Group scales up efforts to unmuzzle government scientists, boost basic research

September 16th rallies

The organizers of last year's groundbreaking Death of Evidence Rally will be back on Parliament Hill as well as supporting events in 14 other cities from coast to coast on September 16th. The group — re-branded as Evidence for Democracy (E4D) — is coordinating the Stand Up for Science rallies to deliver a more nuanced message to convince Canadians, policy makers and the federal government of the need to support basic research and allow government scientists to freely discuss their research in public.

"We're calling on the government to make a strong stand on science in the public interest for focusing on basic science, using science to make the best decisions and allow scientists to communicate their work to the public," says Dr Katie Gibbs, E4D's executive director and co-founder of the organization. "We're trying not to attack this government or (prime minister Stephen) Harper, but this government has been particularly bad on these issues. All governments tend to act this way unless the public demands they act otherwise."

E4D was formed following several months of brainstorming and consultation to determine what it could contribute to the growing debate over the muzzling of federal scientists and cuts to basic research that wasn't being filled by other organizations. The decision was ultimately made to focus on evidence-based decision making, beginning with a series of rallies followed by the writing of a science charter which organizers plan to use to raise their three main points (see chart) in the next federal election.

"We want to take these ideas and flesh them out by asking, what would be a better science communications policy," says Gibbs. "We'll be looking at best practices elsewhere and in 2014 we'll call for concrete policy changes and use the charter as a tool in the next election. Then we'll hold their feet to the fire."

Gibbs says there haven't been many new reported cases of muzzling scientists because government policies have sent a chill throughout the federal research community. Cuts to the federal service are being implemented in such a way that's impossible to connect job losses to any instances of scientists speaking out.

Gibbs points to revised communications policies at Environment Canada and DFO as evidence that the situation is not improving.

"Government scientists are terrified for their jobs — step out of line and their head is on the chopping block," says Gibbs, adding that she is unaware of any scientist fired for speaking without permission. "The government is still talking the message that there's nothing wrong by stating that no government has funded science as well as we have. They're denying the basic facts which makes it hard to have discussions on these issues."

One of the major stimulae leading to the Death of Evidence Rally and the formation of E4D was the announced closure of the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) in 2012 (R$, July 31/12). Although the ELA's survival was recently assured with funding from the province of Ontario (see page 5), its plight underscored E4D's contention that the Harper government was not interested in basic science, particularly in the realm of environmental research.

The recent Cabinet shuffle, which saw the appointment of Greg Rickford as junior minister of state for science and technology, has not improved the situation. Rickford is the MP for Kenora — home to the ELA — and the minister voted with the government to defund the facility after previously praising its significance and accomplishments.

"He (Rickford) supported the government position and people involved in the ELA feel like his appointment is a slap in the face," says Gibbs.

More recently, withdrawal of funding by the National Research Council's (NRC) Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (now within the National Science Infrastructure portfolio) has led to the closure of the Centre of the Universe Interpretive Centre, a youth outreach facility in Victoria BC. The centre received $250,000 from the NRC through Herzberg, which was hit with a $1.8-million budget cut earlier this year. The closure was effective August 24th.

E4D currently has four board members and plans to expand its ranks to eight with the addition of some scientists and people with human resources and financial backgrounds. Part of its pitch to the government and the public is that basic science and the government's emphasis on innovation and commercialization are complementary.

"The government funds science and technology by supporting industry and commercialization which is not a bad thing, but it doesn't understand the importance of basic research," says Gibbs. "Basic research helps commercialization, jobs and the public good and is a pillar of prosperity. We didn't focus on this at the Death of Evidence rally but it will be a focus at the rallies on the 16th."

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