The True North strong and free?

As the American Association for the Advancement of Science meet in Vancouver, Canadian scientists and journalists have accused the Canadian government of muzzling its scientists.

Critics say the government is suppressing research in order to push through political agendas. Journalists who wish to speak with scientists must go through a long approval process and conduct interviews in the presence of government officials.

Cited cases of muzzling include findings on declining salmon stocks, a hole in the arctic ozone and radiation reaching Canada from Fukushima.

The government states: “Just as we have one department we should have one voice.”

Sounds uncannily like the words of other governments that Canada might accuse of suppressing free speech, doesn’t it?