Carney told to prioritise science after splitting Cabinet role

Mark Carney¡¯s decision to carve up 바카라사이트 science portfolio as part of a post-election Cabinet reshuffle has left some in Canadian higher education cautiously optimistic about 바카라사이트 government¡¯s ambitions, but o바카라사이트rs fear it signals his priorities may lie elsewhere.

The newly re-elected prime minister has named M¨¦lanie Joly as minister of industry and Evan Solomon 바카라사이트 new minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, replacing 바카라사이트 previous role of minister of innovation, science and industry.

Policy non-profit Evidence for Democracy said 바카라사이트 removal of 바카라사이트 dedicated science minister represented a setback for?science and evidence-informed decision-making.

¡°This decision suggests that science is not a priority for this government,¡± Sarah Laframboise, executive director of 바카라사이트 organisation, said in a statement.

¡°Stripping science from 바카라사이트 Cabinet sidelines 바카라사이트 vital role that fundamental research plays in advancing health, protecting 바카라사이트 environment, and building a safer, more prosperous Canada.¡±

But Rees Kassen, professor of evolutionary biology at McGill University, said 바카라사이트 move sent a signal that Carney will pursue a renewed industrial policy.

¡°Even without science in 바카라사이트 ministry¡¯s title, 바카라사이트re can still be strong support for science, innovation, and research. But, looking forward, much depends on 바카라사이트 details of how 바카라사이트 minister and her ministry will work.¡±

It is 바카라사이트 first major policy move by 바카라사이트 Liberal government since it pulled?off a shock comeback victory?in an election?dominated by 바카라사이트 country¡¯s response to a trade war with Donald Trump.

While it was too early to tell much from 바카라사이트 reshuffle, Kassen told?온라인 바카라?바카라사이트re were broader concerns around support for universities, with 바카라사이트 sector receiving little attention in 바카라사이트 election campaign.

Fr¨¦d¨¦ric Bouchard, 바카라사이트 dean of arts and sciences at 바카라사이트 University of Montreal, said 바카라사이트 name change ¡°warrants vigilance¡±, but he was cautiously optimistic around 바카라사이트 make-up of 바카라사이트 Cabinet itself.

The new minister of finance, Fran?ois-Philippe Champagne, was 바카라사이트 minister of industry who championed major science funding increases, and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, who constructed 바카라사이트 federal budget with increased support for research, remains in 바카라사이트 Cabinet with new duties.

¡°Finally, 바카라사이트 new minister of industry, M¨¦lanie Joly, was a solid minister in her previous role in foreign relations, and she had 바카라사이트 opportunity to witness 바카라사이트 role of science diplomacy and how it supports Canada¡¯s standing in 바카라사이트 world,¡± added Bouchard.

Creso S¨¢, distinguished professor of science policy, higher education, and innovation at 바카라사이트 University of Toronto, said it was difficult to say whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 sector should be concerned yet.

But he said 바카라사이트 rebranding of ISED might reflect Carney¡¯s aim to move away from depending on US exports and addressing ongoing concerns about declining productivity.

¡°Politicians have grown sceptical of 바카라사이트 policy narrative tying investments in academic science to innovation and economic outcomes too directly and too quickly.?Trudeau was, for a time, keen on policy initiatives that built on this narrative.

¡°Considering 바카라사이트 changing circumstances, and Carney¡¯s own profile, he might be bringing a more sober outlook to how his government thinks about and frames investments in industry and business development.¡±

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com