Canada Reaffirms Support for Caribbean

Contact: John Emmanuel

Monday, February 26, 2001 – With preparations underway in Canada for the hosting of the Summit of the Americas in Quebec later this year, the Canadian government has given the Caribbean a firm commitment of its support for issues of relevance to the region’s small island states.

At a press briefing during a recent visit to St. Lucia, new Canadian High Commissioner to the Eastern Caribbean, Her Excellency Sandelle Scrimshaw, assured Ministry of Foreign Affairs personnel that Ottawa remains aware of the region’s special needs in the context of the global and hemispheric move towards free trade.

Discussion at the Summit of the Americas is expected to focus on a plan by countries in the Western Hemisphere to establish a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) within the next four years.

"By putting in place a process of dialogue over the last year in preparation for this summit, I think this has given us a clearer sense of where specific concerns lie," the top Canadian diplomat said. "One of those concerns is with the FTAA."

She added: "I am aware that some of your leaders explained to my Prime Minister in Montego Bay, Jamaica that they weren’t sure what was in the Summit for the Caribbean and how their concerns would be factored in."

During her visit, the High Commissioner held talks with key government representatives on St. Lucia’s participation at the forthcoming summit.

"We’ve taken (the Caribbean’s concerns) on board and are supportive of the idea that there is need for some technical assistance to be provided and Canada will do its part," High Commissioner Scrimshaw said.

She went on: "Secondly, as we proceed with the negotiations, there may be a requirement on a case by case basis for some provisional measures to ease the transition from the kinds of economies you have in the region now to a more liberalized economy with a free exchange of goods and services eventually."

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