Foreign Affairs Committee on June 6th, 2006

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you very much, Judge Kirsch, for being here today. I certainly know that it has been good for our committee to learn a little more about the International Criminal Court, how it works and the jurisdiction it has.

We will welcome you back at any time. You've been here before, and we've appreciated that as well.

We will suspend and wait for the Minister of International Cooperation.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Pursuant to Standing Order 108, we'll reconvene our meeting of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development by welcoming the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages.

Ms. Verner has spent close to 20 years working in the communications and public service fields. She has served as the deputy speaker of Quebec's National Assembly. Most recently, Minister Verner affirmed Canada's commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS at the United Nations 2006 High-Level Meeting. In May she announced our government's $100 million response to hunger and other humanitarian crises. She led Canada's action to assist victims of Indonesian earthquakes. She worked with Canada and New Brunswick to help support Romania in hosting La Francophonie summit. She has worked to bring about a Canada-Brazil partnership for children's health in Haiti, and she has worked with our Prime Minister on humanitarian aid and support for peace in Sudan. Minister Verner chaired the ministerial conference of La Francophonie on conflict prevention and human security, a committee that had over 60 countries represented.

We thank her for appearing before our committee. Also with her today are a couple of people who have appeared at our committee before: Madame Laporte and Robert Greenhill. So we welcome you back.

Welcome, Minister, to the committee. We look forward to your presentation and to the questions.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Minister of International Cooperation]

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

In the coming month, this committee will be examining Canada's role in complex international interventions. I am pleased that Haiti is part of that process, because Canada's role there is a very special one. Thank you for the opportunity to explain to you how CIDA is helping to meet the needs of Haitians.

I know that other people, including Minister MacKay, have previously spoken to you about Canada's engagement and security issues. Accordingly, I would like to focus on the unique reasons that make Haiti a country of key importance to CIDA.

Haiti is a fragile state. It is the poorest country in the Americas. Canada has extensive experience in Haiti, winning Haitians' trust and friendship over the years. Moreover, the sizeable Haitian diaspora living in Canada can serve as an intermediary in rebuilding the country.

If strong action is not taken in the short, medium and long terms jointly by the international community and the Government of Haiti, the country could deteriorate even further.

The indicators are distressing, and are comparable to those of the poorest countries in Africa. Haiti is ranked 153^rd on the Human Development Index, out of a list of 177 countries. Life expectancy is 52 years. The mortality rate for children 5 and younger is over 10% The adult literacy rate is 52% Average per-capita income is US$390 a year. That's barely more than one dollar a day. Imagine living on only one dollar a day!

Canada has maintained official relations with Haiti since 1968. Ties between the two countries were forged long before that, however, mainly through the presence of Canadian religious communities that were active in Haiti starting in the early years of the last century, laying the foundations for a health and education system.

CIDA's programming in Haiti has steadily expanded, except for a brief hiatus between 1991 and 1994, during the military dictatorship. Between 2001 and 2004, a lack of political will by the Aristide government caused a slow-down in our actions with the country's institutions.

Now, Canadian cooperation has picked up again with the arrival of the transitional government in 2004. In the past two years, we have spent over $190 million on Haiti's stabilization and reconstruction, and an additional $15 million was announced last Saturday by my colleague, Minister MacKay.

The Canadian government has put in place a broad-based approach: diplomacy, defence and development. Security, poverty reduction and sustainable development are closely linked, and mutually strengthen one another.

Our approach is not just cross-government, it is also pan-Canadian. It is based on a whole network of Canadian partners in federal and provincial departments, the private sector, NGOs and civil society, including the Haitian diaspora. Our approach is also based on close international cooperation, as set out in the Interim Cooperation Framework which I will come back to in a moment, and reflects the priorities expressed by Haiti.

Mr. Chairman, the arrival of an elected government gives us greater optimism about Haiti's future. Haitian society is changing, and many development-friendly agents are in play. Let me point to two strong examples. Local press and radio are engaging in freedom of expression, and using increased access to information to raise citizens' awareness of their rights and the actions of the government. Change is also characterized by the establishment of various associations and the emergence of a dynamic, diversified civil society that is playing a larger part in dialogue with the government and is engaged in development activities.

CIDA supports all agents of responsible change, including institutions, individuals and movements and associations, like the Haitian women's movement. Our approach is both flexible and dynamic, and is designed to foster a national consensus.

Now l'd like to come back to the Interim Cooperation Framework (ICF), which is fully supported by the Haitian government and the donor community.

Canada has taken on a leading role in planning and implementing the ICF, and is the second-largest bilateral donor, after the United States. Our programming centres on the four main points of the ICF: political governance, economic governance, economic recovery, access to basic services.

On political governance, special attention has been given to the electoral process, so that democracy can take root in the country, as well as to strengthening the Justice Ministry and the Haitian National Police. Other actions have been taken to promote human rights, such as the establishment of legal clinics and the dissemination of information on citizens' rights.

We are currently setting up a project to support parliamentarians, which among other things will provide training on sound governance and the management of human and material resources to ensure the Haitian Parliament operates as effectively as possible.

CIDA's actions with respect to the second point, economic governance, centre on local development. In rural areas, development committees have been struck and community development plans prepared jointly with all local actors, so that they can take their development into their own hands. In all its activities, CIDA encourages the participation of women in economic life and decision-making processes.

The third point is economic recovery. We are helping to strengthen the electricity distribution network, job creation, microfinancing and agricultural development. We are also working on environmental protection and renewal. Here are some tangible examples.

In the city of Jacmel, residents now have regular, high-quality electricity service. This achievement is much appreciated by residents, over 90% of whom pay their bills. Unheard oil! A dynamic network of over 60 credit unions has been set up; 48% of the individuals who have obtained financing from these credit unions are women. Five thousand short-term jobs have been created in disadvantaged communities.

The fourth point is access to basic services, meaning basic education, health, vaccination, HIV/AIDS prevention, and nutrition. Our contributions have helped to boost school attendance and are resulting in the vaccination of hundreds of thousands of children against measles, polio, diphtheria, and tuberculosis.

In addition to financial contributions to Haiti through international financial institutions (the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank), CIDA is working to strengthen ties with Latin American countries, the Organization of American States, and CARICOM. We believe it is essential for Haiti to become an active partner in the hemisphere again.

In addition to financial contributions to Haiti through international financial institutions—the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank—CIDA is working to strengthen ties with Latin American countries, the Organization of American States, and CARICOM. We believe it's essential for Haiti to become an active partner in the hemisphere again.

I have given you a very tangible depiction of our engagement in Haiti. But our cooperation with Haitians goes well beyond those tangible elements.

We have acquired solid credibility and have considerable influence with Haitian leaders, civil society and the donor community. That is because we have always accompanied words with actions. Canada has used its leadership to mobilize other donors; it has led by example by being one of the largest donors and maintaining a strong presence on the ground.

We have provided high-level advisors to the transitional government, which has been able to provide the new government with a white paper outlining the progress achieved to date.

We are continuing in the SaInevein, by providing a technical advisor to President Préval's transition team, as requested following his election.

That being said, I would like to point out that the first indications on the new elected government's priorities are positive and encouraging.

I would also like to applaud the efforts of the Haitian people, who are demonstrating healthy openness, a keen desire for change, and a great deal of courage.

Yes, our actions in Haiti involve substantial risks. Yes, we are working in a very complex environment. Yes, institutional capacities are very weak. But we are in the process of changing things. Our labours are bearing fruit, and opening up prospects for the future that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you, Madam Minister.

We will go to the opposition side for 10 minutes, and I believe they are splitting their time between Mr. Patry and Mr. Martin.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Thank you very much, Minister. As you mentioned, Haiti has just experienced some very significant moments in its 100-year history.

The presidential election brought record voter turnout for Haiti, and a number of political parties elected representatives in the legislative elections. I emphasize the fact that President Préval's party did not get a majority, nor did any other political party; no party has a majority in the Commons.

I would also mention the rapid elections of speakers in the two Houses, and the appointment of a Prime Minister, Jacques Edouard Alexis, who was quickly confirmed by both Houses.

Haiti now has a new start. Last weekend, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who made a very brief visit to Haiti to meet President Préval, said that the Canadian government will invest $15 million in small projects.

Without setting aside long-term projects such as security and good governance, health and education, can you tell us about the scope of these small projects, because small projects very often make a big difference in the everyday lives of people, particularly the most disadvantaged?

In your opening statement, you also referred to support for parliamentarians. Canada, through the Parliamentary Centre, will be holding information seminars to enhance the skills and role of Haitian parliamentarians. To work effectively, parliamentarians need essential tools, ranging from offices to new information technologies to support them in their work.

The Haitian Senate sits on premises that are completely supplied, equipped and paid for by the Government of Quebec. The House of Representatives doesn't even have premises on which to meet.

Would you agree to allow the Canadian government, through CIDA, to finance premises in one way or another so that parliamentarians can really perform their work in a descent manner?

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you, Mr. Patry.

Madam Verner.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Thank you for your two questions.

I'll answer the first one first. The $15 million announced by my colleague Peter MacKay last weekend will be granted to small projects. A programming mission is to travel there next week to determine the various projects that will be funded.

What was your second question?

[Suzanne Laporte, Vice-president, Americas Branch, Canadian International Development Agency]

It concerned premises.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I think it's desirable to have proper premises in order to work. Since your question is a little more technical, I'll ask the CIDA expert to answer it.

[Suzanne Laporte]

Thank you very much, Minister.

The working conditions of newly elected representatives are very difficult. First, we'll be entirely prepared to analyze the extent to which we can provide material to support these people, particularly in terms of the information and equipment.

A major infrastructure project is not part of CIDA's planning at this stage. Infrastructure as such is not among CIDA's priorities, but we can definitely help researchers support members with information hardware.

[Bernard Patry, Liberal, Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC]

Following the visit that officials make with you next week, probably in Port-au-Prince, could you sent the committee all the projects that are put forward? I think that would be very interesting.

Also, you said in your opening remarks:

We have provided high-level advisers to the transitional government, which has been able to provide the new government with a white paper outlining the progress achieved to date.

Is that document available? If so, I would like to get a copy for the committee.

Thank you.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Of course.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

All right, Mr. Martin, you still have five and a half minutes.

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Thank you, Dr. Patry.

Good afternoon, Ms. Verner. Thank you very much for being here.

Welcome to Mr. Greenhill and Madam Laporte.

You mentioned in your last comments, Minister Verner, that our efforts are bearing fruit. If we use the millennium development goals as a benchmark upon which we can assess success or failure, can you tell us how we're doing with respect to life expectancy, infant mortality, and primary education? How have these changed over the last five years in Haiti? You can choose any of the MDGs you wish.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

Action has already been taken, particularly on vaccinations. At the recent meeting in Brasilia, we announced another $1 million for a vaccination program for young children.

I know you will properly appreciate the following figures: we have vaccinated 850,000 children against measles, 1,150,000 children against polio, 385,000 children against diphtheria and tuberculosis and 116,000 women against maternal tetanus.

All that was done in a single year. That's important to note.

There have also been improvements to the diet of 1.8 million persons served by 150 health centres through the World Food Program (the WFP) for which CIDA is the main donor agency, as Mr. Morris mentioned last week.

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Those are multilateral investments that have affected those vaccinations, I assume, not necessarily CIDA's. Are those what we're doing through our multilateral programs?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

No, that's our program.

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

I congratulate you.

With respect to HIV/AIDS in Haiti—and we all know the tragedy occurring there—do we have a sense of how many people are accessing any retrovirals as a result of CIDA's investment?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I would remind you that I was at the United Nations last Friday, at a major AIDS conference. That's a major concern, of course, and Haiti is affected. As minister, I am personally concerned that AIDS is becoming a female phenomenon. I would ask the people at my department whether they have the specific number of women who have been vaccinated or, at least, treated for AIDS.

Do you have that information, Ms. Laporte?

[Suzanne Laporte]

Yes.

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

I'm told we'll get that information. I'll be pleased to forward it to you.

[Keith Martin, Liberal, Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC]

Merci, Minister Verner.

I will close by saying that any information CIDA has with respect to the changes that CIDA's investment has made with respect to those parameters in Haiti would I think be beneficial in the end, so that we can produce an effective summary report.

Merci beaucoup.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kevin Sorenson]

Thank you, Mr. Martin.

Madame St-Hilaire, you have 10 minutes.

[Caroline St-Hilaire, Bloc, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you for being here, Minister.

I listened to your remarks attentively. I feel a breath of hope for the people of Haiti.

On page 5 of your address, you refer to the donor committee, of which Canada is a part. It was proposed that donors make a commitment for a period of 10 years. A lot of things are happening, but the important thing is that people in Haiti understand that there is hope and that this is a long-term commitment, not a one-shot deal.

What's your commitment in this area?

[Josée Verner, Conservative, Louis-Saint-Laurent, QC]

On July 25, there will be a donor conference. In view of the situation and the way it's changing, decisions will be made on the subject. Haiti is a fragile State that must be monitored very closely. I think it would be a good idea to wait for the position of the donors, who will be meeting on July 25.

It will also be important to consider the new government's priorities and requests.