Science Council of Canada

Science Council of Canada
source
Name	Science Council of Canada
Formation	1966
Dissolution	1993
Location	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Science Council of Canada. The Science Council of Canada was established in 1966 by the Canadian Parliament to provide scientific advice to the Government of Canada. The council was composed of distinguished scientists and experts from various fields, including University of Toronto professor John Polanyi and McGill University professor David Johnston. The council's primary goal was to promote the development of science and technology in Canada, in collaboration with organizations such as the National Research Council of Canada and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research.

● History

The Science Council of Canada was created in response to the Lamontagne Committee's report, which emphasized the need for a national science policy in Canada. The council's first chairman was Omond Solandt, a renowned scientist and engineer who had previously served as the chairman of the Defence Research Board. During its early years, the council focused on issues such as nuclear energy, space exploration, and environmental protection, often in collaboration with international organizations like the International Council for Science and the United Nations Environment Programme. The council also worked closely with Canadian universities, including the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta, to promote scientific research and development.

● Organization

The Science Council of Canada was composed of a chairman and up to 20 members, appointed by the Governor in Council for terms of up to three years. The council had a small secretariat, headed by an executive director, which provided administrative support and coordinated the council's activities. The council also established various committees and working groups to address specific issues, such as the Committee on Science and Technology and the Working Group on Energy Research. These committees often included representatives from other Canadian organizations, such as the Canadian Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society of Canada.

● Mandate

The Science Council of Canada's mandate was to provide advice to the Government of Canada on science and technology issues, with a focus on promoting the development of Canada's scientific and technological capabilities. The council was also responsible for identifying emerging scientific and technological trends and assessing their potential impact on Canada, in collaboration with organizations like the Canadian Space Agency and the National Science Foundation. The council's mandate was broad, encompassing issues such as biotechnology, information technology, and materials science, and it often worked with international partners, including the European Union and the United States National Academy of Sciences.

● Reports and Recommendations

The Science Council of Canada produced numerous reports and recommendations on a wide range of science and technology issues, including energy policy, environmental protection, and innovation policy. Some notable reports include "Innovation in a Cold Climate" and "Regulating the Regulators", which were influential in shaping Canada's science and technology policy, and were often cited by organizations such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank. The council's reports often included recommendations for government action, which were frequently adopted by the Government of Canada, in consultation with other Canadian organizations, such as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Labour Congress.

● Impact and Legacy

The Science Council of Canada had a significant impact on Canada's science and technology policy, and its reports and recommendations continue to influence policy decisions today, in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and public health. The council's emphasis on the importance of science and technology in promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for Canadians helped to raise the profile of science and technology issues in Canada, and its work was often recognized by international organizations, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Energy Agency. The council's legacy can be seen in the work of organizations such as the Council of Canadian Academies and the Canadian Science Policy Centre, which continue to provide scientific advice to the Government of Canada, in collaboration with other Canadian organizations, such as the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Nurses Association.

● Dissolution

The Science Council of Canada was dissolved in 1993, as part of a broader restructuring of the Canadian government's science and technology advisory system, which included the creation of new organizations, such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Although the council is no longer in existence, its reports and recommendations continue to be relevant today, and its legacy can be seen in the many organizations and initiatives that it helped to establish, including the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Canada Research Chairs program, which were often supported by organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. The council's work also continues to influence science and technology policy in Canada, in areas such as genomics, nanotechnology, and synthetic biology, and its reports and recommendations remain an important resource for policymakers and researchers, both in Canada and around the world, including at organizations such as the European Commission and the National Institutes of Health.