Green Party congratulates Canadian Scientist Dr. Arthur R. McDonald for Nobel Prize in Physics

OTTAWA – Today, Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader (Saanich-Gulf Islands), congratulates Dr. Arthur R. McDonald, a Queen’s University professor on his 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics.

“I am pleased to congratulate Dr. McDonald on his incredible accomplishment,” said Ms. May. “It is a remarkable achievement.”

Dr. McDonald led a team of physicists who discovered that neutrinos have mass at the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) scientific collaboration, an advanced research facility located 2 km underground in an active nickel mine. Dr. McDonald is a co-winner of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physics, along with Takaaki Kajita of the University of Tokyo.

“Important work from scientists like Dr. McDonald, reminds us that Canadian scientists must be properly funded,” continued Ms. May.

“The Canadian government must invest more in basic science,” said Dr. Lynne Quarmby. Quarmby is a highly regarded cell biologist whose award-winning research using algae has led to discoveries about Polycystic Kidney Disease. “Canadian scientists are doing important research in all fields of science, including health and environmental research and must be supported through federal grants -- this is critical for innovation.”

“Canadian scientists’ work is essential for research that improves our health, the economy, and the environment. In the next minority Parliament, Green MPs will work collaboratively with the other parties so that brilliant Canadian scientists, like Dr. McDonald, are fully supported by the federal government,” said Gord Miller, Green candidate (Guelph).

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