Home PSEPC Daily Brief DOB06-060

Daily Brief

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

DOB06-060 - 27 March 2006

News

PSEPC Minister delivers cheque for B.C. disaster assistance
On March 24, PSEPC reported that Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day presented a $12-million cheque to the B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General for compensation to the province for flood damages incurred in the past years. The funds are from the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) and are to help with the costs of recovery from floods that occurred in October 2003 in the Vancouver Island southwestern area and in June 2001 in the Peace River/Pink Mountain/Halfway River area.
(Source: PSEPC, 24 March 2006)
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The Government of Canada provides financial assistance to provincial and territorial governments in the event of large-scale disasters under the DFAA, administered by PSEPC.

Blizzard warnings issued for Newfoundland and Labrador
On March 27, CBC News reported that a blizzard has forced the closure of almost all schools in the Burin, Avalon and Bonavista peninsulas in Newfoundland and Labrador. Environment Canada (EC) issued blizzard warnings for the area, indicating that heavy s now combined with high winds could result in frequent whiteout conditions throughout the day. The storm is expected to move east off the Grand Banks on March 28.
(Source: CBC News , Environment Canada, 27 March 2006)
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EC issues weather information for the whole country including advisories and warnings.

Ferry sinks off the coast of B.C. : Update
Further to PSEPC Daily Brief DOB06-059, on March 27, CTV News reported that the Queen of the North was located approximately 427 metres beneath the surface of Wright Sound. A spokesperson for B.C. Ferries indicated that the ship seemed to be in one piece. Investigators are using a camera-equipped submersible to examine the vessel to try to establish the cause of the accident.
(Source: CTV.ca , 27 March 2006)
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In brief

China confirms new case of human H5N1
On March 24, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that the Chinese Ministry of Health confirmed a new case of human H5N1 avian influenza virus. The victim was a 29-year-old woman who died on March 21 in Shanghai. China has reported 16 cases of H5N1 with 11 fatalities.
(Source: WHO , 24 March 2006)
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The Public Health Agency of Canada provides information on avian influenza.
WHO reports that H5N1 has resulted in 105 fatalities in 8 countries since 2003.

Serbia reports first case of H5N1 in bird
On March 25, Reuters AlertNet reported that the Serbian Agriculture Ministry confirmed the first case of H5N1 in the country. The virus was found in a rooster from the Bajina Basta area southwest of Belgrade, and was confirmed at the Weybridge laboratory in the U.K.
(Source: Reuters AlertNet , 25 March 2006)
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Cyber risk assessment

Over the course of the past 72 hours, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) has been monitoring the recently discovered vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer. Microsoft is working on a patch that might be released prior to the regularly scheduled monthly security bulletin. CCIRC will continue to monitor. Accordingly, based on the information available to CCIRC, the cyber risk facing Canadian critical infrastructure is assessed as medium. Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to apply appropriate security precautions and monitor their systems. No significant incidents with the potential to affect critical infrastructure have been reported.

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.

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