Today, on behalf the Government of Canada, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada marked the beginning of Emergency Preparedness Week 2026, a national awareness initiative that encourages Canadians to learn about the risks they face in their communities and take action to better prepare themselves, and their families before, during and after emergencies. This year's theme is simple and timeless: "Be prepared. Know your risks."
As emergencies, including natural disasters, become more severe and costly, the Government of Canada is investing in preparedness and response to protect Canadians and strengthen nationwide community resilience.
That is why Minister Olszewski and Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, announced federal investments to strengthen Canada's emergency management response and capacity. They include:
- $108 million over three years to renew the Humanitarian Workforce Program to enable the continued support of eligible non‑governmental organizations in maintaining a highly trained, scalable civilian workforce that can be rapidly deployed at the request of provinces and territories during large‑scale emergencies; and
- $1.93M through the Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund (SAR NIF) to support two projects led by the Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC), focused on developing a culturally-informed search and rescue prevention framework with Indigenous and remote communities, and establishing a national standard for volunteer canine teams.
Emergency management in Canada is a shared responsibility across provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and all sectors of society. Through these investments, the Canadian Red Cross, The Salvation Army, SARVAC, St. John Ambulance, and Team Rubicon Canada are providing critical on-the-ground support during emergencies. This support includes enhancing emergency response, assisting with evacuations, and strengthening search and rescue operations across the country.
By strengthening partnerships and building response capabilities, the Government of Canada is enhancing national readiness and helping ensure communities receive timely support when it matters most.
