News Release

Canada’s Environment Minister Announces Smartphone Weather Technology

140 Years of our National Weather Service Celebrated

TORONTO, Ont. -- July 15, 2011 -- One of Canada’s oldest institutions is celebrating its 140^th anniversary of providing weather and meteorological services to Canadians. Since 1871, the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC), which joined the new Department of the Environment in 1971, has provided this country with the essential service of informing the public about the past, present and future weather conditions for all regions of the country.

“I congratulate our Meteorological Service on a proud history over the past 140 years and a bright future to come,” said the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Minister of the Environment. “The invaluable services they provide each and every day make it easier for all of us to thrive in our daily lives, in spite of what the weather may bring.”

The MSC is Canada’s official source of weather warnings and the authoritative source for weather, climate and water resource information in the country. From sending the first weather forecasts via telegraph in 1876, to providing weather services during our Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver last year, the last 140 years have brought about remarkable change. 

In keeping up with providing the best service, Minister Kent announced the latest weather service product, the smartphone-enabled mobile Weatheroffice website.

“This new mobile site will make our comprehensive weather forecasts and warnings even more accessible to Canadians wherever they find themselves,” said Minister Kent. “We have been proud to serve Canadians for the past 140 years, and will only continue to build on this proud tradition of service and excellence for the next 140.”

A major part of the MSC’s 140-year history involves staying on top of the latest research, science and technologies available to better serve the needs of Canadians. Our strong research science led to the development of the ultraviolet Index and the Air Quality Health Index. We’ve also adopted technologies like Doppler weather radar in order to help better predict and detect severe weather, and provide Canadians with advanced warning.

Environment Canada: www.ec.gc.ca

Environment Canada’s Weatheroffice: www.weatheroffice.gc.ca

For more information, please contact:

Melissa Lantsman
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008

Environment Canada’s Twitter page: http://twitter.com/environmentca

Environment Canada’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/environmentcan