"*JimH*" wrote in message
...
..................where are you on donations to the Katrina victims?

Maybe I missed the news but so far I have not ready about any donations
from your Country.

Even Sri Lanka contributed cash to the need of the Katrina victims.


Dear Friends,
It has been with deep sorrow and sadness that we have all witnessed the
devastation Hurricane Katrina has wrought on the Southern United States. As
images reach us from New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana, Alabama and
Mississippi we continue to see what a tragic loss of life and loss of
property has occurred. As the flood waters begin to recede, and the clean-up
and rebuilding starts, I thought you would want to know what Canada has done
to come to the aid of those in need:


Federal:
The Government of Canada has responded quickly to this natural disaster.

*Canada has been in touch with its American colleagues at the very highest
levels. Prime Minister Paul Martin issued a statement to offer any and all
possible assistance to our American neighbors. Mr. Martin also phoned
President Bush last Thursday morning to convey Canadians' concern and pledge
our support in the weeks and months ahead. The Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister for Public Safety, Anne McLellan, has been in contact with U.S.
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and advised him that Canada
stands ready to provide assistance if needed.

*On September 3, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) officials were
contacted by their counterparts at Health and Human Services ( HHS ) in the
United States to request supplies from PHAC's National Emergency Stockpile
System (NESS). The supplies arrived in Atlanta at 12:07am on September 5.

*The U.S. accepted Canada's offer to deploy three Canadian Forces ships and
one Canadian Coast Guard ship to the affected region to support relief
efforts. HMCS Toronto, which visited Chicago last summer, is being deployed
to assist as part of this mission.

*Two Canadian frigates and a destroyer with supplies and technical experts
were loaded in Halifax. The frigates, carrying 1000 personnel, are being
accompanied by a Canadian Coast Guard ship. The ships will also carry
Seahawk helicopters, which will be used to ferry aid workers to the affected
areas. The ships will depart on September 6, 2005.

*Thirty-five Canadian Forces' divers and support staff from the Fleet Diving
Unit (Pacific) and the Combat Engineer Divers have joined their U.S. Navy
counterparts in Pensacola, Florida.

*Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) is coordinating
federal assistance efforts and has been in regular contact with US
Government officials, including the US department of Homeland Security and
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

*Canada's Air Force is sending two CH-146 Griffon helicopters to assist the
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in covering the Boston Search and Rescue (SAR) area
of responsibility.

*Canada is pledging its support through the International Energy Agency
(IEA) in response to oil supply shortages in the U.S.



*In response to US requests, 27 Canadian Red Cross Disaster Services
volunteers flew to Houston aboard a Canadian Forces aircraft on Saturday,
September 3, 2005. The personnel began a three week service assignment in
conjunction with the US Red Cross. There are plans to send another 107
volunteers to the region in the coming weeks.

*Our Embassy in Washington is organizing a benefit for relief assistance of
the hurricane Katrina. All of the proceeds of this fund-raiser will go to
the Red Cross.

Provincial:
Letters of support and offers of aid have been sent by virtually all
provinces.


*Nova Scotia is donating $100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to help victims
of Hurricane Katrina.


*British Columbia's Vancouver Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR) is on site
in New Orleans rescuing people and removing bodies to reduce the eventuality
of disease. The team consists of 45 members, all trained to the structural
collapse technician level.

*Quebec will provide the Canadian Red Cross with 20,000 emergency cots and
as many blankets for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.


*Alberta's Energy Utility Board lifted restrictions on Alberta's maximum oil
production on September 4th to help provide fuel to the U.S. in the wake of
Hurricane Katrina. They have allowed oil producers to extract as much as
30,000 extra barrels per day for as long as necessary to assist the U.S.


*PEI's Acadian communities are working to accommodate over 50 families from
Louisiana.

For more information about the Government of Canada's efforts, please visit
the following government web site.


Other:
*Several Canadian banks, including BMO, TD, CIBC, Scotiabank and RBC have
made significant donations to support the relief effort.


*Several Canadian Universities, including McGill, University of Ottawa and
University of Toronto, have agreed to accept transfer students from the
affected areas.

*Air Canada has dispatched an Airbus 321 aircraft from Toronto to New
Orleans, Louisiana, carrying bottled water and relief supplies. Air Canada
is also participating in a voluntary airline industry initiative to support
rescue and relief operations in the region ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

As you would expect, our first imperative is to reply to the need in the
U.S. Right now we are focused on providing assistance as quickly as
possible. We are confident that in the coming weeks and months, further
cooperation will ensue.

It is surely in times of crisis that Canada and the US have come together
before and most certainly will again. We in Canada stand ready to assist. It
is at these times that we are reminded of the long and proud history between
our countries and our peoples.


Anne Charles
Consul General of Canada, Chicago