Linking Science and Policy

With its strong commitment to science and technology, the Government of Canada needs solid research results on which to base actions to protect Canada's water. A key role of the Science and Technology Liaison Division is to make sure that NWRI research informs the environmental decision-making process - that is, the development of regulations, guidelines, policies, programs and strategies. In practice this means getting the research into the hands of policy makers and program managers at all levels of government and beyond.

Recent initiatives targeted at strengthening the science-policy link include:

• Science-Policy Workshops - where recent science is presented to policy and program managers and where they have an opportunity to give input to the scientific community.
• Major national science assessments supported by NWRI scientific and science liaison staff - that help guide future research priorities and the development of sound management policies and practices.
• Research Impact Study Series - that illustrate how practical, applied NWRI science supports the development of decision-making and yields tangible economic and health benefits.
• Water Science News - newsletter archive