14 January 2009
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that Governor General Michaëlle Jean will represent Canada on a visit to Haiti from January 15 to 18, 2009.
The Governor General, along with her husband, His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond, will undertake a program of events that will strengthen the ties Canada has with Haiti, a central component of Canada’s re-engagement in the Americas.
Haiti, the largest recipient of Canadian aid in the Americas, experienced a series of devastating storms during the summer of 2008, after which Canada announced a number of initiatives to provide humanitarian assistance and assist with recovery operations.
The Governor General will meet with Haitian government leaders, including President René Préval and Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis, as well as with other donor countries’ representatives. Her visit includes tours of several Canada-funded initiatives in Port-au-Prince and in Les Cayes to bring attention to Canadian efforts to help support the Haitian government including in responding to the impacts of natural disasters.
Haiti is the poorest country in the hemisphere and the leading beneficiary of Canada’s development assistance in the Americas. Canada is committed to a long-term engagement in Haiti and ensuring the success of international efforts in Haiti.
The Governor General’s first official visit to Haiti was in 2006. This second visit by the Governor General will play an important role in maintaining and strengthening Canada’s relations with Haiti, as well as in projecting a positive image of contemporary Canada and Canadian values.
