OMNI Television Broadcast Special - Canada for Pakistan: Flood Relief Appeal
Raises a Record $247,000

THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT MATCHED 100% OF FUNDS RAISED BY THE APPEAL BRINGING THE TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED TO ALMOST HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR FLOOD RELIEF IN PAKISTAN

TORONTO, Oct 6 /CNW/ - OMNI Television viewers generously donated an impressive $247,000 during the two hour, commercial-free broadcast special Canada for Pakistan: Flood Relief Appeal that aired this past Sunday on OMNI stations in Ontario, Alberta and BC.  The funds raised during this appeal have surpassed dollars raised by any other appeal or telethon on OMNI Television. 

"Canada for Pakistan: Flood Relief Appeal was a record breaking fundraising success for OMNI Television," commented Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President, OMNI Television. "We are extremely grateful for the collaboration of IDRF, RBC and Multicultural Society of Pakistani Canadians and the generosity of OMNI viewers who helped make this donation possible."

The money raised by the appeal has been matched by the Canadian government, which means that the people of Pakistan will receive almost $400,000 in aid through the International Development & Relief Foundation (IDRF). Now 16,000 families, or approximately 64,000 people, can get enough clean water, food, hygiene items and medication for an entire week. An additional, $100,000 of the total amount raised during the appeal will go to support other aid efforts on the ground in Pakistan.

In partnership with the IDRF, RBC and Multicultural Society of Pakistani Canadians, the appeal produced and broadcast by OMNI Television featured personal and touching stories from people affected by the flood in different ways, as well as inspirational accounts of relief efforts from a variety of experts, physicians and organizations. The broadcast set out to raise much needed funds to help aid over 20 million people who have been affected by the flooding in Pakistan that began in July.

Currently in Pakistan, more than 10 million people are in immediate need of food and assistance, over 1.5 million are living in relief and temporary camps and 1.8 million houses have been damaged or destroyed. The flooding is also affecting the health and lives of millions as more than 1,750 people have been killed and over 5 million people are seeking health care for conditions including suspected malaria, acute respiratory infection, acute diarrhea and skin disease. The floods have also affected an estimated 45,000 pregnant women.

IDRF has already raised over $2.5 million and has been providing food, clean drinking water, medical care, hygiene kits, and basic sanitation for the millions of people affected by the flooding. These generous donations from viewers will help IDRF expand its reach providing more services to a larger geographical area.

About IDRF
The International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to empowering the disadvantaged people of the world through emergency relief and development programs. IDRF was established over 25 years ago, and its work is based on the principles of human dignity, self-reliance and social justice.

About Multicultural Society of Pakistani Canadians
Multicultural Society of Pakistani Canadians has been in existence since 1983 and have been serving the Community for over the past 27 years.  Have been actively involved in Humanitarian and compassionate causes, raising funds for natural disasters and other calamities.  The Society has established a great rapport with the grass roots and with the achievements have earned the distinction and recognition as one of the most dynamic, proactive organizations of the community.  The Society has helped many in need and shaped the career destiny of our youth.  As a result of our achievements, the Society has been designated by CRA as a charitable organization with a mandate to assist in calamities and natural disasters - locally and internationally. 

About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada's largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America's leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and transaction processing services on a global basis. We employ approximately 78,000 full- and part-time employees who serve close to 18 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 51 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.

About OMNI Television
OMNI^™ is a free, over-the-air multilingual/multicultural television system committed to positive portrayal and broadcast reflection of Canada's diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible programming.  With five television stations -- in BC; Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) and Ontario (OMNI.1 and OMNI.2) - OMNI has a combined reach to 16.5 million households in major market areas. As well as specializing in Canadian multilingual/multicultural programming, OMNI carries well-known International series and films - including East Asian Super Cinema and South Asian Bollywood Freetime Movies. OMNI Television is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited., a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company.  For more information visit www.OMNItv.ca

For further information:

Media Contact:

Veronica Logue, Rogers Media Television, 416.764.3195, [email protected]