Pierre Bourque runs a top notch news site in Canada.
I’ve had the opportunity to email him on occasion, and I have great respect for his dedication and courtesy. His words below hold earned merit and urgency:

A personal message from Pierre: “Folks, you’ve been following the terribly destructive effect of Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds, likely thousands, of people have died. Hundreds of thousands have been devastated, they’ve lost everything. Millions have been affected in one way or another. As tragic news pours in from Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and elsewhere in the American south, it seems incredible that the Government of Canada and various Provincial Governments have not stepped up to offer aid wherever/however they can. Not a peep, zip.
“I don’t know, that’s not my department, I’m on holidays”, joked one Ontario Cabinet minister encountered by Bourque at an Ottawa restaurant early this afternoon.
Come again, Mr. “Honourable” ?
Is that how his American counterparts reacted when the devastating ice storm wreaked havoc through Ontario and Quebec bac in 1998 ? … Bourque asks the Prime Minister and Provincial Premiers to publicly offer up our collective help. Time to belly up to the bar, boys. Time to drink in the milk of human kindness. Do it now, do it while it can make a difference, do it while it can save lives …”

I’ve been discussing the hurrricane with a media friend from Texas.
While we’ve been vigorous in our discussion on what should or should not be covered my an online organ, one thing cannot be denied.
People are in serious need.

I strongly agree with what Pierre Bourque has said.
So, along with a donation to a charity group I trust to be boots on the ground, I will take the time to write the federal and my provincial government.
Canada as a country reached out on 9/11.
It needs to be done again, and quickly.
And Canadians, while you wait for government, do what needs to be done.