Scientists from New Brunswick assemble with community members in Fredericton to discuss the state of science policy in Canada

OTTAWA, April 23, 2015 /CNW/ - Scientists and community members are meeting tonight in Fredericton to discuss with the public their concerns about what is happening to science in Canada at a town hall meeting tonight at the Brian Mulroney Hall, St. Thomas University at 7pm.

Moderated by CAUT president Robin Vose and FNBFA president Jean Sauvageau, panellists will describe how scientific work in Canada is being affected by federal and provincial government policies and what this means for New Brunswickers and Canadians. Members of the audience will be invited to join the discussion with questions and comments.

Panelists for tonight's event include: Mary Louise Babineau, Green Candidate, Fredericton Riding; Kelly Bronson, Science & Society Relations, St. Thomas; Mike Dawson, Assistant VP Research, St. Thomas; Matt Decourcey, Liberal Candidate, Fredericton Riding; Tony Diamond, Wildlife Ecology, UNB; Vett Lloyd, Biology, Mt. Allison University; Paul Peters, Health & Health Service Delivery, UNB; Nick Scott, New Brunswick Social Policy Network. The event is co-hosted by the Federation of New Brunswick Faculty Associations and the Canadian Association of University Teachers.

"There is a growing outcry about federal government's lack of commitment to supporting Canada's researchers and actual innovation in the public interest," said Robin Vose, President of CAUT and professor at St. Thomas University. "Misguided government science policies are diverting funding away from discovery-driven research, turning over important funding decisions to politicians and CEOs, defunding vital research centres, muzzling government scientists and discontinuing essential data collection. Canada's role as a scientific leader is being sabotaged."

Vose said the town hall is a chance for the public and the scientists to discuss ways in which a new direction can be forged for science policy in Canada.

For more information on CAUT's "Get Science Right" Campaign, visit getscienceright.ca.

Twitter hashtags: #getscienceright #cdnpoli #cdnpse

SOURCE Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

LOCAL CONTACT: Elisabeth Hans, Executive Director, FNBFA, 506-238-0676, [email protected]; NATIONAL CONTACT: Angela Regnier, Communications Officer, Canadian Association of University Teachers, 613-726-5186, [email protected]