Temporary National Coordination Office

In May 2018, Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management collectively acknowledged the benefits of a Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) and endorsed the establishment of a Temporary National Coordination Office (TNCO) to guide the work on a PSBN for a total of two years. The TNCO was comprised of representatives from Public Safety Canada, other government departments, Provincial/Territorial jurisdictions, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Tri-Services (police, paramedics and firefighters) associations, and other potential PSBN user groups. Specifically, the following departments, jurisdictions and associations were members of the TNCO (in alphabetical order):

• Alberta
• British Columbia
• Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs
• Canadian Association of Police Chiefs
• Defence Research and Development Canada’s Centre for Security Science
• Federation of Canadian Municipalities
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Manitoba
• National Defence
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Paramedic Chiefs of Canada
• Public Safety Canada
• Quebec
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Saskatchewan
• Yukon

Mandate

Established in July 2018, the TNCO developed national options and recommendations on a future PSBN for Canada, supported by research, analysis, and engagement with PSBN stakeholders. Specifically, the office:

1. Served as a single point of contact for stakeholders on national PSBN work, including the private sector;
2. Engaged diverse stakeholders to gather perspectives to support the development of recommendations;
3. Established and maintained a network of researchers and experts, and provided national leadership for PSBN pilots and trials to inform and support TNCO work objectives;
4. Developed and recommended:
1. A PSBN Strategy for Canada that operationalizes the FPT Ministers’ endorsed guiding considerations;
2. Further developed and operationalized approaches for business models and permanent national governance;
3. Deployment options for a national and interoperable PSBN;
4. National PSBN standards and requirements (e.g. interoperability, security, priority and pre-emption); and,
5. Innovative solutions to address coverage gaps and capacity challenges.

Mission Statement

Played a leadership role in the advancement of a national and interoperable PSBN for Canada.

Key Functions

Policy and Outreach

• Engaged with diverse stakeholders
• Communicated with stakeholders on TNCO progress
• Led the drafting of a report on a Canadian PSBN

Research and Development

• Developed and recommended a national PSBN statement on requirements
• Suggested solutions to address coverage challenges
• Gathered information on PSBN-related trials and pilots

Program Development

• Developed recommendations for permanent national governance, including business models
• Recommended deployment options for a national and interoperable PSBN

Public Safety Broadband Network Storyline

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder engagement was an ongoing and key consideration for TNCO. The TNCO recognized that the development and implementation of a Canadian PSBN is an important yet significant undertaking that requires the collective efforts and commitment of all levels of government, public safety communities across Canada, and various private industry stakeholders. The TNCO engaged stakeholders to ensure they had an opportunity to share their views and suggestions throughout the process to ultimately present a consolidated view of a PSBN for Canada. The TNCO engaged provinces and territories, municipalities, tri-services associations, industry, critical infrastructure operators, academia, non-governmental organizations and Indigenous community representatives.

Progress Report

On June 28, 2019, the TNCO published a Progress Report on a National Public Safety Broadband Network to share information with stakeholders on the work accomplished to date to advance a PSBN for Canada.

Final Report

On March 17, 2022, the TNCO published a final report, A Public Safety Broadband Network for Canada: A Canadian Approach to Implementation of the Next Generation of Public Safety Communications, following a presentation to FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management. The final report includes the TNCO’s recommended approach for the development of a nationwide and interoperable PSBN that meets the needs of the public safety community. The TNCO developed national options and recommendations on a future PSBN for Canada, supported by research, analysis, and engagement with key stakeholders. Their recommendations include:

• a national governance approach;
• guiding principles;
• service delivery;
• innovative solutions to addressing coverage gaps and capacity challenges; and
• next steps for advancing a PSBN.

What’s next?

The TNCO has completed its two-year mandate to develop a national approach to advance a Canadian PSBN, an initiative that has been in discussion for several years.

The transition to a PSBN will be complex and will require all levels of government to support its development. Continued collaboration among all levels of government, industry and end users is essential to develop a network that meets the diverse expectations and interests of stakeholders.

Date modified:

2022-03-18