The federal government announced it’s sending even more troops to the Maritimes as the clean up from post-tropical storm Fiona continues.
Defense Minister Anita Anand says there are now 150 soldiers in each of the three hardest hit provinces.
“The support includes regular force and reserve force personnel as well as Canadian Rangers from the Atlantic region, many of whom are working in their home communities,” said Anand.
Anand told a news conference Tuesday that in Nova Scotia, troops are helping clear debris from roads and bridges. In PEI, she says they are clearing roads so that crews and get power restored.
HMCS Margaret Brook is docking in Newfoundland today where soldiers will be tasked with going door-to-door to conduct wellness checks.
“As part of these wellness checks, what CAF members are doing is they are going in, they are speaking to the local communities affected,” explained Anand. “They are assessing their needs. They’re helping to move people away from damaged and high risk homes. And they are being as helpful as possible.”
Anand says they are prepared to send even more resources to the region should they be requested.
The member of parliament for Newfoundland’s Long Range Mountains riding, Gudie Hutchings, says the stories of what people have been through bring tears to her eyes.
“We met with this gentleman this morning who literally fought for his life as he was being towed away by the undertow and pulled himself out,” said Hutchings. “[He] lived on this shore all his life [and] said ‘I can never live here again.’”
