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