The Geological Survey of Canada (Natural Resources Canada) hosted an invitational workshop on Landslide Hazards and Risk Management in Canada at the Holiday Inn Hull-Ottawa Plaza la Chaudière in Hull, Québec from 16 to 18 November 2001.

In Canada, the response to landslide hazard is fragmented, reflecting the regional nature of the hazard, incomplete data, jurisdictional overlaps, diverse and competing stakeholders, and the multi-disciplinary nature of the issue. The goals of the workshop were to: 1 - summarize the state-of-knowledge of landslides and landslide in Canada; 2 - provide a baseline of knowledge and information for the future establishment of an inter-agency Canada Landslide Loss Reduction Program; and 3 - promote landslide studies in Canada to a level comparable of other leading countries in order to reduce landslide risk.

This workshop was a opportunity for engineers, academics, scientists, practitioners, planners, insurers, and other interested parties with landslide concerns to meet and share the best global information available with respect to the following themes: landslide processes and mechanisms, mapping and hazard characterization, and mitigation and risk management.

The workshop brought together Canadian specialists from research community and professional practice, as well as other affected sectors, totalling approximately 50 persons. Internationally known practitioners were invited to give keynote addresses on each key theme. Breakout groups addressed multiple aspects of each theme, addressing knowledge gaps and priority activities. The results of each breakout session were discussed in plenary.

Aim and Objectives

The aim and the objectives of the workshop were to:

• summarise the state-of-knowledge of landslides in Canada (understanding of landslide processes, knowledge of their spatial and temporal distribution, ability to characterise landslide hazard, and means to reduce landslide risk);
• assess the available information on landslides relative to the needs of the emergency preparedness (and other) communities in Canada; and
• identify key gaps in our knowledge of landslides in Canada, both thematic and regional; and to prioritise research and technical objectives for landslides in Canada.

The Venue

The venue for the workshop was the Holiday Inn Hull-Ottawa Plaza la Chaudière in Hull, Québec (see map enclosed). The Holiday Inn is situated along the north shore of the Ottawa River with spectacular view of Parliament Hill, and within five minutes drive from downtown Ottawa.

Organizing Committee

Dr. Réjean Couture
Mrs. Jan Aylsworth
Dr. Stephen G. Evans
Dr. Didier H. Perret

Geological Survey of Canada
601 Booth Street
Ottawa (ON) K1A 0E8
Tel: 613-943-5237
Fax: 613-992-0190