Above: UN peacekeepers in Haiti (UN Photo/Logan Abassi)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

A deployment of Canadian Armed Forces will be joining the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti, Canada’s government announced Wednesday.

A 34-member CAF platoon from Quebec will be joining the Brazilian peacekeeping battalion in Haiti until December. The team departs on Friday after having trained in Brazil.

Canadians have been part of MINUSTAH since its inception in 2004 and their ongoing efforts will continue to benefit Haitians and improve Canada’s relations with our partners in the Western Hemisphere,”” said Minister MacKay. ““As part of this mission, our Canadian Armed Forces members will work alongside Brazilian troops to maintain a secure and stable environment in Haiti.”

Until now, Canada has had five military staff officers deployed on MINUSTAH’s Operation Hamlet, which is the name for Canada’s participation in MINUSTAH. Operation Hamlet has been ongoing in Haiti since May 2004.

Another 90 Canadian police officers have been serving with the UN in the country.

“Our increased contribution to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti serves to highlight Canada’s on-going commitment to the region, as well as our commitment to supporting international peace and security,” said General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff. “This deployment will also further develop our relationship and enhance our military-military cooperation with Brazil. I have every confidence that our personnel will serve with honour and distinction in Haiti; facts in which all Canadians can take great pride.”