Military deploys to N.S., P.E.I., N.L. to help with Fiona clean up
Hundreds of Canadian military personnel are deploying to communities in Atlantic Canada affected by post-tropical storm Fiona to assist with clean-up efforts, the commander of Joint Task Force Atlantic said in a news conference Monday.
Rear Admiral Brian Santarpia says the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) received requests for support from the provincial governments of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador.
He says more than 100 CAF members are either on route or currently in, each of those locations.
“We have been tasked to provide assistance to all three of those provinces by putting troops forward who can clear the way from debris and make the job easier to restore power,” said Santarpia during the news conference.
He says CAF members are now in Cape Breton and a command and control element is on its way to the island from Truro, N.S.
Christina Lamey, a communications officer with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, says troops are working alongside Nova Scotia Power crews to assist in power-restoration efforts.
The P.E.I. government has asked the CAF for help in specific communities, where Santarpia says members from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown are deploying.
In Newfoundland, Santarpia says the Canadian forces are gathering its members from various militia units and are making their way to the western side of the province to help.
Santarpia says an Arctic patrol vessel, HMCS Margaret Brook, has been tasked with conducting wellness checks along the south coast of Newfoundland, as it makes its way to Port-au-Basque, N.L., where the storm swept entire homes out to sea.
According to the commander, his forces are taking lessons learned from Hurricane Juan in 2003 and applying them to Fiona recovery efforts.
Santarpia says each immediate response unit is equipped with kits containing tools, chainsaws and other equipment needed to clear a path.
However, he says the units lack the heavy vehicles required to remove large pieces of debris -- a job he says will be done in coordination with local municipalities.
“It’s really a case of many hands make light work,” said Santarpia.
In each community, the commander says CAF members will stay in the nearest military reserve base, to not draw resources away from residents.
“We won’t be a burden on anybody when we bring troops in. We will be able to sustain them ourselves.”
If more troops are needed, Santarpia says they could be pulled from CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.