UXO in Canada

Unexploded Explosive Ordnance (UXO) are military explosives that did not explode or function as intended. Some examples of UXO are bombs, rockets, grenades, artillery shells, flares, mortars, and hazardous residues that may remain after a partial or failed detonation. If touched or disturbed, UXO can cause injury or death.

UXO Legacy Sites are former military sites some of which were used by Canadian and Allied troops for live fire training during conflicts such as World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Some of these sites may still pose an explosive risk to the public. There have been UXO incidents in Canada which have resulted in both the injury and death of Canadian Civilians.

The Government of Canada retains responsibility for UXO on Canadian Land and within its territorial waters. The Unexploded Explosive Ordnance (UXO) Legacy Sites Program manages UXO risks on UXO Legacy Sites across the country contributing to the health and safety of Canadians.

DND's Assessment and Prioritization Process for UXO Legacy Sites

In 2006, the Department of National Defence (DND) began a comprehensive review of historical records to identify sites across Canada where past military activities may have left behind unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO). These sites, known as UXO Legacy Sites, are no longer owned by DND, but they may still contain potentially dangerous UXO. UXO Legacy Sites are not new, but they are coming into the public eye more and more because of changing land use in support of our growing population.

As land use across Canada changes, areas that once served military purposes are now being used for other activities, from housing to recreation. Understanding the risks posed by UXO is essential to keeping people safe. UXO Legacy Sites are prioritized and investigated by DND to determine which sites may require work aimed at assessing and mitigating UXO Risk.

The Process: How DND Assesses and Manages UXO Risks

1. Gathering Historical Data

2. Site Prioritization

3. UXO Risk Assessment

4. Understanding UXO Risk

5. Managing UXO Risks and Closing Sites

Examples of Risk Mitigation Measures

Communication

Communication is one of the department's most efficient ways of ensuring public safety and reducing the risk of injury or death associated with UXO. The program communicates with stakeholders within a given community about the potential UXO risks, as well as the risk management and mitigation actions being taken to ensure public safety. Safety messages are communicated through the program's website. The program also delivers presentations to elementary and high school students and conducts public information sessions in specific communities where there is an elevated chance that people could encounter UXO.

UXO Signage

UXO warning signs are strategically placed at sites where UXO may be encountered to alert the public to the potential dangers of UXO and to provide information about what to do if a UXO item is found.

Survey

A survey is used to locate the potential presence of UXO at a site. The survey provides a geospatial reference point where the UXO may be located. There are a variety of technologies that can be used to conduct surveys both on land and underwater. Following careful analysis, the experts safely uncover the selected objects to determine whether they are UXO.

UXO Clearance

During a clearance operation, UXO are unearthed and identified by a team of trained Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) professionals. When UXOs are found they are either removed for destruction elsewhere (if safe to do so) or detonated in a controlled manner and the remaining scrap metal is then gathered-up and shipped off site for disposal at DND facilities. Clearance operations are resource and time consuming. Unfortunately, there is no technology available today that guarantee all UXO on a site have been located and removed.

What should you do?

Where UXO warning signs have been posted, obey the instructions and stay safe!

If you find something that could be UXO...

  1. Don't touch it! If disturbed, UXO can explode, causing death or injury.
  2. Remember the location and leave the area Remember where you saw the object. Go back the same way you came.
  3. Call 911 or local police As soon as possible, report what you found by calling 911 or contacting local police.

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