Minister Goodale highlights International Day for Disaster Reduction

Statement

Ottawa, October 13, 2016 – The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, made the following statement today acknowledging the United Nation’s International Day for Disaster Reduction.

“This week we witnessed the effects of large-scale flooding in Nova Scotia, particularly in Cape Breton, as well as in Newfoundland and Labrador. Residents in these areas have demonstrated resilience and community spirit as they continue to come together to help neighbors.

The United Nation’s International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) encourages a whole-of-society approach to building more disaster resilient communities and nations. This year, the IDDR launched the Sendai Seven Campaign to promote each of the seven targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.  This year, the theme focused on the first target: reducing disaster mortality. 

By closely collaborating with our partners in all sectors, reducing the number of lives lost in the face of a disaster is a testament to our collective progress in making our country one that is better prepared to predict and prevent crises and respond efficiently to minimize disruption when disaster strikes.  Every one of us is concerned about the devastating societal, economic and environmental impacts of disasters, and every one of us has a role to play in building a safer and more resilient society.

The Government of Canada is determined to find solutions to reduce disaster risks, and to that end, continues to support collaboration across diverse sectors of society on the vulnerability and impacts of disasters to Canadians.  Public Safety Canada will host the Seventh Annual National Roundtable for Disaster Risk Reduction November 21-22, in Montreal, Quebec.  Also in Montreal, the Government will host 1,000 delegates from over 50 member states in the Americas at the Fifth Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas on March 7.”

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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

Information:

Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
(613) 991-0657


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