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Cut Haiti aid until son free: Missionary

A Canadian missionary whose son has been jailed for eight months without charges in Haiti is calling on the Conservative government to withhold aid to the impoverished country.

Michel Charbonneau told Sun Media by telephone from Haiti yesterday his 20-year-old son Max will likely have to spend at least another eight or nine weeks in a Haitian jail awaiting word on charges over a kidnapping he and his parents say did not happen.

LEADING CONTRIBUTOR

"The only way that Max will be released is if the Canadian government freezes a part of the (aid) money or all of the money we are supposed to give them," said Charbonneau.

Canada is a leading contributor of aid to Haiti. The feds announced $520 million last summer for several initiatives.

Originally from St. Hyacinthe, Que., the Charbonneaus have been running a Haitian mission, including food and medical care for thousands of kids, since 1996.

Their son Max, who lived with them in Haiti before returning to Quebec after graduation, was arrested during a visit last summer.

OLD SCHOOL FRIEND

His father said Max was arrested over an incident involving an old school friend. According to Charbonneau, the friend had asked Max for a ride after having a problem at home. He borrowed his parents' car, drove her to a nearby hotel and returned home, said Charbonneau.

Three days later, the police arrested him for kidnapping. He has spent the past eight months in prison while a judge decides whether he will be charged.

Charbonneau said the ordeal has been particularly difficult after spending the past nine years helping thousands of impoverished Haitian children.