Canada learns from the US, muzzles climate scientists

…It’s no secret that the Bush White House hasn’t been much of a friend to science during its seven-year stretch: The Republican War on Science, a book detailing various political assaults on research, is a best seller. But those of you thinking that this phenomenon is specific to the United States need to think again. An astute reader let us know that just north of the border, Environment Canada, the government department responsible for protecting the Canadian environment, has enacted Deutsch-like restrictions over researchers’ access to the media.


All media requests to scientists working for Environment Canada now have to be sent to the capital, Ottawa, for approval. Journalists have to submit their questions in writing. “Sources say researchers are then asked to respond in writing to the media office, which then sends the answers to senior management for approval. If a researcher is eventually cleared to do an interview, he or she is instructed to stick to the ‘approved lines.’”

Ars Technica