Over 800 scientists from 32 countries have written to Canada’s prime minister asking that he ‘remove excessive and burdensome restrictions and barriers to scientific communication and collaboration faced by Canadian government scientists.”
Listen‘A rapid decline in freedoms and funding’
The letter to Stephen Harper cites recent reports that highlight “a rapid decline in freedoms and funding extended to Canadian government scientists, which make it more difficult for them to continue research, communicate scientific information and expertise, and collaborate internationally.”
Canadian scientists have been often been unable to attend international conferences because the government has been unwilling to fund them, says Michael Halpern, manager of strategy of innovation for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “All of us benefit when scientists, and government scientists in particular, are free to tell us about their results and collaborate with the global community of scientists and ultimately speak truth to power,” he says.
Government imposes ‘restrictive agreements’ say scientists
Scientists should be free to publish their research regardless, says Halpern, and not be constrained by confidentiality agreements. “We’ve seen the Harper government institute newer, more restrictive agreements that a lot of scientists in the U.S. and around the world are unwilling to sign because it compromises their ability to publish research regardless of the results.”
The letter was signed by scientists from institutions like Harvard Medical School in the U.S. and the Max Planck Institute in Germany. It was published in several newspaper and on line ads paid for by the union which represents Canada’s scientists.
‘Science in Canada is declining’
“We see scientists from all over the place who are really concerned that science in Canada is declining and something needs to be done to get it back on track,” says Halpern.
Government touts ‘record investments’ in science
The Canadian government responded to the letter in a statement to the public broadcaster, CBC. It says the Harper government has made “record investments in science, technology and innovation.” It also said Canada is No. 1 among G7 countries for its support of research and development at its colleges, universities “and other research institutes.” However, the statement did not mention research conducted by federal government departments.
According to the union, $2.6 billion in cuts have been budgeted for the 10 top science-based federal government ministries and departments between 2013 and 2016.
‘Scientists are readily available,’ replies government
With regard to the freedom of federal scientists to communicate, the statement said, “While ministers are the primary spokespersons for government departments; scientists have, and are readily available to share their research with Canadians.”
Reporters requesting interviews with scientists routinely wait so long for a decision that their deadlines are missed, their requests are denied or the response is provided in an email directly from a minister’s office.
Foreign jurists too have complained
This is the second time an international group of professionals has criticised and written directly to Canada’s prime minister. In June ,an international panel of jurists asked Harper to apologize for impugning the integrity of the head of the Supreme Court of Canada.
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