Québec

Biosphère (Montréal, QC)

Biosphère

Biosphère is an exclusive venue for the public to better understand major environmental issues, including those related to water, air, climate change, sustainable development, and responsible consumption. Biosphère is also devoted to eco-action, showcasing, observing, and studying water and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River ecosystem.

Some of the highlights at the Biosphère include:

  • A hands-on exhibit called “Moving Giant – The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Ecosystem,” targeted to youth and aimed at introducing them to the ecosystem, encouraging them to respect it, and inspiring them to protect it.
  • There are two wind turbines on site – a domestic and commercial model – which are showcased to increase public awareness of renewable energy sources.
  • In line with a mission for environmental education, Biosphère also offers several temporary special exhibits that focus on current issues, which complement the permanent features of the facility.
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Canadian Meteorological Centre (Dorval, QC)

Canadian Meteorological Centre

The Canadian Meteorological Centre provides forecast guidance to Environment Canada’s network of weather and climate prediction centres. Other services include meteorological operations for many weather, climate and air quality programs, and expertise during environmental emergencies.

The Centre is made up of four groups: Informatics, Operations, Development, and Atmospheric and Climate Science. It is the home of Environment Canada's IBM supercomputer, which has contributed to improved forecasts through powerful computing and telecommunications systems since 2004.

Weather Forecasts

The Centre’s analysis and forecasting system prepares weather and atmospheric data used in local weather forecasts. Dedicated forecasts include marine weather, aviation weather and astronomy sky conditions. Specialized data and products are also delivered outside Environment Canada to support operations for agencies such as provincial governments, the Department of National Defence and commercial end users.

Environmental Prediction

Technical professionals at the Centre also work with researchers to model and effectively operationalize new knowledge in the field to develop Canada’s environmental prediction systems. New technologies are transferred to internal systems and products, as well as external partners and end users (e.g., Nav Canada).

Staff are well-connected internationally with colleagues (e.g., European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts) and other centres of knowledge (e.g., United Nations World Meteorological Organization) to share expertise and experience that will support the highest weather and climate prediction and modelling standards.

Atmospheric and Climate Science

S&T staff conduct research on mechanisms that control atmospheric evolution. This information is used to forecast atmospheric changes and help Canadians adapt to them, and to prevent or mitigate atmospheric catastrophes. Research is focussed on five main areas:

  • Meteorological Research
  • Climate Research
  • Air Quality Research
  • Adaptation and Impacts Research
  • Science Assessment and Integration
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St. Lawrence Centre (Montréal, QC)

St.Lawrence Centre

The mission of the St. Lawrence Centre is to provide the necessary water quality monitoring and surveillance activities and relevant scientific data and information and comprehension of fluvial ecosystems, including the St.Lawrence river, one of the largest systems in the world.

Highlights of the facility include:

  • A clean room for trace metals analysis, which is one of the best in Canada.
  • The research ecotoxicological lab that boasts the highest productivity.
  • The only laboratory capacity, within Environment Canada, to conduct parasite research.
  • A well developed laboratory to conduct research on both ecological and toxicological effects of harmful algal blooms.
  • An airboat for sampling in wetlands, which is a unique capacity of St. Lawrence Centre.
  • A mobile laboratory for field operations at remote locations.

Studies on aquatic contaminants at the St. Lawrence Centre will lead to a better understanding of the environmental fate, bioavailability, and stability of existing and emerging contaminants, especially in large river ecosystems. As well, biological studies conducted on-site aim to understand the toxicity and the mode of action of contaminants.

Studies on large river ecosystems dynamics at the St. Lawrence Centre to improve understanding and management of the impacts of multiple stressors (including contaminants, river hydrology, and invasive species) on these ecosystems. Water quality monitoring and surveillance programs are conducted such as physico-chemical and biomonitoring.

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National Laboratory for Severe Weather Meteorology (Montréal, QC)

The National Laboratory for Severe Weather Meteorology was formed in 2004. The lab’s mission is to provide improved scientific understanding and prediction of high-impact weather, primarily focussing on application of numerical weather prediction models for forecasting severe weather phenomena. The lab is co-located with the Environment Canada Storm Prediction Centre in Montreal. Outputs include applied research to address forecasting issues identified in the Department and facilitation of technology transfer of science results into the operational weather forecasting program.