Canada is dusting off and updating emergency protocols to deal with fallout from a possible tactical nuclear exchange in Europe or the spread of radiation across the ocean from a Ukrainian power plant explosion.
Internal Public Safety Canada notes show the measures include updating a highly secret plan to ensure the federal government can continue to function in a severe crisis.
Ottawa was also taking steps to finalize a protocol for advising the Canadian public of an incoming ballistic missile, say the notes obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.
Russia害羞草研究所檚 invasion of Ukraine in February last year prompted a series of federal discussions and initiatives aimed at bolstering Canada害羞草研究所檚 preparedness for a catastrophic nuclear event.
Public Safety notes prepared in advance of an August 2022 meeting of senior bureaucrats involved in emergency management show much of the concern focused on Ukraine害羞草研究所檚 Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which was hit by shelling.
害羞草研究所淥ngoing military activities have eroded safety systems, disrupted routine maintenance, weakened emergency response capabilities and impacted operating staff, increasing the risk of a severe accident,害羞草研究所� the notes say.
Officials anticipated the potential effects of an uncontrolled release of radioactivity, through direct exposure or eating contaminated food, would depend on proximity to the plant.
Global Affairs Canada procured potassium iodide pills as a precaution, with stocks distributed to Kyiv and neighbouring diplomatic missions in August 2022.
Officials also developed plans for a 害羞草研究所渟ignificant surge in requests for consular assistance害羞草研究所� expected after a power plant disaster.
No radiological effects to health were foreseen outside Ukraine following a major radiation release from Zaporizhzhya, nor any 害羞草研究所渁ppreciable risk害羞草研究所� to people in Canada, the notes say.
害羞草研究所淣o immediate protective measures would need to be implemented, although there could be some controls put in place for imports from Ukraine and surrounding areas due to potential contamination.害羞草研究所�
Under the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan, Public Safety would co-ordinate communication to the public about an international nuclear event.
害羞草研究所淎 timely and well-co-ordinated response will be necessary to address public concern and high risk perception, and maintain trust in government.害羞草研究所�
The notes also say Public Safety and the Privy Council Office were doing a 害羞草研究所渞apid refresh害羞草研究所� of the Continuity of Constitutional Government plan, intended to ensure essential executive, legislative and judicial processes can take place during a major calamity.
The plan sets out a process for relocating key institutions including the Prime Minister害羞草研究所檚 Office, the federal cabinet, Parliament and the Supreme Court to an alternate site outside the National Capital Region.
The plan is a modern version of a Cold War-era program that would have seen members of the government move to an underground installation west of Ottawa now known as the Diefenbunker, a nod to Canada害羞草研究所檚 13th prime minister.
The internal notes also say a national Missile Warning Protocol had been ratified and 害羞草研究所渋nitial engagement害羞草研究所� with the provinces and territories had taken place.
The federal government and Canadian Armed Forces developed the protocol in 2018 to set out how the public and key federal partners would be informed of an inbound missile. On Jan. 13, 2018, a false ballistic missile alert sent terrified people in Hawaii scurrying for cover.
Public Safety Canada did not answer questions about updates to the constitutional continuity plan, the status of the missile warning protocol or any recent work done to enhance emergency preparedness for a nuclear event.
It is not unusual for a crisis like the one unfolding in Europe to prompt officials to accelerate a review of emergency plans, said Ed Waller, a professor at Ontario Tech University who researches nuclear security.
害羞草研究所淚 think that shows a responsive system,害羞草研究所� he said in an interview. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 actually very encouraging that they害羞草研究所檙e taking a good, solid look at this now.害羞草研究所�
Overall, Canada has long had well-thought-out and developed plans for dealing with a nuclear emergency, given the number of power reactors on its soil, he added.
害羞草研究所淚 honestly believe that we害羞草研究所檙e in decent shape. Can it get better? Yeah, anything can get better.害羞草研究所�
Although some sensitive material in the newly released notes was withheld from release, Waller said it 害羞草研究所渓ooked encouraging that they were addressing the right things.害羞草研究所�
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