Honourable senators, yesterday and today, parliamentarians have had opportunities to meet with some of the young scientists doing the work that will help lead to a better future for us all. The Science Meets Parliament Federal Program is sponsored by The Canadian Science Policy Centre and the Office of the Chief Science Advisor. Parliamentarians have a chance to meet young Canadian science researchers, learn about the work they’re doing and use this information not only to better understand the importance of scientific research to the health and wealth of Canada but also to better understand how important it is to use the best available scientific evidence in our deliberations, policy-making and legislation.

The program provides an opportunity for young scientists to better understand how we work and how we choose to apply the best available scientific evidence in our policies and in our legislation — or not.

The objective of the intervention is to strengthen the connections between Canadian scientists and federal parliamentarians. It’s not meant to be an advocacy exercise — and some of the young scientists are with us today.

I know many senators are participating in this experience, and I hope you find it enjoyable.

I want to acknowledge the hard work of two very important people: Dr. Mehrdad Hariri, the CEO and President of the Canadian Science Policy Centre, and Dr. Mona Nemer, the Chief Science Advisor of Canada.

While this program specifically does not advocate for science and research, I can, and I will. Friends, there are two concepts that we must consider. One is using science and research for policy-making, and the other is creating a science and research policy for Canada. Both are very important, but we have not done either well.

We lack a national science and research policy, and we have no minister responsible for delivering on science and research. Our Senate does not have a dedicated science and research committee. The House of Commons does, but it was only established in 2021.

Friends, science and research have been with us a long time and are the foundation for developing the health and wealth of our nation. So what can we do about it here in the Senate? Well, we can focus on what is under our control. Let’s create a science and research committee and task it with the important work that needs to be done so that we can better support the innovative activities of these young scientists who are with us today and the thousands of others who are not with us.

Thank you. Meegwetch.