“I’m grateful the Prime Minister came to see firsthand the challenges faced by the residents of Wood Buffalo”, said Notley.
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Kiefer said about 75 per cent of Fort McMurray’s buildings could have their power turned back on, but at this early stage it wouldn’t be safe.
“These fearless men and women have done and continue to do everything they can to protect and save Fort McMurray and surrounding communities”, Trudeau said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with firefighters and other emergency crews in Fort McMurray on Friday, before touring the burned-out rubble left behind by last week’s wildfire.
From there, a helicopter took Trudeau over some of the neighbourhoods devastated by the fire. He revealed that “the first thing you notice is the smoke, the haze, the smell in the air”, and “then, as you fly over, initially you notice the blackened forest that surrounds Fort McMurray”.
Rivait adds there is a fair amount of space in hotels and motels thanks to the economic downturn, which could be used to house the hundreds of construction workers which will be needed.
Known as the “beast”, the fire has destroyed 2,400 homes and businesses, and displaced more than 94,000 people in the region.
The event brings together nine top worldwide and B.C. magicians, illusionists and variety artists, of whom many have performed in Fort McMurray. (Katie Daubs/Toronto Star via Getty Images) Trudeau and Notley are to hold a news conference in Edmonton later in the day.
Allen said having the prime minister visit was a morale boost.
Cindy Fuchs, vice-president of Canadian Red Cross of Saskatchewan, said they have protocols in place to protect donor dollars and to ensure people aren’t taking advantage of the generosity.
“We’ve been working hard for the last two or three days on this re-entry plan (for residents)”.
“While thousands of lives will never be the same, we can take small steps to getting back the rhythm of north-east Alberta”, she said.
Alberta is the heartland of Canada’s oil sands industry and the effects of the enormous wildfire on the oil sector have prompted forecasters to trim their 2016 economic growth predictions for the entire country.
Alberta Member of Parliament Kent Hehr, who heads the special committee, said it is important to show people that the federal government will be there for them in the reconstruction.
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150 RCMP tactical troop and traffic service officers from throughout the province have also been temporarily redeployed to northern Alberta by the federal government.
