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Parliament Hill “Hands Across the Border” barbeque raises $125,000 for hurricane relief efforts

	Left to right:  Stephen Harper, Conservative Party Leader; Jack Layton, New Democratic Party Leader; Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General, Canadian Red Cross; and Prime Minister Paul Martin flip burgers in support of Gulf Coast hurricane survivors. Photo: Carmelo Donato

On September 28, 2005 more than 4,000 people basked in the sunshine on Parliament Hill to eat a hamburger in support of Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The burgers were cooked by Prime Minister Martin, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins, Canadian Red Cross Secretary General Dr. Pierre Duplessis and an assortment of Members of Parliament including party leaders Stephen Harper, Gilles Duceppe and Jack Layton.

“We thank the Caucus Chairs for organizing this extraordinary event today,” said Dr. Duplessis. “It is a great honour to once again witness the incredible generosity of Canadians.”

The non-partisan barbecue was led by Andy Savoy, Chairman of the Liberal Caucus. Several corporations and organizations also provided support to the barbeque along with Red Cross and Parliament Hill volunteers.

After expressing his condolences to Ambassador Wilkins for the loss suffered by the survivors of the Gulf Coast hurricanes, Dr. Duplessis stressed that it is the most vulnerable survivors of such disasters who turn to the Red Cross for their most basic needs—food, clothing, shelter and financial assistance. “We at the Canadian Red Cross will continue to offer your country and the American Red Cross our full support.”

Gilles Parent, an Ottawa based Red Cross volunteer who just returned from a three-week mission with the American Red Cross in Jackson, Mississippi, described his experiences on the front line of the disaster as “very rewarding and yet physically and emotionally draining.”

During his first day on the job he met a teary eyed Louisiana evacuee carrying all her possessions in three plastic bags who told him about losing her home. “Later that day the woman showed up where I was working and gave me a big smile.” 

“The courage of the residents of Mississippi and Louisiana was a true inspiration for me,” added Parent.

Left to right:  Andy Savoy, Chair of Liberal Caucus; Norman Doyle, Chair of Conservative Caucus; Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General, Canadian Red Cross; Judy Wasylycia-Leis, Chair of NDP Caucus; Louis Plamondon, Chair or Bloc Québécois and Gilles Parent, Canadian Red Cross volunteer hold cheque for $125,000. Photo: Carmelo Donato

The event closed with Ambassador Wilkins thanking the crowd and telling them that Canada’s reaction was amazing. “You were there quickly, you were there with eagerness when we needed you and we will never forget it,” said Ambassador Wilkins. “We will never forget your friendship.”

Since Hurricane Katrina struck a month ago, Canadians have donated more than $15 million to the relief efforts. The American Red Cross estimates their relief programs for the hurricane will cost more than $2 billion US.