e-415 (Chief Science Officer)

Petition to the Minister of Science

• The Liberal government has committed to appointing a Chief Science Officer who will ensure government science is fully available to the public, that scientists are able to speak freely about this work, and that scientific analyses are considered when the government makes decisions;
• The principle of independence is fundamental to scientific integrity;
• International best practices demonstrate Canada’s new science advisor should have a mandate to provide objective, impartial and apolitical scientific information;
• Tenure of a position is necessary to provide objective and impartial advice to policy-makers; and
• First created in 2004, the former Office of National Science Advisor was not established through legislation, lacked institutional independence, and was consequently easily eliminated in 2008 following a change in government;