NEWS RELEASES

June 3, 2006 (7:00 p.m. EDT)
No. 62

MINISTER MACKAY ANNOUNCES FUNDING FOR HAITI

Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Peter MacKay today announced $15 million in new funding to help strengthen democratic institutions in Haiti.

“Canada is committed to supporting the Haitian people,” said Minister MacKay. “Canada’s support will help to solidify the transition toward stability, security and good governance in Haiti, and to assure respect for human rights and the rule of law.”

The new funding will come from the Global Peace and Security Fund, which is administered by Foreign Affairs Canada. The funds are in addition to the more than $190 million spent in the last two years on reconstruction and development projects in Haiti, in keeping with the priorities of the Interim Cooperation Framework.

On February 7, 2006, the Haitian people demonstrated their commitment to democratic renewal with the election of a new president. While these elections are an important step, much work remains on the road toward justice and prosperity in Haiti. In addition to the need for assistance in education and health, the challenge of ensuring the right to security and the right to live in a fair and just society persists. Canada calls on the Government of Haiti to continue its efforts to end violence, reform its institutions and bring about social reconciliation, including sustained and visible efforts in terms of respect for human rights and dialogue among all Haitians.

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