Canada is dusting off and updating emergency protocols to deal with fallout from a possible tactical nuclear event in Europe or the spread of radiation across the ocean from a Ukrainian power plant explosion.
Internal Public Safety Canada memos show the actions include updating a top-secret plan to ensure the federal government can continue to operate in the event of an acute crisis.
Ottawa was also taking steps to finalize a protocol for notifying the Canadian public of an incoming ballistic missile, say notes obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of last year sparked a series of federal discussions and initiatives aimed at strengthening Canada’s preparedness for a catastrophic nuclear event.
Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia
Public Security memos prepared ahead of an August 2022 meeting of senior officials involved in emergency management show much of the concern centered on Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which was hit by bombing.
“Ongoing military activities have eroded safety systems, disrupted routine maintenance, weakened emergency response capabilities and impacted operating personnel, increasing the risk of serious injury,” the notes say.
Officials predicted that the potential effects of an uncontrolled release of radioactivity, through direct exposure or consumption of contaminated food, would depend on proximity to the plant.
Global Affairs Canada purchased potassium iodide tablets as a precaution, and the stocks were distributed to Kyiv and neighboring diplomatic missions in August 2022.
Officials also made plans for a “significant increase in requests for consular assistance” expected after a disaster at a power plant.
No radiological health effects were expected outside of Ukraine as a result of a large release of radiation from Zaporizhia, nor any “appreciable risk” to people in Canada, according to the notes.
“No immediate protective measures are expected to be implemented, although some controls may be put in place for imports from Ukraine and surrounding regions due to potential contamination,” the document reads. .
Under the Federal Nuclear Emergency Plan, Public Safety would coordinate communication to the public about an international nuclear event.
“A timely and well-coordinated response will be needed to address public concerns and elevated risk perceptions, and maintain trust in government. »
The notes also indicate that Public Safety and the Privy Council Office were carrying out a “rapid refresh” of the constitutional state continuity plan, intended to ensure that essential executive, legislative and judicial processes can take place during a major calamity.
Relocation of key institutions
The plan establishes a process for relocating key institutions, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Federal Cabinet, Parliament and the Supreme Court, to another site outside the National Capital Region.
The plan is a modern take on a Cold War-era program that would have seen members of the government move to an underground facility west of Ottawa now known as the Diefenbunker, snap to the 13th Prime Minister of Canada.
Internal memos also indicate that a national missile warning protocol has been ratified and “initial engagement” with provinces and territories has taken place.
The federal government and the Canadian Armed Forces developed the protocol in 2018 to define how the public and key federal partners would be notified of an incoming missile. On January 13, 2018, a ballistic missile false alarm caused panic in Hawaii and people rushed to take cover.
Public Safety Canada did not respond to questions about updates to the Constitutional Continuity Plan, the status of the Missile Warning Protocol, or any recent work done to improve emergency preparedness in the event of a disaster. nuclear event.
It’s not unusual for a crisis like the one unfolding in Europe to prompt officials to speed up the review of emergency plans, said Ed Waller, a professor at Ontario Tech University who studies nuclear security.
“I think it shows a reactive system,” he said in an interview. It’s actually very encouraging that they’re taking a serious look at this now. »
Overall, Canada has long had well thought out and elaborate plans to deal with a nuclear emergency, given the number of power reactors on its soil, he added.
“I honestly believe we are in decent shape. Can it get any better? Yes, everything can be better. »
Although some sensitive elements of the recently released notes were discarded, Mr Waller said it “seemed encouraging that they were focusing on the important stuff”.