.

*1

Government
of Canada

Gouvernement
du Canada

AUG 2 6 2016
The Honourable Jim Can, M.P.
Mmister of Natural Resources
House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario K1A OA6

Dear Colleague:

In May 2016, the Government made good on its commitment to modernize

communications by releasmg the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity and
the Directive on the Management of Communications. This modernization was needed
for government communications to meet the needs and expectations of Canadians. An
important part of the policy is to ensure government communications are open,

transparent and respectful.

To this end, we ask for your ongoing attention with the implementation of the policy
requirements within your departments that allow government scientists to speak publicly
about their work. We ask that your implementation include direct communication with
the members of your department to ensure that they are aware of this directive and how it
applies to them. Treasury Board Secretariat officials have been briefing departments and
are available to meet with representatives in your organizations on the new policy
and directive.

The Directive on the Management of Communications specifies that subject-matter

experts, including scientists, may speak publicly about their own area of expertise
without being designated as an ofGcial media spokesperson. Ministers continue to be the
principal spokespersons for their departments, and media spokespersons can speak about
policies, programs, services and mitiatives in an official capacity.
We firmly believe that government science should be publicly available and is an
important part of an evidence-based decision-making process. We thank you for working
to ensure that these important policy requirements are implemented in your respective
departments, and that subject-matter experts are supported when speaking publicly.
Sincerely,

/U>ir^
The Honourable Scott Brison, P.C. M.P.
President of the Treasury Board

CanadS

The Honourable Kirsty Duncan, P.C., M.P.

Minister of Science