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PLEASE NOTE: many of these documents were written several years ago and may be out-of-date.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:

Why Science Matters

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 

E. coli 

Alberta Floods 

Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines 

Pipelines 

Fracking

Concussions

The Higgs Boson (updated July 2012) 

Cell Phones and Radiation

Tornadoes

Tsunamis

Earthquakes

Scientific Uncertainty

Radiation

Medical Isotopes

 

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

Drones and UAVs

Arctic Adaptation

Cybersecurity

Wetlands

Genomics

Chemicals and Toxicity

 

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