Canada’s emergency preparedness guidance remains centred on a simple recommendation: households should be able to look after themselves for at least 72 hours if an emergency disrupts power, water, communications or access to essential services.
The federal government’s current preparedness materials continue to advise Canadians to understand the risks in their community, make a household emergency plan and assemble an accessible emergency kit.
The guidance has not been replaced by a new national requirement for a longer stockpile, but Ottawa is broadening its approach to emergency resilience as communities face wildfires, floods, severe storms, infrastructure failures and other complex disruptions.
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What Canada’s emergency preparedness guidance says
Canada’s emergency preparedness advice is designed around the possibility that local responders may be delayed or overwhelmed during the first hours of a major incident.
The federal Get Prepared program says households should be prepared to remain self-sufficient for a minimum of 72 hours.
That means having enough basic supplies to manage without reliable electricity, tap water, transportation or immediate access to stores.
The official guidance also emphasizes that emergency planning is not limited to natural disasters.
Its hazard list includes floods, wildfires, winter storms, earthquakes, extreme heat and cold, power outages, cyberattacks, hazardous-material releases and public-health emergencies.
What to put in a 72-hour emergency kit
A household kit should be portable, easy to find and known to everyone in the home.
Federal guidance recommends at least two litres of drinking water per person per day, with additional water for cooking and sanitation where possible.
For a three-day period, that represents a minimum of six litres of drinking water per person.
Households should also keep non-perishable food, a manual can opener, a flashlight, extra batteries, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a first-aid kit.
Prescription medications, medical equipment, infant formula, hygiene products and other personal necessities should be included according to the needs of each household member.
Officials also recommend keeping spare keys, cash, copies of important documents, a phone charger or battery bank and seasonal clothing available.
People with pets should prepare food, water, medication, leashes, carriers and other animal supplies rather than assuming shelters or evacuation centres will provide them.
Why the 72-hour recommendation matters
The first three days of a disaster can involve road closures, damaged infrastructure, power outages, limited cellphone service and competing demands on emergency responders.
Being able to manage basic needs during that period can reduce pressure on local services and give authorities more time to reach people facing the greatest danger.
The 72-hour target is a minimum rather than a guarantee that every emergency will be resolved within three days.
People living in remote, northern or isolated areas may need to plan for longer disruptions, particularly during winter or after a major storm.
Households that depend on wells, electrically powered medical devices, home heating systems or refrigerated medication may also require additional equipment and contingency plans.
Federal preparedness plans are expanding
While the household recommendation remains focused on 72 hours, the federal government has announced broader measures intended to strengthen Canada’s response capacity.
During Emergency Preparedness Week in May 2026, Public Safety Canada announced $108 million over three years to renew the Humanitarian Workforce Program.
The program supports non-governmental organizations that maintain trained civilian personnel who can be deployed during large-scale emergencies at the request of provinces and territories.
The government also announced $1.93 million for search-and-rescue initiatives involving volunteer organizations, Indigenous and remote communities, and national standards for volunteer canine teams.
A federal national-security plan released in October also called for stronger leadership in emergency management, a national exercise and preparedness program, improved federal coordination and stronger civilian response capabilities.
Those initiatives concern government and community capacity rather than a change to the public’s basic household checklist.
How Canadians can prepare now
Residents do not need to buy a specialized survival package to begin preparing.
Many recommended items are already found in Canadian homes, but they should be organized in a place that is dry, accessible and easy to carry.
Households should identify safe exits, emergency contacts, meeting places and ways to receive official alerts if internet or cellular service is disrupted.
Plans should account for children, older adults, people with disabilities, pets and anyone who relies on regular medication or powered equipment.
Emergency supplies should be checked periodically so food, batteries, medication and stored water are replaced before they expire.
Canadians should also learn the hazards most likely to affect their area and follow instructions from municipal, provincial, territorial or federal authorities during an active emergency.
The central message from Ottawa remains unchanged: prepare before a crisis begins, and be ready to manage for at least three days while help and essential services are being restored.
Severe storms remain among the disruptions households should consider when making those plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Canada still recommend preparing for 72 hours?
Yes. Federal guidance continues to recommend that households be prepared to remain self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during an emergency.
How much water should be stored for an emergency?
The federal guide recommends at least two litres of drinking water per person per day, or a minimum of six litres per person for 72 hours.
What should be included in a 72-hour emergency kit?
Key items include water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, flashlight, batteries, radio, first-aid supplies, medication, hygiene items and important documents.
Is 72 hours enough for every Canadian household?
It is the federal minimum. Remote communities, people in isolated locations and households with medical or mobility needs may need supplies and plans for longer disruptions.
Where should an emergency kit be stored?
Keep it in a dry, accessible location where everyone in the household can find it quickly, preferably in a portable container or backpack.
Fact-Checked: Key preparedness guidance, federal funding announcements and national resilience plans were checked against current Government of Canada and Public Safety Canada information.
Disclaimer: Emergency planning needs vary by location and household, so residents should follow instructions from local authorities during an active emergency.