January 12, 2015 – Montreal (Quebec)
Check Against Delivery
Hello everyone.
Today, our thoughts are with Haitians, who, for the past five years, have suffered from the effects of the January 12, 2010, earthquake.
We think also of their families and of Haitian communities, both here and abroad, and of the families and friends of the Canadian victims of the earthquake.
Over the past five years, the Haitian community has been central to a great solidarity movement.
And Canadians have responded to the disaster with unparalleled compassion.
Our donations to Canadian organizations working in Haiti have totalled over $220 million.
The Government of Canada has also played a leading role in responding to humanitarian needs and supporting reconstruction.
This Canadian solidarity has further strengthened the special ties forged between our two countries over the past decades.
Together, we have made significant progress.
Nearly one and a half million displaced people have been relocated. Economic opportunities are increasing.
Countless roads, schools and health centres have been rebuilt. The national police force is getting better at carrying out its mandate.
More children are attending school, and more women, newborns and children have access to free health care.
For the future, I believe that everyone here would like to see a more stable and prosperous Haiti that can offer its people greater economic opportunities.
Rest assured that our government is committed to remaining in solidarity with Haitians in the long-term development of their country.
From the moment I took office, Haiti has been a priority for me.
Haiti is also the first country I visited in 2013 as Minister of International Development and Minister for La Francophonie.
Last June, the Government of Canada confirmed that Haiti would remain one of the target countries benefitting from our international development assistance.
In short, we believe in Haiti’s future, and we intend to do all we can to accelerate the progress achieved to date.
So that Haiti can finally reach its full potential.
I trust we can all work together to achieve this goal over the coming years.
Thank you.
