Haiti: Canada's new Afghanistan
WATERLOO, Ont. (CUP) — These past few weeks, Haiti has captured the world's attention. Not to be left out, the Canadian government has wasted no time in sending relief to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and other earthquake-affected areas of the country.
With Canada's current involvement in NATO's mission in Afghanistan, Globe and Mail columnist Christie Blatchford argues that Haiti provides the government with a “feel-good opportunity” to produce tangible development and relief-related results.
The Globe and Mail has reported that the focal point of Canada's post-quake relief efforts will be on the hard-hit city of Jacmel, a longstanding hub of Canadian involvement for more than 10 years.
To some, the emergency response to Haiti has afforded the Canadian government, which has come under harsh criticism over the mission in Afghanistan and the proroguing of parliament, an opportunity to renew itself.
In an attempt to do so, after the Canadian public has raised $82.5 million for aid organizations in Haiti, the government removed the previous $50 million cap they put on their donation to match the public's donation, agreeing to match it on a dollar-for-dollar basis until Feb. 12.
Almost immediately, many have begun to compare Canada's efforts in Afghanistan to those in Haiti. This issue was discussed at a global citizenship conference at Wilfrid Laurier University this past weekend. Laurier global studies professor Sara Matthews and student Adam Lewis participated in a panel on the issue.
Initially intended to tackle Canada's role in Afghanistan, discussion turned towards drawing parallels between Canada's commitment in Afghanistan and its growing dedication to Haiti.
“It's interesting that there's a lot of focus on Haiti right now,” said Lewis. “Because this is one region of the world where Canada has had a very strong influence, much in the way that they've had in Afghanistan."
Globe columnist Blatchford wrote that in light of the public's faltering patience regarding Canada's current commitment in Afghanistan, Haiti offers the government, military and development initiatives a good opportunity for some much needed positive publicity.
But while Haiti has become a relief effort that Canadians have begun to rally behind by donating time, supplies and money, Afghanistan is left waiting in the wings.
Public support for the mission in Afghanistan is crumbling as the Canadian death toll rises. As of publication time, 139 Canadian soldiers have been killed in the Afghanistan mission since 2002.
Canadian aid workers and civilians helping Haitians in need, on the other hand, makes for a much more positive photo-op. Such images also detract the public's attention from the lack of tangible results in Afghanistan of late.
Canada has arguably stronger ties with Haiti than Afghanistan, given Canada's relatively large Haitian communities, French as a common language and the accessibility of the island for Canadian troops.
Blatchford points out that Haiti provides Canadian search-and-rescue specialists, airmen and sailors a chance to create positive change without putting themselves in the line of fire. Dealing with looters and civil unrest successfully portrays a better sense of security for Canadian forces. It also provides a good opportunity for organizations to produce substantial results with their aid relief.
Afghanistan may perhaps be in worse shape politically, developmentally, socially and economically than ever before, and Blatchford concluded that in the fast-paced world of emergency aid and reporting, “We have moved on: Haiti is hot, Afghanistan is not.”
As Haiti continues its domination of the headlines, and if Canada wishes to make any positive impact in Afghanistan, it is imperative that Blatchford's conclusions do not continue to be the reality.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
With Canada's current involvement in NATO's mission in Afghanistan, Globe and Mail columnist Christie Blatchford argues that Haiti provides the government with a “feel-good opportunity” to produce tangible development and relief-related results.
The Globe and Mail has reported that the focal point of Canada's post-quake relief efforts will be on the hard-hit city of Jacmel, a longstanding hub of Canadian involvement for more than 10 years.
To some, the emergency response to Haiti has afforded the Canadian government, which has come under harsh criticism over the mission in Afghanistan and the proroguing of parliament, an opportunity to renew itself.
In an attempt to do so, after the Canadian public has raised $82.5 million for aid organizations in Haiti, the government removed the previous $50 million cap they put on their donation to match the public's donation, agreeing to match it on a dollar-for-dollar basis until Feb. 12.
Almost immediately, many have begun to compare Canada's efforts in Afghanistan to those in Haiti. This issue was discussed at a global citizenship conference at Wilfrid Laurier University this past weekend. Laurier global studies professor Sara Matthews and student Adam Lewis participated in a panel on the issue.
Initially intended to tackle Canada's role in Afghanistan, discussion turned towards drawing parallels between Canada's commitment in Afghanistan and its growing dedication to Haiti.
“It's interesting that there's a lot of focus on Haiti right now,” said Lewis. “Because this is one region of the world where Canada has had a very strong influence, much in the way that they've had in Afghanistan."
Globe columnist Blatchford wrote that in light of the public's faltering patience regarding Canada's current commitment in Afghanistan, Haiti offers the government, military and development initiatives a good opportunity for some much needed positive publicity.
But while Haiti has become a relief effort that Canadians have begun to rally behind by donating time, supplies and money, Afghanistan is left waiting in the wings.
Public support for the mission in Afghanistan is crumbling as the Canadian death toll rises. As of publication time, 139 Canadian soldiers have been killed in the Afghanistan mission since 2002.
Canadian aid workers and civilians helping Haitians in need, on the other hand, makes for a much more positive photo-op. Such images also detract the public's attention from the lack of tangible results in Afghanistan of late.
Canada has arguably stronger ties with Haiti than Afghanistan, given Canada's relatively large Haitian communities, French as a common language and the accessibility of the island for Canadian troops.
Blatchford points out that Haiti provides Canadian search-and-rescue specialists, airmen and sailors a chance to create positive change without putting themselves in the line of fire. Dealing with looters and civil unrest successfully portrays a better sense of security for Canadian forces. It also provides a good opportunity for organizations to produce substantial results with their aid relief.
Afghanistan may perhaps be in worse shape politically, developmentally, socially and economically than ever before, and Blatchford concluded that in the fast-paced world of emergency aid and reporting, “We have moved on: Haiti is hot, Afghanistan is not.”
As Haiti continues its domination of the headlines, and if Canada wishes to make any positive impact in Afghanistan, it is imperative that Blatchford's conclusions do not continue to be the reality.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
