The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
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REPORT OF THE SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Presented to the 98th Annual General Meeting

PIPSC’s Science Advisory Committee (SAC) has met three times thus far in 2017. During this time, the committee has moved forward on the following activities:

  1. As per the Board approved three year Strategic Plan on Science, SAC continues to align its activities, contributions, recommendations and discussions on the following key actions:
  • Contributing to the design and roll-out of the Science Membership Survey
  • Supporting Departmental Science Integrity Teams Working in the implementation of  SI Policies with Departments and TBS
  • Leading the Women in Science Initiative
  • Launching the Scientific Conference Attendance Initiative
  • Monitoring  the State of Government Science
  1. Members of the committee spoke and participated actively in the nationwide March for Science event.
  2. SAC initiated and guided a PIPSC panel on Scientific Integrity at this year’s Canadian Science Policy Conference (CSPC).
  3. SAC filed an ATIP which uncovered the lack of action from Information Commissioner on the muzzling issue and is considering next steps.
  4. SAC provided advice and background for the PIPSC Parliamentary Lobby in fall 2017.
  5. SAC members were asked to contribute their scientific knowledge and advice to the Privy Council Office-OECD consultations on Innovation in the Canadian Federal Public Service.
  6. SAC ensures that appropriate messaging is incorporated and shared within the PIPSC community, such as consultations teams and group executives.
  7. SAC continues to integrate and coordinate its activities with PIPSC’s science-based groups.

Considerable work still lays ahead for the committee, especially on Scientific Integrity and ensuring that its inception will positively affect PIPSC science and research members, as well as for the following upcoming subject matters:

  1. Science Infrastructure
  2. Technological change and Artificial Intelligence in Science Based Departments
  3. Building bridges with the newly appointed Chief Science Advisor

In early 2018, SAC will be supporting the release of the Science Survey Results as a follow-up to the Big Chill and Vanishing Science reports.

I would like to sincerely thank our Science Advisory Members, Michael A. Forbes, Karen Hall, Richard Winder, Susan O`Donnell, Norma Domey, Philip A. Blagden, Robert MacDonald and Heidi Wood, as well as our staff resources Maxime Gingras, Michael Urminsky, Marielle Nadon, and Catherine Wright for their dedication, participation and hard-work over the past year.

Cordially,
Jean Bérubé, SAC President