Public Safety Canada

• There is no doubt that some of these recent and future events are the result of an increasingly unstable climate.
• Despite these evolving challenges, our emergency management systems remain strongly rooted in civil defence practices developed during the Cold War.

Disasters cost billions

• Natural and technological disasters represent a significant financial burden on citizens, businesses and governments.
• Disaster response actions and associated recovery assistance funds have cost approximately $5.75 billion over the past 10 years, according to Public Safety Canada.
• But that’s not likely going to be effective in managing disasters in an uncertain social, economic and environmental future.
• In the 1950s, the provinces created “civil defence” systems against enemy attacks, with the option to use such systems in the event of natural disasters.

Changing the Emergencies Act

• Public welfare emergencies cover natural and technological disasters, while public order emergencies involve civil unrest, as was the case of the Emergencies Act’s use in February 2022 to end the so-called Freedom Convoy’s occupation of Ottawa.
• The public welfare section of the Emergencies Act is clearly inappropriate and redundant considering provincial jurisdiction over emergency management.
• Provincial laws and systems cover the same range of special powers, and the Emergencies Act prevents the government of Canada from interfering in the provinces’ responses.

No clear role

• The current emergency management system, designed around the division of roles, responsibilities and powers between federal and provincial governments, does not have a clear role for a national response agency.
• The resources required in times of disaster go beyond the traditional 911 emergency services to include utilities, private and not-for-profit agencies and a greater role for citizen involvement.

Jack Lindsay is affiliated with the Canadian RIsk and Hazards Network and the International Association of Emergency Managers

• The Summit will include leaders from key jurisdictions and industry sectors collaborating to identify actions to combat auto theft and strengthen current initiatives.
• As Canada's authority on insurance fraud and crime, Équité Association, applauds this collaborative effort to combat serious and organized crime and ensure the safety of communities across Canada.
• In response, Terri O'Brien, President and CEO of Équité Association offered the following statement of support:
  "On behalf of our members, Équité Association extends its thanks to the Federal Government and the Department of Public Safety for leading the efforts on convening the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft.
• Study found more than 80% of Canadians say they are concerned about community safety due to the auto theft crisis.

• Investing in crime prevention is part of the Government of Canada's plan to keep Canadians safe.
• To that end, we have invested nearly a half billion dollars and further strengthened our cooperation with the United States.
• The Government of Canada will continue to put in place robust measures to keep Canadians safe.
• Public Safety Canada is finalizing agreements with municipalities and communities that have been identified through evidence-based criteria and meet the program requirements.

• Investing in crime prevention is part of the Government of Canada's plan to keep Canadians safe.
• To that end, we have invested nearly a half billion dollars and further strengthened our cooperation with the United States.
• The Government of Canada will continue to put in place robust measures to keep Canadians safe.
• Public Safety Canada is finalizing agreements with municipalities and communities that have been identified through evidence-based criteria and meet the program requirements.