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The article looks at cuts to research spending in the 2013 Canadian federal budget, focusing on the impact on the environmental and climate sciences. The cuts include the closure of an ecological research station, ending of environmental protection of nongame fish from construction projects, and the defunding of the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) facility in Ontario. Critics charge that the Conservative government of Canada is motivated by political considerations in making these cuts.

Physicists hoping to convert a South Dakota gold mine into the world's deepest underground laboratory may soon see their dream sink without a trace. Barrick Gold Corp. of Toronto, Ontario announced that it will soon turn off pumps that keep water out of its Homestake mine near Lead, South Dacota. Barrick and South Dakota officials said the mine could be drained again if the lab proposal, which has been stalled by legal concerns over liability for possible pollution at the mine, ever moves ahead.

Reports on the Social Statistics Research System, a proposal to allow academics and universities and colleges to access data from surveys collected by Statistics Canada. Efforts by Canada's Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council to gain government funding for the project; Details.

Discusses a proposal by provincial wildlife ministers to reduce the number of voting members on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Responsibility of committee to identify species that need legal protection; Six wildlife scientists that would be deprived of their balloting rights.

Reports that the Canadian government has asked a panel to assess the health risks of electromagnetic fields (EMF) from cell phones and wireless devices. Desire to update regulations on EMFs; Comments from Health Canada's Elizabeth Nielson; Report expected in March, 1999.

Notes that the Canadian federal government awarded 214 grants to improve aging research facilities. Purpose of the grants to 26 universities; 71% of applicants receiving grants; Expectations for the fall, 1998, funding round.

Examines the debate over who should have access to Canada's next generation Internet. Review claiming too few academics are taking advantage of the high-speed data pipeline; Report obtained by `Science' magazine which found that only 28 of Canada's 80 universities are linked to the CA*net II electronic backbone; Comments of Bill St. Arnaud of the Canadian Network for the Advancement of Research, Industry & Education.

Reports on the efforts of the Defenders of Wildlife and the Northwest Ecosystem Alliance to get the United States to impose trade sanctions on Canada until they pass wildlife protections legislation. Petition to the secretaries of Interior Commerce; Likelihood of sanctions being imposed.