Minister Joly concludes visit to Washington, D.C.

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

June 22, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded her visit to Washington, D.C., where she attended the 53rd General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS).

At the OAS General Assembly, Minister Joly engaged with regional counterparts and delivered Canada’s national statement, which highlighted the need for concerted multilateral engagement to strengthen democracy, human rights and the rule of law and to resolve the security and humanitarian crises in Haiti and Nicaragua.

Minister Joly and Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica, hosted the third meeting of the Canada-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Foreign Ministers’ Group, where they reaffirmed their commitment to the values shared by Canada and CARICOM.

Minister Joly announced that Canada has imposed sanctions for human rights violations, including sexual violence, against 4 additional individuals related to the situation in Haiti: businessman André Apaid and gang leaders Lanmo Sanjou, Vitel’Homme Innocent and Johnson André. These sanctions impose a dealings prohibition that effectively freezes any assets these individuals may hold in Canada. These individuals are now also inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

While in Washington, D.C., Minister Joly met with members of the U.S. Congress to discuss shared priorities, including the situation in Ukraine and Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Quotes

“Canada is dedicated to a strong, effective OAS whose members stand united in tackling the daunting challenges before us. I am glad to highlight an important milestone for our hemisphere in 2023: the 50th anniversary of the Caribbean Community. CARICOM is an important strategic partner for Canada in the Americas. Together, we are working to advance our shared values and strengthen the rules-based international order.”

- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • Canada became a full member of the OAS in 1990 and is the third-largest contributor to the organization.

  • Founded in 1948, the OAS is the oldest regional organization in the world. It is built on 4 pillars: democracy, human rights, security and development.

  • Since November 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations against 25 members of the Haitian elite in response to egregious conduct in providing illicit financial and operational support to armed gangs.

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Contacts

Maéva Proteau
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Maeva.Proteau@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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