Ottawa, September 12, 2017 – The Honourable Sergio Marchi, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Electricity Association (CEA), issued the following statement regarding the relief efforts currently underway following the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Irma.
"CEA is proactively monitoring the evolving situation and is working closely with the Canadian Mutual Assistance Group (CanMAG) to understand what support is available from Canada should formal requests be made through that channel.
Hurricane Irma was the strongest Atlantic basin hurricane ever recorded outside the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea - requiring a coordinated and comprehensive response. The storm spent three days as a Category 5 hurricane, the longest since satellite storm-tracking began, prompting the largest evacuation in the history of the Bahamas -- and potentially the largest in the US. Upwards of 10 million people remain without power in Florida.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the affected people in Florida and the Caribbean. We also want to take a moment to salute the work of the many first responders and frontline line electricity workers who consistently shine in challenging moments such as this. CEA and its member companies stand ready to help. Several have already sent crews across the border to help restoration efforts, while others remain on standby.”
-30-