Speaking notes
Dr. Mona Nemer
Chief Science Advisor of Canada
Science Advice: A Critical Component of Modern Governance and Institutional Resilience
SRSR Committee Meeting: CSA Mandate and Other Related Matters
Ottawa, Ontario
June 8, 2026
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Good afternoon, Madame Chair, honourable members of the Committee.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today about my mandate, which spans many aspects of the science–policy interface, but which ultimately is grounded in four core pillars: providing science advice to support public policy, advancing research excellence, strengthening public trust and engagement in science, and promoting Canada’s scientific leadership and collaboration on the international stage.
These interconnected responsibilities underscore the vital role that science plays in advancing our national priorities. Research and innovation support the development of clean energy, advanced technologies and manufacturing, while also strengthening public health, food security and Arctic sovereignty. Evidence-informed policy can help the government respond more effectively to complex challenges and ensure that Canada remains prosperous and competitive in a rapidly changing global economy.
The work of my office reflects this evolving landscape. In recent weeks, I have provided the government with advice on two critical issues requiring long-term scientific planning for Canada: one is the need for a nuclear fusion strategy to prepare our country for this possible revolution in energy technology, and the other is the need for a natural capital accounting framework to better measure and protect the natural systems that sustain our economy and society.
This same forward-looking approach has guided our efforts to strengthen Canada’s research ecosystem. Among other initiatives, we have recently proposed a national data governance framework and updated the federal research integrity policy to help ensure that Canada’s scientific enterprise remains well positioned in the context of artificial intelligence’s growing impact on science and innovation.
At the same time, strengthening Canada’s research capacity also means ensuring that it is inclusive and accessible, which is why my office has been closely involved in efforts to ensure the vitality of science in French. Supporting the creation and dissemination of scientific information in French recognizes the importance of Canada’s linguistic diversity in science and reinforces Canada’s role within the global Francophonie.
Looking ahead, we are also examining how science can support safe and responsible research in the rapidly changing Canadian North. Our current work on Arctic research safety aims to better protect researchers and northern communities while supporting effective scientific work in one of the world’s most demanding environments.
Taken together, these initiatives illustrate a broader reality: science is no longer peripheral to public policy — it is increasingly central to it.
At a time when countries around the world are confronting rapid technological change, growing complexity and declining trust in institutions, maintaining strong scientific advisory capacity is essential for social resilience and the vitality of our institutions and our democracy. Your recommendation in 2022 that the government make the position of Chief Science Advisor permanent by enshrining its mandate in an Act of Parliament recognizes that independent science advice is a crucial component of the long-term capacity governments need to address national and global challenges. I look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure that science remains a source of insight, innovation and public benefit for Canadians.
Thank you.