Canada, U.S. prepping ‘scenarios’ to respond if crisis in Haiti worsens, PM says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada is “preparing for a range of scenarios” to respond to if the situation in Haiti worsens.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the North American Leaders’ Summit in Mexico City, Trudeau was asked whether Canada has enough personnel to lead a military aid mission to the Caribbean nation.

The prime minister did not answer the question directly but insisted that Canada’s efforts so far — providing armored vehicles to the Haitian National Police, sanctioning Haitian elites believed to support gang activity — are working.

Trudeau said the government is working with the US and other allies to prepare for Haiti’s security situation by planning options.

“We all know that things could get worse in Haiti,” Trudeau said. “That’s why Canada and various partners, including the United States, are preparing for various scenarios if things get worse.”

Haiti has been in political turmoil since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July. Since then, the gang has controlled a large part of the capital Port-au-Prince.

WATCH | Trudeau said Canada and its partners are preparing for ‘various scenarios’ for Haiti

The blockade of Haiti’s main fuel terminal by the G9 gang alliance ended two weeks after Canada and the US sent armored vehicles to Haitian police on October 15. a lot in diesel generators.

But the gang remains in control of other areas it has seized, including the country’s main courthouse.

Ariel Henry, Haiti’s de facto prime minister, called for foreign military forces to enter his country and fight the gangs. No country has yet accepted his invitation.

The CBC asked the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for more details on the planned scenario, and how much worse it would have to be before the plan was implemented. A spokesperson said the PMO had nothing to add at this time.

The PMO’s reading of Trudeau’s meeting with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday said the two leaders discussed the ongoing crisis in Haiti and committed to providing support to the country.

Global Affairs Canada announced that another shipment of armored vehicles was delivered to the national police in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday.

In a media release, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly called on other countries to increase their support for Haiti.

“Canada is calling on the international community to follow its lead and help the Haitian people as they face the complex challenges and violence in their country,” he said in a statement.

On Monday, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters in Washington that Canada had asked to take a leading role in Haiti.

“Canada itself has expressed an interest in taking a leadership role,” Sullivan said in response to a question about Haiti.

“What exactly are the terms and parameters of security support, what does that mean in terms of boots on the ground … the two leaders will discuss,” he said, referring to Trudeau and Biden’s meeting on Tuesday.

Sullivan was also asked if the US plans to send troops to Haiti. He said he didn’t want to “go down that road.”