Canada Sends New C-17 to Jamaica with Supplies for the Victi

TRENTON — Minister of International Cooperation Beverley Oda and Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Peter Gordon MacKay were in Trenton today to oversee loading of relief items in Canada's new C-17 for hurricane-affected communities in Jamaica.

"By using our new C-17, Canada's New Government is responding today to the humanitarian emergency in Jamaica with a large shipment of emergency aid supplies," said Minister Oda. "The 32 tons of supplies, such as tarps, jerricans and buckets that we are sending will bring much-needed relief to the victims of Hurricane Dean."

"Today's shipment of such a large quantity of supplies across this long distance would not have been possible without our new C-17 Canadian Forces aircraft," said Minister MacKay. "I am proud that we now have this capability, and the Canadian Forces can contribute toward this important relief effort and helping to alleviate the human suffering caused by Hurricane Dean."

"In his recent travel to the region, the Prime Minister highlighted the importance of Canada's longstanding relationship with the Caribbean. Canadian officials have been maintaining close contact with the relevant authorities and agencies of all countries affected by Hurricane Dean," said the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs. "I have been in touch with my Jamaican counterpart to underscore our willingness to assist. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of Canadian tour operators in acting so responsibly toward their clients and to remind travelers of the need to stay informed and cautious when visiting regions prone to hurricanes."

The supplies sent today are in addition to Canada's $2 million financial commitment made on August 20, 2007 for relief and recovery efforts for those affected by Hurricane Dean; and a February 2007 contribution to the $20 million Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility—proving governments with insurance against government losses caused by catastrophic natural disasters; and a $20 million regional disaster risk reduction program.

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[positivestep]

As a citizen of Jamaica, I extend gratitude to Canada and the aid it provided and continue to, to one of

"Her Royal Majesty's" crown country. It is good to see that the Air Force men are shipping food etc, instead of guns. Pity you had to return with an empty plane....could have loaded up with some people.

Yeh Mon!

[pspboy7]

Btw, love seeing the Canadian Forces logo on such a marvelous new piece of kit. Go Stephen Harper, you make me proud to be Canadian. :)

[alicat123123]

i live in the town this was taken

[Winter077]

I love my country! Go Canada!!

[sunsetreptiles]

why was Canadian sending stuff to jamaica

[keinth930]

the rollers make things so easy... gr8 aircraft..

[hbkfitz]

canada first defence stratagey guarenteed for 25 years

[hbkfitz]

we have enough with the new hercs coming and the lease contract for an124's and il 76's still possible

[fkar007]

Thanks U-Tube for allowing me to complete my several responses to this video.  You are all great, as is this video... I lied: I had several very intelligent comments re the above, but they were lost when the next video came on... Like I have 3000 video's, so we are quite busy at HQ. "GOOD SHOW"

[slavedriver6]

my dad works at the base and is the head loadmaster for the c17's

[forcerecon85]

Good to see some new kit coming in. If we had a few more of these, or possibly a C-5/An-124/A380F we could constantly be doing aid missions. Lets keep rolling new stuff in!

[Finger2212]

I just hope that the Conservatives can get enough done before the Liberals get back into power. I will be pissed if they take us back into a country with an underfunded military. I am by no means criticizing the military in its present state, or any state that its ever been in, because it is first-rate with great members, but the Liberals are just bad news for it, tri-service for example.

They don't seem to understand that these things aren't just for war...