Government of Canada and Government of British Columbia to establish donation-matching with the Canadian Red Cross for BC wildfires
Ontario: The Government of Canada recognizes the hardship Canadians have encountered due to the wildfires in British Columbia (BC) and is committed to support them through these difficult times.
Today, the Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, and the British Columbia Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth, announced coordinated donation-matching programs with the Canadian Red Cross to support the disaster relief effort in Lytton and other communities impacted by the devastating forest fires in BC.
The Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia will each match every dollar donated to the Canadian Red Cross (CRC), which means that every $1 donated will become $3 to support those affected by the wildfires. This will be retroactive to donations received since July 3, 2021, when the Red Cross BC Wildfire Fire Appeal fund began. The Government of Canada will match donations for the next 30 days.
Donated funds will support the range of emergency services the CRC is delivering to those in need, on behalf of the Government of British Columbia. These services include things such as temporary lodging, clothing, food, and other essential supplies not covered by other federal or provincial programs. In addition, donated funds will allow the CRC to continue to support evacuees, as they begin the long process of recovery.
The Government of Canada recognizes the heroic work of first responders, volunteers, civil society, and emergency managers across all levels of governments and Indigenous communities in the response and recovery efforts in Lytton and surrounding areas, as well as across British Columbia.
Canadians wishing to make a financial donation to help those impacted by the BC fires can do so online at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111, by texting FIRES to 45678 or by contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office.