The Concertation haïtienne pour les migrants (CHPM) presented an initiative called Approche de Montréal, during a press conference on March 20th, in which they demand that the Canadian government urge an arms embargo on the United States.

Savanna Craig – Local Journalism Initiative

Haiti is currently facing political, economic, and social unrest. Gangs have taken over 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince, resulting in daily assassinations. Haitians are also facing dangers of epidemics and lack of access to medicine, drinking water, and food. Over 1 million Haitians are currently facing an extreme hunger crisis, while close to 4 million Haitians require food aid.

The Concertation haitienne pour les migrants presented their new initiative called Approche de Montreal, which was shared with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of External Affairs Mélanie Joly.

In the plan, they demand that the Canadian government urge an arms embargo on the United States. Most arms and munitions used by police forces and gang members are sold and brought in through the United States, as Haiti does not produce any weapons. The speakers emphasized that reform was needed in the justice system, electoral process and police forces, and that Haitians, both in Haiti and across the globe, needed to be included in the resolution process.

"To accelerate its efforts, the Approche de Montreal is counting on the Government of Canada to support the initiatives that will be developed by the community and by its citizens of Haitian origin in three key sectors: humanitarian aid, development aid and the search for peace. The recommended approach is intended to be postcolonial and focused on projects proposed by Haitians and their diaspora, rather than on a Canadian plan for Haiti," reads the plan. 

The plan was made in collaboration with various Haitian organizations in Montreal and presented by: Marjorie Villefranche, the executive director of the Maison d’Haiti, Frantz Voltaire, the president of the Centre internationale de documentation et d’information haïtienne, caribeenne et afro-canadienne, Ninette Piou, the executive director of Centre Na Rive, and Arcelle Appolon of the Concertation haitienne pour les migrants.