Need To Heed

Recent cuts to federal spending in Canada are being criticized across the board.  Some of the cuts may be useful, but some should just be shelved.  These are relatively small amounts representing important endeavours of a scientific nature that have been and will continue to be vital to Canada's development as a nation.  Experimental research into the environment that is critical, and should be recognized as such.

The funding to be saved is a veritable trickle, even when a number of different programs are considered.  At a relatively insignificant cost of $2-million annually for the operation and staffing of the Experimental Lakes Facilities, encompassing 58 small, remote lakes near Kenora, Ontario, the benefit to Canada is huge in determining in a natural setting how human activities impact the environment.

What is even more salient is that scientists representing the international community of scientific investigation recognize this project for the importance it represents to scientific advancement universally in the understanding of human impacts on the environment.  International experiments that take place at the facility explore all manner of eco-systems and pollution.

Something as seemingly innocuous as the industrial use of antimicrobial agent, nanosilver, found in household cleaning sponges, socks, children's teddy bears, is being looked at for its impact on the environment, as for example what happens within a closed eco-system that becomes polluted with the agent.  Shouldn't we know that?

A letter sent recently from top water scientists from Canada, the U.S. and Britain entreats the Government of Canada to reconsider its decision to cut off funding for the Experimental Lakes Area.  Scientists have challenged the government's claim that the facility could be preserved through funding by universities.

"It's not something universities in Canada can afford", scoffed David Schindler, a researcher at the University of Alberta who himself led many experiments that led the international scientific community to recognize the importance of the northern Ontario research facility.

The letter addressed to the federal government emphasizes the loss to Canada of its future advantage in scientific advancement.  It deplores the cuts in student scholarships, the cancellation of a program providing scientists with research equipment, and the approaching moratorium on uniquely distinguished Canadian research facilities.

Programming, in other words that is threatened and "that undermine our capacity to protect and manage Canada's freshwater and marine resources".  Canada has a priceless heritage in its abundance of freshwater lakes, its ocean fisheries, and its panoply of scientists who have distinguished themselves in the field of pure research.

We should be supporting their advances in human scientific knowledge, not hampering them, closing down critical programs and facilities, leaving them with few options other than to migrate elsewhere where their research capabilities and enterprise are appreciated and will be funded.