The current federal government maintains that it supports science more than any previous government, yet the scientific community has been increasingly vocal about cuts to science funding, reduced capacity of government science, and restrictions on the ability of government scientists to communicate their findings.
October 8, 2013 (Ottawa) ― On Thursday, Evidence for Democracy is bringing together an expert panel to discuss the ongoing erosion of public-interest science in Canada that has resulted from recent government actions.
The current federal government maintains that it supports science more than any previous government, yet the scientific community has been increasingly vocal about cuts to science funding, reduced capacity of government science, and restrictions on the ability of government scientists to communicate their findings.
“The Stand Up for Science rallies on September 16th raised the flag about threats to public science in Canada today”, explained Dr. Katie Gibbs, Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy. “This event aims to dig deeper into the problem by bringing together a number of experts to highlight the main concerns, and more importantly, to discuss how we could be doing things better.”
WHAT: Science Matters: A Panel Discussion on Science and Democracy in Canada
WHEN: Thursday, October 10th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
WHERE: Desmarais Building, Room 12102, University of Ottawa (55 Laurier Avenue East). Event will be live streamed at: https://evidencefordemocracy.ca/sciencematters.
WHO: Dr. Katie Gibbs, Executive Director of Evidence for Democracy, will provide opening remarks and Professor Yves Le Bouthillier, Director of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law at the University of Ottawa, will moderate the panel discussion.
Panellists include:
Dr. Patrick Fafard, Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, and member of the University’s Institute for Science, Society and Policy.
Mr. Chris Turner, award-winning science and technology journalist, and author of the new book “The War on Science: Muzzled Scientists and Wilful Blindness in Stephen Harper’s Canada”.
Mr. Michael Halpern, Director of Strategy and Innovation, Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Dr. Rees Kassen, Professor of Biology and University Research Chair in Experimental Evolution at the University of Ottawa, and former chair of the Partnership Group for Science and Engineering.
Tickets for this event are available on-line at: http://sciencematters.eventbrite.ca/. To request a media pass, please contact Dr. Katie Gibbs.
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