ARCHIVED - Minister Toews tours flooded areas in Southern Alberta

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CALGARY, June 26, 2013 – Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety toured the response operations in areas affected by the floods in Alberta. The tour included stops at High River and the Siksika First Nation.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this disaster,” said Minister Toews. “While the impact of the flood is extreme, I am proud of the response operation being carried out by provincial and local first responders, the Canadian Red Cross, and federal partners, including the RCMP and the Canadian Armed Forces. The federal government is committed to doing whatever it can to assist Albertans in rebuilding their communities.”

During his visit to Alberta, Minister Toews also met with the Honourable Jason Kenney, Regional Minister for Southern Alberta and Member of Parliament for Calgary Southeast, and the Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance) and Member of Parliament for Macleod, to discuss federal assistance to the flood response operations.

“Albertans have pulled together in a remarkable way to get through this disaster and will continue to do so as the focus turns to rebuilding,” said Minister Kenney. “As Prime Minister Harper stated, the federal government will continue to provide all available assistance to the Province and people of Alberta.”

“All Canadians have been moved by the resilience of Albertans as they help each other cope with this devastating flood,” added Minister Menzies. “I am glad that Minister Toews got to see some of the areas hardest hit by this flood, and witness firsthand the generosity of Albertans in the face of hardship.”

Minister Toews met with his provincial counterparts responsible for emergency management and public safety: the Honourable Jonathan Denis, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General; the Honourable Doug Griffiths, Minister of Municipal Affairs; and one of the ministers designated in response to flooding in the major affected areas, the Honourable Rick Fraser.

Minister Toews also met with the Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi and High River Mayor Emile Blokland. The Minister highlighted the effective cooperation between all levels of government in helping Albertans begin to recover from these floods.

He will conclude his trip by meeting with Terry Yemen, Mayor of Drumheller, joined by Kevin Sorenson, Member of Parliament for Crowfoot, and Tribal Manager of the Siksika Nation, Romeo Crow Chief.

The safety and security of Canadians is a priority for the Government of Canada. Public Safety Canada works closely with provinces and territories by sharing eligible disaster response and recovery expenses through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) when response and recovery costs exceed what individual provinces or territories could reasonably be expected to bear on their own.

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For further information:
Julie Carmichael
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2924

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

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