Council of Canadian Academies releases its 2011/12 Annual Report

Informing and enriching public policy through science and evidence is the central objective of the work done by the Council of Canadian Academies. Today, the CCA released its 2011/12 Annual Report, Evidence First. The report addresses the important impact the CCA is having as well as the increased demand for its authoritative, in-depth expert assessments.

The past fiscal year has been particularly productive for the CCA, with the release of three assessments, the referral of six new questions and seven active panels working on subjects as diverse as the state of science and technology, the career trajectories of women in university research, and water in the agricultural landscapes of Canada.

“This has been an important year of growth for the CCA,” said Board of Governors Chair Elizabeth Parr-Johnston. “From an increased diversification of assessment topics and sponsors to the development of much closer ties with our Member Academies, I am confident that the CCA will continue to grow in influence and to contribute positively to policy development in Canada for years to come.”

Over the past seven years, the CCA has contributed to policy decisions on topics such as groundwater maintenance, nanotechnologies, business innovation, and most recently, ocean science. These assessments have been used by governments, researchers, educators, industry and various stakeholder organizations.

“The high quality reports published by the CCA are only possible because of the dedication of the over 500 expert volunteers who have worked, and continue to work, with the CCA,” said Elizabeth Dowdeswell, President of the Council of Canadian Academies. “Our volunteers represent the best and brightest from across Canada and around the world. They work tirelessly to sort through the volumes of scientific information required to produce meaningful and valuable science-based assessments, and for that we are all grateful.”

To learn more about the CCA’s work, or to read the 2011/12 Annual Report, Evidence First, please visit our website.