As we have each year since 2007, the Canadian Red Cross is delighted to host this conference and we believe this year's theme, Strengthening Relationships, Bridging the Gaps, is particularly timely given the magnitude and variety of disasters that have made headlines lately, and a need for anyone with a role to play in Emergency Management to learn and adjust plans and procedures accordingly while also meeting the realities of budgetary, human resource and other challenges.

Only a few degrees difference in its track would have brought the full brunt of Superstorm Sandy to Atlantic Canada. Tornado warnings typically limited to central USA and Canada have occurred across wider areas. With long-range forecasts predicting a warmer than usual summer, risks of wildfires or heat waves affecting vulnerable populations could be elevated. Globally, human deaths are increasing from new strains of coronavirus and H7N9 avian influenza. And in all cases, the accelerating speed and volume of information shared by the public makes it clear that traditional methods of managing information in times of crisis are no longer adequate.

With factors like these in mind, and building on positive feedback from participants to changes in our format, our conference program will offer timely and valuable education, hands-on training, networking, and some reality checks on emerging natural and human-caused risks; all things that can help strengthen relationships in ways that will ensure conference participants as well as the organizations and communities we serve are better prepared to respond to and recover from emergencies and disaster.

It will be an insightful, rewarding conference in beautiful Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I look forward to seeing you in November!

Louise Castonguay
Director General, Atlantic Canada
Canadian Red Cross