Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report
The Public Safety Canada Daily Infrastructure Report is a compilation of summaries of publicly available emergency management information concerning critical infrastructure.
A summary of feedback results is now available.
News | Cyber tracking | Relevant links | Note to readers
DIR10-135 - July 15, 2010
News
Costly wait on the seaway
Authorities are unable to determine the amount of oil the Canada Steamship Lines freighter has released into the river at the Ste. Catherine Lock. The seaway at the lock has been closed since July 12 and could remain closed until July 16. By the end of the day on July 14, a dozen ships are expected to be waiting. Sources say that at this time of year, there are on average eight ships a day.
Source article – Radio Canada, July 14, 2010
Canadian Coast Guard Conducts Search and Rescue Exercises Across Prince Edward Island
Canadian Coast Guard Maritimes Region (CCG) and partner agencies are conducting a series of large-scale search and rescue exercises across Prince Edward Island July 13-15. The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for the Canadian Coast Guard, joined with the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway observed the exercises on board a Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue boat. The exercises involve three separate scenarios, each designed to test different areas of search and rescue response and coverage in the event of a real marine emergency.
Source article – Fisheries and Oceans Canada July 13, 2010
Cross-border security plan made with U.S.
The Government of Canada has reached an agreement with the U.S. administration to implement a new cross-border approach on infrastructure vulnerable to terrorist attacks or disasters. The agreement establishes a joint-action plan to share information on critical infrastructure and develop tools to protect and improve the resiliency of key assets and services in case of an emergency. This follows a similar agreement in Canada recently reached between federal and provincial governments and industry to protect local infrastructure.
Source article – Public Safety Canada
Source article - Montreal Gazette July 14, 2010
Citizenship and Immigration Canada Secures Fast Family Reunification for Haitians Affected by Earthquake
Special immigration measures designed to help reunite Canadians with family members affected by the January earthquake in Haiti have been a clear success, according to Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney. According to Minister Kenny, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has made decisions on applications for more than 2,300 Haitians to help them reunite with family in Canada. The Special Measures have also resulted in extensions of status for some 3,700 students and temporary workers from Haiti living in Canada, for whom application fees have been waived. Minister Kenney reported that since the earthquake, 2,500 Haitians have been granted temporary resident visas or permits allowing them to come to Canada, often to accompany family members affected by the earthquake. In tandem with CIC’s Special Measures, the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has prioritized treatment of Haitian asylum claims, finalizing about 1,100 such claims as of May 30, 2010.
Source article – Citizenship and Immigration Canada July 13, 2010
Navy’s $2.6-billion ship purchase back on
At a news conference Wednesday in Halifax, Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced the $2.6-billion plan to get new joint support ships was back on track. The ships will allow Canada's navy to deploy for longer periods of time, a critical asset to operations in the North. Mr. MacKay said the ships would also boost the navy's ability to respond to disasters and humanitarian missions, such as the one in Haiti after a devastating earthquake six months ago.
Source article – Department of National Defence
Source article – Globe and Mail July 14, 2010
Minister of Finance welcomes progress towards implementation of a Canadian Securities Regulator
On July 13, the Minister of Finance of Canada welcomed the release of a detailed plan by the Canadian Securities Transition Office to help ensure a smooth and orderly transition to a Canadian securities regulator. In setting out a vision for the Canadian securities regulator and a road map for its establishment, the Plan also addresses organizational and administrative matters such as staffing and employee benefits. The Transition Office will continue to work with participating provinces and territories, including through the Advisory Committee, on matters relating to human, financial, material and informational resources, as well as the regulations that will complement the proposed Canadian Securities Act. It follows the release of the proposed Canadian Securities Act on May 26. The next step will be the development of agreements with the participating provinces and territories and continued refinement of the organizational and administrative matters in the transition plan. This is in follow-up to DIR10-101 - May 27, 2010
Source article – Department of Finance July 13, 2010
Healthier Canadian economy attracting more foreign investors, according to the CIBC
On July 14, the Winnipeg Free Press reported that according to a report from CIBC World Markets Inc., Canada's economic strength over many other developed countries has increased its popularity with foreign investors. According to the report, Canada hasn't been forced to take as many drastic measures to stabilize its debt ratios. Provincial governments have not faced the same financial constraints that have burdened many U.S. states, and the report said both federal and provincial revenues are good. The report indicated that years of fiscal outperformance and surpluses have enabled Canada to slash corporate tax rates and make other tax reforms that give the country an advantage over competing jurisdictions According to CIBC, the stronger domestic finances will help Canada further by reducing borrowing requirements and protecting both federal and provincial credit ratings.
Source article – Winnipeg Free Press July 14, 2010
Certain Fresh Express Brand Romaine-Based Salads may Contain E. coli O157:H7 Bacteria
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) warned the public not to consume certain Fresh Express brand Romaine-based Salads, which have been listed on CFIA’s website, because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. The CFIA will be working with Canadian importers to remove all of the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
Source article – Canadian Food Inspection Agency July 14, 2010
Certain Freybe Brand Head Cheese May Contain Salmonella Bacteria
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Freybe brand Head Cheese because this product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The product was distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northwest Ontario, Yukon, and may have been distributed nationally. All products sold up to and including July 14, 2010 are affected by this recall. There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product and CFIA is collaborating with the Public Health Agency of Canada, British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC), and Health Canada to investigate these illnesses. The distributor, Freybe Gourmet Foods Ltd., British Columbia, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall, and the investigation is continuing.
Source article – Canadian Food Inspection Agency July 14, 2010
Certain Romaine-Based Salads Made and Sold at Safeway Stores May Contain e. coli o157:h7 Bacteria
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canada Safeway Limited are warning the public not to serve or consume various store-made and Signature Café brand salads because these products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
This recall is being initiated as these salads may contain a ready-to-eat romaine-based salad recalled by Fresh Express Incorporated, California, United States.
Source article - Canadian Food Inspection Agency July 14, 2010
Cyber tracking
CCIRC security publications
Over the course of the past 72 hours, CCIRC has not released any security publications.
CCIRC provides a list of recent and archived security publications.
Threat and vulnerability monitoring
CCIRC is currently tracking the following computer-based threats and vulnerabilities for relevant impact on Canadian critical infrastructure. Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to monitor and apply appropriate security precautions.
Relevant links
Below are links to sites related to Canada’s critical infrastructure.
- Food Recalls and Allergy Alerts
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Health Advisories, Warnings and Recalls
Health Canada
- Disease Outbreak News
World Health Organization
- Travel Health Notices
Public Health Agency of Canada
- Transportation - Safety
Transport Canada
- Travel Reports and Warnings
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
- Weather warnings for Canada
Environment Canada
- Earthquakes
Earthquakes Canada
- Hurricanes
Canadian Hurricane Centre
- Hurricanes
U.S. National Hurricane Center
- News Releases
Infrastructure Canada
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Note to readers
Public Safety Canada collects information related to cyber and physical threats to, and events concerning, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows Public Safety Canada to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products.
Links to sites not under the control of the Government of Canada are provided solely for the convenience of users. The Government of Canada is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or the reliability of the content. The Government of Canada does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites and their content.
Public Safety Canada respects the Official Languages Act and is committed to ensuring that information products are available in both English and French. However, users should be aware that some links direct users to sites of organizations or other entities that are not subject to the Official Languages Act and that these sources are only available in the language in which they are written.