Elections
Former President René Préval obtained the majority required to win the presidential elections held concurrently with the first round of legislative elections on February 7. An unprecedented 63% of registered voters filled in their ballots on that day, thus demontrating the Haitian people's strong attachment to democracy. Successful first-round senatorial and parliamentary candidates competed in the second round of legislative results on April 21, 2006. Voter turnout was lower at slightly over 30%, but still above the levels of previous elections in Haiti. The Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) contributed over $30 million for the electoral process, the work of the International Mission for Monitoring Haitian Elections, chaired by the Chief Electoral Officer of Elections Canada, the recruitment and deployment of observers for the first and second round, and security during the electoral period. Additional funding was provided for the recruitment, training and deployment of 3,500 national observers.
Through Canada Corps, Canada deployed 106 short-term observers to monitor the first round of elections held on February 7, and another 106 Canadian short-term observers for the second round on April 21. The support provided for the enhancement of security during the elections included the provision of electoral security agents as well as radio repeaters and other communications equipment in addition to the deployment, since October 2005, of 25 retired Canadian police experts to enable the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to support the Haitian National Police.
Background Information
Since the departure of President Aristide on February 29, 2004, Canada has played an important role in international efforts to re-establish security and stability in Haiti and to assist in longer-term reform and reconstruction efforts. Haiti is now Canada's most important long-term development assistance beneficiary in the Americas, and the second largest in the world.
Canada is contributing 100 civilian police to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and a Canadian was selected by the UN to serve as UN Civilian Police Commissioner for the mission. This contribution follows on a significant Canadian Forces contribution (550 CF) to the UN mandated Multinational Interim Force which facilitated the transition to MINUSTAH.
Haiti's three main challenges are:
 security and justice reform;
social and economic reconstruction; as well as
national reconciliation and the strengthening of democratic institutions.
The Government of Canada is contributing more than $180M over two years for the stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Haiti, including $156M in support of the transitional Government's Interim Cooperation Framework.
The Conference of Montreal with the Haitian Diaspora:
In recognition of the fundamental role the Haitian Diaspora plays in the efforts to reconstruct Haiti, Canada co-ordinated the Conference of Montreal with the Haitian Diaspora in December 2004.
The Conference was co-chaired by the Canadian ministers for Foreign Affairs and the Canadian International Development Agency.
This conference brought together the various players from the Haitian Diaspora in order to:
Acknowledge the fundamental importance of the Diaspora's role for Haiti.
Obtain the Diaspora's support for Canada's commitment to restart the democratic process in 2005.
Present the Interim Cooperation Framework and mobilize the Diaspora to explore various means of contributing fully to the reconstruction project in Haiti.
The Government of Canada continues to work in close-co-operation with the United Nations UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) as well as regional organizations such as the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and with the international community, to encourage all Haitian parties concerned to help pave the way to restore democracy and hold elections in Haiti.
The Montreal International Conference on Haiti - 2005:
Canada hosted one of three international conferences held in 2005 to ensure continued strong political commitment internationally and engagement with the Haitian interim authorities over the transition to an elected government.
The Montreal International Conference on Haiti, held on June 16-17, 2005, brought together representatives of the Transitional Government of Haiti, donor countries and friends of Haiti, financial institutions, and national, international and regional organizations. Co-chaired by the governments of Canada and Haiti, the conference was intended to ensure a concerted approach to the establishment of a secure and favourable environment for the holding of democratic elections in Haiti, in the last trimester of 2005. In addition, it aimed to ensure the continued flow of resources to support the social and economic recovery of Haiti through and beyond the transition period. |
Slide Shows 
Video Interviews
