'Poor decision'
Province criticized for not seeking federal help to restore power
While hundreds of Canadian Forces personnel have fanned out across the Maritimes to help restore power in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, P.E.I. has shunned any help from Ottawa.
“Up to this point, P.E.I. has not needed any resources held by the federal government,’’ says Tanya Mullally, provincial emergency measures coordinator.
Going it alone when tens of thousands of Islanders lost power has left some furious and frustrated, says Todd LaFrance of Oyster Bed Bridge.
“I think it is just very, very poor decision-making,’’ he says, noting thousands are still without power in P.E.I. since Dorian struck last weekend.
LaFrance, who lost power for three days, feels P.E.I. should have leaned on Canadian troops to help restore electricity, clear roadways and help residents in flooded areas.
He was informed by Malpeque MP Wayne Easter in an email that federal services were offered immediately via calls from Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale to each province.
“From there services were allocated based on the needs suggested or requested by provincial Emergency Measures Organizations locally,’’ said Easter in an email shared with The Guardian.
Mullally, however, says P.E.I.’s Emergency Measures Organization has representatives from Department of National Defense and Public Safety Canada that are part of the emergency operations centre team, and has been with the EMO in the provincial operations centre this week.
“There are regular conversations on P.E.I.’s storm response, any potential challenges and the various available resources,’’ she says.
“Addressing this urgent issue has been our focus, with our partners, this week. We thank the government road crews, forestry crews, municipal governments, utility staff and all others that have answered the call to help Islanders in need.’’
More than 70 crews from Maritime Electric, Fortis Ontario and Newfoundland Power have been working to restore power across the province.
Maritime Electric was reporting nearly 3,300 customers without power early Friday afternoon.
Official Opposition MLA Hannah Bell calls the province's response to Dorian's wrath discouraging.
She says the government has fallen short in providing meaningful help and assistance to Islanders in need of help rebuilding homes, clearing property and accessing power and vital communications links.
She also questions why the P.E.I. government has not sought federal assistance to address the fallout of Dorian.
"This recent natural disaster has revealed deficiencies in government's preparedness to respond to a disaster,'' says Bell in a lengthy statement.
"It also highlighted a need for an improved for the next time we experience a similar event.''
She is urging government to create an emergency disaster fund that provides Islanders with the means to quickly recover from a disaster.
She also is calling on the province to explore programs and services to help Islanders to proactively prepare their homes and property for the next disaster.