There are many times our government does things that make me want to shake my head. Today is not one of those days. The government has announced that it will make any donation "dollar for dollar" made to the tsumani disaster until January 12. It is also freezing any debt repayment from affected countries.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 02:20 am:

That is great news. I will save my comments on the way things are run around here.

By Mrse on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 02:32 am:

That is good news!!! another proud canadian!

By Unschoolmom on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 07:57 am:

Paula - And that's above and beyond the 40 million already promised.

I am ticked off that the PM is STILL on vacation however. Sure they can run things without him here but it really seems callous.

Bobby - I've heard some criticism from an american Senator (I think) about how little aid the US was pledging but haven't heard how much it was since the first 35 million dollar figure.

I was thinking too, with 2000 Americans still missing this might be one of the largest natural disasters in terms of lifes lost in American history?

By Palmbchprincess on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 01:15 pm:

Corporations in America had donated something like 70 million by yesterday afternoon, and rising. Paula, it's great to hear Canada is doing their part.

By Paulas on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 03:10 pm:

Dawn, I think I heard yesterday that he is returning home today. He is on holiday for Christmas...glad that we pay him well enough to do that! I think President Bush is also on vacation.

By Unschoolmom on Friday, December 31, 2004 - 05:13 pm:

The USA just upped its donation to $350 million. THAT's better.

By Annie2 on Saturday, January 1, 2005 - 02:04 am:

Here's a thought.....since most of Hollywood celebs hate GWBush and his presidency, why don't they put a campaign together to donate money.
Come on Richard Gere, Alec Baldwin, Bruce Springstien, Sheryl Crow, Sean Penn.
I'm tired of USA bashing. I'm also appalled that this horrific tragedy is becoming political.

By Kaseys on Saturday, January 1, 2005 - 03:09 am:

Ditto Annie..

By Paulas on Saturday, January 1, 2005 - 06:18 pm:

Just for the record...I wasn't USA bashing when I posted this post. Originally, Canada was sending $10 million and had refused to send the DART team. After much outrage, our government changed it's mind. I was especially pleased with their offer to match regular Canadians contribution. I was in NO way referring to any other country...just pleased with my own.

By Annie2 on Saturday, January 1, 2005 - 08:18 pm:

I referred to USA bashing and Bush bashing but I am not referring to anyone here in particular. I apologize if my comments may have hurt someone's feelings. Not my intention at all.

By Kate on Sunday, January 2, 2005 - 12:15 am:

Hmmm....I have no problem with the leaders being on vacation. I'm sure they are managing the situation from their vacations and since America (and Canada) isn't in any danger, why do they need to rush home? Both countries are helping, that's what matters.

By Unschoolmom on Sunday, January 2, 2005 - 07:29 am:

I think it's a matter of image at the very least. This is the biggest natural disaster in history and to me and lots of people I've been talking with, for the PM and certain key ministers to continue their vacations seems callous. It also cushions them from a lot pf political pressure that ordinary people have been putting on our respective gov't to help more. I wonder if they HAD been home if money and aid wouldn't have been mobilized faster? If they ARE working on this on there vacation hy not just come back, do the work here AND be here to support their nation?

Nevermind that this is a tradgedy that affects so many Canadians and americans directly. 2000 Americans missing, 150 Canadians (who had horrendous times trying to get help from our embassy, another issue our PM got a break on because he stayed away). The news the other night had a story of a Canadian man who was originally from Sri Lanka and over 100 family members of his were missing. Every phone call was more bad news. Shouldn't the PM be back to acknowledge the grief and suffering?

I can't understand why a vacation should trump an international disater that seems to have touched so many countries. I think they'll have to be some explaining.

By Marcia on Monday, January 10, 2005 - 11:08 pm:

As of tonite, Canadians are sending at least 425 million. WOW!!

By Unschoolmom on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - 06:10 pm:

Holy cow! I didn't hear that! I know Australia's sending 800 million, Japan is at 500 million. Our total in Canada must be in part due to the gov't matching all private donations?

By Breann on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - 09:37 pm:

Annie2, there is an organization that has been put together by celebrities to raise/donate money for Tsunami relief.

By Marcia on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 05:13 pm:

Yes, it's partially because of the dollar for dollar matching. The couple that own Music World donated 5 million, so there's 10 right there. I know that the chum stations raised 3.2 million on their blitz day alone, never mind what's come in to them since.
They said we were the 4th or 5th highest for donations, but didn't say who the others were. Great job, everyone!