The federal government is considering an increase in its financial contribution to the fight against Ebola.
Ottawa is looking to contribute an additional $30 million in aid, a government source confirmed to CTV News late Wednesday.
The government has so far committed $35 million to the World Health Organization, the UN and humanitarian aid groups working in West African countries affected by the outbreak.
Ottawa has also donated up to $2.5 million worth of personal protective equipment.
The new money would go to established aid agencies to help deal with the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The additional contribution has not yet been finalized.
Canada is also looking at measures to enhance its rapid response capabilities, which could include enlisting the help of Transport Canada aircraft to quickly dispatch medical staff in the event of an Ebola case in Canada.
After speaking with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper “indicated that Canada would commit additional support to the international effort in the coming days,” according to Harper’s office.
The PMO did not give any further details.
In addition to Ottawa’s financial contributions, the Public Health Agency of Canada has sent two mobile labs to Sierra Leone to provide rapid Ebola diagnosis and help contain infections.
With files from The Canadian Press
