News

On April 19th 2013,  we distributed the following news release to contribute to National Immunization Awareness Week 2013, beginning April 20th, 2013.  We also highlight the high-profile supports to our Stop Nosodes Campaign.

April 19, 2013

Pull Licenses of Nosodes, Health Canada Urged

Watchdog Supports National Immunization Awareness Week By Fighting Homeopathic “Vaccine Alternatives”

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – April 19, 2013) – Bad Science Watch is contributing to National Immunization Awareness Week 2013 by reminding Canadians that homeopathic “vaccine alternatives” do not work and will not protect them from disease. They say Health Canada’s approval of these products, known as ‘nosodes’, is weakening national immunization efforts, and they are calling on Health Canada to revoke the products’ licenses. The watchdog’s ‘Stop Nosodes’ campaign is supported by the BC Center for Disease Control, Alberta Health Services, the UBC School of Population and Public Health, and a number of prominent scientists.

Nosodes are homeopathic preparations made from diseased tissue, pus, blood, or excretions of a sick person or animal. The material is diluted over and over again in water or alcohol until there is often none left in the end solution. The end result is often sprayed on pills made of milk sugar and allowed to dry.

Health Canada currently licenses at least 82 nosode products that are used by homeopaths and naturopaths to prevent dangerous diseases like measles, whooping cough, polio, and tuberculosis. There is no good evidence that these preparations can prevent disease at all, yet Health Canada promises Canadians that these products have been determined to be “effective”.

Low vaccination rates have led to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases across Canada in the last few years; in the UK a massive ongoing outbreak of measles in an under-vaccinated region has led to 800 sick children. Bad Science Watch fears a repeat of this scenario in Canada if more people forgo vaccination, or choose ineffective nosodes instead of vaccines.

“By licensing nosodes Health Canada undermines its own policies and is working against its own efforts to promote vaccination,” said Michael Kruse, campaign director and co-founder of Bad Science Watch. “We must stop putting Canadian families at unnecessary risk and ban these products.”

The Stop Nosodes campaign website, www.stopnosodes.org, features an open letter to Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq that has been signed by over 170 scientists and healthcare professionals from Canada and abroad including Dr. Paul Offit, the co-inventor of the rotavirus vaccine and Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Prof. Edzard Ernst, the world’s first Professor of Complementary Medicine, from the University of Exeter.

Bad Science Watch is an independent non-profit consumer protection organization that advocates for good science in public policy. More information can be found at www.badsciencewatch.ca and www.stopnosodes.org. National Immunization Awareness Week runs from April 20th to the 27th.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Bad Science Watch

Jamie Williams

Executive Director

1-888-742-3299 ext. 102

jwilliams@badsciencewatch.ca

www.badsciencewatch.ca

It was brought to our attention by a supporter this week that the New Democratic Party (NDP) had offered a proposal up for consideration on the floor at the conference in Montreal this weekend that would call for possible changes to the emission standards of electro-magnetic radiation (EMR) and to acknowledge the existence of electro-hypersensitivity or EHS, as caused by EMR:

#70 – Electromagnetic Radiation Exposure

Submitted by the Disability Rights Committee

WHEREAS wireless communications and technologies are expanding exponentially, and extensive exposure to electromagnetic radiation is relatively new (generally less than 10 years); and

WHEREAS the long-term effects of long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation on the biology and health of the human body and the environment has not been conclusively determined; and

WHEREAS electromagnetic hypersensitivity is on the increase worldwide;

BE IT RESOLVED that the following clause be added to section 1.13 of the policy book:

[New Democrats believe in:] “x”) requiring that Health Canada’s regulations on the safety and safe exposure limits of electromagnetic radiation ensure the biological integrity and health of humans and the environment and be based on research conducted by independent and unbiased (unaffiliated with industry) scientists.

In response, Bad Science Watch forwarded our position paper on EHS to every NDP MP with the following message:

Hello,

In advance of the conference in Montreal this weekend, and pursuant to resolution 70 put forward by the Disability Rights Committee, please see our independent analysis of the dubious diagnosis of electro-hypersensitivity. While we do not dispute its existence, there is no good evidence that the syndrome is actually caused by electro-magnetic radiation (EMR). Accordingly, the resolution below makes unsupportable assumptions about its existence and cause, and will further obscure the real cause for these symptoms that will result in a delay in receiving proper treatment.

In this era of a decreased reliance on evidence in the Harper government we cannot allow ideology to trump evidence. The evidence is quite clear when it comes to electro-hypersensitivity: it is not caused by EMR. Despite the conspiracy-mongering by some of the activists involved in the promotion of this connection, the weight of evidence does not support the idea. We ask you to consider all of the science involved in this decision, not just evidence that is cherry-picked to agree with anti-corporate ideology.

Bad Science Watch is an independent consumer protection organisation that promotes good science in public policy. We are comprised of concerned members of the public, we are funded by small donations made by individuals, and we have no funding from corporate interests. Please see our website for more details at www.badsciencewatch.ca

If you require more information, please do not hesitate to contact us

Michael Kruse

Chair, Board of Directors

Bad Science Watch

We will hope that science trumps ideology and this resolution dies in committee.

Toronto, Canada, – Friday April 5th, 2013 - Bad Science Watch, a Canadian consumer protection watchdog, announced today that it has updated the popular browser-based complaint-filing tool FishBarrel for use in Canada.

FishBarrel, a creation of Simon Perry of the United Kingdom, is a plug-in for Google’s Chrome browser that is used to submit complaints about misleading or fraudulent health claims on websites to the relevant regulator or standards agency. The initial Canadian version supported submissions to the Competition Bureau, but was broken when changes were made to their website. The updated version accommodates the changes, and also introduces the ability to make submissions to Advertising Standards Canada in addition to the Competition Bureau.

“Thanks to our volunteers, FishBarrel is available again to Canadians,” said Jamie Williams, Executive Director of Bad Science Watch, “and the new functionality we’ve introduced will make it even easier for them to report websites of individuals and businesses making unsubstantiated claims.”
The project was undertaken in part to support Bad Science Watch’s Stop Nosodes campaign. The campaign aims to rid dangerous homeopathic “vaccine alternatives” from Canadian store shelves. Information about the campaign and the use of FishBarrel can be found at www.stopnosodes.org.

Bad Science Watch is an independent non-profit watchdog and advocate for the enforcement and strengthening of consumer protection regulation.

For More Information, please contact:

Michael Kruse
mkruse@badsciencewatch.ca (preferred)
www.badsciencewatch.ca
888.742.3299 ext. 101

Toronto, Canada, – Thursday, April 4, 2013 - Bad Science Watch today launched a new website to support their campaign to stop the sale of nosodes – ineffective homeopathic preparations marketed as “vaccine alternatives” by some homeopaths and naturopaths. The website, www.StopNosodes.org, features information for the public about nosodes and the danger they pose, steps that concerned citizens and health professionals can take to help the campaign, and an open letter to Health Canada.

There is no scientific evidence that nosodes can prevent or treat any disease. Despite this the Natural Health Products Directorate has licensed at least 179 nosode products (82 of which are used as vaccine alternatives), assuring the public that they are safe and effective. As a result Canadians choosing nosodes to prevent dangerous diseases like measles, whooping cough, and polio, are acting on false assurances, and are given a dangerous undue sense of security. Additionally, they decrease the herd immunity in their communities, exposing themselves and others to further unnecessary risk. Since they provide no protection or benefit and contribute to falling vaccination rates, Bad Science Watch is calling on Health Canada to cease issuing licenses for nosodes and revoke the licenses for all existing products.

“By licensing nosodes Health Canada undermines its own policies and is working against its own efforts to promote vaccination,” said Michael Kruse, campaign director and co-founder of Bad Science Watch, “we must stop putting Canadian families at unnecessary risk and ban these products.”

Bad Science Watch is an independent non-profit watchdog and advocate for the enforcement and strengthening of consumer protection regulation.

For More Information, please contact:

Michael Kruse
mkruse@badsciencewatch.ca (preferred)
www.badsciencewatch.ca
888.742.3299 ext. 101

On Thursday, January 31st, 2013, we sent a letter to the organisers of the breast cancer  fundraising event Bust A Move 2013 in Ottawa, ON.  The fundraiser, sponsored by the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation, has invited the anti-vaccination proponent Jenny McCarthy to lead the all-day fitness event.  Bad Science Watch has joined the growing opposition for this decision.  The text of our letter is below.

Please help us convince the ORCF to drop McCarthy:

1. Send a letter to the ORCF.
2. Tweet your opposition using #dropjenny.
3. Donate to the ORCF if they agree to drop McCarthy from the line-up.
4. Share this with your friends and help spread the message.

Bernice Rachkowski
Leadership Committee Chair
Bust a Move 2013

Dear Ms Rachkowski,
We are writing to you today to express our disappointment with your recent decision to invite anti-vaccination celebrity Jenny McCarthy to be your guest at the Bust A Move 2013 breast cancer fundraising event.

Ms. McCarthy has distinguished herself over the last several years as a noted activist promoting the dangerous idea that vaccines cause autism and recommending that parents not vaccinate their children against deadly childhood diseases. This position is scientifically untenable and as an organization funding scientific research, we would hope the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation would agree.

The anti-vaccination movement has contributed to a significant drop in the vaccination rates in both the US and Canada, which has enabled outbreaks of diseases like pertussis (whooping cough), measles, and mumps. These diseases were on the brink of elimination in North America not 20 years ago. Ms. McCarthy’s efforts could also be implicated in the spread of misinformation about the HPV vaccine, a safe and effective vaccine that helps to prevent cervical cancer.

Ms. McCarthy’s efforts continue to endanger both children and adults in our communities and work in opposition to the efforts of the ORCF to promote science based cancer care. It is for these reasons that we believe she is an entirely inappropriate guest for Bust A Move 2013, and we hope that your organization will withdraw its offer to her to lead the fundraiser.

Please reconsider this decision and show your commitment to good science in medicine.

Respectfully yours,

Jamie Williams
Executive Director
Bad Science Watch

Bad Science Watch issued a press release on January 28, 2013 announcing our position paper on Anti-WiFi activism.  The paper is our first research effort and the product of a committee of dedicated volunteer activists.  The text of the release is below.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Anti-WiFi Activism and EHS – Consumer Protection Watchdog Releases Position Paper

Toronto, ON – Monday January 28th, 2013 – Bad Science Watch today released a position paper on so-called “Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity”. Based on the findings of a critical investigation of Anti-WiFi activists in Canada and a comprehensive analysis of their claims, the report rebuts the bad science their views are based on, and details some conflicts of interest with activists in the movement.

“Our investigation has revealed a disturbing connection between business interests and activists promoting fear of WiFi networks.” said Bad Science Watch Board Chair, Michael Kruse. “We hope that communities and school boards who are being pressured to limit wireless internet use look to our work for a balanced view on the actual evidence for these claims before they take action that will end up increasing infrastructure costs and limit equal access to the digital economy.”

The report can be downloaded from the Bad Science Watch website at:

http://www.badsciencewatch.ca/projects/investigation-of-anti-wifi-activism-in-canada/

Bad Science Watch issued a press release on December 19, 2012, addressing a letter (below) sent to Health Canada criticizing the changes to the final natural health product (NHP) regulatory framework due to come into effect in February 2013:

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Bad Science Watch to Health Canada: Put Canadians’ Health Before Corporate Interests

Toronto, ON – Wednesday December 19th, 2012 – Bad Science Watch, an independent consumer protection watchdog, has issued critical feedback to Health Canada regarding its plans to compromise natural health product regulations for the benefit of manufacturers.

The new changes will make it easier for products to be licensed without safety and efficacy checks, allow for misleading advertising for products with sub-therapeutic doses of ingredients, and make manufacturing site inspections voluntary. The justification Health Canada offers for these changes include reducing “administrative burden” for manufacturers and shortening the product review process.

“What was at the beginning a strong regulatory framework now benefits only the corporations manufacturing these products.” said Bad Science Watch Board Chair, Michael Kruse.

These changes are based on recommendations from the Natural Health Product Program Advisory Committee, which is dominated by members from industry and lobby groups, such as Pfizer, Jamieson Laboratories, and the Canadian Homeopathic Pharmaceuticals Association.

“Over the past decade powerful industry lobby groups have eroded NHPD regulations to the point where Canadian families just can’t trust that the natural health products in their pharmacy are safe and effective,” said Jamie Williams, executive director at Bad Science Watch. “It’s sad that Health Canada has put industrial interests before the health and well-being of consumers.”

 

ENDS

 

For media inquiries, or additional information, please contact:

Michael Kruse

Chair, Board of Directors

Bad Science Watch

mkruse@badsciencewatch.ca

Here is the letter we sent to the Natural Health Products Directorate on December 7, 2012, in response to the NHPD Roadshow that held meeting across Canada introducing the new Pathway to Licensing for natural health products:

Adam Gibson

Senior Executive Director

Bureau of Product Review and Assessment

Natural Health Products Directorate, Health Canada

2936 Baseline Road

Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K9

 

Mr. Gibson,

Thank you once again for your presentation on the new Pathway to Licensing for natural health products (NHPs) in November. We found it a very informative presentation and have been motivated to participate in the process through the submission of the attached concerns we have on behalf of our supporters and Canadian consumers.

While we understand that it is late in the process to receive these concerns, we worry that the Canadian public is being put at risk by a further weakening of the regulatory process while NHP manufacturers and distributers are given greater support to make unsubstantiated claims about their products.

We have distilled our concerns into the following most pressing issues and we hope that you will take them seriously.

Risk-Based Evidence Standards

We feel that the current risk-based evidence standards do not adequately serve the consumer.  It allows manufacturers to tailor their health claims to provide the lowest evidence required to gain approval.  This does a disservice to a public who are told that the Natural Product number was granted after checking for efficacy, when in actuality products making “low risk claims” can be approved without requirement of scientific evidence beyond the opinion of an “expert”, or the mere listing of the treatment in non-scientific compendiums.

Vague, general health claims mislead the consumer into believing the product has efficacy for an unspecified condition that they have to infer from the label: a condition that the evidence may not support at all.  We would like to see evidence evaluated in a risk/benefit model, with evidentiary standards applied with equal rigor to all health products; products posing risks should only be approved if benefits can be shown to outweigh them, and products that have not shown any scientific evidence for benefit should be rejected if they pose even a small risk to the public.

Sub-therapeutic Ingredients

This part of the labeling standard must be removed. It benefits only manufacturers and distributors, allowing them to subvert evidence requirements and exploit uninformed or unobservant customers. For example, if a manufacturer puts a sub-therapeutic dose of echinacea in a product and advertises it on the label then customers will assume that because echinacea is used to treat colds then the product will be an effective treatment for their cold. As a sub-therapeutic is, by definition, ineffective, this is completely misleading to consumers; they will not receive treatment for their condition and will have wasted their money due to misleading advertising.

This guideline also ignores a definition of “synergistic effects” and proposes no evidentiary standard for the support of such effects.  While “synergy” is a recognized term in pharmacology, claiming synergistic effects requires evidence, and should not be used as a justification for listing medical ingredients at sub-therapeutic levels.  It is misleading to the public and should not be allowed without appropriate scientific evidence.

Voluntary Site Inspections

Any health product manufacturer in Canada should be subject to mandatory site inspections in order to obtain a site license.  As well, any health products that are manufactured outside Canada should come from inspected plants.  It is obvious that only those manufacturers with GMPs and a QA system in place will have the incentive to conduct voluntary inspections, allowing those with sub-standard practices to continue to operate until they fail, which may be too late to protect the consumer.

We find it confusing that site inspections are voluntary unless a critical incident occurs that mandates an inspection, because the original standards released in July included mandatory inspections.  Voluntary inspections benefit the manufacturers by saving them the cost of an inspection and allowing them the option to continue with sub-standard practices, while the public is left with the risk of consuming a substandard product until someone is hurt.  Manufacturers who are unable to meet the inspection requirements should not be producing health products for Canadians. The NHPD’s priority should be to protect the public, not to facilitate unscrupulous manufacturers to mislead and take advantage of consumers with substandard, ineffective products.

Thank for you this opportunity to comment, and we hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

 

Jamie Williams                                                            Michael Kruse

Executive Director                                                      Chair, board of directors

For information from Heath Canada on the Pathway to Licensing of NHPs, please see here.

The following is the latest announcement from our friends at the Canadian Science Policy Conference 2012.  Please register soon if you wish to attend!

CSPC 2012 – Approaching Capacity – Register Now!

November 5 – 7, 2012

Registration is nearing the capacity of the TELUS Spark Centre. Please go to https://www.verney.ca/cspc2012/registration/index.php
to register now.

For the first time, Calgary will be host to the leaders of science and innovation policy in Canada. More than 100 speakers will discuss today’s pressing issues of science and innovation policy in 21 panel sessions, such as:

• The Need for a Uniquely Canadian Perspective on Science, Technology and Innovation Policy
• Here there be Monsters:  Science Advice with Uncertainty or Unknowledge
• The Second Mouse Gets the Cheese:  Turning Talk of Creativity into a Sustainable Creative Economy
• Dissecting Canada’s Science & Technology Landscape
• Thinking Big: Science Culture and Policy in Canada

CSPC features an exhilarating program including:

An opening keynote speech by the Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

Keynote discussion: Pulling Together: “What is the appropriate division of labour between business, government, and the academy in advancing science-based innovation in Canada?”

• The Hon. Preston Manning C.C., President & CEO, Manning Centre for Building Democracy
• M. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, FCAE, FRSC, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary
• Dr. Eric Newell, Chancellor Emeritus, University of Alberta, Former Chair and CEO, Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Moderated by the Hon. Jim Edwards, former broadcaster, business executive and parliamentarian, Chair of the NSERC Governing Council.

Two receptions hosted by Genome Canada and the Alberta Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education on Monday, November 5^th. 

Mel Wong, Assistant Deputy Minister, Innovation and Advanced Technologies, Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education on Tuesday, November 6^th.

Movie entertainment at the TELUS Spark’s HD Digital Dome Theatre is included on Tuesday evening.

Iain Gillespie, PhD, former Head – Science and Technology Policy Division, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Wednesday, November 7^th.

Take advantage of numerous networking opportunities, including three continental breakfasts and two lunches.

CSPC 2012 themes:

1. Innovating on energy supply and demand for more sustainable resource management: a critical test for the integration of science, technology and policy
2. Re-imagining Canadian Healthcare: How innovation in science and policy can contribute to a more sustainable system?
3. Food, Fuel and Farmers: Agriculture at the convergence of multi-disciplinary science policy issues
4. Science-Technology-Society-Nexus

For the complete agenda please go to http://www.cspc2012.ca/agenda.php

Follow us on Twitter@sciencepolicy, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest in science policy news and conference updates.

Register today at https://www.verney.ca/cspc2012/registration/index.php to avoid disappointment.

As a community partner for the Canadian Science Policy Conference 2012, Bad Science Watch is excited to share with you their latest communications regarding early-bird registration for this important conference:

CSPC 2012 – Early Bird Registration Deadline this Friday, October 12th

This Friday is the last day for early bird registration.  Please go to https://www.verney.ca/cspc2012/registration/index.php to register now.

Conference highlights include:

The Opening address on Monday, November 5^th by the Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

The Keynote discussion: Pulling Together: “What is the appropriate division of labour between business, government, and the academy in advancing science-based innovation in Canada?”

A dialogue with the three Honourary Co-Chairs:

• The Hon. Preston Manning C.C., President & CEO, Manning Centre for Building Democracy
• Dr. Eric Newell, Chancellor Emeritus, University of Alberta, Former Chair and CEO, Syncrude Canada Ltd.
• M. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, FCAE, FRSC, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary

moderated by the Hon. Jim Edwards, former broadcaster, business executive and parliamentarian, chair of the governing council NSERC

A luncheon address by the Hon. Stephen Khan, Alberta Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education

A Keynote speech by Iain Gillespie, PhD, former Head – Science and Technology Policy Division Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

An impressive list of more than 90 speakers in 21 panel sessions will be on hand over 2 ½ days to discuss the pressing issues of science and innovation policy

Workshop: Science Policy 101

For the complete agenda please go to http://www.cspc2012.ca/agenda.php

Don’t miss Canada’s premiere science policy conference as it brings a spotlight to Western Canada science and innovation!

Follow us on Twitter@sciencepolicy, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest in science policy news and conference updates.

Register today at https://www.verney.ca/cspc2012/registration/index.php to benefit from the Early Bird rate (ends October 12, 2012).

This year Bad Science Watch is proud to support the 4th Canadian Science Policy Conference as a Community Partner!
–
Cette année Bad Science Watch est fière d’appuyer la 4ème Conférence sur les politiques scientifiques canadiennes en tant que partenaire communautaire!

Minister of State for Science and Technology, the Hon. Gary Goodyear, and Alberta Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education, the Hon. Stephen Khan, will be speaking at the CSPC 2012

CSPC 2012 is pleased to announce that the Hon. Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for Science and Technology will provide the opening keynote address on Monday, November 5th at 8:45 AM.

Also, the Hon. Stephen Khan, Alberta Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education will provide a luncheon keynote speech on Tuesday, November 6th.

CSPC 2012 will feature an impressive program with more than 90 speakers – leaders of science and innovation – from industry, academia, the media and government. These include:
Hon. Moira Stilwell, MLA, Minister of Social Development, BC
Bob Fessenden, Premier’s Council for Economic Strategy, Government of Alberta
Dan Wicklum, CEO, Canada Oil Sands Innovation Alliance, (COSIA)
Antonia Maioni, Incoming President, Canadian Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Jeffrey Simpson, National Affairs Columnist, The Globe and Mail
Jay Ingram, Founder, Beakerhead, Science Journalist
Rory McAlpine, Vice President, Maple Leaf Foods
Mike Herrington, Executive Director, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM)
Richard Hawkins, Canada Research Chair, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, University of Calgary
Keynote session: Pulling Together: “What is the appropriate division of labour between business, government, and the academy in advancing science-based innovation in Canada?” a dialogue with the three Honourary Co-Chairs:
The Hon. Preston Manning C.C., President & CEO, Manning Centre for Building Democracy
Eric Newell PhD., Chancellor Emeritus, University of Alberta, Former Chair and CEO, Syncrude Canada Ltd.
M. Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, FCAE, FRSC, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Calgary
Twenty-one panel sessions, reflecting the four conference themes, submitted from across the country and internationally, including:
Innovation, R&D, and Productivity in the Oil and Gas Sector
Dissecting Canada’s Science & Technology Landscape
Innovation and Agriculture and the Role of Policy
Next Generation e-Health: Integrating Research, Policy, Industry
Entrepreneurship as a vehicle for innovation
“Science Policy 101″ workshop
For the complete agenda please go to http://www.cspc2012.ca/glance.php and for descriptions of all the panel discussions see http://www.cspc2012.ca/paneldescriptions.php .

Don’t miss Canada’s premiere science policy conference as it brings a spotlight to Western Canada!
Follow us on Twitter @sciencepolicy, Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest in science policy news and conference updates.
Register Now!

Register today at https://www.verney.ca/cspc2012/registration/index.php to benefit from the Early Bird rate (ends October 12, 2012).

Thanks

CPSC 2012 : Discours par l’hon. Gary Goodyear, ministre d’Etat des Sciences et de la Technologie, et l’hon. Stephen Khan, ministre des Entreprises et de l’Enseignement supérieur de l’Alberta

La Conférence sur les politiques scientifiques canadiennes (CPSC) 2012 a le plaisir d’annoncer que l’honorable Gary Goodyear, ministre d’État des Sciences et de la Technologie, prononcera le discours d’ouverture, le lundi 5 novembre à 8 h 45.

Par ailleurs, l’honorable Stephen Khan, ministre des Entreprises et de l’Enseignement supérieur de l’Alberta, fera l’allocution principale à l’heure du dîner, le mardi 6 novembre.

La CPSC 2012 prévoit un programme impressionnant qui comprendra la participation de plus de 90 intervenants – des leaders de la science et de l’innovation – représentant l’industrie, le milieu universitaire, les médias et le gouvernement. Parmi ces intervenants, mentionnons :
L’honorable Moira Stilwell, députée à l’Assemblée législative, ministre du Développement social de la Colombie-Britannique,
Bob Fessenden, Conseil du premier ministre de l’Alberta pour la stratégie économique,
Dan Wicklum, chef de la direction de la Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (Alliance pour l’innovation dans les sables bitumineux) (COSIA),
Antonia Maioni, présidente entrante de la Fédération canadienne des sciences humaines,
Jeffrey Simpson, chroniqueur des affaires nationales au Globe and Mail,
Jay Ingram, journaliste scientifique et fondateur de Beakerhead,
Rory McAlpine, vice-président des Aliments Maple Leaf,
Mike Herrington, directeur exécutif du Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM),
Richard Hawkins, titulaire de la chaire de recherche du Canada en science, technologie et politique d’innovation à l’Université de Calgary.
Discours principal : Rapprochement : « Quelle est la répartition adéquate du travail entre les entreprises, le gouvernement et le milieu universitaire pour faire progresser l’innovation scientifique au Canada? », un dialogue avec les trois coprésidents honoraires :
L’honorable Preston Manning C.C., président et chef de la direction du Manning Centre for Building Democracy,
M. Eric Newell, chancelier émérite de l’Université de l’Alberta et ancien président du conseil et chef de la direction de Syncrude Canada Ltd.,
Mme Elizabeth Cannon, PhD, MACG, MSRC, présidente et vice-chancelière de l’Université de Calgary.

Le programme prévoit 21 groupes d’experts, reflétant les quatre thèmes de la conférence et issus de propositions venant de tout le pays et de l’étranger, notamment :
Innovation, R. et D. et productivité dans le secteur pétrolier et gazier
Analyse approfondie du contexte canadien des sciences et de la technologie
Innovation et agriculture : le rôle de la politique
Cybersanté de dernière génération : intégrer la recherche, la politique et l’industrie
L’entrepreneuriat, un véhicule de l’innovation
Atelier « Politique scientifique 101 »
Pour consulter le programme complet, rendez-vous à http://www.cspc2012.ca/glance.php. Pour les descriptions de tous les groupes d’experts, allez à http://www.cspc2012.ca/paneldescriptions.php.

Ne manquez pas la plus grande conférence consacrée aux politiques scientifiques au Canada, un événement qui met l’Ouest canadien sous le feu des projecteurs!

Suivez la CPSC sur Twitter@sciencepolicy, Facebook et LinkedIn pour les dernières nouvelles en matière de politiques scientifiques et les mises à jour relatives à la conférence.

Inscrivez-vous sans tarder!

Inscrivez-vous dès aujourd’hui à https://www.verney.ca/cspc2012/registration/index.php?lang=fr pour bénéficier du tarif préférentiel (valide jusqu’au 12ieme octobre 2012).

Merci