Honourable colleagues, today we welcome to Parliament scientists from across the country through the Science Meets Parliament program. Since 2018, this program has allowed dozens of scientists to meet parliamentarians to raise their awareness of scientific advances in Canada.

Science and technology play a vital role in shaping our society, economy and future. Evidence-based decision making ensures that policies and regulations are informed by the latest scientific advances.

The benefits of science-based policy are clear — they are more effective, as they are more likely to achieve their intended goals and have a positive impact on society. This is because they are grounded in a thorough understanding of the problem being addressed, and they are designed based on what has been shown to work in similar situations. They are less prone to unintended consequences, such as the negative effects on other areas of society. They are also more transparent because they are based on publicly available data and rigorous analysis, which allow for greater transparency and accountability. This enables the public to have greater trust in the decision-making process and the policies that are implemented. They are more adaptable to changing circumstances and new information. This flexibility allows policies to be adjusted as new data becomes available or as the situation on the ground evolves.

As senators, it is our responsibility to ensure that our policy decisions are informed by the best available scientific facts and evidence. This requires continued education and engagement with experts in various fields. We must be proactive in seeking out opportunities to learn about important issues that affect Canadians, and opportunities to stay informed on the latest developments in science and technology.

For that, we need more opportunities to connect decision makers with scientists. Science Meets Parliament is one such opportunity where we can interact with leading researchers and industry professionals and learn about their work. By fostering partnerships between scientists and policy-makers, we can promote evidence-based decision making and improve the quality of our senatorial work.

Colleagues, we need to take every opportunity to learn from experts and scientists; they are the ones who will know how to guide us to a stronger and more resilient Canada.

I invite you all, dear colleagues, to attend the Science Meets Parliament reception tonight at 6 p.m. in room 310 of the Wellington Building. Thank you. Meegwetch.