🚀 go-pugleaf

               MEL is going down for the third time

     As many of you know, the Marine Ecology Laboratory at the 
Bedford Institute of Oceanography is scheduled to be disbanded at 
the end of this fiscal year.  This is the only basic research 
laboratory which the Canadian government has in this field.  The
research staff will be either assigned to more mission-oriented 
laboratories in this region, transferred to Newfoundland, or 
dismissed.  Aside from the personal and professional cost to the 
individuals involved, the closure of this facility is a major 
setback to Canadian science.

     Most leading figures in the oceanographic community have 
already protested the closure of MEL.  There is some evidence 
that Tom Siddon, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and other 
government officials in Ottawa, may be having second thoughts 
about the ramifications of the ongoing decimation of Canada's 
scientific programs.  For this reason, if you have considered 
contacting your Member of Parliament (or others with influence in 
this matter) to protest the Government's plans, this is the time 
to stand up and be counted.  Remember that the final decisions 
will have to be implemented by the end of March, so quick action 
is essential.

		Dr. Pat Lane / John Wright
		Dept. of Biology, Dalhousie U.
		Halifax, Nova Scotia

Follow-ups suggested to can.followup
Responses to "lane@cs.dal.cdn" or "lane@dalcs.UUCP" or "jw@dal.bitnet"