TORONTO -- A Toronto restaurateur called on Canadians to donate $1.5 million to cover funeral costs for the victims of the Iran plane crash on Monday, as he announced a national fundraising campaign to help people who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
Mohamad Fakih, founder of the Paramount Fine Foods restaurant chain, , which will be overseen by a charitable fund that also raised money for the families of victims of the Toronto van attack.
Fakih said in addition to grieving, loved ones of the 57 Canadians who died in last week's crash now also face the stress of paying for funerals.
"I'm calling on all of us Canadians in this moment of need -- including, importantly, corporate leaders and businesses across the country -- to support these families with the unexpected expenses that have tragically fallen upon them," he said.
The Ukraine International Airlines flight was shot down by an Iranian missile moments after taking off from Tehran on Wednesday. All 176 people on board were killed, including 138 who were headed for Canada.
Iran has admitted the plane was mistaken for a hostile target amid soaring tensions with the United States.
Fakih called the incident unfair, and said Canada has been caught in the middle of an escalating dispute between the two countries.
He has personally pledged $30,000 to the "Canada Strong" campaign and said he will cover all of its administrative costs to ensure donors know their entire contribution is going to the victims' families.
Fakih also urged the families affected by the tragedy not to hesitate to access the fund, acknowledging that some might hold back out of a sense of pride.
"You're not accepting any help from strangers," he said. "We are one family. One big family. A Canadian family."
Toronto Mayor John Tory took part in the campaign launch, praising Fakih and encouraging Canadians to step forward with donations, saying the fund is not just intended for Ontarians.
"I hope that Canadians ... will see it in their hearts to contribute big or small," he said. "Every contribution counts. Every contribution is a signal, a tangible demonstration to families of the victims, of just how much in solidarity with them we are."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2020.
