OTTAWA, March 23, 2013 /CNW/ - Canada's Environment Minister, the Honourable Peter Kent, issued the following Statement to mark World Meteorological Day:
"World Meteorological Day, which takes place on March 23, commemorates the creation of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). This specialized United Nations agency, which Canada is an active member, coordinates the global exchange of information on the past, present, and future states of the Earth's weather, climate, and water resources.
"Canada is a founding member of the WMO and plays a prominent role in its work. The Meteorological Service Canada's Assistant Deputy Minister, David Grimes, is the current President of the WMO, a proud testament to our Government's reputation as an international leader in this field.
"This year's theme, Watching the Weather to Protect Life and Property, focuses attention on the crucial role of meteorological services in strengthening safety and resilience to weather events.
"As almost all of natural disasters worldwide are caused by weather, climate and water related hazards, Canadians and citizens around the world need timely information on changing weather, water and climate conditions in order to help make informed decisions for their health, safety, security and economic prosperity.
"Canadians understand the impact that weather, particularly severe weather, has on our economy, and all of us. Accurate and timely weather forecasts and warnings play a critical role in providing emergency responders with the time needed to evacuate people, reinforce infrastructure, and prepare for emergency response.
"This week, the Government of Canada announced in the Economic Action Plan 2013 an investment of $248 million over 5 years to revitalize Canada's weather services. The new investments in the weather services infrastructure will provide Canadians with more timely, accurate weather warnings and forecasts in all parts of the country.
"This spring, Environment Canada's Meteorological Service is introducing improvements in its systems to increase the efficiency in producing and disseminating time sensitive thunderstorm and tornado warnings. The improvements will help our meteorologists produce and issue thunderstorm and tornado warning messages with greater lead time to allow Canadians to take appropriate action before disaster strikes, and will be introduced before the summer severe weather season begins.
"Relationships with partner meteorological organizations are also a key component in our ability to produce timely and accurate forecasts for Canadians. Environment Canada contributes data to the international community through our national monitoring programs and research networks, and also receives information from around the world that is essential to our weather prediction programs."
For more information on weather and meteorology at Environment Canada, please visit our website.
SOURCE: Environment Canada
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Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Director of Media Relations
Office of the Minister of the Environment
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Media Relations
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