News release

July 29, 2005

Less accurate weather services for Newfoundland and Labrador

GANDER- The transfer of weather forecasting from Gander, Newfoundland, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, could have serious consequences for the population of Newfoundland and Labrador warns the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) representing the workers at the Weather Center in Gander.

“Newfoundland and Labrador has the most volatile weather conditions in the country and also the most difficult to predict” said Jeannie Baldwin, the PSAC Regional Executive Vice-President for the Atlantic. “It just does not make any sense to move weather forecasters away from Gander”, she added.

For Baldwin, Canadians need access to reliable weather information, particularly at a time when weather patterns are changing and conditions are becoming more unstable due to the effects of global warming and other climatic changes.

"The government has a legislative requirement to provide weather warnings," Baldwin said. " Whether Canadians are working in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, in road and building construction or just going to and from work every day or planning a holiday, they need to have information that is as accurate as possible.”

Thousands of people have already signed a petition demanding the return of weather forecasting in Gander, including local Mayor Claude Elliot, St-John’s Mayor Andy Wells, M.P. Scott Simms, MHA Kevin O’Brien and many more.

Baldwin believes that even with all the technological advances, large centralized weather centers can’t provide precise and specialized information about micro climates and micro weather conditions which exist outside of the major cities. In fact, she concluded, the government needs to increase the number of centers that provide weather forecasting in order to provide a reliable and timely service to Canadians.

For information:

Fraser Hiscock, PSAC Newfoundland and Labrador

(709) 651-3727

(709) 424 5261 (cell)