Paul Dufour

A place for science in the Speech from the Throne

By Paul Dufour

Twenty-five years ago, a Minister of State for Science and Technology under the federal Progressive Conservative government gave an address to the House in response to the October1, 1986 Speech from the Throne. I can't recall another such wide-ranging statement on science in response to a Speech from the Throne (which itself was laden with references to the importance of science and technology for the economy and society).

But it resonates well with many issues before us today. The speech presaged a new Canadian Space Agency, a micro-electronics strategy, the Networks of Centres of Excellence Program, a Parliamentary Committee for Research, Science and Technology, and other key programs including a national Public Awareness of S&T Program.

Regional consultations took place, buttressed by the policy analysis work of the Science Council of Canada. These were followed in 1988 by a major national conference on technology and innovation presided over by the prime minister, which laid out the platform of the government's "InnovAction". The 1986 Throne Speech announced that the PM would chair a new National Advisory Board on Science and Technology — a group of eminent Canadians asked to assess national S&T goals. This board published all of its advice, allowing for an open national debate.

The science minister's address also underscored cost-cutting that was taking place (e.g. the National Research Council was to absorb cuts to make way for funding of the Canadian Space Program). But it also laid out a renewed focus on science culture and pan-Canadian cooperation along with substantively funded joint federal-provincial S&T agreements.

A National S&T Policy was signed by science ministers of federal, provincial and territorial governments on March 24/87 in Vancouver. The policy was designed to "bring science and technology fully to bear on the economic, social, cultural and regional development of our country by encouraging cooperation among governments, and between the public, quasi-public and private sectors." It remains the last time the country had a truly pan-Canadian approach to S&T with leadership from a national Council of Science and Technology Ministers established to implement its objectives.

Excerpts from Minister Oberle's October 8/86 speech to the House follow. Some may argue it is a bit hyperbolic, but at least it is not azoic like many of the statements we have today:

"Mr Speaker, we are living in very exciting times, times of critical significance to the future of Canada. These are times of unprecedented change pressed relentlessly upon us by the advancement of science and the application of technology. These are also times of unprecedented opportunity for our country, and for all Canadians. But like most opportunities, these times are accompanied by risk and challenge.

I cannot begin to tell you how proud I am today to rise in this chamber and speak in support of a Speech from the Throne which, for the first time in our country's history, has placed science and technology(S&T) in such a prominent place of government operations and in the political agenda.

Let us be under no illusions. Canada has no place guaranteed in this new order, no seat reserved. We will improve employment prospects in Canada. We will improve our standard of living and the prestige we have earned throughout the world only if we work hard, make the right choices at each crossroad, adopt new attitudes and work together.

Canadians are coming to understand that our ability to use research and development (R&D) effectively, without delay, has a determining impact on the number of jobs open to us, on Canada's access to international markets, and on the competitiveness of Canadian industries and Canadian products. We can see new possibilities open to us in realizing national goals with the use of S&T to protect and conserve our environment, to develop a new workplace in which men and women can play equal and important roles, to bridge distances ... to unite our vast and diverse land.

The provincial and federal governments must work together to forge a coordinated national policy. S&T must move to the centre of government decision-making. The consensus which has emerged identified four critical issues which must be addressed immediately. The first has to do with creating a culture in Canada which appreciates and instills pride and celebrates Canada's scientists, engineers and innovators; which promotes a strong awareness of the importance of Canada today; and in the decades ahead, of astute application of S&T which utilizes the talents of Canadian women in science careers.

We must expand the capacity of our universities to respond to new demands for basic research and the training of researchers for exploration of new disciplines and the development of new skills. There is a national consensus that we must urgently develop and use new strategic or ... ‘enabling' technologies which underpin our industrial capabilities. Lastly, there is consensus that governments should use the full scope of their instruments to advance R&D.

An extensive internal review is reaching completion on the entire federal S&T framework so that all federal resources dedicated to science can be focused on new national priorities in a consistent manner. I anticipate that the Standing Committee on Research, Science and Technology, which was established during the last session of Parliament, will play an important part in evaluating the results of that review and of how the federal government can spend much smarter and more effectively the $4.2 billion that we presently spend on science and technology and related activity.

For the first time, Canadians have a prime minister who is demonstrating appreciation of achievements of science, on a regular basis and in a formal way, with Canada's most eminent scientists, engineers and leaders from business, industry and labour. He will personally chair this new board or council. It will assess our national goals and policies regarding science and technology and their application to improve Canada's competitiveness and maintain prosperity.

I believe all parties are in agreement that we must take long-range action. That is why we have made our plans for a federal S&T policy with an eye on the next generation, not with an eye on the next election." — Frank Oberle, Minister of State for Science and Technology, House of Commons, 8 Oct 1986.

Paul Dufour is principal of PaulicyWorks and a fellow of the Institute of Science, Society and Policy, Univ of Ottawa.