The Science Policy Committee, chaired by James Fraser, Director of Science Policy and Advocacy (james[dot]fraser[at]queensu[dot]ca), met at the 2025 Annual CAP Congress held in Saskatoon and had discussions spanning a range of challenges being felt within the physics community and the importance of advocating with the government to achieve improvements for the future of physics in Canada. Items discussed include:
- Sustainable and Strategic Funding for Research and Infrastructure
- Long-term funding for research is needed for planning security in order to have stability for multi-year projects, including more federal funding for research personnel. Funding allocations for research should be diversified so that fundamental science and projects with less immediate applications are appreciated. Need for operational funding and improving incentives for private sector research were also discussed.
- Human Capital and Immigration Pathways
- Students are facing difficulty with being able to work within Canada due to student visa complications; we should prepare for a potential influx of scientists from the U.S.; visa issues for participating in international conferences remain a challenge. Advocacy addressed to policy makers should focus on simplifying processes and ensuring Canada’s approach to human capital remains welcoming.
- Enhancing Science Literacy and Public Engagement
- Physics will benefit from a deeper connection between science and society. A societal cultural shift where science is valued is necessary. We should address misinformation and a general lack of science literacy through education and build connections through science communication, and work to improve basic training in critical thinking.
- Improving Physics Education and Career Pathways
- Members propose encouraging Provincial Governments to address high school education issues, and working to highlight the versatile physics skills gained through physics degrees, and to provide better information for guidance counsellors.
- Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
- Members propose decreasing the “authority/authoritarian” dynamic within physics to allow individuals to thrive, ensuring that efforts for inclusion are genuine without creating divisions, and creating benchmarks and best practices for EDI efforts, particularly in grant proposals.
- Broader Societal Challenges
- Members propose emphasizing connections between scientific advancement and fundamental human needs, and the need for diversity in understanding and problem-solving ability in order to solve big societal issues.
- International Collaboration
- Canada’s role as an Associate Member State of CERN increases its connection with Europe, plus more opportunities and a reliable partnership in physics.
CAP members interested in playing a role in one or more of these efforts are welcome to contact the Director for Science Policy and Advocacy.