Delayed response

Apparently, the Liberals managed to remember some unfinished business last week - though it's unclear whether the reason was increased attention on natural disasters, or mere election speculation:

The federal government has given Nova Scotia another multimillion-dollar cheque to help with damage caused by provincewide flooding in March 2003.

The $6-million cheque under the disaster financial assistance program was accepted Tuesday by Ernie Fage, minister responsible for the Emergency Measures Act.

Nova Scotia has now received a total of $10 million from Ottawa for the flood damage...

The federal disaster assistance helps communities recover from the devastating effects of natural disasters.

It's downright amazing that more than half of the aid needed in response to a natural disaster would be delayed until two and a half years after the event. The delivery of the cheque this long after the fact signals one of two things on behalf of the federal Libs: a complete breakdown in response after the initial flooding, or a desire to be seen handing yet more money to provinces outside any properly defined standards. Either way, they don't deserve anything but criticism for the action.