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Canada Says, #ScienceMatters

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:

  1. In solidarity with clinical and scientific entities throughout the world who are struggling against regressive forces;
  2. Against the politicization and normalization of health misinformation;
  3. Against the mischaracterization and undermining of the body of evidence that is used to inform clinical and health policy decisions; and
  4. 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 – 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 – 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