The Partnership Group for Science and Engineering (PAGSE) is a cooperative association of more than 25 national organizations in Science and Engineering. It was formed in June 1995 at the invitation of the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada and operates under the auspices of RSC: The Academies. The national organizations that comprise PAGSE represent approximately 50,000 individual members from industry, academia, and government sectors. They work collectively to form consensus opinions on national research issues, to represent the Canadian science and engineering community to the Government of Canada, and to advance research and innovation for the benefit of Canadians.

PAGSE does not lobby to advance specific science and engineering initiatives; rather, it addresses broader issues of science and engineering policy at the national level. Since its inception it has built a solid reputation with parliamentarians and decision-makers as a credible source of advice and cutting-edge information about topical issues in research through several regular activities and occasional additional initiatives.

It is perhaps best known for the monthly breakfast meetings, known informally as "Bacon and Eggheads", held on Parliament Hill while parliament is in session. These are supported by the Speakers of the House of Commons and the Senate and generally draw more than 100 attendees including parliamentarians from both chambers. They are jointly sponsored by PAGSE and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) who draw the speakers from researchers deeply involved in their chosen fields. They inform parliamentarians about recent advances in science and engineering in a style carefully tailored to a general audience. During 2008 PAGSE and NSERC organized four presentations between February and May; others that were planned were postponed until 2009 due to the Fall 2008 election and subsequent events.

In a second activity held annually PAGSE, with the support of several industrial and government organizations, holds a meeting in Ottawa featuring delegates drawn from researchers in the early stages of their careers. In the 2008 meeting in this series, the delegates covered a range of disciplines, such as marine ecosystems, remote sensing, hydrology, forest disturbance, biodiversity and the impact of climate change. They witnessed one of the breakfast meetings and then participated in roundtable discussions with senior representatives of granting councils and science and technology agencies focused on research needs, scientific strengths and on key issues for a successful Canadian economy. This was followed by a science policy session to discuss research results that contribute to policy development; and policy related to environmental issues. A reception co-hosted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Hon. Peter Milliken was held on Parliament Hill at the end of the day and gave Members of Parliament, senior federal government officials, granting council executives and invited guests an opportunity to meet informally with the delegates to learn about their work and to celebrate excellence in Canadian research.

PAGSE holds monthly meetings at which representatives of member organizations meet guests, representing science and engineering in the government and industrial sectors who are invited to present their perspectives on science and engineering in Canada, viewed from the organizations they represent. Particular attention is given to issues and challenges that they would like PAGSE to address. Representatives also consider federal activities and reports devoted to issues of the day and the promotion and maintenance of Canada's scientific base.

These and other meetings are also devoted to the preparation of invited briefs to the House of Common Standing Committee on Finance, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology and a submission to the Senate Committee on Science and Technology. In most cases a text is submitted and a verbal presentation made as determined by each committee. In 2008 PAGSE supported the overall direction and the principles of the Federal Strategy Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage and gave specific attention to a number of issues such as maintaining Canada's scientific and technological infrastructure, support for research in remote areas, the need for strategic investments in big science initiatives and international science partnerships and improvements in communication across research and development sectors.

PAGSE is supported through annual subscriptions from its member organizations and generous donations from a number of corporate sponsors and government organizations. The Royal Society of Canada provides accommodation and technical support for a part-time coordinator and PAGSE operations are directed by the volunteer efforts of its members as well as the collaboration of NSERC and other professional supporters.