Canadian Municipalities prepare to advance work on reconstruction program in
Haiti

TORONTO, May 31 /CNW Telbec/ - Members of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) learned first-hand today from Haitian officials about the state of reconstruction efforts in Haiti and how Canadian municipalities can provide further support.

This discussion, at the closing plenary of FCM's 73rd Annual Conference, follows a resolution adopted earlier by FCM's Big City Mayors' Caucus that called on the federal government to partner with FCM to develop a Canadian municipal reconstruction program for Haiti, beginning with an initial 24-month phase to respond to the immediate needs of Haitian communities.

The earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, killed hundreds of thousands of people, leaving more than a million homeless, and causing significant damage to Port-au-Prince, as well as other cities and settlements.

The deputy mayor of Léogane, Mr. Wilson Saint-Juste, and a representative from the ministry of the interior and local authorities, Mr. Jude Saint-Natus, shared the realities of the current situation on the ground with conference delegates.

Canadians are ready to answer their call for help and have shown their commitment to reconstructing Haiti by offering technical and financial support. All speakers reiterated the need to develop a strong partnership between Canadian municipalities and colleagues in Haiti, the Government of Canada and the international local government community. FCM will continue to work with its colleagues in Haiti to meet this objective as soon as possible. As delegates heard today, the need is immediate.

For further information: Eric Collard, [phone] or [email protected]