How Should Canada Prepare for More Frequent Natural Disasters?
Official title: Public engagement on how to strengthen federal leadership in emergency management
Natural disasters are hitting Canada harder and more often. The federal government wants to know how it should lead emergency response efforts. Right now, coordination between Ottawa, provinces, and local responders can be messy. This consultation asks: what's working, what's broken, and how do we fix it before the next crisis?
Why This Matters
Ever been through a flood, wildfire, or ice storm? You know how chaotic the response can feel. This is about making sure help arrives faster and communities bounce back quicker. Whether you're in a flood zone, fire-prone area, or just worried about the next big storm, your experience matters here.
What Could Change
Ottawa could take a bigger role in coordinating disaster response across provinces. New tools might improve how governments share information during emergencies. Federal programs for disaster preparedness could be redesigned to better support local communities and Indigenous nations.
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 the current system.
- 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?