CAF deploying reconnaissance teams in support of emergency response to flooding in Québec

OTTAWA - In response to a request for federal assistance through Public Safety Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is deploying reconnaissance teams from Joint Task Force East to support the Province of Québec’s flood relief efforts.

Reconnaissance teams will immediately begin working with provincial and municipal partners to determine where the CAF can best assist with flood response operations within the scope of the request for federal assistance. These teams will then be able to make further recommendations on specific capabilities, number of personnel, and locations where the CAF will be most effective. Based on these recommendations, the CAF has an Immediate Response Unit on standby to quickly deploy to assist Canadians.

“Rapidly responding to support Canadians in their time of need is one of the most important missions for the Canadian Armed Forces,” said Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command Lieutenant-General Mike Rouleau. “We undertake this task with the utmost concern for the safety of Canadians.”

CAF liaison officers have already been working alongside provincial authorities to monitor the situation and provide advice on how the CAF could best support if provincial resources and capabilities are exceeded.

This deployment will be identified as Operation LENTUS 19-02. The CAF is also deploying reconnaissance teams in support of emergency response to flooding in the Province of New Brunswick, based on a similar request for federal assistance from that province, which will be identified as Operation LENTUS 19-01.

Public Safety Canada is the lead agency for coordinating federal emergency response in Canada. CAF personnel are in continuous liaison with Public Safety, as well as with provincial authorities and our other federal partners.