PC leader calls on the province to step up for Fort McMurray evacuees
Posted May 10, 2016 02:26:28 PM.
Last Updated May 10, 2016 02:29:37 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s Progressive Conservative leader is calling on the province to do more to help Nova Scotian Fort McMurray evacuees.
According to Jamie Baillie, the province is not doing enough to help those displaced despite the province forking out $75,000 to The Canadian Red Cross for relief efforts.
“The money for the Red Cross is one thing,” he said, “I’m glad it’s done but that’s just to settle peoples immediate needs. Life decisions by our fellow Nova Scotians are going to get made in the next immediate term and I think we should know them what Nova Scotia is all about,” Baillie said.
Baillie says the provincial government should offer airfare to help affected families by either chartering planes to get them home or work with moving companies and ground transportation to bring them back to the province.
He said he’s seen families going as far as pursuing fundraising campaigns to pay for tickets.
“Think big,” he said, “Should we charter a plane to bring people who can’t get home, should we advertise that we’re going to send a plane in to get people to bring them home. And then once they’re here are we going to take the resources of government and align them to meet peoples needs?”
He feels a plan is needed as soon as possible since families may want to come home immediately or take time to assess the damage before making a decision.
