Ministers talk up a storm on emergency management
Newfoundland government hosts meeting of federal, provincial and territorial ministers
Natural and human-induced disasters are increasing in frequency across the world resulting in ever growing human suffering and economic cost.
Recent flooding events in Atlantic Canada — including the disaster in Mud Lake in this province — are examples.
That’s why federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for emergency management gathered in St. John’s Friday to discuss ways to work together and tighten up the Emergency Management Framework for Canada.
“The significance of emergency preparedness is becoming even more critical, especially since we are seeing more severe impacts from natural disasters across the globe,” said Eddie Joyce, Newfoundland and Labrador’s Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Environment.
According to a news release, the ministers discussed how to deal with disasters that pose an increasing threat to the safety and economic stability of communities and businesses. They agreed to continue to work together on longer-term solutions including moving towards a more balanced approach to emergency management.
At a 2016 meeting, the ministers committed to enhancing the Emergency Management Framework for Canada and updated the framework this year. This is the third edition since it was first issued 10 years ago and it consolidates collaboration relating to emergency management between federal, provincial and territorial governments.
The ministers also welcomed the recent decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Regulatory Policy to make it mandatory for wireless service providers to implement wireless public alerting by April 2018.
It was also agreed to launch a pan-canadian Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award to be introduced in the fall. This award will recognize recipients who have distinguished themselves through exemplary service and contributions to their respective fields.
Emergency management responsibilities in Canada are shared by all levels of government and their partners, including individual citizens who have a responsibility to be prepared for disasters and contribute to community resiliency. Provincial and territorial governments have responsibility for emergency management within their respective jurisdictions.
The federal government exercises leadership at the national level relating to emergency management responsibilities in its exclusive fields of jurisdictions and on lands and properties under federal responsibility.