Mr. Speaker, yesterday in Port-au-Prince, René Préval was inaugurated as the new president of Haiti.
The new political stability that René Préval has brought to the country since his election on February 7 is a good thing for Haiti.
It is high time that the international community got involved in the long-term development of this country and supported the new president in introducing the democratic, social and economic reforms he wants to make.
As Mr. Préval stated when he was sworn in, MINUSTAH, the UN stabilization mission in Haiti, must remain because its job is not yet done.
Quebec has always been a friend to Haiti, and we will continue to pressure the Government of Canada to increase its financial aid, in view of its special responsibility to Haiti.
The Bloc Québécois congratulates the new president and joins the 120,000 Quebeckers of Haitian origin in wishing this jewel of the Caribbean a long and peaceful existence.