Parliamentary Committee Notes: Question Period Note: Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management Meeting

Date: March 18, 2022

Classification: unclassified

Fully releasable (ATIP): Yes

Branch/Agency: EMPB

Issue:

FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management Meeting – March 17, 2022

Proposed Response:

Background:

On March 17, 2022, Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for emergency management met virtually today to approve the release of two important publications and to reflect on the progress made to advance shared emergency management priorities to bolster resilience and response capabilities in Canada.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Bill Blair, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and the Solicitor General for British Columbia, and the Honourable Richard Mostyn, Minister of Community Services for the Yukon.

Ministers discussed the need for concrete actions to address the increasing frequency and severity of emergency events. Ministers also reiterated the importance of working together and with partners in their respective jurisdictions to better identify, plan for and reduce the impact of emergencies in order to build collective resilience going forward.

Ministers agreed to meet again in late Fall 2022.

Emergency Management Strategy for Canada Interim Action Plan

At the meeting, ministers endorsed and released the 2021-22 Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Emergency Management Strategy Interim Action Plan.

The Interim Action Plan details concrete steps that FPT governments will take over the next year to strengthen preparedness and build greater resilience to disasters which will collectively advance outcomes defined within the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada. The Interim Action Plan builds off the momentum created by the Strategy and details shared priorities and activities across all four pillars of emergency management: prevention/mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It sets the stage for future plans to be built on sustained dialogue, active participation and ongoing discussions among all partners.

Ministers recognized the importance of working with Indigenous leadership within their provincial and territorial jurisdictions with respect to their emergency management needs. They discussed the importance of regular dialogue with Indigenous peoples that respects their roles and responsibilities, ensuring that ministers and their officials involve Indigenous leadership in setting emergency management priorities.

Advancing a Public Safety Broadband Network for Canada

Ministers announced the release of a report entitled A Public Safety Broadband Network for Canada: A Canadian Approach to Implementation of the Next Generation of Public Safety Communications. The report, developed by the Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) Temporary National Coordination Office, includes recommendations for the development of an interoperable PSBN for Canada that meets the needs of the public safety community.

A PSBN is a secure high-speed wireless data communications network. It can be used by emergency responders and other public safety personnel to communicate with each other in emergency situations.

Ministers also expressed their support for continued commitment to collaborate across all orders of government, industry, and first responder end users to advance a PSBN that meets the diverse expectations and interests of stakeholders. ‎

National Public Alerting System

The National Public Alerting System (NPAS) is a multi-channel federal, provincial, territorial (FPT) all-hazards initiative that provides emergency management organizations throughout Canada with a standard alerting capability to rapidly warn the public of imminent or unfolding threats to life.

Through the FPT Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management (SOREM), PS works to ensure that NPAS aligns with the needs of FPT stakeholders in terms of policy, operational and technical requirements. FPT governments determine who may issue alerts within their jurisdiction. Alerting authorities decide when to issue an emergency alert, the alert type, the message content, its duration and geographical areas affected. Federally, emergency alerts are only issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Ministers underscored the importance of the National Public Alerting System to the safety and security of Canadians. They reaffirmed their commitment to this important emergency management capability by endorsing priorities to support the ongoing sustainability and enhancement of the system. These priorities include exploring alternative funding and governance models and assessing future needs, while ensuring the seamless ongoing operation of the system.

Canada’s Flood Risk Plan

Flooding continues to be the most frequent and costly natural disaster facing Canadians, causing over $1 billion in direct damage to homes, property and infrastructure annually. Ministers received an update on the Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation. The task force is examining options for both a national flood insurance program for residents of areas at high risk of flooding and measures for potential relocation. Its report is expected to be available in Summer 2022.

Ministers also discussed the new Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program, which will help to inform decision-making in support of flood mitigation, climate adaptation initiatives and in building resilient infrastructure.

The Government of Canada is investing $63.8 million over three years for the Flood Hazard Mapping and Identification Program by completing flood hazard mapping of areas at higher risk of flooding in partnership with provinces and territories (PT). Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is leading the collaboration with PTs to complete flood maps for higher-risk areas, in partnership with Environment and Climate Change Canada as well as Public Safety Canada.

Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award

Ministers launched the next call for nominations for the Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award. This award is a partnership between provincial, territorial and federal governments and recognizes recipients who have achieved excellence in their professional fields or volunteers across several categories in emergency management and search and rescue. The nomination period will be open from March 17, 2022 to July 1, 2022.

Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Review

Ministers also discussed the scope of the federal government’s Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements Review. Ministers emphasized the importance of financial assistance in meeting the needs of Canadians impacted by disasters and reaffirmed their commitment to a collaborative process, including meaningful provincial and territorial engagement and involvement.

Contacts:

Contact : Arjun Vinodrai - 613-949-3180

Prepared by : Allie Fink - 343-551-7766

Approved by: Stephanie Durand - 613-864-2064

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