Page 20 - Canadian Geographic

review them and how they are governed are Canada’s Fundamental Science Review
all issues of critical importance if we want to [A comprehensive 2017 report on federal
maintain our ability to innovate and to do support for fundamental science. —Ed.] has
leading-edge science. Even getting a defi ni- numerous dimensions, and some items
tion of what constitutes a major science were suggested to be included in my work
facility is something many scientists would plan. We need to fund the entire spectrum
fi nd quite helpful. of research. That starts with basic
research, not only for the potential of a
On criticism of the federal government’s discovery, but also for the training it offers Dr. Nemer (right) with a student at the
funding of science to talent. I like to say we “learn by doing,” University of Ottawa’s Molecular Genetics
I have spent many years as a practising and the best way for a scientist to learn is and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory.
scientist, so I understand funding. by conducting research at basic research
labs. It’s one of the best internships that
scientists can have to prepare them for the
Discover the Mysteries of the Deep job market.
I think that once we’ve properly funded
basic research, there’s nothing wrong with
reaping the benefi ts of studying fi elds such
as stem cell research and artifi cial intelli-
gence, which are currently well funded.
And I think it’s perfectly appropriate to
continue funding them because they
involve multiple fi elds coming together to
This book opens up better society. There’s nothing wrong with
the rich and diverse making sure that we have the mechanisms
world of Canada’s and funding schemes to allow this to hap-
Arctic marine shes and pen in Canada.
presents a fascinating
overview of 222 species On one of the biggest challenges facing
through hundreds of science in Canada
exquisite colour photos, Attracting talent is critical. When I was
illustrations, and maps. running my research lab, the most impor-
tant and time-consuming thing was actu-
ally getting talent. Getting the best
graduate students, the best technicians,
the best collaborators. Of course, you
need money to pay them, but money is
not the end of things. We have to make
sure we keep portraying Canada as a
‘It is a must-have for anyone working on marine shes in the Canadian Arctic.’
Ingvar Byrkjedal, University Museum of Bergen highly competitive and desirable place to
come and study, conduct research and
innovate, to start innovative companies
Co-published with the Canadian Museum of Nature and so on. Perception is extremely impor-
tant, but so is reality, because if people
come here and are disappointed, then we
lose both our credibility and our reputa-
tion. “Good” is not good enough. We can
be excellent and we should be leaders. DAVE WEATHERALL (UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA)

Read an interview with Dr. Molly Shoichet,
utorontopress.com
who was appointed Ontario’s fi rst chief sci-
entist in 2017, at cangeo.ca/ma18/shoichet.