Critical Infrastructure

About

Critical infrastructure refers to processes, systems, facilities, technologies, networks, assets and services essential to the health, safety, security or economic well-being of Canadians and the effective functioning of government. Critical infrastructure can be stand-alone or interconnected and interdependent within and across provinces, territories and national borders. Disruptions of critical infrastructure could result in catastrophic loss of life, adverse economic effects and significant harm to public confidence.

The National Strategy and Action Plan for Critical Infrastructure establishes a risk-based approach for strengthening the resiliency of Canada’s vital assets and systems such as our food supply, electricity grids, transportation, communications and public safety systems.

• The National Strategy establishes a collaborative, federal-provincial-territorial and private sector approach built around partnerships, risk management and information sharing and protection.
• The Action Plan is the blueprint for how the Strategy will be implemented to enhance the resiliency of Canada's critical infrastructure.

Partnerships

In light of the interconnected nature of Canada's critical infrastructure, partnerships are required among government and critical infrastructure stakeholders, including owners and operators, law enforcement and the research and development community. Building on this approach, Public Safety Canada works with its partners to manage risks, reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen the resiliency of critical infrastructure across the ten sectors:

• Health
• Food
• Finance
• Water
• Information and Communication Technology
• Safety
• Energy and utilities
• Manufacturing
• Government
• Transportation

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