Maritimes offered federal storm relief

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews is pledging federal disaster assistance relief to the Maritimes after a series of storms battered the provinces in recent weeks.

Toews issued a statement on Friday saying the federal government will offer financial help to repair the damaged infrastructure if there is a need.

"The Government of Canada is monitoring the situation in the Maritimes closely. Should there be a request, we stand ready to help affected provinces should assistance be requested," Toews said in a statement.

"Our government is committed to helping provinces in their efforts to respond to and recover from the damage and destruction caused by recent storms, and to ensure that communities are able to begin the process of rebuilding."

New Brunswick's Emergency Measures Organization said on Thursday the province has suffered roughly $50 million in damage in the three severe winter storms that have hit in December.

The federal government has sent staff from Environment Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to New Brunswick in response to the province's request for help in electrical and health inspection and environmental and structural engineering.

Ottawa is offering to send other federal civil servants to provinces if they are requested.

"The federal government has funding arrangements in place to assist the provinces and territories if requested. By working together, we can make a difference when faced with large natural disasters," Toews said.

Series of storms

Early in December, the north shore community of Charlo, N.B., was hit hard by a storm surge.

Roughly a week later, southern and western New Brunswick communities were flooded after days of heavy rains fell across the province.

And this week, the east coast of New Brunswick was pounded by storm surges and high winds.

The storms caused more than 150 people to leave their homes and extensive damage was inflicted upon popular tourist destinations, such as Parlee Beach Provincial Park and the Bouctouche dune.

P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz said on Wednesday that he may appeal to Ottawa for financial help after surveying storm damage inflicted upon the province's north shore.

Two bridges in particular appear badly damaged — the one at Corran Ban and the bridge at Oyster Bed, he said.

As well, the Beach Point Lighthouse, on the southeastern corner of P.E.I., was knocked off its foundation.

Northern Nova Scotia was another hard-hit region by the deluge of rain, storm surges and high winds.

The N.S. Department of Transportation said the infrastructure in Cape Breton held up fairly well during the storms.

A small bridge and culvert washed out on Villa Drive in Bras d'Or. There were other reports of broken sewage lines and washed out roads.