QUESTION PERIOD — Global Affairs
Support for Haiti
December 5, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate. With the growing insecurity in Haiti, the pearl of the Antilles, can you update us on Canada’s efforts to restore peace in Haiti? In other words, what measures are being taken to evaluate our actions in the field? What concrete steps are being taken to stop weapons from being trafficked from our continent to the Caribbean?
Thank you for the question. Canada will continue to support Haitian-led solutions to the political, security and humanitarian crises. Canada will also continue to work with Haitian stakeholders, CARICOM and international partners to support the next steps toward free and fair elections in Haiti and to address the security crisis, including through the Multinational Security Support mission. The law enforcement agencies of our respective countries work together every day to disrupt the illegal trafficking that you rightly mentioned. It is my understanding that the CBSA is stepping up inspections at ports of entry, adding more detector dogs and using new emerging technologies to prevent illegal trafficking.
Thank you. The President-elect of the United States promised mass deportations specifically targeting the Haitian immigrant community, and extremist marches have been being held since.
Is the Canadian government in talks with our neighbour to the south to prevent any resulting tensions over migration?
Thank you. Let me begin by making it clear that our government will always oppose hatred and discrimination against vulnerable communities.
To answer your question, the United States is not only our neighbour, but also our closest friend and ally. The government has worked successfully with both Republican and Democratic administrations and will continue to do so.
