In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the UV-index, MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Beaches—East York) read a lovely tribute to the Environment Canada ozone scientists who invented it in a Statement to Parliament. You can watch the video here (forward to 14:12:56), or read his comments in full:

“Mr. Speaker, it is critical that we trust in science and in our scientists. Despite recent challenges, I remain hopeful about global efforts to tackle climate change because of our history of innovation and leadership in science.

With that history in mind, I rise to recognize the 25th anniversary of the UV index, a scale invented here in Canada and adopted by the WHO and the UN Environment program internationally. In particular, I want to recognize the three Toronto-based Environment Canada scientists who invented the index: Jim Kerr, David Wardle, and Beaches-East York constituent Tom McElroy, now a professor at York’s department of earth and space science and engineering.

“In a sense, we managed to put a hat on everybody in the world.” That is Tom’s modest way of describing an incredible accomplishment, an accomplishment that has not only improved public health awareness but serves as a reminder of the progress we can achieve when we put our trust in science and give our scientists both freedom and funding to do their work."

Thanks for recognizing the important work of our federal scientists, Mr. Erskine-Smith!