Business of Supply  moved: That, in the opinion of the House: (a) the government has constrained the ability of federal scientists to share their research and to collaborate with their peers; (b) federal scientists have been muzzled and prevented from speaking to the media about their work; (c

Science and Technology   this issue. It comes up in a survey that was released last week on the subject of the muzzling of federal scientists. This is a subject that has been discussed for a number of years. When it is brought up the government says there is a lot of money spent on science by the federal

Business of Supply   scientific community and science journalists have spoken up and called upon the government to stop muzzling scientists. In the United States, government scientists have been encouraged to talk about their research and even give their personal opinions about government policy, as long

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, the Minister of State for Science and Technology says “Thank you” to all Canadian scientists and maybe I will start by saying “You're welcome”, on behalf of the four research scientists in the Liberal Party caucus. However, as research scientists, we get approached

Science and Technology  Mr. Speaker, in December, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave an administrative order on scientific integrity, telling its scientists to speak freely to the public and to the press about their research. Canadian government scientists do not have freedom

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, I think my colleague from Alberta does not understand how scientists communicate and what kind of communication is needed to convey and understand scientific research. I want to read a letter I received from a scientist. It says: Thank you for raising

Science and Technology   are not free to speak, and it is affecting your health and safety.” This is what is new in this long conversation about the muzzling of scientists, which has lasted several years, from even before I was elected. What is new is that there was a survey, and 2,000 federal scientists said

The Budget  , the 30-metre telescope and the Canada first research excellence fund. I am sure that good science will come out of these programs because of the proven quality of Canadian scientists. The point I would make is that the funding on these new programs does not come near what all the cuts

Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act   and three and see which one works the best”. Scientists work best when they do practical work in the world but they are allowed to step back and ask why things are the way they are and they are given the resources and are encouraged to try to answer that question. Second, basic research

Privilege   by a Minister”. The case at issue involves a report prepared for the justice department by a research team led by Dr. Anne Crocker of McGill University, entitled “Description and processing of individuals found Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder accused of serious

Economic Action Plan 2013 Act No. 2   of the Minister of State for Science and Technology. Certainly it has been too slow for the morale of the scientists and researchers at NRC. We know that morale has been severely tested at NRC. We receive messages all the time from people who work at NRC. We even know

Business of Supply  Mr. Speaker, rattling off a list of projects that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans spends money on misses the point of the motion. Let me address one of the points of the motion by asking the minister about muzzling scientists and not letting them talk to people. If we

House debate  Mr. Speaker, I am very impressed that the Parliamentary Secretary is staying to answer all three questions. Canadian government scientists are not free to talk about their research. I am not asking for government scientists to have the ability to talk about government policy. I

Science and Technology  Mr. Speaker, today, The Globe and Mail calls for an end to muzzling scientists. BBC News has let the world know that Canadian government scientists do not have free speech. The prestigious international journal Nature states that “it is time for the Canadian government to set

An Act to amend the Statistics Act (appointment of Chief Statistician and long-form census)   to preserve the blessings of this country for the benefit of all, and to make good laws and wise decisions? However, the quality of national statistics has been compromised. In 2011, the voluntary national household survey replaced the long form census. Researchers have publicly called