TORONTO — Organizers are scrambling to finalize details for tonight’s “Canada for Haiti” benefit show, and more celebrity names are still being added to the list of supporters.
Actress Rachel McAdams has been confirmed as a last-minute addition to the program, and Nelly Furtado is joining the Tragically Hip, K’naan and Metric in the lineup of performers.
Stars appearing on the show include Celine Dion, James Cameron and Michael J. Fox.
The benefit airs at 7 p.m. ET and PT on CBC, CTV and Global Television, and will be broadcast on CBC Radio Two and other radio stations across the country.
It will also be streamed online at the networks’ websites.
The U.S. benefit “Hope for Haiti Now,” hosted by George Clooney, will air immediately after the Canadian show.
Donations collected during the Canadian broadcast will go to a number of non-profit organizations including the Canadian Red Cross Society, Care Canada, Free the Children, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam Quebec, Plan Canada, Save the Children Canada, UNICEF Canada and World Vision Canada.
Organizers hope to have an update sometime Friday night with a tally of donations collected.
Statements have already been released from some celebrities participating in the show, and others who wanted to add their voices to the cause.
“The people of Haiti need food, water, medical treatment — that’s the short term,” says William Shatner in his plea for donations.
“The long term is that much of the country needs to be rebuilt, so please give what you can and help the people of Haiti.”
Rock band Nickelback is also urging Canadians to help.
“Over the past two weeks we’ve witnessed an enormous tragedy unfold in Haiti. The Haitian people need our help now and for the future as they recover from this unimaginable disaster, so please make a donation — big or small and help us spread hope,” the band says in its statement.
Author Margaret Atwood has also released a statement.
“Some things are maybes and others are musts. Haiti relief is a must,” she says. “Don’t hesitate. It could be you.”
The Canadian commercial-free program will be hosted by Global’s Cheryl Hickey, CTV’s Ben Mulroney and CBC’s George Stroumboulopoulos.
Film stars who will appear include Shatner, Jason Reitman, Ryan Reynolds, Rachelle Lefevre, Joshua Jackson, Eugene Levy, Norman Jewison, Tom Jackson and Will Arnett.
TV personalities Brent Butt, Hugh Dillon, Mike Holmes, Rick Mercer, Alex Trebek, Sandra Oh and Pamela Anderson are on board.
Musicians Justin Bieber, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Simple Plan, David Foster, Chantal Kreviazuk, Raine Maida and Measha Brueggergosman have signed on.
Humanitarian Craig Kielburger and star athletes Wayne Gretzky and Steve Nash will participate, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean will have special messages for Canadians.
The two-hour U.S. special — airing on CBC, CTV, Global, MTV, MuchMusic and National Geographic Channel — will include performances by the likes of Beyonce, Madonna, Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake, Coldplay and Taylor Swift.
A French benefit, “Ensemble pour Haiti,” is also being organized for Friday night at 8 p.m. ET.
It will air on television on TVA Network, Societe Radio-Canada, Tele-Quebec, V Tele, LCN, MusiquePlus and MusiMax, TV5 and Espace Musique.
It will also be broadcast on radio on NRJ, RockDetente, Boom FM, 98.5 FM, CKOI, Souvenirs Garantis and CPAM.
Canadians can donate by visiting www.CanadaForHaiti.com, dialling 1-877-51-HAITI or texting AID to 45678.