Justin Trudeau on Friday promised the federal government will be on hand to assist Atlantic Canada as it braces for the arrival of Hurricane Fiona, which is expected to make landfall Saturday morning.The Canadian Hurricane Centre has issued a hurricane watch over extensive coastal expanses of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, with authorities warning of heavy rain, flooding and “life-threatening” storm surges.
Thousands lose power as Fiona nears Atlantic Canada, officials warn of ‘historic storm’ “It’s going to a bad one,” Trudeau said during a joint press conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Ottawa.“We of course hope there won’t be much (federal assistance) needed, but we feel there probably will be.
And we will be there for that. In the meantime we encourage everyone to stay safe and to listen to the instructions of local authorities, and hang in there for the next 24 hours.”Trudeau was set to travel to Japan Friday evening to attend former prime minister Shinzo Abe’s funeral, which is set for Tuesday.However, the Prime Minister’s Office later said the flight had been delayed until Sunday “due to the ongoing situation with Hurricane Fiona.”“During this time, he will be receiving briefings on the emergency response and support from the federal government, as well as reaching out to premiers,” spokesperson Cecily Roy said in an email, confirming Trudeau was staying in Canada.PM Trudeau has delayed his departure for Japan to attend Shinzo Abe’s funeral to remain in Canada till Sunday “due to the ongoing situation with Hurricane Fiona impacting Canadians in Atlantic Provinces and Eastern Quebec,” according to PMO.— Mercedes Stephenson (@MercedesGlobal) September 24, 2022The PMO said.