Canada’s defence minister says the military will continue to help with flood relief efforts in New Brunswick as long as they are needed.
Harjit Sajjan made the commitment during a news conference in Saint John on Monday.
Sajjan was in the area to visit with some of the Canadian Armed Forces members who have been helping with flood relief efforts.
“My guidance has always been we’re quick to arrive and slow to leave, to making sure that we’re there at that time of need,” he told reporters at the entrance to Randolph Island, which has been isolated by floodwaters for several days.
“When we’re not needed, that decision is made in conjunction with the province.”
Defence minister Harjit Sajjan arrived in #GrandBayWestfield a short time ago. pic.twitter.com/sTt7MPSUTw
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) April 29, 2019
Hundreds of soldiers have been deployed throughout the province to help with things like filling sandbags and conducting wellness checks on residents.
Sajjan agreed that climate change disaster relief in Canada — like flooding and wildfires — is becoming a bigger part of the military’s role.
“We do need to start looking and working together across Canada at all levels of government, at what are the things that we need to start mitigating to making sure that we’re not just looking at a response,” he said.
But Sajjan said the Canadian Armed Forces will always be there for Canadians in times of need.
He noted there are more military members deployed in Canada right now than elsewhere in the world.
As for the flood in New Brunswick, Sajjan said it is too early to say how much the military help will cost, but they will not be looking for the province to pay for it.
“The cost is quite significant when you deploy military with all their equipment,” he said. “This comes out of our own military budget.”