Vanishing Science report details extent of past and future cuts to federal S&T

A new report by the union representing federal scientists says $2.6 billion is slated to be cut from the budgets of science-based departments and agencies (SBDAs) between 2013 and 2016, on top of $596 million (in 2007 constant dollars) already axed between 2008 and 2013. Entitled Vanishing Science: The Disappearance of Canadian Public Interest Science, the report from the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) reports that the cuts will result in the elimination of more than 5,000 jobs, further deteriorating the government's ability to develop and implement evidence-based policies.

In the next year alone, $355 million will be removed from S&T budgets — cuts the government has contended will be limited to "back office operations".

PIPSC released a report last year on the muzzling of federal scientists based on a survey by the Environics Research Group (R$, October 28/13). Information gleaned from that survey was augmented with a more recent public opinion survey (also conducted by Environics) to serve as the basis for the latest report.

The report reveals that 91% of responding PIPSC members say the recent cuts "are having or will have a detrimental impact on the government's ability to serve the public interest". When the public was asked about the $355-million cut over the next year, 69% of respondents say it will "have a negative impact on the federal government's ability to serve the interests of Canadians".

Of the cuts that have already been implemented, the National Research Council and Environment Canada have been the hardest hit, losing $129 million and $125 million respectively from their budgets, resulting in job losses of 798 at the NRC and 159 at Environment Canada.

The survey of government scientists found that, at the NRC, 80% of scientists believe "Canada has done a worse job advancing the country's international standing in innovation and technology over the past five years" while 86% believe "this will have a negative impact on R&D generally".

Citing the latest Planning and Priorities report, PIPSC says 10 of the key SBDAs will suffer cuts averaging 17% over the next few years, led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ($574.1 million/20%), Department of Fisheries and Oceans ($370.8 million/19.5%) and Health Canada ($653.8 million/17.3%).

The report also reveals a disconnect between the current federal trend towards support for business R&D and public expectations. It found 73% of Canadians believe public health, safety and the environment should be the top priorities for federal science, compared to 24% who prefer business innovation and resource development.

"We are becoming a ‘Banana Republic' when it comes to environmental legislation and regulations. These wholesale changes are being led by ideology and not cost savings or common sense."

— PIPSC Vanishing Science report

The report also takes serious issue with the government's contention that the cuts are confined to the "back office".

"One thing they cannot be called are cuts to "back office operations" — not unless "back office" is meant Canada's natural environment, air and water quality, the survival of other species, and of course the health and safety of all Canadians," states the report.

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