OTTAWA, June 1st, 2012 – The Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation (CSTMC) welcomes the Council of Canadian Academies' decision to proceed with a peer-reviewed study to assess the state of Canada's science culture at the invitation of the Minister of State for Science and Technology, the Hon. Gary Goodyear.

The CSTMC initiated the development of this proposal to assess Canada's science culture and considers this study as an important step to better understand the role of science in the general Canadian culture and its influence on Canadians' well-being and Canada's future prosperity. The proposal was also co-sponsored by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), as well as Industry Canada (IC). The CSTMC also acknowledges the important support received from Human Resources Development Canada (HRSDC), National Research Council Canada (NRC), and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) in preparing the proposal.

The assessment will focus on science in general culture, with additional interest in understanding the underlying connections among entrepreneurship, innovation and science. By gaining a better understanding of the elements of a science culture system and the measures of its success, this assessment will inform public policy analysis and development.

"Science culture is at the heart of our activities in science centres and museums, and we welcome this proposal that will establish how it contributes to our country's prosperity and quality of life. Science culture underpins responsible citizenship and it is crucial that we succeed in instilling it in the younger generations," said CSTMC CEO Denise Amyot.

To find out more about the Council of Canadian Academies' assessment of science culture, please visit: http://www.scienceadvice.ca/en/news.aspx?id=73

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INFORMATION :

Olivier Bouffard
Media relations
613-949-5732