OTTAWA – The federal government and the governments of Ontario and Quebec are readying relief supplies, including baby formula and cribs, for victims of hurricane Harvey.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says the governments are working with the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency to co-ordinate the help.
The storm left vast swaths of Texas and parts of Louisiana flooded and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.
Goodale says the relief supplies include hygiene kits, bed pillows, bath towels, baby formula, baby disposable bottles, baby cribs and baby linens.
The Royal Canadian Air Force is preparing a cargo plane to fly the goods to Texas and it is expected to leave soon.
In a statement provided to Global News, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services said the provincial government is providing 14,000 bottles of baby formula, 200 cribs with mattresses and crib linens to Texas. The materials will be sent to the United States through the Canadian Forces.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Donald Trump spoke Thursday about the floods and relief efforts.
The American embassy in Ottawa expressed gratitude for Canada’s offer of support.
“The people of the United States and Canada have a long history of supporting each other in times of need,” Elizabeth Aubin, the charge d’affaires at the embassy, said in a statement.
“We once again thank our Canadian friends and neighbours for their heartfelt offers of solidarity and assistance.”
Goodale said Canada stands by the United States, saying the country’s thoughts and prayers are with those affected.
“I want to commend local volunteers, first responders and residents who continue to work selflessly to keep their neighbours and communities safe,” he said in a statement.
On Thursday, Trump’s homeland security adviser Tom Bossert said Canada’s “neighbourly gesture” of help was much appreciated, telling a White House briefing, “It’s an international expression of what we’re seeing here at a very local level.”
*with a file from Nick Westall