Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday opened the Canada-CARICOM Summit in Ottawa.

According to a release from the office of the Canadian Prime Minister, at the two-day summit, Trudeau will advance work to fight climate change and grow resilient economies. This includes a planned new commitment of up to $58.5 million in partnership with the Caribbean Development Bank to support renewable energy projects and $6 million through the Caribbean Climate Smart Fund for resilient renewable energy systems.

Leaders at the summit will also discuss steps to strengthen regional security, including responding to the ongoing crisis in Haiti. To support Haitian-led solutions, Canada will build on previously announced assistance and launch a multi-year training program for the Haitian National Police (HNP) to help tackle gangs, strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms, and support the protection of Haitians afflicted by gang

violence.

Canada will allocate $3.4 million of previously approved funds to address firearms violence in Haiti as well as support the HNP armoury and armourers and it will invest $3.2 million for the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap to address firearms trafficking and proliferation, and deepen coordination between the Canadian Armed Forces and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency to provide rapid delivery of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Trudeau has underscored Canada’s commitment to support CARICOM countries on critical health resources. Canada will allocate $18.3 million from Canada’s Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity to strengthen health and immunization systems and improve equitable access to vaccination in Haiti, the release notes.

At the Summit today, Trudeau will host a trade and investment roundtable to bring together leaders and investors on new opportunities for workers and

businesses in Canada and the Caribbean.