In a statement released Wednesday, Jan. 13, Toronto Mayor David Miller reached out to the city’s Haitian community following the devastating earthquake that decimated the country.
The city, he said, has “advised the Federal government that we stand ready to assist with our HUSAR (Heavy Urban Search and Rescue) team if required.”
Here’s the complete text of the Mayor’s statement:
“On behalf of all Torontonians, I extend deepest condolences and sympathies to Toronto’s Haitian community and especially to those with family and friends in the areas devastated by yesterday’s earthquakes and today’s aftershocks.
“Toronto is proudly home to thousands of Haitian-Canadians and this is one of the many communities that make up Toronto’s culturally rich mosaic so when tragedies like this occur, it resonates across our city.
“The thoughts and prayers of all Torontonians go out to all those affected by this terrible natural disaster.
“I have contacted the honourary Haitian Consul General in Toronto to determine how Torontonians can best assist.
“As with previous disasters, I have asked Toronto’s Office of Emergency Management to determine the best way for the city to respond under the terms of the 2006 International Disaster Relief Policy in close co-operation with other orders of government and relevant partner organizations.
“We have also advised the Federal government that we stand ready to assist with our HUSAR (Heavy Urban Search and Rescue) team if required.
“In the meantime, I am suggesting anyone wishing to make immediate donations to relief efforts do so through the Red Cross online at www.redcross.ca<http://www.redcross.ca>, by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111 or at any Red Cross office.”
The scale of the Haitian disaster wasn’t lost on mayoralty candidates either. When Toronto’s deputy mayor Joe Pantalone finished filing his nomination papers at Toronto City Hall Wednesday morning, he pre-empted his own speech to express condolences and sympathy to Haitians in Toronto and at home.
“There is a particular part of the world, which is Haiti, which has had a major disaster,” he said.
“To get a sense of it, imagine if the Parliament buildings were complete blown out – imagine if City Hall was in rubble – and imagine if people’s homes were simply not there. I think it’s perfectly appropriate for me to express our condolences to the 15,000 Torontonians of Haitian origin, and obviously anybody in Haiti. Torontonians, being a good people, will rise to the situation.”