Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly says Canada has airlifted 18 Canadians out of Haiti, as assisted departures began from the Caribbean nation on Monday.
Canada is sending an official to attend an emergency meeting in Jamaica, following an invite from Caribbean leaders who want to discuss escalating gang violence in Haiti.
For years, Haiti has faced violence, widespread sexual assaults and a hunger crisis. Canada's envoy is urging the world to do more to protect the many innocent people suffering.