Nature mag lambastes Tory handling of science

UK-based Nature Magazine has lambasted Canada's Conservative government for its handling of science in a sharply worded editorial published February 21st. The editorial — entitled Science in Retreat — takes direct aim at the government's handling of climate change, the treatment of media inquiries to Environment Canada scientists, pollution stemming from oil sands development and funding for health research and major science facilities.

But it saves its most withering criticism for the government's changes to science advice, primarily the decision to close the Office of the National Science Advisor which prompted the resignation of Dr Arthur Carty (R$, January 21/08).

Using blunt language such as "abysmal" and "manifest disregard for science", Nature lashed out at the decision to replace the ONSA with the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC). It charges that the inclusion of three DMs on the 18-member body raises concerns that its advice will be "markedly less independent" than the ONSA.

The editorial prompted a quick response from Industry minister Jim Prentice who issued a letter defending the Conservative government's actions. Prentice stated that the suggestion that "18 bright minds cannot perform the task of one science advisor — who decided to retire after years or dedicated public service — is incomprehensible." Prentice failed to mention, however, that his own government framed the creation of STIC not as a replacement for the ONSA but to replace three other advisory bodies established under the previous Liberal administration (R$, June 18/07).

Prentice also used the letter to accuse the previous government of ignoring science "for years" although the Liberal governments of Jean Chrétien and Paul Martin engineered the largest increases to university-based science funding in Canadian history.

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Note: Jim Prentice's 700-word response to the Nature editorial is available at our web site for on-line subscribers (click here).