The federal cabinet is working on a plan to deploy 1,000 troops for protection and security in earthquake-shattered Haiti, CTV News has learned.
If the plan goes ahead, soldiers would come from bases across the country, including Valcartier, Quebec. Senior officials say an announcement is expected Sunday and deployment would begin next week.
It is believed that 800 of those soldiers would come from Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, Que. Their roles would include peacekeeping as well as reconstruction efforts.
The Conservative government has not yet announced the mission, although defence sources have told CTV and the Canadian Press that such preparations are underway.
Canada has not yet received a request for help from the United Nations, who is spearheading the relief effort.
“All of this has to be co-ordinated on the ground, not only with the UN but with other international partners," Cannon told CTV. "The prime minister has indicated very clearly that Canada would participate and we would participate actively in this."
Before Tuesday’s earthquake, there was already a significant Canadian presence in Haiti. About 90 police officers were there as part of a UN force of 9,000. Canada also sent 122 soldiers, who are acting as emergency responders, immediately after the quake.
With files from The Canadian Press
