B.C. government matching donations to Red Cross for typhoon relief in Philippines

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      The British Columbia government says it will match up to $300,000 in donations from the province's residents to typhoon Haiyan relief efforts in the Philippines.

      In order to qualify, the monetary donations must go to the Canadian Red Cross and be made at a B.C. Liquor Store or on the Red Cross website by December 9.

      "Today's commitment from our government, combined with the federal government's offer to match every eligible donation made by individual Canadians, means every dollar donated by British Columbians to the Red Cross for Typhoon Haiyan relief could be worth three dollars to the people of the Philippines," B.C. attorney general and justice minister Suzanne Anton said in a news release.

      The federal government has said it will match eligible donations by Canadians with its own Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund until December 9.

      "For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities in response to the impact of Typhoon Haiyan on the Philippines and other affected countries, the government will set aside one dollar for the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund. The government will use the Typhoon Haiyan Relief Fund to provide assistance through international and Canadian humanitarian organizations, employing established channels and procedures," the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada site states.

      The United Nations says that at least 9.4 million people have been affected and over 600,000 people have been displaced by the typhoon, also known as Yolanda.

      Philippine President Benigno Aquino has pegged the death toll at around 2,500 people, according to BBC News.

      According to the B.C. government's news release, about 100,000 people living in the province are of Filipino descent.

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