Public Safety committee  Mr. Chair, I just have a few words. I'd like to thank the committee once again. I thank Monsieur Ménard for his comments. We're proud to know that we are recognized by a law of the federal government so that we have an existence. We are a legal organization. We want to go furthe

Public Safety committee  I would like to take this opportunity.... If someone were to ask me, “Would you go for more?”, the answer is yes. And what would it mean? First and foremost, I think it's recognition, and I hope the message here is clear with the committee, that in due time it is important that

Public Safety committee  Let's say we didn't track the differences, to be honest. One thing, we were not mentioned specifically and we were not even recognized at the time. To us, that is important. Otherwise, we're in a vacuum. A piecemeal approach with an MOU with PSEPC, maybe with the Department of Fo

Public Safety committee  Mr. Chair, can I defer to my colleague? Don, do you want to speak to that?

Public Safety committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I have two comments to make. First of all, it is not up to me to criticize the response to Katrina. The American authorities have debated the issue at length, and it is up to them to judge. The Red Cross is a neutral organization which steers

Public Safety committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Let me speak very candidly here and bring maybe some good news. By that I mean there are three aspects, three facets I would like to explore when you say the money. In fact, it's an important aspect. First, when the Red Cross is asked to jump into operati

Public Safety committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. In answer to your question, we do believe that, yes, it improves the current situation a lot. I come back to one specific word that was used here, and which is key--the coordination element. If you look at the bill, you see, for instance, in clauses 3 an

Public Safety committee  All I know is that the agreements were signed with the municipalities itself. We target a certain number of individuals.

Public Safety committee  The answer is yes. I am very pleased with the role we have been given, it gives us important recognition.

Public Safety committee  Not to my knowledge. At the moment, we are working with municipalities in other provinces, particularly Ontario, to do the same sort of thing. As far as I know, there is no similar legislation.

Public Safety committee  Let me maybe turn to French to explain where we stand with this. When incidences occur, there is cooperation and coordination on the ground. There are people suffering, there are victims, and we must take action. We have absolutely outstanding coordination and cooperation with

Public Safety committee  Yes, thank you. I will take the floor first and then pass it on to my colleague, Don Shropshire. Let me tell you, Mr. Chair, this is a very appropriate question and reflection. Indeed, some infrastructures in Canada are fragile and are vulnerable, and people using those infrastr

Public Safety committee  Good morning, Mr. Chairman and committee members. On behalf of the Canadian Red Cross, I would like to thank you for allowing us to appear before the Standing Committee on public safety and national security. My name is Pierre Duplessis and I am the Secretary General and Chief