Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my hon. colleague, who has worked most of his career in protecting the environment, protecting science.
He is absolutely right. We are coming under attack internationally. Nature magazine, one of the world's leading journals, recently reported that policy directives confirm little understanding by the government of the importance of the free flow of scientific knowledge. The journal reported that:
...rather than address the matter, the Canadian government seems inclined to stick with its restrictive course and ride out all objections.
The government's untenable position is coming under increasing pressure. I have repeatedly called upon the government to recognize that Environment Canada's ability to protect environmental and human health depends upon scientific excellence and integrity, and should therefore ensure that a scientific integrity policy is developed to foster the highest degree of accountability, integrity and transparency in conducting, utilizing and communicating science within and outside Environment Canada, and to protect the department's scientific findings from being altered, distorted or suppressed.