NEWS RELEASES
September 21, 2005 (11:30 a.m. EDT)
No. 167
CANADA ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR ELECTION SECURITY IN HAITI
Minister of Foreign Affairs Pierre Pettigrew and Minister of International Cooperation
Aileen Carroll today announced funding of $2.25 million toward the enhancement of
security for Haiti’s upcoming fall elections. The announcement was made in
Port-au-Prince by the Prime Minister’s Special Advisor for Haiti, Denis Coderre.
The contribution will allow for the deployment of 25 retired Canadian police experts
through CANADEM. This will enable the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)
to support the Haitian National Police in providing election security for four months from
October 2005 to the end of January 2006.
“Ensuring that Haitians will be able to safely exercise their democratic right to vote this
fall is essential to the success of the elections and to the country's overall long-term
reform and reconstruction,” said Minister Pettigrew. “Today’s announcement builds on
our previous contributions and further demonstrates Canada’s commitment to Haiti on
its road to democracy.”
“Canada's commitment to promoting good governance and democracy is long standing
and entrenched in Canada’s International Policy Statement,” said Minister Carroll. “As
one of Haiti’s key bilateral partners, Canada is determined to provide strategic support
to foster the best possible conditions for holding free, credible elections in Haiti.”
"This additional contribution clearly demonstrates Canada's desire to accompany Haiti
and help the Haitian people take this decisive step so they can move forward and
continue the country's reconstruction effort," said Mr. Coderre.
Funding for this initiative is provided under the Global Peace and Security Fund at
Foreign Affairs Canada and is implemented by the Canadian International Development
Agency (CIDA). Today’s announcement brings the total contribution from the
Government of Canada for the electoral process in Haiti to $22.75 million.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is
therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
- 30 -
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
Andrew Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
(819) 953-6238
Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency
(819) 953-6534
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca
|
