Auditor General Says Ottawa Has No Emergency Response Plan

Ottawa, Ontario (AHN) - The criticism that the federal government is unprepared for a second wave of Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic appears to hold water, with Canada's Auditor General Sheila Fraser pointing out in her report released Tuesday that Ottawa's emergency response plan is still in the draft stage after six years.

Fraser stressed the various emergencies that Canada experienced over the years such as the swine flu virus, eastern seaboard power outage, SARS, flooding and terrorist attacks have shown that globalization, international travel and the cyberworld have resulted to the faster pace in which emergencies grow in size and severity. As such, a federal response is needed for emergencies beyond the capacity of the usual government agencies. That task was given to Public Safety Canada.

However, Fraser wrote, "Public Safety Canada has not exercised the leadership necessary to coordinate emergency management activities, including critical infrastructure protection in Canada."

But Fraser added Public Safety Canada and the Privy Council Office agreed with her recommendations to address the department's shortcomings. Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan explained Canada has been using the draft emergency plan despite its lack of official approval.

The auditor general acknowledged the department played a coordination role in some emergencies like Avian flu and influenza pandemic, but it needs to put in place policies and program that would define its leadership and coordination role. Fraser recommended that Public Safety Canada must have experienced and knowledgeable staff, but admitted the department had difficulty attracting and keeping senior managers.