'Rebuild better:' Justin Trudeau says Canada must brace for more storm devastation from climate change

Prime Minister Justin Trudeausays officials at all levels of government must develop a plan to "rebuild better" as Canada braces for more frequent floods and fires related to climate change.

Trudeau spoke to reporters Thursday morning after touring theGatineau, Que., flood zonesby helicopter with Premier PhilippeCouillard.

Trudeausaid a "tremendous" cleanup is ahead as the water levels recede.

Going forward, officials must also develop a rebuilding strategy that makescommunities more resistant and resilient to extreme weather events.

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"We're going to have to understand that bracing for a 100-year storm is maybe going to happen every 10 years now, or every few years," he said. "And that means as we look to rebuild our communities, our homes, our infrastructure, we're going to have to think about what we can do to rebuild better."

Trudeau says communities need to rebuild better

7 years ago

Duration 1:19

PM Justin Trudeau says the frequency of extreme weather means we need to think about how we rebuild communities.

Asked if municipalitiesshould be allowed to build in areas known to be at high riskof flooding,Trudeausaid officials must consider a plan in a "thoughtful and measured" way.

Trudeau praised the collective response to massiveflooding in Quebec and other parts of the country, noting thatvolunteers, neighbours, first responders and military personnel are doing an "extraordinary job."

'Canadians come together'

"We can really see that Canadians come together and unite in difficult times," he said.

About 2,200 Canadian Armed Forces personnel have been deployed to assist in relief efforts, and the Canadian Red Cross has launched an appeal for donations to help residents rebuild their homes and lives.

The federal government has contributed $1 million to that appeal, and Trudeau urged all Canadians to donate generously to the fund.

On Wednesday, Public Safety Minister RalphGoodalecalled the flooding a "large-scale disaster."