As world leaders and scientists convened this month for the United Nations climate change conference in Paris, Canadian post-secondary institutions were signaling their plans to do more for environmental protection and adaptations to reduce their emissions.

Conflicts of interest generally refer to circumstances where an individual may not act fairly because they, their family, or personal friends and acquaintances stand to benefit materially from the outcome of a decision over which the person has influence.

Elections of new federal governments do not always inspire celebration in the Canadian academic community. But then again, elections rarely result in major reversals that directly respond to the concerns of academic workers. Only time will tell whether, and to what extent, the 42nd Canadian Parliament follows through with promises.

Only three years ago the plan seemed ambitious: convince the world’s investors to stop bankrolling the fossil-fuel industry. Now that movement has become so successful, there’s no telling where it will stop, and Canada’s universities and colleges are becoming the latest battleground.

How will post-secondary education and research fare under the newly-elected Liberal government? The early signs are promising as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in short order announced the reinstatement of the mandatory long-form census, the creation of a new Ministry of Science, and the unmuzzling of government scientists.

A fact-finding investigation into Brock University’s handling of a series of complaints under its Respectful Work and Learning Environment Policy has found the university did not live up to its responsibility to protect and support academic freedom and the principles of natural justice.

Hon. Kirsty Duncan – Minister of Science; Hon. Navdeep Bains – Minister of Innovation, Science & Economic Development; and Hon. MaryAnn Mihychuk - Minister for Employment, Workforce Development & Labour.