TC’s ROLE ON MANAGEMENT OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
LOCATION: OTTAWA, ONTARIO
Issue/Source: TRAN appearance on may 30, 2022
Date: MAY 25, 2022
Key messages
- Under the Federal Emergency Response Plan, Transport Canada (TC) is the primary department responsible for federal transporation critical infrastructure and has the mandate to respond to transportation emergencies, accidents, and incidents, including those resulting from climate change.
- TC works closely with Public Safety Canada (PS), who is the lead federal department responsible for the Government of Canada all-hazards response to incidents.
- TC closely monitors the cyclical seasonal emergencies and its impact to the transportation critical infrastructure. TC remains committed to providing support and undertaking measures as required to ensure the safety of Canadians.
- During a natural event, TC’s role could include: sharing knowledge and expertise with first reponders;deploying National Aerial Surveillance Program aircraft for aerial surveillance (e.g. of flooded waterways) and controlling aviation and marine activity.
IF PRESSED
- TC engages with Critical Infrastructure (CI) external stakeholders and internal partners by leading, participating in, and contributing to well-established CI safety and security forums, as well as participates in a variety of PS led CI initiatives such as the Lead Federal Departments CI Network, Multi-Sector Network and the National Cross-Sector Forum which is represented by transportation associations.
- Enhancing the resilience of CI can be achieved through the appropriate combination of safety and security measures to address intentional and accidental incidents; business continuity practices to deal with disruptions and ensure the continuation of essential services; and emergency management planning to ensure adequate response procedures are in place to deal with unforeseen disruptions, such as cyclical events.
- When responding to transportation related incidents, as well as broader emergencies, TC often shares responsibility with other partners and levels of government.
- TC engages in a number of activities to enhance the resiliency (including cyber resiliency) of the transportation sector, including sharing threat information, promoting awareness, publishing guidance for stakeholders, and organizing information sessions.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- The Federal Emergency Response Plan (FERP) outlines the processes for an integrated Government of Canada response to an emergency. Under the FERP, TC is the primary department responsible for Emergency Support Function (ESF) #1 and has the mandate to respond to transportation emergencies, accidents, and incidents.
- TC regularly participates in PS-led Government of Canada planning for cyclical events, which helps to familiarize the various organizations on individual roles and responsibilities. These sessions help prepare for potential incidents and provide the opportunity to reinforce the collective understanding of TC’s role and capabilities
- With a focus on emergency management, TC contributes to the Critical Infrastructre Strategy by acting as the liaison between modal industry stakeholders and PS for the CI transportation component and participates in a number of PS led initiatives, such as:
Lead Federal Departments CI Network: This group works to strengthen the collective capacity of government and industry to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions affecting Canada’s CI.
Multi-Sector Network: This group examines Canada’s CI priorities from a cross-sector and multi-jurisdictional perspective and facilitates the timely exchange of information on CI risks and emergency issues.
National Cross-Sector Forum: This group is the only national-level consultation and outreach entity that brings together senior leaders from Canada’s CI Sectors to set priorities, discuss cross-sector and interdependency issues and foster information sharing and best practices to enhance the resilience of Canada’s CI.
- TC, in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) hosteding a Ransomware Information Session on March 30, 2022, with the aim of further protecting the safety and security of the Canadian transportation system.