Canada imposes additional sanctions against Haitian elites

January 13, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations in response to acts of significant corruption that are fueling the crisis in the country.

These latest sanctions target 2 Haitian elites – Charles Saint-Rémy, a businessman and associate of former president Michel Martelly, and former member of parliament, Arnel Bélizaire. The sanctions impose a dealings prohibition on them, effectively freezing any assets they may hold in Canada. These individuals are inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Canada has reason to believe these individuals are using their status as high-profile elites in Haiti to protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through drug trafficking and other acts of corruption.

These gangs and their supporters continue to terrorize vulnerable populations in Haiti with impunity and are precipitating a humanitarian crisis in the country that includes the resurgence of cholera. They are also committing unspeakable violence against affected populations and impeding the delivery of critical services and humanitarian aid.

The sanctions Canada has imposed are intended to put pressure on those responsible for the ongoing violence, including widespread sexual violence, and instability in Haiti. These people must stop providing funds and weapons to criminal gangs in Haiti. Canada condemns the weaponization of sexual violence in Haiti that is devastating the lives of so many across the country.