It's Been a Rough Week

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Claudia Chender stands in front of the Dartmouth Ferry.

I hope this email finds you with restored power and without damage to your property.

Hurricane Fiona rocked the province over the weekend and nearly a week later, many of you are still reeling from its fallout. As of writing, nearly everyone in Dartmouth South should be with power. For those that are not, I hope you have been able to make use of my office or a local comfort centre or generator to charge and recharge as you weather this extremely stressful time.

Supports

First things first: the Province is rolling out a number of financial supports for people who have been affected by Fiona:

Disaster financial assistance for residential property owners and tenants: Hurricane Fiona: Residential property owners and tenants can apply for disaster financial assistance for damage or loss from Hurricane Fiona.
Disaster financial assistance for small businesses: Hurricane Fiona: Small businesses can apply for disaster financial assistance for damage or loss from Hurricane Fiona from the Federal government.
Small Business Hurricane Relief Program *coming soon*: Small businesses can apply for a one-time $2,500 grant to help cover the cost of unanticipated business closures from Hurricane Fiona.
Disaster financial assistance for non-profits: Hurricane Fiona: Non-profits can apply for disaster financial assistance for damage or loss from Hurricane Fiona
$100 for every household that lost power for at least 48 hours to cover the cost of spoiled food
$250 for every person that has to pay for tree or debris removal from their property
an additional $250 on top of the existing $750 seniors care grant to help with storm repairs. Everyone eligible applying for the grant will receive the extra funding. People who have already received the grant will also receive the additional $250 automatically.
$150 to all current income assistance recipients, including Disability Support Program participants receiving income support. The additional $150 is processed automatically.
$1,000 per household in emergency funding for people ordered out of their homes or who cannot return to their homes; people can register with the Canadian Red Cross online at https://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/current-emergency-responses/hurricane-fiona-2022 or by calling 1-800-863-6582 between 8 am and 8 pm. I have been told that the lines are very busy so if you can help someone register online, please do.

Approximately 42 units were destroyed at 8 Lawrence Street in Dartmouth during the storm. My office has been in touch with the property manager. If you or anyone you know was displaced from this building, it's essential to register with the Canadian Red Cross for housing support and to access the $1,000 in support from the Province.

If you're in a position to help, the Government of Canada will match donations made to the Canadian Red Cross's Hurricane Fiona in Canada Appeal by Canadians and corporations up to October 23, 2022.

In a boardroom full of people Claudia leans against a chair as a white male points to a power outage map projected on the wall.

Nova Scotia Power Performance

I fielded phone calls from across the province beginning on Sunday morning after the storm. On Monday I had the chance to see NSPs approach to getting Nova Scotia back online in their provincial EMO centre in downtown Halifax.

We spoke in depth about priorities for restoration, and the difficulties of getting crews up in terrible weather, the need to protect the safety of the1000+ people in the field, and the need for more resilient systems in the face of climate change and its worsening impacts. I'm thankful for the work of so many across this province in official and unofficial capacities making sure people are taken care of.

Fiona was devastating and its impacts will be felt for days, weeks, and longer in some areas of the province. My heart is with Cape Breton, where the scale of the devastation is, in many cases, not even entirely known yet. Power crews and Canadian Armed Forces are mobilizing across the island, and I am hopeful their work will be swift and successful.

It's yet again clear that we need to focus our efforts of green, resilient energy and better protection plans for all Nova Scotians, but especially vulnerable people.

Cape Breton

I’m in Cape Breton today and tomorrow meeting with community members and leaders and hearing about the scale of the devastation. In the coming days and weeks this will guide so many conversations about community leadership, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and the lessons we can learn as we move into an ever more uncertain climate.

Claudia stands in a comfort station with a man and a woman.

Truth and Reconciliation Day and Treaty Day

Many of the Truth and Reconciliation Day and Treaty Day events have been cancelled in the wake of Hurricane Fiona. HRM is still hosting the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Flag Raising and Proclamation reading at 10 am tomorrow morning and the Treaty Day Flag Raising and Proclamation reading at 11:30 am on Sunday. The Mi’kmaq History Month Lightshow will debut at the Halifax Memorial Library at 7pm tomorrow as well.

If you're staying at home this weekend, check out the Mi'kmaq History Month website for other events and further information. You may also want to take the time to read the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions's Calls to Action or the The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls if you have not already. The Halifax Public Library has curated an array of further readings, videos, and and activities for all ages for Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Nova Scotians are kind, and we are resilient. Both are needed now--let's keep taking care of each other, and building back better.

Claudia