"Canadian businesses answer Ottawa’s call for donations to help refugees", 22 Dec 2015

Canada’s business community is responding to the federal government’s request for $50-million to support Syrian refugees, but it is unclear whether the donation target can be reached amid weak economic conditions...After making a collective $1-million donation to the Canadian Red Cross in September, the big banks have begun to pony up larger amounts individually...Royal Bank of Canada raised its total contribution to $2.5-million, to be put toward settlement, skills development and employment assistance.  “We want to help ensure that these new arrivals, as well as other new immigrants, are given the opportunity to build new lives for themselves and their families,” Dave McKay, RBC’s chief executive officer, said in a statement...“The challenge will be to see sustained attention running into the new year,” said David Paterson, chair of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce and a senior executive at General Motors of Canada Ltd. “I think we all fear that events come and go, and our attention shifts to the next thing.” Still, the current pace of donations is strong...[Also refers to Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian National Railway, GM Canada, Manulife Financial, Scotiabank]