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 (after Afghanistan).
At the international donor conference held on July 25th in Port-au-Prince, the Government of Canada announced its contribution of $520M for the 2006-2011 period. Canada was the only international donor to commit for a period of five years. This is a clear indication of the long term nature of Canada’s commitment to Haiti.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper visited Haiti on July 20, 2007 at which time he noted the progress achieved in the country and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to help make Haiti safer and more prosperous. He expressed Canada’s support for the Haitian government’s efforts to restore the rule of law in Haiti and establish good governance. To this end, Prime Minister Harper announced an increase in contributions, including an additional $20 million for the Canadian Police Arrangement, which deploys Canadian Police to the UN mission in Haiti. The Prime Minister also announced an additional $15 million contribution through the Global Peace and Security Fund (GPSF) to strengthen governance, security and justice initiatives.
Although the situation in Haiti remains fragile, there have been encouraging signs of progress. Efforts by the Haitian government, supported by Canada and hemispheric and international partners, are beginning to bear fruit, which is why it is important to collectively strengthen commitment in Haiti. By adopting a whole-of-government approach, Canada is contributing a wide range of Canadian expertise to Haiti.
Canada is engaged at the highest political levels in the reconstruction of Haiti. This is evidenced by such visits as those of Prime Minister Stephen Harper on July 20, 2007, as well as The Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, who visited Haiti in May 2006 for the inauguration of President René Préval. The Government of Canada enjoys close working relations with Haitian authorities, including through regular ministerial, such as those by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter MacKay in June 2006 and the Minister of International Cooperation Josée Verner in February 2007. Canada also continues to advocate for sustained international engagement to address Haitian needs in multilateral fora.
Haiti's three main challenges are: - security and the rule of law;
- social and economic reconstruction as well as national reconciliation and
- the strengthening of democratic institutions.
A more secure environment
The security situation in Haiti has significantly improved since March 2004. A central component of Canada’s strategy in Haiti is the need to restore security and public order. Canada provides support by contributing police officers, military personnel and corrections experts through MINUSTAH (the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti).
Canada contributes up to 100 civilian police to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) with a Canadian currently serving as Deputy Police Commissioner for the mission. Canadian municipal and provincial police, as well as the RCMP are deployed within MINUSTAH through the Canadian Police Arrangement. Canadian law enforcement officers work as technical advisers, actively involved in the daily mentoring and coaching of HNP members in the areas of training, recruiting, and weapons handling. Canada also has four military personnel serving in key positions within MINUSTAH and 8 Canadian corrections experts have been deployed to assist in the reform of the Haitian corrections system.
This contribution follows on a significant Canadian Forces contribution (520 troops) to the UN mandated Multinational Interim Force which facilitated the transition to MINUSTAH in August 2004. On February 15, 2007, MINUSTAH’s mandate was renewed for an eight-month period until October 2007, at which time further renewal will be considered.
In partnership with the Haitian government and the international community, Canada is helping advance security system reform in Haiti by focusing its efforts on increasing security, restoring the rule of law, and reducing factors of instability. Canadian financial and technical resources are contributing to a range of initiatives within the Haitian security system aimed at strengthening the Haitian National Police Reform process, improving prisons infrastructure and building capacity of correctional officers, supporting Haitian efforts to strengthen border management, and improving access to justice for the Haitian people.
Canada is also providing support to the National Commission on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (NCDDR) to assist with violence reduction in Haitian communities and contribute to Haitian efforts to address the proliferation of illegal arms.
Economic and Social Reconstruction.
Canada is committed to assisting Haiti on a sustainable path forward by strengthening Haiti’s economic and social development.
Canada’s engagement is concentrated in four areas: reinforcement of the state, access to services (health, education, and infrastructure), social cohesion and essential needs. The areas in which Canada is focusing its development assistance are in line with the key priorities of Haiti’s government. Also, Canada is contributing to Haiti’s economic enhancement through various debt-reduction initiatives, either by playing an active role within multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Paris Club, or through the Canadian Debt Initiative.
Canada is contributing to the rehabilitation of infrastructure which has a direct impact on local economic activities such as roads, bridges, ports, potable water services, waste management, public lighting and public markets. By stimulating local economic activity, job creation and access to basic public services, the programs in place will directly improve the quality of life for men and women living in the target regions.
The Haitian government is working to consolidate important macro-economic progress made over the past two years in terms of reduced inflation, positive economic growth rates and balanced budgets. Along with these steps and improved security, Haiti’s economic recovery will depend on the creation of private sector development and jobs. It will also depend on confidence in Haiti’s business climate, a key to spurring foreign trade and investment in Haiti.
Canada is supporting a number of initiatives aimed at promoting Haitian private sector development. In March 2007, a seminar in Port-au-Prince entitled “Doing Business with Canada” was organized by the Canadian Embassy and the Haitian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event attracted more than 50 Haitian businesspeople and provided them with information on how to export their products and services to Canada.
Canada will support an international trade and investment forum to be held in Haiti in November 2007. Coordinated by the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Development Bank, the forum will be the first and largest international trade and investment forum of its kind in Haiti. It will showcase to the international business community the progress the country has made in security and stability, as well as its readiness to move on to the next stage of engagement through trade and investment. Canada has contributed $170,000 to this initiative.
Developing a strong democracy
Canada’s efforts are aimed at implementing and consolidating a responsible and effective political system.
Canada was at the forefront of international efforts to assist Haiti in completing its first full electoral cycle since its constitution entered into force in 1987. The 2006 elections marked an important step in the democratic development of Haiti. To this end Canada contributed nearly $40 million towards the successful completion of elections. Canada also continues to support the consolidation and strengthening of the country’s electoral structures.
Following the inauguration of the elected Haitian government, Canada is supporting the government as it sets up and strengthens effective and transparent institutions. One target of these efforts is Haiti’s Parliament, with a view to strengthening its legislative role and promoting constructive relations between the government's executive and legislative branches and between the Parliament and the population.
Canada promotes respect for human rights, democracy and peace in Haiti. Canada is funding Haitian civil society organizations and government institutions which target areas such as peaceful conflict resolution, civic education, strengthening of democracy, respect for human rights and a culture of peace---in other words, the building blocks for inclusive, sustainable development. |