National Platform on 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 Disaster Risk Reduction.

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. A National 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 used to help guide National Platforms.

Canada's Platforms 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 disaster risk reduction 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 disaster risk reduction 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 Disaster Risk Reduction.   

Contact Us

For information on the National Platform, general membership or registration for the Annual National Roundtable, please contact the National Platform Secretariat at: DRR-RRC@ps-sp.gc.ca

Call: 613.991.3241
Fax: 613.991.2791

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

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