The following is being distributed at the request of Virginia Waters MHA, Walter Noel:

Virginia Waters MHA working to assist flood victims 

Walter Noel, MHA - Virginia Waters and Government Services and Lands Minister, is working to help constituents applying for assistance in cleaning up following Hurricane Gabrielle. 

"I began working with the Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs the day after the storm hit to identify available assistance programs. While it has taken longer than we hoped, homeowners and small businesses can now apply for assistance through Canada's Disaster Assistance Program. A disaster assistance committee has been established to distribute and process applications which are available through my office or the Emergency Measures Organization at 729-3703. I encourage constituents who need help in understanding the emergency relief program, or who have concerns about the process, to contact us. 

"My assistants and I are contacting people to provide advice and help. We will drop off information kits to families who contact us, to persons in areas known to have been flooded, and to stores and businesses in Virginia Waters. These kits contain the application, information about the program, and brochures about returning homes to satisfactory sanitary conditions.

"If required, I will set up an office in Virginia Waters to assist people needing help. Anyone with problems should contact my office at (709) 729-6952, EMO at (709) 729-3703, or my home at (709) 753-8952.

Media contact: Walter Noel, MHA - Virginia Waters, (709) 729-4712.

2001 09 28                                4:50 p.m.