over 100,000 Haitians live in Canada. One of them represents us as the Queen’s representative in Canada. For that reason, along with a few others I think the situation in Haiti means a lot to Canadians.
Often I have wished that Canada would take up a lead role in the Americas to build up nonthreatening relations with various countries across our American continents. To me it makes sense to use our position as the smaller guy to build up democratic and safer countries to the south of us. It is a self interest as well as an important thing to do. One, because it would be useful in our relations with the United States. Two it would allow us to concentrate on creating a more unified set of nations.
Haiti to me is now a perfect example of what we could do. This is some fancy dreaming I know but to me this is an opportunity to repair a failed state in a way that is totally different than many others.
I would call for Canada to take a protectorate roll. The idea being to help set up infrastructure, rebuild the buildings for the most part and change the way the country works. I would have bilingual or french speaking bureaucrats, soldiers, businessmen and farmers sent out to help rebuild.
I suspect an honest rebuild would cost a large fortune so obviously this would be difficult but if we headed a UN driven initiative to raise the financing for a portion it might make sense. To me this is similar to the way the US took on the rebuild of western Europe after WW2.
Second process:
I would build schools across the island. Once again import Canadian Francophones teachers in to help educate the country. One of the biggest things Papa Doc and Baby Doc did was to destroy the education system in Haiti. To me it is job one. Similar to what has been done in Afghanistan.
I would then offer scholarships to several universities in Canada to help them reach a better potential. Educated doctors, nurses and other key level people would be key to getting the country beyond the stone age.
As well I would build two technical colleges in Haiti first. I would also continue the process of making Haiti a tax haven and set up a Free Trade Agreement to establish a market for Haitian goods in Canada.
Then, probably after 10 years or so I would set up a referendum in the country on what form of government they want and on a constitution. With this aid and with continual support I think this would work well to get the country back to a level where they are not flattened by Hurricanes (better building materials and infrastructure) and where the state could stabilize.
After 10 more years or earlier if desired the country could have a referendum on removing protectorate status, going it alone , or becoming a full territory of Canada if they chose that angle. Personally I think they would do well at this point as a separate and free country.
To me this is where Canada can shine a beacon of light past the aid and emergency period to the hope period. Right now people just want to eat, and have their basic needs met. The rest will take time and demand a change in the way Haiti has worked and that can only be done by a mass influx of control. Even this means abandoning our commitment in Afghanistan completely I would like to see this done because of how chronic this situation is and how close it is to home for many Canadians.
Ok off my soft soap box for now.
