Federal Support to Flooding

May 9, 2017 – 2:00 p.m. EDT

Updates:

• The sandbags requested by the Government of Ontario were delivered, fulfilling the request for assistance;
• The Canadian Red Cross announced the launch of Spring Floods 2017 appeal. Donations can be made at www.redcross.ca;
• Today, the Government of Canada announced s $1 million contribution to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with flood efforts;
• The Government of Canada announced that it will pay all costs to support the Canadian Armed Forces role in the emergency response; and
• Government of Canada employees in the National Capital Region can return to work on Wednesday

More rain is expected in New Brunswick and areas of Quebec; however, the forecast looks promising in Ontario. Accelerated snow melt, severe thunderstorms, and more rain are expected to worsen the situation in British Columbia. Citizens are asked to exercise caution and impacted residents should continue to follow the directions and advice of their municipal law enforcement and first responders.

Summary of Events

• On May 5, 2017, the Minister of Public Safety accepted a formal request for federal assistance from the Government of Quebec.
• On May 7, Minister Goodale also accepted a request for assistance from the Government of Ontario to provide 250,000 sandbags.
• The Government Operations Centre, on behalf of the Government of Canada, is leading the coordination of the federal response to the flooding situation in Ontario and Quebec. Officials continue to work closely with federal and provincial partners on the specifics of this assistance.
• A total of approximately 1730 Canadian Armed Forces personnel have been deployed to support Quebec citizens and coordination efforts. Troops, along with aviation assets, engineer assets, and 12 boats from the Naval Reserve, are positioned to support and react to the needs identified.
• Canadian Forces support includes: helicopter support, filling sandbags, transporting affected citizens, maritime patrols; building dikes; helping repair broken pumps, and providing assistance to the Red Cross in shelter areas.
• Approximately 3,400 residents have evacuated their homes. There have been mandatory evacuations from the Quebec Municipalities of Pontiac and Rigaud, and Montreal and surrounding areas, and Central British Columbi
• Transport Canada continues to closely monitor water levels in affected areas. Impacts of the flooding on transportation are minimal at this time.  

Ce document d’information est aussi disponible en français.

Follow Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) on Twitter.

For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca or https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/flooding-in-canada.html.

Information:

Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
(613) 991-0657