Is the synchrotron diverting needed University funds?
To the editor: Observing the changing justification for the synchrotron (Canadian Light Source, CLS) is somewhat like observing George Bush’s justification for invading Iraq – it varies in response to facts. When the CLS was being advocated its proponents argued that it would be a self-sustaining facility, with industry standing ready to pay for beam lines and access. When it got a little difficult to demonstrate that the demand and interest existed, the proponents switched to a ‘faith model’. Their slogan became: “Build it and they will come!” That is, once the facility is in place, the private sector will line up at the door. In the recent address to the University Council, President MacKinnon presented a different message. The CLS, he declared, “…is a public science project…”. He went on to say “Its operating budget comes almost entirely from public research agencies and the government of Canada.” So now, clearly it is not expected to be sustained by private sector subscription. The
