The Prime Minister and the federal Incident Response Group had a second meeting on Sunday to discuss the impacts of Hurricane Fiona, which is affecting hundreds of thousands of people across Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec. Recognizing the longer-term economic impact of the post-tropical storm, the group spoke of the federal financial assistance available to impacted provinces through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements to help with response and recovery costs, and also announced that there is now a matching donation program with the Canadian Red Cross to support those impacted, so whatever you donate, will be matched by the federal government.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Saturday, ‘ “People have seen their homes washed away, seen the winds rip schools’ roofs off, and as Canadians, as we always do in times of difficulty, we will be there for each other.” In Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, police were told two women had been pulled out to sea when their homes collapsed. One was rescued by nearby residents, but RCMP have confirmed the other woman perished.

Environment Canada says Fiona made landfall as a category 2 hurricane strength post-tropical cycle with the wind around 165 km/h, bringing with it damaging winds, torrential rain, large waves and a destructive storm surge.

To donate to the Red Cross:  www.redcross.ca or 1-800-418-1111