PSEPC is leading the development of the Federal Disaster Assistance
Initiative (FDAI). The goal is to provide provincial and territorial governments
with a comprehensive suite of disaster recovery programs that respond to the
needs of Canadians.
This will be accomplished in three ways:
1. Revise the existing Disaster
Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA).
2. Develop new or improved
disaster assistance instruments to complement the DFAA.
3. Create an inventory
of existing federal and provincial programs, policies and legal tools for
disaster assistance and recovery.
DFAA review
PSEPC has been consulting with the provinces and territories on proposed
changes to the DFAA. This
financial aid program provides assistance to provincial and territorial
governments when the costs of a large-scale disaster exceed regional resources.
The DFAA review is expected to be completed in 2005.
Complementary instruments
PSEPC is working with other federal officials and their
provincial/territorial counterparts to develop assistance programs for disasters
not covered by the DFAA. For example, the DFAA is not applicable to public or
animal health crises such as SARS or mad cow disease.
The objective of these complementary instruments is to stabilize economic and
social activity in sectors that suffer serious disabling losses, interruptions
or setbacks from such disasters.
Inventory of existing programs
PSEPC is reviewing the range of federal, provincial and territorial programs,
policies and tools that currently exist for disaster recovery. An inventory
has been created and further development will continue with other federal
departments and agencies.
PSEPC is also working with provincial and territorial officials to include
listings of provincial/territorial programs and initiatives related to disaster
assistance. In March 2005, Ontario became the first province to have its
programs included in the inventory. Work with other provinces and territories
will continue over the coming months to expand the inventory.