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Canada deploys peacekeepers to serve in Haiti

OTTAWA – The federal government announced Wednesday that some Canadian troops will be heading to Haiti for a peacekeeping operation where they’ll be working under Brazilian command.

The announcement comes just a day before the troops hit the ground in Haiti.

The way in which the six-month mission has been downplayed so far has surprised some observers.

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The deployment of an infantry platoon was approved by the government in October last year.

But a senior defence source says the United Nations only signed off on having Canada added to the peacekeeping force last week.

The idea of teaming up with Brazil has been pitched for the past two years as a way to increase bilateral ties with the emerging economic power.

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The fact the government has kept quiet about what would be a politically appealing move has left defence observers puzzled.

Liberal defence critic John McKay says parliamentarians and the public have been kept in the dark.

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