source: Office of the Prime Minister

On February 15, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada will support the construction of a Temporary Government Administrative Base for the Haitian Government in Port-au-Prince. The Base will accommodate key ministries and Haitian public servants for up to a year. The Globe & Mail reported that construction will begin as soon as a location is chosen. The administration has operated in a single-storey police station since the disaster levelled much of the infrastructure, including government building and the presidential palace. Prime Minister Harper indicated that the new centre will give the Haitian government the capacity to work with the international community to develop a long-term plan. This funding commitment is part of $555 million that the Canadian government set aside in 2006 for Haitian development. Prime Minister Harper and Haitian President René Préval say the funding is part of long-term reconstruction effort to correct problems, many of which existed long before the quake.


Canada pledges to help house Haitian government
source: Globe and Mail
Canada has so far pledged $85 million in emergency aid to Haiti, and promised to match donations made by individuals from January 12 to February 12. By February 11, Canadians had donated $128 million eligible for matching funds.

Prime Minister Harper will travel Tuesday to the smaller communities of Jacmel and Léogâne, where Canadian troops are coordinating relief efforts. The Canadian military indicated that progress has been made since it arrived in the days after the disaster. They have treated nearly 14,000 patients at its field hospitals, and noted that long queues for medical assistance are dwindling.

Maj. Richard Moffett, who is helping to coordinate Canada's response, indicated that security is not a problem. Also, the need for food and water are largely being met in the areas outside Port-au-Prince that are under Canadian control.