Press Release 20040920: National Science Advisor to Inaugurate Forum of the National Consultation on Access to Scientific Research Data

(September 20, 2004 – Ottawa) – The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Arthur Carty will deliver the opening address at the forum of the National Consultation on Access to Scientific Research Data (NCASRD). The forum will be held November 22-23, 2004, at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa.

Dr. Carty, National Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, former NRC President and a renowned scientist, will highlight the power of vision in science. "Canada has made remarkable progress in the performance of R&D over the past decade. It is in our nation's best interest to ensure we continue to build on these efforts, maintaining our place among the world leaders in scientific production, and deriving social and economic value for Canada," explained Dr. Carty. "Continued improvements to access to scientific research data will be an important element in providing our scientists with the tools to remain at the cutting edge of R&D developments in Canada and around the world."

"With his depth of experience and breadth of vision, Dr. Carty is the ideal speaker to kick off a national forum on what is fast becoming a hotly debated international issue – how to get the most value from scientific research data by making it more widely available. Canada needs to be at the forefront of solutions and I am confident that Dr. Carty will set the right tone for finding those solutions," said Michael Raymont, NRC Acting President.

Forum participants, comprising invited Canadian researchers in science, engineering and health, will be considering ways to help Canada maximize the value received from its publicly funded natural and medical sciences, and engineering research. The purpose of the forum is to recommend an appropriate framework and guidelines that will in turn facilitate open and long-term access to data stemming from that research.

Chaired by Dr. David Strong, distinguished scientist, former President of the University of Victoria and member of the Governing Council of the NRC, the NCASRD Task Force (http://ncasrd-cnadrs.scitech.gc.ca/taskforce_members_e.shtml) is organizing the forum. Forum participants will contribute to a report, which will be submitted to federal granting agencies, partners in the initiative and the Government of Canada.

The NCASRD is a partnership initiative of the NRC, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), and Science and Engineering Research Canada.

Recognized globally for research and innovation, the NRC is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. The NRC operates world-class research facilities, as well as information, technology and innovation support networks from coast to coast. Its outstanding people help turn ideas and knowledge into new products, processes and services, creating value for Canada. The NRC works hand in hand with partners from industry, government and universities to help ignite the spark of innovation in communities across the land and to give Canadian companies a competitive edge in today's marketplace (www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca).

The CFI is an independent corporation created in 1997 by the Government of Canada to fund research infrastructure. Its mandate is to strengthen the capacity of Canada's universities, colleges, research hospitals, and non-profit research institutions to carry out world-class research and technology development that will benefit Canadians (www.innovation.ca).

CIHR is the Government of Canada's premier health research agency. Its objective is to excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge and its translation into improved health for Canadians, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened health care system (www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca).

Science and Engineering Research Canada (also known as NSERC) is a key federal agency investing in people, discovery and innovation. It supports both basic university research through research grants, and project research through partnerships among postsecondary institutions, government and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people (www.nserc.gc.ca).

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For further information or to obtain a print-quality photograph of the NCASRD Task Force, visit the NCASRD Web site at http://ncasrd-cnadrs.scitech.gc.ca or contact:

Alexandra Talbot
Communications Officer, NRC-CISTI
Tel.: (613) 998-2362
E-mail: alexandra.talbot@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Pierre Naud
Media Relations, NRC
Tel: (613) 990-6091
Cell: (613) 293-6617
E-mail: media@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca