It's a proud week to be Canadian. On Wednesday May 11, the Canadian Liberal Government announced their new initiative to hire 135 aquatic scientists to help inform the federal policy surrounding Canada's oceans, waterways and fisheries. A hiring blitz like this one has not been seen in the past decade.
As huge proponents for oceanic research and awareness, we are very proud to come from a country that is recognizing the importance of our waterways and committing to learn as much as they can about them.
On Wednesday, Hunter Tootoo, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast guard, alongside Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science, announced that the new jobs are part of a $197-million investment in creating new full time science jobs while bringing ocean education to the forefront of informing government policy.
In past years, several major Canadian science programs were cut funding so the new initiative has brought about applause among leaders in the science community.
"The government says the $197 million investment will also help pay for research on salmon populations, sustainable aquaculture, freshwater ecosystems and the effects of underwater noise pollution, an aquatic stressor related to marine mammals such as whales and dolphins" Graham Slaughter from CTV news reported.