Blocked houses, buried cars… The images and videos shared on social networks are impressive. This Monday, part of Canada found itself paralyzed by a snowstorm, described as “historic” by specialists. A meter of snow fell in one weekend in the country’s easternmost province, prompting authorities to request help from the army to clear it.
The precipitation paralyzed the transport network and also led to the closure of many businesses, schools and institutions. They also caused power outages. “Some areas received more than 100 centimeters,” explained Bob Robichaud, meteorologist for the Canadian government. “These are record quantities that have fallen,” he said, referring in particular to Cape Breton Island, where a state of emergency has been declared.
Halifax airport blocked
At Halifax International Airport, the provincial capital, many flights were delayed or canceled and the city’s public transportation was suspended. “With the amount of heavy, sticky snow we have received, snow removal is difficult and will take time,” warned Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston. The latter specified that he had requested assistance, particularly military assistance, from the federal government as well as the neighboring provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
“I approved the request and asked my teams to determine the federal resources that could be quickly deployed,” Canadian Minister of Civil Protection Harjit Sajjan declared Monday, specifying that Ottawa would notably lend equipment to the province. In January 2020, the Canadian army (considered the aid of last resort) deployed more than 150 soldiers to the neighboring province of Newfoundland after a major blizzard which paralyzed the capital Saint John.