Above: Haiti PM Laurent Lamothe

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A little over three months since he announced that Canada would be reviewing its long-term strategy with Haiti, International Cooperation Minister Julian Fantino chaired a meeting Friday with Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe in Washington.

Fantino said the talks covered “donor coordination, as well as mechanisms to ensure greater accountability with the Government of Haiti so we can achieve lasting results, and maximize the value of Canadian taxpayer dollars.”

In a release, the Canadian International Development Agency said that, “while some results have been achieved, progress towards a self-sustaining Haitian economy with sound governance institutions faces continuing challenges.”

“Canada is reviewing its long-term strategy with Haiti, as we do with all of our programs, because we have a responsibility to achieve lasting results for the people of Haiti,” Fantino said.

The meeting include leaders from Canada, Haiti, the United States, France, Brazil, Spain, the United Nations, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank.

“Canada is a compassionate neighbour,” Fantino said. “That is why we continue to deliver on our long-term development commitments, and why we will continue to support the people of Haiti with life-saving assistance during times of humanitarian crisis.”
Lamothe is on a week-long trip to the United States.