NEWS RELEASES
September 7, 2005 (4:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 160
CANADA ACCOMPANIES HAITI IN ITS DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew and the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor for
Haiti, Denis Coderre, today reiterated Canada’s support for the democratic process in
Haiti, following the announcement by the Provisional Electoral Council of the new dates
for the upcoming legislative, presidential and municipal elections.
“Canada will continue to support Haiti’s revitalization of the democratic process leading
to the elections, and its electoral process,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Widespread
participation in the process is vital to the success of the elections. We support efforts to
strengthen the capacity of the Provisional Electoral Council to play an effective role in
the planning and execution of elections in Haiti.”
Mr. Coderre was in Washington, D.C., today and met with the Organization of American
States Secretary General José Miguel Insulza to discuss the upcoming elections in Haiti
and the international community’s role in supporting the country following the elections.
“Canada is closely following ongoing preparations for the elections to ensure that they
take place in a fair and transparent way,” said Mr. Coderre. “After the elections, Canada
will continue to accompany the Haitian people in the development and reform of their
governmental institutions, particularly in the sectors of security and justice.”
On July 16, 2005, Elections Canada established the International Mission for Monitoring
Haitian Elections to observe and evaluate the electoral process in Haiti. The Canadian
International Development Agency will contribute up to $3.5 million to this initiative, in
addition to the $17 million it has already disbursed for the electoral process.
On September 4, 2005, the Provisional Electoral Council announced that the first and
second rounds of the legislative and presidential elections are now scheduled for
November 20, 2005, and January 3, 2006, while municipal elections in Haiti are
scheduled for December 11, 2005. The new government will take office on
February 7, 2006.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Sébastien Théberge
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs Canada
(613) 995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
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