Ford announces 'game-changer' volunteer emergency response team for Ontario natural disasters

Ontario is creating a new group of volunteers and skilled professionals that will respond to natural disasters and emergencies in the province, Premier Doug Ford announced on Friday. 

The group, called Ontario Corps, will provide on the ground assistance, including emergency shelter, debris management and flood protection, according to a provincial news release. 

"It's going to be a game changer for emergency management in Ontario," Ford said during a news conference Friday. 

Ontario Corps will work with non-governmental organizations and First Nations partners to coordinate emergency response. 

The group's partner organizations include Feed Ontario, Salvation Army and Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association, according to the news release. 

The province piloted the project earlier this month after a severe snow storm hit Gravenhurst, Ont., in Muskoka. 

Ontario Corps was deployed to conduct wellness checks on Gravenhurst residents, provide food hampers and support a municipal warming centre for the town, Ford said. 

WATCH | Gravenhurst declared state of emergency earlier this month:

Snow strands vehicles, knocks out power in Gravenhurst

25 days ago

Duration 1:56

Snow-clearing efforts continue in Gravenhurst, Ont., where 140 centimetres of snow fell over the weekend, stranding motorists and prompting the town to declare a state of emergency. CBC’s Ali Chiasson has more on the ongoing cleanup efforts.

People can register to join Ontario Corps on the government's website. Volunteers must be Ontario residents who are at least 16 years old.

They must also be willing to complete a free criminal record check and free online training, according to the website. 

The Ford government is spending $110 million toward emergency preparedness and response in Ontario, which includes creating Ontario Corps. 

As part of that spending, the government is also establishing a new headquarters in Etobicoke that will be a centre for coordinated emergency response, the release said.

Canada needs to make a deal with U.S., Ford says 

At Friday's news conference, Ford spoke about president-elect Donald Trump's threat to hit Canadian goods with steep tariffs, saying that the two countries need to make a deal. 

Trump responded on Thursday to Ford's threat to stop energy exports to the U.S. should the tariffs come into effect.

"That's OK if he does that. That's fine," Trump told a CNBC reporter. 

The CNBC reporter said Trump told him off camera that he hopes he can work something out with Canada.

Ford said on Friday the comment marked the first time Trump has ever said he's wanted to strike a deal. 

"That's good news," the premier said. 

Ford said he's spoken to U.S. members of congress, governors and senators who are similarly keen to form an agreement. 

But the premier did not rule out the possibility of stopping the LCBO, the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world, from buying American-made alcohol as a further retaliatory measure against the U.S. 

"We'll use every tool in our toolbox … but I'd prefer not to do any of this," Ford said.