Speaking points
Dr. Mona Nemer
Chief Science Advisor of Canada
SRSR Committee Meeting: CSA Mandate and Other Related Matters
Ottawa, Ontario
November 26, 2025
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Bon après midi Madame Chair and Honourable Members,
Thank you for the opportunity to be with you today.
To start, I would like to acknowledge all the members who participated in our Science Meets Parliament event last week — it is important that we continue to build greater connections between decision-makers and our science community.
Thank you for taking the time to engage with some of our brightest young scientists who came from all over Canada to participate in the program. They were thrilled by their experience that helps them appreciate your important work, and learn how their research and expertise can support our parliamentarians and benefit our country.
Over the eight years that I have served in this role, the world has changed in profound ways. Technologically, we are in the midst of a transformation driven by artificial intelligence, quantum computing, genomics, and clean energy innovation. Geopolitically, we are witnessing a shifting landscape and a global recognition that science and technology are deeply intertwined with national security and sovereignty. Economically, nations are competing not only for resources and markets, but for the talent, data, and intellectual capacity that drive innovation and growth.
These changes bring both opportunities and challenges. They demand that we adapt quickly, make evidence-informed decisions, and strengthen the systems that allow us to respond effectively. Science is central to that effort. It helps us detect emerging risks, develop new technologies, and craft solutions that improve our social and economic resilience — from health and food security to energy and digital sovereignty.
But resilience does not mean isolationism. True resilience comes from connection — from collaboration among countries, sectors, and disciplines. Whether we are mapping the Arctic, monitoring oceans, or developing AI standards, no nation can do it alone. International collaboration helps us ensure that discovery benefits everyone and reinforces our reputation as a trusted and constructive global partner.
At the same time, collaboration must be grounded in a strong domestic foundation. If we want to remain at the forefront of innovation, we must have a long-term strategy that allows us to invest in Canada’s science enterprise — in people and skills, in infrastructure and in the institutions that turn ideas into impact. That means supporting fundamental as well as applied research, enabling interdisciplinary approaches, and ensuring that our data and research are managed responsibly. In parallel, we should safeguard the intellectual property generated through discovery and research activities and improve its translation into innovative products, processes, and services.
My office is ready to double down on our domestic and international efforts that have, over the past year, supported Canada’s G7 presidency and global engagement while providing the best advice to our government for important national issues such as biodiversity conservation, research data protection, emergency preparedness and the science needed for avian flu management.
Science is one of Canada’s greatest strategic assets. It can fuel our economy, enhance our global standing, and enable us to meet the challenges of our time with both confidence and compassion.
I look forward to continuing to work with this committee to strengthen Canadian science, to build resilience at home, and to ensure that Canada remains a collaborative, trusted voice in global research and innovation.