Talking About Haiti

Haiti was one of the countries that got me interested in international politics. Since the 1970s I'd heard that Haiti was governed by an extremely corrupt, extremely brutal regime. When there was a revolution I was happy that they'd managed to remove the monstrous Duvaliers from power. The Duvaliers were so bad that even the USian newsmedia could condemn them, just as they did Somoza of Nicaragua and Marcos of the Philippines.

Not being politically involved, I lost track of Haiti until President Aristide was overthrown in a coup, but by then I was interested in politics and followed the story through the wonderful Z Magazine and through numerous books. I was appalled at the blatant hypocrisy of the USian (and mainstream Canadian) response to Haiti's plight. Aristide's return and second removal enraged me. The fact that Canada had joined in directly in this abomination sickens me to this day.

From time to time I go to check up on what our officials are saying on Haiti. Here's a big, honking committee [pdf] report from Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee. There's just a couple of snippets about Haiti apparently:

Hon. Lawrence Cannon: Thank you.

Of course, I think Canada is quite clear that we've made a long-term commitment to
Haiti, which is at the heart of Canada's vocation in the Americas, so to speak.
We're directing unprecedented financial and political resources towards ensuring
the success of international efforts in Haiti, with $555 million between 2006
and 2011 going to the poorest country in the Americas.


As a matter of fact, and I've mentioned this before, it's our single largest
investment in the Americas and our second worldwide in terms of our
contribution. After the United States, we're the second-largest donor in
Haiti.


Our involvement is based on strong national interests, security, and values, and basically reflects the close cultural and demographic links between Canada and that country.


We've participated and are participating, of course, in the UN stabilization mission
in Haiti, with a current contribution of four Canadian Forces personnel, 96 civilian police officers, and eight corrections experts. We're a leader in security system reform in Haiti.


As you know, I think, probably going back to the larger picture, the Prime Minister
did name a Minister of State for the Americas. There's a renewed engagement on the part of the government to do work with the Americas. Minister Kent has been extremely active.

In our earlier discussions, we alluded to the free trade agreements with both
Colombia and Peru. Minister Day is very active there as well.

We expect that all of the efforts Canada is putting into the Americas are certainly
going to help us in the short, the medium, and the long terms.

and:

Mr. Peter Goldring (Edmonton East, CPC): Thank you, Mr. Minister, Mr. Hirst, and Mr. Edwards, for appearing here today.

Canada's re-engagement in the Americas certainly is a positive step. It's being very well
received by almost all countries of the region. It certainly is a direct contrast to years past, where Canada has been seen as though it has been disengaging from the region.

Particularly now, with the evolving geopolitical landscape of the region, it even becomes a strategic imperative. Economically, the area is being viewed by other world powers too, whether it's the European Union or the two Chinas or other Asian countries, so there's a reason to participate. China has a tax-free port on St. Lucia, which is indicative of their interests throughout the area.


One of the countries in the region, though, where certainly Canada makes one of its
preeminent efforts to help, is Haiti. Haiti is a very big priority in the region, of course, not just for humanitarian reasons but also as a necessity, and politically and economically as an imperative, as a sign of Canada's whole-of-government engagement throughout the region, to participate not just politically and economically in the region but also in a humanitarian way. It's a kind of symbol for that.


Mr. Minister, I'm wondering if you could tell us what steps are being taken with the
efforts to help Haiti evolve politically and stability-wise.

followed by:

Canada is re-engaging in the Americas. Our strategy for the Americas is
designed to promote economic prosperity, security and democratic governance
through bilateral and multilateral engagement.

In addition to focusing on promoting social safety nets and a Canadian model of
democracy, we are focusing on a robust trade liberalization agenda to ensure
Canadian access to growing markets.

In Haiti, Canada will maintain its engagement and focus on high level political
engagement, as well as stabilization, reconstruction and long-term development.
Canada is Haiti's second largest bilateral donor.

The fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago in April of this year will
provide the opportunity for Canada to reinforce our security and economic interests in the region.

Also this year, Canada hosts the Caribbean Development Bank's Board of Governors
meeting in Halifax.

I have to straighten up my office. I'll type more and fix formatting later. The point though is that this is pretty weak stuff for such an allegedly important initiative. I searched for all FAIT Committee hearings from January 1st, 2008 to June 30th, 2009 and that was all that was said.