PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Canadian troops in Haiti could have their 90-day stay extended while they train Haiti's police force, Canada's defence minister said Friday.

Minister of National Defence David Pratt didn't offer details in remarks he made while visiting 500 Canadian soldiers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.

"There's a recognition that we need to have a long-term commitment in Haiti," Pratt told troops lined up at their base.

"Without that, it's safe to predict that we'll be back here again."

A U.S.-led coalition of military forces has been in Haiti since shortly after President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was ousted Feb. 29.

The original plan for the Canadian, U.S., French and Chilean troops was to stay 90 days, while the United Nations put together a longer term peacekeeping force, to be led by Brazil.

Pratt said he spoke with interim Haitian president Boniface Alexandre about the possibility of Canadians training Haitian police, many of whom were overwhelmed by rebels who still control large areas of this Caribbean country.

During a two-day visit, Pratt went on patrol with troops, visited parts of the capital by helicopter and met with U.S. military leaders and members of Haiti's interim government.

Canadian military spokesmen said Pratt ate the same food rations as soldiers and slept on a cot with a mosquito net.

"This visit has given me a much better idea of what's happening on the ground," Pratt said.

Addressing the troops in both English and French, Gen. Raymond Henault, the senior Canadian commander, told them they had done a good job in helping provide security for Haitians.

"What makes the difference in these operations is the ability to come in quickly and establish security," Henault said.

"I'm proud of you."

Pratt told soldiers Canadian government officials are still considering giving them a federal tax exemption for the length of their stay in Haiti. He said he is "optimistic" a decision could come next week but had no guarantees.

"This would be a good way for a grateful nation to say: 'Thank you very much,"' he told the troops.

Canadian soldiers in conflict areas generally receive extra compensation. Haiti isn't considered a formal conflict zone, Pratt said but emphasized he is studying extending a tax exemption to members of Canada's mission in Haiti.