Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join in the prebudget debate. I want to talk not so much on how much money we should spend on science and research but on how we should spend some of the money in the budget on science and research.
I will be splitting my time with the member for Stoney Creek.
I want to talk about the initiative of the hon. member for Bellechasse--Etchemins--Montmagny--L'Islet for the creation of a national science organization known as the Canadian academies of science.
I want to share with the House an overview of that proposal, its potential roles, operations, members and the assessment panel process which it would include.
As the sciences move to the centre of decision making in all walks of life, consideration must be given as to how Canada as a society keeps abreast of the impacts and implications of advances in those sciences.
In many countries, national academies play a key role in fulfilling this function. For some time there have been calls for the creation of a national science organization in Canada mandated to conduct independent assessments of the science underlying pressing issues and to provide a strong Canadian voice for the sciences, both nationally and internationally.
As it stands, Canada is one of only two G-7 countries without a recognized national science organization that fulfills these functions. The Royal Society of Canada has conducted assessments of science issues of public concern on an ad hoc basis but it has found that it is very difficult to conduct such assessments on a contract basis.
Without a standing capacity to deal with complex issues, Canada lacks the ability to keep pace with the impacts and implications of advances in the sciences. Furthermore, without an internationally recognized national science organization, it is very difficult for Canada to benefit from the excellent work carried out by foreign academies.
In October 2000, representatives of Canadian science and science related organizations participated in a national round table to consider the creation of a national science organization here. I was pleased to be part of that event. It was a fascinating discussion and in the end we arrived at a consensus in principle on the need for an independent, multidisciplinary, national academy for the sciences and humanities to conduct assessments of the science underlying pressing issues.
In February of this year the hon. member for Bellechasse--Etchemins--Montmagny--L'Islet, in his capacity as Secretary of State for Science, Research and Development, established a working group from a cross section of the round table participants. The goal was to develop a proposal that would address the role, scope and funding of such an organization, and to seek a broad and diverse base of support for the Canadian academies of science within the Canadian stakeholder community.
The working group carried out extensive consultation with academe, science organizations, learned societies, non-governmental organizations, federal government external advisory committees and individuals. The proposal was posted on public websites and distributed to participants of the October round table.
Targeted consultations were also conducted. The proposal was presented during the Standing Committee on Finance's prebudget consultations. Overall the consultations were positive and identified a broad base of support for the establishment of a national science organization.
The academies of science, through its mission, mandate, structure and operating processes, would be an independent, inclusive, impartial and objective organization that would operate in an open and transparent manner.
The Canadian academies of science would provide Canada with a voice on behalf of the full spectrum of the sciences defined to include natural science, engineering, health sciences, social sciences and the humanities.
Its mission would be twofold: to deliver credible, independent, expert assessments of the sciences underlying pressing issues; and to provide a Canadian voice on behalf of the sciences, both nationally and internationally.
Informed decisions in a knowledge based society rest on a foundation of independent, multidisciplinary assessments of the sciences.
At a minimum, assessment establishes an extensive picture of complex issues and clarifies the lines of debate. At its best, the assessment process builds a common base of understanding and establishes a consensus on the questions that remain to be answered.
The Canadian academies of science would provide a critical public service by ensuring independent, unbiased expert assessments of the science underlying pressing issues. These will be used to support informed decision making by the public, the government and other stakeholders, and to consider the impact of expanding knowledge on society.
It is important to distinguish between advice and assessment. Advice makes recommendations concerning a course of action, whereas assessment is the step prior to advice that identifies the scientifically sound evidence with the objective of informing the deliberative process. In a knowledge based economy, informed decisions rest on a foundation of independent, multi-disciplinary assessments of the sciences.
National academies around the world have a long tradition of providing high quality, independent assessments. An excellent example is the recent U.S. national academies’ assessment report on stem cells. This report did not try to set policy but rather strives to inform congress and the executive branch. The assessment panel has one goal: to establish the facts about stem cell research based on documented evidence.
The challenges and opportunities that arise from advances in science are increasingly international in scope. Effective responses will increasingly require a collaborative approach that draws on the scientific and technological expertise in a number of countries.
Together with its member organizations, the Canadian academies of science will participate in joint activities with national academies around the world.
Our model uses an umbrella structure as called for during the October round table. The umbrella structure ensures the Canadian academies of science works with its member organizations to fulfill its mission and mandate. It will synergize and complement the important contributions of its member organizations and other Canadian science organizations. In essence, it parallels the U.S. national research council structure and is similar to the governing structure now employed by Genome Canada. At the same time, it is uniquely Canadian, as reflected in the inclusive nature of the board of governors.
Member organizations are, in effect, the shareholders of the Canadian academies of science. Close collaboration, including the ability to call upon the diverse membership and networks of the member organizations, is critical to the delivery of the academies' mandate.
The Canadian academies of science would be governed by an inclusive, diversified and balanced board of governors of 12 to 20 members. Member organizations will appoint one half of the board members or two per organization. The balance of the board will be drawn from the general public. Scientific credentials will not be a prerequisite for these members. General public board members will be selected on the basis of their leadership within their communities and a demonstrated commitment to Canada.
The board of governors will approve and direct the Canadian academies of science programs and administrative operations. It will also actively develop and maintain linkages with equivalent international bodies in partnership with member organizations and other Canadian science organizations.
With respect to the budget, it is estimated that the Canadian academies of science would require an annual operating budget of $3.5 million. As noted earlier, this is a consultative proposal. To date we have received excellent feedback and I certainly applaud the efforts so far.
The government has invested heavily in science and technology. To gain maximum benefit from those investments, we need to change the way we organize full spectrum science in the country. The Canadian academies of science would do exactly that.