Canada Says, #ScienceMatters
Canadian medical, research, clinical and healthcare organizations stand up for science
In Canada and around the world, science is under attack. Increasingly, clearly false health information is being normalized and it’s causing serious harm to patients, communities, public trust and health policy.
That’s why we must thoughtfully engage and counter health misinformation. We must speak up and we must support science.
To cite just a few examples, contrary to popular misinformation, the current body of evidence has shown that:
- Vaccines do not cause or increase the risk for autism. Vaccines are safe and effective.
- Ivermectin is not an effective treatment for COVID, cancer, or autism.
- The COVID vaccines are not associated with “sudden death,” “excess deaths,” or “turbo cancer.” COVID vaccines have been studied extensively, have saved millions of lives, and have numerous health and system benefits and an impressive safety profile.
- Biomedical researchers are not withholding effective cancer cures to profit off existing treatments.
Health misinformation is spread for a host of reasons: profit, politics, brand building, and to create information chaos and an erosion of trust.
Regardless of intent, these lies are everywhere, and they are increasingly shaping public discourse, public beliefs, and policy actions.
Amid this assault, Canadian academic, clinical, and biomedical institutions stand together:
- In solidarity with clinical and scientific entities throughout the world who are struggling against regressive forces;
- Against the politicization and normalization of health misinformation;
- Against the mischaracterization and undermining of the body of evidence that is used to inform clinical and health policy decisions; and
- In support of individuals and networks working together to counter harmful health misinformation and advance scientific research.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We all have a role to play in standing up for science. Speak up and share your stories about how false health information is impacting you, Canada and the world. Together, we can make the Canadian information environment more resilient and protect the health of Canadians. Together, let’s speak up and say unwaveringly that #sciencematters.
Canada’s Biomedical, Clinical, Research and Healthcare Community
University of Alberta, Faculty of Law, Health Law Institute – Timothy Caulfield, Professor and Research Director
ScienceUpFirst, an initiative of the Canadian Association of Science Centres – Dr. Marianne Mader, CEO
Canadian Medical Association – Dr. Margot Burnell, President
The Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada – Dr. Constance LeBlanc, President and CEO
College of Family Physicians of Canada – Dr. Mike Allan, CEO and Executive Director
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada – Dr. Christopher Watling, CEO
Ganawishkadawe – The Centre for Wise Practices in Indigenous Health, Women’s College Hospital – Dr. Lisa Richardson, Strategic Lead in Indigenous Health
Children’s Healthcare Canada – Emily Gruenwoldt, President & CEO
The Partnership for Women’s Health Research Canada – Dr. Tamil Kendall, Director
Alberta Medical Association – Dr. Shelley Duggan, President
Doctors Manitoba – Dr. Nichelle Desilets, President
Doctors Nova Scotia – Dr. Shelly McNeil, President
Doctors of BC – Dr. Charlene Lui, President
Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec – Dr. Marc-André Amyot, President
Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec – Dr. Vincent Oliva, President
Medical Society of Prince Edward Island – Dr. Padraig Casey, Past President
New Brunswick Medical Society – Dr. Lise Babin, President
Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association – Dr. Cynthia Slade, President
Northwest Territories Medical Association – Dr. Courtney Howard, President
Ontario Medical Association – Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, President
Saskatchewan Medical Association – Dr. Pamela Arnold, President
Yukon Medical Association – Dr. Derek Bryant, President
–
This is a collaborative statement co-created by Canada’s Biomedical, Clinical, Research and Healthcare Community with coordination support from The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law’s Health Law Institute (HLI) and ScienceUpFirst/LaSciencedAbord.
For media inquiries, please contact Timothy Caulfield at caulfield@ualberta.ca