The Science Writers and Communicators of Canada joins other journalism organizations in condemning all attempts by governments and third-party agencies to discredit journalists who cover climate issues.

We specifically condemn the Government of Alberta, which in their recent $3.5 million report “A New Global Paradigm: Understanding the Transnational Progressive Movement, the Energy Transition and the Great Transformation Strangling Alberta’s Petroleum Industry,” baselessly attack Canadian climate journalists at many of Canada's most respected and trusted media outlets, including Maclean’s, TVO, the Toronto Star, the CBC, the Globe and Mail, and the National Post. The report falsely claims these journalists and media organizations are part of a “disturbing” movement to “coordinate and effectively distribute propagandized climate change issues in their reporting.”

Irresponsible attempts to erode public trust in journalism not only damage society's capacity to understand and address major crises like human-driven climate change, they also serve to undermine free speech and government accountability — the cornerstones of a healthy democracy.

The SWCC encourages Canadian science journalists to continue to cover the climate crisis with the same rigour and integrity they have consistently exhibited. And we assure the public that, despite the Alberta Government's false claims to the contrary, Canadian climate journalists will continue to inform the public discourse with reporting based on science and facts.

The SWCC Executive Team