Canada bans its own government meteorologists from talking about climate change

A spokesperson said that the reason for the ban is because meteorologists are not climate experts.

15:39 03 June 2014

Canada has banned its own meteorologists working for Environment Canada, the country’s weather and meteorological body, from discussing climate change in public. 

 

A spokesman for the government said that the reason is because the meteorologists are not climate experts and therefore are not qualified to answer questions about the issue. 

 

Government spokesperson Mark Johnson said: “Environment Canada scientists speak to their area of expertise. For example, our Weather Preparedness Meteorologists are experts in their field of severe weather and speak to this subject

 

"Questions about climate change or long-term trends would be directed to a climatologist or other applicable authority."

 

As per the protocol, federal scientists are required to ask for permission before they can speak to the media and in some cases, their responses may need to be approved by their superiors. 

 

The lengthy process has resulted to a huge drop in interview requests from media organisations that are typically working on same-day deadlines. 

 

Meanwhile, a study by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada revealed that the protocol has had a negative impact on federal scientists.  It reads: “90 per cent [of federal scientists] feel they are not allowed to speak freely to the media about the work they do and that, faced with a departmental decision that could harm public health, safety or the environment, nearly as many (86 per cent) would face censure or retaliation for doing so.”