Budget Cuts & Administrative Polices Hampering Science In Canada

Budget Cuts & Administrative Polices Hampering Science

Yesterday, Environics Canada, an opinion research poll often quoted in Canadian media, released the results of a poll conducted this past summer which asked scientists about the direction of scientific progress in Canada. It should be noted that in Canada, many scientists belong to Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), the largest multi-union of professionals in Canada. Also, the union has long been supportive of liberal government policies.

With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the union essentially gave a no-confidence vote to the conservative government of President Scott Harper. Harper has challenged the status quo and fundamentally altered the role of federally funded scientific research. The most fundamental change was the switch from science having the new priority of supporting industry to help promote growth and economic prosperity from the original priority of promoting social issues of health and safety.

Predictably the switch in priorities carried with it different funding projects. It has reaped an enormous benefit as Canada makes advances in better R&D research & technology. This is evident in the strides that the nation has made in space exploration. However, the scientists polled overwhelmingly believe that the current funding priorities are hampering science as they believe it should exist.

On The Web:
Federal science hobbled by cuts and policies, poll says
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/federal-science-hobbled-by-cuts-and-policies-poll-says-1.2525819