‘The Death of Evidence’ in Canada: Scientists’ Own Words, Data distorted for ‘propaganda’ and other complaints against the Harper government by Katie Gibbs, Adam Houben, Jeff Hutchings, Arne Mooers, Vance L. Trudeau and Diane Orihel, July 16, 2012, TheTyee.ca
“The federal government has weakened national fisheries and environmental legislation, trivialized the relevance of scientific advice, and eliminated government scientific research of fundamental importance to the health of Canadian society. Why has the government taken these actions? The minister of Fisheries and Oceans provides a clue. In June he wrote that the existing Fisheries Act offered ‘few tools to authorise pollution’ but that the new legislation (Bill C-38) would ‘establish new tools to authorise deposits of deleterious substances.’ In other words, changes to the Fisheries Act will make it easier to authorise the pollution of Canada’s waters. … Freedom of expression is no longer a right enjoyed by Canadian government scientists. These individuals paid by taxpayers to undertake research in support of society are not permitted to speak to Canadians unless they have ministerial permission to do so. When you inhibit the communication of science, you inhibit science. When you inhibit science, you inhibit the acquisition of knowledge. Government control over the ability of society to acquire knowledge has alarming precedents. An iron curtain is being drawn by government between science and society. Closed curtains, especially those made of iron, make for very dark rooms.”
-
Recent Posts
- Down down down they go. Why? Because of increasing competition from renewable energy. January 27, 2021
- Frac’ing takes our eyesight too? New study: Air pollution linked to higher risk of irreversible sight loss January 27, 2021
- US District Court of Appeals from D.C. Circuit agrees Dakota Access P/L Crossing at Missouri River near Standing Rock Sioux Reservation is illegal, requires in-depth environmental review, but did not order the pipeline shut down during the review. Will Biden shut it entirely down, as he did Keystone XL? January 27, 2021
- Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau chat about dead Keystone-XL and dirty oil monkeys on their backs January 27, 2021
- Another huge win for global movement to stop flow of money to big polluters with approval of $4Billion Fossil Fuel divestment. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio: “Fossil fuels are not only bad for our planet and our frontline communities, they are a bad investment” January 26, 2021
- Centre for Biological Diversity to President-Elect Biden, Re: Climate Emergency Executive Order, on behalf of 380 organizations representing millions of members and supports. Big Wow: “Holey macaroni!!! SCHUMER says declare climate emergency… ok who said dem prayers?” January 26, 2021
- TXsharon: “The SEC [Securities Exchange Commission] is finally tuning into the fracking shit show that it is” January 26, 2021
- Frac sand mining webinar: February 18, 2021, 1:00pm CT (2:00pm ET). Registration required by Feb 8, 2021 January 25, 2021
- Minnesota: Important win for consumers and solar companies: Utility Xcel Energy fined $1million for exceeding maximum number of customer service complaints as a result of significant delays in processing interconnection requests for solar projects. Ruling from Public Utilities Commission affirms the right of consumers to **reasonable customer service** in the interconnection process. January 25, 2021
- President European Investment Bank, Dr. Werner Hoyer: “Gas is over.” Oh, Oh! What’s gas frac’er Ovintiv/Encana gonna do? And, what’s Petro Pimp Jason Kenney gonna do? Fart bigger (after threatening USA with a tiny fart for wisely killing Keystone XL)? January 24, 2021
- More settle ‘n gags to keep polluting us? January 24, 2021
- Down with soon-to-be frac’er Elon Musk! To think I used to admire his imagination and critical thinking. January 24, 2021
- Colorado: Grand Valley Citizens Alliance chairperson Leslie Robinson: “We’re not going to be fossil fuel driven in the future. I don’t understand why Garfield county continues to support an industry that is dying essentially.” January 23, 2021
- Pennsylvania; Briggs v. Southwestern Production Company: Rule of Capture still bars subsurface trespass claim, including by hydraulic fracturing, but appears after much judicial scrutiny, nothing has been resolved except judges change the rules to suit whatever feeds the industrial-political demands of the day. Judges will change the rules next time too, no matter how specific pleadings are, eg will complain the pleadings are too long and demand they are shortened, as they did to me. January 23, 2021
- Is it possible to undo the damage done by Citizens United? “I will believe corporations are humans in law when Texas executes one by electric chair, a bullet to the ‘head’, a public hanging.” January 23, 2021