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Province to consult on Emergency Management Act

Apr 4, 2018 | 7:47 AM

EDMONTON- The Notley government has introduced legislation to better define roles and responsibilities for decision-makers when natural disaster strikes.

It’s in response to recent catastrophic events in Alberta, including, the 2011 Slave Lake wildfires, the 2013 southern Alberta floods and the wildfire in 2016 that forced thousands of people from their homes in Fort McMurray.

The proposed changes will also provide minimum emergency management training for elected officials and others.

Other proposed changes to the act would:

– Protect first responders by clarifying their liability if individuals refuse to comply with an evacuation order.
– Provide clarity on the lead person authorized to act on the minister’s behalf during a state of emergency and include details on the power and authority given to the lead role.
– Clarify rules on how disputes over compensation are handled when property is damaged by the emergency response, not by the actual emergency.

The bill will be used as the basis for further consultation this summer before coming back to the house for debate and a vote in the fall.

(The Canadian Press)