ARTICLE - CANADA DAY!

CANADA, SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR HAITIANS
(Haiti Libre) -

This Thursday, at the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince, on the occasion of the celebration of Canada Day [July 1], to which participated Laurent Lamothe, the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Haiti, the Ambassador of Canada accredited to Haiti, Henri Paul Normandin, addressing the Prime Minister declared "[...] Canada is maintaining in Haiti, a long-standing relationship. This relationship was built first and foremost, on people; many Haitians and Canadians travel between our two countries, and thus contribute to forging close ties. These exchanges have particularly enriched the culture of our two countries, and lead to many cultural events and activities.

We also share a common language, in the great family of French-speaking peoples, and Haiti will be also well represented, particularly by young people during the World Forum on the French language, to be held in Quebec City next week.

We also have economic and commercial exchanges, that we want to intensify. Our political ties are very strong and extremely friendly. Our feelings of solidarity are particularly expressed by the spontaneous arrival and exceptionally generosity of Canadians, following the earthquake on January 12, 2010.

Mr. Prime Minister, we know full well that social and economic development must be an endogenous process, well anchored in international networks. Here in Canada the priority of the government is to broaden the economic outlook; but right here in Haiti, the Government also made ​​of the economy one of its '5Es' and this, rightly; because the large-scale creation of income generating activities and of employment, will allow the population to improve their living conditions and permit the country to take off.

Mr. Prime Minister, Canadians are ready to accompany you on this path, particularly through trade and investment, as they are ready to support the country, in the achievement of all its objectives and aspirations..."

Speeking after the speech of the Canadian Ambassador, Laurent Lamothe declared, "[...] The participation of your country since its inception, Mr. Ambassador, everywhere where it is a question of showing the banner of freedom, peace and hope, has significantly contributed to give Canada a unique international stature, that of a paragon of tolerance, respect for differences, and the promotion of Rights, of all rights: civil, political, economic, social and cultural.

Mr. Ambassador, this culture of tolerance, of dialogue, of the cordial understanding that characterizes the Canadian Nation is for us Haitians, a constant source of inspiration, and a model of a social relationship and partnership. The President of the Republic, His Excellency Michel Martelly now makes of that, his violin.

I would like to tell you how much we appreciate the excellence of our reports and the quality of our relations, which continue to strengthen, and grow in many fields every day..."