OTTAWA — Canada is dusting and updating emergency protocols to deal with the aftermath of a possible tactical nuclear event in Europe or the spread of radiation across the ocean from a power plant explosion in Ukraine.

Internal Public Safety Canada memos show the measures include updating a top-secret plan to ensure the federal government can continue to operate in the event of an acute crisis.

Ottawa also took steps to finalize a protocol to notify the Canadian public of an incoming ballistic missile, according to notes obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February last year sparked a series of federal discussions and initiatives aimed at strengthening Canada’s preparedness for a catastrophic nuclear event.

Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia

Public safety memos prepared ahead of an August 2022 meeting of senior emergency management officials show that much of the concern centers on Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which was hit by a bombing raid.

“Ongoing military activity has eroded security systems, disrupted routine maintenance, weakened emergency response capabilities and impaired operations personnel, increasing the risk of serious injury,” the notes read.

Officials assumed the potential impact of an uncontrolled release of radioactivity from direct exposure or consumption of contaminated food would depend on the proximity to the facility.

Global Affairs Canada purchased potassium iodide tablets as a precaution and the supplies were distributed to Kyiv and neighboring diplomatic missions in August 2022.

Officials also made plans to expect a “significant increase in requests for consular assistance” after a power plant disaster.

Outside of Ukraine, no radiological health effects are expected due to the large release of radiation from Zaporizhia, nor is there a “significant risk” to the people of Canada, the notes said.

“Immediate protective measures are not expected to be implemented, although some controls may be put in place for imports from Ukraine and surrounding regions due to possible contamination,” the document said.

As part of the federal nuclear emergency plan, public safety would coordinate communications to the public about an international nuclear event.

“A timely and well-coordinated response will be required to address public concerns and heightened risk perception, and to maintain trust in government.”

The notes also said Public Safety and the Privy Council Office were conducting a “rapid update” of the constitutional state continuity plan to ensure key executive, legislative and judicial processes can take place during a major disaster.

Relocation of important institutions

The plan provides a process for relocating key institutions, including the prime minister’s office, the federal cabinet, parliament and the Supreme Court, to another location outside the National Capital Region.

The plan is a modern take on a Cold War-era program that would have seen government officials relocate to an underground facility west of Ottawa, now known as the Diefenbunker, a nod to Canada’s 13th prime minister.

Internal memos also indicate that a national missile warning protocol has been ratified and “initial contacts” have taken place with provinces and territories.

The federal government and Canadian Armed Forces developed the protocol in 2018 to specify how the public and key federal partners would be notified of an incoming missile. On January 13, 2018, a false alarm from a ballistic missile in Hawaii sparked panic and people rushed for cover.

In a written response to questions asked, Public Safety Canada said the Constitutional State Continuity Plan and Missile Warning Protocol are “continuously evolving” based on lessons learned from other events, ongoing partner input and the evolving risk environment.

It’s not uncommon for a crisis like the one in Europe to prompt authorities to speed up the review of contingency plans, said Ed Waller, a professor of nuclear safety at Ontario Tech University.

“I think it shows a reactive system,” he said in an interview. It is actually very encouraging that they are now looking into this seriously.”

Overall, given the number of power reactors on its soil, Canada has long had well thought out and elaborate plans to deal with a nuclear emergency, he added.

“I honestly believe we’re in good shape. Can it get any better? Yes, everything can be better.”

Though some thorny elements of the recently released notes have been swept aside, Waller said it’s “encouraging that they’re focused on the important things.”