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Ottawa, January 2, 2005
2005-001

Government Assists Canadians to Contribute to Tsunami Relief Efforts

See also:

• CIDA Backgrounder

Minister of Finance Ralph Goodale and Minister of National Revenue John McCallum today announced additional details of the extension of the December 31 deadline for donations in support of victims of last month’s tsunami in southern Asia to qualify for tax relief for the 2004 taxation year. This measure is part of a package of tsunami relief assistance efforts announced by the Prime Minister today.

The Ministers announced that the Government of Canada will implement measures to allow individuals, if they so choose, to have charitable donations made from January 1, 2005, to January 11, 2005, to the tsunami relief effort considered as having been made during the 2004 taxation year. Eligible donations will be those made by cash, cheque, money order or credit card. In order to qualify, these donations must be directed exclusively towards the tsunami relief efforts and must be made to eligible registered charities involved in the relief effort. A list of eligible registered charities can be found on the Web site of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) at http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca or by calling the CIDA information line at 1 800 230-6349.

“Canadians have opened their hearts and their pocketbooks in the wake of the terrible tragedy in southern Asia,” Minister Goodale said. “This announcement recognizes the contributions that individual Canadians will continue to make in the days ahead to ease the suffering of the survivors and assist in reconstruction efforts in the region.”

Minister McCallum added: “Across the country, hundreds of thousands of individuals are contributing money to provide relief for the devastated regions of southern Asia. We wish to pay tribute to them and encourage other Canadians to join them in this humanitarian effort, particularly since the Government has already committed to matching the donations raised by Canadians until January 11, 2005, on a dollar-for-dollar basis.”

Legislation to implement the necessary changes will be introduced at the earliest possible opportunity.

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