Hello everyone, I am sending you some very worrying news concerning our Canadian entomologist colleagues. As part of a government plan to "reduce bureaucracy," Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has decided to eliminate the entire "Diptera" unit from the Canadian National Collection of Insects (CNC). The CNC is one of the largest and most important insect collections in the world. The disappearance of the unit specializing in Diptera would represent a major loss of scientific capacity, which is difficult to justify at a time when biodiversity and public health require greater expertise. An open letter written by Art Borkent and David Grimaldi is currently circulating, calling for this decision to be reversed (I copied it below). It will sent to the Canadian Parliament and the press. To sign it, simply send an email to Art Borkent (artborkent@telus.net) by tomorrow (Friday, February 13) with your name and professional address. Please feel free to share this information within your networks. Best regards, Antoine Guiguet Maître de Conférences Muséum National d'Histoire NaturelleUMR ISYEB 7205 Antoine Guiguet (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)