For Immediate Release
December 30, 2004

PREMIER MCGUINTY ANNOUNCES AID FOR DISASTER VICTIMS
Five-Point Plan To Assist In Recovery And Rebuilding Effort

QUEEN'S PARK - The Ontario government announced a plan to assist the relief effort for victims of last week's unprecedented earthquakes and tidal waves in South Asia, including a pledge of $5 million to the Canadian Red Cross, said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty.

"I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of this terrible disaster, which hit at a time of year we expect to be filled with celebration, not sorrow," said Premier McGuinty. "Since the first news, we have been in contact with other governments and disaster relief agencies and are able to offer a plan for immediate assistance, starting by re-activating the Ontario Disaster Relief Fund."

The Province is providing aid by:

• Donating $5 million to the Canadian Red Cross to support the global relief effort for Southern Asia through the re-activated Ontario Disaster Relief Fund
• Offering our expertise in forensic identification and disaster management: Dr. James Young has been asked by Health Canada and Foreign Affairs to participate in a delegation going to the region to assist in recovery efforts
• Working with the federal government to identify any further equipment, supplies or expertise necessary to help the global relief effort
• Asking all Ontario Public Service employees to give generously by contributing any form of support to the Canadian Red Cross
• Reiterating the call for Ontarians to donate whatever they can to relief organizations.

The tidal waves killed tens of thousands of people in South Asia and left millions of others homeless. Shortages of food and drinking water, as well as the risk of disease, now threaten many of the survivors.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims, the emergency workers who have been working hard to save their fellow citizens, and with the entire region as it begins to rebuild," said Premier McGuinty. "Now is the time when we all need to pull together to do what we can to help."

Ontarians wishing to make a contribution to the Canadian Red Cross can call

1-800-418-1111, contact their local Canadian Red Cross office, or donate online at www.redcross.ca.

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