Canada’s upcoming federal election presents an opportunity to examine the backgrounds of those running for office, including how many have education and experience in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM).
At Evidence for Democracy, we believe that diverse expertise among elected officials strengthens public policy. Professionals from all fields—whether business, the arts, or skilled trades—bring unique and valuable perspectives to governance. STEMM professionals are no exception, offering critical insights on evidence-informed policy, technological innovation, and evidence-informed decision-making.
That’s why we are analyzing federal candidates to determine how many have STEMM backgrounds and what that means for the future of science in Canada’s political landscape.
Tracking STEMM Candidates
With the help of volunteers and partner organizations, we are compiling a searchable list of candidates with STEMM backgrounds, along with graphs highlighting key trends among those who have already been confirmed. Here are some highlights so far:
Why This Matters
Elected officials with STEMM expertise can play a key role in ensuring that science and evidence remain central to policymaking. With pressing challenges like climate change, healthcare innovation, and emerging technologies, having leaders who understand the scientific process and data-driven decision-making is more important than ever.
As the election unfolds, we will continue updating our analysis and sharing key insights into how STEMM representation in politics is evolving.
Find here a searchable list of all candidates for STEMM backgrounds:
Stay tuned for more updates, and explore our STEMM candidate list to learn more about the individuals running in this election!
Note: Our analysis includes undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as college diplomas and certificates, that were related to STEMM. All members with a STEMM background were included, regardless of whether their highest credential is in a non-STEMM field or not. The STEMM categorization was based on the highest STEMM degree earned by the candidate. Data was collected from a variety of sources, including LinkedIn, Wikipedia, news articles and through verification emails to candidates.
In addition to E4D staff members, Simarpreet Singh and Trevor Potts, the following E4D volunteers were instrumental in this critical effort:
- Alexa D’Addario
- Andrea Wishart
- Bipin Kumar
- Bryn Livingston
- Cara Bradley
- Christine Callihoo
- Galen Guo
- Hannah Shuster-Hyman
- John Gilbert
- Natalie Ban
- Stephen Holland
