How Should Canada Prepare for More Frequent Disasters?
Official title: Consultations on federal leadership in Emergency Management
Natural disasters are hitting Canada harder and more often. The federal government wants to know how it can better coordinate emergency response across all levels of government. They're asking about everything from wildfire response to flood recovery to how communities can be more resilient.
Why This Matters
Been through a flood, wildfire, or ice storm? You know how chaotic the response can feel. This consultation could shape how quickly help arrives next time. It also affects how your community prepares—and whether you'll get better warnings before disaster strikes.
What Could Change
The federal government could restructure how it coordinates with provinces during emergencies. New programs might fund local preparedness in municipalities and Indigenous communities. Better data-sharing systems could improve early warnings. The Emergency Management Act might be updated to reflect these changes.
Key Issues
- What should the federal government's role in emergency management look like?
- How can coordination between federal, provincial, and local governments be improved?
- How should federal programs evolve to address climate-related disasters?
- What can strengthen preparedness in Indigenous communities?
- How can risk communication and public readiness be improved?
How to Participate
- Review the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada and the Emergency Management Framework to understand current approaches.
- Send your feedback by email to EMEngagement-EngagementsGU@ps-sp.gc.ca by the deadline.
Submit Your Input
Questions Being Asked (9)
- What should the federal government's role in emergency management look like in the future?
- How could the federal government strengthen its role in emergency management?
- What tools or structures could improve coordination inside the federal government and with other jurisdictions before and during emergencies?
- How should federal programs and capabilities evolve to address current and emerging risks, including climate related disasters?
- What approaches could strengthen local capacity and preparedness in provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities?
- What role can the federal government play in fostering public–private collaboration and community-level resilience for all Canadians?
- What can the federal government do to improve risk communication and individual preparedness?
- How can data, technology, and research be leveraged to strengthen decision-making and disaster risk reduction?
- What information would make your community better prepared to respond to emergencies?