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 as the pearl of the Caribbean, is currently in an untenable situation that makes life extremely difficult for the majority of Haitians. It is a multidimensional crisis that remains quite challenging for the Haitian authorities to manage.
Firstly, the security situation remains quite difficult to resolve. Indeed, despite the Haitian government's efforts with the presence of the Multinational Security Support Mission, or MSSM, led by Kenya, bandits and criminal gangs have continued to expand their presence in the Haitian capital and even in other parts of the country, such as the Artibonite department, as well as the city of Mirebalais and the commune of Lascahobas—both located in the Central Plateau department—which are important areas for the survival of a large proportion of the population.
Naturally, this situation has caused catastrophic humanitarian consequences that the Haitian government has struggled to manage so far. These include the mass displacement of a large part of the population. Indeed, 1.4 million internally displaced persons have been forced to abandon their homes and settle in temporary shelters that do not have enough space to accommodate them.
That said, the most grievous aspect of this untenable situation is the suffering inflicted on young girls as a result of sexual violence perpetrated by gang members.
It should be noted, however, that this situation is not new and has been escalating since 2021, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. That event is largely responsible for the violence that prevails in several areas of the country.
Ladies and gentlemen, try to imagine for a moment a Canada without a governor general, prime minister, or members of Parliament for five years. The country would then have to try to function with a provisional government without the appointment of these individuals, whom only the people have the power to choose and elect. Then you will better understand the situation in Haiti, despite the efforts of the presidential transition council, or PTC, to get Haiti back on track.
We also believe that, in addition to the assistance that our compatriots here are providing to their brothers and sisters in Haiti, it is undeniable that without the support of certain friendly countries, Canada in particular, the current situation would only worsen.
As the new ambassador, I would like to take this opportunity to make a solemn appeal to the Canadian government and non-governmental organizations to increase their assistance to the people of Haiti, whose ancestors were the saviours of certain nations throughout the 19th century. Such assistance should focus on security, namely strengthening the national police force, humanitarian aid, of course, economic development and support for the transitional government.
It should also be noted that the United Nations has decided to approve the creation of a new security force to assist the national police in combatting gangs, namely the Gang Suppression Force, or GSF, which has just officially replaced the MSSM in Haiti for a period of 12 months. Furthermore, all former members of the MSSM have been hired by the GSF. It is also within the framework of this reorganization that the United Nations has created the United Nations Support Office in Haiti, or UNSOH, to support the transition, which will only be operational in six months.
For its part, the presidential transition council has entered into talks with various political stakeholders and other entities in order to find the right formula for dealing with the February 7 deadline in the event that there are no elections. The choices are as follows: first, to keep the PTC in place; second, maintain the PTC with four members; third, cancel the PTC; fourth, choose a well-known Haitian citizen who is loved by the population.
Ultimately, it would be a real shame if the current political leadership failed to deliver on its major commitments. In all honesty, it would be regrettable if this transitional political opportunity did not lead to the return to constitutional order that is so desired and vital for Haiti's political stability and future. If, in the coming weeks, the credibility of the elections proves untenable, a credible democratic solution will have to be found as soon as possible by the members of the PTC, national stakeholders, and Haiti's partners. Every effort must be made to prevent the country from sinking into a deeper socio-political crisis. Haitian stakeholders must set aside their ideological differences and personal interests to prioritize the lasting stability and prosperity of our beloved homeland, Haiti.
Thank you for your attention. I apologize if I have taken up too much of your time.
