A Canadian embassy or consular presence on the ground is helpful in a time of crisis, but also at any time. It helps travellers visiting from abroad with lost passports or immigration and visa issues, as well as with more serious matters such as imprisonment, loss and theft or an incident requiring hospitalization. It's always helpful to have a presence on the ground to support Canadians, and people appreciate it.
In the case of Cuba, the figures speak for themselves and are quite significant.