Opinion
New cabinet, old fears, what does it mean for Canadian research and science?
By Sam Garnett and Tina Gruosso Dec. 2, 2019
The science portfolio needs continued attention to address these ongoing issues.
New Deputy Government House Leader Kirsty Duncan, pictured April 16, 2018, on the Hill. As Canada's federal science minister in the last Parliament, Ms. Duncan’s achievements included significant work to unmuzzle government scientists, commissioning a fundamental science review, and establishing the office of chief science adviser. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
On Nov. 20, the Trudeau government announced its new cabinet and House leadership appointees. Surprising many in the research community, the minister of science was eliminated, with the science portfolio being absorbed by the renamed ministry of Innovation, Science and Industry. What could this mean for the next generation of Canadian scientists and for the entire Canadian science community, and does it signal that the government has de-emphasized science?
Related Stories
Explore, analyze, understand
You Might Be From Canada If…
You Might Be From Canada If . . . is a delightful, illustrated romp through this country as it celebrates its 150th birthday.
Get the book
You Might Be From Canada If . . . is a delightful, illustrated romp through this country as it celebrates its 150th birthday.
Get the book
Inside Ottawa Directory – 2019 Edition
The handy reference guide includes: riding profiles, MPs by province, MP contact details, both Hill and constituency and more.
Get the book
The handy reference guide includes: riding profiles, MPs by province, MP contact details, both Hill and constituency and more.
Get the book
Spinning History: A Witness to Harper’s Canada and 21st Century choices
An unvarnished look at the Harper years and what lies ahead for Canadians
Get the book
An unvarnished look at the Harper years and what lies ahead for Canadians
Get the book
Related Policy Briefings
Environment
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Biotech Policy Briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Energy: Carbon Pricing Policy Briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
Stand by me: a number of chiefs of staff stick with ministers
Jason Easton is staying on as chief of staff to now-International Trade and Small Business Minister Mary Ng, plus Lesley Sherban will be her director of operations. Feds risk coveting support of autocratic nations in UN Security Council bid, says Conservative MP
Peter Kent says Canada's campaign for a seat on the UN Security Council is a 'possible, even, likely motivation' for a vote supporting a pro-Palestine, anti-Israel resolution last month in the UN General Assembly.Should he stay or should he go? Defeated Tory candidates divided on Scheer’s future
‘He made too many mistakes, too often and if he can’t win in Quebec, he will never be prime minister. It’s that simple,’ says a defeated Quebec candidate.Veterans’ benefits lead in supplementary spending ask of nearly $5-billion
The estimates include $44-million for Phoenix damages, $131.9-million towards reconciliation on Indigenous rights and fisheries issues, and $9.9-million for the Canadian Accessibility Standards Development Organization. Feds’ silence on funding, transition plan for child welfare law causing ‘intense nervousness and frustration’
Bill C-92 takes effect Jan. 1, bringing in new, stricter, and culturally sensitive standards to Indigenous child welfare decisions. ‘The tail doesn’t wag the dog’: PSAC wants a deal of its own amid ongoing negotiations
The government is ‘disappointed’ PSAC rejected an offer in line with recent agreements signed by 34 other bargaining units, according to a Treasury Board spokesperson. Premiers’ nuclear announcement a potential boon, but issues remain: experts
Energy experts say SMRs could be an environmentally friendly baseload option compared to intermittent sources like wind and solar.Bloc Québécois faces unwieldy task of maintaining ‘eclectic coalition,’ say pollsters
'What Blanchet has said again and again is, ‘We’ll take a position in accordance with what’s in the best interest of Quebec,’ allowing him not to have to take a left or right stance more generally': Sébastien Dallaire. Some defeated Conservatives want to back Scheer for their own ‘survival’ as future candidates
Andrew Scheer ‘needs to demonstrate very quickly that he can garner the overwhelming backing of the party to move forward, or for the good of the party, he should step down,’ a Conservative MP told The Hill Times. Trending Stories
