Hands off science!

To:  Canadian Parliamentarians

WHEREAS in recent years we have seen the disassembly of mechanisms intended to provide independent, non-partisan advice on issues of science policy, and

WHEREAS we have seen the politicization of science on a scale unprecedented in Canadian history, including the deliberate, politically-motivated manufacture of doubt and uncertainty in climate change science, and

WHEREAS we have seen the deliberate obstruction of scientific discourse, including the censorship of climate change scientists and of asbestos researchers, and including threats to fire and the subsequent dismissal of the President of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and

WHEREAS we have seen the abrupt elimination of funding for science in conflict with the agenda of the government, including the elimination of funding to the Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Science, and

WHEREAS we have seen coordinated personal attacks on scientists by public officials, including by the Prime Minister of Canada during the 2008 Leaders’ Debates,

WE DEMAND:
•the acknowledgement and denouncement of these incidents by the leaders of all political parties;
•the restoration of funding to scientific research where it was cut for purely political reasons;
•a commitment to restore the integrity of science by reinstalling the mechanisms for independent, non-partisan scientific advice to the Prime Minister and cabinet;
•a commitment to operate the democratic machinery of the nation in such a way that does not wittingly manipulate or misapply the scientific record for political purposes.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Hands off science! Petition to Canadian Parliamentarians was created by and written by Bernie Fitzpatrick (politicizationofscience@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.