Canada. Ministry of State, Science and Technology : The Ministry of State for Science and Technology (MOSST) was established on June 10, 1971 by Order in Council 1971-1695 under the Ministries and Ministers of State Act (also see Orders in Council 1971-1696 and 1971-1697).
The creation of the department reflected the interest shown by the federal government in scientific policy in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1963, the Royal Commission on Government Organization (the Glassco Commission) deplored the lack of supervision and coordination of federal activities in the area of science and technology. It also criticized the National Research Council for neglecting its role as an adviser on scientific matters to Cabinet in favour of its own research activities. The Pearson Government created a Science Secretariat within the Privy Council in 1964 to study and analyze federal activities in science and technology and their links with universities, the provinces and the private sector. In 1966, it created the Science Council of Canada, which was seen as an advisory body that would set forth the major orientations of science policy. Starting in 1966, the Science Secretariat also assumed the role as an adviser to Cabinet, which up until then had been entrusted to the NRC.
When it was created, the MOSST absorbed the Science Secretariat and retained its functions. It was responsible for developing policies to favour the development of science and technology, coordinating relevant programs within the federal government and encouraging cooperation with the provinces, public and private agencies and other countries. It was also required to advise Cabinet as to the resources to be devoted to science and technology, the organization of research within the government and relations with international agencies (another function which had been assigned to the NRC previously). The ministry was also given a mandate to study and evaluate scientific policies. The department consisted of four units, i.e., Information and Analysis, Policy Planning, International Affairs and Industrial Research and Development and Organization and Administration, each reporting to an assistant secretary.
In May 1975, the cabinet approved a new conceptual framework for the role of science and technology in the federal government. Since 1971, the ministry had evolved toward a science policy advisory body. Although it continued to function in this capacity, the MOSST was given a more active and direct part in its new tripartite conception of science policy - this included policy for the support of science, policy for the application of science and technology, and finally, the introduction of scientific methods into the development of public policy. MOSST was reorganized to form three new branches: the Government Branch, the Industry Branch, and the University Branch, each headed by an assistant secretary as before.
In 1980, the Prime Minister designated MOSST as the department responsible for space research and development policy and the coordination of space activities between federal government departments and agencies. The Interdepartmental Committee on Space Secretariat was transferred from the Department of Communications to the MOSST (Order in Council 1980-2127, July 31, 1980).
In 1983, the Prime Minister appointed the secretary of the ministry to be Chief Science Advisory (CSA) to the government. This position had previously been the privilege (apanage ??) of the Chairman of the NRC and then the Science Secretariat in the Privy Council. With direct access to cabinet, the Chief Science Advisor's responsibility was to provide advice to the government on the long-range perspectives to be taken into account in its policy development activities; to identify science and technology intensive areas which might have a significant impact on society, the economy, national defence and international relations; and to assess the quality and effectiveness of federal science and technology policies as they related to industry, the universities and the provincial governments. Following the appointment of the CSA, the ministry was reorganized to support the performance of his responsibilities. An Operations Branch was created to evaluate the science and technology implications of departmental proposals for cabinet, and to advise ministers on the integration of their proposals with broader federal social and economic objectives. A Policy and Strategy Branch was established to provide the CSA with advice for cabinet committees on the longer-range science and technology issues likely to affect national social and economic development. Finally, the Communications Branch was responsible for encouraging communication of federal science- and technology-related issues.
On May 27, 1985, the Prime Minister assigned to MOSST a series of responsibilities not in its previous mandate. These new tasks included the preparation of an annual overview and analysis of the government's science and technology activities, the formulation of advice on measures to strengthen the effectiveness of federal science and technology expenditures, and the negotiation and management of federal/ provincial agreements. Once again MOSST was reorganized to carry out its new responsibilities and consists of four sectors, (Government Research and Universities, National Science and Technology Policy, Industry Trade and Technology, and Space Policy) each of which is generally responsible for the coordination and management of science and technology activity in its assigned area. Starting in 1986, MOSST had to share its role as an adviser to Cabinet with the National Advisory Committee on Science and Technology.
In 1990, the MOSST was absorbed into the Department of Industry, Science and Technology (Order in Council 1990-361 under the Ministries and Ministers of State Act). The legislation which created the latter called for the appointment of a Minister of Science who would perform his/her mandate under the direction of the Minister of Industry, Science and Technology and a Chief Science Advisory.
The Minister of State for Science and Technology has acted as the minister responsible for the National Research Council, the Science Council of Canada and the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council. During its existence, the MOSST was headed by A.W. Gillespie (1971-1972, 1978-1979), Jeanne Sauvé (1972-1974), C. M. Drury (1974-1976), J. H. Faulkner (1976-1977), J.J. Buchanan (1977-1978), R. J. Hnatyshyn (1979), W. H. Grafftey (1979-1980), J. Roberts (1980-1982), D. Johnston (1982-1984), E. C. Lumley (1984), T. E. Siddon (1984-1985), F. Oberle (1985-1987), M. Côté (1987), R. René-de-Cotret (1987-1989) and H. André (1989-1990).
