Question Period Note: Emergency Management

• 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.

• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) will continue to stay in close communication with communities to ensure the health and safety of First Nations on reserve in the event of a natural emergency.

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). The Indigenous Community Support Fund (ICSF) has provided more than $655 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 and support the immediate COVID-19 health and safety response of First Nations. EMAP will also be one of five program authorities that will administer $235 million in needs-based funding that is open to all distinctions-based groups with an additional Budget 2021 approval of $760 million.

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 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.

If pressed on COVID-19 Response to Flooding and Emergency Events

• COVID-19 makes evacuations related to emergency events such as a flood or wildfire more complex.

• 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 work closely with provincial partners and ISC representatives to provide solutions to protect their communities while keeping their members safe.

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 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.