Canada to help build Haiti police force headquarters, train ambulance workers

MONTREAL, Q.C. – The federal government will spend more than $10 million to help build the new headquarters of Haiti’s national police force and to train thousands of its officers in first aid.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon made the announcements in Montreal on Thursday, saying all donor countries have a role to play in Haiti’s reconstruction.

While thousands of Haitians remain without homes, rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed in last January’s earthquake is also key, Cannon said.

“When Canada committed to working on the reconstruction of Haiti, we did it with other donor countries and each agreed to work in their respective sector,” he said, adding part of Canada’s commitment is to help rebuild government buildings.

But Cannon said that doesn’t limit the work being done on other humanitarian or social levels.

Haiti has struggled to rebuild its infrastructure following last January’s earthquake, which killed as many as 300,000 people and destroyed the capital.

The quake also killed 58 Canadians.

“Nobody has ever indicated that this commitment _ not only Canada’s but the international community’s commitment _would be short and sweet, in and out,” Cannon said.

“It’s a long-term commitment to help get the people of Haiti back on their feet.”

Ottawa will spend $9.5 million over two years to help build the police headquarters in the ravaged Caribbean country.

Canada will also spend $1.3 million over two years to train emergency workers in first aid under the supervision of St. John Ambulance.

The hope is to train 7,000 police officers and first-responders with emergency response training, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

The Canadian assistance for the two projects is coming from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ global peace and security fund, which focuses on justice and security reforms in various countries.

The fund usually budgets about $15 million for Haiti, but has an additional $10 million to spend in 2010.

Canada currently has 134 police officers in Haiti, compared with 90 before the quake. Officers are involved in training the new police force as well as providing policing on the ground.

”Through this assistance program, Canada is providing for the purchase of equipment to allow the Haitian national police to patrol on land and on sea, and the construction of facilities of both corrections and police sectors,” Cannon said.

”Other projects focus on justice reform, community security and training.”

Canada’s total commitment to Haiti stands at more than $1 billion _ a figure that includes $555 million pledged in 2006 and a two-year $400-million promise Canada made during a United Nations conference in March.

The $1 billion also includes $150 million Cannon says Canada has distributed to a number of humanitarian causes in Haiti.

More money may be needed as Tropical Storm Tomas is set to strike Haiti, which in addition is also trying to stem a cholera outbreak.

“Canada will be prepared to intervene if need be,” Cannon said, without providing any specifics.

“We are always prepared to be able to intervene rapidly … but we’re monitoring the whole situation closely.”

The other priority will be to ensure a fair and impartial election process in Haiti. A vote is scheduled for Nov. 28.

“I think a top priority is to get that election over with,” Cannon said.

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