January 2010

	Canada is donating five million doses of the H1N1 vaccine as well as a $6 million contribution to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support its global pandemic relief efforts. Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said Jan. 28 that Canada "is fortunate to be in a position to contribute flu vaccine to the WHO to help developing countries now that we have met Canada's immediate needs." The $6 million, provided by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), will enable the WHO to support H1N1 vaccination programs in developing countries.
	National Inuit Leader Mary Simon, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, has announced that Inuit organizations are collectively making a contribution of $90,000 to the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Inuit are calling on the government of Canada to match the financial contribution as they are matching the contributions of individual donors to Haiti relief.
	The Grey Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of Pembroke, Ont., has donated $1-million to help an Anglican ministry build a new residence for homeless women in Ottawa. Sr. Fay Edmonds, General Superior of the Grey Nuns, said, "We are delighted to be able to support the wonderful work of Cornerstone and to be part of the building of safe, dignified housing for women who are in need." The announcement of the donation to Cornerstone, operated by the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa, was made Jan. 21 at the launch of Cornerstone's $2 million fundraising campaign and brings to more than $10 million the amount of money secured for the residence, expected to cost $11.5 million. Construction is to begin in March
	Saint Saviour's Church is one of 10 Anglican churches in Greater Victoria being recommended for closure in a report released Jan. 26. Commissioned by the Diocese of British Columbia, the report also calls for other changes to help the diocese cope with declining attendance and aging congregations. A vote on the recommendations is to be taken in March as the annual Diocesan Synod.
	Saint Joseph's Oratory in Montreal is getting $425,000 from the federal government in support of a conservation project that involves replacing some of the roofs and masonry repair work. The announcement "is part of Canada's Economic Action Plan to stimulate Canada's economy during the challenging economic times," the government said in a news release Jan. 25. About two million people visit the sanctuary each year. It is also the largest place of pilgrimage in the world dedicated to St. Joseph.
	The governments of Canada and British Columbia are contributing $6 million in joint funding for building upgrades to the Royal BC Museum in Victoria.The Museum is receiving $1.8 million in federal funding under the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and $4.2 million in provincial funding for capital projects. "This joint investment will support critical building infrastructure updates to help preserve the museum collections and improve the building," the governments said a joint news release Jan. 25
	Former Liberal cabinet minister Joe Comuzzi has been appointed as the new full-time Canadian commissioner of the International Joint Commission. Comuzzi was expelled from the Liberal caucus for his support of the Conservative budget in 2007. His appointment was announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon The commission is .an independent organization set up by the U.S. and Canada under the Boundaryy Waters Treaty of 1909.
	The coyote problem is such a threat in part of Ottawa that the area game club is sponsoring a "Great Coyote Cull Contest" that offers a shotgun as a prize. Numerous complaints have been made by people who have lost pets and livestock, or saw coyotes on municipal streets. Some people are critical of the contest, however, with one wildlife official calling it "a wild west show ... an 18th century response.” Ottawa City Council in February is to discuss how to deal with the problem.
	Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, says the recent cut of $7-million in CIDA funding for KAIROS, the ecumenical church coalition that includes the Anglican Church, "denies hope for millions of people throughout the world and damages our reputation among the nations." In the primate's traditional New Year's Day address at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa, Hiltz said, "This crisis highlights the need for the Churches to have a Secretariat for Government Relations here in the nation's capital." He added, "Given the multicultural and multi-religious complexion of our country, such a secretariat could reflect a strong partnership in the interest of human rights, among people of a variety of faith traditions."
	As above
	Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, shakes hands with Msgr. Luca Lorusso, Counsellor for the Apostolic Nunciature in Ottawa, at the New Year's Day Levee at Christ Church (Anglican) Cathedral in Ottawa.
	Five-month-old William Sneddon examines the cross of Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, at Christ Church Cathedral where Hiltz delivered the primate's annual New Year's Day address.
	Gini Pollesel, the wife of Archdeacon Michael Pollesel, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada, died in a car accident Dec. 27, near Sudbury, Ont. Archdeacon Pollesel suffered a concussion and broken ribs. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, asked for prayers for the archdeacon during the primate's annual New Year's Day address at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa.