Japanese earthquake and Tsunami warning a wake-up call for Canada

Today’s tsunami warnings for British Columbia point to a weakness in our system. British Columbians woke up to news of tsunami warnings, but by 8:30 am, the news reported that Public Safety Minister Vic Toews had announced the warnings were lifted. By 9: 30 am, news reports were that Minister Toews was incorrect, and provincial officials announced the warnings were still in place.

“At a minimum, citizens need to know that communications between different levels of government are clear and advice received can be trusted. The mix-up this morning may or may not have endangered lives, but living in an earthquake and tsunami prone zone of Canada, we need to know that the federal minister of public safety does not ‘jump the gun’ in ending warnings that should remain in place,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party.

The Green Party is calling for greater mapping of potential path of tsunamis. “If you live along the Pacific coastal Gulf Islands, the Canada-US border highlights a big difference in tsunami preparedness between the two countries. In Washington State, detailed geo-physical mapping has been done, setting out greater local levels of preparedness. On the Canadian side of the border, despite promises, such detailed mapping has not been done,” said Elizabeth May.

The Institute for Ocean Sciences is home to the Pacific Geoscience Centre. The facility is world-renowned, but has not had the same levels of funding as across the border to conduct the work to establish the likely path of tsunamis in the inland passages.

“Now is the time to boost research funds to be certain our citizens have the best possible advice in advance of a devastating tsunami. The US government has taken those precautions. Earthquake prone coastlines in Canada deserve no less,” said Elizabeth May.