Debate intensifies over which science advice mechanisms will serve Canada best

CSPC 2015

The Liberal Party's pledge to create a chief science officer (CSO) and incorporate scientific evidence into its decision-making has opened up intense speculation over the kind of science policy regime the new government will implement. Last week's Canadian Science Policy Conference in Ottawa featured several debates over what Canada requires to enhance science-informed policy making and which mechanisms are best suited for the task.

According to the government, the CSO will be an individual "who will ensure that government science is fully available to the public, that scientists are able to speak freely about their work, and that scientific analyses are considered when the government makes decisions".

In addition, the New Democratic Party during the recent election campaign advocated for a Parliamentary science officer to assist and inform MPs and staff on the best methods and avenues for using science to inform their thinking and decision-making.

The federal government currently uses two existing bodies for its science advice – the Council of Canadian Academies and the Science, Technology and Innovation Council (STIC) — but the confidential nature of the latter's advice has been widely criticized. Current STIC chair Ken Knox acknowledges that the confidentiality of the committee's advice is contentious and says the government is considering several options for how future science advice will be delivered.

Many agree that a systems approach is essential to effectively convey often complex, non-linear concepts and how they can be incorporated into a range of issues from climate change and public health to security and business assistance.

"One of the things government needs to think about is how to organize those various inputs so there isn't conflicting advice — what's the best way to make sure that various mechanisms are reinforcing?," said Dr Alan Bernstein, president and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research. "Canada produces 4-5% of the world's scientific literature which means 95-96% of the science is outside of this country. When providing advice you have to remember there's a lot of people out there who we need to be able to draw on to provide the best possible advice."

Regardless of the model chosen, Dr Rémi Quirion, Quebec's chief scientist, says personal relationships and trust are key to ensuring scientific advice is both heard and accepted.

"Quebec is always a bit different and the model (for chief scientist) is adapted to the Quebec scene," said Quirion. "I report to a minister not the prime minister (premier) and I've reported to three governments and five ministers in the past four years."

For many, the prospect of a new and improved science advisory system for government hasn't come a moment too soon. The Conservative government began its rein by eliminating four advisory bodies — the Office of the National Science Advisor (ONSA), Prime Minister's Advisory Council on Science and Technology (ACST), Council of Science and Technology Advisors (CSTA) and Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee.

Dr Arthur Carty, who headed the ONSA for its four-year lifespan, said the new Liberal government's decision to create a CSO provides an "opportunity to begin to redress some of the policy issues in a rational and reasoned manner for the long-term benefit of science and society".

"Over the last decade, Canada, through the actions and policies of its government towards science and scientists, has sunk to a new low, where trust was eroded, evidence and advice are ignored and science is under siege," said Carty. "The magnitude of the task is almost overwhelming. It will require a fundamental change in attitude, philosophy and transparency within government and by the bureaucracy ... This will not come easy because practices such as control over messaging and restricting federal scientists from communicating with the public and the community are now embedded in the system."

In addition, Carty called for the appointment of chief scientists in all science departments in government and the use of global best practices to create the best science advisory system for Canada.

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