Backgrounders and Science Pages
The SMCC recognizes that reporting on science is as much about coverage of complex, continuing themes as it is about rapid response to breaking news. To that end, we regularly compile background information to help decipher issues with complexity or differing scientific points of view.
Our backgrounders are reviewed by scientific experts in the relevant disciplines and include suggestion for further reading.
PLEASE NOTE: many of these documents were written several years ago and may be out-of-date.
Backgrounders:
Evidence Informed Decision Making
Climate change, Extreme Heat and Health
Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan
Ebola Backgrounder, Phase 1 – Preparing for Ebola
Ecosystem Approaches to Health
Alberta’s Bow River – Climate change and human impacts
Genomics in Agriculture, Part 1 – Tracing Livestock
Genomics in Agriculture, Part 2 – Improving Livestock
Genomics in Agriculture, Part 3 – Improving Animal Health
Genomics in Agriculture, Part 4 – Improving Food Safety
IPCC Fifth Assessment Report – Working Group I: The Physical Science Basis of Climate Change
Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines
The Higgs Boson (updated July 2012)
These and additional backgrounders are available in French.
Science Pages
In addition to media backgrounders, the SMCC produces Science Pages in collaboration with the Partnership Group for Science and Engineering. These documents, prepared for distribution to Canadian parliamentarians, aim to increase discussion on topical issues that have science and engineering at their core by summarizing the current state of knowledge and policy landscape.
5G Wireless Technology in Canada
Health Effects and Science of Cannabis
