Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday morning more than 4,000 homes in Provencher, including my home, were left without heat after a natural gas pipeline exploded near Otterburne, Manitoba. Several homes near the explosion were evacuated. It has, today, warmed up to a tropical -34° wind chill.
Many residents found warm places to stay with friends, neighbours, and relatives. Others have used space heaters to heat their homes, and some have made use of the emergency warming shelters which were quickly opened.
Our government has been closely monitoring the situation. I am happy to report that as of this morning, natural gas service has been restored to many of the homes and businesses affected and is expected to be restored to the remainder this afternoon.
On Saturday I visited the Hanover Emergency Operations Centre. I want to commend the emergency personnel, who have done an incredible job in keeping the public updated on the situation and on the progress being made to restore the flow of natural gas to homes and businesses affected.
I am proud to see how our communities and emergency crews in Provencher have banded together to work through this crisis.