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Video Interview (in French with English transcripts)
Note: The opinions presented are not necessarily those of the Government of Canada.
(Video players are available here: QuickTime | Windows Media)
Transcript:
Canada's "whole of government" role in Haiti
Haiti is the only fragile state in the Americas. Canada’s foreign policy priority is to seek solutions to the problem of fragile states, a problem the international community will be facing for many years to come. So Canada has expertise in Haiti. Canadians have been working in this country for many years. They worked on all of the missions by UN forces in the 1990s, and cooperants have worked in Haiti since the 1970s. So Canada has considerable expertise.
The two societies are also connected. In the past, there were numerous Canadian missionaries and cooperants who worked in the country for decades, from the end of the war on. And in the 1960s, there was a whole movement of Haitians to Canada, which has resulted in today’s very close relations between the Canadian and Haitian societies. For example, in Montreal, there must be about 100,000 Haitians, which means that in the Montreal area -- either in a family or at work -- everyone knows a Haitian. This was clearly seen at the time of the disaster here, that is, Hurricane Jeanne. There was a lot of support in Montreal. People raised over $10 million in aid for Haiti, bearing witness to the strong ties between the two societies.
What Canada intends to do here is to rebuild the country so that Haitians can live under the rule of law, in a state that can provide security and justice, protect human rights, and provide its people with services in health and education so that future generations can enjoy a level of development comparable to that of other countries in the region.
Haiti is probably the world’s poorest country. This reality is morally unacceptable, especially for Haitians. This country must be rebuilt. And that is what Canada is doing, alongside the international community and the United Nations -- ensuring that Haitians can establish credible institutions. And together with the international community, creating the conditions necessary for economic development. And last, working towards development that will mean a brighter future for all Haitians.
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Canada's "whole of government" role in Haiti