Day 3 - Visited a farming co-op in Haiti where with the assistance of the Government of Canada and local officials from Haitian Ministries of Health and Agriculture a Laval University project led very capably by Patrice Dion (yes he is Stephan Dions brother and like Stephan he is very passionate about his work) is helping farmers grow crops that help meet nutritional needs of Hatian people. Crops with additional Vitamin A and Iron for example. The project is empowering farmers, helping improve health, testing new improved techniques to yield better crops. After only a year the results are very encouraging and Hatian officials are excited by the potential. Again Canadian leadership and knowledge made this possible and when combined with our very capable embassy staff on the ground Canada is making a difference. A recent Toronto Star article claimed Canada was not respected by the UN and that our government did not respect the UN. Well here in Haiti Canadians are at the top of the UN organizational charts, second in command in fact of the UN police force on the ground and UN military on the ground. We work closely with UNICEF and other UN agencies to invest and help create new infrastructure to better the lives of all Hatians. The Toronto Star might want to try doing some research and look at how Canadians are making a difference here in Haiti. Canada is respected, trusted and a valued partner in Hait and around the world. The Prime Ministers Maternal Health initiative is having positive impacts saving lives and helps showcase Canada at its best. Hey Toronto Star I am proud of what Canada is doing and how we are doing things around the world. Proud of the people who represent Canada abroad and of people like Patrice Dion and Laval University whose passion, research and hard work could mean the difference between life and death for millions. The only thing I am ashamed of is trash like the Star that would rather write articles ignorant of the facts and of the exceptional work by Canadians all over the world.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 03:42:02 +0000