In the Senate of Canada, Tarred by Science was brought forward for discussion by Senator Nicole Easton, on June 23, 2011.
The Financial Post reports Senator Eaton's remarks:
"Honourable senators, I rise today to shine some attention on a recent series in the Financial Post, titled the 13th annual Junk Science Week. This series of articles highlights and exposes the numerous "scientists, NGOs, activists, politicians, journalists, media outlets, cranks and quacks" who bend facts, exacerbate risks, and by and large warp science with the goal of advancing an agenda....
Unfortunately, I do not have the time to cover some of the interesting pieces on the dangers of lipstick, rubber ducks and apples that, one way or another, may be killing us. However, one of the themes that stood out in a few of the pieces was the constant vilification of our oil sands.
Honourable senators, I believe there is much more at play here than simple scientific fact.
In a well-laid out article, Vivian Krause examined the fallout resulting from a report on pollutants near oil sands projects. As Krause pointed out, this was a case of "how bad media happened to good science."...
Perhaps the most interesting tidbit ignored was how the study was funded. Most of the $500,000 price tag was covered by Tides Canada and the Walter and Duncan Gordon Foundation, both vehement critics of the oil sands. In fact, the Tides foundation finances at least 30 groups that target the oil sands. Furthermore, many organizations that channel funds to the Tides Foundation do so with the explicit goal of slowing the expansion and demand for Canadian oil."
To continue reading, click here.
For the Hansard's of the Senate of Canada for June 23, 2011, click here.
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