Science Table 2.0

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ABOVE THE FOLD

Ontario’s revamped Covid Science Table won’t have as much control over what it investigates, getting its marching orders from Public Health.

That’s according to the updated terms of reference laid out on Thursday, which will serve as the revamped advisory table’s playbook. The new moniker: Ontario Public Health Emergencies Science Advisory Committee (OPHESAC).

While Public Health will develop a process to pick which topics may be looked into by the group, the table itself won’t have final sign-off. That will be up to the chief medical officer and the government, with input from the group itself.

The public will also get Science Table data and reports via the government, as “communication with third parties and the public shall be through the ministry.”

Why it matters: This won’t do much to appease critics who raised concerns that the current table — which publicly disagreed with government pandemic policy — lacked independence and could be muzzled in its communications …