Solid Work on the Ground in Kashechewan
OTTAWA – The evacuation of Kashechewan has continued successfully. People have been evacuated to safety from the flood stricken community. The community has taken care to get their residents to safety. Under the leadership of a team on the ground in Kashechewan, with help from the Canadian Forces, the Canadian Red Cross, and regional airlines, and the federal government, provincial government and municipal governments, the peole are now safe.
Today, Steven Blaney, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development and the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, commented today on efforts by the Government of Canada to assist in the evacuation of the First Nations community of Kashechewan, Ontario, following a request for assistance by the Province of Ontario.
“We are pleased that the evacuation has been successfully completed. The Canadian Armed Forces conducted eight evacuation flights using CC-130 Hercules aircraft, which were complemented by evacuation flights managed by the Province of Ontario. The Government Operations Centre continues to lead the federal response to flooding in the James Bay area and is working with partners to prepare a response to possible flooding in other communities.”
Quick Facts:
The Government Operations Centre leads the coordination of federal government’s response to the emergency situation in Kashechewan in close collaboration with Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management.
In response to a request for assistance from the Province of Ontario, three Royal Canadian Air Force CC-130 Hercules aircraft, complemented by commercial aircraft, assisted in the air evacuation of approximately 1,500 people from Kashechewan.
The Province of Ontario has arranged for all evacuated residents to be temporarily housed in Thunder Bay, Greenstone, Kapuskasing and Cornwall, Ontario.Members of 3 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (3CRPG) also assisted with voluntary evacuation efforts.
