Following the revelation that the Harper Conservatives have not met their $400-million pledge for Haiti earthquake reconstruction, Liberal MPs are demanding that the government immediately follow through on their promises to the damaged-stricken country.
“When Haiti was on the front page of the newspaper, the Conservatives were quick to make promises,” said Liberal MP Denis Coderre. “Six months after the earthquake, as suffering and devastation remains profound, the Conservatives have shown zero follow-through on their biggest commitment.”
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has sounded the alarm that the international community – including Canada – has not acted fast enough to help Haiti. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has confirmed that none of Canada’s $400-million pledge to the Haiti Reconstruction Fund has been paid.
“While the reconstruction needs in Haiti are enormous, Canada is dragging its feet,” said Liberal International Cooperation Critic Glen Pearson. “We’re calling on the government to immediately keep their promise and get this urgently needed assistance to Haiti now. They’ve taken far too long to determine how the funds will be spent, when the need is so great.”
An estimated 230,000 Haitians died in the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010, leaving another 300,000 injured and one million homeless. Over 250,000 homes and 30,000 businesses were severely damaged.
“Canadians showed tremendous generosity to Haiti, where we have strong historical ties, donating an astounding $220 million – but only $65 million of this sum has been spent,” concluded Mr. Pearson. “I am calling on the Canadian government to show the same urgency now as they did in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake.”
Mr. Coderre also called for the Harper government to appoint a special envoy to Haiti.
“With the appointment of Governor General Michaëlle Jean as UN Special Envoy to Haiti, Canada should appoint its own envoy to work with her to better help the people of Haiti,” he said.
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Contact:
Office of the Hon. Denis Coderre, MP, 613-995-6108
Office of Glen Pearson, MP, 613-992-0805
