Canadian officials have reiterated their advice for Canadians to prepare to manage without essential services for at least 72 hours, after the United Kingdom, France and Japan renewed emergency preparedness calls. Public Safety Canada says the recommendation is not new and has been in place for years. The guidance asks households to be ready for disruptions to running water, electricity and basic services during emergencies. The renewed messaging comes amid concerns about severe weather, natural disasters and cyberattacks. Officials say there is no indication the international announcements are linked to an expected event, but experts say Canadians should review their supplies and plans.
What Canadian officials said about the 72-hour rule
Public Safety Canada said the rule is not new and has been shared with residents for several years.“Canadians have been encouraged for many years to … be ready to take care of themselves and their households for a minimum of 72 hours during an emergency,” Zarah Malik, a spokesperson for Public Safety Canada, said in a statement to CBC News.Suzanne Bernier, an instructor with the Disaster Recovery Institute of Canada, told CTV Your Morning on November 4 that the recommendation has been around for decades.“That message … that we’re hearing all over around the world, and in Canada, is nothing new. It’s the exact same messaging that we’d given out … 30 years ago,” she said.Public Safety Canada has said 72 hours is a minimum recommendation. In some areas, it may take longer to restore basic services or for emergency workers to reach residents.
Why UK, France and Japan renewed emergency advice
The UK launched its Be Ready campaign on October 22, asking people to keep essential supplies at home for three days. Officials cited risks such as cyberattacks and severe weather. Similarly, in France, authorities in Normandy urged residents on October 27 to prepare a bag with essential items for 72 hours, posting: “Don’t wait for the emergency: prepare now!”Japan also launched a new national disaster management agency, with guidance asking residents to review evacuation plans and stock up on water and portable toilets for at least three days. However, there is no indication that the announcements were coordinated or linked to a specific expected emergency.Expert says Canadians should prepare for seven daysSuzanne Bernier said households should consider keeping supplies for a full week, rather than stopping at the 72-hour minimum.“We’re just seeing that it doesn’t really matter where we are, everywhere is a target. But particularly of concern is the cyberattacks on critical infrastructure,” she said. “It’s just a matter of time before everybody is either indirectly or directly affected by a cyberattack,” she added.