The seven Emergency Government Headquarters (commonly refered to as Diefenbunkers) are nuclear fallout shelters that were built across the Canada at the height of the Cold War, during the infancy of the ICBM threat. The nickname, "Diefenbunkers", was coined by federal opposition politicians of the early 1960s, and was derived from the name of the prime minister of the day, John Diefenbaker, who authorized their construction. Fallout is the residual radiation hazard from a nuclear explosion, so named because it falls out of the atmosphere into which it is spread during the explosion. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ... A Minuteman III ICBM test launch from Vandenberg AFB, California, United States. ... The 1960s Ashley Rocks! decadeHI refers to the years from January 1, 1960 to December 31, 1969, inclusive. ... The Prime Minister of Canada (French: Premier ministre du Canada), is the head of the Government of Canada. ... John George Diefenbaker, CH, PC, QC, BA, MA, LL.B, LL.D, DCL, FRSC, FRSA, D.Litt, DSL, (18 September 1895 – 16 August 1979) was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada (1957 – 1963). ...

These facilities were built, often in great secrecy, at rural locations outside major cities across Canada. Most were 2-storey underground bunkers capable of withstanding a near-hit from a nuclear explosion. Each underground building had massive blast doors at the surface, as well as extensive air filters to prevent radiation infiltration. Underground storage was built for food, fuel, fresh water, and other supplies for the facility which was capable of supporting several dozen people for weeks.

Bunker locations

Seven Diefenbunkers were built in locations across the country. The largest Diefenbunker was located west of Ottawa in Carp and was expected to shelter several hundred of the most important federal government bureaucrats, senior military officials, and federal politicians. This article is about the capital city of Canada. ... Carp is a village west of urban Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. ...

The largest bunker was designated the Central Emergency Government Headquarters (CEGHQ):

• Carp, Ontario (CFS Carp)

The six smaller bunkers were designated as Regional Emergency Government Headquarters (REGHQs): Carp is a village west of urban Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. ... Canadian Forces Station Carp (also CFS Carp) is a former Canadian military facility located in the rural farming community of Carp, Ontario, approximately 30 km west of Ottawa. ...

• Nanaimo, British Columbia (CFS Nanaimo)
• Penhold, Alberta (CFS Penhold)
• Shilo, Manitoba (CFB Shilo)
• Borden, Ontario (CFB Borden)
• Valcartier, Quebec (CFB Valcartier)
• Val d'Or, Quebec (CFB Val d'Or)
• Debert, Nova Scotia (CFS Debert)

• Edenvale, Ontario (CFB Borden)
• Richardson, Ontario (CFS Carp)

There are several federal and provincial electoral districts with the name Nanaimo. ... Penhold is a small town in central Alberta, Canada. ... Canadian Forces Base Shilo (or CFB Shilo) is an Operations and Training base of the Canadian Armed Forces located 35 km east of Brandon, Manitoba. ... Canadian Forces Base Shilo (or CFB Shilo) is an Operations and Training base of the Canadian Armed Forces located 35 km East of Brandon, Manitoba. ... Sherman tank displayed outside of Waterloo Officers Mess at CFB Borden Canadian Forces Base Borden (also CFB Borden) is a Canadian Forces Base located in Borden, Ontario. ... Canadian Forces Base Valcartier is located 25 km west of Quebec City. ... Canadian Forces Base Valcartier is located 25 km west of Quebec City. ... Val-dOr (2001 population: 32,125) is a city in Quebec, Canada. ... Debert is an unincorporated farming community in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. ... Canadian Forces Station Debert (also CFS Debert) was the location of a Canadian air force, army, and military communications facility in Debert, Nova Scotia. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Sherman tank displayed outside of Waterloo Officers Mess at CFB Borden Canadian Forces Base Borden (also CFB Borden) is a Canadian Forces Base located in Borden, Ontario. ... Canadian Forces Station Carp (also CFS Carp) is a former Canadian military facility located in the rural farming community of Carp, Ontario, approximately 30 km west of Ottawa. ...

Legacy

Following the end of the Cold War, all the Diefenbunkers were decommissioned. Several of the facilities on active Canadian Forces Bases, such as CFB Borden and CFB Valcartier, remain in government control. Diefenbunkers located on smaller Canadian Forces Stations were mostly sold off, or demolished. For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...

Existing Diefenbunkers which members of the public may visit include the facility at the former CFS Carp, now converted into a year-round Cold War museum, as well as the smaller facility at CFS Debert, which is opened several times a year for tours. As of 2005 the bunker at CFS Debert is home to the cadet regional gliding school in the summer, is available to other groups throughout the year, and is occasionally used as a barracks by military units in transit across Nova Scotia. Canadian Forces Station Carp (also CFS Carp) is a former Canadian military facility located in the rural farming community of Carp, Ontario, approximately 30 km west of Ottawa. ... Canadian Forces Station Debert (also CFS Debert) was the location of a Canadian air force, army, and military communications facility in Debert, Nova Scotia. ... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit (Latin: One defends and the other conquers) Official languages English, French (Canadian Gaelic) [] Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Parliamentary representation  - House seats  - Senate seats 11 10 Area Total  - Land  - Water  (% of total)  Ranked...

One interesting footnote surrounds the Diefenbunker that was located at CFS Penhold in Alberta. This facility was decommissioned and at one point a movie studio expressed interest but it was ultimately purchased by a member of the public. When subsequent owners of the Penhold Diefenbunker advertised the facility for resale, there was rumour that a chapter of an outlaw biker gang, such as the Hells Angels, was expressing interest. This prompted the federal government to repurchase the facility and have it systematically demolished and hauled away at considerable expense. An Outlaw Biker is an individual who is a member or an affiliate of a so-called motorcycle club. ... Hells Angels New York City The Hells Angels is a motorcycle club formed in 1948 in Fontana, California, where the local chapter remains active. ...

See also

• Canada in the Cold War

Canada played a middle power, and occasionally important, role in the Cold War. ...

External links

• The Diefenbunker Cold War Museum

• The CBC archives video of inside the Diefenbunker at CFS Carp

Coordinates: 45°21′06″N, 76°02′50″W Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...