Bill Appleby: retired Director of Climate Services and Special Projects

Bill Appleby has been with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for 51 years. As Director of Climate Services and Special Projects, he is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with his creative and dedicated colleagues, applying the latest science and technology to address important environmental issues.

Bill joined the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) in 1969. He then earned his Master of Science degree at the University of Toronto, and began his career as an Operational Meteorologist in Nova Scotia. Over his 51-year career with MSC, Bill worked in a number of capacities across Canada before returning to the Maritimes as Director of the Atlantic Region for MSC in 1996. Bill has been in his current role since 2019, and over the span of his career, he has enjoyed seeing how weather modelling and telecommunications have advanced in “leaps and bounds”.

Bill has been a driving force behind countless important projects. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Canadian Hurricane Centre as well as the implementation of the Air Quality Heath Index (AQHI) forecast program. In recognition of his contributions to the Meteorological Service of Canada, Bill was the recipient of the Patterson Medal in 2017, after his peers nominated him.

To learn more about Bill’s work, please visit: Air Quality Health Index - Canada.ca and Quarterly bulletins: climate impacts and outlook.

Here are a few random facts about Bill:

• What was your first job? Painter/carpenter.
• If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? I would like to travel to New Zealand.
• What is your favourite game or sport to watch and play? Canadian and American Football.
• Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car? I would rather ride a bike.
• If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Scallops, with blueberry cheese cake for dessert.
• What are your hobbies? Carpentry and cycling.
• What is your favourite flavour of ice cream? Blueberry.
• What form of public transportation do you prefer? (air, boat, train, bus, car, etc.) I prefer travelling by car and seeing the countryside. I have done my share of air travel.
• Summer or winter? I like them both.
• If you could share a meal with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? I would share a meal with Bill Gates.
• What's your favourite holiday? Christmas.
• Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Retired, healthy and active.