January 1 4, 2010

DEVOLIN URGES RESIDENTS TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

OTTAWA – Local MP Barry Devolin is expressing his sympathy to those struck by the recent earthquake in Haiti.

“I am deeply saddened by reports that thousands of people have been killed, and tens of thousands more have been injured and left homeless,” said Devolin. “In particular, I am concerned about reports of Canadians killed or injured, and the more than 100 Canadians who have taken refuge at our Embassy in Haiti.”

The Hon. Lawrence Cannon, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that the first wave of international evacuees has arrived in the Dominican Republic, including some 100 Canadians who will continue on to Montreal to arrive late this evening. They will be arriving on the Hercules aircraft that travelled to Haiti yesterday. Over the next few days, our government hopes to evacuate as many Canadians as possible as we continue our operations in Haiti.

The Hon. Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced this morning that Canada will match contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations, in support of humanitarian and recovery efforts in Haiti, to a total of $50 million. CIDA will allocate these funds to established Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations that have an established presence in Haiti.

While attending a Leaders Prayer Breakfast in Haliburton this morning, Devolin mentioned the need for all Canadians to reach out and help our Haitian neighbours. In response, church leaders passed the hat and more than $1400 was raised in a few minutes.

The Government of Canada is engaging with the international community to ensure capacity building and coordination on the ground in order to adequately respond to the crisis. The Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last evening on the tragic events unfolding in Haiti. Today, he will speak with the Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister Celso Amorim. He also plans to speak with Alain Leroy the Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the United Nations. 

“I am deeply moved by the generosity of Canadians and the out flowing of support. Information is available on the Canada Revenue Agency website for those who wish to make a charitable contribution towards relief efforts in Haiti,” said Devolin. “Our government encourages Canadians to consult this information, in order to free our Emergency lines for people in need.”

Friends and relatives in Canada seeking information on Canadian citizens believed to be in Haiti should contact the Emergency Operations Centre by calling 1-800-387-3124 or, for those in Ottawa, 613-943-1055. They may also send an email to sos@international.gc.ca. 

Canadian citizens in Haiti requiring emergency consular assistance should call Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Emergency Operations Centre at 613-996-8885, or send an email to sos@international.gc.ca 

The Government will update Canadians as the situation evolves at: http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/earthquake_seisme_haiti.aspx 


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For more information contact:

Barry Devolin, MP 

(705) 324-9436 or (866) 688-9881