Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada

January 15, 2010

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement on the deaths of Guillaume Siemienski, an employee of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and Hélène Rivard, a consultant with CIDA.  Both died as a result of the earthquake in Haiti.
 
“I was saddened to learn today of the deaths of Guillaume Siemienski and Hélène Rivard.  Mr. Siemienski was on assignment with the United Nations, and Ms. Rivard had been a consultant with CIDA for more than twenty years.  Their deaths are a reminder of the sacrifice Canadian men and women like Mr. Siemienski and Ms. Rivard are willing to make in order to bring Canadian generosity and aid to Haiti and the world.
 
“On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I would like to offer their families and friends our profound sympathies.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.”