Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $300- million recovery fund for Atlantic Canadians struggling with the damage caused by post-tropical storm Fiona.
Trudeau made the announcement in Halifax today, explaining that the funding would be distributed through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and other federal departments.
"This fund will be here for anyone who is not covered by any other programs," Trudeau said.
"We are there to help people rebuild from Fiona, whether it be federal infrastructures, whether it be community infrastructure, whether it be people who are facing challenges from uninsured structural damage in their homes. We are there to help out."
The minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, said the federal government would make the money available as soon as possible in order to help Canadians facing crisis conditions.
Ten days after Fiona blew through Nova Scotia, there are still thousands of Nova Scotia Power customers waiting for electricity and some who have no idea when it will come back on.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says more than 20,000 Nova Scotians are still without power in his province and that many won't have their electricity restored until the weekend. He says having additional troops for things like traffic control could free up electrical workers and get power restored faster.
In total, 850 troops have been deployed in Nova Scotia, P.E.I., and Newfoundland and Labrador, according to a spokesperson from Defence Minister Anita Anand's office.
"We will continue to deploy the right number of personnel to accomplish the tasks … and we will be there for as long as it takes to get these critical tasks done," the spokesperson said in a statement.
More to come ...
