This has to be the best first line ever: "The existence of the real world should never have to become a partisan issue." It concerns the change in science policy expected after the change of government in Canada. This article is about the Harper government's clampdown on scientific communication, especially with respect to the environment. This should change, and most likely will change. But the interference in science ran far deeper, and the new government will be challenged. The funding councils, organizations like the National Research Council, and numerous government agencies were diverted from their core purpose. Programs became commercial activities. Corporations and industry were to become the primary beneficiaries. Others will write about this at greater length, and better, than I. But how our new government funds and manages research will tell us a lot about where its priorities lie. Is, for example, education primarily a commercial enterprise? Or does it primarily serve the public good?
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