TFUS01 - CANADA: STATUS OF ASSISTANCE 3 -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OTTAWA 002689 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR R, WHA/CAN; WHA/EPSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON AEMR ASEC CASC MARR AMGT US CA SUBJECT: TFUS01 - CANADA: STATUS OF ASSISTANCE 3 - SEPTEMBER 7, 2005 REF: A. OTTAWA 2669 ¶B. OTTAWA 2638 ¶C. STATE 162270 ¶1. We continue to receive offers of assistance and are referring all Canadian donors, public and private, to: Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) at 1-800-929-1705 or 613-991-7000; goc-cog@psepc-sppcc.gc.ca ¶2. PSEPC suggests that corporations that are interested in selling supplies for the relief effort (rather than donating) contact: John Bonar at International Trade Canada at 613-944-8821. ¶3. The contact for public health matters, including transport of human vaccines, is: Public Health Canada - Ops center is 613-952-1955, duty officer is 1-800-545-7661. For public-health-related queries during working hours contact: Dr. Ron St. John, Director General, Emergency Preparedness and Response at 613-957-0316. Consular -------------- ¶4. Foreign Affairs Canada provided more information on Canadians in Louisiana and Mississippi. They are in contact with 4 Canadians in Louisiana who are still in the affected area (including two working in a hospital, one in police training who plan to stay). There are 7 whom they have not been able to contact, but they believe they have left the affected area and 11 they believe may be in the affected area who have not been contacted, usually due to lack of adequate detail provided by callers. They are concerned about the impact of the recent evacuation order on those Canadians who plan to stay in New Orleans. All 14 Canadians in Mississippi are residents. They have not had contact with 4 they believe are still in the affected area and one who they believe has left. They are in contact with 3 who are still in the affected area. ¶5. The Canadian Red Cross contacted post for guidance on how to handle welfare and whereabouts requests from Americans in Canada or regarding Canadians in the U.S. We suggested they contact Foreign Affairs Canada's operations center (613-996-8885) or the State Department Operations Center, depending on the nationality of the missing person. The Red Cross is also receiving offers from Canadians to take in Katrina victims and we are suggesting such offers be made through PSEPC. EMS/paramedic network -------------- ¶6. The EMS Chiefs of Canada has 150-200 paramedics who could be deployed immediately to the affected region or to other states to backfill US teams. They could also be called on in the future to replace teams who might be suffering burnout. Hal Newman in Montreal (514-697-1470) has coordinated a network of rescue workers across the country, encouraging them to register with PSEPC. In addition the the EMS Chiefs mentioned above, there are dozens of professional organizations interested in helping. Their offer was made six days ago (affiliated with Beryl Wajsman and the Institute of Public Affairs of Montreal) but there has been no US response yet. Interested states or organizations could contact PSEPC at the number in para 1, or contact Mr. Newman directly. Newman reports that Convergence Communications of St. Louis has offered them a registry data base and they plan to make that website available to participants. Federal Government -------------- ¶7. The Speaker of the Canadian Senate sent a letter to Senator Ted Stevens, with a copy to the Ambassador, expressing sympathy, condolences, and reiterating the desire of Canadians to do whatever is possible. Province of Quebec -------------- ¶8. Hydro-Quebec (the electric company) offered any assistance needed. The Quebec government tells us H-Q has a large stock of generators. We are encouraging them to coordinate with the GOC. Province of Nova Scotia -------------- ¶9. Nova Scotia Power offered assistance to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, referencing their gratitude for U.S. assistance after Hurrican Juan in 2003. The contact person is Ralph Tedesco, Chief Operating Officer at 902-428-6109 or ralph.tedesco@emera.com Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation stores are collecting Katrina donations at their 108 outlets. University -------------- ¶10. According to a press release, Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, will provide full tuition and free residence accomodations to five students and will make 100 seats available to American students at reduced cost. The university is developing a strategy to assist with travel costs and expedite visas. Undergraduates affected by Katrina and interested in this offer should contact the dean of students at hurricane.relief@acadiau.ca ¶11. We have heard that McGill University has offered to accept students from Tulane University and other Canadian schools are making similar offers. Private Sector -------------- ¶12. Claude Marois, a Quebec businessman, called CG Quebec City to offer Katrina victims his entire production of interior wooden doors. He said he is prepared to send 750 doors at a profit cut of 20% to help with reconstruction in Louisiana. The CG referred him to Habitat for Humanity Canada and PSEPC. ¶13. Gaetan St-Jean, president of the Cooperative des technicians ambulanciers de Quebec (CTAQ),called to offer 50 emergency relief/paramedics and possibly several ambulances. He was referred to PSEPC and the Canadian Red Cross. ¶14. Evan Back, National Director of Architectural Sales for BLP Bronze International contacted the embassy to ask how he could help. He was referred to PSEPC. Contact info is 1-800-246-6326 or www.blpbronze.com ¶15. The Business Council of Manitoba wrote to the Ambassador on August 31 to express condolences and offer assistance. We have asked for more details. Other missions -------------- ¶16. The Ambassador received messages of condolence from the Thai Ambassador and the High Commission of Trinidad and Tobago. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS