NDP DENOUNCES BIOSPHERE’S CHANGING FOCUS
MONTREAL — In the wake of a mandate change that will affect the Biosphere, North America’s only museum dedicated to the environment, the NDP has vigorously denounced the Conservative government’s attacks on science education.
“This is a really unfortunate decision,” said Anne Minh-Thu Quach (Beauharnois–Salaberry), NDP deputy critic for the environment. By laying off a majority of the staff, the institution loses considerable scientific and environmental expertise. This is another attack by the Conservatives on science and the environment.”
With this decision, the Conservatives are not respecting the 25-year agreement between the Government of Canada and the City of Montreal. This lease stipulates that the Biosphere must remain a place of scientific dissemination, with environmental content, open to the public. Instead, the Conservatives plan to install weather forecasting staff in this space, which remains at the city’s expense.
“In addition to being a loss for the education of young people in environmental sciences, this ridiculous choice by the Conservatives will certainly result in harmful impacts on tourism and attendance at this highly symbolic place for the city,” added MNA Hélène Laverdière (Laurier–Sainte-Marie), who represents the riding where the Biosphere is located.