In Winnipeg, retired and working scientists, students and supporters issued an SOS — "Save Our Science" — call from the University of Winnipeg. Roughly 100 people attended a rally aimed to protest the Stephen Harper government's cutbacks to and cancellations of several scientific programs and the "erosion of science in Canada," said aquatic ecologist and Winnipegger Diane Orihel.

"Scientists are generally apolitical and non-partisan, and don't really get involved in these types of demonstrations, so for scientists to actually step out of their labs and classrooms, and away from their science to be a voice for science, what it tells us is things are really bad," added Orihel, who has led the defence of the Experimental Lakes Area just over the Manitoba border in Ontario.

Canadian scientists are also arguing that government cuts have reduced public science projects aimed at helping average Canadians in sectors like health and the environment. They're also upset about reports that the Conservative government has taken steps to restrict what scientists and other civil servants are allowed to say to the media.

The Environmental Law Centre at the University of Victoria and the ethics advocacy group Democracy Watch has cited multiple examples of taxpayer-funded science being suppressed or limited to pre-packaged media lines across six different government departments and agencies.

"Cuts to essential scientific programs and services have undermined our society's scientists' ability to serve the public good," said Gary Corbett, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada.