Canada and Haiti agree on ‘appropriate steps’ for free and fair elections

The Government of Canada says that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille have agreed on the importance of working closely with the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and taking the “appropriate steps” toward holding free and fair elections in the violence-wracked, beleaguered French-speaking Caribbean country.

In speaking with Conille on Thursday, the Canadian Government said Trudeau congratulated him on his appointment and thanked him for his efforts to quickly install a new transitional government “that puts the well-being of the Haitian people first.”

The Canadian Government said Trudeau and Conille discussed the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support mission to restore security and stability in Haiti and to provide much-needed relief to the Haitian people. 

Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to working with Haiti, Kenya and other international partners to support a successful mission, the statement said. 

“The leaders underlined the need for international partners to step up and provide much-needed support for the mission,” it said, stating that Trudeau also highlighted Canada’s longstanding support for Haitian-led solutions to the ongoing crisis the country is facing. 

“Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Conille reaffirmed the strong bond between Canada and Haiti, and agreed to remain in regular contact,” the statement added. 

On May 30, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly welcomed the nomination of Conille as Haiti’s Prime Minister-designate.  

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I commend the Transitional Presidential Council for the nomination of the new Prime Minister-designate of Haiti and for moving toward achieving this important transition of power,” she said then. “We encourage Prime Minister-designate Garry Conille and the TPC to install without further delay a new government that puts the well-being of the Haitian people first. 

“We look forward to Prime Minister-designate Conille and the TPC taking the appropriate steps toward reestablishing democratic institutions, holding free and fair elections, advancing good governance, and working with the international community to restore national security and provide much-needed relief to the Haitian people, who have endured so much,” added Joly, stating that the ties between Canada and Haiti are “strong.”

“As Haiti continues on its path toward the restoration of democracy, Canada will remain a committed partner in providing security, development and humanitarian assistance to the Haitian people,” she assured. 

The Canadian Government said that, for nearly 30 years, Canada has contributed to stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Haiti, including through the deployment of members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and correctional officers.

Since 2022, Canada said it has committed over CAN$400 million (1 CAD = 0.728643 USD) in international assistance to Haiti. 

“As part of this financial support, strengthening the security sector and restoring the rule of law in Haiti are key Canadian priorities,” the Canadian Government said. 

In March 2023, Canada announced CAN$100 million to directly support the Haitian National Police. 

Since February 2024, Canada said it has provided over US$86 million to support the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission. 

The Canadian Government noted that, on March 3, 2024, the Government of Haiti declared a state of emergency in Ouest Department, including Port-au-Prince, the capital. in response to gang violence and the deteriorating security situation.