The DND UXO and Legacy Sites Program
Introduction
The DND UXO and Legacy Sites Program was created in 2005. The program works to reduce safety risks posed by unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO) at all "legacy sites" across Canada. A UXO legacy site is any property that was owned, leased or used by DND but no longer resides within DND's inventory and for which there exists a UXO risk associated with past Departmental activities.
As Canada's population increases, it is expected that people will come into more frequent contact with UXO on properties that were at one time remote, and therefore presented little risk.
The Program identifies and catalogues such sites, assesses risks, and works to reduce UXO risk through property controls, assessment surveys, UXO clearance operations, and public education.
At some sites where the potential risk is great, public safety must be ensured by restricting access to the sites. In other locations where the risk is minimal, signage and information campaigns to alert the public to potential hazards may be the preferred action.
It is important to understand that the limits of existing UXO detection technology means that no UXO legacy site can ever be declared completely hazard-free.
In recent years, there have been several deaths and serious injuries caused by UXO explosions in Canada. Caution is always required when entering UXO legacy sites.
