Responding to Emergency Events

In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the local level: hospitals, fire departments, police and municipalities. If they need assistance at the local level, they request it from the provinces or territories. If the emergency escalates beyond their capabilities, the provinces or territories seek assistance from the federal government.

Learn more about Public Safety's emergency response programs and strategies:

Government Operations Centre

Housed at PS, the Centre monitors emerging threats and can provide around-the-clock coordination and support in the event of a national emergency.

Humanitarian Workforce Program

This program supports non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide surge capacity during large-scale emergencies. Funding from this program helps eligible organizations ensure personnel, services, and equipment are prepared in advance and can be mobilized quickly to support affected communities during emergency events.

Search and Rescue Policies and Programs

Search and Rescue draws on the resources and expertise of partners at all levels of government, Indigenous communities, volunteers and the private sector to respond to people who are lost, missing or in distress.

More resources

• Provincial/territorial emergency management organizations
• Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre
• Emergency Management Strategy for Canada: Toward a Resilient 2030
• An Emergency Management Framework for Canada- Third Edition

Date modified:

2026-05-04