Feds to match up to $1.5M in donations to Canada Strong fund
Posted January 22, 2020 3:03 pm.
Last Updated January 22, 2020 4:14 pm.
The Government of Canada says it will match donations made to a fundraising campaign for victims of the Iran plane crash up to $1.5 million, essentially doubling the initiative’s total funding goal.
The ‘Canada Strong’ fund was spearheaded by Mohamad Fakih, founder of the Paramount Fine Foods restaurant chain, to help cover funeral costs for the victims of the Iran plane crash.
The matching is retroactive to the start of the campaign and will continue for a month, until Feb 21. or when the $1.5 million cap is reached.
A steering committee is being formed to distribute the funds and former Toronto mayor Barbara Hall will be a member.
Funds will be available to victims’ relatives who live outside of Canada if no next of kin are in Canada.
The ‘Canada Strong’ campaign has raised $571,000 so far.
In addition, the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) has announced that lawyers in their immigration law section are launching an initiative to provide immigration-related legal services free of charge to those affected by the Ukrainian Airlines tragedy.
They say their volunteers either speak Farsi or Ukranian or have staff who do so. Eligibility for free services will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The CBA lawyers are offering initial legal consultations, reviews of visa applications and advice to those changing their status.
