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 Earth Sciences Sector > Priorities > Canadian Hazards Information Service > Earthquakes Canada |
Some Beneficiaries of NRCan's Earthquake Program.
A. The Canadian Public, the prime beneficiary. As shown above, every Canadian benefits, not just those that are at greatest risk. Hence funding by the taxpayer as a public good is appropriate. In addition to the general economic benefit, some Canadians will benefit directly from the reduced death toll and fewer serious injuries consequent on our work (a reduction of about one third is credible based on Dr. Swan's report).
B. Secondary Beneficiaries (parts of the public benefit are reflected by the following):
1. Tourism and investment industry. World media attention makes tourists less likely to visit Canada (e.g., Japanese tourists to PEI) and foreign businesses less willing to invest in Canada following a disastrous earthquake; reducing the disaster by mitigating the damage will reduce these effects.
2. Government Leadership. A disastrous earthquake can cause long-lasting emotional malaise, even if the economic effects are coped with. Governments' actions now can help things get back to normal after an earthquake by 1) mitigating the disaster by ensuring good construction standards, 2) preparing the population with pre-earthquake information and disaster planning, 3) encouraging an informed, competitive insurance industry to provide earthquake insurance, 4) providing emergency response and leadership after the earthquake, and 5) making judicious funding quickly available.
comments by John Adams
adams@seismo.nrcan.gc.ca
