News Release

Emergency Preparedness, Public Safety Key Issues at Conference

(Thursday, October 13/05)-- Public safety and emergency preparedness will be among the key topics to be discussed at a two-day meeting of the Atlantic Mayors’ Congress (AMC) in Charlottetown, beginning tomorrow, Mayor Peter Kelly said today.

Mayor Kelly, Chair of the AMC and also Chair of the Big City Mayors Working Group on Public Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness, said it is important for Canadian municipalities to have a seat at the table with the other two levels of government in the planning of any emergency preparedness and response management discussions.

He said the Atlantic Mayors’ Congress will be asked this weekend to support the need for a unified, standard model for municipal emergency response management across Canada.

“Municipal employees make up the majority of the first-line responders to an emergency situation, and that is why it is imperative that municipalities have an equal voice in any discussions between the federal and provincial governments to develop a planned response model, “ Mayor Kelly said.

Robert MacDougall, Director-General, will address the Atlantic Mayors on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Anne McLellan, at the conference in Charlottetown.

In addition, there will be a panel discussion regarding policing issues in Atlantic Canada. Panellists will include HRM’s Police Chief Frank Beazley; Cape Breton Region Police Chief Edgar MacLeod, Past President of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police; and Charlottetown Police Chief Paul Smith.

ACOA Minister Joe McGuire will address delegates, as well as Canada’s Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Andy Scott.

Rising fuel prices, HRM’s bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, The Atlantic Immigration Conference Report, the Atlantic economy and the Halifax-Moncton Growth Corridor are among the topics to be discussed at the conference.

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Mayor Peter Kelly
Chair, Atlantic Mayors’ Congress
(902) 222-9999