N.S. housing minister to meet with federal government about disaster financial assistance
The Mennonite Disaster Service, a volunteer group, has been helping the United Way and residents in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality recover from post-tropical storm Fiona, but that help will end on Saturday.
“They made their best effort to educate homeowners to say that everything that's wet inside your home will grow mould if you don't gut it and dry out the home,” said Lynne McCarron, executive director of United Way Cape Breton.
McCarron says, with winter coming, people are more hesitant to do the proper renovations, and many can't afford them.
“So they're more likely to live in mould than they are to do the right thing,” she said.
The province has received more than 530 applications for the disaster financial assistance program, which are being processed, and more applications are still coming in.
“I think we've done extremely well so far, although I realize it hasn't moved fast enough for people, but by comparison, in Dorian, it hadn't been announced yet,” said John Lohr, Nova Scotia’s municipal affairs and housing minister.
Lohr says whatever financial means are needed will be sent out to those eligible for assistance through the program.
“It’s for uninsurable losses generally,” said Lohr.
He says it's unclear, at this point, how much of the $300-million fund announced by the federal government the province will receive for communities and organizations.
“We got the federal government to agree to a broader definition on tree removal. And I’ll be heading to Ottawa next week to talk to the federal government about EMO. There's always going to be issues and we know people are hurting out there and we're very concerned about them,” said Lohr.
Applications for the financial assistance program are open until Jan. 31.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.