WELCOMING MESSAGE FOR THE 2007 SCIENCE POLICY SYMPOSIUM

As host of the September 2007 Public Science in Canada | Strengthening Science to Protect Canadians Symposium, the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) would like to welcome you to this upcoming opportunity for dialogue and learning.

This Symposium is being sponsored by PIPSC in direct response to the will expressed by its membership of public service professionals, scientists and science support staff to advance the following goals:

• To open a forum for ongoing dialogue to identify and achieve the right balance in three principal areas where science, technology and research are conducted in Canada.
  
  • Science conducted in the federal forum including science-based departments and agencies where regulatory science and technology (S&T) and S&T in support of policy decision-making and wealth generation.
  • Science conducted in the academic forum, i.e., University research in support of long term research and development (R&D), learning and advancement, and preparation of future scientists for Canada and the world.
  • Science conducted in the private sector that is primarily focused on wealth
    generation and is supported via tax incentives by government to private
    companies conducting R&D.
• To highlight Canada as a model and leader in the use of all three levels of science in sound policy decisions for Canadians.
• To raise public awareness of the role of federal science and researchers and the importance of science in policy decisions that affect the daily lives of Canadians.
• To promote and recognize the valuable contribution of members of the Professional Institute who serve Canadians by delivering excellence in science and technology for Canada and who play a key role in supporting the Canadian way of life.

The Symposium will address three different themes where the public directly benefits from public, private and academic research. In its inaugural year, the Symposium thematic areas are:

1. Food and Drugs
2. Water and the Environment
3. Energy and Natural Resources

These areas of science are important not only to Canadian economy prosperity, but also to Canadians’ health, safety and welfare. The Institute is holding this Symposium in order to foster an improved relationship between science and policy workers in Canada and to begin an international dialogue. The Symposium will also provide a unique environment in which all will be able to share and examine best practices and create a vision for a Canadian public science in Canada that will contribute to a better science-policy interface, improved decision-making and greater safety and security for all Canadians.