Roles and responsibilities during emergencies

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Introduction

Emergency management in Canada is a shared responsibility between federal, provincial and territorial governments and their partners, including Indigenous partners, where each level of government has their own set of emergency management laws and governance models within their respective jurisdictions. Individual citizens also have a responsibility to be prepared for disasters and contribute to community resiliency. When working together in partnership, this makes up Canada's robust emergency management system.

In an emergency, the first response is almost always by the local authorities or at the provincial or territorial level because disasters occur most often locally. Should a provincial or territorial government require resources beyond their capacity to cope in an emergency or disaster, the federal government responds rapidly to any request for assistance by a provincial or territorial government.

At the federal level, Public Safety Canada is the primary coordinating department for emergency management and works to ensure an integrated Government of Canada response. Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) works to ensure that the services it provides are consistent with Public Safety Canada's Federal Emergency Response Plan (FERP) and An Emergency Management Framework for Canada. These documents ensure that emergency management roles and activities are carried out in a responsible manner at all levels of society in Canada. Legal and policy frameworks and other arrangements establish guidelines and standards to ensure that due diligence is exercised and accountability is respected in the conduct of emergency management activities.

ISC's role and responsibilities

As part of ISC's obligations under the Emergency Management Act and delegated authority as per the Indian Act, the Minister of ISC has responsibility to support First Nations on reserves in emergency management. Funding is primarily provided under ISC's Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP), which is eligible to communities on reserves who have been impacted by an emergency event, or where a proposed project directly supports a First Nation on reserve. EMAP provides funding to First Nations communities so they can build resiliency, prepare for natural hazards and respond to them using the 4 pillars of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. As of April 1, 2022, EMAP has been expanded to help ISC better respond to health emergencies, including public health outbreaks and crisis.

ISC works with provincial and territorial governments to ensure First Nations have access to comparable emergency assistance services available to other residents in their respective jurisdiction. The provinces are responsible for emergency management within their areas of jurisdiction and therefore have the expertise and capacity to deliver these services on behalf of ISC.

To ensure that on reserve First Nations have access to emergency assistance services comparable to those available to other residents in their respective jurisdiction, ISC works with provincial and territorial governments through negotiated service agreements to deliver emergency management services to First Nations. These service agreements are usually made between ISC, provinces and territories, and other service delivery partners and ensure that in the event of an emergency, the response is conducted without undue delay. In recognition of Indigenous peoples' right to self-determination, ISC is exploring opportunities to transition to new multilateral approaches where First Nations are included in emergency management as full and equal partners.

How ISC supports First Nation communities during emergencies

To ensure First Nations have the assistance they need within the broader provincial or territorial emergency management system, ISC is in regular contact with provincial and territorial emergency management officials.

During an emergency, ISC provides advice and support within its mandate and authority as requested by the affected First Nation and province or territory. After the emergency, the Government of Canada reimburses the province, territory, First Nation or service delivery partner for eligible costs associated with emergency response and recovery.

In the event of property or critical infrastructure damage in a community, ISC works with the chief and council to assess the situation, determine the most effective way to repair damage and ensure ongoing program and service delivery to the community. ISC remains in contact with the First Nation until the situation has been thoroughly assessed.

First Nation community members' responsibilities

Community members should make every effort to protect their health, safety and personal property during emergencies. Public Safety Canada's Get Prepared website for emergency preparedness suggests being ready to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours during an emergency if you are able to remain in your home. Even when evacuations are expected, First Nation community members should be prepared to take care of their immediate needs for 72 hours in case of delays or unforeseen circumstances.

First Nation communities' responsibilities

Effective emergency management starts at the local level. ISC strongly encourages First Nation communities to develop and implement emergency management plans. Project funding is available for First Nations to develop their own emergency management plans and other preparedness and non-structural mitigation initiatives and can apply through EMAP.

When there is an actual or impending emergency that could threaten life, property or the environment, the chief and council are responsible for using all available local resources to respond. They are also responsible for notifying ISC and provincial or territorial emergency management officials if a threat is beyond their community's response capacity.

More information

For additional information on emergency management, please contact:

Email: aadnc.infopubs.aandc@canada.ca
Phone: (toll-free) 1-800-567-9604
Fax: 1-866-817-3977
TTY: (toll-free) 1-866-553-0554

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