Cablegate: Tfus01 - Canada: Status of Assistance 3 -

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

072108Z Sep 05

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

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