Tory backbencher proposes chief scientist

Edmonton MP James Rajotte has revived his long-standing call for the creation of a chief scientist and a single authority to review major science projects. The chair of the House of Commons standing committee on industry, science and technology (IST) says the chief scientist's position could be created by upgrading the office of the national science advisor currently held by Dr Arthur Carty.

"We could call the NSA the chief scientist and wrap in the other advisory bodies into that. Everything would flow through one office," says Rajotte. "The machinery of how they do this is not a big concern."

Rajotte's October 24th press release states that the changes are intended to "kick-start a debate on science policy in this country" and "improve the way in which science policy is managed at the federal level". Conceived along the UK model, the chief scientist would report directly to Parliament. The release states states that the three scientific bodies now reporting to government (internal, external and biotech advice) provide a "highly inconsistent" level of reporting.

"They have not had an impact on public policy commensurate with the work they have done," he says. "A chief scientist would act as a filter to provide advice upwards (to government) and raise the profile of science with Parliamentary people, the public and the scientific community," says Rajotte.

Rajotte first called for the appointment of a chief scientist in 2001, when he was the science critic for the Canadian Alliance and a member of the IST committee. Earlier this year, it was one of two private member's bills he introduced, with the other calling for a single authority to review major science projects .

A single authority would streamline the R&D process and increase transparency, says Rajotte. "There's a lot of frustration out there going to too many sources for matching funds."

Rajotte says he issued the press release to revive interest in his proposals, adding that he welcomes the higher profile S&T was given by last week's Economic and Fiscal Update. "The Finance and Industry ministers are very keen on these issues," he says.

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