Ottawa, ON – Seeing and feeling the results of Hurricane Fiona, the Green Party of Canada stands in solidarity with everyone affected by the storm. Across the country, we’re all interested by those coping with the aftermath. Homes were smashed, lives were lost, livelihoods have been destroyed, and habitat has been irrevocably altered.
Interim Leader Amita Kuttner said, “As someone who has experienced the impacts of maximum weather, losing a house and a parent, personal and community trauma that follows, I recognize the horror of the situation. People need support.”
Many were urged by the federal government to arrange for 72-hours of self-sufficiency, to survive alone, a period that has long since lapsed. In towns like Port aux Basques and across much of Canada’s east coast individuals are just starting to comprehend the extent of the damage caused over the weekend, the value tag of which can likely run into the billions. While the Green Party of Canada supports any aid and relief provided to those affected, we also acknowledge that a band-aid solution shouldn’t be enough. Without vigorous climate motion at every governmental level, extreme weather events like Hurricane Fiona will only change into more common and extreme.
Deputy Leader Rainbow Eyes said, “Elder Bill Jones from the Pacheedaht First Nation, the territory of Fairy Creek, says it’s time we hearken to Mother Earth. If we don’t, it’s Grandfather Sky who will step in and make us listen – that is Hurricane Fiona.”
“They’re calling Fiona a “post-tropical storm” but what it really represents is a latest and terrifying level of climate catastrophe, and we are able to expect more similar to it. Or worse. Much of Canada’s east coast is just beginning to see the awful damage caused over the weekend.” said Mike Morrice, MP for Kitchener Centre.
“Fiona hit Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine in Québec very hard on its technique to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said deputy leader Luc Joli-Coeur. “These beautiful islands in the course of the Gulf of St. Lawrence have seen many storms prior to now but nothing has brought the extent of destruction we’ve seen with Fiona. I would love to thank everyone involved within the recovery and support efforts.”
The price of transitioning to a green economy is minuscule in comparison with the fee of life, livelihood and community from Hurricane Fiona. The Green Party is looking on Canada and the worldwide north to seize this moment and transition from fossil fuels to sustainable power sources more urgently.
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Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press Secretary
514-463-0021
media@greenparty.ca
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