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Decision No. 5 of the Free Trade Commission of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA): The Government of Canada’s coordination and consultation mechanisms on North American trade flows in emergency situations

Table of contents

Introduction 

Further to Decision No. 5 of the Free Trade Commission (“the Commission”) of the CUSMA, it is recognized that the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation can have significant negative impacts on the Parties’ domestic economies specifically and on North American competitiveness generally and may inhibit timely recovery from an emergency. The Commission further recognizes that effective cooperation to address the challenges created by the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation requires that each Party have domestic procedures to:

Canada, Mexico and the United States have each identified its relevant agencies at the central level of government to coordinate activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

This document provides a brief summary of relevant existing procedures across the Government of Canada, including input from: The Privy Council Office, Public Safety, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Canada Food Inspection Agency, Department of National Defence, Global Affairs Canada, Health Canada, Innovation Science and Economic Development, Natural Resources Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Transport Canada and Treasury Board Secretariat .

The United States and Mexico also developed a similar product of their own domestic procedures which have been published on X and Y.

The below information is subject to change at any time and will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure continued accuracy.

Privy Council Office

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with other Canadian federal Departments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Cabinet Committee on Global Affairs and Public Security (GPS)

A ministerial committee which considers issues related to Canada’s engagement with, and participation in, the international community, including trade promotion, as well as threats and risks to the safety and security of Canada and Canadians. GPS also manages ongoing emergencies and ensures strategic, integrated, and forward-looking leadership for emergency management (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery).

The membership for the SSE includes,  The Hon. Jean-Yves Duclos as Chair, The Hon. Carla Qualtrough as Vice-Chair, The Hon. Anita Anand, The Hon. Bill Blair, The Hon. Ahmed Hussen, The Hon. Mélanie Joly, The Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, The Hon. Diane Lebouthillier, The Hon. Marc Miller, The Hon. Mary Ng, The Hon. Harjit S. Sajjan, The Hon. Ya’ara Saks, and The Hon. Arif Virani.

The Incident Response Group (IRG)

The IRG serves as a dedicated emergency committee in the event of a national crisis or during incidents elsewhere that have major implications for Canada. Responsible for coordinating a prompt federal response to an incident, and making fast, effective decisions to keep Canadians safe and secure, at home and abroad. The Incident Response Group is a working group of ministers. Membership of the Group may consist of relevant ministers and senior government leadership, as needed, based on the nature of the incident.

Public Safety

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with other Canadian federal Departments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

The Government Operations Centre (GOC)

The way authorities respond to emergencies and when the federal government gets involved is different in this country than elsewhere. In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the local level: hospitals, fire departments, police, and municipalities. If they need assistance, they request it from their province or territory. If the emergency escalates and they need help, provinces or territories can get help from the federal government.

Emergencies and events often involve natural disasters, health threats, national security, federal assets and human-induced events. Emergency management is a shared responsibility across all sectors of society. The Federal Emergency Response Plan (FERP) is the Government of Canada's "all-hazards" response plan. It outlines the processes and mechanisms to facilitate an integrated Government of Canada response to an emergency. 

The Emergency Management Act is the legislative foundation, and the Federal Policy on Emergency Management (FPEM) provides the framework for a coordinated approach to federal emergency management. The Emergency Management Framework for Canada and the Emergency Management Strategy for Canada guide and strengthen the way governments and partners assess risks and work together to prevent/mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the threats and hazards that pose the greatest risk to Canadians.

Canada's approach to emergency management rests on four pillars: prevention and mitigation; preparedness; response; and recovery. The Government Operations Centre (GOC) contributes primarily to the preparedness and response components. The GOC provides stable, round-the-clock coordination and support to key national players in the event of national emergencies.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, the Government Operations Centre supports preparedness for and leads the coordination of the integrated federal response to all-hazard events of national interest. The GOC identifies high risk events that require important coordination across multiple departments and agencies. Working with these partners, the GOC facilitates the development of integrated Government of Canada contingency plans. Its role is to convene, collaborate, coordinate, and communicate.

The GOC coordinates federal departments and agencies, provinces, and territories when the scope of an event requires a coordinated response.

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Senior Official Responsible for Emergency Management (SOREM)

A Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) body that works to harmonize and improve emergency practices across the country. SOREM includes representatives from provincial and territorial Emergency Management Organizations and Public Safety Canada. SOREM is responsible for providing guidance and advice on how to enhance emergency management to the FPT Deputy Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management and to the standing forum of FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management. SOREM is also responsible for providing direction, advice and support to committees and working groups and non-governmental organizations dealing with crisis and consequence management issues at a national level.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

National Cross Sector Forum on Critical Infrastructure

A national-level consultation and outreach entity that brings together leaders from Canada’s ten critical infrastructure sectors to identify priorities, and discuss cross-sector issues and initiatives to enhance the resilience of Canada’s vital assets and systems. At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NCSF meetings were expanded to include hundreds of new participants across all ten critical infrastructure sectors. This forum was rebranded as the E-NCSF in order to differentiate its activities from the core NCSF. The critical infrastructure community used this outlet as events unfolded early in the pandemic as a means to give and receive valuable information, guidance and planning to ensure resilience, and E-NCSF meetings continue to be held on a monthly basis while the pandemic situation continues to evolve. The pandemic reaffirmed multi-sector network meetings such as the NCSF and the E-NCSF as a primary medium for effective collaboration between the critical infrastructure community and the federal government.

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC)

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with other Canadian federal Departments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Department Emergency Response Plan (DERP)

DERP’s mandate is to enable AAFC's management and employees to respond to a wide variety of emergency events (whether internal or external) as effectively as possible and to ensure that there are clear lines of accountability, responsibility, and communication. The DERP has a process of response reporting and lessons-learned from other emergency events (COVID-19 pandemic, BC floods, avian influenza, potato wart, etc.) and provides departmental support to the Government’s supply chain initiatives. Note that DERP is currently under review as part of a broader renewal process.

Market and Industry Services Branch (MISB) Emergency Management (EM) team is the departmental lead on primary sector related emergency management. Its primary function, during a sector related event, is to support the department's response through coordination, management of information both within the department and with federal partners and as a centre of expertise and guidance. Within AAFC, the Corporate Management Branch (CMB) is responsible for ensuring rapid and accurate communications during emergency events internal to AAFC.

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Emergency Management Framework for Agriculture

Emergency Management Framework for Agriculture in Canada sets the strategic direction for partners to collaboratively prepare for and manage emergencies facing the agriculture sector in a predictable cohesive, practical, and forward-thinking manner. The emergency management within the agriculture sector is a shared responsibility among FPT and municipal governments, industry, producers and other stakeholders, which, for the purposes of this Framework, comprise the definition of partners. Note that the Framework is currently under review as part of a broader renewal process, which includes ongoing dialogue with the PT community through the FPT Food System Emergency Management Working Group.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

The Food Sector Network

As a part of Public Safety’s Critical Infrastructure Program, this sector network reflects a partnership model that will enable governments and critical infrastructure sectors to undertake the range of activities (e.g. risk assessments, plans to address risks, exercises) unique to each sector.

The Sector Engagement Tables (SETs)

These tables are intended to create purposeful dialogue between agriculture and agri-food sector representatives and government officials to collectively advance growth and competitiveness in Canada. Four thematic tables focus on systemic, cross-cutting issues, Agile Regulations, Consumer Demand and Market Trends, Skills Development and Sustainability that affect the sector as a whole. The model also includes five sector tables that focus on implementing solutions to systemic issues in the context of their sub-sectors, such as, Animal Protein, Field Crops, Food Manufacturers, Horticulture and Seafood. A leadership table serves as the focal point to guide the work of all tables in the SET model. It consists of all SET co-chairs (industry and government) as well as the leads of other forums (for example, Canadian Agricultural Youth Council, Food Policy Advisory Council).

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with other Canadian federal Departments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Business Continuity Plan

An action-oriented document that provides guidance and establishes a framework for how the CBSA will respond to disruptions that could threaten its ability to operate.  Across the agency, over five hundred CBSA critical service areas developed and outlined continuity strategies in their BCPs, which enable the CBSA to respond quickly and continue critical operations in the event of threats or disruptions.

The members include CBSA President, Security Program Functional Management Board (SPFMB), Chief Security Officer (CSO), the Emergency Management and Business Continuity Management (EMBCM) National CBSA BCM Team, CBSA Chief Information Officer (CIO), CBSA Departmental Official for Cyber Security (DOCS), Vice Presidents (VPs) and Regional Director Generals (RDGs), Vice President (VP), Travellers Branch, the Border Operations Centre (BOC), the BCM Working Group (BCM WG), Branch/Regional BCM Coordinators, Managers / Superintendents / Chiefs of Operations, Critical Support Service Managers (CSSMs).

The Internal Task Force (ITF)

The ITF establishes following a decision from the Emergency Management Committee requiring an overarching internal emergency management mechanism to support the whole of Agency coordination to potential impacts on internal services within the CBSA. 

The overall strategic objectives of the ITF are to coordinate the internal emergency management activities in support of the Border Task Force mandate; and coordinate the emergency management activities to maintain services of the CBSA.

The ITF is comprised of representation from each branch and region within the CBSA as well as representatives of the BTF and other stakeholders or subject matter experts, as required. It is recommended that the branch/regional ITF representative be at Manager-level or above. Add a link here of the current attendance list / primary contact list.

Mechanism: The Border Task Force (BTF)

The BTF provides important and immediate functional guidance to the field 24 hours a day on operational matters related boarder measures. This team provides live regional and national briefings to ensure ports of entry are well prepared for any changes that occur. They also have been leading the many different operational planning exercises before changes come into effect with minimal time to be implemented. The BTF has also held many stakeholder engagement sessions for various industries across Canada as well as missions and international embassies.

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

At the federal level, CBSA is responsible for the Emergency Support Function #13 Border Services under the Federal Emergency Response Plan. All related P/T activities are coordinated through Public Safety Canada’s Government Operations Centre (GOC).

Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with other Canadian federal Departments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

CFIA Emergency Management Policy

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has adopted a comprehensive approach to Emergency Management (EM) to preserve confidence in its activities and decisions when facing natural, technological and human-made incidents related to its mandate. Through an integrated Emergency Management program, the CFIA effectively coordinates and reports on the results of all activities necessary to build, maintain and improve the CFIA’s ability to prevent or mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural or human-caused incidents impacting food safety, plant health or animal health. The policy includes in its requirements that information and support is provided to other federal, provincial and territorial governments and stakeholders, as well as relevant coordination entities, as guided by existing plans, procedures and obligations. The policy also directs CFIA Branches to prepare to assume their respective roles and responsibilities through the coordination mechanisms applied during a response, such as an Incident Command Post, an Emergency Operations Center, or the role of Accountable Executive.

CFIA Emergency Response Plan 3rd Edition

The CFIA ERP is an “all-hazards” plan that defines the framework within which the CFIA will operate to ensure an appropriate response to any emergency. It is augmented by Functional Plans, Hazard Specific Plans, and guidance and procedures. Functional plans further describe how CFIA's incident management system will be used to carry out planned activities, specific to business line mandates including triggers for activation, communication channels,  and response functions.  Hazard specific plans guide policy decisions for the control of specific threats for example, how to control or eradicate a specific disease. The guidance and procedure documents describe the details on how to conduct the specific activities required during a response. The plan is also used as a framework for how CFIA will coordinate assistance to provinces or other federal departments for national emergencies outside of the CFIA’s mandate, as described in the Federal Emergency Response Plan (FERP).

Included in the plan are functions to provide communications and messaging support that may be necessary in large, complex incidents or when multiple jurisdictions are involved in a response, and to coordinate the delivery of information to the public and media. This may also promote the provision of consistent messaging.

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

The CFIA has an established mechanism for communication and consultation with federal, provincial and territorial (F/P/T) Ministries of Agriculture at the Assistant Deputy Minister level. This mechanism was used during previous emergency situations to inform and consult provinces and territories.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

When CFIA activates to respond to an emergency, Liaison positions are established. These positions are responsible for coordinating information exchange with partners, including industry and non-governmental stakeholders. Information and consultations are also shared on the CFIA’s official website.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with government counterparts in United States or Mexico with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

The CFIA has well-established mechanisms for communicating with our trading partners in North America. The CFIA Emergency Response Plan outlines functions to provide communications and messaging support that may be necessary in large, complex incidents or when multiple jurisdictions are involved in a response, and to coordinate the delivery of information to the public, internationally, and to the media.

The CFIA works closely with our North American partners in emergency situations, for example to facilitate flow of trade during port disruptions, and to ensure continued trade during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also work bilaterally with our trading partners, for example, Canada and the United States recently finalized a protocol to allow transport of animals during an emergency situation. The three countries continue to work together to discuss zoning as a means to facilitate trade in the event of an animal health emergency situation (including a zoning protocol between Canada and the US).

Department of National Defence

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)/ Director General Defence Intergovernmental Affairs (ADM (Pol) DG Defence IGA) maintains bilateral relationships with provinces and territories and could facilitate communication on defence-related matters during an emergency.

The Strategic Joint Staff is the primary interlocutor at the federal level, and coordinates with other government departments in the national security realm, including with the Government Operations Centre.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with government counterparts in United States or Mexico with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Communication with international partners on defence policy matters should be coordinated through ADM(Pol)/DG International Security Policy, which maintains relationships with North American and international partners and could facilitate communication on defence-related matters during an emergency.

Global Affairs Canada (GAC)

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

CUSMA Consultative FPT mechanism and C-Trade 

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

Stakeholder contact lists (trade and industry associations) for consultation and communication on trade policy, negotiations and promotion.

Health Canada

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

FPT Health Ministers’ Meetings (HMM) and Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health (CDMH) are the key forums through which Ministers and Deputy Ministers deliberate on key issues and provide collective direction to guide FPT work. These tables provide direction and approve healthcare and public health policy priorities for Canada. 

Health Canada co-chairs DG-level and ADM-level FPT committees with a provincial counterpart, on drug shortages (including COVID therapeutics) that meet bi-weekly. These groups discuss shortages and/or supply issues of specific drugs, as well as broader considerations related to shortage mitigation, and are well-suited to being leveraged in an emergency situation. PHAC is a regular contributor to these meetings. These committees have a related but indirect role in the distribution and other logistics concerning drugs.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

The Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee on Drug Shortages (MSSC)

This committee holds regular meetings with members from industry associations, federal, provincial and territorial governments, health professional associations and patients.  The committee convenes approximately 3 times per year but has met more frequently on an as-needed basis to respond to different situations. The MSSC held weekly meetings for periods of time during the pandemic. The MSSC has a related but indirect role in the distribution and other logistics concerning drugs. Through its engagement in MSSC, Health Canada has created working relationships with key contacts of MSSC member organizations that could support impact assessments in emergency situations related to trade flow disruptions.

In addition, Health Canada has existing relationships with its regulated parties and certain other stakeholders (including industry associations) which would serve as appropriate channels for consultation in an emergency situation.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with government counterparts in United States or Mexico with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Health Canada has established contacts with the drug shortages team in the U.S. through the Global Regulatory Working Group on Drug Shortages,

Innovation Science and Economic Development (ISED)

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

The firm communication list geared to retooling toward PPE production in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic could be realigned to be used in future emergency situations.

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

Stakeholder contact lists (trade and industry associations, civil society, National Indigenous Organizations, etc.) for consultation and communication on industry-level as well as regulatory- or policy-related issues.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Pan-Canadian Public Health Network (PHN)

PHN is the formal FPT governance mechanism that leads public health collaboration across Canada and is comprised of the PHN Concil (PHNC), the Concil of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CCMOH) and several steering committees. The PHNC, comprised of Canada's Chief Medical Offichers of Health and ADMs responsible for public health, supports FPT responses to national public health emergencies (i.e., to support and facilitate FPT outbreak prevention and control efforts) and is accountable to the CDMH. The Concil of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CCMOH), a committee within the PHN, meet regularly during the pandemie to discuss various elements of the response.

The work of the PHN is supported by several committee, including:

Communicable and Infectious Diseases Steering Committee (CIDSC)

CIDSC is the FPT table that aims to develop a cohesive and responsive national approach to communicable and infectious disease prevention and works to detect, understand and act to prevent and mitigate infections and communicable disease threats across the country.

FPT Public Health Emergency Management Working Group (PHEM-WG)

PHEM-WG could be enlisted to provide advice and support during non-emergency times, as the group is reponsible for managing and supporting the implementation of FPT emergency management deliverables and facilitates collaboration on publc health emergency management across jurisdictions.

Special Advisory Committee (SAC)

If required, a SAC can be established by the PHN in, as part of an emergency response governance structure to focus and coordinate FPT response efforts. The gouvernance structure under SAC includes three main streams: a Technical stream, a Logistics stream and a Communications stream. The Logistics Advisory Committee (LAC) can be activated in response to an emergency to support and facilitate FPT outbreak prevention and control efforts led by the SAC (e.g. logistical capability assessments, procurements and distribution, including managing surge capacity demands).

Logistics Advisory Committee (LAC)

LAC can be activated in response to an emergency to support and facilitate FPT outbreak prevention and control efforts led by the SAC (e.g. logistical capability assessments, procurements and distribution, including managing surge capacity demands).

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

Provided in conjunction with Health Canada.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with government counterparts in the United States or Mexico with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

The North American Preparedness for Animal and Pandemics Initiative (NAPAHPI) facilitates coordination between Canada, the United States and Mexico on areas related to preparedness and response to events which pose a threat to public health. In the event of an emergency, the NAPAHPI Senior Coordinating Body (SCB) of senior officials from departments/agencies responsible for health, animal health, foreign affairs and security/public safety from all three countries can be convened to discuss and coordinate response activities, if appropriate. The focus of NAPAHPI is on managing the public health impacts of events, however the potential impacts of health-related measures on trade flows may also be considered as part of NAPAHPI discussions.

Transport Canada

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with other Canadian federal Departments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

National Supply Chain Office

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Supply Chain Recovery Working Group

This working group consists of federal departments, provincial ministries and industry stakeholders is stood up during emergencies to safeguard the supply chain and ensure essential goods continue to be delivered to affected areas.

The National Compliance Working Group on the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG)

This is a forum for the provincial and territorial Ministries of Transportation to exchange information and seek federal gouvernment clarification on inspection and enforcement matters related to TDG in Canada. Leveraged during emergencies to ensure a coordinated response and approach on oversight.

Transport of Dangerous Goods F/P/T Memorandum of Arrangement

This is a tool to help with coordinating roles and when dealing with an incident involving dangerous goods.

Operational Centres

Though not committees, TC's operational centers and regional offices do provide connections in real time on incidents and events affecting the transportation system.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

Relevant stakeholders consultation channels exist within each of the transportation modes and can be leveraged for communications regarding trade flow EM situations. These channels do not replace direct stakeholder communications when emergency exemptions or tactical threat/risk assessments need to be exchanged. In addition, regional information networks and ad hoc government/industry groups are also utilized in emergencies to communicate with stakeholders.

Aviation

Security Notice System is used to inform and assist stakeholders with advisory information. Automated Emergency Notification Fan Out System is used to notify aerodrome operators of security risks. Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory Council is focused on Canadian Aviation Regulations and standards and serves as a mechanism to engage with industry/stakeholders.  

Marine

Automated Emergency Notification Fanout System - a Web based tool that delivers department approved messaging to industry stakeholders via e-mail, voice or text message

Rail

Working groups on rail safety and rail security are leveraged to coordinate emergency response affecting Canada's rail infrastructure.

Surface

The federal government has authority over certain operational matters, such as hours of service requirements, for truck and bus carriers that carry goods or passengers across a provincial or international boundary. Federal regulations are enforced by provincial/territorial authorities. In the case of disruptions, Transport Canada can work with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to develop temporary exemptions related to hours of service requirements.

Transportation of Dangerous Goods General Policy Advisory Council 

Provides advice on all matters related to the transportation of dangerous goods in Canada, such as policies, regulations, research, oversight, compliance, emergency response, and international engagement. 

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with government counterparts in the United States or Mexico with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

U.S. – Canada Transportation Border Working Group (TBWG)

Transport Canada co-chairs the TBWG, which brings together multiple federal, provincial, and state transportation departments, border agencies, and other organizations, to coordinate transportation planning, policy implementation, and the deployment of technology to enhance border infrastructure and operations. Canadian federal partners include Transport Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Global Affairs Canada, and Public Safety Canada, as well as provinces, territories, and regional organizations, and the international bridge and tunnel operators.

Treasury Board Secretariat

Existing or planned mechanisms and authorities to coordinate and consult with provincial, territorial, local, or Indigenous governments with regard to activities related to maintaining, re-establishing, or otherwise addressing issues related to the disruption of North American trade flows in an emergency situation.

Existing or planned mechanisms to coordinate with industries and other non-governmental stakeholders, including workers and under-represented groups most directly impacted by disruptions of North American trade flows in emergency situations.

Stakeholder contact lists (business and industry associations, regulated parties) for consultation and communication on regulatory policy issues. TBS uses an online consultation platform (Let’s Talk Federal Regulations) to solicit more interactive and dynamic feedback on regulatory policy issues.

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