Canadian military to support Haiti mission
About 70 Canadian Armed Forces members were deployed to Jamaica as part of the Haiti mission and at the request of the Jamaican government, the Department of National Defence announced.
The Canadians will provide training to military personnel from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations who are set to deploy to Haiti as part of the United Nations-authorized, Kenyan-led, Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
On the Canadian mission in Jamaica, known as Operation HELIOS, CAF members will provide training on core peacekeeping skills and combat first aid – and carry out validation and integration exercises for CARICOM troops. This Canadian training will prepare the CARICOM troops to deploy on the Kenyan-led MSS mission and to bolster the Haitian National Police (HNP) in their efforts to restore security for the people of Haiti, National Defence stated in a March 30 news release. This Canadian-led training will take place at the Canadian Armed Forces’ Operational Support Hub in Jamaica.
Haiti mission shrouded in secrecy
The Canadian Forces has limited media coverage of the deployment. In the past the military’s public affairs branch would have sent out advisories for journalists to interview departing soldiers. That wasn’t done this time. The Canadian government has faced criticism for not doing enough for the Haitian crisis and the secrecy over the deployment was not for security reasons but to limit negative news articles.
Canadian troops have served in Haiti in the past in both security and training roles. In addition, Canadian Forces disaster relief specialists had previously deployed to Haiti.
The Canadian personnel deployed this time are drawn primarily from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment from Valcartier, Quebec. Their deployment will last for an initial period of approximately one month, according to National Defence. Canadian Armed Forces expects to train approximately 330 CARICOM troops from Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas.
Increasing participation in UN missions
Operation HELIOS also builds on Canada’s ongoing efforts to increase the capacity of CARICOM nations to participate in United Nations missions. In January of 2024, the Canadian Armed Forces led training courses for approximately 300 members of the defence personnel of Jamaica, Belize, and Bahamas. The training covered a range of topics including the protection of civilians, conduct and discipline, and conflict-related sexual violence. All troops must undergo such training prior to participation on UN sanctioned peacekeeping missions.
For more background reading on past Canadian special forces training missions to Jamaica go to these articles:
