By early 2004, political turmoil in Haiti had reached a critical point. The unrest had its roots in elections dating back to 2000, when allegations of fraud marred the municipal and legislative contests. The opposition boycotted the November 2000 presidential election and subsequent senatorial and legislative votes, creating a deeply divided political landscape. By January 2004, the legislature’s terms had expired, leaving President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to govern by executive decree—a situation that further inflamed tensions.
In February, heavily armed rebel groups began attacking police forces and government supporters across the country. The rebels quickly seized control of nearly half of Haiti, including most major cities, leaving only the capital, Port-au-Prince, under government control. On February 29, as rebel forces closed in on the capital, President Aristide resigned and fled Haiti.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND), at the request of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), began planning an operation to evacuate Canadians and other foreign nationals from Haiti. This operation, named Operation PRINCIPAL, deployed four CC-130 Hercules aircraft from 8 Wing Trenton, along with more than 100 Canadian Forces (CF) personnel, who successfully evacuated over 350 individuals and delivered vital Red Cross supplies.
With Aristide’s departure, Haiti’s interim president Boniface Alexandre called on the international community for assistance in restoring peace and security. On the same day, the United Nations Security Council established the United Nations Multinational Interim Force (MIF), tasked with stabilizing the country, facilitating relief aid, and supporting Haitian police and Coast Guard operations to uphold law, order, and human rights.
Canada contributed through Task Force Haiti (TFH), Operation HALO. In early March 2004, the Theatre Activation Team (TAT) deployed under LCol. M.R. Voith to prepare the operational environment for the main body, which followed at the end of March under LCol. J.P. Davis.
Task Force Haiti consisted of approximately 500 personnel, including:
- A company from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR) of Gagetown, New Brunswick
- Six CH-136 Griffin helicopters from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, Valcartier, Quebec
- A National Command Element linking Ottawa’s Chief of Defence Staff with Task Force Haiti
- A National Support Element responsible for centralized administrative and logistical support
- Airlift support from CC-130 Hercules and Polaris aircraft from 8 Wing Trenton
The first company deployed from 2 RCR was “India” Company, which included a LAV III-equipped platoon and two LSVW-equipped platoons. They became part of the Ground Combat Element within a U.S. Marine Corps Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF). In June 2004, “Hotel” Company relieved India Company, maintaining the same structure. Canadian troops conducted extensive patrolling in both urban and rural areas, providing security and stability. It is worth noting that LAV IIIs were not the only armoured vehicles in Haiti: Marine Corps LAV-25s, originally deployed during the 1994 unrest, returned a decade later to assist U.S. forces and support Canadian operations.
Operation HALO was initially planned as a 90-day mission to prepare for the transition from MIF to a longer-term international peacekeeping presence. In late May, the mandate was extended for 60 days to assist in the transition to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). On June 25, 2004, a ceremonial parade in Port-au-Prince marked the official transfer from MIF to MINUSTAH. Canadian personnel exchanged their standard uniform headdress for the iconic United Nations blue beret, symbolizing the handover.
By July 31, 2004, Task Force Haiti officially concluded Operation HALO. The main body of the task force redeployed to Fredericton, New Brunswick, on August 2, having played a critical role in stabilizing Haiti during a period of intense unrest and helping lay the groundwork for ongoing international support.
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