Meeting 9 · October 28, 2025 · 11:01–13:05 (2h 4m)
45-12 witnesses · 132 interventions · 13,513 words
The committee met to study the situation in Haiti and Canada's response, hearing from Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister of International Development, and H.E. Anthony Dessources, Ambassador of Haiti to Canada.
Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister of International Development, provided brief technical clarifications during the meeting, notably confirming that the department could table details on educational grants to Chinese institutions, which he speculated were likely for educational exchanges, possibly through the International Development Research Centre. He did not make specific recommendations or disagree with other witnesses.
H.E. Anthony Dessources, Ambassador of Haiti, described a multidimensional crisis in Haiti, including a worsening security situation with gangs expanding beyond Port-au-Prince, catastrophic humanitarian consequences with 1.4 million internally displaced persons, and widespread sexual violence. He noted that the Multinational Security Support Mission has been replaced by a new UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force, which will take six months to become operational. He made a solemn appeal for Canada and NGOs to increase assistance focused on security, strengthening the national police, humanitarian aid, economic development, and support for the transitional government. He emphasized that the transitional presidential council faces a February 7 deadline for elections, with several options under discussion, and warned that failure to return to constitutional order would be regrettable. He disagreed with the effectiveness of past international interventions, arguing that Haiti has not managed the money it received and that friendly countries must stop the flow of weapons and funding to gangs, including from individuals in Canada and the United States. He suggested Canada should take a more practical, hands-on role in Haiti rather than just providing money, and noted that the Haitian diaspora in Canada could contribute skills and love for the country if the security situation improved.
The meeting included no procedural debate, motions, or votes.
AI-generated summary — may contain errors; verify against the official evidence.
Christopher MacLennan
Deputy Minister of International Development, Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development
Opening remarks
I don't have the exact details on that, but we can absolutely bring them forward to the committee. As I think was suggested, over the past 20 years, the support that has gone to.... My guess is probably educational exchanges, and it's potentially through IDRC as well, but we can bring that forward to the committee.
H.E. Anthony Dessources
Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to Canada, Embassy of the Republic of Haiti
Opening remarks
Good morning, everyone, dear members of the committee. Thank you very much for welcoming me to this great assembly and for inviting me to testify before this committee as part of the study on the situation in Haiti and Canada's response. My name is Anthony Dessources, the new ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to Canada. I presented my credentials to the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, on September 24. After consulting with the authorities in my country, I am able to respond to the invitation you extended last week, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, which we had to postpone until today. I also feel it is important to express, on behalf of the Haitian government, my gratitude for your country's unwavering support for Haiti in various areas of co-operation and for the warm hospitality shown to the Haitian community in Canada. I would particularly like to highlight Canada's involvement in recent years in Haiti's recurring socio-political crisis, with a view to finding a democratic and lasting solution. At the same time, I must take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of the international community to come to Haiti's aid. Haiti, once known…