Emergency Response

Canada's Response to the Earthquake in Japan

During a health emergency or disaster, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada are responsible for supporting emergency health and social services in the provinces and territories.

What Information Can You Find Here?

In this section, you will find information on Health Canada's activities in nuclear emergency response, as well as the Department's efforts in implementing sound disaster management and recovery practices.

Learn about Canada's Response to the Earthquake in Japan

• Radiological or Nuclear Emergency
• Foodborne Illness Outbreak
• Food Safety
• Chemical Emergency
• Major Traumatic Events

Radiological or Nuclear Emergency

Health Canada is the coordinating point for the federal government's emergency response activities through the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan (FNEP). The Department monitors the environment for radioactivity, provides advice to the provinces and territories on protective actions and proactively develops emergency response plans.

Foodborne Illness Outbreak

Under Canada's Foodborne Illness Outbreak Response Protocol (FIORP) 2010, Health Canada works in partnership with the Public Health Agency of Canada, the  Canadian Food Inspection Agency and provincial and territorial authorities to mitigate or contain the effects of a foodborne illness outbreak in a timely fashion.

Food Safety

Health Canada is responsible for assessing the effectiveness of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's activities related to food safety. The Food Emergency Response System of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (1999) is the report on the effectiveness of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in responding to potential and actual food safety emergencies.

Chemical Emergency

The Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response Unit (CEPRU) is the focal point for chemical emergency management within Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Major Traumatic Events

The Psycho-social Emergency Preparedness and Response is in place to help managers develop and maintain a supportive environment for employees who experience a traumatic workplace event and to support the delivery of critical services to Canadians.