Canadian networks set up for Haiti telethon
Indie rockers Metric and singer Nelly Furtado have been added to the bill for the one-hour evening benefit, joining previously announced live musical performances by Somalian-Canadian rapper K'naan and the Tragically Hip.
A who's who of prominent Canadians have already lent their support to Friday's benefit, from Hollywood names like Michael J. Fox, Norman Jewison, Jason Reitman, Sandra Oh and Eugene Levy to TV stars such as Alex Trebek, Rick Mercer and Mike Holmes.
A host of music world figures — from Nickelback to Tegan and Sara, to Measha Brueggergosman — have voiced their support, along with sports figures including Wayne Gretzky and Steve Nash.
"As the relief efforts move from rescue ... to reconstruction, there's going to be so much more need and that's one of the reasons that we've all come together," said CTV's Ben Mulroney, one of the trio of TV personalities leading the telethon.
Canadians of all stripes are also naturally inclined to help others, added co-host George Stroumboulopoulos of the CBC.
"One of the things about this country is we have a long history of giving and a long history of trying to come together," he said. "It's part of [our] identity."
Global Television's Cheryl Hickey rounds out the evening's hosts.
All funds raised will be spread equally among a consortium of 10 major Canadian non-governmental organizations specifically for their work in Haiti, including World Vision Canada, the Canadian Red Cross Society, UNICEF Canada, Oxfam Canada and Save the Children Canada.
Staffers at CBC, CTV and Global gathered this week to organize the benefit, which will air on all three major networks as well as on MTV Canada, MuchMusic and the National Geographic Channel.
The websites of all three major broadcasters — CBC.ca, CTV.ca and GlobalTV.com — will stream the telethon, while CBC Radio 2 will also air the commercial-free program.
Toll-free number
To make sure you give to a Canadian charity, and get a tax receipt, call the Canadian hotline during Canada for Haiti.
The Canadian pledge number is 1-877-51HAITI (42484).
Donations made to that number will be matched by the Canadian government and will go to Canadian charities.
Canada For Haiti will air at 7 p.m. ET/PT, 8 p.m. AT/MT, 8:30 p.m. NT and 9 p.m. CT.
The Canadian benefit will be followed immediately by Help For Haiti Now, a U.S.-organized telethon organized by MTV and actor George Clooney.
A French-language Canadian benefit telethon is also taking place Friday night.
Ensemble pour Haiti, set to begin at 8 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on television by Société Radio-Canada, TVA Network, Télé-Québec, V Tele, LCN, MusiquePlus, MusiMax and TV5. It will be broadcast on radio by Espace Musique, NRJ, RockDetente, Boom FM, 98.5 FM, CKOI, Souvenirs Garantis and CPAM.
With files from The Canadian Press