Dr. Mona Nemer, a molecular cardiologist, served a three-year term that was scheduled to expire Thursday. The Privy Council Office did not directly answer The Logic’s questions about whether she remains in the position, or whether the government plans to extend her appointment. “We continue to appreciate the expertise and advice that Dr. Nemer brings to the table,” said spokesperson Pierre-Alain Bujold. “We will be in a position to provide more information on the Chief Science Advisor in the next week.” (The Logic)

Talking point: Nemer is involved in Ottawa’s pandemic response as a leader of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, set up in April to oversee blood-test surveys to determine the extent of the virus’s spread. She’s also been working to set up science-adviser positions within other departments and agencies and helping with a $2.8-billion overhaul of federal laboratories. The Liberals promised to create the position in their 2015 federal election platform, as the party positioned itself against an incumbent Conservative government that research organizations and unions accused of muzzling government scientists. Following an inquiry, former information commissioner Suzanne Legault recommended the chief science adviser position be independent of the cabinet. After being a separate ministry in the Liberals’ first term, science was rolled into Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains’s portfolio in November 2019. Science-advocacy groups are reportedly keen to see the role of the adviser enshrined in law.