How Trudeau can pass the science test

The federal government will review a host of environmental protections that were weakened by the Conservatives. One of them is the Fisheries Act, and it will serve as a litmus test of the government’s commitment to science.

Decades of research show that fish depend upon vibrant rivers, lakes and ocean waters to thrive. Yet, in 2012, the Harper government removed habitat protection from the Fisheries Act. The revision shrank the scope of the law, covering only fish that were part of 'a commercial, recreational or aboriginal fishery.' Countless other species—and the habitat that support them—were left vulnerable to pollution and degradation. By restoring the Fisheries Act to its full strength, the government can meet its own standard for scientific integrity, write David Schindler and John Smol.The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion

BY DAVID SCHINDLER, JOHN P. SMOL

June 20, 2016

A breath of fresh air spread across Canada’s scientific community in the past several months. After years of tight government restrictions and deep funding cuts, many researchers welcomed our country’s renewed commitment to scientific understanding. We have a new minister of science and the Libe...

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