Alberta can send help across the border to British Columbia if more assistance is needed following floods and mudslides in the neighbouring province.
As some on social media are criticizing an apparent lack of vocal support, Premier Jason Kenney said he has been in touch with his counterpart.
“I have spoken to Premier (John) Horgan twice in the last two days on calls with premiers, and we’ve all extended our solidarity with the people of British Columbia. We’ve offered any support that Alberta can provide. I will be speaking to Premier Horgan specifically on that later (Wednesday).”
JUST IN: Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he has been in regular contact with BC Premier John Horgan during the disaster situation, and ready to offer support whenever they are asked. They will talk again today. Kenney says Alberta stands with BC in this tough time. #ableg
— Tom Ross (@Tommy_Slick) November 17, 2021
Kenney added that Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver and his own Chief of Staff have also reached out to officials in B.C., so they have done the work on outreach so far.
Since there has been no specific requests made to this point, Kenney cannot elaborate on what exact supports could be offered but they will respond in any way.
“Perhaps there’s heavy equipment that we could provide to help them accelerate the repair of some of their roadways, and that’s why we’ve asked the Transportation Ministry to reach out. Perhaps there is some emergency support that we could provide to some of the communities in the B.C. mountain interiors. We are always there to support our neighbours,” Kenney said.
Kenney added that he is also pushing to help ease any supply chain disruptions arising from the disasters.
“This is going to affect us in a very direct way. As you know, the world economy was already dealing with supply chain challenges, this will become very acute now for Alberta and the rest of Canada with the destruction of parts of the Trans Canada Highway and some other roadways, as well as the critical CP Rail line and I think the CN Rail line has also been affected in some areas.”
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He said lots of traffic will have to cross the American border and take roads to the south before coming back up to bypass the issues on Canadian roads, so the federal government can make it easier for this to happen.
“I asked the Prime Minister yesterday to consider relaxing some of the COVID travel-related protocols for truckers and others coming north in terms of testing and other protocols. We need to make sure that we can do everything we can to facilitate movement of those goods through the United States to come back north through Alberta. But our first concern is for those people whose lives and homes have been affected, and we just want to be there to support them morally and, if we can, in any way practically.”
