Evidence of meeting #12 for Public Safety and National Security in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was federal.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:30 a.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Then with regard to both of those, if there are going to be changes, could you note where the organizational chart is going to change once the legislation comes into effect, and the same with programming?
9:30 a.m.
Director General, National Security Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
To the best we're able, we would do that.
9:30 a.m.
NDP
9:30 a.m.
Suki Wong Deputy Director General, Critical Infrastructure Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
Thank you.
This legislation does not change the organizational structure of our department. Bill C-12 brings greater accountability to how the federal government responds to and prepares for emergencies. It provides our minister with the authority to set guidelines, best practices, and principles for developing emergency management plans that affect only federal government institutions. So very much this bill brings greater accountability and greater coordination, and it recognizes the need for collaboration of provinces and territories. The scope of the act is very limited to the federal government, to federal institutions.
9:30 a.m.
NDP
9:30 a.m.
Director General, National Security Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
It's general administrative authority.
9:30 a.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Is there a summary of the disaster financial assistance agreement somewhere? I think that's a fairly detailed piece of legislation, which is a bit complicated.
9:30 a.m.
Director General, National Security Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
We can certainly get that for you. I should mention, too, we have the Emergency Preparedness Act in place now, so this act would effectively replace that. By and large, a lot of the activities we're discussing are carried out, not necessarily with specific statutory authority but under general administrative authority.
9:30 a.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
To go to that, will this take away anything from the Emergency Preparedness Act?
9:30 a.m.
Director General, National Security Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
There are some changes.
Perhaps, Suki....
9:30 a.m.
Deputy Director General, Critical Infrastructure Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
9:35 a.m.
Deputy Director General, Critical Infrastructure Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
Completely, but as Jamie said, it continues the financial assistance programs to provinces and territories. Each minister continues to be responsible for preparing their own emergency management activities. The new feature is that it provides greater accountability for collaboration and coordination within the federal government.
9:35 a.m.
Director General, National Security Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
Also, some changes from the EPA are included. For example, the requirement that there be an order in council with respect to financial assistance before financial assistance could be provided won't be there anymore, so it will facilitate quicker, more expeditious treatment of provincial claims. In addition, the provisions regarding the Access to Information Act and the implications for private sector information are new.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Okay, just to go back to the disaster financial...you'll provide us with some kind of a summary of that?
9:35 a.m.
Director General, National Security Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
Certainly.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Just quickly regarding the ATI, has the Privacy Commissioner been consulted or had any input into the drafting of the legislation, obviously, with regard to that specific section?
9:35 a.m.
Deputy Director General, Critical Infrastructure Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
We have consulted the Information Commissioner and the Minister of Justice as well.
9:35 a.m.
Deputy Director General, Critical Infrastructure Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
In terms of information sharing that is part of this act, it does not include personal information, but the Privacy Commissioner was consulted and he didn't have any concerns.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Okay.
One of the concerns I have, quite frankly, and I suppose it's the outcome of Katrina in the United States and watching the wealthiest country in the world flounder in dealing with a natural disaster.... I know from some of the investigation that I've done, and as you've already said, Mr. Deacon, the key lies with the first responders in terms of the immediate relief to the communities.
If I read it accurately, this bill does not increase the amount of contact between the local authorities--municipal authorities in most cases--any more than we are already doing. Is that correct?
9:35 a.m.
Director General, National Security Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
I would say not in a direct way, but by doing what Ms. Wong described, which is setting out the framework and the authorities for our minister to take a lead role and to coordinate and to work with the jurisdictions, the downstream effect I think can be more effective support to local communities, working through the provinces, working with the provinces, including first responders.
Specific to first responders, I stand to be corrected, but nothing there in particular.
9:35 a.m.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Are there any plans on the books to enhance our relationship, whether it is, as has already been noted, providing training...? Are there any additional things that are coming as a result of this legislation, or maybe would come anyway?
9:35 a.m.
Director General, National Security Policy, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
Perhaps Ms. Thiessen could address that in terms of our regional work.
9:35 a.m.
Tracy Thiessen Director General, Coordination, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)
Thank you.
I think you make a very good point. While the legislation sets out a stronger role for the federal government to coordinate its own activities, it also recognizes the important role played by other stakeholders, including first responders.
It builds on work already under way in the department to work more effectively with first responders. We have several bilateral relationships with first responders, like the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and others. The department does support them in a variety of ways, including grants and contributions by which we are giving money directly to them to help enhance industry activities, research, public education outreach, and also through our joint emergency preparedness program. This is a cost-shared program with the provinces and territories through which money goes directly to municipalities and first responders.