News Release

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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Weather Forecast Office for Newfoundland and Labrador Reinstated

April 12, 2006
Gander, NL

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment, and the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced the reinstatement of a weather forecast office for Newfoundland and Labrador located in Gander.

"Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve accurate forecasts that reflect the reality of the province’s unique weather. This is a commitment I made to you in December. Now, as Prime Minister, I can say – Promise made, Promise kept"

"I am very pleased that with my colleague Rona Ambrose, Minister of Environment, we have been able to respond to the strong concerns of the residents of my province by reinstating the weather forecast office in Gander," said Minister Hearn.

The plan is to restore the complement of Environment Canada personnel in Gander to 25 people and begin forecasting by early fall, adding to the existing staff of ten members. New funding in the amount of $7.89 million over four years and $1.66 million ongoing will be provided to implement this proposal. The reinstatement of the weather forecasting office will take place in phases over the next 18 months. During this period, personnel will be trained and relocated and the office will be equipped with the required computer and communications technology.

"Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve better than to be told to expect five centimetres of snow over night only to wake up to ten times that amount. The education of the province’s youth shouldn’t suffer because schools close their doors for storms that fail to materialize. The lives of the men and women who work in the already choppy waters of the Atlantic shouldn’t be needlessly endangered because of the arrival of unforecasted squall. In short, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians deserve accurate forecasts that reflect the reality of the province’s unique weather", concluded Prime Minister Harper.

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The Prime Minister’s Office - Communications
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