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Generous Canadians set to 'outdonate' their Govt
With total individual donations by people towards tsunami relief surpassing $70 million on Thursday, Canadians have created yet another record in their history.
With total individual donations by people towards tsunami relief surpassing $70 million on Thursday, Canadians have created yet another record in their history.
For a nation of 32 million people, this amount works out to more than $2 per person. As the federal government matches these contributions with an equal amount till January 11, individual donations are set to cross the $100m mark by that date.
Canada is set to become the first country in the world where individual donations will surpass those of their government.
Though India has declined offers of relief, Indo-Canadian newspapers, radios/ TV networks, temples, gurdwaras and cultural organisations have collected huge sums of money for charities.
Vancouver-based India Radio alone managed to raise about half a million dollars. ``All is money is going to Canadian Red Cross,'' said India Radio managing director Maninder Gill.
Local Vietnamese Buddhists have put their temple at Mission (near Vancouver) on sale for $500,000 to raise money for relief.
Newspapers and TV channels says Canada has never witnessed anything like this in its history. Charities across the country are still being flooded with donors from all walks of life. Children as young as five are going around and collecting money for relief. Many kids have donated their monthly government allowances to charities. Artists are holding concerts and shows across the country to pitch in.
For its part, the government today promised to raise the already announced $80m relief to an unspecified amount by January 11. ``"It could increase a lot more. We haven't put a cap on the amount,'' Prime Minister Paul Martin said.
His remarks came after the Australian government raised it aid to $810 million, Germany to $674 million and Japan to $500 million.
Canada was the first country to put a moratorium on the $580m debt owed it by the tsunami- ravaged countries.
