This is not much notice but for interested parties in Vancouver (Canada) there’s a 7 pm discussion tonight (Oct. 1, 2015) taking place under the auspices of the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Philisophers’ Café series where a topic title is announced and people show up to discuss it. From the SFU Philisophers’ Café website events page,

Title: Science and Government Policy

The recent CBC documentary, “The Silence of the Labs” describes the systematic dismantling of many of Canada’s top scientific laboratories. These labs were generating data that could have been used to modify and steer government policy. Some have said that actions such as these show that there is a “war against science” in Canada. Do you agree, or is that an exaggerated claim? What should be the relationship between government and scientists?

Moderator:

Dr. Luis Sojo: Dr. Luis Sojo is an adjunct professor in the Department of Chemistry at SFU. He holds a PhD in analytical chemistry from Concordia University and is interested in the public dissemination of scientific ideas and their impact on government policies.

Location:
False Creek Community Centre (Fairview Room)
1318 Cartwright St. (Granville Island)
Vancouver

Time: 7:00 PM

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2015

Cost: Free

There’s more about Philisophers’ Cafés here,

Thinking the unthinkable, imagining the impossible, and discussing the improbable

SFU’s Philosophers’ Café is a series of informal public discussions in the heart of our communities. Since 1998, this award-winning program has engaged the interests of scholars, seniors, students, philosophers, and non-philosophers through stimulating dialogue and the passionate exchange of ideas.

All cafés are free to attend. No registration is required.

[A list of scheduled cafés follows on their website.]