Calgary city council approves $25,000 in aid for Haiti in close vote

Calgary city council voted eight to seven to donate $25,000 towards repairing infrastructure in Haiti, which suffered severe damage in a hurricane last fall.

The idea, which was proposed byCoun.BrianPincott, left council sharply divided. It voted eight to sevenin favour ofPincott'smotion.

Last fall,Pincotthad suggested Calgary could put $100,000 towards a program that's overseen in Haiti by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, to help after Hurricane Matthew killed at least 1,000 people and sent cholera gallooping through rural communities lacking clean water, food and shelter.

• Haiti death toll tops 1,000 in Hurricane Matthew's devastating wake

However, Pincott dialled back his request to $25,000.

Pincottsaid a number of smaller communities in Canada have already donated money and Calgary should join them.

"It changes people's perceptions of who we are. Itsays, 'Wow, Calgary's a great place. Wow, look at what they did.' So I want to be selfless. I want to be compassionate. I want to be sharing and giving," saidPincott.

Not everyone likes idea

Othercouncillorsagreed withPincott'sidea to put in the smaller amount of money.

"I can't imagine why we would say no. We can't do everything but the things that we're doing, let's do them right," saidCoun.Gian-CarloCarra, indicating he backed the proposal.

Othercouncillorswere more critical.Coun.AndreChabotcalled it a tough one becausewhile the needs are great, such a donation is beyond the city's mandate.

"Foreign aid not a municipal responsibility," saidChabot. "It just goes to the whole argument of: why is it we're taking on financial responsibility for something that's ultimately not our responsibility?"

Pincotthas no problem with questions

Pincottsaid he's pleased with council's decision even if he was expecting some tough questions about whether this is a good use for city tax dollars.

"Out of this, hopefully, we will have a broader discussion and try to put some policy in place. But disasters and the need to respond don't wait for policies," saidPincott.

The veterancouncillor, who announced earlier this year he wil not be seeking re-election this fall, said he plans to make a $500 donation himself to the cause.

He suggests anyone else thinking of making a donation can get in touch with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

Although such donations are not tax deductible,Pincottsaid 100 per centof the money will go directly to work on the ground in Haiti.

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