Group organizes rallies critical of government research constraints

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

by JOE CALLAHAN

A series of public rallies called “Stand Up For Science,” supporting evidence-based, scientific research, is set to begin in 14 cities across Canada, Monday September 16th at noon.

Ontario rallies are planned for Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo, Hamilton and Kingston. They’re being organized by Evidence for Democracy, (E4D) a federally registered non-profit advocacy group in Ottawa.

The goal of the rallies is to make Canadians aware of restrictions that have recently been imposed on the scientific communities, says Dr. Katie Gibbs, executive director.

“There has been wide-spread concern . . . about the state of science in Canada,” says Gibbs. “There have been cuts to scientific institutions . . . we’ve seen a big shift away from basic research to the government only funding industry-partnered research . . . as well as new communications policies that restrict scientists’ ability to speak about their research.”

In a media release distributed by E4D, co-founder Dr. Scott Findlay from the University of Ottawa expresses the need to inform Canadians about his concern for the health of public science.

A complete list of Stand Up for Science events can be found on E4D’s website. BF