Turn off accessible linear format and redisplay the web page in it's original layout. The Environmental Emergencies program is responsible for the prevention of, preparedness for, response to, and recovery from environmental emergencies. The program is delivered centrally through the Environmental Emergencies Branch located in Gatineau, Quebec and via 5 regional offices located across Canada (Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver). Other supporting Environment Canada partners also provide specialized services necessary to effectively respond to an environmental emergency.
During emergencies the Environmental Emergencies Branch Response Unit - the National Environmental Emergencies Centre assists the regional emergency office in the provision and coordination of response support (includes scientific analysis and advice on the environmental impacts of the release, technical advice on the best measures to contain and clean up the spill, modelling, weather forecasting and laboratory analysis) to the lead agency , and in the communication of this information to senior Environment Canada management. Through the Branch’s units of Prevention, Preparedness and Recovery regulatory and policy initiatives are lead to advance the mission of reducing both the frequency and severity of emergencies.
The following 5 regional offices are responsible for program delivery:
Environment Canada's expertise in the areas of environmental emergencies science and meteorological forecasting, play a key role in delivery of the program domestically and internationally. Our partners include:
Environmental Technology Centre, Emergencies Science and Technology
The Centre provides scientific and technical support and analysis to the prevention, preparedness and emergency response functions of the Environmental Emergencies Program, and maintains much of the specialized response equipment at its facilities in Ottawa. Its centralized core of experts and top-notch facilities are home to internationally recognized Research and Development in the field of environmental emergencies. The ETC supports Environment Canada’s national and international mandate for environmental protection.
Meteorological Service of Canada
Through the Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment Canada protects Canadians by providing timely observations, forecasts and warnings with respect to extreme weather conditions, ice, sea-state and other physical phenomena. MSC's activities provide crucial modeling support (Canadian Meteorological Centre; Environmental Emergency Response Division ) for the determination of dispersion and trajectories for nuclear, oil and chemical releases.
Canadian Wildlife Service
The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) administers and implements Environment Canada’s mandate for migratory birds and other wildlife and habitat. It provides data on migratory birds and species at risk and areas to be protected; conducts surveys of affected or potentially affected areas and the migratory birds populations; coordinates the rescue, triage and treatment of affected migratory birds and endangered species; provides guidance to other agencies and volunteers on the clean-up of migratory birds and endangered species; samples and analyzes oiled and affected wildlife for possible prosecution of the responsible party; assesses the damage to migratory birds and species at risk (and their populations); provides documentation for future cost recovery from the responsible party; and studies affected population to determine the status of recovery and that of the critical habitat.
