OTTAWA,
ON, July 28, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the
Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King's Privy Council
for Canada and Minister of
Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific
Economic Development Agency of Canada, and the Honourable Mike Ellis,
the Alberta Deputy Premier and
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, announced a
donation-matching initiative with the Canadian Red Cross to support
wildfire disaster relief and recovery efforts in the province,
including in the historic town of Jasper which was severely impacted by
wildfires in recent days.
Both the federal and provincial governments will match all
donations to the Canadian Red
Cross 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal, which
means every $1 donated will
become $3 to support the families and
individuals most impacted by wildfires in Jasper and across the province. The donation
matching will be for 30 days, retroactive to when it first opened
on July 25, 2024.
Thousands of people were forced to evacuate the Town of Jasper last week, as the Jasper National Park experienced its worst
wildfire in history. Thanks in part to the town preparations for
the risk of wildfire, no one was hurt and part of the town was
saved. On July 25, Minister Sajjan
approved a Request for Federal Assistance from Alberta to
provide firefighting resources, strategic airlift capacity, as well
as Canadian Armed Forces' resources and logistics support.
The Government of Canada and
the Government of Alberta are
committed to doing everything they can to support all those
affected.
Canadians wishing to make a financial donation to help those
impacted by wildfires in Alberta
can do so online at www.redcross.ca or by calling
1-800-418-1111.
Quotes
"The Government of Canada and
the Government of Alberta stand by
Albertans and all those affected by the wildfires, and we will
continue to work together to do everything we can to ensure public
safety and help rebuild. I want to thank the first responders,
volunteers, non-governmental organizations, and emergency managers
across all levels of governments and Indigenous communities for
their heroic work in the response and recovery efforts in
Alberta."
- The Honourable Harjit S.
Sajjan, President of the King's Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency
Preparedness
"The devastating losses from the wildfires in Jasper have touched the hearts of Canadians
and people around the world who have spent time in this special
part of our province. Alberta's
government stands firmly behind the Jasper community and every Albertan who has
been affected by these wildfires, and matching donations to the Red
Cross demonstrates our shared commitment to support Jasperites and
Albertans throughout their recovery."
- The Honourable Mike Ellis,
Alberta Deputy Premier and
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services
"As we see the tremendous loss caused by the devastating
wildfires in Alberta, including
approximately one-third of Jasper,
the Canadian Red Cross understands how difficult and uncertain the
days ahead will be for those impacted. We welcome the matching
funds provided by the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta, as the Red Cross is committed to
helping people impacted by the wildfires, as well as working
alongside other organizations, Indigenous leadership, and all
levels of government to assist with recovery and resiliency efforts
in the weeks and months ahead."
- Conrad Sauvé, President
and CEO, Canadian Red Cross
More Information
- The 2024 Alberta Wildfires Appeal is online:
www.redcross.ca or by phone at 1-800-418-1111.
- Government of Canada
information and resources: Wildfires
- The Active emergency updates | Alberta.ca web page has
up-to-date evacuation information. Albertans seeking information or
supports can call the Alberta
government call centre at 310-4455.
- FireSmart Canada
SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada