C. One third of all reported tornadoes in Canada have occurred in southwestern Ontario. There is a tornado risk to a major southern Ontario city, on average, once every 15 years. Every aspect of our economy and society is influenced by climate. The practices of agriculture, forestry, transportation, industry, commerce, insurance, and financing are all affected by climate. For example, the strength of our forest industry and, in turn, our pulp, paper, and lumber industries, has been determined by the species of trees that can grow in the Canadian climate.
Agriculture is also an important part of Canada s economy.
Our climate determines the length of our growing season and this allows Canada to be an important bread basket to the world. Canada s shipping seasons are determined by our climate and the timing of ice thaw on its great waterways such as the St. Lawrence, the Great Lakes, and Hudson Bay. Climate impacts are reflected not only by the activities that make up Canada s economic base, but also the human environment in which they take place or are managed. From hydroelectric dams to ditches, buildings and bridges, communication towers and transmission lines, everything that is built must be adapted to climate. Often just getting to and from work may depend on major snow removal on city streets and traffic snarls caused by weather-related incidents such as heavy snowfall or rain.