National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA -- February 14, 2008 - Today, four Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) officers received the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal for their ongoing contribution to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

“CSC is proud of our officers’ work to assist Haiti in becoming a stable, secure and democratic society,” said CSC Commissioner Keith Coulter. “Our officers are recognized around the world for their correctional expertise and for providing excellent leadership in the development of correctional systems.”

Don Head, CSC Senior Deputy Commissioner, represented the Service at the medal ceremony held at the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince. The officers receiving this honour are:

• Caroline Rueberer, Pittsburgh Institution, Ontario Region
• Vicky Brassard, Leclerc Institution, Québec Region
• Vital Filion, Trois-Rivières Area Parole Office, Québec Region
• Armand Laurin, Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines Institution, Québec Region

“I have had the opportunity to visit Haiti and I have seen first-hand that these dedicated CSC employees are helping to build a strong correctional system that recognizes international standards,” said the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety. “Canada remains committed to re-establishing security and stability in Haiti and assisting correctional service reform.”

The CSC officers were deployed to Haiti on July 23, 2007 for one-year assignments. They have taken on a range of duties as part of the security component of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. CSC officers are helping to rebuild the correctional system, as well as training and mentoring Haitian correctional services staff.

Canada, and specifically CSC, has a long history of providing assistance and support for programs and initiatives operating in Haiti. Various exchanges and visits started in the mid-1990s, leading to the deployment of CSC experts through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The Service’s engagement in Haiti is supported and fully funded by the Global Peace and Security Fund of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

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For media inquiries, contact:
Correctional Service Canada
Media Relations
613-943-5048