Local researchers in St. John's convene with community members to discuss growing science policy crisis in Canada

OTTAWA, April 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Leading researchers in St. John's will discuss with the public their concerns about what is happening to science in Canada at a town hall meeting tonight at the Bruneau Centre (IIC-2001), Memorial University of Newfoundland at 7pm.

Moderated by CBC's Chris O'Neill-Yates, panellists will describe how scientific work in Canada is being affected by federal and provincial government policies and what this means for Canadians. Members of the audience will be invited to join the discussion with questions and comments. 

Panelists for tonight's event include: Barb Neis, University Research Professor in Sociology and Co-Director of the SafetyNet Centre for Occupational Health & Safety Research; Bill Montevecchi, University Research Professor in Psychology, Biology and Ocean Science; and, Paul Snelgrove, Professor of Biology & Ocean Science and Director of the NSERC Canadian Healthy Oceans Network.

"The Canadian Association of University Teachers is sponsoring town hall meetings in cities across Canada to allow eminent scientists and researchers to talk with the public about what is happening to research and science in Canada," said James L. Turk, Executive Director of CAUT. "Misguided government science policies are diverting funding away from fundamental research, forcing the closing of vital research centres, discontinuing the collection of essential data, and undermining Canada's future as a scientific leader."

Turk said the town halls are a chance for the public and the scientists to look at what is happening and discuss what should be done.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers is the national voice of 68,000 academic and general staff at universities and colleges across the country. For more information on CAUT's "Get Science Right" Campaign, visit getscienceright.ca.

Watch LIVE stream: http://www.mun.ca/munfa/. Twitter hashtags: #getscienceright #cdnpoli #cdnpse

SOURCE: Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

NATIONAL CONTACT:Angela Regnier, Communications Officer, Canadian Association of University Teachers : 613-726-5186 (o); 613-601-6304 (cell); [email protected] (email); LOCAL CONTACT: Ross Klein, President, MUNFA, 709-747-2177 (phone), [email protected] (email)