Chief Science Advisor (Canada)
The Government of Canada's Chief Science Advisor is a post in the Canadian government that was created in 2017 by the Justin Trudeau government. The current advisor is Mona Nemer, who is a specialist in the genetics of heart disease and was vice-president of research at the University of Ottawa for 11 years.[1] The Chief Science Advisor is distinct from the discontinued National Science Advisor, which was abolished under the Stephen Harper government in 2008.[2]
![](../I/m/Dr._Mona_Nemer_at_University_of_Ottawa_-_2008_(2579997958)_(cropped).jpg)
The main functions of the advisor is to develop guidelines, advise the government on science and improve processes within the government related to scientific research.
Key Functions
In its September 26, 2017 announcement, the Government of Canada defined the following key functions for the Chief Science Advisor:[3][4]
- provide advice on the development and implementation of guidelines to ensure that government science is fully available to the public and that federal scientists are able to speak freely about their work;
- provide advice on creating and implementing processes to ensure that scientific analyses are considered when the Government makes decisions;
- assess and recommend ways to improve the existing science advisory function within the federal government; and
- assess and recommend ways for the Government to better support quality scientific research within the federal system.
The Advisor provides an annual report to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Science on the state of federal government science which is made public.[5]
Office and Reporting
The Office of the Chief Science Advisor will be housed at Innovation, Science and Economic Development and supported by a secretariat. The term of office is three years.
The Chief Science Advisor reports to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Science.
See also
- The Council of Canadian Academies, an independent science advisory body for the Government of Canada
- Government Chief Scientific Adviser in the United Kingdom
- Science advice
References
- Semeniuk, Ivan (September 26, 2017). "Mona Nemer named Canada's new science advisor". Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "Canada's top scientist confident her role already having an impact". The Toronto Star. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- "Chief Science Advisor". September 26, 2017. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "Mandate - Office of the Chief Science Advisor". Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- "Office of the Chief Science Advisor - Science.gc.ca". Retrieved 2020-01-22.
External links
- Official website for Office of the Chief Science Advisor