Yes, we did make the suggestion for a parliamentary science officer for pretty much the exact reason you just outlined. The parliamentary science officer could be there to directly serve parliamentarians and really provide more scientific expertise in the House of Commons itself.
There are models of this in other countries. The U.K. has a parliamentary office of science and technology. The White House has an office of science and technology policy. It could be similar to the Parliamentary Budget Officer who is already in place.
Specifically, a parliamentary science officer can give a stronger voice in Parliament. They could have responsibilities like assessing the state of scientific evidence relevant to any proposals or bills before Parliament. They could answer requests from committees and individual MPs for scientific information or expertise and even conduct independent analysis of federal science and technology policy.