Canada's Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction

In June 2009, as part of its commitment to deliver on the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction's Hyogo Framework for Action, Canada announced the establishment of a National Platform for disaster risk reduction (DRR) to build multi-stakeholder coordinated leadership in DRR.

A National Platform for DRR can broadly be defined as an assembly of interdisciplinary stakeholders brought together by their shared interest in reducing the risks posed by disasters. Canada's Platform seeks to build a sense of national, cross-sectoral ownership in the disaster risk reduction process through coordinated leadership and action. National ownership is built through an inclusive, participatory process.

Canada's Platform brings together stakeholders from a broad cross section of society including the public sector, the private sector, academia, non-governmental organizations (NGO), professional associations, and Aboriginal groups.

Vision for Canada's Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction:    

A safer and more resilient Canada through the reduction of risks and leveraging of capacities and opportunities across all levels of government, the private sector, academia, NGOs, professional associations, Aboriginal groups, and the general public.

Canada's Platform Objectives are:

• To work in an integrated manner to reduce risk, vulnerability and impacts of natural and non-natural disasters to Canadians;
• Provide a coordinating mechanism for DRR across sectors and using our existing networks; and
• To support stakeholders with relevant knowledge and information.

Canada's Platform Consists of Four Interconnected Components:

• Advisory Committee: A committee, consisting of representatives from key DRR sectors, guides and supports the development, implementation and operation of Canada's Platform.
• General Membership: Interested stakeholders may belong to Canada's Platform through participation in existing sectoral fora, or through individual membership. The National Roundtable brings together all DRR stakeholders at an annual plenary meeting.
• Working Groups: Interested Platform members can assemble working groups based on specific issues or priority activities.  Working Groups are connected to Canada's Platform via the Advisory Committee.
• Secretariat: A secretariat located within Public Safety Canada supports the ongoing activities of the Advisory Committee and the National Roundtable.

Within the Platform's operating processes, the four components of Canada's Platform are to convene annually at the National Roundtable on DRR.

Annual Roundtable for Canada's Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction:

In October 2010, the inaugural National Roundtable took place in Fredericton, New Brunswick.  With the intent to provide an inclusive discussion forum for interactive dialogue, this free full-day event continues to be held annually.  Participation is open to any interested party concerned with reducing the risks posed by disasters, including members of the private sector, all levels of government, non-governmental organizations, students and the general public.

The next Roundtable event will be held on November 5, 2013, in Regina, Saskatchewan.  

Contact Us

For information on Canada's Platform, general membership or registration for the next Annual National Roundtable, please contact Canada's Platform Secretariat at:

drr-rrc@ps-sp.gc.ca
Phone: 613-991-9748
Fax: 613-991-7095

Or the Working Group co-chairs

Interested parties may also contact Canada's Platform Secretariat for access to the Platform's collaborative workspace SharePoint site.

More resources