The second-largest country in the world in land area, Canada is a diverse country bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Atlantic on the east. Its northernmost border stretches into the Arctic Circle, while its southern boundary falls below northern points of the United States. Such geographical diversity makes Canada susceptible to natural disasters, from earthquakes to floods to catastrophic ice storms. The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003 made Canadians aware of their vulnerability to health disasters, and prompted the nation to establish a new level of preparedness. Public Safety Canada is responsible for coordinating responses to disasters inside Canada. Its primary operative arms are the Government Operation Centre, which monitors emerging threats and provides coordination and support of ...