NR – 13.204 - June 21, 2013
QUEBEC (Que.) – Mr. Chris Alexander, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today participated in the deployment ceremony of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel in support of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
A platoon of 34 CAF members, from 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in Valcartier, Quebec, departed today, to operate within a Brazilian battalion in Haiti. Deployed until December 2013, their efforts will contribute to one of the CAF’s core roles – supporting international peace and security for greater stability in our hemisphere.
“Canadians have been part of MINUSTAH since its inception in 2004 and their ongoing efforts will continue to benefit Haitians and improve Canada’s relations with our partners in the Western Hemisphere,” said Minister MacKay earlier this week while announcing the platoon’s participation in MINUSTAH. “As part of this mission, our Canadian Armed Forces members will work alongside Brazilian troops to maintain a secure and stable environment in Haiti.”
“Canada’s increased contribution to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti highlights our commitment to supporting international peace and security, specifically in the Western Hemisphere,” said Mr. Alexander. “Our personnel will serve with honour and distinction in Haiti, which should instil pride in all Canadians, in addition to further strengthening our military cooperation with Brazil.”
The CAF platoon deploying within the Brazilian battalion will complement Canada’s current military contribution to MINUSTAH, which includes five military staff officers deployed on Operation Hamlet. There are also approximately 90 Canadian police officers currently serving in Haiti with the United Nations (UN).
MINUSTAH was established under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter by UN Security Council Resolution 1542 of April 30, 2004, with a mandate to maintain a secure and stable environment, to support Haiti’s constitutional and political process, and to protect human rights. Its initial term of six months has been repeatedly extended annually, most recently to October 15, 2013, by UN Security Council Resolution 2070 of October 12, 2012.
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