Trudeau visits N.L. town devastated by Fiona, says Ottawa ‘will be there’ to help
“We barely made it out,” Amy Osmond told Trudeau between sobs as she struggled to recount her memories of the day the storm hit Port aux Basques, forcing her to run for her life while trying to grab her dog and keys.
Trudeau noted that Canadians have already donated $10 million in disaster relief to the Canadian Red Cross, and he confirmed Ottawa would match that figure. He did not commit to any new funding, but Trudeau said his government would extend the GST filing deadline for affected companies.
Trudeau said Ottawa would contribute to a $30-million relief program announced earlier in the day by the Newfoundland and Labrador government. Residents have to apply to the program through the Canadian Red Cross, and Furey said the funds will be available as early as Monday to help those who lack insurance or need swift assistance while their claims are being assessed. He encouraged people who slip through the cracks to contact a provincial helpline and explain their situation.
The Canadian Armed Forces had more troops on the ground in southwestern Newfoundland Wednesday, visiting some small coastal communities that have been isolated and without cellphone service since Saturday’s storm.