Canada commits $44 million in tsunami relief

Canada's total government aid for victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami reached 44 million US dollars (53 million Canadian) on 30 December 2004, after two provinces announced new contributions.

British Columbia pledged eight million Canadian dollars. Premier Gordon Campbell cited the province's close ties to South Asian communities as part of the reason for the commitment.

Ontario, Canada's wealthiest province, added five million Canadian dollars to the effort. Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the province's readiness to contribute to international relief operations.

The provincial pledges followed a major increase by the federal government a day earlier. Ottawa raised its donation from 3.2 million to 32.8 million US dollars, a tenfold jump announced by Defense Minister Bill Graham.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in December 2004, in its own words.