In a note, the Embassy of Haiti in Canada expresses deep saddened to learn Tuesday, August 16, 2016, the passing of the Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Liberal MP for Ottawa-Vanier.

"Militant longtime and ardent defender of Francophone rights and the use of compulsory bilingualism in Ontario, Mauril Bélanger was appointed in 2004, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Democratic Reform, historical moment of his career and journey that have earned him the recognition and respect of the Franco-Ontarian and ethnic minorities.

His quest for social justice has naturally led to accompany the Haitian community, by expressing it for over 20 years, a unfailing solidarity in its fight for its inclusion as a visible minority in Canada. Thisstruggle led him to convince his parliamentary colleagues, to declare May 18, the Day of the Haitian flag. Which earned him, among other things, the recognition of the Republic of Haiti.

In December 2015, after the announcement of the disease that struck him, the Haitian government wished to express to the Honourable Mauril Bélanger, the gratitudeand respect the Haitian people, by decorating him on January 29, 2016, of the National Order 'Honor and Merit' at the grade silver plate. This distinction was awarded him at the time, by Lener Renauld, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Haiti https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16416-icihaiti-diplomacy-the-government-of-haiti-will-decorate-a-canadian-federal-deputy.html

The Embassy of Haiti in Canada, through the voice of its Ambassador Frantz Liautaud and his wife, of the Mission staff, on behalf of the Government of Haiti, sends its sincere condolences to Mrs. Catherine Bélanger, family, relatives and friends, colleagues of the parliament, government and the Canadian people affected by this loss."

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-16416-icihaiti-diplomacy-the-government-of-haiti-will-decorate-a-canadian-federal-deputy.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17561-haiti-canada-implementation-of-mauril-belanger-scholarship-program.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-17240-haiti-diaspora-message-from-the-ambassador-of-haiti-in-canada.html

HL/ HaitiLibre