Feds Promise Financial Support for Wildfire Evacuees
Federal Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale spoke with reporters today at the College of New Caledonia – photo 250News
Prince George, B.C. – Help is on the way from the federal government for those affected by wildfires across B.C.
Ralph Goodale, federal minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, made the pledge this morning following a tour of the Emergency Reception Centre at the College of New Caledonia.
Goodale was joined by federal Defense Minister Harjit Sajjin, Minister of Sport Carla Qualtrough, B.C. Forests Minister Doug Donaldson Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnwort, Cariboo-Prince George Conservative MP Todd Doherty and Prince George Mayor Lyn Hall.
“We’re working on the arithmetic right now. There’s an established formula for dealing with disasters – the Disaster Financial Assistance arrangement – it defines the expenses and it calculates a formula,” he told reporters.
“The first portion of the expenses under the formula are the responsibility of the province. When the dollar value rises above the capacity of the province to cover that, then the federal resources click in on a rising scale and if the losses are truly significant, that scale can go all the way up to 90 per cent.”
Goodale confirmed Victoria has made a request for financial help though he noted “we don’t have the arithmetic done yet, the expenses are still accumulating.”
In the meantime, he said the federal government has already provided close to 400 members of the Canadian forces (at a cost typically picked up by the forces itself) along with services provided by Canada’s Public Health Agency like cots and beds for evacuees.
And while acknowledging evacuees are feeling “a high level of angst,” he was highly complimentary of the work the City of Prince George has done to help house and welcome them.
“The City of Prince George has been amazing. When you see what they brought to bear here in a crisis like this one – the health services, the community support system in Prince George.
“They’re running a city of evacuees of about 9,000 – in addition to the normal population of the city – and I think all of us can’t say enough about it.”
Comments
Thank you.
Looks like he was also joined by Todd Doherty.
Too bad that our Prime Minister couldn’t find his way out to BC in person, to support us all here.
I guess the Halifax Pride Parade is more important to him.
Sucks to be him !!
And what does him appearing here help anything? Nothing. Just like when Harper ignored us when hosting winter games.
Money is needed..money was given…
P Val, you’re defending Justin for not showing up during a disaster and you equate that to Harper not showing up for a sporting event?
These fires are impacting far more people in far more serious ways than a hockey game, curling event or downhill slalom ever could!
You probably bitched way back when Harper didn’t show up, so if you bitched about Harper then, you should certainly be bitchin’ about Justin now!
As far as I know, BC is still part of Canada. When BC was declared a State of Emergency, as the top dog, he should have appeared here, showing he cares about the Province that he represents.
It’s called RESPECT.
NOT defending at all..just stating the facts.. on both occasions the west was an after thought.
They sent the Minister of Sport, why would Trudeau show when he sent her? She’ll get things done. He could have sent a different BC MP, Hedy Fry anyone? :)
a disaster, and financial hardship for those effected. I hear through the media these people are suppose to get $600, and it sounds like where the heck is it!! I don’t think there should be any delay, what we’ll pay you someday.
The Red Cross is clapping its hands all the way to the bank.
Cheers
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