Canadian Red Cross lends voice of support to The Weather Network

The Canadian Red Cross supports Pelmorex Communications Inc, the parent company of The Weather Network and Météo Média, in its application to the CRTC for exemption from new rules that could limit access to the network.

“The Weather Network plays a key role in public safety through its distribution of Environment Canada warnings and advisories,” says Don Shropshire, national director of disaster management for the Canadian Red Cross.  “As a leader in disaster preparedness and response, the Red Cross clearly recognizes the importance of broad public access to this information in order to stay abreast of potential weather-related emergencies.”

The federal broadcast regulator, the CRTC, is now considering packaging rules for cable and satellite distributors that are to take effect in the near future.  Essentially, the recent ruling could mean that cable companies will have the ability to remove services like The Weather Network and Météo Média from basic cable service and make them available only to television sets that have a digital box.  In addition, cable companies will be able to remove The Weather Network and Météo Média from basic service completely and require customers to take an extra package to gain access to the network (To learn more about the new CRTC rules as they may affect The Weather Network, visit http://www.support.theweathernetwork.com

In addition to local weather warnings the public safety service of The Weather Network/ Météo Média includes provincial road reports, air quality warnings and advisories, pollen reports, and most recently provincial emergency warnings for New Brunswick, Quebec and Ontario, with other provinces to be added soon.

“The information that The Weather Network/ Météo Média provide to communities throughout Canada directly contributes to keeping communities informed, safe and prepared,” says Shropshire.   “We fully support wide public access to this important service.”

For more information about the CRTC ruling, The Weather Network and Météo Média or to learn how to submit input to the CRTC, Canadians are encouraged to visit http://www.support.theweathernetwork.com/.

Posted February 8, 2007