Canada has dispatched a team of 70 soldiers to Jamaica in support of the Kenya-led mission to Haiti.
The soldiers, who left Canada on Friday, will train soldiers from Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations.
It's part of the preparation for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
Kenya temporarily suspended the deployment of 1,000 police officers, since Haiti's Prime Minister Henry Ariel resigned.
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are drawn from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment from Valcartier, Quebec.
They will train peacekeeping, combat and first aid skills and carry out an integration programme for the CARICOM team.
The training takes place at the Canadian Armed Forces’ Operational Support Hub in Jamaica. Their deployment will last for a month.
CAF expects to train 330 CARICOM troops from Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas.
Canada's Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada will support the Kenyan-led mission.
In February, Joly announced $80.5 million in support for the Haiti mission.
She also thank members of the CAF for their dedication and support towards a successful deployment of the MSS mission, a critical step in restoring security, law and order and democracy in Haiti.
"As we have said from the beginning, Canada believes in Haitian-led solutions to the political, security and humanitarian crises in Haiti," she stated.
"We will continue to engage with Haitian stakeholders, CARICOM and international partners to strengthen the security and justice sectors, as well as to protect the people of Haiti and encourage Haitian-led efforts to restore peace, law and order, and prosperity in the country," Joly added.
National Defence Minister Bill Blairon his part said “Canada is committed to supporting the Haitian people, who are striving for a peaceful and more prosperous future."
The CAF mission in Jamaica is dubbed Operation HELIOS.
It builds on Canada’s ongoing efforts to increase the capacity of CARICOM nations to participate in United Nations missions.
In January of 2024, the CAF led training courses for approximately 300 members of the defence personnel of Jamaica, Belize, and Bahamas.
The training covered a range of topics including the protection of civilians, conduct and discipline, and conflict-related sexual violence.
All troops must undergo such training prior to participation in UN-sanctioned peacekeeping missions.