Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon is calling for a "timely and transparent" recount of the Haitian election and is urging its political operators to help restore peace and order to the country.
Haiti is in the midst of major political turmoil, after its recent election failed to identify a clear winner. Haitians took to the streets in protest following the vote, clashing with UN peacekeepers and setting fire to the ruling Unity party headquarters.
A second-round runoff is now likely to take place, though members of the international community have called for a recount.
"It is essential that Haitian political actors fulfill their responsibilities and demonstrate a firm commitment to democratic principles, including respect for the integrity of the electoral process," Cannon said in a statement released Monday.
"It is critical that the recounting of ballots be addressed in a timely and transparent manner and that calm be restored to the streets."
Cannon's remarks followed a trilateral meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa on Monday, at which the problems in Haiti were discussed.
All three countries have poured resources into Haiti following the devastating January earthquake.
Clinton said Haiti is facing other challenges aside from its election tensions, including a public health challenge, a stagnant economy and the daunting rebuild of its capital.
In the case of the election concerns, Clinton said Haiti "requires the international community to act, to provide support for unravelling the complexities and questions surrounding the election."
The foreign ministers also discussed the economy, international security, energy, climate change and health issues during their two-hour meeting in Wakefield, Que.
Cannon mentioned drug enforcement as an area the three governments made progress in.
"We are looking at better ways to co-ordinate between governments . . . how we reinforce the rule of law and border protection," Cannon told CTV's Power Play Monday.
Cannon said the three ministers also discussed issues regional and continental security and "ways in which we can jointly address the challenges in our region.
"We reaffirmed our governments' commitments to trilateral co-operation and co-ordination in this area, such as our commitment to combating transnational criminal organizations," Cannon said.
"Trilateral cooperation will reinforce Canada's efforts to assist partners in the hemisphere in the areas of law enforcement, policing, corrections and judicial systems, as well as disaster preparedness and relief."
A similar meeting featuring the heads of state for the three counties is to be held at some point in the first quarter of 2011. Details have not been set at the moment.
With files from The Canadian Press
