Question Period Note: Scientific Processes and Excellence at Fisheries And Oceans Canada

• My Department ensures high standards of scientific excellence, impartiality, and transparency in its scientific activities, including scientific peer review.
• My Department is proud to have implemented a Policy on Science Integrity, which is fundamental to making the right decisions for Canada’s fisheries and oceans.
• I rely on science on a daily basis and have every confidence in the integrity and expertise of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s scientists.

• As a science-based Department, scientific integrity is essential to the work at DFO and of its employees. Scientific integrity is critical to the decision-making process, from the planning and conduct of research, to production and application of advice to the Departmental decision-making processes.
• The Department’s Scientific Integrity Policy recognizes the importance of high quality science that is free from political, commercial, and client interference; as well as the importance of this in the decision-making processes utilized by the Department. The Policy applies to all who plan, produce, support, or utilize science to make well-informed decisions.
• The Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) coordinates the production of peer-reviewed science advice for DFO. Science advice is prepared both nationally and through DFO’s regional offices and then published online.
• CSAS provides a systematic process for the delivery of science advice to the Department’s decision-makers. Advice might relate to the state of an ecosystem or aquatic resources, the impacts of human activity, the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, or other subjects related to DFO’s mandate.
• A range of experts both inside and outside of government are involved in this process.
• The Department has and continues to make changes to this important process to generate science advice for decision-making.

If pressed on integrity and transparency
• Scientific integrity guides Departmental research efforts, shapes the way my Department works with others, and generates science advice to inform decision-making for the benefit of Canadians.
• Departmental scientists collaborate with harvesters and other partners across the country and throughout the world. These collaborations contribute to scientific excellence within my Department, expand the breadth of available knowledge and expertise, and help to form a sound and credible scientific basis for decision-making.
• My Department is committed to open science and to communicating the results of our research to Canadians to ensure that they are well informed about issues that affect our oceans and aquatic ecosystems.
• The Department is continuously reviewing its scientific processes to ensure they are objective, impartial, and evidence-based.