(Ottawa) The director of the Canadian Red Cross says that Canada must better prepare for natural disasters, but also reduce its dependence on the army, by creating a civilian intervention force.
Posted at 2:34 p.m.
Conrad Sauvé points out that natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, which puts enormous pressure on governments and organizations like the military.
He believes that the frequency of these extreme events has highlighted a lack of proper planning and preparation for such emergencies.
As storms and disasters that used to occur once a century become annual events, Mr. Sauvé believes that Canada must less depend on the military and instead create a civilian force to respond to disasters.
Mr. Sauvé was testifying before the Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, which is examining the frequency with which the military is deployed in Canada following major weather events.
But his comments also come as hundreds of Canadian military and Red Cross volunteers lend a helping hand to Atlantic Canadians recovering from post-tropical storm Fiona about 10 days ago. .