Mark Carney’s decision to carve up the science portfolio as part of a post-election Cabinet reshuffle has left some in Canadian higher education cautiously optimistic about the government’s ambitions, but others fear it signals his priorities may lie elsewhere.

The newly re-elected prime minister has named Mélanie Joly as minister of industry and Evan Solomon the new minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, replacing the previous role of minister of innovation, science and industry.

Policy non-profit Evidence for Democracy said the removal of the dedicated science minister represented a setback for science and evidence-informed decision-making.

“This decision suggests that science is not a priority for this government,” Sarah Laframboise, executive director of the organisation, said in a statement.

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“Stripping science from the Cabinet sidelines the vital role that fundamental research plays in advancing health, protecting the environment, and building a safer, more prosperous Canada.”

But Rees Kassen, professor of evolutionary biology at McGill University, said the move sent a signal that Carney will pursue a renewed industrial policy.

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“Even without science in the ministry’s title, there can still be strong support for science, innovation, and research. But, looking forward, much depends on the details of how the minister and her ministry will work.”

It is the first major policy move by the Liberal government since it pulled off a shock comeback victory in an election dominated by the country’s response to a trade war with Donald Trump.

While it was too early to tell much from the reshuffle, Kassen told ̽����Ƶ there were broader concerns around support for universities, with the sector receiving little attention in the election campaign.

Frédéric Bouchard, the dean of arts and sciences at the University of Montreal, said the name change “warrants vigilance”, but he was cautiously optimistic around the make-up of the Cabinet itself.

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The new minister of finance, François-Philippe Champagne, was the minister of industry who championed major science funding increases, and former finance minister Chrystia Freeland, who constructed the federal budget with increased support for research, remains in the Cabinet with new duties.

“Finally, the new minister of industry, Mélanie Joly, was a solid minister in her previous role in foreign relations, and she had the opportunity to witness the role of science diplomacy and how it supports Canada’s standing in the world,” added Bouchard.

Creso Sá, distinguished professor of science policy, higher education, and innovation at the University of Toronto, said it was difficult to say whether the sector should be concerned yet.

But he said the rebranding of ISED might reflect Carney’s aim to move away from depending on US exports and addressing ongoing concerns about declining productivity.

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“Politicians have grown sceptical of the policy narrative tying investments in academic science to innovation and economic outcomes too directly and too quickly. Trudeau was, for a time, keen on policy initiatives that built on this narrative.

“Considering the changing circumstances, and Carney’s own profile, he might be bringing a more sober outlook to how his government thinks about and frames investments in industry and business development.”

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patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com