Minister Kent Highlights the Importance of Science to Deliver Weather, Water and Climate Services to Canadians

SASKATOON, SK, May 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, today opened the Joint Scientific Congress of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society, Canadian Geophysical Union and the Canadian Water Resources Association.  

"Science is absolutely critical in ensuring Canadians make informed decisions for their health, safety, security and economic prosperity and for the protection of their environment," said Minister Kent. "Environment Canada's scientists, researchers, technicians and meteorologists play an important role in delivering timely, accurate and reliable weather, water and climate services to Canadians."  

In today's speech, Minister Kent highlighted the Government's commitment to science and to Canada's weather and environmental services. Topics covered in the speech included:

• The Government's commitment in Budget 2013 of $248 million over five years to further strengthen Canada's meteorological services;
• The Government's support of seven innovative environmental projects which will receive more than $32 million in research funding over the next five years through the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council's new Climate Change and Atmospheric Research initiative;
• Highlighting that science is the foundation of the Joint Canada-Alberta Oil Sands Monitoring plan;
• The Government's investment of  $34.8 million, in Canada's 2010 Economic Action Plan to deliver new weather and navigational warning services in the Arctic and a $78.7 million investment in 2011 to improve weather monitoring infrastructure; and
• Highlighting that Environment Canada is one of the most productive institutions in environmental research in the world, with over 700 peer-reviewed publications every year.

For more information, please read Minister Kent's speech on Environment Canada's Web site at http://www.ec.gc.ca/.

SOURCE: Environment Canada

Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
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