(Ottawa) Global Affairs Canada says Ottawa wants to help the population of Haiti prevent sexual violence, in anticipation of a multinational military intervention in the country.
The United Nations Security Council on Monday approved the creation of a multinational force to help combat violent gangs in Haiti, which Kenya has offered to lead by January.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada was determining how best to help Haiti, while Liberal backbencher Emmanuel Dubourg said he thought it would Canada was unlikely to send troops.
Global Affairs Canada says in a new statement that Ottawa “is focused on preventing sexual and gender-based violence” in Haiti, emphasizing that gangs use sexual violence as a means of controlling the population.
In previous military interventions in Haiti, residents have reported widespread sexual exploitation by fellow citizens and foreign armies.
Federal officials are expected to testify in the Senate on the crisis in Haiti.
Haiti’s unelected prime minister called for international intervention last year, and the idea has been divisive among Haitians, although it is supported by the U.N. and Washington.
The country has been facing a deep security crisis exacerbated by brazen criminal gangs since mid-2021, leading to endemic violence, cholera outbreaks, and restricted access to water, food and medical care.
Mme Joly imposed sanctions on several of Haiti’s political and economic elites, arguing that doing so would help build consensus among political actors on how other countries can best help Haitians find stability, and eventually, organize elections.
Washington had asked Canada to carry out military intervention, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it was unclear whether such a move would lead to long-term stability in the country, citing multiple previous interventions that he said him, had made Haiti even less stable.
Minister Joly argued on Tuesday that Ottawa “takes note” of the UN authorization to intervene, but her ministry now says that Canada “welcomes favorably” the decision.
“It is essential that security-focused force interventions are followed by Haitian-led solutions, which include a robust, well-trained and well-equipped Haitian National Police,” wrote Global Affairs Canada spokesperson John Babcock.
He stressed that “Canada has also committed significant financial and human resources” to help coordinate how different countries can support the Haitian police, in addition to equipping police officers and providing humanitarian aid.
Chief of Defense Staff General Wayne Eyre said in March that there were not enough armed forces available to carry out such a mission.
MP Emmanuel Dubourg, who was born in Haiti, argued it was more likely that Canada would send technical and intelligence assistance to forces stationed on the ground or in neighboring countries.