“This was the extraordinary response of people such as yourselves”. “Then you notice a downtown core that, other than being oddly deserted and immobile, is largely untouched”.
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Trudeau toured one of the city’s damaged neighborhoods after his visit with first responders and volunteers before meeting with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley.
Thousands of people forced from their homes by wildfires in the Fort McMurray region were notified by emails from the Red Cross on Wednesday that emergency funds were immediately being provided to evacuees. “I’m looking forward to visiting and being with you today”. Trudeau left Edmonton this morning where he shook hands with the man who led the fight against the fierce fire. After landing, Trudeau got on a military helicopter for a first-hand look from the air.
No one was killed in the fire but two people died in a auto crash when they were leaving the city.
Trudeau acknowledged the fact that about 2,400 structures were destroyed in the fire, but said the amount of resources needed to rebuild were not yet known.
The province has provided an update on its continued support for those displaced because of the Fort McMurray wildfire.
Mr Trudeau’s visit follows criticism for the way he’s handled the country’s costliest natural disaster, with many arguing that as prime minister he should have come here sooner.
Alberta officials said they will have a plan within two weeks for getting residents back into their homes. “We’ve got a few challenges around that”.
The tour continued with a bus trip through some of the fire ravaged neighbourhoods. “Our government will do everything it can to get you back home safely just as soon as that’s possible”. As family entertainers, many of us have performed multiple times in Fort McMurray, and have a longstanding and deep connection to this community.
Alberta MP Kent Hehr, who heads the special committee, said it’s a personal trip for him as well.
Larivee said there have been long lines in the communities offering government-issued emergency relief debit cards and some people arrived hours before the centers opened.
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“Know that even though things may look hard and uncertain and at times nearly hopeless, know that you are not alone, Canadians are standing with you, you can lean on us and you can count on us”, he said.
