NEWS RELEASES

October 23, 2005 (4:45 p.m. EDT)

No. 192

CANADA OFFERS SUPPORT FOR THOSE

AFFECTED BY HURRICANE WILMA

Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dan McTeague today offered support to the people of the Caribbean and Mexico in the wake of Hurricane Wilma.

“I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims of Hurricane Wilma in Mexico and in other countries affected by this disaster,” said Mr. Pettigrew. “We are aware of the extensive damage that this hurricane has caused in the region, so soon after Tropical Storm Stan.”

The Government of Canada offered support to the Government of Mexico during a telephone conversation that Minister Pettigrew had with Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs Luis Ernesto Derbez on Saturday, October 22.

“I commend the Government of Mexico for its efforts in ensuring the safety of residents and tourists who were in the path of the hurricane,” Mr. Pettigrew added. “Mexico has not yet requested international assistance, but Canada stands ready to respond should such a request be made. The Government of Canada has already been in touch with the key humanitarian assistance partners in the region, and has indicated its support.”

“Officials from our Embassy in Mexico are providing emergency consular service to Canadians in Mexico,” said Mr. McTeague. “At this time, however, we have no report of any Canadian casualties.”

Canada continues to monitor Wilma’s path and remains ready to help.

Anyone seeking information about Canadian relatives or friends in the affected areas should contact Foreign Affairs Canada at 1-800-387-3124. The Foreign Affairs Canada Consular Bureau’s Web site (http://www.voyage.gc.ca) is being updated regularly with travel advice.

- 30 -

For further information, media representatives may contact:

Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851

Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca