Home Newsroom 2005 News releases (archive) 2005-11-17: New Emergency Management Act introduced

New Emergency Management Act introduced

Ottawa, November 17, 2005 -- Today, in the House of Commons, the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, introduced the new Emergency Management Act.

“By introducing the new Emergency Management Act, the Government of Canada is providing a solid legislative foundation for emergency management in the 21st century,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.  “The recent bombings in London and the hurricanes in the United States Gulf Coast have reinforced that leadership, coordination, and seamless emergency management are all essential to Canada’s readiness for dealing with emergencies and saving lives.”

The new Act provides for a comprehensive, all-hazards approach to emergency management by:

• Reflecting the elements of modern emergency management (mitigation/prevention, preparedness, response and recovery, as well as critical infrastructure protection);
• Emphasizing the need for a coordinated and integrated approach to emergency management activities within the Government of Canada;
• Enhancing cooperation with other jurisdictions and the private and voluntary sectors by promoting a common approach and information sharing; and,
• Protecting critical infrastructure information provided by the private sector to the Government of Canada.

The Government of Canada committed to reviewing the statutory framework for its emergency management activities in the National Security Policy, released in April 2004. The modernization of the Emergency Preparedness Act was identified as a key element in the effort to better address the new risk environment and the immediacy of response now required for the complex and sustained nature of emergencies we face today.

The new Emergency Management Act is about putting the “federal house in order” by providing the necessary authorities for the Government of Canada to meet the challenges of its own emergency management activities; and, about addressing the need for a well coordinated federal response that is complementary to those of other jurisdictions and key stakeholders.

Strong leadership at the national level for emergency management is necessary to coordinate the federal response to emergencies. The new legislation clarifies the roles of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and other federal ministers and, provides for the establishment of standardized elements for emergency management plans in the Government of Canada.

“The Government of Canada is doing everything it can to protect Canadians to ensure that their safety and security remains a priority,” added Minister McLellan. “The creation of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, the release of Canada’s National Security Policy and the introduction of the new Emergency Management Act are important steps in the Government of Canada’s efforts in confronting the threats in today’s world.”

An on-line version of the proposed legislation is available at www.parl.gc.ca.

See also:

• Backgrounder: Introduction of the Emergency Management Act
• FAQs - Tabling of the Emergency Management Act
• National Security Policy

For further information: 

Alex Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan
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