The firing last week of long-serving Québec government agronomist Louis Robert for making public claims of “private-sector interference in a public study of pesticide use” reminds us of the importance of defending public science and showing solidarity with both whistleblowers and the unions that represent them.
We therefore express our solidarity with M. Robert and the Syndicat de professionnelles et professionnelles du gouvernement du Québec (SPGQ) and encourage others to do the same.
Governments should never turn a blind eye to the concerns of professional government employees, especially ones brave enough to bring such issues to public attention.
Transparency shouldn’t come at the cost of one’s career.
Signed by the members of the Professional Union Network of Canada,
AMAPCEO - Ontario's Professional Employees
ACFO - AFAC
Professional Employees Association (PEA)
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC)