Federal government invests in Canada’s weather technology

Jan 16, 2015

Will result in more accurate forecasting

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

News out of Calgary is giving Canadians all across the country more reason to talk about the weather as the federal government is investing over $100 million to the country’s weather infrastructure.

With the way Canada’s weather can differ coast to coast, everyone from farmers, morning commuters, and truck drivers could benefit.

The investment, totalling $134 million will give Environment Canada the tools to upgrade their monitoring systems and provide more accurate information, allowing the public to be better prepared.

"As Canadians know all too well, weather forecasting is not just about trying to determine whether to bring an umbrella to work,” said Joan Crockatt, Member of Parliament for Calgary-Centre in a release. “It is about how we travel, work, play, build our homes, and conduct business. Today's announcement will help Canadians better plan their activities.”

The 2013 Economic Action Plan announced a $248 injection of money over five years to improve federal infrastructure including weather and climate monitoring stations. Environment Canada currently has 31 weather radars, 84 sensors that detect lightning and about 1,200 weather and climate stations.

"Through our Government's investment in our critical weather monitoring infrastructure and innovative technologies, communities and business sectors across the country will have access to more timely and accurate weather information based on the most modern technology available,” The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council said in a release.

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