Canada imposes additional sanctions against members of Haitian economic elite
News release
September 21, 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, which are fueling the current security, political and humanitarian crisis in the country.
These latest sanctions target 3 members of the Haitian economic elite: businessmen Marc Antoine Acra, Carl Braun and Jean Marie Vorbe. These individuals will be inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and will be subjected to a broad dealings prohibition.
Canada has reason to believe these individuals are fuelling the violence and instability in Haiti through corruption and other criminal acts and by enabling the illegal activities of armed gangs that terrorize the population and threaten peace and security in Haiti.
Canada will continue to support all efforts to address the ongoing political, security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti to respond to the urgent needs of the Haitian people.
Quotes
“Canada remains steadfast in its support to Haiti and its people and believes that sanctions are an important tool in the multifaceted approach to address the political situation in Haiti. We continue to call on the international community to join Canada in putting pressure on those who directly contribute to the ongoing violence and instability in Haiti.”
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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Since November 2022, Canada has imposed autonomous sanctions against 28 Haitian citizens under the Special Economic Measures Act.
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On November 10, 2022, Canada implemented United Nations Security Council sanctions resolution 2653 into Canadian law under the United Nations Act in response to the egregious conduct of armed criminal gangs in Haiti. This resolution imposed a dealings prohibition against a Haitian gang leader.
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On September 18, 2023, Canada announced the appointment of André François Giroux as the new ambassador of Canada to Haiti.
Associated links
Contacts
Isabella Orozco‑Madison
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Isabella.Orozco-Madison@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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