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File photo	Defence Minister Bill Graham announced Dec. 29 that Canada has added another $36 million for relief efforts in the wake of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, bringing the total to $40 million.
File photo	Prime Minister Paul Martin said Dec. 29 that thousands of Canadians have been touched personally by the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia. "The scope of the devastation will demand that we continue to work together to respond to the immediate and long term rescue, humanitarian and reconstruction needs," he added.
File photo	Gilio Brunelli, Director of International Programs for the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace, said Dec. 29  that churches and schools in the countries hit by the tsunami tragedy have opened their doors to the victims. "And our people on the ground are laying the groundwork for a reconstruction effort that will go on for months and years to come," he added. The worldwide Catholic aid agency Caritas Internationalis, which includes the CCODP, is sending $1.6 million to help the disaster victims.
File photo	Mark Fried, spokesperson for Oxfam Canada, says the threat of an epidemic in areas hit by the tsunami in Southeast Asia is enormous. He also said it's a race against time.

File photo	Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty says his Government will work closely with the federal government to make available "whatever expertise  that may be useful to the afflicted areas" struck by the tsunami. He also encouraged all Ontarians to make a contribution to the Canadian Red Cross.
	World War I veteran Paul Metivier, 104, seen here at the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa Nov. 11, died Dec. 22 leaving only 6 surviving Canadian First World War veterans. A funeral Mass is to be held for Metivier Jan. 5 in Canadian Martyrs Catholic Church in Ottawa.
	The lockout of National Hockey League players didn't affect the annual Christmas eve mass at the Corel Centre, home of the Ottawa Senators. About 3,000 people turned out for the event, hosted by Holy Redeemer church in West Ottawa. The Corel Centre can seat up to 20,000 people.

The Corel Centre, home of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League, was once again the site for the annual Christmas eve mass of Holy Redeemer parish in West Ottawa. Sand was spread on the icy parking lot early in the day.

Former Defence Minister David Pratt has been appointed as a special adviser and special ambassador for the Canadian Red Cross. Pratt, who was a  former special envoy to Sierra Leone, was defeated in his bid for re-election to the House of Commons last June.

	Orthodox Christians  in North America, who total about 6 million and include parishioners of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Ottawa, are preparing to celebrate Christmas on Jan. 7, in accordance with the Julian calendar.