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When pressed on the impact the new technology could have had, if it existed during the 2013 flood, Genevieve Bechard, director general monitoring and data services at Environment Canada, said the funds are about better preparing for extreme weather events.

“Some of the new technology that we’d be looking at will actually allow us to better look at winds and precipitation and give a more accurate forecast,” she said.

“Really, the issue with the forecasts is to get them out to the right people, get them out as early as you can so that people can be prepared.”

Aglukkaq said the money will revitalize the government’s meteorological services over the next 10 years and have a positive impact on weather-sensitive sectors like tourism, transportation and agriculture.

Weather forecasting in Canada is about how people travel, work, play, build homes, and conduct business, Aglukkaq said.

“It’s about warning Canadians of potentially life-threatening hazards and allowing people and businesses to plan properly,” she said.

The changes will ensure Canadians and weather-dependent industries are more aware of the risks of severe weather, so they can appropriately protect themselves, their family and their properties, the minister said.

Bechard said producing weather forecasts and warnings for a country as large as Canada requires a range of equipment and data from hundreds of sites across Canada.

Currently, Environment Canada produces weather, water and climate data through a set of observing networks across the country that includes 31 weather radars, 84 lightning detection sensors, several balloon-borne instruments called radiosondes and satellite ground receiving stations.

The $134 million investment announced Thursday will break down into $107.5 million for modernizing Environment Canada’s weather monitoring networks and $26.5 million for upgrading the weather warning and forecast systems.

AKlingbeil@calgaryherald.com