Officials confirm withdrawal of Canadian Forces involved in flooding relief

GATINEAU, Que. — Canadian soldiers have finished their flood-relief mission in Quebec, the federal and provincial governments announced Monday.

“I handed over a letter that told the federal government — and thanking it as well, obviously — that we are now able to handle the situation with our own resources,” Quebec Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux told a news conference in Gatineau, Que.

Between April 5 and May 16, more than 5,700 homes were flooded and more than 4,000 people forced from their homes.

Coiteux said while water levels have dropped, the province’s role in recovery and reconstruction is far from over.