As post-tropical storm Fiona swept through Atlantic Canada after making landfall early on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the federal government would deploy the Canadian Armed Forces to assist in the recovery after a request from Nova Scotia .
The federal government will also match all donations to the Canadian Red Cross by individuals and businesses over the next month, he said at a news conference on Saturday.
“We are thinking first and foremost of the people who have experienced the last terrifying 12 hours,” Trudeau said. “As Canadians, as we always do in difficult times, we will be there for each other.
The Prime Minister also announced that he had canceled his planned visit to Japan for the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to focus instead on supporting Canadians affected by the storm.
The powerful post-tropical storm, which saw wind gusts reaching 141 km/h in Nova Scotia and estimates of more than 200 millimeters of rain, continues to make its way through the Atlantic region Saturday after- midday.
The Canadian Hurricane Center in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, said Fiona set an unofficial record for the lowest barometric pressure on record for a tropical storm making landfall in Canada. The pressure recorded at Hart Island was 931.6 millibars.
Authorities estimated that half a million homes and businesses in the Maritimes were without power Saturday morning, forcing municipalities to declare local states of emergency.
Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair said the federal government was locating federal resources to help provinces in the aftermath of the storm and that preparations for the storm began several days ago “in close collaboration” with the provinces.
“Everyone is on deck to ensure we recover as quickly as possible and to that end we have worked closely and received…requests for assistance from our provincial counterparts,” he said. told CTV News Channel on Saturday.
Blair said a disaster financial assistance arrangement is also in play, to reimburse all provinces for any costs they may incur recovering from the storm, although an exact dollar amount has not yet been announced. not been provided.
The federal government is also prepared to organize strategic airlift for evacuation, armed forces to assist with debris removal and hydroelectric repair and services, Blair added.
“We have discussions directly with Nova Scotia about federal Coast Guard, Canadian Armed Forces, Parks Canada and Transport Canada resources all of which are assisting this province,” Blair said.
Indigenous Services Canada is also working with First Nations communities to provide support, he added.
RCMP members across Nova Scotia responded to “numerous” calls overnight and Saturday morning. Police said some were routine calls, but the majority were due to road issues, including washouts, downed trees, power lines and debris.
National Defense Minister Anita Anand said Saturday that all three branches of the Canadian Armed Forces are preparing equipment and personnel to send to hard-hit cities and that three Royal Canadian Navy ships are ready to respond to St. John’s.
“As the situation evolves, we remain ready to respond in Nova Scotia and other provinces that may need our assistance,” she said.
“We will continue to work closely with the provinces and other partners and I promise all Canadians that we will always do everything we can to help you.
With files from The Canadian Press, CTV Atlantic and Adam Frisk of CTV News.