CANADA FOR HAITI, Friday’s one-hour, commercial-free special produced collaboratively between CBC Television, CTV and Global Television, has raised more than $13.5 million to date for relief efforts in Haiti, it was confirmed today. When the funds are matched by the federal government, the amount increases to more than $27 million. An additional $6.7 million was raised in Quebec in a French-language telethon that ran concurrently on Friday night, bringing the overall Canadian television total with federal contributions to more than $40 million.
“We are so grateful and humbled by the astounding generosity shown by Canadians both during and after the CANADA FOR HAITI concert,” said Dave Toycen, President and CEO of World Vision Canada, on behalf of the NGOs benefiting from the event. “This amazing and compassionate response says to those suffering children and families in Haiti that Canadians care.”
Hosted by Cheryl Hickey, Ben Mulroney and George Stroumboulopoulos, CANADA FOR HAITI was seen on average by 2.4 million Canadians, who watched the special on CBC Television, CTV, Global Television, MTV, MuchMusic, Citytv and National Geographic Channel. An outstanding 6.65 million Canadians watched some or all of the broadcast.
The special was followed by HOPE FOR HAITI NOW, an international earthquake relief telethon that was similarly watched on average by 2.4 million Canadians on CBC Television, CTV, Global Television, MTV, MuchMusic, Citytv and National Geographic Channel.
CANADA FOR HAITI and HOPE FOR HAITI streamed across network sites CBC.ca, CTV.ca, GlobalTV.com, MuchMusic.com and CP24.com attracting more than 40,000 live video views. CANADA FOR HAITI also enjoyed enduring resonance with Canadians, with almost 73,000 video views through the weekend. Catch the moving special on demand now at CBC.ca, CTV.ca, or Globaltv.com.
Canadians can continue to show their support by donating through February 12:
· Online at CanadaForHaiti.com
· Toll-free at 1-877-51-HAITI (42484)
· Text AID to 45678 (carrier charges may apply)
Funds will go towards a coalition of Canadian NGOs, including Canadian Red Cross Society, Care Canada, Free the Children, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Quebec, Plan Canada, Save the Children Canada, UNICEF Canada and World Vision Canada.
