Question Period Note: Emergency Management On Reserve

• The safety and security of all Canadians during these unprecedented times is our Government’s top priority.
• The Department is supporting communities to implement or revise their emergency management plans where necessary.
• ISC will continue to stay in close communication with communities to ensure the health and safety of First Nations on reserve should a natural emergency arise within the context of COVID-19.

Background
There are various funding arrangements or agreements between the Department, the provinces, territories and third party organizations for the delivery of emergency management services for on-reserve communities. These agreements provide First Nation communities’ access to emergency assistance services. They also provide an assurance to the provinces and territories that the Department will provide funding to cover costs related to emergency assistance in First Nations so that responses can be implemented rapidly and without unnecessary delay.
The Emergency Management Assistance Program has an annual budget of $64.9M :
• $19.1M: preparedness and non-structural mitigation projects and service agreements
• $16.5M: wildfire management services agreements with provinces
• $29.3M: response and recovery activities

Response and recovery costs have consistently exceeded existing funding of $29.3M requiring the Program to return to Treasury Board for additional funding (redacted).

Budget 2019 announced $211M over five years of new spending for Emergency Management on-reserve; this will focus on:
• Enhancing EMAP’s existing First Nation-led emergency preparedness and non-structural mitigation;
• First Nation-led engagement on emergency management service agreements; and,
• First Nation emergency management capacity building.
COVID Support On Reserve
First Nation communities on reserve may need emergency assistance services that can be provided through the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP). At this time, some EMAP funding has been used to ensure the immediate health and safety response of First Nations related to COVID-19, in addition to other expenses that would typically be supported by the EMAP.
The Indigenous Community Support Fund was delivered using modified EMAP terms and conditions, and has been playing a supporting role to the First Nations Inuit and Health Branch (FNIHB)-led pandemic response on reserve, dedicating financial resources to cover eligible expenses that FNIHB does not assume.
In response to the emergence of COVID-19, ISC is already working with First Nation communities to ensure pandemic / emergency plans are in place and updated. We are supporting communities to put these in place and revising where needed.
Flooding
Alberta (including Fort McMurray): Approximately 24 First Nations communities have been impacted by flooding including (mostly minor to moderate impacts to roads and homes). Many of these communities have implemented mitigation measures, including sandbagging and culvert clearing. Four communities currently have evacuees: Sucker Creek First Nation (4), Duncan’s First Nation (1), Tallcree Tribal Government FN (3), and the community of Garden River at Little Red River Cree Nation (749). Chief and Council of Little Red River Cree Nation noted their preference to house evacuees of Garden River on higher ground within the reserve in a tent/camp style constructed with canvass and lumber, in order to keep the community together and avoid an evacuation to urban centres given the risks presented by COVID-19. Two RCMP officers are in community to assist with evacuation operations. Impacts of flooding in Fort McMurray area are being felt by the five member Nations of the Athabasca Tribal Council. We are hearing from local media is reporting that 1 person has died due to surging floodwaters. Water levels are receding and homes are clear of the threatened zone.

British Columbia: Approximately 10 communities have been impacted by flooding including most minor to moderate impacts to roads and homes. Many of these communities have put mitigation measures in place, including sandbagging and culvert clearing. While there are no evacuees due to flooding at this time, the Bonaparte First Nation has been impacted both by flooding and a rock slide. Three residents were evacuated to a hotel due to their house being threatened by large rocks falling nearby.

The recently launched Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF) is providing $215 million for First Nations to design and implement community-based solutions to prepare for and react to the spread of COVD-19 within their communities.

If pressed on Response to Flooding Emergency Events
• COVID-19 presents an increased layer of complexity especially in the event of an evacuation related to emergency events such as a flood or wildfire.
• ISC is working with other federal and provincial/territorial governments and First Nation partners to develop effective emergency planning and responses to ensure the health and safety of all community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• First Nation communities have been working closely with provincial partners and ISC representatives to implement flood mitigation measures and provide solutions to protect their communities from flooding while keeping their members safe in the context of COVID-19.

If pressed on Climate Change – Disaster Mitigation Efforts
• We know that many Indigenous communities are becoming increasingly vulnerable to climate change related risks because of a variety of factors, which can include: remoteness, community size, socio-economic conditions or limited access to emergency management resources.
• This is why, through the Emergency Management Assistance Program, we are working with our partners to ensure the health and safety of First Nation residents from natural or accidental emergency events.
• Further, we continue to work towards formalizing emergency management agreements to support First Nations as full and equal partners.

If pressed on Emergency Management Assistance Program Enhancements
• We are focused on supporting First Nation efforts to enhance their community’s capacity and preparedness activities for emergency events especially in the context of COVID-19.
• Beyond COVID-19 relevant considerations, we are ensuring that culturally competent responses are provided during evacuations and we are placing an emphasis on improved community planning during the recovery phase.
• This approach has resulted in communities that are more resilient to emergency events, evacuees returning home faster and the reduction of livelihood disruption.

If pressed on COVID-19 Response and Emergency Events
• COVID-19 presents an increased layer of complexity especially in the event of an evacuation related to an emergency events such as a flood or wildfire.
• We are working with provincial/territorial governments and First Nation partners to develop effective emergency planning and responses to ensure the health and safety of all community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.