NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, joined by area residents, tours a neighbourhood damaged by recent flooding during a campaign stop in Gatineau, Que. on Sunday, Sept. 22. 2019.Andrew Vaughan/The Canadian Press
The NDP is promising to more than double the amount of federal money earmarked to prevent damage from natural disasters such as floods.
During a campaign stop today in Gatineau, Que., NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh pledged to add $2.5 billion to the federal government’s disaster mitigation fund.
Singh says the idea is to help people – like those in west Quebec who recently faced severe flooding – avoid disasters and be able to stay in their current homes.
The national Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund has already set aside $2 billion to support large-scale infrastructure programs that help communities better manage such risks.
The federal government says an increasing number of Canadian communities have experienced significant weather-related events and disasters triggered by natural hazards such as floods, wildland fires and droughts.
It says these events are growing in frequency as a result of climate change.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2019.