists had fun crafting nerdy signs while eating slices of pizza and sipping drinks sold by the Medical Graduate Students Society.
Following the Saturday March a reception with snacks and coffee was held in City Hall.
Toronto
A deluge of freezing rain wasn’t enough to keep Torontonians away from gathering for science.
The rally happened at Nathan Phillips Square and featured a diverse line-up of speakers to reflect on the need for evidence-based policy and safeguarding of scientific integrity both in Canada and around the world.
The speakers, who were moderated by Carol Devine, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor at Médecins Sans Frontières, included:
Marianne Mader, Managing Director of Earth & Space/Fossils & Evolution at the Royal Ontario Museum
Doina Oncel, Founder and CEO of hEr VOLUTION
Artash Nath, award-winning grade 6 student and inventor, whose autonomous Mars rover "Curious Bot" won the top 5 NASA SpaceApps People Choice Award 2014
Vancouver
Gathering at the Science World grounds, Vancouverites once again rallied together for science.
Local and international science-based organizations exhibited at the event to cross disciplinary backgrounds and connect science to society and our everyday lives.
The Vancouver March was made memorable by Vancouver-specific t-shirts and stickers that were available for purchase to raise funds for the local event.
Victoria
Science enthusiasts in Victoria rallied at Centennial Square in the city’s downtown before heading out on their March for Science.
The rally began with seven speakers, including Cheryl Bryce, the Director of Local Services at Songhees Wellness Centre, who spoke about Indigenous value of place and Indigenous history and E. Paul Zehr, a neuroscientist and best-selling author, whose talk “With great power comes great responsibility” discussed the science of superpowers.
Scott McCannell from the Professional Employees Association and citizen scientist and advocate Bob Peart both discussed the cutbacks to government science experienced under the previous Government of British Columbia, and its effect on provincial scientific integrity and decision-making.
The other speakers included:
Rebecca Hof, a University of Victoria research assistant in microbiology and biochemistry
Torrey Archer, Biologist and Land Manage of the Land Conservancy of BC
Christopher Douglas, English Professor at the University of Victoria
After the rally concluded the group marched south along Government Street to the British Columbia Parliament Buildings.
Windsor
Inclement weather unfortunately pushed Windsor’s March indoors, but it wasn’t enough to dissuade the Windsorite science fans.
Activities were held at the Central Branch of the Windsor Public Library including a Science Meet and Mingle, where citizens and scientists grabbed coffee and snack alike and engaged in meaningful conversation, and activities for little future scientists, including working with 3D dinosaur stencils.
Opening speeches were given by teen scientist Tasnia Nabil, who was awarded the 2017 Sanofi Pasteur Biogenius Award, and Drs. Dennis Higgs and Kirsten Poling from the University of Windsor’s Department of Biological Sciences.
