Temporary National Coordination Office

In May 2018, Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management collectively acknowledged the benefits of a Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) and endorsed the establishment of a Temporary National Coordination Office (TNCO) to guide the work on a PSBN for a total of two years. The TNCO was comprised of representatives from Public Safety Canada, other government departments, Provincial/Territorial jurisdictions, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Tri-Services (police, paramedics and firefighters) associations, and other potential PSBN user groups. Specifically, the following departments, jurisdictions and associations were members of the TNCO (in alphabetical order):

Mandate

Established in July 2018, the TNCO developed national options and recommendations on a future PSBN for Canada, supported by research, analysis, and engagement with PSBN stakeholders. Specifically, the office:

  1. Served as a single point of contact for stakeholders on national PSBN work, including the private sector;
  2. Engaged diverse stakeholders to gather perspectives to support the development of recommendations;
  3. Established and maintained a network of researchers and experts, and provided national leadership for PSBN pilots and trials to inform and support TNCO work objectives;
  4. Developed and recommended:
    1. A PSBN Strategy for Canada that operationalizes the FPT Ministers’ endorsed guiding considerations;
    2. Further developed and operationalized approaches for business models and permanent national governance;
    3. Deployment options for a national and interoperable PSBN;
    4. National PSBN standards and requirements (e.g. interoperability, security, priority and pre-emption); and,
    5. Innovative solutions to address coverage gaps and capacity challenges.

Mission Statement

Played a leadership role in the advancement of a national and interoperable PSBN for Canada.

Key Functions

Policy and Outreach

Research and Development

Program Development

Public Safety Broadband Network Storyline

Public Safety Broadband Network Storyline

Date

Milestone

March 2012

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) (then Industry Canada) designated 10 MHz of the 700 MHz spectrum for public safety broadband communications.

April 2015

In Budget 2015, the Government of Canada (GoC) committed funds “to take initial steps to establish a PSBN” and announced the designation of the additional 10 MHz of 700 MHz spectrum for public safety broadband use.

May 2016

FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management committed to accelerated stakeholder engagement on implementation of a PSBN.

May 2017

The GoC announced a commitment of $3 million in 2017-18 to engage diverse stakeholders as well as to gather and analyze evidence pertaining to PSBN implementation models.

June 2017

ISED issued a decision paper confirming the allocation of 20 MHz of the 700 MHz spectrum for public safety use.

November 2017

Subsequent to that confirmation, ISED issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking ICT/ telecom industry perspectives on a viable business model; governance model; and, ecosystem of applications, services and devices, to inform the GoC’s approach to a PSBN for Canada. The RFI closed in January 2018.

May 2018

FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management collectively acknowledged the benefits of a PSBN and endorsed the standing-up of a Temporary National Coordination Office (TNCO) to guide the work on a PSBN for the next two years.

July 2018

The TNCO became operational and held its first face-to-face meeting in Ottawa, Ontario. Subsequent face-to-face meetings were scheduled to occur quarterly.

June 2019

The TNCO release: Progress Report on a National Public Safety Broadband Network.

June 2020

Completion of the TNCO’s two-year mandate.

March 2022

The TNCO release: A Public Safety Broadband Network for Canada: A Canadian Approach to Implementation of the Next Generation of Public Safety Communications following a presentation to FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management.

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder engagement was an ongoing and key consideration for TNCO. The TNCO recognized that the development and implementation of a Canadian PSBN is an important yet significant undertaking that requires the collective efforts and commitment of all levels of government, public safety communities across Canada, and various private industry stakeholders. The TNCO engaged stakeholders to ensure they had an opportunity to share their views and suggestions throughout the process to ultimately present a consolidated view of a PSBN for Canada. The TNCO engaged provinces and territories, municipalities, tri-services associations, industry, critical infrastructure operators, academia, non-governmental organizations and Indigenous community representatives.

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The TNCO engaged: provinces and territories, municipalities, tri-services associations, industry, critical infrastructure operators, academia, non-governmental organizations and Indigenous community representatives.

Progress Report

On June 28, 2019, the TNCO published a Progress Report on a National Public Safety Broadband Network to share information with stakeholders on the work accomplished to date to advance a PSBN for Canada.

Final Report

On March 17, 2022, the TNCO published a final report, A Public Safety Broadband Network for Canada: A Canadian Approach to Implementation of the Next Generation of Public Safety Communications, following a presentation to FPT Ministers Responsible for Emergency Management. The final report includes the TNCO’s recommended approach for the development of a nationwide and interoperable PSBN that meets the needs of the public safety community. The TNCO developed national options and recommendations on a future PSBN for Canada, supported by research, analysis, and engagement with key stakeholders. Their recommendations include:

What’s next?

The TNCO has completed its two-year mandate to develop a national approach to advance a Canadian PSBN, an initiative that has been in discussion for several years.

The transition to a PSBN will be complex and will require all levels of government to support its development. Continued collaboration among all levels of government, industry and end users is essential to develop a network that meets the diverse expectations and interests of stakeholders.

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