Who needs science when we have propaganda?

13 Nov Who needs science when we have propaganda?

Who needs science when we have propaganda?

A recent news report indicates that the federal government intends to spend $4 million to promote its environmental protection record.  In light of recent cuts to organizations that work for environmental protection, this is very frustrating to say the least.

There are numerous examples of funding being slashed, even completely eliminated, for those organizations that work for the protection of Canada’s environment.  The scientific research and work conducted by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans will be seriously undermined due to dramatic funding cuts.  The same is true with Parks Canada.

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy – which has provided objective, non-partisan research and advice to help Canada achieve sustainability for the past 25 years – will be terminated by March 31, 2013.

Similarly, the Experimental Lakes Area will be closed as of March 2013.  This decision was made to save $2 million a year despite the unique nature of this facility and its groundbreaking contributions to aquatic science.

Shortly before the introduction of Bill C-38 which resulted in dramatic changes to the landscape of federal environmental law, the funding to the Canadian Environmental Network was cancelled.  For decades, the Canadian Environmental Network has supported communication and resource sharing between hundreds of thousands of environmentally concerned Canadians.

The federal government has chosen to slash funding of scientific research and on the ground work that supports the protection of Canada’s environment.  Yet, in the face of these cuts, it will spend $4 million to promote its environmental protection record?

Protection of the environment requires a legislative mandate which is supported by science, accompanied by sufficient funding to allow implementation and enforcement of that mandate.  The environment will NOT be protected by a few commercials telling the Canadian public that everything is just fine.

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