royal visit

harper seems to be wading (ahem) pretty deep into provincial jurisdiction here...

PRIME MINISTER STEPHEN HARPER TOURS FLOODED AREAS IN NEW BRUNSWICK

May 2, 2008
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today was joined by New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham and Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson to view some of the worst-hit flooded areas in the St. John River valley. The Prime Minister saw firsthand the flood-ravaged region from the air aboard a Department of National Defence Griffon helicopter. The Prime Minister also made stops at Maugerville and Edmunston N.B., two of the hardest-hit communities, where he met with flood victims and volunteers.

"The combination of heavy rains and melting snow have created some of the worst flooding Fredericton, Maugerville, St. Anne, Edmunston and other communities in this region have seen in thirty years," Prime Minister Harper said. "Hundreds of families have been forced to leave their homes and scores of houses and businesses have been inundated by the near-record floodwaters. This is a very difficult situation, and our Government is working closely with local and provincial authorities to minimize the damage, monitor the continuing threat, and provide shelter and support for flood victims."

Federal government support for the flood response and relief effort so far includes:

Tents, heaters, tables, chairs, off-road vehicles and an engineer barge from CFB Gagetown.

Rescue craft and landing barges and crews from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Coast Guard.

Pollution monitoring and meteorological data from Environment Canada, including Dash-8 aircraft from Transport Canada for pollution monitoring.

National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS) depot in Ottawa put on stand-by.

"Fortunately the river did not crest at record levels in this region as had been feared," noted the Prime Minister. "But the threat remains high for the Saint John region in the south and we are monitoring the situation closely."
The Prime Minister's Office - Communications