Canadian PM Jean Chr?tien and President Hip?lito Mej?a are working towards a free-trade agreement between the two countries, similar to ones that already exist between Canada and Chile and Costa Rica. According to the Prime Minister, ?It is our desire to complete the negotiations and sign the agreement before I leave [office] in 2004.? Chr?tien spoke at a press conference after academic ceremonies at the PUCMM, at which he received a doctorate honoris causa from Monsignor Agripino Nu?ez Collado. Chr?tien also reiterated the pledge of CDN$17.8-million donation to fight AIDS and to rescue the Artibonito River basin. Later yesterday evening at the gala dinner at the Presidential Palace, Chr?tien told reporters that he felt that Haiti should submit to the Organization of American States Resolution 822, which calls for by-elections this year. According to El Caribe, Chr?tien explained that joint Dominican-Haitian programs would receive $10 million Canadian dollars over the next ten years for the rehabilitation of the Artibonito River, and $7.8 million Canadian dollars would be used at the Caribbean Epidemiological Center to fight the spread of AIDS.