OTTAWA, December 5, 2019 – Debi Daviau, President of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC) presented the 2019 Institute’s Gold Medal to Dr. Xiaolan Wang to recognize her contributions to the understanding of climate change in Canada and internationally. Dr. Wang is a Senior Research Scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Dr. Wang’s research seeks to understand the past, current and future behaviour of regional and global climate. Now used by scientists in more than 50 countries, her statistical methods and user-friendly software have changed the way scientists assess climate trends.
“Dr. Wang is an example of the role model that the Institute’s Gold Medal is intended to honour. She is a visionary in the field of climate change research and is held in very high regard in Canada and internationally,” commented President Daviau.
“The tremendous contribution that dedicated professionals like Dr. Wang make to the public good confirms that the federal government has a unique role to play in scientific research. The federal government is responsible for creating and maintaining a climate in which fruitful research can take place and flourish.”
“The work needs to be done in a systematic and sustained manner, and it needs long-term commitment,” explained Dr. Wang. “Without a consistent data process conducted by skilled scientists, artificial data would slip through the cracks and drastically alter our knowledge about climate change.”
“Scientific research is a critical component of our success as a society – whether it is our ability to protect the health and safety of our fellow citizens, preserve our environment, or ensure future economic prosperity,” added Daviau.
Dr. Wang played an important role in Canada’s Changing Climate Report released earlier this year. Canada’s climate is warming more rapidly than the global average and will continue to do so. The report helps illustrate that climate change is real and driven by human activity.
The Professional Institute established the Gold Medal Award program in 1937 to recognize professional public service employees whose outstanding work has led to the improvement and enhancement of public well-being. The program promotes greater awareness of the role and value of professional public services in Canada and globally.
The 2019 Gold Medal was presented at PIPSC 100th annual general meeting at the Hilton Lac Leamy Conference Centre in Gatineau, Que., on Nov. 8-9. The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada represents 60,000 public service professionals across Canada. Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter.
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For further information: Johanne Fillion, 613-228-6310, ext 4953 or 613-883-4900 (cell), jfillion@pipsc.ca
NOTE: The award presentation is available on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5MnVA7vU6E&feature=youtu.be