SMP-BC is organized by the Canadian Science Policy Centre, and has the Honorary Patronage of the BC Lieutenant Governor, Hon. Wendy Cocchia, and support from the Speaker of the BC Legislature, the Hon. Raj Chouhan.

cspc tree

View the 2026 SMP-BC delegates:

Get involved with SMP-BC:

Previous iterations of SMP-BC can be found below:

SMP-BC is pleased to have the patronage of the Honourable Wendy Cocchia and the support of the Honourable Raj Chouhan

Honourable-Wendy-Cocchia

Hon. Wendy Cocchia

Lieutenant Governor

British Columbia

Chouhan-Raj Headshot

Hon. Raj Chouhan

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

British Columbia

Special thanks to our sponsors

ubc logo

ABOUT SCIENCE MEETS PARLIAMENT - BC

Flag of British Columbia
SMP-BC 2026
SMP-ON 2026
SMP-FED-2025
SMP Federal 2025
SMP-BC 2025
SMP-ON-2025
SMP-ON 2025
SMP-BC 2024
SMP Federal 2024
small group of CSPC attendees posing for the camera
SMP Federal 2023
presentation from a podium
SMP Federal 2022
delegates
SMP Federal 2018

The objective of this initiative is to strengthen the connections between Canada’s scientific and political communities in BC, facilitate a two-way dialogue, and promote mutual understanding. This program is designed to familiarize scientists with the intricacies of policymaking at the provincial political level, and encourage parliamentarians to incorporate scientific evidence into their policy decisions. This initiative is not a lobbying exercise, and Delegates are asked to avoid advocating for science funding or other support for a specific scientific program.

The Science Meets Parliament model is adapted from the successful Australian program held annually since 1999. Similar initiatives exist in the EU, the UK, and Spain.

SMP in Canada has a remarkable track record of forging powerful, lasting connections between researchers and parliamentarians. Since 2018, our Federal program has paired more than 250 researchers with over 250 parliamentarians, a testament to its influence and reputation. Due to its tremendous success, the annual SMP program expanded to British Columbia in 2024 and Ontario in 2025.

CSPC’s program aims to benefit the political community, the scientific community, and the Canadian public.

Benefits to MLAs

  • Engage with emerging leaders in the BC science community that drive science and innovation
  • Learn from BC scientists about resources in Canadian research institutions available to MLAs
  • Receive direct answers to questions they may have on scientific matters or background issues
  • Discuss how training highly qualified personnel (HQP) in their research laboratories contributes to local and provincial innovation and economies
  • Build lasting connections with BC scientists from diverse regions and specialties

Benefits to Scientists

  • Learn about the legislative and political processes and the reality of being a parliamentarian
  • Understand how their research can be useful to MLAs to maximize its impact
  • Gain insights about how to effectively communicate research to MLAs
  • Share insights and experiences from 'Science Meets Parliament - British Columbia' with peers and students at respective research institutions.
  • Build lasting connections with MLAs and their staff

Benefits to British Columbians

  • Bring together and encourage mutually beneficial engagements between scientists and MLAs
  • Foster a conversation about relevant issues using scientific evidence
  • Empower scientists with tools and strategies to better engage with MLAs, strengthening the role of science for the public good
  • Promote equity and diversity in science and amplify a range of voices from across BC

The program will be open to three groups of researchers affiliated with a post-secondary institution in British Columbia:

  • Researchers holding a full-time independent investigator position (for up to 15 years, excluding eligible leave, from their initial appointment)
  • First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Black researchers holding a full-time independent investigator position
  • Postdoctoral fellows who are affiliated with a post-secondary institution or affiliated research institute in Canada (Postdoctoral Fellowship status must have been announced no later than January 1, 2025).

Former Science Meets Parliament delegates (federal or provincial) are excluded from application.

About 40 researchers from a diverse range of disciplines are expected to participate in Science Meets Parliament - British Columbia in 2026. In future iterations of this program, we hope to expand the application process further to include researchers from more career stages.

A multi-disciplinary committee will oversee the application and selection process, during which the diversity of disciplines, geography, and identities will be considered.

The application deadline is December 20, 2025.

You can apply for all Science Meets Parliament programs that you are eligible for (e.g., federal and BC or federal and ON) - if selected for both, you will be able to decide which program you would like to participate in.

The program consists of about 6-8 virtual sessions as well as a two day in-person program in Victoria (currently tentatively scheduled for spring 2026). To participate in the program, you must attend all scheduled events, including all virtual workshops and the in-person meetings at the British Columbia Legislative Assembly.

The Science Meets Parliament - British Columbia 2026 program will include:

  • An orientation session
  • Virtual workshops on evidence-based decision making, science communication and media, equity and diversity, policymaking in the Legislature, and policymaking in bureaucracy
  • Meetings with MLAs and staff members
  • Attending Question Period
  • Networking reception with MLAs and staff
  • Meetings with bureaucrats and public servants, to better understand policymaking at the non-political level of government

  1. Accepted delegates will be required to pay a registration fee of $1500 (independent researchers) or $1100 (Postdoctoral Fellows). This includes:
    • admission to the program,
    • a networking dinner on the first evening
    • breakfast, lunch, dinner, all day coffee, and refreshments on the Training Day
    • breakfast, lunch, all day coffee, refreshments and an evening reception on the Day at the BC Legislature.

    All delegates will be responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs.

  2. Scientists who attend this session are required to share their experience and insights from the SMP-BC program through a lecture at their host institution and/or an editorial in a CSPC featured editorial series.

Delegates are highly encouraged to publish about their experience in academic or news publications. Participants are also encouraged to publish pieces in other media on their research to engage the general public.

For more information, please contact [email protected]

Canadian Science Policy Centre Strategic Plan

CSPC Professional Workshops Program

Annual Report of the Chief Science Advisor
(2023)

Annual Report of the Chief Science Advisor
(2018), Science Meets Parliament, page 27

Politicians and scientists need strong connections during the coronavirus crisis — and beyond
(2020) The Conversation Canada

De l’importance des relations entre politiciens et scientifiques
(2020) La Conversation Canada

Zhao J. et al., Canadian Science Meets Parliament: Building relationships between scientists and policymakers
(2020) Science and Public Policy

Evidence in Action Report. An analysis of information gathering and use by Canadian Parliamentarians.
(2019), Evidence for Democracy

Do we have enough scientists in Parliament?
(2019) iPolitics – Op ed

Building Better Bantings: Connecting Canada’s Postdoctoral Fellows is critical for Canada’s Scientific Future
(2023), Canadian Science Policy Magazine

If you have any questions about the program, please contact us at sciencemeetsparliament@sciencepolicy.ca