Gary Lines
Gary’s meteorological experience spans more than 30 years and, geographically, most areas of Canada and offshore. His career with Environment Canada has taken him to Alberta and the Atlantic Provinces as a weather forecaster, lead meteorological instructor at the Transport Canada Training Institute in Cornwall, Ontario and Manager of the Meteorological and Oceanographic Centre (MetOc) at the Canadian Naval Dockyard, in Halifax.
In 2006, Mr. Lines was appointed Manager of the Climate Change Section in Meteorological Service of Canada, Atlantic Operations, to focus on the science, impacts and adaptation issues related to climate change in Atlantic Canada. His work covered all aspects of regional and global climate change and he has become a regional science resource on that topic.
After retiring in 2010, Mr. Lines formed ClimAction Services to address requests for information and guidance related to climate change adaptation issues in Atlantic Canada. Since that time, he has worked with Engineers Canada, the Nova Scotia Government, First Nations communities and other climate colleagues, to provide climatological information supporting adaptation work.
Dave Kelly
As a partner with ClimAction Services David Kelly provides strategic advice in specialized fields of integrated water management, asset management, source water protection, climate change impacts and adaptation and strategic planning. As a former Environment Canada manager of strategic planning he oversaw organizational planning, program reviews and program evaluations. David also developed and delivered education and outreach programs to build the capacity of clients such as First Nations, the provinces and communities across the country, to address cross-cutting issues such as climate change and integrated water management. David managed the department’s involvement in key international fora, such as the International Joint Commission (St. Croix Watershed Management Board), in addressing trans-boundary water management and climate change issues. He has also worked with all levels of government and the public in the provision of multi-disciplinary advice on climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives related to sea level rise. He played a key role in negotiating federal provincial agreements dealing with water management and climate change priorities and developed a strategic plan with international partners to guide planning efforts in the marine environment. Finally David routinely undertook issues scans to help clients respond to internal and external factors which can affect the organization, its priorities and program directions.
Vikki Bewsher
Throughout her 35 year career in the federal government Vikki has worked with various departments, mostly with Environment Canada, in a variety of areas including finance, information management, purchasing and informatics. Vikki also spent several years in the regional Ministerial Correspondence Office writing and reviewing replies to letters to the Minister of the Environment and initiating and reviewing the development of briefing notes, scenario notes and Question and Answer cards on high profile issues (e.g. raising of the Irving Whale, Sydney Tar Ponds Remediation) for the Minister and the Regional Director General, Atlantic Region.
In the last 10 years of her career Vikki worked closely with Dave Kelly in analyzing and developing regional and national strategic planning initiatives for Environment Canada, as well as doing research on a variety of environmental issues in support of this work.
Jim Abraham
Jim has spent over 40 years studying and weather, water and climate. He is currently President-elect of the Canadian Meteorological & Oceanographic Society. As President of ClimAction Services Inc., he and colleagues assist municipalities including several Black & Indigenous communities, understand and adapt to climate change. He is well known nationally and internationally, and is frequently invited as an expert by a variety of organizations and the media.
Jim started his career at CFB Greenwood, then was transferred to Whitehorse (15-day drive), then on to Montreal where he learned to work in French. While at Environment Canada, Jim managed a wide variety operational and research weather and environmental programs, including the meteorological research program and the weather, water, and climate observing program for Canada. Jim started the Canadian Weather Research Program, focused on the transfer of knowledge, techniques and tools from research to operations.
Jim was involved in developing the Canadian hurricane forecast and research program, which included being lead investigator for several reconnaissance flights into hurricanes threatening Canada. He survived.
Jim was awarded the Patterson Medal for Meteorology in 2003, the Queens Jubilee Medal in 2013, and a Fellow of the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society in 2017.