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Troops begin leaving

Canadian Armed Forces soldiers in B.C. to assist with flooding response will begin going home today.

The troops will return to their base in Edmonton in staggered departures, the province says.

They already packed up in the Okanagan earlier this week and will begin leaving the Kootenays as well. The last troops will leave on Saturday, allowing for changing conditions should the flood situation worsen.

A contingent of more than 100 B.C.-based troops will remain in Chilliwack to support flood-response in the Fraser Valley, if needed.

Additional rescue resources from the Armed Forces and Canadian Coast Guard, including watercraft and aircraft, will remain available to support provincial efforts, if needed, and can be deployed in as little as 24 hours.



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