Chinese-Canadians reach out to quake victims
Canadian government extends aid offer to China
Last Updated: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 | 2:31 PM PT
CBC News
Efforts to help people affected by Monday's massive earthquake in China are taking shape across Canada.
Members of the Chinese-Canadian community said Tuesday a number of initiatives are expected to be launched in the next few days.
In Toronto, Banggu Jiang, head of the Chinese Confederation of Sichuanese, announced the establishment of the China-Sichuan Relief Fund to funnel Canadian donations to earthquake victims.
Jiang said it has been a very emotional 24 hours since news of the quake came out
She said Chinese-Canadians worried about families and friends in China realized they had to do something immediately.
Donations to the China-Sichuan Relief Fund will be accepted at Bank of China branches across the country.
Andrea Chun, a talk show host on Fairchild Radio, which serves the Chinese-speaking community in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary, said people in several cities were also holding formal and informal meetings to discuss relief efforts.
Chun said well-known charities like World Vision Canada and the Canadian Red Cross were already poised to send funds and help Chinese organizations working in Sichuan and other affected areas.
More announcements of aid efforts can be expected from the Chinese-Canadian community "within days," she said.
There have also been moves in Ottawa to respond to the needs of quake victims.
Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said he spoke Tuesday morning with China's chargé d'affaires in Ottawa to express Canada's condolences for the tragic events and to offer assistance.
"I have also said that we want to do everything possible, including providing necessary aid if they ever need it," Bernier told the House of Commons during question period Tuesday. "Canada will be there behind the Chinese in their difficult moment."
Toronto-area Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis is calling on the federal government to commit $10 million for Chinese quake relief.
He also wants Ottawa to match dollar for dollar all donations made by non-governmental organizations and would like to see some leniency when it comes to immigration.
Karygiannis said the federal government expedited some visa applications after the Asian tsunami of 2004 and should do the same for Chinese-Canadians who want to bring family members from the quake zone to Canada.
