In Ottawa, scientists to mourn the death of Canadian evidence

Canadian scientists gather in Ottawa today to stage a funeral procession to protest the Harper government’s draconian cuts to federal scientific programs and systematic muzzling of Canadian scientists. The protest is sponsored by the Council of Canadians. It begins at the Ottawa Convention Centre at 12 p.m. ET and ends with a rally on Parliament Hill.

Organizations and programs gutted so far include: Environment Canada; Statistics Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; National Round Table on Environment and Economy; the National Research Council of Canada; the National Science Adviser; Law Commission of Canada, Experimental Lakes Area, the National Council of Welfare and the First Nations Statistical Institute.

Dr. Scott Findlay, associate professor and former director the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Environment, told the Canadian Press that these cuts are a “systematic campaign to reduce the flow of scientific evidence to Canadians.”

Here’s the announcement from the “Death of Evidence” website:

“Science in Canada is under attack. It’s clear that the Harper government does not value science or evidence and is systematically trying to reduce the flow of scientific information to Canadians. We have seen this through the cuts to federal science programs, changes to legislation in Bill C-38, and the muzzling of government scientists. Good government policies and programs depend on sound evidence and our democracy depends on an informed public that knows the facts. Science and evidence are essential so that we can make informed decisions that ensure the best possible future for our country.

To make the public aware of this, we are organizing a ‘Death of Evidence’ rally on July 10 to coincide with a large scientific conference taking place in Ottawa. The demonstration will entail a funeral procession from the Ottawa Convention Centre commencing at 12 noon, followed by a rally at Parliament Hill.”

See the event details HERE.

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