Ottawa, ON – Seeing and feeling the effects of Hurricane Fiona, the Green Party of Canada stands in solidarity with everyone affected by the storm. Across the country, we are all thinking about those dealing 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 somebody who has experienced the impacts of extreme weather, losing a home and a parent, personal and community trauma that follows, I recognize the horror of the situation. People need support.”
Many were urged by the government to prepare 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 people are just starting to realize the extent of the damage caused over the weekend, the price tag of which will 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 is not enough. Without vigorous climate action at every governmental level, extreme weather events like Hurricane Fiona will only become more common and extreme.
Deputy Leader Rainbow Eyes said, “Elder Bill Jones from the Pacheedaht First Nation, the territory of Fairy Creek, says it is time we listen to Mother Earth. If we do not, it is Grandfather Sky who will step in and make us listen - this is Hurricane Fiona.”
“They are calling Fiona a “post-tropical storm” but what it really represents is a new and terrifying level of climate catastrophe, and we can expect more just like it. Or worse. Much of Canada’s east coast is just starting 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 way to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said deputy leader Luc Joli-Coeur. “These beautiful islands in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence have seen many storms in the past but nothing has brought the level of destruction we’ve seen with Fiona. I would like to thank everyone involved in the recovery and support efforts.”
The cost of transitioning to a green economy is minuscule compared to the cost of life, livelihood and community from Hurricane Fiona. The Green Party is calling on Canada and the global north to seize this moment and transition from fossil fuels to sustainable power sources more urgently.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact :
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press Secretary
514-463-0021
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