To follow up on a comment from Ms. McLeod, it's not too late to amend what's already there and make sure that the body is independent and science-based. Provided that the necessary details are in the act, it's possible. The body's terms of reference could then be adjusted, and some would be easy to deal with. The important thing is to make sure that the majority of its members are scientists.
At the CQDE, we had suggested that an advisory committee should recommend appointments to this independent body to the Governor in Council. I am aware that there already is such a committee, but we feel that even though it is highly competent in its fields of expertise, it does not match the terms of reference and disciplines that should be guiding its work in terms of the advice it would be giving the government to ensure that science is central to all decisions and advice.
It's not impossible at this point to strengthen the body's structure in the act and then amend its terms of reference afterwards.