Canada-Haiti relations

Security situation in Haiti

Learn about Canada's response to the crisis in Haiti.

Bilateral relations

Canada and Haiti officially established diplomatic relations in 1954 and have continued to maintain strong ties ever since. Over the years, their relationship has been strengthened by their geographical proximity, a common language (French), the growth of a substantial Haitian community in Canada (~165,000) and the ongoing presence of Canadian organizations in Haiti. Canada is represented in Haiti by the Embassy of Canada to Haiti in Port-au-Prince. Haiti is represented in Canada by an embassy in Ottawa, a consulate general in Montréal, as well as an honorary consulate in Toronto.

Canada has been highly engaged with Haiti for decades to promote security, stability, democracy and sustainable development. Since 2022, Canada has committed over $400 million in international assistance to Haiti. This support is enhanced by the unique nature of Canada’s contribution as a francophone partner and a feminist leader, mobilising the international community behind Haitian solutions and coordinating efforts on the ground.

In collaboration with the United Nations, the Organization of American States, La Francophonie, and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other partners, Canada is maintaining the international momentum around support to Haitian-led and owned solutions by convening leaders and high-level international meetings on Haiti. Canada also chairs the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti. More information on further avenues of collaboration can be found at Partnerships and organizations.

To address the root causes of Haiti’s extreme fragility, Canada’s comprehensive approach is founded on 4 interconnected pillars:

Support Haitian security sector actors and institutions to reduce violence and restore peace.
Support the transitional government in restoring democratic institutions.
Fight corruption and human rights abuses and set the foundations to reestablish the rule of law.
Alleviate suffering and support socioeconomic recovery.

Security, development and humanitarian assistance

Canada is working to help Haiti stabilise its security situation, re-establish democratic order, address impunity and injustices, and resume progress towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs), for the benefit of all Haitians.

Since the 2010 earthquake, the Government of Canada has provided over $2 billion worth of funding to Haiti. Canada is the second-largest bilateral donor to Haiti after the United States. The Government of Canada’s priorities are consistent with the action areas in Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and are aligned with Haiti’s national priorities and the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States.

Canada is working with Canadian and international partners to support Haitian efforts to mitigate the impact of the current crisis on the most vulnerable, notably. Its efforts are largely focused on socioeconomic recovery through the restoration of basic services and social protection, and the rebuilding of livelihoods and employment. This includes support for various initiatives to strengthen national health, education and protection systems. Canada’s assistance seeks to benefit the most vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, notably by addressing gender-based violence. Canada is also helping farmers and rural populations to adapt to climate change.

In response to the acute humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Canada provided over $13 million in humanitarian assistance funding in 2023 to trusted UN, Red Cross and NGO partners, supporting activities such as emergency food and nutrition assistance; logistical support; water, sanitation and hygiene; emergency health; and protection services, particularly in response to gender-based violence.

Strengthening the Haitian security sector is a key priority. Canada is supporting capacity-building of the Haitian National Police (HNP), including community police, the coast guard, and border police. Canada has been a reliable partner for the HNP since its creation and continues to leverage its whole-of-government expertise, bringing together Global Affairs Canada, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to help the HNP improve security conditions in Haiti. Each department brings its own expertise with the aim of restoring peace and security to Haiti, as a first step towards holding free and fair elections.

Currently, Canada’s support is aimed at building the capacity of the HNP to fight criminal gangs, to restore the rule of law, to disrupt transnational criminal organizations, and to combat trafficking of drugs and weapons. This includes projects related to:

Ensuring the HNP is well trained to restore and maintain security.
Supporting the procurement of logistics, protection, communication and transportation equipment for the HNP.
Preventing sexual and gender-based violence.
Strengthening the security of borders, ports and the maritime domain.

Canada is a strong supporter of the UN-sanctioned Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) mandated to support HNP efforts to stabilize the security situation. Canada has provided more than $86 million to support the deployment of the MSSM. Canada is also working with the MSSM to ensure that gender considerations are mainstreamed throughout their operations and to implement their commitments to the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA). Canada leads the International Security Assistance Coordination Group (ISACG), which was established to coordinate support to the HNP from more than 30 donor countries and organizations while ensuring close collaboration with the MSSM.

As an essential component to the re-establishment of the rule of law in Haiti, Canada also supports efforts to prevent and combat corruption by strengthening the national capacity to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate corruption cases. Canada also works to strengthen the independence and integrity of judges and government commissioners, as well as improve access to justice for vulnerable persons, especially women and minors.

To find out what Canada is doing to support development, stabilization, and humanitarian needs in Haiti, you can search in the Project Browser.

Targeted sanctions

To send a strong message against impunity and complement efforts to combat corruption in Haiti, Canada has imposed sanctions on 31 individuals responsible for fueling instability and violence. These measures, enacted under the Special Economic Measures Act are in addition to the implementation of UN sanctions on Haiti.

Trade relations

The bilateral trade relationship between Canada and Haiti remains modest. In 2023, bilateral merchandise trade totaled $187.4 million: $138.2 million in Canadian exports to Haiti (mainly agri-food, automobile and machinery sectors); $49.2 million in imports from Haiti (mostly textile and fish and seafood products). Bilateral trade in services is still modest (official statistics not available).

There are some commercial opportunities for businesses, including Canadian companies. The country’s heavy dependence on imports (approximately USD $5.2 billion in 2021) offers outlets for Canadian products. The country’s shortfall in terms of access to electricity is significant and renewable energies are underused. Lack of expertise in many sectors is driving a high demand for services.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Haiti work closely in multilateral forums, such as:

Date modified:: 2024-09-20

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