Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked World Meteorological Day. Every year on March 23 we commemorate the coming into force of the convention of the World Meteorological Organization in 1950. Canada is a founding member of the organization and plays a prominent role in its work.
World Meteorological Day is an opportunity to raise public awareness and appreciation for the valuable public weather service that Environment Canada, with its dedicated staff, provides to Canadians 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Weather events such as the recent ice storm that hit eastern Canada, the Manitoba floods and the Saguenay disaster, remind us how important reliable, accurate weather and environmental information is in helping Canadians protect themselves and their property.