Toronto business founder spearheads ‘Canada Strong’ campaign for plane crash families
Posted January 13, 2020 9:18 am.
Last Updated January 13, 2020 9:19 am.
TORONTO – A Toronto businessman is spearheading a national fundraising campaign to help people who lost loved ones in the Iran plane crash.
Mohamad Fakih, founder of the Paramount Fine Foods restaurant chain, said he’d like to raise $1.5 million to help cover funeral costs for the victims.
Dubbed “Canada Strong,” the campaign will be overseen by a charitable fund that also raised money for the families of victims of the Toronto van attack.
“They leave behind children, spouses, colleagues, and friends who need your support during this life-altering period,” Fakih said. “If there was ever a time, the time is now for all of us to come together and support one another.”
Paramount Fine Foods founder Mohamad Fakih announces the launch of the "Canada Strong" campaign, aimed at raising $1.5 Million in support of the families of the victims of last week's Ukrainian passenger jet crash in Iran. Fakih says 100% of the money will go to the cause. pic.twitter.com/HeIvpEBlsQ
— Momin Qureshi (@MominYQureshi) January 13, 2020
Toronto Mayor John Tory took part in the campaign launch Monday morning.
All 176 people on board — including 57 Canadians — were killed when the Ukraine International Airlines flight was mistakenly shot down near Tehran last week.
“Regardless of race, religion, or background, we are all Canadian, and we have that in common,” Fakih added. “We share the love of this land, and we need to come together in time of difficulties.”