It was all about science, but Canada’s science minister couldn’t be found.

No, it wasn’t an experiment gone awry — the federal science minister was a no-show at a debate in his own backyard on the government’s science policy.

For a few hours Wednesday, the Conservatives were hammered by academics and other mainstream party candidates at the public forum at Western University.

But Science and Technology Minister Ed Holder, the Conservative candidate in London West, wasn’t there, prompting one rival running against him, the Green party’s Dimitri Lascaris, to hand out a wanted-style leaflet asking, “Have you seen this man?”

Another London West candidate, New Democrat Matthew Rowlinson, called Holder’s absence “shocking.”

But one political scientist says he’s not at all surprised, noting Holder would have faced a “no-win” situation in front of a crowd likely to be hostile.

“I’m not defending the decision,” said Peter Woolstencroft, a retired professor from the University of Waterloo, “but I understand why a party would do that.”

Holder wasn’t the only London candidate missing, but as the science minister his absence stood out.

Also missing were Holder’s Liberal opponent Kate Young, Conservative candidate Susan Truppe from London North Centre and all four major party candidates from London-Fanshawe.

Contacted by The Free Press, Holder issued a statement saying his “top priority” is meeting with voters in his riding.

“I have knocked on thousands of doors. I have also attended many community events. I receive many requests to do events and debates,” he wrote. “So far I have participated in three debates focused on issues in London West and expect to do two more.”

Woolstencroft said candidates who miss public forums often say they’re out door-knocking instead, but that it’s often about political strategy and avoiding the optics of a jeering crowd — something he said politicians wouldn’t do if it didn’t work.

Another political scientist, Nelson Wiseman, said there can be a lot to lose and not much to gain in these kinds of events.

“It’s a very centrally controlled campaign. You may end up having a gaffe or have someone go off-message,” said Wiseman, who teaches at the University of Toronto.

The Conservatives have come under a harsh spotlight for their handling of science, including allegations they’ve muzzled federal scientists from talking to the media and the public.

Daniel Ansari, Jeff Dixon and Beth MacDougall-Shackelton, three Western professors and researchers, said Ottawa underfunds basic research unless it’s judged useful by corporations.

Candidates who did show up said the Tories are systemically starving Canada’s research and development.

“It’s a war on science and ­evidence-based decision making,” said Western Professor Peter Fragistakos, Liberal candidate in London North Centre.

Carol Dyck, the Green candidate in the same riding, said the government has closed research centres and laid off scientists, especially in environmental fields.

“The trend is so shocking that the international scientific community petitioned for Canadian scientists to receive more freedom,” said Dyck, who has a master’s degree in environmental law.