Steve Campana, former DFO biologist, glad 'illogical' muzzling of scientists ending
Campana says restrictions on scientists were 'unethical' because citizens pay their salaries
A former Fisheries and Oceans Canada biologist whose move to Iceland was partly due to the so-called muzzling of federal government scientists says he "did a little dance" when he heard about the change in policy now that the Liberal government is in power.
Last week, the regional director of science for the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth confirmed that scientists at the institute are now allowed to speak openly to media.
This is in stark contrast to the atmosphere at BIO when biologist Steve Campana headed the Canadian shark laboratory.
Campana, known for his expertise on everything from great white sharks to Arctic trout, left Fisheries and Oceans Canada in May for a job at the University of Iceland.
He said the Conservatives' policy wasn't the only reason he moved, but that it was a "major source of unhappiness."
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The Conservative federal government was accused of restricting science through funding cuts and strict policies on how to speak with the media about scientific research.
A widespread survey in 2013 found hundreds of scientists had been asked to modify or exclude scientific information, and about half said they knew of cases where Canadian health and safety had been compromised as a result.
The Conservatives denied the muzzling, saying instead it invested well in science and technology.
This chilling effect forced many scientists to quit, retire or leave the country, including renowned oil-spill expert Ken Lee who left Nova Scotia for Australia after a government cut in 2012.
'A vast void'
"It was certainly one of the most illogical and unnecessary roadblocks that were put in our way in government science," Campana said during an interview with CBC Radio's Maritime Noon from Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.
Campana said scientists had to get advance approval for any discussions with the media or the public, often from the relevant minister's office or the Prime Minister's Office itself.
It was almost impossible to get an answer back in a time frame when the media would be interested. In many cases, scientists got no answer.
There's been 10 years of distrust and paranoia.- Steve Campana
"The request went into a vast void and you never heard back one way or the other," he said.
Campana said he would have understood if the government was selectively controlling stories that might reflect poorly on the country. But he said the restrictions applied to everything including good news stories and basic research.
"I am firmly convinced that the muzzling was there to make sure that facts and science did not interfere with the plans that the government had in mind for the future," he said.
Campana said the former government's "mean-spirited approach" was unethical because it kept the public from research they were paying for.
He said it will take a long time to get the system back to the way it worked before — particularly when it comes to contacting the media proactively.
"There's been 10 years of distrust and paranoia built up on the part of federal scientists, and I think it's going to take a while before they really adjust to this."