Canada’s federal scientists have won the right to speak freely about their research and science without upper level bureaucratic control, a feature central to restrictive communications protocols under the Harper government.
The move to officially unmuzzle scientists comes after the Professional Institute of Public Service Canada (PIPSC), Canada’s largest union federal employees including 15,000 scientists, researchers and engineers, negotiated to include scientists’ right to speak in a collective agreement deal.
“This is an enormous win not only for federal scientists but for all Canadians,” PIPSC President Debi Daviau said in a statement.
“Following the defeat last year of the (Read more…) government, we vowed that no government should ever again silence science. This new provision will help ensure that remains the case now and in the future.”