Sunday, January 27, 2008

A Step Backwards

The CBC is reporting that the government position of science advisor is being phased out. The post was created less than 4 years ago under the Paul Martin Liberals and will disappear once the current science advisor, Arthur Carty, retires at the end of March. Needless to say, not everybody is happy with this decision.

Especially at a time when science matters such as global warming, cloning and other genetic technologies, and science education (particularly evolution and particularly south of the border) are highly visible issues, shouldn't we have more science voices guiding our Prime Minister, not fewer?

More reaction at the CBC Quirks and Quarks blog here.


3 comments:

Bayman said...

Makes sense. Why would our government need their own science advisor to mimic US policies?

Anonymous said...

He's retiring after four years?! Maybe they should pick someone younger next time they want a position to last.

Kamel said...

While they're using the retirement of the current advisor as an opportunity to cut the position, I'm sure it's not because there's nobody else qualified for the position - so his age isn't really a factor (other than providing convenient timing). I certainly hope the position doesn't have to be 'appointee for life' in order to have staying power.

Between this, the recent firing of the Nuclear Safety Commissioner for exercising caution in reopening the Chalk River reactor and a cabinet minister who believes the earth is a mere 6000 years old you have to wonder about the attitude towards science in our federal government.