National

Canada boosts Pakistan flood donation match to $5M

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Sep, 2022 10:07 AM

OTTAWA - International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan says Ottawa will match more donations, for a longer period of time, to help those suffering from flooding in Pakistan.

This morning with @iamIqraKhalid & @Shafqat_Ali_1 I hosted a meeting of the Canada-Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group to brief MPs on our recent visit to Pakistan with Minister @HarjitSajjan to survey the flood damage and meet officials, NGOs and impacted residents. pic.twitter.com/0jowGWM0SK
— Salma Zahid (@SalmaZahid15) September 29, 2022

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Sept. 13 that the federal government would match up to $3 million in donations made to the Humanitarian Coalition and its dozen member charities.

That matching campaign was due to end on Wednesday.

In an interview, Sajjan says the campaign will go on and the amount is now capped at $5 million.

Canada also committed $25 million earlier this month to help with badly needed food, water, sanitation and health services, on top of the $5 million pledged in August.

After 2010 floods in Pakistan, the former Harper government pledged $71.8 million for relief efforts, including $46.8 million from donations Ottawa had matched.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

'Volatile' patient arrested at B.C. hospital

Vancouver Police say an investigation is underway after a patient allegedly armed with a knife chased a doctor at BC Women's Hospital and tried to access a locked nursery as staff hid to protect themselves. Sgt. Steve Addison says he has listened to chilling 911 calls from staff and social workers fearful of the volatile woman, whose child is also a patient at the hospital.

'Volatile' patient arrested at B.C. hospital

Japanese Yakuza link in B.C. drug bust: RCMP

A statement from the RCMP's federal serious and organized crime team says the investigation began in August 2019, when the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted a 12-kilogram shipment of methamphetamine destined for Japan.

Japanese Yakuza link in B.C. drug bust: RCMP

Charges laid in March 2022 Langley homicide

Following a six-month investigation, IHIT investigators identified Justin Bos as a suspect in the homicide of Mr. Mostat. On September 21, 2022, Bos was arrested by IHIT for the murder and charged with second degree murder of Cody Mostat.

Charges laid in March 2022 Langley homicide

Merritt, B.C., to pilot four-day work week

Merritt’s chief administrative officer says the one-year trial, approved by council on Tuesday, will see city hall closed on Mondays, with operational hours extended Tuesday through Friday to 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., an extra hour and 45 minutes each day.

Merritt, B.C., to pilot four-day work week

Canada lifting COVID-19 border rules Sept. 30

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has agreed to let a cabinet order enforcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the Canadian border expire at the end of this month. The change will also bring an end to COVID-19 border testing, which is currently mandatory for unvaccinated international travellers and random for those who are vaccinated.

Canada lifting COVID-19 border rules Sept. 30

B.C. adds $2 million for suicide prevention, care

Malcolmson says the money will be spread across regional health authorities to provide training and resources for health workers caring for people experiencing a mental health crisis, with the aim of reducing suicide deaths. Malcolmson's ministry says the provincial coroners service investigated 582 suicide deaths last year, down from 597 in 2020 and 634 in 2019.