Ottawa Overhauls National Disaster Plan

The Government of Canada is making significant changes to how it prepares for and responds to natural disasters. Facing growing threats from wildfires, floods, and severe storms fueled by climate change, Ottawa has announced a three-part plan to strengthen national emergency management. The announcement includes a new state-of-the-art operations centre, millions in new funding, and an opportunity for you to share your opinion.

In a news release from Public Safety Canada, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management, outlined the initiatives designed to better protect communities across the country, including here in New Brunswick.

A New National Command Centre

A new, high-tech Government Operations Centre (GOC) is now open in Ottawa. This facility acts as the federal government’s central command post during major emergencies. It is equipped to manage several large-scale events at the same time, ensuring a coordinated flow of information and resources to provinces and territories in need. “This new operations centre reinforces our government’s ability to be more resilient, responsive and to protect Canadians from any hazard that they face,” said Minister Olszewski.

Budget 2025 Backs Up the Plan

The federal government is putting significant funding behind its new strategy. Budget 2025 includes key investments aimed at improving frontline response capabilities:

• $257.6 million over four years to lease additional waterbomber aircraft, bolstering the country’s aerial firefighting capacity during intense wildfire seasons.
• $55.4 million over four years to renew and improve the National Public Alerting System, the technology that sends emergency notifications to your phone and television.
• $40 million to establish a Youth Climate Corp, which will train young Canadians with the skills needed to respond to climate-related emergencies and help communities recover.

Your Voice Matters

The government has also launched a public engagement campaign to gather feedback from Canadians. You can share your views on the federal government’s evolving role in emergency management through an online portal. This feedback will help shape future policies and ensure they meet the needs of communities on the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Government Operations Centre (GOC)?

The GOC is a federal coordination centre managed by Public Safety Canada. It operates 24/7 to monitor and respond to emergencies, ensuring that federal resources are available to support provinces and territories during a crisis.

How can these changes help New Brunswick?

For a province familiar with spring floods and powerful storms, these federal measures offer an extra layer of support. Improved public alerts, better-coordinated federal assistance, and increased aerial firefighting resources can directly aid New Brunswick’s own emergency response efforts.

What is the Youth Climate Corp?

The Youth Climate Corp is a new program designed to equip young Canadians with practical skills for disaster response, recovery, and building community resilience against the impacts of climate change.

How can I participate in the public engagement?

You can provide your feedback through the online consultation portal on the Government of Canada’s website. The government is seeking input from the general public, Indigenous partners, and emergency management stakeholders.