The former U.S. president emerged from a 30-minute meeting with Mr. Harper on Thursday morning to laud the efforts of individual Canadians to support Haiti.

"It has been unbelievable," Mr. Clinton said. "Ill bet you on a per capita basis, they're No. 1 in the world now in helping Haiti. Probably because of the prime minister's matching grant program but, for whatever reason, the Canadians have all given money and all want to support it. You should be very proud of that. I'm very grateful."