Statement by Minister Cannon

January 18, 2010

Canadians are being evacuated, and supplies are being sent to those who need it most.  But the situation remains very fragile and we still face a number of challenges. 

According to the latest consular figures, the number of fatalities has now reached 11. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families as well as the friends of those affected.

The number of Canadians unaccounted for in the affected area now stands at 859, which is a reduction from yesterday’s number of 1115.

The number of Canadians located has risen to 1433 (from 1122 yesterday). We continue to do everything we can to locate all Canadians so they can rejoin their families and friends here in Canada. 

We have successfully rescued 17 students from a location outside Port-au-Prince, using air and land equipment. Minister MacKay will speak to this in a moment.

Supplies have made it to our Embassy in Port-au-Prince, and Canadians continue to arrive at the compound, where 20 Canadians are now taking refuge (from 30 yesterday).

There have now been 10 flights back to Canada completed, another flight with some 40 people on board is due to arrive this morning in Montreal. Those 11 flights total 947 evacuees since the beginning (yesterday that number was 593).
To date, our Emergency Operations Centre has received more than 24,000 calls (from 22,600 yesterday).

The food situation has improved. The United Nations, through the World Food Programme, is serving 60,000 hot meals per day – up from 29,000 meals a day.

These are the small successes that we’ve been seeing, and we can only imagine the tremendous relief they bring to those in need. 

Although the concern over an increase in civilian violence is shared by several countries involved – it will be resolved by our capacity to deliver aid and our capacity to stabilize Haiti.  

Latest international efforts include food, water, shelter but also fixing the airport, port (short and mid term), and the communications network -and ensure a humanitarian corridor to facilitate distribution.

At yesterday’s Group of Friends call, we all agreed on strengthening the commitment taken by the international community and on coordinating aid and support for Haiti following the recent earthquake.

It also triggered a discussion on the medium and long-term needs of Haiti and to strengthen the solidarity we all have with Haitians themselves.
The issue of security was identified as one of the key challenges and the need to significantly supplement police forces in Haiti until the Haitian National Police force can be re-established.
We are working with MINUSTAH on this front.
Our Government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper - has been fully engaged in Haiti, we are today, and we will remain engaged in the future.

I am also pleased to announce that Prime Minister Bellerive and the Friends of Haiti ministers have accepted Canada’s invitation to convene a meeting of foreign ministers and key multilateral players on January 25 in Montreal.

This meeting will allow us to begin the planning process for a major conference on the reconstruction of Haiti.
The Montreal meeting, which I will chair, will provide an opportunity to reassess the situation in Haiti and ensure that the United Nations can focus international efforts to help the Haitian people meet the current challenges and prepare for long-term stabilization and reconstruction.
I also spoke to the European Union Foreign Minister, Lady Ashton, yesterday, to debrief her on the Group of Friends call.

We agreed on the need to follow the leadership of the Government of Haiti, and the need to strengthen its ability to govern by improving communications, transport and security. We also discuss the need to recommend increasing troop levels and the police component on the ground.
We will continue to work closely with the Government of Haiti, the United Nations and other missions toward an effective response to this disaster.

Our number one priority remains to assist those in need.