Friday, March 28, 2003

 Mr. Pat Martin (Winnipeg Centre, NDP): Mr. Speaker, in spite of an era of massive climate changes and unprecedented instability in global weather patterns, Canada's weather forecasting system has been slashed from 14 centres to 5. Our Winnipeg office narrowly avoided complete closure.

    Will the Minister of the Environment explain by what logic he chose to slash this critically important service? What assurances will he give to the Winnipeg office that this critical service will remain open for our prairie region and northern region?

    Hon. David Anderson (Minister of the Environment, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, I have, on a number of occasions, answered questions in the House about the improvements to the Meteorological Service of Canada that is taking place with the reorganizations which I outlined some two weeks ago.

    Obviously, with new technology, satellites, more powerful computers, Doppler radars and very high levels of technical skills by our personnel, we intend to continue to have the very best service for Canadians from coast to coast.

    I would point out to the member from Manitoba, which has a major agricultural sector, that the Canadian Federation of Agriculture has endorsed what we are doing.