The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, which manages Canadians’ retirement funds, is failing to protect pension investments from the risks of climate change, says John Bennett, Senior Policy Advisor of Friends of the Earth Canada, in an op-ed.
Person: Stephen Harper
Non-profit to grade transparency in government policymaking
The non-profit Evidence for Democracy has released a framework to judge government policies based on the level of transparency around evidence.
Departing NSERC president Mario Pinto says agency in good shape as he returns to academia
Its mission accomplished – with caveats – for Dr Mario Pinto as the president of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) takes his leave from the granting council one year short of his five-year term to return to academia.
Expert panel debates effectiveness of direct R&D funding vs. SRED tax credits
The number of direct government funding programs in Canada aimed at increasing private sector R&D and innovation has tripled during the last three years, despite a lack of scientific evidence showing such support is effective.
Sustaining Canada’s innovation in carbon capture, storage and utilization
Canada is bolstering its reputation as a global innovator in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), with new research and technology development facilities in Western Canada attracting international participation.
Ontario dismisses chief scientist, eliminates dedicated research ministry
Shortly after naming a new Cabinet lacking a science or innovation minster, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative premier Doug Ford has reportedly fired the province’s first chief scientist, Dr Molly Shoichet.
CSA appointment lauded but debate swirls over scope and breadth of advisory role
Dr Mona Nemer’s appointment as federal chief science advisor (CSA) is receiving rave reviews in science and policy circles. But it has also reignited the debate over whether the new position will represent a significant improvement over past efforts to advise government on important scientific issues, and how this advice will feed into decision making.
Dr Mona Nemer named Chief Science Advisor to PM, Science minister
Prime minister Justin Trudeau on September 26 named Dr Mona Nemer as Canada’s new Chief Science Advisor (CSA) for a three-year term. Nemer is a medical researcher, professor and VP research at Univ of Ottawa. She held the latter role for 11 years before stepping down last summer. In her new position, Nemer will advise…
Basic science needs better oversight and coordination, and more money: Expert panel
R$ talks to David Naylor
A federally commissioned blue-chip panel calling for greater coherence and financial support for fundamental research has made a series of 35 recommendations, including a $1.3-billion increase in the budgets of the three granting councils, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and related entities over the next four years.