Tue | Dec 16, 2025

Over J$340 million raised in Canada for hurricane relief

Published:Tuesday | December 16, 2025 | 12:08 AM
From left: Dr Wes Hall, Chancellor of the University of Toronto; Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett; and Dr Donette Chin‑Loy Chang, Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, at the Harmonies of Hope relief concert last month.
Contributed
From left: Dr Wes Hall, Chancellor of the University of Toronto; Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett; and Dr Donette Chin‑Loy Chang, Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University, at the Harmonies of Hope relief concert last month.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, is praising the Canadian diaspora for what he described as extraordinary leadership and generosity in raising more than CDN$3 million ($348 million) for communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.

“The outpouring of support from our Canadian diaspora has been nothing short of inspirational,” Bartlett said. “When our island called for help, our Jamaican family in Canada answered with leadership, compassion, and considerable contributions that are already making a real difference in people’s lives.”

In recent weeks, diaspora groups have staged several fundraising initiatives for families impacted by the storm. An initial benefit concert on November 6 at the Jamaican Canadian Association in Toronto raised more than CDN$51,000, while an online campaign generated over CDN$650,000 in just two weeks.

The largest effort came from the Harmonies of Hope benefit concert, held under the patronage of Dr Wes Hall, Chancellor of the University of Toronto and Dr Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Chancellor of Toronto Metropolitan University. The event has so far raised CDN$2.3 million. The organisers partnered with Food for the Poor Canada, the Sandals Foundation and Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation to channel relief to affected communities.

“We are humbled and heartened by the generosity of our brothers and sisters in Canada,” Bartlett added. “This shared commitment reinforces the enduring love for Jamaica that our diaspora carries with them — and proves that distances cannot weaken the ties that bind us.”

The contributions will support national recovery efforts, including urgent humanitarian needs, community restoration and long-term rebuilding of homes, infrastructure and livelihoods.

Director of Tourism Donovan White applauded the diaspora’s efforts, noting the “positive impact the relief will have on many lives.” Angella Bennett, regional director for Canada and a key organiser of Harmonies of Hope, also commended the stakeholders behind the concert, saying the production “indeed brought hope through Jamaica’s powerful musical renditions of Bob Marley songs.”