The Liberal government announced a $300-million recovery fund for Atlantic Canadians struggling with the damage caused by post-tropical storm Fiona.."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," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Halifax, NS today..Trudeau said the funding will be distributed over the next two years to help people immediately impacted by the storm, while also supporting long-term recovery efforts. ."This fund will be here for anyone who is not covered by any other programs," Trudeau said..Trudeau said the money will need to get to families "as quickly as possible, especially with winter coming." He added the federal government has gotten "much better" at handing out disaster relief, having learned from the 2021 flooding in British Columbia and a multitude of forest fires and heatwaves..The fund will be managed by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, which will work together with other federal departments and agencies. The federal government is also providing financial assistance to the provinces through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, which covers up to 90% of eligible provincial expenses following a disaster. .Those expenses include costs associated with evacuation, food, shelter, clothing, and repairs to roads, buildings and bridges. .The money will also go toward homeowners whose residences are being rebuilt and to those who don't have insurance to pay for the replacement of their houses.."We will be there to help with people who are uninsured or under insured for the kinds of damages they've gone through," Trudeau said..In a statement, Trudeau said there's still much work to be done in the days and months ahead to clean up and rebuild.."But I know Atlantic Canadians and Quebecers will continue to be there for each other, and so will the government of Canada," he said..Ten days after Fiona blew through Atlantic Canada, there are still thousands in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island without power and any indication of when it will return. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston said more than 20,000 residents are still without power in his province and that many won't have their electricity restored until the weekend. .Since the storm hit September 24, up to 850 Canadian Armed Forces members were deployed to remove debris, restore transportation links and the power grid, and perform wellness checks in impacted communities.
