Vancouver community to discuss growing science policy crisis in Canada tonight

OTTAWA, Jan. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Leading scientists from the Vancouver area will discuss with the public their concerns about what is happening to science in Canada at a town hall meeting tonight at the Harbour Centre, Room 1410 at 7pm (PST).

Moderated by CBC's Quirks & Quarks host Bob McDonald, 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.

The distinguished panel for tonight's event includes: Jim Wright, UBC Professor of Medicine and Director of the Therapeutics Initiative; Siân Echard, Professor of English, UBC; Marine Biology professor Jane Watson, Vancouver Island University; and, Glaciology professor and Canada Research Chair Gwenn Flowers at Simon Fraser University.

"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 and federal libraries, 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.

SOURCE: Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT)

Angela Regnier, Communications Officer, Canadian Association of University Teachers
(office) 613-726-5186, (cell) 613-601-6304, (email) [email protected]