Emergency management and reconciliation
Working in partnership with First Nations to improve emergency management capacity and work towards the transfer of care and control of emergency management services.
Perspective and experiences
The First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS)
The FNESS works closely with First Nations communities, Emergency Management BC, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and other stakeholders to support the successful implementation of Emergency Management for First Nations communities in British Columbia.
Our challenge
Indigenous communities are especially vulnerable to climate change-related risks, in part due to their often rural, remote or coastal settings, close ties to their environment, and reliance on natural resources.
The Government of Canada is committed to supporting First Nations communities and providing them with the tools they need to prepare, prevent, mitigate, and respond to natural disasters, including those resulting from climate change.
Emergency management supports, systems, and plans continue to evolve so that they !leverage and integrate the expertise of First Nations communities and Indigenous knowledge holders.
Our progress since 2019
- $259 million invested over 5 years to help First Nations prepare for, respond to and mitigate emergency threats
- $47.7 million invested over 5 years to expand the on-reserve FireSmart program
Investments are going toward initiatives such as First Nations-led training, emergency planning and emergency capacity building.
The Government of Canada is focused on keeping Indigenous knowledge at the forefront, while supporting communities through the 2022 wildfire season.
Moving forward
Multilateral emergency management agreements ISC wants to fully include First Nations partners, region by region, in the development and implementation of on-reserve emergency management service agreements.
The creation of multilateral service agreements can help ensure that First Nations are part of the decision-making process for all emergencies affecting their communities.
As of January 2022, service agreements or Memorandums of Understanding are in place in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon, and a draft agreement is being implemented in Prince Edward Island.