SENATORS’ STATEMENTS — Hurricane Melissa

Honourable senators, I rise on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation to pay homage to the people in Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba who were recently devastated by Hurricane Melissa. This was the most powerful hurricane in history to hit the region, taking lives, shutting down electrical grids, hospitals and critical infrastructure relied on by millions of people.

The day the hurricane struck Jamaica is one I will never forget. Even though I was here in the safety of the Senate, it was impossible for me to focus or sit still, as my mind wandered incessantly to what my family members, friends and people were experiencing, and the undeniable trauma they were undergoing.

Today, weeks after the devastation, I am relieved to say that all members of my family are safe, but they did not escape the destructive damage many of us have heard about.

This prompted many here in Canada and elsewhere to quickly rally and support those back home to rebuild, restore and repair their homes.

The crushing power of Melissa left countless people in the region not only without homes and means to support themselves, but struggling with mental health issues that are bound to linger for years to come.

Jamaica, known as the land of wood and water, is the land of my birth; there is an invisible umbilical cord that will never be severed. It is about a sense of home that has never left me, even though I left as a child. Without a doubt, Canada is my home and always will be. But I am also Jamaican, and this will never change. When they hurt, I feel it in my bones, like a collective pain that reaches beyond borders to those of us in the diaspora across oceans, mountains and plains, reminding us of our roots and lineage.

This is not unique to Jamaicans or Caribbean people; it is the experience of those of us who hail from other lands and carry dual or triple cultural identities that also define who we are.

There is no doubt Jamaica will rebuild; of this, I am certain. I am personally deeply thankful to the Government of Canada for the commitments made to date, including $11 million for humanitarian assistance and another $6 million toward development assistance in the region. In addition, Canada is matching donations from the public to the Canadian Red Cross up to $3 million. This support will go a long way to assist with immediate relief efforts, but additional resources will be required for longer-term resilient infrastructure.

Jamaicans are often described as a strong and resilient people. While this is true, I hasten to remind us that resilience in circumstances of crises often comes at unavoidable costs of lives and livelihoods. So, let us save lives by supporting strong, resilient structures while we work collectively to curb the global impact of climate change, no matter where we live, work or play.

Thank you, meegwetch.