June 5, 1950 (21st Parliament, 2nd Session)

Hon. Lionel Chevrier (Minister of Transport) moved:

That it is expedient that the houses of parliament do approve the convention of the world meteorological organization signed at Washington on October 11, 1947, and tabled on February 14, 1949, and that this house do approve the same.
He said: The object of this resolution is manifold: First, to facilitate world-wide
co-operation in the establishment of networks of stations for the making of meteorological observations; second, to promote the establishment of systems for the rapid exchange of information; third, to promote the standardization of meteorological observations; fourth, to further the application of meteorology to aviation, shipping and agriculture; and, finally, to encourage research.
Because of the rapid progress of aviation and the universal interest in meteorology, it is becoming increasingly important to achieve world-wide co-ordination of weather services. It was decided at two international meetings held at Toronto and Washington to recommend the establishment of a world meteorological organization. It is a specialized agency of the United Nations. The cost to Canada will not be extensive, being in the neighbourhood of $3,000 or $4,000.
We have an excellent network of observation stations throughout the various regions of Canada, and we co-operate with the United States, with whom we operate joint weather stations in the north. There are a number _ of weather stations on the north Atlantic as well as on the Pacific.
The convention has been signed by forty states, and will come into effect when there are thirty ratifications. It is hoped that parliament will accept this convention. The following countries have deposited instruments of ratification: Australia, Burma,
Czechoslovakia, Dominican republic, Norway, Peru, The Philippines, Sweden, and a number of others.
I recommend the formal adoption of the convention of the world meteorological organization.
Meteorological Convention