July 30, 2007
No. 101
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public
Safety, today announced that Canada deployed four Correctional Service Canada
(CSC) officers to Haiti, in support of MINUSTAH, the United Nations Stabilization
Mission in Haiti. This deployment is funded by the Global Peace and Security Fund,
which is managed by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
“Canada’s long-standing commitment in Haiti is an important component of our
engagement in the Americas,” said Minister MacKay. “This deployment is the latest
contribution to Haiti and reaffirms our commitment to the region and our support for
MINUSTAH. Progress in correctional service reform will help Haiti to continue its efforts
toward security, reconstruction and stability for the Haitian people.”
“Canadians can be proud that we are helping the people of Haiti establish an
accountable and effective correctional system based on the Canadian model,” said
Minister Day. “These four dedicated CSC employees will help to build a strong Haitian
justice system that contributes to Haiti’s stability and democracy.”
As part of the security component of MINUSTAH, the CSC officers are providing
security sector reform, as well as training and mentoring of Haitian correctional services
staff. This contribution reinforces the commitment, made by Prime Minister Stephen
Harper in Port-au-Prince on July 20, of Canada’s continued engagement in the security
sector in Haiti. It also complements ongoing support for prison reform and
infrastructure, as well as Canada’s existing deployment of police and other security
sector experts to MINUSTAH.
For more information about Canada’s role in Haiti, visit the Foreign Affairs and
International Trade Canada and Correctional Service Canada websites at:
http://www.international.gc.ca
and http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca.
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For further information, media representatives may contact:Foreign Affairs Media
Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657