May 5, 2016 by admin

Trudeau offers full federal assistance to fire-ravaged Fort McMurray

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will provide all possible assistance to Alberta as wildfires ravage Fort McMurray.
Canada is a country of people who help each other in challenging times, Trudeau told his caucus Wednesday.
“I’ve been dealing with offers of support and calls from the Atlantic provinces, all the way out to B.C., as people are looking for how they can support their friends and neighbours as people go through this difficult time.”
Trudeau urged people with friends or family in Fort McMurray to make sure they are OK and ask what help they need. Donations to the Canadian Red Cross are also welcome, he added.
The prime minister said he has already spoken to Alberta Premier Rachel Notley to offer his government’s “total support.”
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, in a conference call from Germany early Wednesday, confirmed a formal request for assistance has been received from the Alberta government.
What form that will take — at least on the military side — is still being determined and National Defence is expecting to hear soon from the province about the kind of equipment and personnel required.
The office of Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale, the federal focal point for assistance, is expected to provide more details later today.