A continuity plan should be an essential element of any business’ strategy or operating procedures. In recent years, the impacts that Y2K, 9/11, SARS and the power outage in Ontario, the ice storm in central Canada and other natural disasters have had on Canadian businesses only reinforces the need for continuity plans. Current concern about the risk of an avian flu pandemic further emphasizes the point that continuity planning must take the specific case of highly infectious diseases into account. Canada’s business community is at risk. While many larger companies and essential services have.