Senator Wells: Thank you for that, Senator Gold. I have a follow-up question.

I know you don’t know what next year’s budget will be, but would you please endeavour to request that the departments with typical infrastructure-funding programs — like the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has small-craft harbours, and Transport Canada and others have other infrastructure budgets — ensure that the infrastructure is not just rebuilt but rebuilt better for the livelihoods of the people who depend upon it?

Hon. David M. Wells: Honourable senators, this past weekend, Atlantic Canadians’ lives were immeasurably impacted by Hurricane Fiona. The massive storm left a path of devastation, washing away homes and livelihoods. At the peak of the storm, nearly 500,000 Atlantic Canadians were left without power. In its wake, over 280,000 are still without power as the Canadian Armed Forces, emergency crews, utility workers, first responders and citizen volunteers work to clear debris and rebuild.

The images from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec’s North Shore and my province of Newfoundland and Labrador are a sombre reminder that things can quickly change and strong storms can have a devastating impact. This drives home the critical importance of the global consensus on the effects of climate change.

Not only have many Atlantic Canadians lost their homes — more than 100 homes were destroyed in southwest Newfoundland — at least three people lost their lives: an individual from Prince Edward Island, a 73-year-old woman from Port aux Basques and an 81-year-old gentleman from Lower Prospect, Nova Scotia. I am certain that all our colleagues and I give our deepest condolences to the families and friends who have tragically lost their loved ones.

I have reached out to Mayor Button of Channel-Port aux Basques, as well as other MHAs and local officials, and I will be in the region later this week. Crews are making progress restoring power and rebuilding. This will be a long, ongoing Canadian effort.

Although Hurricane Fiona is the most recent, Atlantic Canada has had a long history of storms. In 1954, Hurricane Hazel killed 81 Atlantic Canadians. In 1968, Hurricane Ginny had the highest sustained winds on record. In recent years, many of us remember Hurricane Igor, which devastated parts of Newfoundland in 2010. Hurricanes Juan and Dorian also had immense impacts on the rest of Eastern Canada.

Atlantic Canadians have proven resilient time and time again and, colleagues, this time will be no different.

Hon. David M. Wells: Honourable senators, my question is for Senator Gold, the Government Representative in the Senate.

Over the weekend, the Atlantic provinces were hit by Hurricane Fiona. You heard my statement. Many homes have been washed away in Port aux Basques in Newfoundland and Labrador, and, after the storm battled through, the infrastructure in other outport towns has been devastated. Port aux Basques and other towns in the area are still under state of emergency orders.

With the storm now passed, what is the government doing to assist the rebuilding of both federal infrastructure and personal property? Senator Gold, I’m speaking specifically about farmers who have lost much of their crop and fish harvesters who have lost not just some of their gear but a lot of the infrastructure they rely upon to land their catch.