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EVIDENCE-BASED CHANGE!

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Fed up with the erosion of science in Canada? Want our government to support science in the public interest? Think that decisions should be based on evidence and facts instead of ideology? Join us on Parliament Hill, September 16th, at 12:00 noon to Stand up for Science! It’s time to stand up for science in the public interest in Canada. In recent years we have seen cuts to many important scientific institutions, science funding has shifted focus towards the commercialization of research, and government scientists have lost the ability to communicate their research to the public. We need your help to make this event a success. The Death of Evidence rally last July had a huge impact. We want to put these issues back in the public eye and let our government know that we demand better science policies. To accomplish this, we need a big turnout as we call on the Federal government to make a strong commitment to science in the  public interest by: (1)  Funding scientific research from basic science through to applied. (2)  Using the best available science and evidence to make the best decisions. (3)  Supporting the open communication of publicly funded science to the public, unless there are demonstrably good reasons for not doing so. For more information check out https://evidencefordemocracy.ca/ RSVP on meetup, and/or on facebook All are invited. Please bring a lab coat or other science paraphernalia if you have them, as well as signs (the nerdier the better!) Here’s a photo of last year’s Death of Evidence rally (July 2012)

Ottawa buses are now carrying an ad produced by Architects & Engineers for 9/11 Truth. Some people find it offensive, as they consider attaching ridiculous conspiracy theories to a terrible tragedy to be dishonoring of the dead. As a result, there are calls for a review of OC Transpo’s advertising policy. However, others are defending the ad on free-speech grounds:

Councillor Rainer Bloess…said he doesn’t subscribe to the “Re-think” group’s message but said he also thinks freedom of speech should be protected, within limits. “I do believe there’s nothing wrong with provoking a little thought in our residents,” said Bloess.

Hmmm. Four years ago, Councillor Bloess was among those voting against allowing the “There’s Probably No God” ads to run on Ottawa busses (Minutes here, search down for “MOTION NO. 62/10”).

Perhaps we should congratulate Bloess on his new-found wisdom.

(author: Steve Watson)

Join us for a package of special events in celebration of the fall equinox (or make up your own pretext for a freethought extravaganza) and help us raise funds for our programs!

Centre for Inquiry Canada, the premiere Canadian venue for secular humanists, skeptics and freethinkers, joins the Center for Inquiry Transnational in expressing

outrage and dismay at the growing instability in Egypt that has resulted in scores of Christian churches and homes damaged or destroyed, hundreds of people dead, and others detained – many on account of their religious affiliations.

CFI Canada applauds Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird’s statement:

“Canada is deeply concerned by reports overnight of deadly violence in Egypt. We urge all parties to refrain from violence and engage in a meaningful political dialogue for the good of all Egyptians. . . . The two parties must immediately sit down together, reconcile their differences and work tirelessly to halt this deadly standoff.”

Baird urges “all Egyptians to show restraint and resolve in the coming days.”

CFI Canada calls on Canada’s Office of Religious Freedom to work with CFI Canada to oppose violations of freedom of religion, denounce violence against human-rights defenders and condemn attacks on the religious and non-religious in Egypt and around the world.

Deny Law School Accreditation to Anti-Gay University: National Secular Group

TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – Aug. 7, 2013) – The Centre for Inquiry (CFI), Canada’s largest secularism-focused educational charity, urges the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to reject the application by Trinity Western University (TWU) to open a law school.

TWU discriminates against prospective LGBQT lawyers through a covenant which points to Biblical passages to ban “sexual intimacy” outside heterosexual marriage. A married gay law student could be expelled for sleeping with his or her spouse.

“As the annual number of law school openings are controlled, this limitation on gay applicants is unacceptable,” said Kevin Smith, CFI President.

Read the full media advisory here.