Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay told the Toronto Star the huge Boeing C-17 military transport plane with 12 medics arrived in Lakefront, La., around 5:30 p.m. Sunday following a request from the U.S. Northern Command.

"I think the Canadian Forces have proven experience in disaster relief operations and humanitarian assistance. They value that," MacKay said.

The report didn't specify how many evacuees were taken or where as Gustav was poised to make landfall near New Orleans Monday.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the region on Aug. 29, 2005, Canada sent military engineers, navy divers and three warships laden with supplies, the Star said.

In 2007, Canada and the United States signed an agreement formalizing the cross-border assistance by each country's armed forces in natural disasters, MacKay said.