Blogging – take 2

Greetings

As part of my slate of resolutions for 2010, I’ve committed to write more regular and frequent posts to this blog. Thank you all for your gentle and not-so-gentle prodding to re-initiate.

Here we are in mid January and the forces of nature have once again captured our global attention as we witness the unfathomable devastation in Haiti. While some distance away – it’s surprising how many relationships I’ve developed over the years with this Island nation. I was there once in 1992 – shortly after an attempted coup d’état – in my capacity as senior interdiction specialist for Canada Customs. I reviewed their Customs drug enforcement services and had the opportunity of meeting many of their fine young officers and visiting Port-au-Prince and other areas now reduced to rubble.

In the late 1990’s when I was at the Solicitor General Canada (now Public Safety), I regularly saw M. René Magloire at CICAD (Inter American Drug Abuse Control Commission) meetings. He was an advisor to the Haitian government and split his time between Montreal and Port-au-Prince. A kind and gentle man, he was most committed to improving his country’s role in addressing drug use, trafficking and transit.

Most recently, M. Magloire occupied the position of Minister of Justice for the Government of Haiti – a clear recognition of his competency and professionalism. No easy job that’s for certain and I dearly hope he and his family escaped harm’s way.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse (CCSA) is also related to Canada’s most famous person with Haitian roots – Mme. Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada. CCSA is fortunate to receive the patronage of Her Excellency and she was kind enough to join us when we were celebrating our 20th Anniversary. Her warmth, passion and eloquence captivated all in the room while her speech spoke from the heart and touched each and every one of us.

And so it is that we realize over and over again how our globe is really such a small world. Incidents occurring far from home really do hit home. The relationships we form through work often define the ‘good old days’ and it is in these times of incredible tragedy that we must come together and support those who we know and their loved ones. It is encouraging to see the generous and spontaneous contributions from people all over the world to the relief effort – despite the ongoing economic challenges, but as the days go by and the world returns to its normal spin, our Haitian friends will turn their energy to re-building a new Haiti. We need to be present and accounted for then too, so let’s ensure we’re in this for the long game.

MP