When government scientists have to plead to speak

Sunday, March 8, 2015

The federal government's tight rein over what its scientists can say about their work is a far cry from the days of Eugene Whelan, John Wise and Ed LeRoux

by BARRY WILSON

So it has come to this.

Government scientists are pleading with the federal government to allow them to talk about what they do, what they find and what they predict rather than arguing for higher salaries or more job security.

This is what they do for a living – discovering new varieties, challenging conventional wisdom, improving crop varieties, finding new environment-enhancing crops, changing the face of agriculture.

"As a high-minded nation, we pursue such central ideals as justice, equality and freedom for all," wrote Ed LeRoux, the federal bureaucrat in charge of agriculture research in 1986 as the Agriculture Canada research branch celebrated its 100th birthday. "Their attainment comes in many ways, not the least of which is through science."

Almost three decades later, it is far from certain that a LeRoux successor would be able to make such a bold claim about the role of science, or at least science that was free of a government agenda. It is far from certain he or she would even be allowed to make such a claim, at least unless it fit government talking points.

In 2015, the union representing Agriculture Canada and other scientists throughout the federal government is essentially setting aside wage increases as a contract bargaining priority in favour of trying to negotiate better science funding over the next few years and the right of scientists to speak publicly about their work, funded by Canadian taxpayers.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says scientists have been "muzzled" by this Conservative government. They are not allowed to speak about their research results if they do not coincide with government priorities or if they contradict government policy presumptions.

If researchers are allowed to speak at all to reporters, they have "speaking lines" provided, scripts to follow and media people monitoring what they say, often in the same room or on the same telephone line to make sure they stay on script.

In his recent book "Kill the Messengers," Parliament Hill reporter Mark Bourrie labels the government's attempts to control scientists and their message "The War on Brains."

"Like most other experts employed by the federal government, scientists have been gagged by recent strict rules laid down at the Centre (the Prime Minister's Office)," he wrote. "The PMO has crafted an information control system that ensures no one in government speaks without permission."

It is a partisan attack but also an allegation with more than a ring of truth. Scientists working for Agriculture Canada these days often are reluctant or unable to have interviews about their work and conclusions. Published results leave no effective forum for questioning, for challenging answers. Much of public research now is tied to contracts with private companies that make public results tied to private product and profit enhancement.

It is such a contrast to three decades ago when Liberal agriculture minister Eugene Whelan and Progressive Conservative minister John Wise  – neither of them versed in the intricacies of scientific discovery – were supportive of the research branch and the idea that open-ended, long-term research should be supported as a way to open a portal to the future.

Back in those days, LeRoux was the head of research at Agriculture Canada and felt free to send a book to a reporter autographed with an inscription that signalled honest reporting on science was essential.

It is not a message that would be tolerated, and probably not even allowed, these days. BF

Barry Wilson is a member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery specializing in agriculture.