Insurance Bureau of Canada brings together experts to discuss best practices
October 15, 2014 Vancouver, B.C. Public Safety Canada
Speaking at the Insurance Bureau of Canada event, “Preparing Canada for an Earthquake – a National Conversation”, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, called on all levels of government, industry, academics and the public to work together on earthquake preparedness strategies.
Preparing for an earthquake means acting now to build resilient communities that can better withstand and recover from the impacts of natural disasters and other emergencies.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada is working in collaboration with the intersectorial B.C. Earthquake Planning Team to update the Earthquake Response Protocol that clearly defines federal roles and responsibilities.
- This Protocol outlines the kinds of support that will be available across federal departments, and when jurisdictions can expect that support to be available, which helps to inform planning at all levels of government. This work can be used to inform earthquake response planning in at-risk regions across the country.
- In Economic Action Plan 2014, our Government earmarked $11.4 million over five years to Natural Resources Canada to upgrade the earthquake monitoring system, including more advanced technologies that provide timely public alerts in high-risk and urban areas.
- In Economic Action Plan 2014, we committed to providing $200 million over five years, starting in 2015–16, to better protect Canadians and their homes through a National Disaster Mitigation Program. Emergency management is a shared responsibility with provinces and territories, and a national disaster mitigation program is an important step towards a proactive and sustainable approach.
Quotes
“Our Government works closely with emergency planners across all sectors to improve readiness for, and response to, all natural disasters, including earthquakes.
Canada's evolving approach to emergency management means our Government is shifting from a reactive model to one that allows us to better identify risks related to natural disasters, and to take steps to eliminate or reduce these risks and their impacts before a disaster strikes.”
- The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
“Insurance Bureau of Canada is pleased to bring together leaders from both the private and public sectors to strengthen Canada's resilience to earthquake risk.
This is about working together for meaningful solutions. We know our country is prone to earthquakes and we need to continue to build awareness that there is a significant risk to Canadians. We need to be ready both physically and financially. This symposium is an important beginning.”
-Don Forgeron, President and CEO, Insurance Bureau of Canada
Contacts
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.
