ARCHIVED - Harper Government Launches Emergency Preparedness Week

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DARTMOUTH, Nova Scotia, May 3, 2013 — Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Member of Parliament for South Shore—St. Margaret's, today launched the 18th annual Emergency Preparedness (EP) Week on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, at Environment Canada's Atlantic Storm Prediction Centre. This year's EP Week runs from May 5-11 with the theme of “Make a Plan”.

“Keeping Canadians safe is one of our Government's priorities,” said Parliamentary Secretary Keddy. “We are committed to providing Canadians and their families with the tools and resources they need should an emergency happen.”

Public Safety Canada has developed a new Emergency Preparedness e-book to give Canadians convenient access to practical information through their mobile devices.

The new Emergency Preparedness e-book is free for download at GetPrepared.ca. In addition, Canadians can access other useful resources including an online tool to help make an emergency plan, as well as videos demonstrating how to make an Emergency Kit and how to make a Family Emergency Plan. Emails with safety tips and practical advice for preparing for emergencies are also available by subscription at GetPrepared.ca.

“Having an emergency plan and preparing or purchasing a kit can help families cope in a variety of situations,” said Ancel Langille, Manager of Operations at the Canadian Red Cross. “For instance, just over 40 per cent of Canadians say they have experienced a loss of electricity for more than 72 hours. Having an emergency plan of where to go and how to connect in an emergency is an easy way to Get Prepared.”

EP Week is a national event coordinated by Public Safety Canada in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and other partners, encouraging Canadians to be ready to cope on their own for at least the first 72 hours of an emergency. For more information on EP Week and to complete a family emergency plan, visit GetPrepared.ca, and follow @Get_Prepared on Twitter.

Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Julie Carmichael
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2924

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