Home PSEPC Daily Brief DOB06-019

Daily Brief

The PSEPC Daily Brief is a compilation of summaries of publicly available and PSEPC information concerning critical infrastructure protection and emergency management.

DOB06-019 - 27 January 2006

News

Winter storm causes power outages across Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
According to media reports, a severe winter storm caused power outages across Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, forcing a day-long closure of schools and businesses. The Glace Bay Health Care Facility operated on emergency generator power and some flights at the Sydney Airport were cancelled or delayed. In preparation for the storm, Nova Scotia Power put power line crews and tree trimming crews on standby across the province, and tasked dozens of crews to work on repairs and restorations following the storm.
(Source: cbc.ca NOVA SCOTIA, 26 January 2006; Nova Scotia Power, 25 January 2006)
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Due to this storm, Environment Canada has issued public weather warnings for several areas of Newfoundland and Labrador.

New Brunswick releases Pandemic Influenza Plan
On January 26, New Brunswick’s Department of Health and Wellness released the province’s Pandemic Influenza Plan to the public. The plan is designed to guide the health sector as it prepares for a potential worldwide influenza outbreak, and to inform the general public of the pandemic preparations being made by the province.
(Source: New Brunswick Department of Health and Wellness, 26 January 2006)
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The New Brunswick Department of Health and Wellness provides the Pandemic Influenza Plan .

In brief

Winter roads to northern Manitoba communities gradually being opened
Manitoba’s record-breaking warm temperatures have delayed the opening of several winter ice roads to approximately 25 northern communities in the province. The first winter road of the season just opened, with supply trucks now on their way to Brochet, in the northwest of the province. The winter roads are built over muskeg, lakes and rivers, and are normally used eight weeks of the year, opening in January and closing in early March.
(Source: cbc.ca MANITOBA, 26 January 2006)
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Cyber risk assessment

Over the course of the past 24 hours, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) has not detected any significant new threats or vulnerabilities. However, CCIRC is continuing to track an e-mail worm known as BlackWorm/Nyxem/Blackmal/Blueworm/Grew, which is scheduled to delete certain file types on 3 February 2006.

No significant incidents with the potential to affect critical infrastructure have been reported. Accordingly, based on the information available to CCIRC, the cyber risk facing Canadian critical infrastructure is assessed as low. Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to apply appropriate security precautions and monitor their systems.

See also...

• The Weather Office
• FAC - Travel Updates

Note to readers

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) collects information related to cyber and physical threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products.

Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to local law enforcement organizations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Operations Centre (NOC) provides a 24/7 service to receive such reports or to redirect callers to local law enforcement organizations. The NOC can be reached at (613) 993-4460. National security concerns should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at (613) 993-9620.

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