Port-au-Prince, Monday, May 15, 2006

I know how cruel a hand fate has dealt you lately. It has already been a year since the fire that completely destroyed the Tête Bœuf market and had a devastating impact on your livelihood left scars in your hearts that will never heal and meant crushing losses for you and your families. And I’m not just talking about material losses.

It takes a great deal of courage and determination to rise up from such a catastrophe.

I know that you have both and that there is yet no grief powerful enough to keep you down. For me and for women the world over, you are a true source of inspiration. I know the role you play in the local economy. Your commercial activities are described as the informal economy, and yet you run 80 percent of the country’s businesses.

Your hard work, business acumen and spirit are legendary. They drive not only this market, which has arisen like a phoenix out of the ashes, but also the entire informal trade sector, of which you are the undisputed champions.

And yet even when they speak up loud and clear, women are not always heard. Despite the fact that they raise their children, feed their families, ensure the survival of their families and participate in community life, there are still many people who do not fully acknowledge their contribution. Worse still, they are still denied access to the most basic rights, like health and education, and subjected to uncensured violence. A self‑respecting society cannot tolerate such disparities.

As governor general of Canada, I am deeply concerned by the plight of women in my own country and around the world. I saw my mother raise her two daughters on her own and face down insecurity with pride and dignity. I learned from her courage. All of that life experience later helped me to help families for nearly ten years in Canada as they faced prejudice and the anguish of solitude and sometimes had to start over from nothing.

I do not accept that women are often excluded from society, that they live in fear, isolation and without the choices they need to thrive, like health, acceptable living conditions and decent employment.

That is why I am so happy to bring you good news from the Government of Canada.

We are proud to give over $200 000 to a project that will recapitalize 500 business owners, most of whom are women, who were the victims of the fire last May. It is our way of telling you that we are behind you and want to help to give you hope once again. Canada is committed to helping the Haitian people to get back on their feet and to promote the economic rights of women. It is such an honour for me to bring you this wonderful news.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for welcoming me here today. I wish you all great happiness and prosperity.