Blog Post
I’m delighted to share my first President’s Message in this inaugural issue of our re-launched quarterly newsletter, Council News. I’m hoping to use this space to update you on the work of the CCA, our volunteers, and our Member Academies. I’ll also touch on some current topics that I think are of interest to you. This issue includes a special Q&A where I answer some questions about what led me back to Canada and to the CCA, my reflections on the CCA’s place in the Canadian S&T ecosystem, and my thoughts on harnessing the current appetite for evidence-based decision-making in Canada. Here are two key messages:
First, there’s no doubt that this is an important time in Canada’s history for science, for policy, for research, and for innovation. With a new government and a renewed sense of purpose in the science community, there is a palpable sense of optimism about the role that science and evidence can play in policy-making. It’s certainly a privilege to come to the CCA, an organization that over the past 10 years has made some important contributions to policy in this country, from business innovation to STEM skills, from ocean science to Aboriginal food security. These contributions would not have been possible without the support of our Member Academies and our capacity to call on Canada’s best minds who volunteer to sit on our expert panels. There’s lots more to do as we confront some of the world’s most pressing challenges facing us today in areas such as energy, health care, natural resources, cybersecurity, and climate change.
Second, at a time when innovation is very much on everyone’s mind, it’s critical to emphasize that innovation in science advice is every bit as important as innovation in other aspects of our economy. Using evidence to inform policy must fit into the larger political reality. Some policy questions should be responded to quickly because they are motivated by the urgency of current events, like preparing for the Zika virus. Others benefit from deeper assessments that require longer-term consideration. Both are needed, and we have the capacity to do both at the CCA. We can’t do this on our own, however. Continued collaboration and continued bolstering of Canada’s S&T ecosystem are vital. Addressing pressing issues means engaging our bench scientists and our social scientists, our policy analysts and the public. It calls for a big tent. There’s plenty of work to be done, and the CCA is excited to contribute its part.
This newsletter is just one of the ways we’ll be reaching out to our supporters and collaborators to inform you both about our own work and – perhaps just as importantly – about the work of others that may impact CCA activities and the broader science and policy community. You’ll notice that the look and feel of the newsletter has changed, but the most popular articles and our commitment to bringing you interesting and engaging information remain steadfast.
In Expert Panels at Work, readers can learn more about current CCA assessments. Volunteer Spotlight will feature members of our Board, Scientific Advisory Committee, or expert panels, many of whom are Fellows of our Member Academies. This issue features Mary R. Brooks, Chair of the CCA’s Expert Panel on the Social and Economic Value of Commercial Marine Shipping in Canada. News from the Academies will provide a glimpse into the exciting work and events taking place within the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS), and the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE).
Stay tuned for future issues, and many thanks for your continued readership.
Eric M. Meslin, PhD, FCAHS
President & CEO, Council of Canadian Academies