On the face of it Fantino's got it right. Why should hard-working Canadian tax-payers be shoveling money into Haiti when those folks won't do a damn thing to help themselves?
Must say Fantino seems to be skipping over those points in Haitian history where hard-working Canadian tax-payers were paying for the Canadian Forces to play their part in subverting Haitian democracy. We did that just a few years ago, overthrowing an elected government that was wildly popular with the people.
Yet we complain that "they" don't take responsibility?
So I'm not sure if Fantino is speaking from his heart or not.
I would suspect that this announcement has more to do with the recent reset of Canadian aid priorities. As announced a couple of months ago, Canadian "aid" will henceforth be tied to advances in the host country's "extractive industries."
In other words, if the host country is spreading wide for the wholesale invasion of Canadian mining conglomerates, that "aid" is sure to follow. We'll be right there with our "aid" to build a school and perhaps a medical center in whatever village is closest to the open pit.
That's all to keep the mine work force educated and healthy of course, which is what's known as a win-win in development circles.
Haiti isn't much of a factor when it comes to Canadian mining ventures. There's one or two junior juniors applying for permits, but the big dogs who might get the attention of Ottawa are noticeably absent.
Hence Fantino's preachy dismissal of the people of Haiti today.
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