CANADA

Canadian Emergency Management is something we are just starting to understand better. We could really benefit from a volunteer who is capable and willing to help us curate this entire page (and champion the other sections within, for additional CEMIR parliamentarian support)! 

 The provinces of Ontario and Nova Scotia have both recently (2024) created Provincial "Guard" programs focused on EM. While not a direct copy of the uniformed U.S. State Guards of say Texas or Florida, they mean to provide a capability with a response mandate. Will be interesting to see whether other Provinces follow, as this is not a Canandian Federally-directed program.

Nova Scotia Guard
https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2024/03/28/nova-scotia-guard-new-department-will-improve-emergency-readiness

Ontario Corps
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontario-corps

Federal: Public Safety Canada and Emergency Preparedness
https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/mrgnc-mngmnt/mrgnc-prprdnss/index-en.aspx 

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Ontario

We first started looking at the Emergency Response plans for Toronto in Ontario, and worked our way up to the Federal Emergency Management Response System in Canada. Only at the provincial level and above, is there mention of "situational awareness", but those plans place that role in the Operations Section:

• Provide operational input to information and situational awareness products. (Provincial Emergency Response Plan 2019, p. 109).

In the provincial plan (is it the same template for all Canadian provinces? Maybe), there is only one reference to intelligence (but its a good one!). Our emphasis was added:

The PEOC shall constantly monitor various sources of information for potential emergencies in the province. Other ministries may monitor for emergencies according to their own emergency response plans.

In some cases, prior warning may come from outside organizations that have access to scientific/technical methods of predicting floods, forest fires, and severe weather, or from intelligence and threat risk assessment operations. Where reliable prediction is possible, action can be taken before the onset of an emergency. Provincial Emergency Response Plan 2019, p. 56).

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Alberta

We learned in May, 2024 that the provincial Government of Alberta (GoA) posted a new job position for Intelligence Analyst (Job Requisition ID: 57985) in their Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services. The job will be located in the capital city of Edmonton
and be Full-time Work: 36.25 hours per week. At this point it is a temporary position, up to 6 months.

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA), under the authority of the Emergency Management Act, leads the coordination and co-operation of all organizations involved in emergencies and disasters. This includes emergency and disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. 
 

The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) is accountable and responsible to the GoA, to Albertans, to their communities, and to industry for the protection of people, their property, and the environment from the effects of emergency events. Alberta relies on a decentralized “system” for managing the various types of emergency events that occur every year. The AEMA accomplishes its objectives by leading the co-ordination, collaboration and co-operation between all entities involved in prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery activities within this diverse system.
 

Their agency also works to ensure vital public services, such as government services and first responders, are available during a crisis.  To learn more about Public Safety and Emergency Services, follow the link to: https://www.alberta.ca/public-safety-and-emergency-services.aspx

They are looking for someone who can support The Provincial Emergency Coordination Centre in its efforts to manage incidents across the province.

Emergency Management Intelligence Analysts will play a crucial role in enhancing the agency's ability to respond effectively to emergencies and disasters.

Expertise in gathering, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence will contribute to informed decision-making, strategic planning, and overall disaster response efforts.

EMINT Analysts will collaborate with other PECC sections, supporting agencies, and partners to provide intelligence that ensures the safety and resilience of communities across Alberta.
 

Responsibilities will include: 

• Conducting an intelligence planning cycle using the conventions of intelligence preparation from an emergency management perspective.
• Intelligence Gathering: Collecting and analyze intelligence from diverse sources, including open-source information, field reports, human sources, technical information, satellite and aerial imagery, and social media to identify potential threats, risks, and vulnerabilities related to emergencies and disasters.
• Situation Assessment: Monitoring real-time information, assessing the evolving situation, and providing accurate and timely intelligence assessments to support situational awareness and response planning.
• Hazard Analysis: Conducting in-depth analysis of emerging threats, hazards, and trends to anticipate potential impacts on disaster response operations and recommend appropriate strategies to address these challenges.
• Collaboration: Collaborating with provincial ministries, other government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities, to exchange intelligence, share insights, and contribute to a unified and coordinated response.
• Reporting and Gathering: Preparing clear and concise intelligence reports, briefings, and presentations for senior leadership, decision-makers, and operational teams, ensuring that complex information is communicated effectively to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Technological Expertise: Utilizing advanced analytical tools, software, and databases to conduct data mining, predictive analysis, and geospatial intelligence assessments to enhance overall situational understanding.
• Risk Mitigation: Identifying gaps and vulnerabilities in current emergency management plans and propose measures to enhance preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts.

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The Canadian National Emergency Response System does talk about intelligence (and intelligence sharing) a bit more, and does describe five initial key actions at the federal (and provincial?) level, which need to commence at the start of an incident:

As agreed upon by the Federal, Provincial and Territorial Response Working Group, the following key activities are common to all jurisdictions and identify fundamental linkages and functions that are complimentary to federal, provincial and territorial emergency response mechanisms:

• Situational awareness
• Risk assessment
• Planning
• Logistics
• Public communications