Government of Canada's response to Hurricane Katrina
Fact Sheet

On August 28, a travel advisory was issued by Foreign Affairs Canada warning Canadians against all travel to the North Central Gulf Coast from Morgan City, Louisiana, eastward to the Alabama/Florida border, including the City of New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.
Foreign Affairs Canada also contacted Canadians in the area and provided consular assistance and guidance as needed. Canadians seeking emergency consular assistance in the area should contact the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa toll-free at 1 888 949-9993 or call collect (613) 996-8885. Canadians with good reason to believe that Canadian relatives are in the affected areas may contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 1 800 387-3124; (613) 943-1055 in Ottawa; or by e-mail at sos@international.gc.ca.
On August 29, the Deputy Prime Minister contacted U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to express Canada's condolences and offer assistance in support of U.S. disaster relief efforts. The Prime Minister also subsequently released a similar statement, reinforcing Canada 's support.
The Government Operations Centre also went to a higher level of activation in anticipation of a possible request for assistance from U.S. officials.
On August 30, the Public Health Agency of Canada contacted its counterparts at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to offer assistance such as emergency medical supplies in the National Emergency Stockpile System.
On the same day, Consuls General in Atlanta and Texas spoke to the relevant governors to express Canada's support and concern for all those in the affected areas. The Consuls also spoke with the mayors of the affected cities and the heads of those emergency services operating in the disaster zones, reiterating Canada's offer of help.

To date, the U.S. federal government has made no requests for Canadian federal assistance; however, the Government of Canada stands ready to provide assistance if needed.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) member countries have been asked to support the supply shortages in the United States. Canada, as a member country, will be contributing 91,000 barrels of crude oil per day which can be met from existing supply.
American federal and state agencies and other organisations have been mobilised and are currently carrying out a full needs assessment in order to provide a comprehensive response to Hurricane Katrina.
Once U.S. resources are in place, the U.S. government will be in a better position to identify what kind of assistance, if any, they may require.
PSEPC is coordinating federal assistance efforts with the provinces and territories in the event that a formal request is made from the U.S. More than 30 federal departments are involved in these efforts, and PSEPC also has a liaison officer posted directly at DHS in Washington DC to ensure that the most up-to-date information is available.
PSEPC convened a conference call on August 31st with provincial and territorial counterparts to review and coordinate potential contributions to assist in disaster relief efforts. Under a joint memorandum of understanding between Canada and the U.S., assistance is to be coordinated between PSEPC and DHS.
On August 31st, General Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff (Canadian Forces), spoke to spoke his American counterpart, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard (Dick) B. Myers, and the U.S. Commander of Northern Command, Admiral Tim Keating. General Hillier indicated that wherever there was a need, they had only to ask and the Canadian Forces would have it rolling, sailing or flying south to stand side-by-side with Americans to bring relief or provide respite – and for however long efforts are required.
Our federal government officials have also talked with the Canadian Red Cross and Salvation Army to discuss their efforts and how we can support their initiatives.
The Government Operations Centre is continuing to closely monitor the situation and is maintaining regular contact with DHS/FEMA.