Harper Government Takes Action to Help Prepare Saskatchewan First Nation Communities for Emergencies

Investment in all-hazard planning skills helps Saskatchewan First Nations prepare for wildfires, floods

OTTAWA, May 8, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced that Canada provided funding for Saskatchewan First Nations and tribal council emergency planning teams to enhance skills in all-hazard emergency management planning.

The Government of Canada provided $330,000 for Saskatchewan First Nations to take part this spring in the following emergency preparedness activities:

• The sixth annual forum on all-hazard community planning in Saskatoon.
• Three all-hazard community planning sessions, including one session in North Battleford and two in Regina.

More than 205 emergency planning officials, representing over 95 per cent of Saskatchewan's First Nations and Tribal Councils, attended the Saskatoon forum. Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, the Canadian Red Cross, and the provincial Ministries of Government Relations, Health, and Environment also took part.

Topics at the events included fire safety and prevention; hazard, risk and vulnerability assessments; environmental emergencies; evacuation planning; emergency operation centre essentials; exercise design; and after-action event analysis.

This investment is funded from the $19.1 million in annual funding Minister Valcourt announced in November 2013 as part of a new approach to emergency management on reserves. The funds aim to assist First Nation communities with projects such as emergency management planning and training. 

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada supported 34 emergency management preparedness projects for First Nations across the country during the 2014-2015 fiscal year. 
• Discussions are currently underway between Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and provincial and territorial governments across Canada to have formal agreements that provide First Nation communities with improved access to comparable emergency assistance available elsewhere in their province or territory.
• Canada currently has an Emergency Management agreement in place with the Province of Alberta.

Quotes

"Our Government is working to keep Canadians safe; that's why we took action to ensure that First Nations in Saskatchewan are prepared for natural disasters and emergencies. Canada's investment in all-hazard community planning will ensure that First Nations officials have the tools and knowledge to protect lives and property in their communities."

Bernard Valcourt
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development

Associated Links

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada - Emergency Management

Agreement between Canada and Alberta Doubles the Number of Field Service Officers Working with First Nations

Backgrounder - How AANDC Supports First Nation Communities During Emergencies

Canadian Red Cross - First Nations, Métis and Inuit Communities

Government of Saskatchewan – Health

Harper Government Announces New Measures to Strengthen Emergency Management on Reserve

Health Canada – First Nations & Inuit Health

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SOURCE Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Emily Hillstrom, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, 819-997-0002; Media Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 819-953-1160