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Exchange of Notes revising the Agreement of March 27, 1951 between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America in order to provide for Co-operation in Joint Civil Emergency Planning [1963] CATSer 10 (15 November 1963)

E103613 - CTS 1963 No. 8

EXCHANGE OF NOTES REVISING THE AGREEMENT OF MARCH 27, 1951 BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR COOPERATION IN JOINT CIVIL EMERGENCY PLANNING

I

The Ambassador of the United States of America to Canada to the Secretary of State for External Affairs

EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

OTTAWA, November 15, 1963

His Excellency Paul Martin,
Secretary of State for External Affairs,
Ottawa

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to recent discussions between authorities of our two countries concerned with civil emergency planning and civil defense matters. These authorities have concluded that planning in our respective countries in these fields has reached a stage at which it would be mutually advantageous to revise the liaison arrangements between the two countries and to establish direct channels for detailed and technical consultation on civil defense, the use of resources in emergencies, and other aspects of civil emergency planning.

I am instructed by my Government, therefore, to propose a new agreement on Joint Civil Emergency Planning in our two countries, which would replace the United States-Canada Agreement on Civil Defense Cooperation of March 27, 1951.

As far as possible, civil emergency planning activities in the United States and Canada should be coordinated for the protection of persons and property from the results of enemy attack as if there were no border. It is, therefore, proposed that there be a Joint United States-Canada Civil Emergency Planning Committee with responsibility for making recommendations to the two Governments, their departments and agencies, concerning plans and arrangements for cooperation and mutual assistance between the civil authorities of the two countries in the event of an attack on either country. This Committee will include the Secretary to the Cabinet of Canada, the Director of the Emergency Measures Organization of Canada, the Director of the Office of Emergency Planning of the United States, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Civil Defense) of the United States and such other representatives as may be designated from time to time. Joint Secretaries for the Committee will be provided by the Department of External Affairs of Canada and the Department of State of the United States. The Committee will meet at least once in each calendar year at such times and places as may be agreed upon.

It is further proposed that the Committee may arrange for direct communication between such national authorities of Canada and of the United States as the Committee considers to be concerned with aspects of civil emergency planning in either country likely to be directly affected by comparable planning in the other. The Committee may also facilitate the exchange of information on aspects of civil emergency planning of a purely national character. However, subjects relating to the determination of inter-government policy with regard to civil emergency planning will be discussed by the two Governments through normal diplomatic channels.

It is proposed also that the Committee, within its general field of competence, may establish such subcommittees and working groups as it considers necessary to advance joint planning and that the Committee may make arrangements to facilitate joint United States-Canadian civil emergency planning by the appropriate public authorities, within their respective jurisdictions, of those states, provinces, and municipalities which are adjacent to one another along the international boundary.

If the Government of Canada concurs in these proposals, I have the honor to propose that this Note and your reply to that effect shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments on Joint Civil Emergency Planning. This agreement shall supersede the Agreement of March 27, 1951 and may be terminated by either Government upon thirty days' written notice.

Accept, Excellency the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

W. W. Butterworth

II

The Secretary of State for External Affairs to the Ambassador of the United States of America to Canada

DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

OTTAWA, November 15, 1963

No. 192

His Excellency W. Walton Butterworth,
Ambassador of the United States of America,
Ottawa

Excellency:

I have the honour to refer to your Note of November 15, 1963, concerning proposals which would govern joint civil emergency planning between our two countries.

The proposals contained in your Note are acceptable to the Government of Canada and it is agreed that your Note and this reply thereto shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments which shall enter into force on the date of this Note.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Paul Martin,

Secretary of State for External Affairs