Canada is expanding its evacuation of citizens from Haiti to include relatives and Canadian permanent residents. Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly responds to questions about the situation in Haiti during a news conference in Ottawa, Monday, March 25, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian
Canada expands its efforts to evacuate individuals from Haiti, now including relatives and Canadian permanent residents, starting Wednesday, if circumstances permit. Additionally, a charter flight has been arranged for Canadians, who will pay a standard fare, to fly from Port-au-Prince to Montreal via an undisclosed location.
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized the importance of keeping families together in these evacuation efforts. This decision follows last week's announcement that Canada was airlifting citizens with valid passports from Haiti to the Dominican Republic, with 153 individuals evacuated thus far.
Initially, Ottawa sought permission from the Dominican Republic to allow permanent residents of Canada and the foreign family members of Canadians aboard the helicopter flights from Port-au-Prince. However, this strategy has now shifted, and Canada will redirect its helicopters elsewhere from the Haitian capital.
Under the expanded evacuation plan, permanent residents along with their spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children are eligible for airlift. They will also have the option to take a chartered flight to Montreal, provided they pay the standard fare for such a route. However, the exact origin of this charter flight remains undisclosed, as Ottawa aims to avoid potential security risks posed by gangs in Haiti.
Minister Joly anticipates that the first charter flight will accommodate around 80 Canadians or their relatives. She emphasized Canada's commitment to meeting the needs of individuals in Haiti, indicating that additional flights may be arranged as necessary throughout the week.
As of Monday, over 3,100 individuals with ties to Canada had voluntarily registered their presence in Haiti with Global Affairs Canada. There has been a notable increase in the number of Canadians seeking assistance to leave Haiti in recent days, reflecting the deteriorating security situation exacerbated by gang violence.
The political and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, ongoing since mid-2021, has led to widespread violence perpetrated by gangs, disrupting access to essential supplies. The situation worsened last month following progress towards a foreign military intervention, prompting gangs to release prisoners and close the main airport in Haiti.
In response to the escalating violence, the New Democratic Party (NDP) has urged the Liberal government to implement a family-reunification program for relatives of Canadians residing in Haiti who are at high risk of violence.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the proposal, highlighting Canada's commitment to welcome 15,000 migrants from the Western Hemisphere on humanitarian grounds. He also emphasized the government's focus on fulfilling its obligations to evacuate individuals from Haiti, particularly those sponsored by Haitian Canadians.
The situation in Haiti remains a top priority for the Canadian government, with ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Canadians and their families affected by the crisis. As the security situation continues to deteriorate, Ottawa remains vigilant in its response to provide support and assistance to those in need.
