U.S. survey raises concerns for Canadian researchers' independence

The U.S. government has been questioning Canadian researchers about their work related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), climate issues, and gender ideology. This inquiry has raised concerns about academic independence, according to the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT). Recently, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget sent a survey with about 30 questions to Canadian researchers who receive funding from U.S. agencies. This is part of a larger effort to reduce what the White House calls wasteful spending. CAUT argues that these questions create a political test for research, forcing scientists to align their work with the views of the U.S. government. David Robinson, the executive director of CAUT, stated that Canadian researchers may struggle to maintain partnerships with U.S. funders under the current administration. He believes the Canadian government needs to step in to support important research projects at risk of losing funding. Recent funding cuts have impacted U.S. science and research institutions, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. These agencies provided nearly $60 million to Canadian researchers last fiscal year. New U.S. policies are specifically targeting diversity initiatives and climate research, causing concerns among Canadian scientists. Gabriel Miller from Universities Canada confirmed that some researchers at Canadian universities received the U.S. survey, though the exact number is unclear. He mentioned the need for collective coordination among universities and the federal government to respond appropriately. Sarah Laframboise, of the science advocacy group Evidence for Democracy, expressed alarm over the U.S. research policy shifts, predicting significant impacts on Canadian researchers. The collaboration between Canadian and U.S. scientists spans many projects, making any disruptions concerning. Robinson urged the Canadian government to find new funding sources to compensate for any potential losses due to changes in U.S. policies.