Chief Science Advisor (Canada)

Mona Nemer, Canada's Chief Science Advisor

The Government of Canada's Chief Science Advisor is a post in the Canadian government that was created in 2017 by the Justin Trudeau government. The current advisor is Mona Nemer, who is a specialist in the genetics of heart disease and was vice-president of research at the University of Ottawa for 11 years.[1] Dr. Nemer served an initial three-year term from September 2017 to September 2020, and has twice been reappointed to additional two-year terms.[2][3] Her third appointment is scheduled to end in September 2024.

The Chief Science Advisor is distinct from the discontinued National Science Advisor, which was abolished under the Stephen Harper government in 2008.[4]

The main functions of the advisor are to develop guidelines, advise the government on science and improve processes within the government related to scientific research.

Key functions

In its September 26, 2017 announcement, the Government of Canada defined the following key functions for the Chief Science Advisor:[5][6]

  • provide advice on the development and implementation of guidelines to ensure that government science is fully available to the public and that federal scientists are able to speak freely about their work;
  • provide advice on creating and implementing processes to ensure that scientific analyses are considered when the Government makes decisions;
  • assess and recommend ways to improve the existing science advisory function within the federal government; and
  • assess and recommend ways for the Government to better support quality scientific research within the federal system.

The Advisor provides an annual report to the Prime Minister and the Minister of Science on the state of federal government science which is made public.[7]

Office and reporting

The Office of the Chief Science Advisor is housed at Innovation, Science and Economic Development and supported by a secretariat.

The CSA reports to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.[citation needed]

Annual reports

Every year the CSA publishes an annual report and makes it available on the internet.[8]

  • Chief Science Advisor Annual Report 2019-20
  • Chief Science Advisor Annual Report 2018-19

See also

References

  1. ^ Semeniuk, Ivan (September 26, 2017). "Mona Nemer named Canada's new science advisor". Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  2. ^ "Prime Minister announces reappointment of Canada's top scientist". Prime Minister of Canada. October 1, 2020. Archived from the original on October 11, 2020. Retrieved November 6, 2020. Dr. Nemer's second term is effective September 25, 2020, for a period of two years.
  3. ^ "Prime Minister announces reappointment of Dr. Mona Nemer as Canada's Chief Science Advisor". Prime Minister of Canada. 2022-07-08. Archived from the original on 2023-07-09. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  4. ^ "Canada's top scientist confident her role already having an impact". The Toronto Star. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
  5. ^ "Chief Science Advisor". September 26, 2017. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Mandate - Office of the Chief Science Advisor". Government of Canada. Archived from the original on 28 September 2017. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Office of the Chief Science Advisor - Science.gc.ca". Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  8. ^ "Annual Reports". Government of Canada. Office of the Chief Science Advisor. 2020-10-06.