ANDERSON: Harper's Humiliating Muzzle on Scientists

[Oscar]

Harper's Humiliating Muzzle on Scientists

http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2010/03/25/HarpersMuzzle/
?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=250310

Canada is becoming a global joke as our world-class experts are prohibited from speaking. Canada's scientists: bound to silence.
By Mitchell Anderson, 25 Mar 2010, TheTyee.ca
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The scandal is growing at Environment Canada of how Canadian climate researchers are being "muzzled" by draconian policies of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
This week the Montreal Gazette reported on a leaked document showing that the information restrictions brought in by the Harper government have severely restricted the media's access to government researchers.
"Scientists have noticed a major reduction in the number of requests, particularly from high-profile media, who often have same-day deadlines," said the Environment Canada document. "Media coverage of climate change science, our most high-profile issue, has been reduced by over 80 per cent."
Since 2007, Environment Canada has required senior federal scientists to seek permission from the government prior to giving interviews, often requiring them to get approval from supervisors of written responses to the questions submitted by journalists before any interview.
"Many [federal climate change] scientists are recognized experts in their field, have received media training, and have successfully carried out media interviews for many years," said the document, leaked by an Environment Canada employee who asked not to be named.
"Our scientists are very frustrated with the new process. They feel the intent of the policy is to prevent them from speaking to media... There is a widespread perception among Canadian media that our scientists have been 'muzzled' by the media relations policy."
Control at its worst: scientist
The leaked document came to light through research done by the Climate Action Network for a scathing report on the laundry list of restrictions on climate researchers since the Harper regime came to power.

MORE:
http://thetyee.ca/Mediacheck/2010/03/25/HarpersMuzzle/
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ARTICLES And REFERENCES:

1) Climate-change scientists feel `muzzled´ by Ottawa: documents

http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Climate+change+scientists+feel+muzzled+Ottawa+documents/
2684621/story.html

By Mike De Souza, Canwest News ServiceMarch 15, 2010
OTTAWA -- A dramatic reduction in Canadian media coverage of climate change science issues is the result of the Harper government introducing new rules in 2007 to control interviews by Environment Canada scientists with journalists, says a newly released federal document.
"Scientists have noticed a major reduction in the number of requests, particularly from high-profile media, who often have same-day deadlines," said the Environment Canada document. "Media coverage of climate change science, our most high-profile issue, has been reduced by over 80%."

MORE:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/technology/
Climate+change+scientists+feel+muzzled+Ottawa+documents/
2684621/story.html

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2) New report details government actions that undermine research into the science of climate change

http://www.climateactionnetwork.ca/e/news/2010/release/
index.php?WEBYEP_DI=18

Climate Action Network Release For Immediate Release March 15, 2010
OTTAWA - A new report from the Climate Action Network Canada- Réseau action climat Canada details a "troubling catalogue of actions" by the federal government to muzzle its own climate scientists and weaken the research capacity of Canada´s climate science community.
Released just days after a federal budget that effectively slashed funding for university-based climate science by failing to renew the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, the report documents a disturbing pattern of federal actions that undermine the scientific research that must underpin responsible federal climate change policy.
"While the government´s inaction on climate change is well-known, this report uncovers new evidence of Environment Canada´s successful efforts to restrict media access to its own scientists, effectively burying the truth," says Graham Saul, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada. "It has become virtually impossible to believe this government when they claim to support the science of climate change, because they´re behaving more like a group of climate skeptics that is simply looking for excuses not to act."
The report examines the need for Canadian research on climate science and investigates status of federal funding for university-based climate science research. The report also documents a series of actions by the present federal government that undermine Canadian
climate science research and its practitioners.
"The Harper government says that they accept the overwhelming scientific evidence for climate change, but behind closed doors they are systematically shutting their own scientists down," says Andrew Cuddy, the author of the report. "Unless the government takes urgent action to reverse this trend, it will only reinforce Canada´s reputation as the country doing the least to address climate change in the industrialized world."
"A government that takes climate change seriously will follow the recommendations contained in this report, and ensure full transparency in doing so," says Matthew Bramley, the director of the Pembina Institute´s climate change program and a reviewer of the report. "The report calls for decent funding for climate research in universities and better coordination of the research conducted within government departments - two things that the Harper government must do if it is serious about following the approach President Obama has taken in the United States." - 30 -

Report: Troubling Evidence: The Harper Government´s Approach to Climate Science Research in Canada

Troubling_Evidence_-_Climate_Action_Network_Canada_-_March_15.pdf

For more information, contact:
graham Saul, Climate Action Network 613-558-3368
Andrew Cuddy, Research Intern (Climate Action Network) 514-962-4255
Matthew Bramley, Pembina Institute 819-210-6115
For further media inquires please contact: Hannah McKinnon 613-276-7791

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3) Climate foundation deplores budget blind spot

http://www.cfcas.org/pressrelease5Mar10e.pdf

(March 5, Ottawa)

The Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS),
Canada´s lead agency for climate research in our universities is acutely disappointed at the Budget´s abandonment of climate sciences and highly-qualified people. Innovation and economic growth need skilled people and a healthy research environment. Nowhere is this more true than in weather and climate - where we face some of the biggest scientific problems confronting humanity. The government and Canada´s $400B per year weather-dependent industries need a constant supply of new information for their policy, regulatory and investment decisions. This is supplied by world-class scientists-people dedicated to understanding Canada´s air quality, violent weather, climate and Arctic conditions. CFCAS urgently calls on the Government to reinvest in research, in skilled people and in Canada´s knowledge economy in this vital area.
"Budget 2010 is basically the nightmare scenario for scientists across the country - our community is gutted," said Gordon McBean, Chair of CFCAS. "Science is the best tool for building sound policy to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change, and to protect the
environment and Canadians. There is so much to learn, to be discovered and transformed into effective actions for Canadians. Without sound scientific information, how will the government evaluate the effectiveness of green technologies, or build northern infrastructure, or develop our energy industry, or assure water supply and clean air?"
Most research studies in these sectors are funded by one agency - the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS). CFCAS has invested over $117 million in 198 research initiatives across Canada since 2000. The work has led to breakthroughs in climatology, meteorology and oceanography, many of which have transformed operations in the federal government and private companies.
But CFCAS has received no new federal funds for six years. In less than 12 months, major research collaborations among industry, government laboratories and universities will collapse - and with them the jobs of numerous scientists, students and technicians. The country is already bleeding talent.
Programs to attract new scholars will not achieve their objectives if the country is unwilling to support and retain current ones. -30-

For more information:
Dawn Conway, executive director (613-238-2223 ext. 202, Conway@cfcas.org
or Kelly Crowe, communications officer (613 -238-2223 ext 209,
Crowe@cfcas.org).

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4) Eaton: #30 under January 23rd Summary of Discussion Citizens Concerned About Prorogation of Parliament Wolfville Meeting January 23rd

http://wolfvilleca.wordpress.com/updates/

It would benefit our case and cause to place prorogation in the context of all the other things the Harper government has done since it came into power to disemantle our democratic and parliamentary traditions and practices. e.g. Prorogation should be viewed in context of Harpers on-going agenda which is well documented in the media and by national NGOs (a) gagging of MP´s (b) gagging senior bureaucrats, (c) muzzling the media - cancelling press conference in parliamentary press gallery, (d) shutting down essential 'access to information' registry and database, (e) cancelling funding for all manner of civil society groups (social justice, anti-poverty, environmental, feminist ) that recommend sound policy options for a principle centred society (f) threatening to cut funding for political parties (g) Conservative Party chairpersons walking out on and thereby shutting down parliamentary committees, (g) producing a manual of "dirty tricks" for his MPs on how to block the function of Parliamentary committees, (h) consulting with corporate sector and not rest of civil society groups as with appointment of a national advisory council on competitiveness , (i) producing aggressive attack
ads on the opposition between election periods etc.

Janet Eaton,
Trade and Environment Campaigner
Sierra Club Canada
http://www.sierraclub.ca/en/trade-environment