OTTAWA, December 2, 2011 – The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, today announced a federal payment of over $800,000 under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA)program for response and recovery costs incurred by the Province of Nova Scotia following Tropical Storm Noel in 2007.
“This announcement demonstrates our government’s commitment to helping Canadians and their communities recover when natural disasters strike,” said Minister Toews. “Canadians can be assured that the federal government will assist with provincial and territorial recovery efforts related to large natural disasters, like Tropical Storm Noel.”
“The effects of Tropical Storm Noel continue to affect Nova Scotians even to this day,” said Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Regional Minister for Nova Scotia. “With this money from the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements, the Province is able to support people affected by this storm in repairing the scars it left and in moving past its devastating legacy.”
Nova Scotia Justice Minister Ross Landry added that the DFAA program has been a huge help to Nova Scotians, who have incurred losses in storms and other disasters. “Since 1999 we have implemented 12 disaster assistance programs in this province to help cover losses of more than $100 million. Federal support for these programs has been invaluable, and a major component of our disaster recovery efforts.”
On November 3-4, 2007, Tropical Storm Noel reached the Province of Nova Scotia, causing power outages throughout the province. High winds and rain in the Halifax and Lunenburg areas caused the heaviest damage to private property and to provincial and local government infrastructure.
Since its inception in 1970, the DFAA program has provided more than $2 billion in disaster financial assistance to the provinces and territories. For more information on the federal DFAA program and its guidelines, please visit our website: www.publicsafety.gc.ca.
For information on how to prepare for emergencies including severe flooding, Canadians can follow @Get_Prepared on Twitter or visit: www.getprepared.gc.ca .
Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
