Gary Goodyear

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Goodyear, the minister of state for science and technology, has presided over the most retrograde federal Science and Technology policy in memory. During his tenure, the government shuttered the office of the National Science Adviser, blocked asbestos from a UN hazardous chemicals list on which it clearly belongs, gutted the Fisheries Act, gutted the Navigable Waters Protection Act, set out to weaken the Species at Risk Act, killed the long-form census, eroded Environment Canada’s ability to monitor climate change, earned an international reputation for muzzling scientists and, at a great potential cost, defunded the world’s leading freshwater research centre... At the same time, changes to our science-funding regime and a makeover of the National Research Council, Canada’s science agency, into a tool box for industry have dented our basic-research infrastructure and damaged our prospects for innovation.

— Himelfarb 2014

In early 2009, Goodyear oversaw $147.9 million in funding cuts [11] for science programs, the most prominent being the lack of any funding for new projects for Genome Canada. [12] Critics of the cuts, including a team of neuroscientists who lost funding, argued that when coupled with the Obama administration's increased funding for science, the cuts could produce a brain drain as researchers move to the United States and secure funding. [13]

June 2009 saw Goodyear recommending the SSHRC withdraw a $19,750 funding grant for a future of Israel and Palestine conference [14] because it was deemed by the Minister to be too anti-Israel. [15] Goodyear responded, saying that he did call the SSHRC to ask for a funding review, but denied he asked them to cancel the grant. [16]

Economic Action Plan

The Honourable Doctor
Gary Goodyear
PC
Gary Goodyear.jpg
Member of Parliament
for Cambridge
In office
June 28, 2004 –August 4, 2015

Under Goodyear, federal science and technology expenditures reached nearly $11.9 billion in 2010–11. [17] In the Economic Action Plan 2012, the federal government announced that one billion new dollars are to be invested in science and technology. [18]

Under the Economic Action Plan, the National Research Council was transformed into a research and technology organization that focuses on "business-led research." [19] On 7 May 2013, the NRC launched its new "business approach" in which it offered only four "business lines": "strategic research and development, technical services, management of science and technology infrastructure and NRC-Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP). These four business lines are intended to shorten the gap between early stage research and development and commercialization. [19] NRC is focus "real-world applications" [20] was the creation of the Canadian Wheat Alliance, (CWA) in 2013 [21] with NRC, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan. [20] With a budget of approximately $97 million (2013-2018), the Canadian Wheat Alliance will study improving the yield of Canadian wheat even in extreme weather, integrating "basic research with genetic improvement" [22] of wheat crops, and research on efficient use of chemical fertilizers. [20] Working with the Crop Development Centre they will be integrating "basic research with genetic improvement" [22] of wheat. The second major industry-led research in 2013 is the Algal Carbon Conversion Pilot Project, [21] development of an algae system to recycle carbon emissions from the oil sands, with plans for a $19 million facility to be constructed in Alberta, in partnership between the NRC and industry partners, Canadian Natural Resources Limited (Canadian Natural) and Pond Biofuels. [21]

The Canadian Wheat Alliance will improve the quality of Canadian wheat, and enhance Canada’s competitive position in the growing world market," said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, on behalf of the Honorable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). "The benefits of this Alliance will flow throughout the entire value chain, strengthening our producers’ bottom lines and our overall economy.

— 7 May 2013

Political controversies

View on evolution

In a March 2009 interview, The Globe and Mail asked Goodyear if he believed in evolution. He responded, "I am a Christian, and I don't think anybody asking a question about my religion is appropriate." While many scientists and educators expressed shock at this, [23] others defended the minister, citing statistics that show a majority of Canadians believe God played a role in creation. [24] Later that day, however, Goodyear said that he believed in evolution during an interview with CTV News. [25] When asked to clarify this belief, Goodyear responded "We are evolving, every year, every decade. That’s a fact. Whether it’s to the intensity of the sun, whether it’s to, as a chiropractor, walking on cement versus anything else, whether it’s running shoes or high heels, of course, we are evolving to our environment." [26] He also garnered criticism from MP Elizabeth May, among others, for a comment during a debate on an NDP opposition motion in June 2012. Parliamentary proceedings for June 5, 2012, record Goodyear as saying, [27]

Madam Speaker, what I would recommend to the hon. member is that when he tightens that towel around his neck at nighttime that he not do it for more than 20 seconds. It actually ends up causing cerebral anoxia that leaves permanent brain damage.

— Goodyear 5 June 2012

This comment was in response to a question by MP Bruce Hyer, again concerning Goodyear's belief in evolution, [27]

I have a broad question for the minister. Does he really believe in science and the implications of scientific inquiry? I have a more specific question that will put a fine point on it. There is a vast bunch of science out there that says that life was created on this planet three to four billion years ago, and there are other theories. Does the minister believe that life was created on this planet through evolution three to four billion years ago or does he subscribe to a different theory?

— MP Bruce Hyer

Imagine Adoption bankruptcy

Goodyear and his wife Valerie are co-owners of Constant Energy Inc. Constant Energy is a creditor in the bankruptcy of Imagine Adoption. [28] Constant Energy's total outstanding claim at $96,000 is the first entry on the list of preferred creditors for wages/rent/etc. TheStar also reported on the issue. [29] Valerie was also an employee of Imagine Adoption. [30] In April 2011 the agency's founder and its general manager were charged with breach of trust and multiple counts of fraud. [31] As of April 2012 the case has not yet gone before the courts. [32]

Electoral record

2015 Canadian federal election : Cambridge
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Liberal Bryan May 23,02443.17+27.72$57,941.86
Conservative Gary Goodyear 20,61338.65-14.10$73,286.38
New Democratic Bobbi Stewart7,39713.87-14.04$10,151.06
Green Michele Braniff1,7233.23-0.37$1,074.94
Independent Lee Sperduti4740.89–$9,550.00
Marxist–Leninist Manuel Couto1080.20–
Total valid votes/expense limit53,339100.00 $219,622.08
Total rejected ballots2270.42–
Turnout53,56664.60–
Eligible voters82,916
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +20.91
Source: Elections Canada [33] [34]
2011 Canadian federal election : Cambridge
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Gary Goodyear 29,39453.40+4.78$86,966.51
New Democratic Susan Galvao15,23827.68+8.07$13,379.43
Liberal Bryan May 8,28515.05-8.34$26,622.63
Green Jacques Malette1,9783.59-4.76$440.18
Marxist–Leninist Manuel Couto1530.28–none listed
Total valid votes/expense limit55,048100.00 $96,491.18
Total rejected ballots255 0.46+0.04
Turnout 55,303 59.25+3.33
Eligible voters 93,335 ––
2008 Canadian federal election : Cambridge
PartyCandidateVotes%±%Expenditures
Conservative Gary Goodyear 24,89548.62+4.78$83,772
Liberal Gord Zeilstra11,97723.39-10.21$8,316
New Democratic Max Lombardi10,04419.61+2.67$12,035
Green Scott Cosman4,2798.35+3.13$1,614
Total valid votes/expense limit51,195100.00$93,018
Total rejected ballots217 0.42+0.06
Turnout51,412 55.92-9.05
2006 Canadian federal election : Cambridge
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Gary Goodyear 25,33743.84+5.9
Liberal Janko Peric 19,41933.60−3.1
New Democratic Donna Reid9,79416.94−3.3
Green Gareth White3,0175.22+0.2
Canadian Action David Pelly2170.37
Total valid votes 57,784 100.00
Total rejected ballots2070.36
Turnout57,991 64.97
2004 Canadian federal election : Cambridge
PartyCandidateVotes
Conservative Gary Goodyear 19,123
Liberal Janko Peric 18,899
New Democratic Gary Price10,392
Green Gareth White2,506
Christian Heritage John Gots395
Independent John Oprea134
Independent Alec Gryc114
Total valid votes
Total rejected ballots
Turnout
Electors on lists

See also

Citations

  1. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-10-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ↑ Anne McIlroy (April 10, 2009). "Science minister won't confirm belief in evolution". Globe & Mail. Toronto. Archived from the original on October 1, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  3. ↑ Pink, Dave. "Battle for Cambridge's votes". The Record. Archived from the original on October 14, 2008. Retrieved 2008-05-30.
  4. ↑ 2006 Canadian Federal Elections Archived 2006-06-19 at the Wayback Machine . Canadian Islamic Congress. Retrieved on 2011-09-27.
  5. ↑ Vongdouangchanh, Bev. "Senator urges Prime Minister Harper to fill increasing Senate vacancies". The Hill Times. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  6. ↑ Bryden, Joan (March 14, 2008). "Commons speaker decries 'anarchy' in committees". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
  7. ↑ McGregor, Glen. "Tory MP's former campaign boss agrees he violated Elections Act". The Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
  8. ↑ "Tory MP's former campaign boss agrees he violated Elections Act". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 Berkow, Jameson (25 March 2012). "FedDev intervention produces some success stories". The Financial Post. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  10. ↑ Himelfarb 2014.
  11. ↑ "News & Analysis | Yahoo News Canada" . Retrieved June 19, 2009.[ dead link ]
  12. ↑ "Canada puts the squeeze on science". Ottawa Citizen. March 7, 2009. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-17.
  13. ↑ McIlroy, Anne (March 11, 2009). "Neuroscientists fear brain drain as crucial funding disappears". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on March 15, 2009.
  14. ↑ "Goodyear questions Mideast forum funds". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. August 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 2, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  15. ↑ Le ministre Goodyear est accusé d'ingérence. Le Devoir. October 1, 2009 Retrieved on 2011-09-27.
  16. ↑ Pinchin, Karen. "Israel-Palestine brouhaha at York rages on".
  17. ↑ "Economic Action Plan 2012 to help Canadian Businesses Become Innovation Leaders". Archived from the original on 7 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  18. ↑ Carlson, Kathryn. "Federal budget kills the penny, cuts CBC spending". The National Post. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  19. 1 2 Government of Canada nd.
  20. 1 2 3 National Research Council Canada 2013.
  21. 1 2 3 NRC 2013c.
  22. 1 2 College of Agriculture and Bioresources nd.
  23. ↑ "Science minister's coyness on evolution worries researchers", CBCnews.ca, 17 March 2009, , McIlroy, Anne (March 17, 2009). "Science minister won't confirm belief in evolution". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on March 7, 2014.
  24. ↑ Kay, Jonathan (March 17, 2009). "Jonathan Kay on The Globe & Mail's appalling front-page smear on religion". The National Post.[ permanent dead link ]
  25. ↑ "Science minister ends evolution brouhaha". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. March 17, 2009. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009.
  26. ↑ "Power Play: Gary Goodyear responds to criticisms". CTV News. March 17, 2009.[ dead link ]
  27. 1 2 "Debates (Hansard) No. 134 - June 5, 2012 (41-1) - House of Commons of Canada". Parl.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-04-15.
  28. ↑ Imagine Adoption: Gary Goodyear's wife on the payroll – and the company they co-own is on the creditor list. – Capital Read, Inside the Queensway. Macleans.ca (2009-07-16). Retrieved on 2011-09-27.
  29. ↑ MP's firm linked to adoption group. TheStar. July 18, 2009. Retrieved on 2024-02-22.
  30. ↑ Imagine Adoption: Gary Goodyear's wife on the payroll – and the company they co-own is on the creditor list.. MacLeans. July 16, 2009. Retrieved on 2012-01-12.
  31. ↑ Paperny, Anna. "Directors charged with defrauding adoption agency of $420,000". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  32. ↑ Wood, Dianne. "Imagine Adoption case held off again". The Record. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  33. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Cambridge, 30 September 2015
  34. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine

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References

28th Ministry – Cabinet of Stephen Harper
Cabinet post (1)
PredecessorOfficeSuccessor
new positionMinister of State (Science)
2008–2013		 Greg Rickford
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