Trinidad & Tobago's Information Minister Neil Parsanlal was guest of honour at a reception in Toronto this week hosted by the T&T Consulate General.In brief remarks to scores of guests, including nationals of Trinidad and Tobago living in Canada's largest city, Parsanlal talked about the economy, crime, governance, and the recently concluded Summit of The Americas, which was attended by U.S. President Barack Obama.
He described the international conference as “successful” without giving details of cost, which is a controversial issue back home in Trinidad, and said November's Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference (CHOGM) in Port of Spain would be an equally beneficial one for the country, providing even more international exposure.
Commenting on the economy, Parsanlal said inflation is down to 10.3 per cent, adding that the government expects it to be in single digits before the end of the year. Unemployment, he said, is at a low of 4 per cent and he suggested that only those who are "too damn lazy" can't find work.
Parsanlal said the much-maligned construction projects would provide vital accommodation for the Public Service and insisted that this will eventually reduce the cost of office space rentals in Port of Spain alone, which he said is currently TT$200 million a month.
The minister boasted about the decision to postpone local government elections by another year, saying it's in the country's best interest because it has given the Government more time to institute reforms first in the Local Government and then allow elections to take place.
“Nobody does anything in local government” he declared.
The minister admitted that all economic gains would be at risk unless the government brings crime under control. He offered the same excuses for escalating crime that the government and police have used over the past few years: it's drug and gang related.
He said the country's geographical location and proximity to the Americas makes it a transhipment point for drugs and the illicit gun trade.
The Minister also said that law enforcement officials have identified more than 80 gangs operating in the country, adding that anti-gang legislation would go before Parliament before the end of 2009.
He put some of the responsibility for fighting crime on the shoulders of citizens. Parsanlal said unless parents begin to deal with what is happening in their own homes, and the national community accepts personal responsibility for what is happening, "no Minister and no Government would be able to bring this situation under control."
-Report with notes from Capil Bisson, Brampton, Ontario - Canada
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