Canada's Engagement in Haiti – One year after the Earthquake
Canada's commitment to Haiti is part of the Government of Canada priority of Engagement in the Americas and it supports democratic governance, security and prosperity. The largest recipient of Canadian development assistance in the Americas, Haiti has faced unprecedented challenges over the past year. These include the devastating earthquake of Jan.12, 2010, Hurricane Tomas, a cholera epidemic, and post-election instability.
Canada provides significant support to Haiti through the ongoing work of Canadian departments and agencies working together closely.
Canada's Response to the Devastating Earthquake
On January 12, 2010, a catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti, close to Port-au-Prince. The Government of Canada mounted rapid and comprehensive humanitarian and consular efforts, involving multiple federal government departments and agencies.
Canada Supports Elections in Haiti
Photo taken by Lara Bremner /CIDA
On October 5, 2010 Canada announced $5.8 million in CIDA funding to support to strengthen democracy and good governance in Haiti through elections in Haiti. The funding supports the United Nations Development Programme's operational assistance for the Conseil électoral provisoire [Provisional Electoral Council], Canadian technical support via Elections Canada for the November 2010 elections, and Haiti’s Conseil national d'observation des élections [National Electoral Observation Council] for training and deployment of local electoral observers.
Canadian police deployed to the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) supported the election by providing security and crowd control throughout the country and mentoring and advising their Haitian National Police colleagues on these tasks.
Canada Responds to the Cholera Outbreak
© ACDI-CIDA / Photo : Jean-François Leblanc
As of December 31, 2010, Canada’s contribution to fighting Haiti's cholera epidemic totalled $7 million in CIDA funding via five experienced partners – Oxfam Quebec, UNICEF, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), World Vision, and Médecins du Monde Canada. This support is providing urgently needed care to treat and prevent the spread of cholera.
Improving Haitians' Quality of Life through Support in Addressing Security and Stability Challenges
Canada continues to play an important role in international efforts to restore security and stability and support long term reconstruction through the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and through Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada's Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START).
Canada has continued to help by:
- Increasing its capacity to deploy Correctional Service of Canada officers to the UN Mission in Haiti from 10 up to 25, as well as Canadian police officers from a maximum of 100 to up to 150.
- Providing 100 patrol vehicles and fleet maintenance support to the Haitian National Police to ensure they are able to arrest criminals and respond to emergencies.
- Expanding police training facilities by supplying portable classrooms for the national Police School, increasing the capacity to train new officers.
Helping Haiti Achieve Growth and Poverty Reduction through Improved Tax Revenue Collection
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is leading CIDA's $18.6 -million revenue generation Haiti Tax Mobilization Support Project, involving as well the Canada Revenue Agency and the Inter-American Development Bank. With Customs revenue representing 70% of Haiti's national revenue, Canada's expertise will help Haiti achieve the goals and initiatives identified in its national strategy for growth and poverty reduction.
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