TFUS01 - CANADA: STATUS OF ASSISTANCE SEPTEMBER

UNCLAS OTTAWA 002766 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 SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 REF: A. OTTAWA 2741 AND PREVIOUS ¶B. STATE 162270 ¶1. Archival assistance: The National Librarian and Archivist of Canada, Ian Wilson, offered the Ambassador assistance in restoring historic documents, manuscripts, maps, artwork, that may have been damaged by flooding of archives or museums. He notes that his conservators have experience with flood damaged items and are very willing to help when the US can use their assistance. Contact: Embassy Ottawa ¶2. Education: Ryerson University in Toronto offered condolences and asked how they could best help students and colleagues whose lives have been disrupted by the hurricane, and how they can assist sister colleges and universities. We told them we have provided the task force with the web address for the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, which lists Katrina assistance offered by members, and are suggesting that interested students or professors contact Canadian schools directly. The web site is www.aucc.ca/katrina/index e.html Other offers and donations -------------- ¶3. A Francophone school near Ottawa offered home hospitality and classroom space for teachers and students affected by the disaster. We advised them that the embassy is not coordinating such offers but referred them to the FEMA website. ¶4. A Canadian federal bureaucrat who manages a Klezmer band is holding a benefit concert September 28 at a downtown coffee shop. ¶5. The Jacques Whitford company of Nova Scotia has donated $10,000 to the US Red Cross and is matching employees donations. ¶7. A private citizen sent the embassy a check for C$50, which FMC will transmit to the Katrina relief fund. Condolence notes -------------- ¶6. The Ambassador has received messages from: -- the Coalition of Muslim Organizations, an umbrella group of 35 Muslim groups in Canada, noting that they have requested members to donate generously to NGOs and other humanitarian organizations; -- Sheldon Levy, the President of Ryerson University, with a request to hear from us on how they can best help the victims. (Post will call Mr. Levy to respond and let him know that we have informed the task force of offers on the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada website at www.aucc.ca/katrina/index e.html .) -- John G. Williams, Member of Parliament from edmonton-St. Albert in Alberta, on behalf of his constituents; -- the Embassy of the Republic of Korea; -- the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, noting that "We know that the great generousity and indomitabel spirit of Americans, which we Iraqis have experienced at first hand, will inspire you as your nation rebuilds." Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa DICKSON