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Daily Brief

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

DOB06-036 - 21 February 2006

News

Halifax International Airport evacuated over suspicious package
On February 20, the Halifax International Airport was evacuated after screeners identified a suspicious package in the checked luggage area.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) indicated that approximately 350 travellers, airport and airline staff were evacuated before the RCMP bomb squad investigated and gave the all clear following the investigation. The airport resumed operations approximately one hour after the evacuation.
(Source: thechronicleherald.ca , 21 February 2006)
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The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority's mission is to protect the public by securing critical elements of the air transportation system as assigned by the government.

Seventy-six First Nations communities under boil water advisory
On February 20, the CBC reported that seventy-six First Nations communities remained under boil drinking water advisories issued by Health Canada.

Residents of the communities have been advised to use bottled water for drinking, cooking and brushing teeth. Some of the reserve’s residents have indicated that the water in the communities is not suitable for bathing.
(Source: CBCnews , 20 February 2006)
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Health Canada , through its Community-Based Water Monitor program, helps First Nations communities establish drinking water quality sampling.

Alberta resumes deer cull
On February 18, the Edmonton Sun reported that the Government of Alberta declared a cull of wild deer in the Chauvin area of Alberta . The cull, to run between February 24 and March 4, was implemented to curb the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).

Alberta ’s Ministry of Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) confirmed on February 17 that four more cases of CWD were discovered during the last cull in late January 2006. SRD indicated that a total of eight cases of CWD have now been discovered since September 2004.
(Source: edmontonsun.com , February 18; Government of Alberta , February 17 2006)
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CWD is a progressive, fatal, degenerative disease of the brain affecting elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer.

Alberta ’s Sustainable Resource Development maintains the balance between the economic, environmental and social values of the province.

Two train derailments in Quebec
On February 17 during a fierce windstorm, a Canadian Pacific (CP) train derailed as it crossed a bridge over the St. Lawrence River that links Montréal's LaSalle area to south shore communities. The derailment is preventing commuters from travelling to and from Montréal by train; however, they are using a special bus service until the bridge's rail line is reopened. CP freight trains are being rerouted onto Canadian National (CN) lines. On February 20, a CP spokesperson stated that large cranes had started moving the cars, but added that cold, wind and the position of the cars make it difficult and dangerous work. CP is optimistic that the line will be reopened today.

On February 18, a second train derailment occurred in the town of Val‑Alain , south of Québec City . A CN train, loaded with diesel fuel, skidded off the tracks and ended up in a residential backyard. No injuries were reported when the two locomotives and five tanker cars left the track, and only a small amount of fuel leaked.
(Source: CBCnews , February 20 2006)
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PSEPC Geomatics provides maps of the affected areas: Montréal (880 Kb)  and Val-Alain (620 Kb) .

In brief

Avian Influenza: Update
On February 20, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the Ministry of Health in Indonesia reported a new case of human infection with the H5N1 avian influenza virus. This case, a 23-year-old man from East Jakarta , was first diagnosed on February 7 and died on February 10.

Since 2003, WHO has confirmed a total of 170 human cases with the H5N1 avian influenza, including 92 deaths.
(Source: World Health Organization , 20 February 2006)
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The Public Health Agency of Canada provides information on avian influenza.

Malaysia reports new case of H5N1 in chickens
On February 20, the Malaysian Agriculture Ministry reported that a new case of H5N1 avian influenza virus was discovered last week in the central state of Selangor. The case, found in chickens, is the first since November 2004.
(Source: Reuters AlertNet , 20 February 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. 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.

Recent cyber alerts and advisories issued by CCIRC can be viewed under “Recent analytical releases” at www.psepc.gc.ca/ccirc.

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.

Links to sites not under the control of the Government of Canada (GoC) are provided solely for the convenience of users. The GoC is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or the reliability of the content. The GoC does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites and their content.

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