As post-tropical storm Fiona sweeps across Atlantic Canada and Quebec, provincial and federal politicians are sending their thoughts to those who are affected — and asking the public to stay home.
Fiona made landfall in Nova Scotia’s eastern Guysborough County early Saturday morning, according to the Canadian Hurricane Centre. The post-tropical storm will continue to move northeastward throughout the day and is expected to reach Quebec on Sunday.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted on Friday evening that the government is monitoring the situation.
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“If you live in the region, I urge you to listen to local authorities,” wrote Trudeau, adding that Public Safety Minister Bill Blair is working with the provinces.
“We’re ready to provide support if needed. Please stay safe,” said Trudeau.
Our team continues to monitor Hurricane Fiona and the situation in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. If you live in the region, I urge you to listen to local authorities. @BillBlair is working with the provinces and we’re ready to provide support if needed. Please stay safe.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 24, 2022
Due to the ongoing impact of the post-tropical storm, Trudeau’s Friday evening trip to Japan was delayed until Sunday. He is expected to attend former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe’s funeral on Tuesday.
Blair tweeted on Saturday that Fiona is continuing to make its way through Atlantic Canada, with strong winds and heavy rain being felt across the region.
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“As we wait for it to pass through, stay inside, follow the advice from your local authorities, and stay safe,” he said.
Hurricane Fiona is continuing to make its way through Atlantic Canada with strong winds and heavy rain being felt across the region. As we wait for it to pass through, stay inside, follow the advice from your local authorities, and stay safe. https://t.co/4ib0Is0Hxl
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) September 24, 2022
Local states of emergency have been declared in a number of areas, including Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Victoria County on Saturday morning.
Tim Houston, Nova Scotia premier, published a tweet that asks Nova Scotians to stay close to home if it is safe as the storm makes its way through areas of Cape Breton.
“Please check in on your family, friends and neighbours,” wrote Houston. “Together, we’ll weather the storm. Stay safe everyone.”
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#HurricaneFiona is now making its way through areas of Cape Breton. We are asking Nova Scotians to stay close to home if it is safe. Please check in on your family, friends and neighbours. Together we’ll weather the storm. Stay safe everyone. #nspoli #NSStorm
— Tim Houston (@TimHoustonNS) September 24, 2022
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In Quebec, Francois Legault, the province’s premier and leader of Coalition Avenir Quebec, said he has suspended his election campaign “until further notice” so the provincial government could focus on dealing with Fiona.
“We’re thinking of the people from Côte-Nord, Gaspésie and the Magdalen Islands. Hurricane Fiona appears to be heading directly towards the Islands,” Legault said. “We’re hoping for the best, but the whole government is staying ready.
“You’re made strong, Madelinots. Know that all of Quebec is with you.”
1/2 On pense aux gens de la Côte-Nord, de la Gaspésie et des Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
L’ouragan Fiona semble se diriger droit sur les Îles. On espère le mieux, mais tout le gouvernement se tient prêt.
Vous êtes faits forts les Madelinots. Sachez que tout le Québec est avec vous.— François Legault (@francoislegault) September 24, 2022
With power outages caused by post-tropical storm Fiona affecting many Atlantic Canadians, François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, said telecom services are vital.
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“I expect all providers to ensure their services are working to the fullest extent possible in these circumstances and to assist each other if services go down,” said Champagne.
As Atlantic Canadians are impacted by #HurricaneFiona, we know how vital telecom services are at this time.
I expect all providers to ensure their services are working to the fullest extent possible in these circumstances and to assist each other if services go down.
— François-Philippe Champagne (FPC) 🇨🇦 (@FP_Champagne) September 24, 2022
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said the government continues to monitor the situation and remains in close communication with its emergency response partners.
“Please stay safe and avoid going outdoors when not necessary,” he said.
As Hurricane Fiona strikes Eastern Quebec and the Atlantic region, we continue to monitor the situation and remain in close communication with our emergency response partners. Please stay safe and avoid going outdoors when not necessary.
— Omar Alghabra (@OmarAlghabra) September 24, 2022
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Former Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole also tweeted his concern for Canadians in Atlantic Canada on Saturday morning.
“Thinking of Atlantic Canada today as they begin to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona,” said O’Toole. “Images out of Port Aux Basques are heartbreaking.”
Thinking of Atlantic Canada today as they begin to recover from the devastation of #HurricaneFiona. Images out of Port Aux Basques are heartbreaking.
— Erin O'Toole (@erinotoole) September 24, 2022
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