Stephen Harper and Federal Conservatives War on Science

[Nehkara]

I am SO sick of Stephen Harper's war on science and information. I can't wait for them to be crushed in the next election.

The Federal government has dismissed over 2,000 scientists in the past 5 years.

In the past five years the federal government has dismissed more than 2,000 scientists, and hundreds of programs and world-renowned research facilities have lost their funding. Programs that monitored things such as smoke stack emissions, food inspections, oil spills, water quality and climate change have been drastically cut or shut down.

7 of 11 libraries for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to be closed; papers and books discarded

"I call it [closing libraries] Orwellian, because some might suspect that it's driven by a notion to exterminate all unpopular scientific findings that interfere with the government's economic objectives," Siddon told the CBC.

Health Canada library changes leave it difficult and expensive to access; scientists storing books in their basements

Health Canada scientists are so concerned about losing access to their research library that they're finding workarounds, with one squirrelling away journals and books in his basement for colleagues to consult, says a report obtained by CBC News.

The draft report from a consultant hired by the department warned it not to close its library, but the report was rejected as flawed and the advice went unheeded.

Before the main library closed, the inter-library loan functions were outsourced to a private company called Infotrieve, the consultant wrote in a report ordered by the department. The library's physical collection was moved to the National Science Library on the Ottawa campus of the National Research Council last year.

"Staff requests have dropped 90 per cent over in-house service levels prior to the outsource. This statistic has been heralded as a cost savings by senior HC [Health Canada] management," the report said.

"However, HC scientists have repeatedly said during the interview process that the decrease is because the information has become inaccessible — either it cannot arrive in due time, or it is unaffordable due to the fee structure in place."

"I look at it as an insidious plan to discourage people from using libraries," said Dr. Rudi Mueller, who left the department in 2012.

"If you want to justify closing a library, you make access difficult and then you say it is hardly used."

Widespread muzzling of federal scientists

The survey asked scientists whether they agreed with a number of statements about their ability to speak freely. It found:

- 37 per cent agreed that they had been prevented by public relations or management from responding to a question from the public or the media about their area of expertise in the past five years.

- 14 per cent agreed that they could speak freely and without constraints to the media about work they published in peer-reviewed journals.

- 10 per cent said they were allowed to speak freely and without constraints about the work they do at their department or agency.

The cost of scrapping the long-form census (we get less data and it costs more)

The total budget for 2006 Census was $567M and for the 2011 Census and NHS, it was $660M which included supplementary funding of $30M. Supplementary funding of $30 million was allocated to cover the costs associated with increased questionnaire production and mail-out for both the Census and the National Household Survey and increased field follow-up. $22 million of the supplementary funding was spent. Statistics Canada returned $8 million to Treasury Board, so $652 million was spent.

More articles:

Harper's war on science continues with a vengeance

The government’s war on science was well underway by the time of the omnibus budget bill — the long-form census long gone, a crime bill passed with little recourse to the data gathered by criminologists, scientists publishing papers on environmental topics already being muzzled — but the bill was its full-scale launch. It has proceeded apace since — and inspired the unprecedented scene of lab-coated scientists marching through the streets of Canadian cities in protest from Ottawa to Victoria.

So what is the nature of this war on science? Above all else, it is a sustained campaign to diminish the government’s role in evidence-based policy-making and environmental stewardship in three simple ways: reducing the capacity of the government to gather basic data about the status and health of the environment and Canadian society; shrinking or eliminating government agencies that monitor and analyze that evidence and respond to emergencies; and seizing control of the communications channels by which all of the above report their findings to the Canadian public.

2012: A bleak year for environmental policy

The budget also withdrew funding from the Experimental Lakes Area, the world’s leading freshwater research centre, which has done groundbreaking work on acid rain, household pollutants and much more.

Apparently the Department of Fisheries and Oceans can’t find the $2 million per year required to run the facility, though it will have to scare up the $50 million needed to remediate the lakes in the area upon the centre’s closing. It’s a bewildering decision that calls into question whether the government’s motivations are, as it claims, fiscal, or whether the Conservatives are instead trying to silence a source of inconvenient data.

Meanwhile, we needn’t wonder about the motivations behind the government’s scrapping of the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, a federally funded environmental watchdog created by the Mulroney government in 1988. When asked in Parliament how the government justified its decision to cut funding for the organization, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird implied it was because the Conservatives objected to the Round Table’s repeated endorsements of a carbon tax.

There is a lot more but it is pretty depressing digging up all of the articles so I will just say that I am hoping beyond hope that we get a different government next time that can undo some of the damage that has been done to Canada's science community.

Edit: I realize I'm not likely to get much support here... but people need to know this crap is happening.

[Brannigans Law]

I can't wait to vote against this jack ass again. Hopefully this time Trudeau wins and we get a change.

[Canada 02]

the last federal budget:

• $37 million in new research funding for the granting councils: the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
• $225 million for the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s next Leading Edge/New Initiatives competition.
• $121 million in new funding for the National Research Council, along with $20 million to support IRAP, the Industrial Research Assistance Program.
• $165 million in new funding over two years for genomics research through Genome Canada.
• $70 million over three years for post-secondary internships.
• $10 million over two years for Canada’s International Education Marketing Strategy aimed at making Canadian universities an international destination of choice.
• $10 million over two years to Indspire, providing post-secondary scholarships and bursaries for First Nations and Inuit students.
• $13 million over two years to support Mitacs’ Globalink Program.

“The federal government continues to recognize the importance of research investments,” University of Calgary President Elizabeth Cannon said. “These investments provide Canadian research universities with a significant advantage. They grow talent, create jobs, and make the Canadian economy more competitive internationally.”

[Flames Draft Watcher]

The Conservatives are terrible. Can't wait to see them out of office.

Politics is so annoying

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

the last federal budget:

• $37 million in new research funding for the granting councils: the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
• $225 million for the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s next Leading Edge/New Initiatives competition.
• $121 million in new funding for the National Research Council, along with $20 million to support IRAP, the Industrial Research Assistance Program.
• $165 million in new funding over two years for genomics research through Genome Canada.
• $70 million over three years for post-secondary internships.
• $10 million over two years for Canada’s International Education Marketing Strategy aimed at making Canadian universities an international destination of choice.
• $10 million over two years to Indspire, providing post-secondary scholarships and bursaries for First Nations and Inuit students.
• $13 million over two years to support Mitacs’ Globalink Program.

This would be great except the Harper government has told the National Research council it only wants business-oriented research being done.

And... this:

Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology, has consistently defended the Harper government from accusations of a War on Science by emphasizing the $5.5 billion that the Feds have provided to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), including another $225 million to the CFI in Economic Action Plan 2013 released on March 21.

The CFI – the key decision-maker for all science funding in Canada – has a governing body of 13 members, seven of whom are appointed by the Minister of Industry (Christian Paradis). These members then select the other six members.

This governing body then appoints seven of the 13 CFI Board of Directors, receives reports from the Board, appoints auditors, approves the Annual Report, sets strategic objectives and makes final decisions about what science projects will be funded, including at universities. According to the CFI website, the members are “similar to a company’s shareholders, but representing the Canadian public.”

But a look at the CFI members indicates that it is a highly politicized body (including a founding trustee of the Fraser Institute) that is making the decisions about what science to support with its $5.5 billion in taxpayer dollars.

CFI Co-Chair David Fung is so thoroughly embedded in China-Canada business/trade collaboration that he may as well be seen as a de facto vice-president of CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corp.). The other Co-Chair, Roland Hosein, is a vice-president of GE Canada, a company that is thoroughly engaged in promoting “energy export corridors” and water-privatization efforts across Canada, including GENI (September-October 2011 Watershed Sentinel) and (with Goldman Sachs) the Aqueduct Alliance (January-February 2012 Watershed Sentinel).

Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of the CFI includes the President/CEO of the Montreal Economic Institute (a perennial advocate of bulk water export), and an executive for Husky Energy (whose Hong Kong billionaire owner Li Ka-Shing is buying up water/utilities around the globe).

[You Need a Thneed]

A long time conservative voter, I'm going to have a hard time voting for them next time around.

I'm fed up with making decisions for political reasons, instead of any consideration on what is the best thing to do.

[evman150]

The Centre of the Universe, an astronomical interpretive centre in Victoria used mainly by school fieldtrips was closed down recently, due to "financial constraints". Its cost to operate consisted of a few hundred thousand dollars per year - mostly paid to UVic astronomy students to man the place during the year.

Absolutely sickening.

http://www.timescolonist.com/news/lo...verse-1.600776
http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/outreach/cu/

[Hemi-Cuda]

I'm going to register to vote in the next election for the first time just to vote against Harper (I'm 30). I really don't like Trudeau that much, but I'm so sick of Canada going backwards in science and social issues under the conservative government. Harper needs to go before he can do more damage

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

I'm going to register to vote in the next election for the first time just to vote against Harper (I'm 30). I really don't like Trudeau that much, but I'm so sick of Canada going backwards in science and social issues under the conservative government. Harper needs to go before he can do more damage

In addition to this, I'm questioning our departure from a friendly, neutral observer in the global politics sphere to an opinionated, partisan mouthpiece. Harper's current visit to Israel and his speech to the Knesset yesterday is a good example of that, and I am sickening that he thinks Canadians feel the same.

This goof can't get replaced soon enough.

Question is, is anyone else competent to take over? History does not make me confident.

[GreenLantern]

As far as the natural sciences go, at one point the work field was very saturated. There were far to many comfortable old farts that didn't have the energy or care to do proper research anymore, just riding out a cushy government job. I admit that they went a little too far, they could have scaled back the layoffs about 30% and been fine.. but I was not surprised to see it.

Now a lot of these guys retired, as they were near or over due for it anyway. A lot ended up going to the provincial level or university level where they will be forced to do actual work. And a lot of their research sites were taken over by Universities. Our group inherited a vast wealth of research equipment/sites that were sitting relatively un used besides the odd temperature or wind speed measurement.

These sites and equipment are now being put to full use and have created jobs and opportunities for professionals and students at the University research level that would not otherwise have been there. Always two sides to the story.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

In addition to this, I'm questioning our departure from a friendly, neutral observer in the global politics sphere to an opinionated, partisan mouthpiece. Harper's current visit to Israel and his speech to the Knesset yesterday is a good example of that, and I am sickening that he thinks Canadians feel the same.

This goof can't get replaced soon enough.

Question is, is anyone else competent to take over? History does not make me confident.

I am a liberal (even considering being a capital "L" liberal in the next election if they are serious about changing cannabis prohibition laws), but I don't see what the problem was with his visit to Israel and his address to the Israeli parliament. What specifically bothered you? (I only read a synopsis of the speech). Being the first Canadian PM invited to address the Knesset is a pretty big deal.

[Fire]

blah blah blah... Harper is evil.... blah blah blah...

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Fire

blah blah blah... Harper is evil.... blah blah blah...

Excellent, well thought out contribution. Thanks for that.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

As far as the natural sciences go, at one point the work field was very saturated. There were far to many comfortable old farts that didn't have the energy or care to do proper research anymore, just riding out a cushy government job. I admit that they went a little too far, they could have scaled back the layoffs about 30% and been fine.. but I was not surprised to see it.

Now a lot of these guys retired, as they were near or over due for it anyway. A lot ended up going to the provincial level or university level where they will be forced to do actual work. And a lot of their research sites were taken over by Universities. Our group inherited a vast wealth of research equipment/sites that were sitting relatively un used besides the odd temperature or wind speed measurement.

These sites and equipment are now being put to full use and have created jobs and opportunities for professionals and students at the University research level that would not otherwise have been there. Always two sides to the story.

Great post.
In politics there's never two sides to the story. Only the one that makes your opinion look right. That said, the way you wrote your post I'd take your opinion over the OP.

[crazy_eoj]

Nobody ever asks the important questions like:

How many soldiers have been killed in the war on science!!?!

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

As far as the natural sciences go, at one point the work field was very saturated. There were far to many comfortable old farts that didn't have the energy or care to do proper research anymore, just riding out a cushy government job. I admit that they went a little too far, they could have scaled back the layoffs about 30% and been fine.. but I was not surprised to see it.

Now a lot of these guys retired, as they were near or over due for it anyway. A lot ended up going to the provincial level or university level where they will be forced to do actual work. And a lot of their research sites were taken over by Universities. Our group inherited a vast wealth of research equipment/sites that were sitting relatively un used besides the odd temperature or wind speed measurement.

These sites and equipment are now being put to full use and have created jobs and opportunities for professionals and students at the University research level that would not otherwise have been there. Always two sides to the story.

I'm not disagreeing or saying you're wrong. I'm curious to see sources for this. I've never heard this, where I have read about the 'war on science' before.

Can you post something supporting your statement? (Again I don't mean to come across as sarcastic, I'm legitimately curious).

[PsYcNeT]

I would assume that he means "Geology" when speaking of Natural Sciences in Alberta (which certainly wouldn't reflect the rest of Canada), where young geo grads are always clamoring to get their hands on that sweet sweet O&G money.

(Mostly kidding, I really have no idea what he's talking about)

[troutman]

http://www.cbc.ca/thecurrent/episode...ar-on-science/

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/comme...vengeance.html

http://www.straight.com/news/523426/...as-war-science

https://evidencefordemocracy.ca/

[troutman]

BROADCAST DATE : Jan 10, 2014
Silence of the Labs

http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/episodes/201...ce-of-the-labs

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I am a liberal (even considering being a capital "L" liberal in the next election if they are serious about changing cannabis prohibition laws), but I don't see what the problem was with his visit to Israel and his address to the Israeli parliament. What specifically bothered you? (I only read a synopsis of the speech). Being the first Canadian PM invited to address the Knesset is a pretty big deal.

In addition to using Hell and Holocaust references and how Canada is staunchly behind Israel, I believe our clearly partisan approach to the issue leans too heavily towards the support of Israel, at least publicly - it's just not balanced enough. Donations/Funding to Palestinian projects has all but dried up, and yet Harper continues to talk about a two-state solution. It seems like a contradictory position - I just feel like he speaks in rhetoric, and John Baird is no better.

Our country is taking an image hit around the world, and while that doesn't bother some, I am bothered by it. Canada is turning into the loud shill underling of the American foreign policy gamut. Not a fan of that direction.

I would also venture to say that relations with other Arabic countries in the Middle East are strongly tied to how much/little one supports the Palestinian cause.


Politics is 90% visual.