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CIDA: Canada Announces Seven Sustainable Development Projects for Haiti

MONTREAL, QUEBEC – The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, and the Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, announced that Canada will provide support for 7 projects that will build roads, feed children, improve health care for mothers, contribute to economic recovery and increase Haiti’s capacity to respond to natural disasters.

“These projects will provide immediate benefits to Haitians and will also help create the long-term conditions essential to Haiti’s sustainable development,” said Minister Oda. “The Government of Canada is committed to reviving and expanding its leadership throughout the Americas, especially in fragile states like Haiti.”

A key element of today’s almost $125 million announcement is Canada’s $75 million contribution to the construction and rehabilitation of the road between the Haitian cities of Jeremie and Les Cayes, through the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) infrastructure program. This important roads project will enable Haitians to have better access to services and will foster economic development in the southwest region of the country.

Minister Oda also announced six other initiatives that reflect the range of Canada’s commitment to reconstruction and longterm development in Haiti:

– Improving reproductive health in Haiti ($19million)

– Technical Assistance to the Haitian State Project ($13.8M)

– School Feeding Support Program ($10 million)

– Credit for Tuition Fees ($5.4M)

– Education for All ($1.2M)

– Disaster Preparedness in Haiti ($700,000)

“All Canadians can be proud of our accomplishments in Haiti, such as ensuring that young boys and girls receive a good education, a hot meal every day and the chance of growing up in a free and democratic country,” explained Minister Oda. “Canada is helping to provide Haitians the services they need immediately and creating the conditions for longterm success and prosperity.”

“It is particularly fitting to have these initiatives announced in Montreal’s St-Michel neighbourhood where the Haitian community is an active contributing force” said Minister Fortier. “These projects underscore our strong historical ties and a partnership that is achieving remarkable results.”

The announcement is part of Canada’s total commitment of $555 million over five years (2006-2011) to reconstruction and development efforts in Haiti announced by PM Stephen Harper during his visit to the country in July 2007. This makes Haiti the largest recipient of Canadian long-term development assistance in the Americas. These initiatives are consistent with Canada’s focus on greater democratic governance, enhanced prosperity, and stronger security in the hemisphere.

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