The decision each week over who will earn Canadian of the Week honors is typically a difficult one to narrow. Canadians, usually in the world of entertainment or sports (for this site’s purposes) often tend to be doing pretty good things.

This week’s choice, however, is simultaneously the easiest one we’ve made, yet the least narrow option possible. The Canadian of the Week is: Canadians.

While the world is responding to the post-earthquake crisis in Haiti, Canada’s efforts and those of its citizens deserves attention. For a relatively small nation, with a population of 33 million (about 10 percent the size of the United States), Canada has turned out tremendously in the relief effort.

A telethon on Friday night, which aired at the same time “Hope for Haiti Now” did in the United States, raised nearly $10 million (Canadian), while another event, a French concert in Montreal, raised more than $6 million (Canadian).

All told, Canadians have contributed roughly $67 million to Haiti relief efforts, and the Canadian government will match its citizens’ contributions dollar for dollar. With other government and military aid included, Canada is contributing about $5 (U.S.) per person, and leads the world in per capita relief funds. The U.S. is short of $1 per person, so far.

This is clearly not a competition, and noting the contribution amounts should not be seen as turning it into one. But it’s more than fair to take a moment to appreciate the generosity of Canadians in these difficult times, and it’s more than alright for Canadians to be proud of themselves and their compatriates for their actions.

In addition to financial donations, Canada has sought to become the center of ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon is hosting a meeting of foreign ministers on Monday, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to start planning for the resconstruction of the island nation.

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