OTTAWA – With the deadline to match donations for the Pakistan flood relief efforts fast approaching, Canadians are expressing their frustrations at the Conservative government’s silence and lack of an adequate response. NDP Leader Jack Layton has written directly to the Prime Minister today urging quick action on this file before it’s too late.

“Fundraising efforts have been slow to pick up, but just as Canadians are beginning to make their donations, the federal matching program is coming to an end,” said NDP International Cooperation Critic John Rafferty (Thunder Bay-Rainy River). “The matching program is a crucial incentive to encourage public donations, as is making sure the program is being properly promoted. The government is falling short in both these areas.”

New Democrats are urging Canadians to give generously to the Pakistan relief effort, but are also launching a petition Canadians can sign, demanding that the government extend the deadline for donations. Unless the government relents, matching donations will end as of Sunday.

“We are seeing a very different response from the Conservative government to the Pakistan flooding than we saw for the Haiti earthquake and other disasters. It’s baffling,” said Rafferty.
“I would like to see more effort put into raising money because millions of dollars are needed to help the millions of people in need.”

Canada has a tradition of donating bilateral aid and giving to multilateral agencies, such as the United Nations, to manage the long-term disaster implications, such as rebuilding safe housing and vital infrastructure.

The New Democrat Foreign Affairs critic Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) said that the 20 million people affected is a humanitarian crisis of extraordinary proportions and a source of instability in the region already facing major security challenges.

“It’s time for Canada to step up and use the established bilateral and multilateral aid channels to alleviate the suffering on the ground,” said Dewar.

In addition to extending the matching program, New Democrats are calling for an increase in Canada’s contribution to humanitarian and reconstruction efforts through established bilateral and multilateral channels.

Letter from New Democrat Leader Jack Layton to Prime Minister Stephen Harper is attached as a PDF and this is the link to the petition: http://www.ndp.ca/pakistan-petition [5]