Canada and Nova Scotia Sign Agreement For Emergency Services to First Nation Communities

Ref. #2-3337

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA (April 16, 2010) - The Government of Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that marks another step forward in providing emergency response and recovery services in First Nation communities in Nova Scotia.   

“Our Government is pleased to be working in partnership with the Province of Nova Scotia and the First Nations to provide services to their communities,” said the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.  “When emergency situations occur, the proposed agreement will ensure that Nova Scotia First Nation communities have access to the same level of service as all communities in Nova Scotia.”

The MOU provides a framework for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada and the Province of Nova Scotia to develop a Service Agreement for the provision of emergency management services to Nova Scotia First Nations. The Service Agreement will establish the terms for the province to deliver emergency management programs to First Nation communities on behalf of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

“This agreement is an important first step to ensuring that all residents of Nova Scotia, no matter where they live, will have the same level of assistance in an emergency,” said Emergency Management Minister Ramona Jennex. “It is our intention to work together with our First Nations' and federal partners to build sustainable emergency management programs that will ensure safer, more secure communities."

The implementation of this MOU will formalize the existing policy of the province to provide emergency response and recovery services to all Nova Scotia residents, regardless of where they live.

“All Nova Scotians expect and deserve the same level of assistance in times of crisis,” said Honourable Peter MacKay, MP for Central Nova.  “This is a good first step toward ensuring a seamless emergency response throughout the province.”

This MOU and the resulting Service Agreement will ensure that First Nations have access to a level of emergency services comparable to the level of service received by other communities in NS and First Nations across Canada. There are 13 First Nations communities within Nova Scotia with a total on-reserve registered population of approximately 9,271.

 

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