Government of Canada announces assistance to Nova Scotia with recovery efforts following significant snow storm

February 6, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario

Over the weekend, a significant winter storm hit Atlantic Canada, resulting in one of the heaviest snowfalls in Nova Scotia, particularly Cape Breton, in the past twenty years.

On February 5, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, approved a Request for Federal Assistance from the Government of Nova Scotia. The coordinated response efforts will help community members recover quickly across the province.

In response to this request for assistance, the federal government will be providing the following support:

• Parks Canada will provide heavy snow clearing equipment and personnel from Cape Breton Highlands National Park to assist neighbouring communities with snow removal from the Cabot Trail and nearby roads
• Canadian Coast Guard will provide air transport capabilities to assist with the delivery of critical supplies and evacuation of isolated and at-risk individuals; and
• Public Services and Procurement Canada will coordinate with the province and support any emerging contracting needs to help Nova Scotians procure snowploughs to move the snow to return the roadways to safe conditions.

The Government of Canada is committed to working with the province of Nova Scotia as they recover from this devastating storm.