Arthur Carty and Paul Dufour

Expectations high in search for new Canadian Chief Science Advisor

By Dr Arthur Carty & Paul Dufour

At a news conference in Ottawa at the National Research Council on December 5th, Science minister Kirsty Duncan announced the next step in the search for a Chief Science Advisor, a key priority in the minister's mandate. The announcement will be welcomed by many and expectations will be high as a broad net is cast to encourage applications from a diverse scientific community concerned about science advice to government.

Restoring our Science Advisory Capacity

The lack of a Chief Science Advisor (CSA) and of a strong, effective science advisory system in Canada for most of the past decade has left Canada well behind other advanced nations (the UK, US and New Zealand come immediately to mind) and hindered our ability to incorporate sound scientific evidence into policy and decision making for the betterment of our society.

So we strongly endorse the principle of creating a CSA supported by a rigorous, open, Science Advisory Council fitted to Canada's specific needs and chaired by the Chief Science Advisor. These actions should be the highest priority of the minister.

In parallel, the CSA should work with the ministers to re-establish a Committee of Chief Scientists drawn from Science-Based Departments and Agencies. Such a network has been a great success in the UK under successive CSAs, encouraging collaboration, strengthening government science and largely avoiding turf battles.

In sum, these initiatives will rebuild trust, reduce government message control, restore transparency and enhance the credibility of government in the use of evidence for decision making.

What should the CSA do?

It is worth noting that while Canada has recently lived through negative experiences with science advisory systems, Québec has a Chief Scientist who has survived several changes in governance. Furthermore, the three territories have relied on their science advisory capacity to develop a Pan-Northern Approach to Science. In addition, Ontario is engaged in a consultation process to appoint a Chief Science Officer. A portal to reassess and benefit from our experiences in this advisory landscape is now wide open.

Science advisors or chief scientists must face all sorts of challenges: some may challenge the conventional or ideological position of the ruling government — often at some cost. Some are brought in to deal with crises that affect the very heart of economic survival and social development for a country or region. Many are ambassadors for branding their respective economies through international dialogue and trade missions.

At her request, the minister has received many submissions and ideas on what the CSA could and should do. She has also consulted with members of the International Network for Government Science Advisors (INGSA). Most will underscore that it is not an easy job.

Well resourced and independent

Firstly, it is advisory, hence advice can be implemented, deferred or ignored. Secondly, it requires serious resources. A well-funded secretariat with capable and knowledgeable professionals is a sine qua non, and must be supported by an open Science Advisory Council. Thirdly, the CSA must have some form of independence from political interference and be quickly able to establish trust with the communities served — both across the government and with the other stakeholders in research, education, business and civil society.

The position demands the ability to marshal sound evidence from all sources, domestic and international. Public outreach, consultation and communication — a touchstone of the current administration — will be key. It will be critical in getting past bureaucratic risk aversion and rivalries that tend to stifle or ignore the dissemination of useful advice. That the position may eventually be legislated to prevent its easy removal as administrations change is also to be applauded.

Creating Science and Technology Foresight Capacity

In today's highly interconnected world where people and information are in constant flux, societies are more than ever exposed to unforeseen risk of varying kinds: from disease pandemics, natural disasters and financial crisis to floods, drought and social upheavals.

A technology foresight program, designed to look in depth at emerging technologies and their societal impacts such as potential health pandemics, an aging population, global food and water security and climate change impacts, can ensure that Canada is better prepared. The Foresight program run by the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser in the UK has been very successful in anticipating emerging trends driven by new knowledge and technology.

For example, it is now examining how changes in technology and an ageing population affect what skills the UK will need in the future. Another project underway is tackling the role that science and technology can play in understanding and providing solutions to the long-term issues affecting the sea. The UK experience and that of others could serve as a model for a foresight activity in the office of the new CSA in Canada.

The CSA as Ambassador & Champion on the International Scene

As Canada's chief scientist, the CSA will have many opportunities to represent Canada's interests in science and to help convey to the world that we are a scientifically and technologically sophisticated nation willing and able to collaborate at the leading edge of science.

Working with other stakeholders, the CSA can enhance science diplomacy and strengthen global partnerships in key areas. The CSA will also need to interact with other CSAs via international networks (e.g. INGSA, the Carnegie Group) to exchange ideas and advances on science advisory mechanisms.

Arthur Carty was the Inaugural Executive Director of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology and former National Science Advisor. Paul Dufour is a Fellow and Adjunct Professor, Institute for Science, Society and Policy, University of Ottawa