Canadian scientists, formerly 'muzzled', to be allowed to talk to media
Representative image: Research technicians prepare DNA samples to be sequenced in the production lab of the New York Genome Center on September 19, 20
Canada's last Conservative administration was accused of 'muzzling' scientists likely to diverge from their position on climate change
Canadian scientists will be allowed to share their research withthe media without first being designated official spokesmen, after the union representing public servants reached a tentative contract agreement, the National Post reports.
Under the previous Conservativegovernment,led byPrime Minister Stephen Harper,scientists who worked around climate changewere forbidden from speaking to journalists about their work amid vast funding cuts, the National Post reports.
Stephen Harper's critics claimed it was an effort to "muzzle" scientists whose research was likely to undermine the government's position on climate change and ondeveloping Alberta's tar sands.
The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada says it has arrived at tentative agreements involving more than 18,000 public servants, according to the National Post.
(WION)