Prime Minister Trudeau calls for a MORE RESPONSIBLE HAITI amidst announcements of help from Canada

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Haiti, March 2, 2023 – The people of Haiti are set to benefit from a $22.3 million dollar support pledged by the Canadian government; however, it is not the kind of support that many had hoped for.

In speaking at a plenary section during the Heads of CARICOM meeting in the Bahamas recently, Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, said his country will be providing the Haitian National Police with the assistance they need in tackling the ongoing crisis.

“We have provided direct support to bolster the Haitian National Police so that Haiti has the tools and support to solve this situation, including deploying surveillance aircraft and vital strategic security equipment and vehicles, and an additional delivery of Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in the coming days.

“Canada will also deploy Royal Canadian Navy vessels to conduct surveillance and gather intelligence, and maintain a maritime presence off the Haitian coast in the coming weeks,” Trudeau stated.

The Prime Minister also announced humanitarian assistance for women and children, who have been and continue to be gravely affected by the country’s worsening situation.

“Today I am announcing $10 million to support the International Office on Migration to strengthen the protection and resilience of Haitian women and children along the Haiti-Dominican Republic border and in migrants’ place of origin.”

In addition, Prime Minister Trudeau said, “We will invest an additional $12.3 million in humanitarian assistance.  Together, with CARICOM, Canada and international partners can help Haitians bring an end to the crisis and build a better, and more hopeful, future for their country.”

While many were grateful for Canada’s pledge to provide financial and equipment support to Haiti, many were wondering why the North American country did not provide more military support, specifically armed forces to assist the Haitian National Police, which at this stage is depleted, demoralized and has less than 10, 000 officers for over 11 million people.

In responding to that question, Prime Minister Trudeau explained that Haiti should be the leader in the fight out of the crisis.

“What we have seen is that this is happening despite all the best will and the engagement by Canadians and people from around the world over the past three decades.

“We cannot continue to do the same thing and hope for a different outcome, that’s why everything we’re doing now needs to be focused on responsiblising Haitian leadership to be part of the situation and focused on solutions that are driven by the Haitian people themselves.”

In terms of what the country will do, he said Canada will be supplying resources to help strengthen the police force instead.

“We are airlifting more equipment to them. The conversation we had around the table with Caribbean leaders focused on how we can strengthen and further legitimize and enable the Haitian National Police to keep people safe.”