Canadian Science Policy Conference

Canadian Science Policy Conference
Name	Canadian Science Policy Conference
Caption	Annual meeting of researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives
Founded	2009
Status	Active
Headquarters	Ottawa, Ontario
Leader title	Executive Director

Canadian Science Policy Conference The Canadian Science Policy Conference is an annual convening that brings together leading figures from across Canadian public life, including representatives from Parliament of Canada, Industry Canada, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and provincial ministries such as Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities and British Columbia Ministry of Education. Founded in 2009, the conference attracts policymakers, researchers, and private-sector leaders from institutions like University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and Canada Foundation for Innovation to discuss priorities relevant to Canadian innovation, public research funding, and science advice.

Overview

The conference provides a platform for cross-sector dialogue among actors from Health Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and municipal partners such as City of Toronto and City of Vancouver. Sessions frequently involve leaders from research organizations including Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, and policy think tanks like Conference Board of Canada and Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Attendees include awardees from Order of Canada, recipients of Canada Gairdner Awards, and fellows from bodies such as Royal Society of Canada.

History

The inaugural meeting was organized by figures connected to Canadian Association for the Advancement of Science, with early support from Genome Canada and the Canada Research Chairs program. Over successive years the conference has hosted panels featuring stakeholders from National Research Council (Canada), leaders from Microsoft Canada, Google Canada, and executives from Telus and Rogers Communications. High-profile moments included addresses associated with ministers from Privy Council Office and interactions with commissioners from Canada Revenue Agency and directors from Statistics Canada. The event expanded geographically, with editions held in cities including Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, and Halifax.

Organization and Governance

The organizing body comprises representatives from organizations such as Universities Canada, Canadian Association of University Teachers, Science Media Centre of Canada, and professional associations like Canadian Medical Association and Canadian Federation of Students. Governance structures often reference collaboration with institutions including Mitacs, Ocean Frontier Institute, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s governing councils. Funding and sponsorships have historically come from corporations and agencies including Bell Canada, IBM Canada, Siemens Canada, Suncor Energy, and philanthropic entities such as Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation partners and provincial research funding councils like Alberta Innovates.

Conference Program and Themes

Typical program strands address issues relevant to stakeholders such as Indigenous Services Canada representatives, technology firms like BlackBerry Limited and Shopify, and research networks including Network of Centres of Excellence. Themes have included sessions on the intersection of science and policy involving panels with members from Supreme Court of Canada observers, advocates from David Suzuki Foundation, and analysts from Fraser Institute and Broadbent Institute. Workshops often draw participation from academic centres such as Munk School of Global Affairs, Rotman School of Management, UQAM, and specialized institutes including Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory-affiliated scholars.

Impact and Influence

The conference has influenced policy conversations involving ministers from Health Portfolio and advisors connected to Privy Council Office operations, and has informed strategic plans produced by agencies like National Research Council (Canada) and Canada Foundation for Innovation. It has catalyzed partnerships among companies such as OpenText Corporation and institutes like Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and has featured contributions from international delegations from National Science Foundation (United States), UK Research and Innovation, and European Commission. Outcomes include white papers circulated to offices in Rideau Hall and briefings shared with parliamentary committees such as the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology.

Key Participants and Partners

Regular participants include delegations from universities like Queen's University, McMaster University, University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, and University of Waterloo, as well as research hospitals such as Toronto General Hospital and Montreal Heart Institute. Corporate partners have included BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, CAE Inc., and SNC-Lavalin, while non-governmental partners have encompassed Science Borealis, Let’s Talk Science, CIFAR, and Canadian Association of Science Centres. International partners have included delegations from Australian Academy of Science, Royal Society (United Kingdom), and agencies like Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Criticisms and Challenges

Critiques have addressed perceived imbalances in representation between institutions such as large research universities and community colleges like George Brown College, and highlighted tensions involving sponsors such as oil sands companies in discussions on climate policy with groups like Pembina Institute. Other challenges cited include accessibility issues affecting participation from northern institutions such as University of the Arctic affiliates and indigenous organizations connected to Assembly of First Nations, as well as debates over the influence of private-sector funders including multinational firms like Amazon (company), Apple Inc., and Facebook on agenda-setting. Concerns have also been raised about the translation of conference dialogue into actionable policy at bodies like Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and Canada School of Public Service.

Category:Science policy in Canada