On April 13, 2012 the Federal Government announced funding cuts to the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP). The announcement was distributed by Gina Wilson, Assistant Deputy Minister and is copied below. The Presidents from the provincial emergency management associations have met and will be forwarding a letter stating the emergency management communities concern regarding this cut via the International Association of Emergency Managers (Canada). A copy of the letter will be posted to the website when it has been finalized. A sample report regarding these custs for can be downloaded and amended for inclusion on a Council or Board agenda. **** Sent on behalf of Gina Wilson, Assistant Deputy Minister – Emergency Management and Regional Operations In line with Economic Action Plan 2012 announced on March 29, 2012, we would like to provide you with some details regarding two Emergency Management (EM) initiatives within Public Safety Canada (PS). We have carefully and critically examined our emergency management activities and identified deficit reduction measures that streamline government operations, provide value for taxpayers, while ensuring that the safety of Canadians is paramount. First, with regards to the Canadian Emergency Management College (the College), much has changed in Canada since the College started providing emergency management to practitioners. Today, EM related training is widely available through provincial, territorial, and some municipal governments as well as Community Colleges, Universities, and private sector organizations. In the fall of 2010, we sought to define a unique and necessary federal role in EM training and examine alternative means of program delivery as part of the College renewal efforts. Factors such as an aging infrastructure and the lack of operating self-sufficiency rendered the possibility of further substantial investments to the College, unsustainable. Going forward, emergency management training will be provided in the most effective and cost-efficient manner. The Federal learning facility and others across the country will no longer provide course delivery, effective immediately. Let me assure you that alternate ways of delivering College programming are being examined. The College will broaden its partnership base to further support and strengthen EM training initiatives undertaken by provincial/territorial partners, academia, and EM practitioners. A key development towards this new way of delivering EM training is through a three year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that the College has recently signed with the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS). Under the MOU, the College will provide policy and programming guidance and the CSPS will develop, deliver and evaluate EM training on a cost recovery basis thus, ensuring sustainable programming that meets community needs. This arrangement will provide access to training expertise, e-learning infrastructure, and regional delivery capacity. As a result, Public Safety Canada expects that its emergency management courses will reach an even wider audience and enhance stakeholder engagement activities. The second EM program that will be affected is the Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP). The original objectives of this program, namely, to enhance local emergency preparedness and response capacity, have been met. Federal contributions for emergency preparedness projects under JEPP will end in 2013 as will federal funding provided under JEPP for Urban Search and Rescue and for Critical Infrastructure initiatives. While funding continues to be in place for projects submitted for consideration in 2012-13. These changes are expected to result in a leaner, more efficient and effective federal government engaged in the delivery of its core business areas, which these two programs are outside of. Public Safety Canada remains committed to ensuring a safe and resilient Canada and to the security of Canadians and their communities. We hope we can count on your continued support to work together on the extensive number of EM initiatives that continue to be part of Public Safety’s EM priorities. If you have any questions about the Canadian Emergency Management College, please contact Gary Donovan, Director General, National Emergency Preparedness Directorate at (613) 949-5000 or by email at Gary.Donovan@ps-sp.gc.ca and, for Joint Emergency Preparedness Program inquiries, please contact Dave Neville, Senior Director, Disaster Financial Assistance Programs at (613) 990-3110 or by email at Dave.Neville@ps-sp.gc.ca. **** |