The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC), with the honourary patronage of the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Janet Austin, and made possible with the support of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, the Honourable Raj Chouhan, are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the first edition of Science Meets Parliament – British Columbia!
This program is scheduled to take place in Victoria in April 22-23, 2024.
The application deadline has passed
The objective of the Science Meets Parliament (SMP) – British Columbia program is that scientists in BC learn about the process of policy making at the provincial legislature and become familiar with the provincial parliamentary process. In addition, it serves as an opportunity for BC MLAs to explore the application of scientific evidence in policy making.
The program helps to strengthen the connections between Canada’s scientific and political communities, enable a two-way dialogue, and promote mutual understanding. Delegates will gain practical knowledge of the inner workings of political policy making, broaden their professional networks to include influential members of the science and policy communities, enhance their communication skills for new contexts and audiences, and carry their experiences back to share with their home institutions. The program is NOT an advocacy exercise for science or for the scientific community.
The program has been a great success, receiving positive feedback from both Science Meets Parliament delegates and participating Parliamentarians. We are delighted to expand our program to the provincial level with Science Meets Parliament – British Columbia.
This program is funded only through registration fees and sponsorship. We invite interested organizations to consider sponsorship opportunities – please contact sciencemeetsparliament@
Hon. Janet Austin
Lieutenant Governor
British Columbia
Hon. Raj Chouhan
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
British Columbia
The Science Meets Parliament model is adapted from the successful Australian program held annually since 1999. Similar initiatives exist in the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Canada was the second country to adopt this model at the Federal Level Science Meets Parliament program, organized jointly by the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) and the Office of the Chief Science Advisor (OCSA) thrice since 2018.
During the Canadian federal events, over 130 emerging leaders of the scientific community from across Canada were brought to the Canadian Parliament for extensive meetings with Parliamentarians and attendance at the House and Senate standing committees. More than 150 parliamentarians (MPs and Senators) participated in this program. Scientists were able to learn first-hand about Parliamentary work and policy making, and discuss their research with MLAs.
Science Meets Parliament 2023
Orientation video
If you have any questions about the program, please contact us at sciencemeetsparliament@ sciencepolicy.ca
Here is what delegates had to say
“This is a valuable eye-opening experience for researchers to learn about current issues, the legislative process, and most importantly, to get to know the MPs.”
– delegate
“My ability to connect with parliamentarians and policy-makers and move my research into policy channels has never before felt so possible.”
– delegate