Canada for Haiti

Canada’s television networks have united in their support for Haiti as it struggles under the crippling devastation of last week’s earthquake. CBC Television, CTV and Global Television will be collaborating to produce CANADA FOR HAITI, a one-hour special leading up to the Haiti benefit telethon, broadcasting live on Friday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. ET/PT (8 p.m. AT).

Hosted by Cheryl Hickey, Ben Mulroney and George Stroumboulopoulos, CANADA FOR HAITI’s stellar roster includes live performances from The Tragically Hip and K’naan, and features musical superstars Céline Dion, Justin Bieber, Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Simple Plan, David Foster, Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida and Measha Brueggergosman. Hollywood heavy hitters James Cameron, Michael J. Fox, Ryan Reynolds, William Shatner, Rachelle Lefevre, Joshua Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Jason Reitman, Eugene Levy, Norman Jewison, Tom Jackson, Will Arnett and Sandra Oh have signed on, joined by television stars Brent Butt, Hugh Dillon, Mike Holmes, Rick Mercer and Alex Trebek and humanitarian Craig Kielburger. MVPs Steve Nash and Wayne Gretzky will be participating, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor-General Michaelle Jean will also have special messages for Canadians.

Donations accepted during the broadcast will go towards a coalition of Canadian NGOs, including Canadian Red Cross Society, Care Canada, Free the Children, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Quebec, Plan Canada, Save the Children Canada, UNICEF Canada, World Vision Canada.

Following the Canadian pre-show, CBC Television, CBC bold, CTV, Global Television, MTV, MuchMusic, National Geographic Channel and Rogers will simulcast a special live, two-hour, commercial-free earthquake relief telethon at 8 p.m. ET/PT (9 p.m. AT)

Hosted by George Clooney in Los Angeles, Haitian-born Wyclef Jean in New York City and CNN’s Anderson Cooper in Haiti, the telethon will feature performances by Beyoncé, Madonna, and Haitian Artist Emeline Michel. Also participating will be President Bill Clinton, Ben Stiller, Brad Pitt, Chris Rock, Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Jon Stewart, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman, Robert Pattinson, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks, Will Smith with Muhammad Ali, and more than one-hundred of the biggest names in film, television, and music.

All donations can be made at Canadaforhaiti.com. Those wishing to make a donation by phone can call 1-877-51-HAITI.