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<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">October 23, 2005 <i>(4:45 p.m. EDT)</i></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"><span style="font-weight: bold">No. 192</span></span></span></p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">CANADA OFFERS SUPPORT FOR THOSE </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="font-size: 14pt">AFFECTED BY HURRICANE WILMA</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14pt"></span></span></p>
<br>
<p>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.</p>
<br>
<p>“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.”<span style="background-color: #ffff00"></span></p>
<br>
<p>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. </p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p>“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<span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">, and has indicated its support.”</span></p>
<br>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">“Officials from our Embassy in Mexico are providing emergency consular service to
Canadians in Mexico,” said Mr. McTeague. “</span>At this time, however, we have no report of
any Canadian casualties.<span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">”</span></p>
<br>
<p>Canada continues to monitor Wilma’s path and remains ready to help<span style="font-family: 'Arial', sans-serif">.</span></p>
<br>
<p>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.</p>
<br>
<p style="text-align: center">- 30 -</p>
<p>For further information, media representatives may contact:</p>
<br>
<p>Sébastien Théberge<br>
Director of Communications<br>
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs<br>
(613) 995-1851</p>
<br>
<p>Media Relations Office<br>
Foreign Affairs Canada<br>
(613) 995-1874<br>
<a href="https://bac-lac.wayback.archive-it.org/web/20070221004424/http://www.international.gc.ca/"><span style="color: #0000ff"><span style="text-decoration: underline">http://www.international.gc.ca</span></span></a><span style="color: #000000"></span></p>
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