ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Chief Science Advisor 2019–2020 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Chief Science Advisor Office of the Chief Science Advisor 235 Queen Street Ottawa, Ontario 2019–2020 K1A 0H5 Canada [email protected] This publication is also available online at science.gc.ca. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Chief Science Advisor of Canada (2020) Cat. No. Iu35-1E-PDF ISSN 2562-2579 A MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF SCIENCE ADVISOR Back in mid-2019, my staff and I took part in I was correct about the former. I could not have three separate tabletop simulations: exercises been more wrong about the latter. designed to simulate the stresses of decision-making in emergencies. One simulation was domestic, When the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in conducted with Public Safety Canada and the Canada, my staff and I took the lessons learned Department of National Defense. The other two from the simulations and implemented them as were international, conducted in the United States quickly as we could. And we succeeded, I believe, and the United Kingdom. in setting up a network of pathways that brought scientists together, and allowed information to These exercises were part of an ambitious flow swiftly from Canada’s most knowledgeable 2019-2020 work plan for this office. In addition to researchers through to government decision- these simulations, our staff were simultaneously makers. active in many files across all areas of our mandate: providing better science advice to decision-makers, Our efforts were successful thanks not only establishing open-science principles for federal to the work of my staff, but to the willing research, improving federal government science, participation of the scientific community across and conducting science-based international Canada, from multiple disciplines: public health, diplomacy. The year 2019 was only the second clinical medicine, immunology, epidemiology, full calendar year of this office’s existence. mathematical modeling, risk modeling, risk We were taking up our role with increased communication, behavioural sciences and beyond. confidence, solidifying relationships with some Words cannot express the depth of my appreciation federal departments and establishing new ones and gratitude for their generous help and advice. with others. Our work is far from complete, neither As we conducted our mid-year simulations, on COVID-19 nor on my office’s many other I expected they would provide helpful guidance initiatives, all of which are discussed in the on how science can assist government decision- pages of this report. Through it all, Canadians On December 12, 2019, Dr. Mona Nemer met with can be proud of the way their scientists and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of makers in times of crisis. I also expected that we Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains researchers are answering the call, working together, before the year’s end to talk about the highlights would likely have at least a year to follow through from 2019 and what’s on the horizon for 2020. on their recommendations, putting in place the applying their knowledge and seeking solutions to structures that would ensure timely flow of sound the perplexing problems of our time. data and scientific analysis for the moment when Dr. Mona Nemer, C.M., C.Q., FRSC a true emergency eventually took shape. Chief Science Advisor Government of Canada 2 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..........................................................................................................6 Table of INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................10 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS ............................................................................................................ 12 Contents THE YEAR AHEAD ................................................................................................................52 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................58 4 5 The Office of the Chief Science Advisor (OCSA) was • Put in place a framework for open science and created by the Government of Canada in late 2017, open data for all research conducted within with the appointment of Dr. Mona Nemer to the the federal government, as well as a timeline post of Chief Science Advisor. This is the second for expanding the principles of openness to annual report of the Chief Science Advisor, and it all federally funded scientific research. details the activities of her office for the 15-month • Reviewed the funding and operations of period from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. Canada’s major research facilities and of the Executive Government of Canada’s laboratory facilities, An ambitious work plan was established in 2019 and progress against that plan was consistent and with recommendations for improvement that Summary robust. To illustrate, the OCSA: will ensure the facilities’ excellence while making the most of federal investment. • Continued its work on scientific integrity, ensuring the ability of federal scientists to • Was active in the international promotion pursue their research and speak freely about of scientific cooperation and collaboration, their results. briefing members of Canada’s foreign service, participating in state visits, and • Expanded the fledgling network of leading delegations to major international departmental science advisors, and shaped scientific conferences. it to form the foundation of a robust advisory function that can filter and funnel the best scientific information and counsel to federal decision-makers. 6 7 • Deepened its relationships with Indigenous • A successful international collaboration to peoples in Canada, to better understand apply the principles of open science and open the intersections between Indigenous and data to all coronavirus-related research, past scientific knowledge, and encouraging and present, in order to help speed the pace Indigenous communities to set their own of discovery. research priorities. • A heightened role for the Chief Science Advisor • Established a youth council to help mentor in public engagement, to help Canadians Canada’s next generation of scientists. understand the science behind COVID-19 and the mitigation measures needed to slow In addition, the Chief Science Advisor was a its spread. frequent speaker in public and the media on issues relating to science in Canada. She was also an In its second year of operation, the Office of the outspoken supporter of diversity and gender equity Chief Science Advisor grew more fully into its role, in the STEM disciplines, participating in numerous advancing a range of initiatives in all areas of its roundtables, media interviews and other public mandate. The OCSA accelerated its operations in forums on the topic. its policy work, its international engagements, its science advisory function, and in its support for As part of its work plan, in mid-2019 the OCSA federal research facilities and scientists. The Chief also participated in a series of simulation exercises Science Advisor intends to harness this momentum designed to mimic a global health emergency, to and translate it into further achievements better understand how scientific information in 2020-21. flows to government decision-makers in times of crisis. Just months later, the lessons learned from those simulations helped to shape the OCSA’s role in helping to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The OCSA’s initiatives on this file included: • A series of COVID-19-related science advisory panels, which gathered together top scientists from across Canada. These advisory panels, and the task forces that derived from them, provided the government with expert counsel from outside the halls of government itself. The OCSA team wore red as part of Wear Red Day to raise awareness about women’s heart health in Canada during the month of February. 8 9 Every day, the Government of Canada makes • Better science: Recommend ways for the crucial decisions that affect our economy, the government to better support quality scientific sustainability of our climate, and the well-being of research within the federal system. our society – just as all governments do, both here • Science advice: Ensure that scientific at home and around the world. The best decisions analyses are considered in government are those guided by clear priorities and supported decisions, coordinate expert advice to by evidence. And scientific knowledge can be Cabinet, and recommend ways to improve a crucial contributor to this process: scientists the government’s science advisory function. collect information, analyze data, and provide evidence-based, non-partisan recommendations • Science diplomacy and outreach: Promote that can help governments identify their best a positive and productive dialogue between course of action. federal scientists and academia, both in Canada and abroad, and raise awareness Introduction The Office of the Chief Science Advisor (OCSA) of scientific issues. was created in September 2017 with a mandate to support the Government of Canada’s decision- making processes. More specifically, the Chief With the OCSA’s second full year of operation Science Advisor’s mandate can be broken down now complete, this report details its main into four key areas: accomplishments in each of these four key areas, as well as its priorities for the year ahead. In addition, • Open science: Help ensure that government this report also provides