Global News on Youtube shows that about 600 members of the Canadian Armed Forces are stationed in Atlantic Canada across the provinces affected by post-tropical storm Fiona, Defence Minister Anita Anand said Wednesday, with more expected in Port-aux-Basques, N.L. and Truro, N.S. She said they have been involved in conducting wellness checks, removing debris, and restoring power as part of their duties to help the communities recover following the storm's destruction.
Anand provided the details during a news conference alongside Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Dominic LeBlanc, Veterans Affairs Minister Laurence MacAulay, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings and National Revenue Minister Diane Lebouthillier.
Anand said Tuesday the focus of the military differs in each province, with soldiers in Nova Scotia tasked with removing debris to repair transportation links. In Prince Edward Island, the military is focused on restoring the power grid, and in Newfoundland and Labrador, members are carrying out wellness checks.
LeBlanc also said Wednesday that there are "ongoing conversations" with provinces, territories and the insurance industry on how to help Canadians impacted by various climate events. He added that in terms of the federal government, conversations have started to find "the right series of protections at an affordable rate." His response came to a question on whether Canada could create a national framework for insurance, similar to what is seen in the U.S., instead of customers having to navigate a "patchwork" of private insurance companies.
Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu said 13 Indigenous communities have been impacted by the storm, where leaders are most concerned about "ensuring the secure supply of gasoline and other fuel" and that people in their communities have access to warming centres and hot meals.
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