Canada: New public awareness campaign on flood risks

Multi-sectorial meeting brings together leaders in emergency management and community safety to reflect on the future of Disaster Risk Reduction

Today, Michel Picard, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, welcomed more than 200 members of Canada’s Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction gathered in Montreal, Quebec for the Seventh Annual National Roundtable on Disaster Risk Reduction. 

This Roundtable brings together all levels of government, the private sector, non-government organizations, and individual Canadians interested in finding innovative ways to collectively reduce the risks and impacts of disaster.  This year, discussions will focus on the theme of “Understanding Disaster Risks”, the first of four priorities for action under the United Nation’s Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. 

In a video message to participants, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, highlighted the gathering as a forum for information sharing and collaboration to advance Canada’s commitments under the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. He also took the opportunity to launch Flood Ready, a new public awareness campaign to increase Canadians’ knowledge of flood risks.

The Government of Canada is working with its partners to find solutions to protect our communities before disasters strike.  In the past year, Canada’s Platform engaged with diverse stakeholders, such as public-private partnerships through the launch of ARISE Canada, promoting youth engagement and strengthening collaboration with Indigenous communities. 

Quick Facts

• The annual roundtable is a key element of Canada’s Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.  Membership includes over 500 individuals and organizations from across sectors.
• Public Safety Canada (PS) leads on the domestic implementation of DRR including Canada’s commitments under the UN 2015-2030 Sendai Framework for DRR.
• Canada will host the Fifth Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Americas in Montreal on March 7-9, 2017.  The Regional Platform will continue discussions with some 1,000 delegates from 50 countries and territories (35 sovereign states and 20 territories) about shared objectives to reduce disaster risk.