Análisis de Tipología Documental

Canada is the world’s second largest country.297 _{In population, Canada}

ranks thirty-fifth with slightly over 34 million people. The majority (90%) of the population lives in the southern part of the country due to the harsh and intemperate climate.298 _{The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is}

defined as the value of all final goods and services produced by the country, is

295 _Ibid.

296 _{Director–Relief and Recovery Programs, National Disaster Recovery Programs Branch,}

nearly $1.5 trillion or 14th in the world. On a per capita basis, Canada’s per capita income is $41,500, which ranks Canada as 24th in the world. Canada is an important partner to the United States with a strong government relationship and important trading partner as 80% of Canada’s exports are sold to the United States.299

The formation of the six providences that shape Canada began in 1867 with the Constitution Act. The piecemealed approach to independence was advanced with the Statue of Westminster in 1931, which granted Canada legislative powers. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, passed in 1982, was the final step in complete independence, which gave Canada legislative powers to amend its constitution.300

Canada is a constitutional monarchy with the Queen of England serving as the head of state and represented in Canada by the Governor-General.301

The Queen appoints the Governor-General of Canada as her representative on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Like Great Britain, Canada has parliamentary regime with a Lower House (House of Commons) and an appointed Upper House (Senate).302 _The

Governor-General has the authority to appoint the Upper House. However, in practice this role is delegated to the Prime Minister. The Upper House has 105 senators with the role providing advice on bills to the Lower House. 303 _The

Lower House or House of Commons consists of 308 members who represent the various constituencies across the country.304

As Canada's lead department for emergency management as well as other critical functions, Public Safety Canada reports to the Minister of Public

299 _Ibid. 300 _{Ibid., 30.} 301 _Ibid. 302 _{Ibid., 32.} 303_{Ibid., 31.} 304 _{Ibid., 30.}

Safety who is elected to the House Commons. The other agencies under the Minister of Public Safety are the Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Correctional Service, and Parole Board of Canada. The result is better integration among federal organizations dealing with national security, emergency management, law enforcement, corrections, crime prevention, and borders. Emergency Management is housed within the department of Public Safety Canada.

In the event of a large-scale disaster, the Government of Canada provides financial assistance to provincial and territorial governments through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), administered by Public Safety Canada (PS). The program addresses roles, responsibilities, and cost share provisions.

A province must make requests for assistance under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) within six months of the end of the event.305 _{The request is a letter from the Premier of the Province to the Prime}

minister or from the provincial Minister responsible for Emergency Preparedness to the federal Minister.306

The incident period and areas must be defined and accepted for proposes of the DFAA. Final claims must be submitted within five years from the date of approval.

Similar to the U.S., the cost share for Canada is based on per capita population. The cost share is based on $1, $3 and $5 per capita population for the provincial or territory government. As an example, the 2012 population of British Columbia is 4,622,573. Table 13 lists the data for a $30 million disaster.

Example Expenditure British Columbia

Government of Canada First $1 per capita (0%) $4,622,573 $0 Next $2 per capita (50%) $4,622,573 $4,622,573 Next $2 per capita (75%) $2,311,287 $6,933,860

Remainder (90%) $688,714 $6,198,422

Total Disaster Assistance $12,245,146 $17,754,854

Table 13. $30 Million disaster in Canada based on current cost share.

The declaration criteria is based on the eligibility of damages and appendix B to the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) provides examples of provincial/territorial expenses that may be eligible for cost sharing. Repairs to public buildings and related equipment are an example of eligible expenses, which includes removal of damaged structures constituting a threat to public safety. However, repairs that are eligible for reimbursement through insurance or other government programs are not eligible for DFAA reimbursement.307

The DFAA Guideline further defines the role of insurance in the disaster assistance program. Under DFAA, insurance coverage for a specific hazard is determined jointly between Public Safety Canada Regional Director and the province.308 _{Any necessary professional advice can be obtained through the}

insurance Bureau of Canada or a regional insurance broker.

The policy also pertains to small businesses and farm buildings. If insurance is only available for up to a designated fraction of the appraised value of the building, some portion of the uninsured loss may be eligible for disaster assistance.309 _{Conversely, for businesses and farms that do not carry insurance,}

only the losses for which they could not have obtained insurance at a reasonable 307 Public Safety Canada, Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, Revised Guidelines, March 22, 2012, Appendix B.

308 Public Safety Canada, “Guidelines for the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements,” 2007, 14.

309 Ibid., 27.

cost will be eligible. 310 _{This ensures equal treatment with those who had}

insurance coverage. Standard insurance policy deductible amounts are not eligible for assistance.311