National Level exercise July 27-31, 2009

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 07/27/09 -- Canadian federal officials will participate in a large scale security exercise known as National Level Exercise 09 (NLE 09), led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Canadian officials will work with their international counterparts in an exercise responding to a simulated terrorist attack.


"NLE 09 offers a valuable opportunity to confirm intelligence and information sharing protocols with our partners and strengthen our response to potential threats," said the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety. "Participation in this exercise is an example of our government's on-going commitment to the security and safety of Canadians, and making our communities safer. We are pleased to work with our allies on this important exercise."

This exercise will involve senior officials of the United States government, as well as participants from Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and, for the first time, Mexico. The objective for this exercise differs from previous exercises that practised disaster response and recovery. For NLE 09, the objective is to demonstrate the capability to prevent a terrorist attack from occurring through effective information-sharing and coordination.

Canada has participated in the U.S. National Level Exercises since 2003. It is one of the many preparedness activities that Public Safety Canada organizes across the country on an ongoing basis. Participating in exercises such as this one, and applying the observations and lessons learned, enhances Canada's ability to prevent, manage or mitigate emergencies of all kinds.

Contacts:
Public Safety Canada
Media Relations
613-991-0657
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2009/nr20090727-eng.aspx?rss=false


*****Here is an email from Mrs. J. Perras, media relations with Public Safety Canada *****
July 27, 2009 - 4:33:01 p.m.

Good afternoon ,

NLE 09 will take place entirely in offices and operations centres. There will be no community presence. Because the Canadian component of NLE 09 will take place in offices and government operations centers, it is not suited to an observer program. The presence of observers, including media, could adversely affect the practical component of the exercise.

The Government of Canada is committed to the fight against terrorism. Exercises like National Level Exercise 09 strengthen our ability to prevent terrorist attacks. Our objective is to improve Canada’s ability to respond to threats, whether they originate in Canada or abroad, and to ensure that we collaborate effectively with our allies. NLE 09 will help Canada confirm our operations protocols which contribute to national security. It gives us the opportunity to exercise with partners from the US, the UK, Australia and Mexico, and will help us refine our response to potential threats.

What we learn from the exercise will enhance our ability to work together to confront threats of all kinds, and particularly threats of terrorism.

Exercises like NLE 09 ensure that we work effectively with our international partners to respond to emergencies of all kinds. This exercise is among the many preparedness activities that Canadian departments and agencies participate in throughout the country on an ongoing basis. Canada is pleased to work with our allies on this important international exercise.

Regards,

If you see or hear reports of military drills/exercises near your area, let us know. (According to this email their will not be any community exercises.)

but if there is... shoot your pics/video/audio and send em in.
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