The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the reappointment of Dr. Mona Nemer as Canada’s Chief Science Advisor for a term of two years. Dr. Nemer’s reappointment is effective September 25, 2022.
Scientific research and expertise are essential to ensuring Canadians are well informed and the government has the necessary tools to address the most pressing issues we face as a country. As Chief Science Advisor, Dr. Nemer will continue to provide impartial scientific advice to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and Cabinet so that science is considered in public policy decisions and that government science is fully available to Canadians.
A distinguished medical researcher in the field of molecular cardiology, Dr. Nemer has served as Canada’s Chief Science Advisor since 2017. Prior to this role, she was Professor and Vice-President of Research at the University of Ottawa and Director of the school’s Molecular Genetics and Cardiac Regeneration Laboratory. She has served on various national and international scientific advisory committees and boards, including Canada’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force and COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.
Quick Facts
- Dr. Nemer was first appointed as Canada’s Chief Science Advisor in 2017, following an open, transparent, and merit-based selection process. She was reappointed to this role for a two-year term in 2020.
- The Office of the Chief Science Advisor is housed at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
- The Chief Science Advisor’s key functions include:
- providing advice on the development and implementation of guidelines to ensure that government science is fully available to the public and that federal scientists are able to speak freely about their work.
- providing advice on creating and implementing processes to ensure that scientific analyses are considered when the government makes decisions.
- assessing and recommending ways to improve the existing science advisory function within the federal government.
- assessing and recommending ways for the government to better support quality scientific research within the federal system.