Press Release: Senator Ratna Omidvar calls on the Federal Government to match Canadians’ donations to India battling COVID-19

Ottawa – May 5, 2021 –Senator Ratna Omidvar tabled a motion in the Senate of Canada asking the Government of Canada to match the generous donations made by Canadians to India for Covid-19 related relief.

“Canadians have been showing their generosity by donating to many reputable charitable organizations which are providing urgent medical aid including oxygen, personal protective equipment, emergency medical supplies, and more to those in most need across India,” said Senator Ratna Omidvar. “The Government of Canada needs to match these donations to further help India get out of the pandemic fire that it is facing.”

The COVID-19 disaster has engulfed India and spread to other regions. In one week, the country accounted for 46% of global cases and 25% of global deaths and is registering well over 350,000 new cases per day and nearly 3,500 deaths each day. These are the official numbers, but the toll could be much higher. The spread of infection is having a devastating impact as the healthcare system buckles under the strain.  People have been unable to get the care that they need as hospitals have run out of beds, oxygen and ventilators and makeshift crematoriums have been set up in city parking lots to deal with the overwhelming death toll.

“The pandemic is a truly global fight. If we don’t help our friends and global neighbours, the pandemic will continue to ravage our world.” says Senator Omidvar.

Canada has already provided funding of $10 million to the Indian Red Cross and has been generous when disasters, natural or otherwise, have struck parts of the world. For example, the Government  matched Canadian donations in the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut explosion, in response to the 2019 tropical cyclone Idai and to the Myanmar Crisis Relief Fund in 2017. In the past 10 years, the Government of Canada has matched the donations of Canadians 10 times for various disasters. 

In February 2021, India came to Canada’s aid by shipping vaccines to support the nation’s vaccination drive. It is now time for Canada to be generous in return and send much needed support before it is too late.

For more information:

Paul Faucette 
Director of Parliamentary Affairs, The Honourable Ratna Omidvar
paul.faucette (at) sen.parl.gc.ca | 613-762-2887