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Canada-Haiti relations

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Bilateral relations

Canada and Haiti officially established diplomatic relations in 1954 and continue to maintain strong ties ever since. Over the years the relationship has been strengthened by geographic proximity, a common language (French), the growth of a substantial Haitian community in Canada (~180,000) 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 consul in Toronto.

Canada has been a highly engaged partner with Haiti for decades to promote security, stability, democracy and sustainable socio-economic development.

Security, development and humanitarian assistance

Canada’s engagement in Haiti is guided by a comprehensive and coordinated approach that aligns diplomatic, security, development, and humanitarian efforts. The overarching goal is to help Haiti move toward stability and prosperity by addressing both immediate needs and long-term structural challenges. Between 2022 and 2025, Canada provided $460 million in international assistance to Haiti, not including investments from the current fiscal year.

To respond to the current crisis and tackle the root causes of fragility and violence, Canada focuses on four interconnected pillars:

  1. Effectiveness and accountability of the security sector
  2. Democratic governance and civic engagement
  3. Anti-corruption and protection of human rights
  4. Alleviation of suffering and socio-economic development

Canada works closely with international partners – including the United Nations, the Organization of American States (OAS), La Francophonie, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and others – to implement these pillars and advance Haitian-led and owned solutions. Canada also chairs the United Nations Economic and Social Council’s (ECOSOC) Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti. More information on these partners can be found at Partnerships and organizations.

Strengthening the Haitian security sector is a key priority. Canada is supporting capacity-building of the Haitian National Police (HNP), including community policing, 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.

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

Canada is a strong supporter of the UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and its predecessor, the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), both mandated to support HNP and the Armed Forces of Haiti (AFH) in their efforts to stabilize the security situation. Canada has provided more than $126 million to support the MSSM and the GSF. Canada is also working with its partners to ensure gender considerations are included across all GSF operations and to promote a zero-tolerance regarding Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA).

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 Haiti’s institutional capacities to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate corruption cases, and to improve intelligence sharing on international money laundering cases. Canada also supports the full operationalization of the two recently created independent specialized judicial units and works to strengthen the independence and integrity of magistrates, judges and government commissioners, as well as support judicial sector reforms and improve access to justice, legal aid and other resources for vulnerable persons, especially women and minors.

In collaboration with Canadian and global partners, Canada supports Haitian efforts to mitigate the impact of the current crisis on the most vulnerable. This includes restoring and increasing access to basic services for the Haitian population, strengthening social protection, and rebuilding the livelihoods and employment. Canada also funds various initiatives to strengthen health services and systems, reinforce the capacities of national institutions in service delivery, combat food insecurity and provide support to Haitian returnees, internally displaced people, and border communities. Canada is also helping small business owners and entrepreneurs create economic opportunities for the population.

In response to the acute humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Canada provided over $12 million in humanitarian assistance funding in 2024 to trusted UN, Red Cross and non-governmental partners, supporting life-saving activities such as emergency food and nutrition assistance; water, sanitation and hygiene; emergency health services; and protection services, particularly in response to gender-based violence.

To find out what Canada is doing to support development, stabilization, and humanitarian needs in Haiti, you can search projects on the Project Browser and find the most recent figures on Canada’s international assistance on the DevData dashboard.

Targeted sanctions

To combat against impunity and complement efforts to reduce corruption in Haiti, Canada has imposed sanctions on 34 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.

See Canadian Sanctions Related to Haiti.

Trade relations

The bilateral trade relationship between Canada and Haiti remains modest. In 2024, bilateral merchandise trade totaled $155.2 million: $103.2 million in Canadian exports to Haiti (mainly agri-food, automobile and machinery sectors); $52 million in imports from Haiti (mostly textile and fish and seafood products). Bilateral trade in services is also modest (official statistics not available).

There are some commercial opportunities for businesses, including Canadian companies. The country’s heavy dependence on imports (approximately USD $4.5 billion in 2022) offers outlets for Canadian products. The country’s shortfall in terms of access to electricity is significant and use of renewable energies is limited. Lack of expertise in many sectors is driving a high demand for services.

See all trade and investment agreements between Canada and Haiti.

Partnerships and organizations

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

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