Canada and Haiti enjoy a long-standing, positive relationship, and Canada remains steadfast in its support of Haiti and its people. As the deployment of the multinational security support mission (MAS) led by Kenya began yesterday, Canada continues to believe that the best solution to ensure security in Haiti is to support sustainable mechanisms aimed at strengthen the Haitian National Police (PNH) as well as the security and justice sectors in the long term.
Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honorable Mélanie Joly, announced that Canada will contribute an additional $5.7 million to the United Nations Trust Fund for the MAS mission in Haiti. This funding is in addition to the $80.5 million allocation to the Trust Fund announced last February. This new funding will directly support the deployment of the Kenyan-led MAS mission. Furthermore, Canada works with countries contributing to the MAS mission to provide training to deployed officers and establish mechanisms to prevent human rights violations, including sexual and gender-based violence.
In addition to the $5.7 million announced today, Canada previously allocated $12.5 million to support three projects that will help strengthen the HNP and improve security conditions for the civilian population in Haiti. These amounts are distributed as follows:
$5 million through the Canadian Commercial Corporation to support the Haitian National Police’s specialized tactical training program; $4 million to the Organization of American States for its Securing Maritime and Land Commerce in Haiti program; $3.5 million to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its container control program in Haiti. These three projects are funded as part of a $100 million investment for the PNH that was announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March 2023.
Canada remains committed to working with Haiti and international partners to meet the most pressing needs of the Haitian population. Canada will continue to support sound governance and long-term development, which address the root causes of fragility and insecurity, as well as efforts to strengthen the resilience of the Haitian population.
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