Ontario News and Stories

Responding to local disasters with help from the community

March 17, 2017 - It was early on a Sunday morning in January last winter when the message began to sound over the loudspeakers of a 17-storey apartment building on Rebecca Street in Hamilton, Ontario. Due to flooding, tenants were being asked to evacuate.

What do you want to ask an aid worker?

February 03, 2017 - Every year during the first week of February, the Canadian Government recognizes International Development Week. The week aims to encourage Canadians to learn more about, and contribute actively to, international development. It also showcases the work Canadians are doing to make the world a better place.

After a tornado: How the Red Cross helps

October 06, 2016 - Glass and debris flew through the air as a tornado tore the roof from a section of the home that Arnold Brown rented with a friend in LaSalle, Ontario. Now, more than a month later, the 60-year-old is still trying to put the pieces of his life back together after it was quite literally torn apart.

Helping students explore International Humanitarian Law in the classroom

October 04, 2016 - Students today are bombarded with images and headlines of humanitarian crises. The Syrian refugee crisis and violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) around the world have made humanitarian education in the classroom more relevant than ever. The Canadian Red Cross offers Exploring Humanitarian Law Educator Trainings to teachers across the country, where participants learn the basic rules of International Humanitarian Law, also known as the law of armed conflict.

Alberta fires: expressions of support and compassion from donors to evacuees

June 28, 2016 - Canadians across the country came together to support evacuated residents from Fort McMurray. To date, more than $135 million has been raised by Canadians from coast to coast to support immediate emergency assistance, re-entry needs, and long-term community rebuilding for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

15 Tips to be ready for forest fire season

April 30, 2016 - Starting from May, and continuing through the summer months, forest fires are more likely to occur across the country with British Columbia and the Boreal forest zones of Ontario, Quebec, the Prairie Provinces, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories most at risk. Each year, there are approximately 8,000 forest fires in Canada, causing extensive damage and putting lives in danger. Now is the time to learn how to be ready before, during and after a forest fire.

Faces of Humanity: Tanya Grygaski

March 29, 2016 - Guest post by Youth Advisory Comittee member Sara Elkadri. 
I had the pleasure of speaking with Tanya Grygaski, an environmental engineer from Ontario, and minutes into the conversation I could feel Tanya’s passion through the tone of her voice as she shared her stories and experiences from over the years.

 

Philippine Red Cross’ Secretary General reaffirms strong partnership with the Canadian Red Cross

December 07, 2015 - Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, recently paid us a visit at Canadian Red Cross offices in Ontario and British Columbia, where she reaffirmed the strong partnership formed with us in the wake of the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan which struck her country two years ago.

Photo of the day: Jillian's birthday gift to Syrian children

November 20, 2015 - When Jillian Wright of Ottawa, Ontario was approaching her seventh birthday on October 23, she told her friends and family that instead of gifts she wanted money so that she could donate to the Red Cross to help Syrian children.

Appreciating those who provide community support through Red Cross programs

October 19, 2015 - Catherine Mitchell calls herself the bionic woman. She jokes, but it’s partly true...she does have a bionic leg at least. A bad fall left Catherine with a shattered femur that required two months in hospital and three months at a nursing home before being able to return home. Once she did, she realized she needed additional support in place to live independently.