Home Newsroom 2005 News releases (archive) 2005-03-09: Joint emergency operations centre

Government of Canada and Government of Northwest Territories announce intent to co-locate in joint emergency operations centre

Yellowknife, March 9, 2005 -- The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development) and Member of Parliament for Western Arctic, on behalf of the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Honourable Michael McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs, Northwest Territories, today announced plans for the establishment of a common, integrated emergency operations centre. The centre, to be located in Yellowknife, will help in responding to security threats and natural disasters in the Northwest Territories.

This co-location initiative will integrate emergency management functions of the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) “G” Division, leading to a more effective overall response to all types of emergencies.

“The Government of Canada believes this is an important step so our two levels of government can maximize efforts in dealing with all types of emergencies – be they threats to public safety or security,” said Minister Blondin-Andrew.
“Together, we are firmly committed to enhancing our emergency preparedness and response efforts for citizens of the Northwest Territories.”

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) has also announced its intent to establish a regional office within the MACA/RCMP emergency operations centre. As part of an integrated national emergency response structure, this office will provide for a direct liaison between PSEPC, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon and Nunavut.

“I am pleased that Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada and the RCMP have taken such a cooperative stance in working with our government on this initiative,” said Minister McLeod. “This will help advance our common agenda to enhance emergency preparedness arrangements in the Northwest Territories and indeed all the north.”

The RCMP is the primary enforcement agency in the Northwest Territories with national security responsibilities. The RCMP is also involved in emergency planning and response with the Government of the Northwest Territories at the territorial level, and with individual communities through the various RCMP detachments across the north.

Discussions to co-locate began shortly after the Government of Canada’s National Security Policy (NSP) was announced in April 2004. The NSP sets the direction for a national framework and action plan to ensure that the Government of Canada is prepared for and can respond to emerging or occurring threats to national public safety and security. Co-location with provincial/territorial emergency operations centres is a key action item identified in the NSP.

Alex Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(613) 991-0657

Amy Hacala
Communications and Policy Advisor
Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
Government of the Northwest Territories
(867) 920-3092