Over the past few years, there has been much attention given to the restrictions placed on scientists employed by the Canadian government. A report recently produced by PIPSC has shown that 90% of government scientists do not feel they can speak freely to the media about their research. Although this is an important issue, the problem runs much deeper. What the reports fail to mention is that all federal government employees, scientists or not, must obtain permission to speak to the media in the capacity of their jobs. The policies aren’t a only a direct affront to science, but also on the free sharing of information.
Danna Gifford 