Conservative MPs hassled Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over reports that the controversial ArriveCan app delayed US crews looking to enter Canada and help the Atlantic provinces' recovery from tropical storm Fiona..The prime minister claimed there was no delay, contradicting the premier of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Power..During Question Period on Monday, federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre asked Trudeau to "please tell us its action plan to help, and how members of this side of the house can join in solidarity with this government to make that help a success for Canadians in the east? Poilievre asked..Trudeau said the Canadian Armed Forces have already been deployed to Nova Scotia and the federal government will be matching all donations made to the Red Cross for the next 30 days.."So I would encourage all Canadians to dig deep. We have always been there and we will continue to be there for our fellow Canadians," he said..Poilievre then asked Trudeau about US crews that were delayed at the US-Canada border for hours because of difficulties with ArriveCan..READ MORE: ArriveCan issue delays US crews sent to help Nova Scotia following Fiona storm."Originally, the public safety minister denied that that had happened, only to be contradicted by the emergency preparedness minister, who said in fact, there was an issue at the border," Poilievre said.."Mr. Speaker, will the prime minister suspend the ArriveCan app today, not Saturday, so that no no more hold ups happen at the border for those who are trying to help those in desperate need?".The federal government announced on Monday that COVID-19 border measures, including ArriveCan, will be removed at the end of the month..READ MORE: Federal government ending border vaccine rules, mandatory ArriveCan use on October 1.Trudeau responded by saying "everyone's focus" is on getting assistance to the region as quickly as possible.."And I can confirm, Mr. Speaker, that there were no delays at any border because of ArriveCan or otherwise.".Conservative MP Pierre Paul Hus (Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles) said while there were 340,000 people without electricity in Atlantic Canada on Sunday, crews wasted valuable time at the border because of ArriveCan. He too asked whether the prime minister would scrap the ArriveCan app "today."."We understand that it's important for everyone to be able to get to where they're needed," Trudeau responded. "We have a team from Ottawa going to Nova Scotia this evening. We have teams coming from the US and we thank everyone for pitching in."."But the fact is, Mr. Speaker, there was no delay at the border because of ArriveCan or anything else. There was no delay," Trudeau reiterated..Conservative MP Stephen Ellis (Cumberland—Colchester) said he would "choose to believe the premier of Nova Scotia over this Liberal prime minister.".He asked whether Trudeau would keep its promise of improving connectivity for rural Canadians with poor cell phone service — an issue impacting many Atlantic Canadians.."We know that mobile connectivity is very important to rural safety and security and for all isolated areas," Trudeau said, adding that the government sees broadband, high-speed internet as a high priority and has thus increased funding for rural and indigenous communities. .Conservative MP Luc Berthold (Mégantic—L'Érable) said "it's that kind of priorities that make us really question how soon help we'll get to Atlantic Canada.".He also questioned how the prime minister could call the reports of crews being delayed at the border "rumours, when both Premier of Nova Scotia Tim Houston and Nova Scotia Power said the incident occurred..Berthold added that people in his riding have told him their concerns about the rising cost of living.."They're finding it hard to make ends meet, and that Hurricane Fiona has made things even worse. They want to know when this prime minister will cancel the planned tax hikes on paycheques, gas and groceries," he said..Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland assured Atlantic Canadians that they will have the "full support" of the federal government in rebuilding from the storm.
