Steve Campana, former DFO biologist, glad 'illogical' muzzling of scientists ending

A former Fisheries and Oceans Canada biologist whose move to Icelandwas partly due to the so-calledmuzzling of federal government scientists says he "did a little dance" when he heard about the change in policy now that the Liberal government is in power.

Last week, the regional director of science for theBedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouthconfirmed that scientists at the institute are now allowed to speak openly to media.

This is in stark contrast to the atmosphere at BIO when biologist Steve Campana headed the Canadian shark laboratory.

Campana,known for his expertise on everything from great white sharks to Arctic trout, left Fisheries and Oceans Canadain May for a job at the University of Iceland.

He said the Conservatives' policy wasn't the only reason he moved, but that it was a "major source of unhappiness."

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The Conservative federal government wasaccused of restricting science through funding cuts and strict policies on how to speak with the media about scientific research.

A widespread survey in 2013 found hundreds of scientists had been asked to modify or exclude scientific information, and about half saidthey knew of cases where Canadian health and safety had been compromised as a result.

The Conservatives denied the muzzling, saying instead itinvested well in science and technology.

This chilling effect forcedmany scientists to quit, retire or leave the country, includingrenowned oil-spill expert Ken Lee who left Nova Scotiafor Australia after a government cutin 2012.

'A vast void'

"It was certainly one of the most illogical and unnecessary roadblocks that were put in our way in government science," Campana said during an interviewwith CBC Radio'sMaritime Noon from Iceland's capital, Reykjavik.

Campana said scientists had to get advanceapproval for any discussions with the media or the public, often from therelevant minister's office or the Prime Minister's Office itself.

It was almost impossible to get an answer back in a time frame whenthe media would be interested. In many cases, scientists got no answer.

There's been 10 years of distrust and paranoia.- Steve Campana

"The request went into a vast void and you never heard back one way or the other," he said.

Campana said he would have understood if the government was selectively controlling stories that might reflect poorly on the country. But he said the restrictions applied to everything including good news stories and basic research.

"I am firmly convinced that the muzzling was there to make sure that facts andscience did not interfere with the plans that the government had in mind for the future," he said.

Campana said the former government's "mean-spirited approach" was unethical because it kept the public from research they were paying for.

He said it will take a long time to get the system back to the way it worked before particularly when it comes to contacting the media proactively.

"There's been 10years of distrust and paranoia built up on the part of federal scientists, and I think it's going to take a while before they really adjust to this."