Alberta to match Philippines relief donations up to $500,000

The Alberta government will match donations Albertans make to the Canadian Red Cross for Philippines relief efforts, up to a total maximum of $500,000.

Ten million people were affected when Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on Nov. 8. Four thousand people are now confirmed dead.

Esmeralda Agbulos, the Philippines Honourary Consul-General in Edmonton, thanked Albertans for their help.

The Filipinos in Alberta, numbering about 90,000, have been dealt a terrific blow because we all feel for those people who have lost their lives and everything in the Philippines, she said.

While hes happy the government is making a donation, NDP leader Brian Mason thinks the Redford government could have contributed more.

On Monday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Canada would donate another $15 million to relief efforts, bringing the total to $20 million.