Yesterday, the Government of Canada announced the Model Policy on Scientific Integrity, with an intention to foster a culture that supports and promotes science.

Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Sport, and Scott Brison, president of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, welcomed the Model Policy on Scientific Integrity. The policy was developed by the Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Mona Nemer, who worked in partnership with the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC), officials at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, and the federal research community.

“Scientific integrity is important for building public trust in the evidence that informs decision making. That is why I am delighted to provide the government with a model policy that outlines responsibilities for scientists and government alike,” said Dr. Nemer. “It ensures that scientists are free to speak about their work—and free from interference in their research. I look forward to continued collaboration with the union, the research community and the government as we work toward implementing this policy and building a more scientifically informed society.”

Goals of the model scientific integrity policy include:

  • encouraging federal scientists to speak freely about their work and engage with the public;
  • fostering a culture that supports and promotes scientific integrity in all science and research; and
  • increasing the reliability of, and public trust in, government science and research.

“It is critical that our scientists are free to undertake their work, to collaborate with one another, and to speak to the media and the public,” said Minister Duncan. “This model integrity policy is an important step in strengthening Canadian science and evidence-based decision making. It builds on our commitment to ensuring freedom in science in Canada.”

The new policy will be shared with federal departments and agencies that employ scientists and researchers. These departments and agencies will use the model policy to develop their own scientific integrity policies that meet their departmental and employee needs. These departmental policies must be in place by the end of the year.

Top photo: Photo: Draining the swamp, by Naresh Gaj, Brace Centre for Water Resources Management, McGill University.

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