Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar hosted a luncheon Tuesday for Canada's Governor General, David Johnson, who is leading a delegation on a brief state visit to Trinidad & Tobago to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 50th anniversary of T&T independence.
Johnson arrived Monday night and was greeted by President Max Richards, the
Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan and T&T High Commissioner to Ottawa, Philip Buxo.
In a brief welcome address on tuesday Persad-Bissessar spoke about the strong relations between the two countries dated back to the maritime trade of the 19th century and the contribution to Trinidad & Tobago's educational upliftment by the Presbyterian church.
"Our active trade links date back to the 18th Century when the Maritime Provinces of Canada traded fish and lumber for West Indian rum, molasses and spices," she said.
"Our close ties were further solidified by the appointment of a Trade Commissioner to Port of Spain in 1938 and the attainment of Independence which allowed Trinidad and Tobago to formally establish diplomatic relations with Canada."
Persad-Bissessar noted that Canada remains an important business partner for Trinidad and Tobago, representing the country's 10th largest export market. She said bilateral trade continues to grow at a steady pace, with more than 174 companies from Trinidad and Tobago doing business with Canada. That trade, she said, amounts to to nearly three-quarter of a billion Canadian dollars.
Speaking about the Canadian Mission schools that opened in Trinidad in the 1860's through the efforts of Dr John Morton and Rev. Kenneth Grant, she said she has been a beneficiary of the excellent education system Canada introduced to the country.
"The establishment of schools such as Iere, Siparia Presbytarian School and Naparima Girls High School by the Canadian missionaries marked a watershed period," she said, adding that the schools provided new opportunities for young girls in rural parts of Trinidad who might not have had access to a formal education otherwise.
The Prime Ministwer also stated that the Trinidad & Tobago High commission in Ottawa is working on a commemorative book on distinguished and accomplished nationals of Trinidad and Tobago in Canada.
"This book will highlight the significant contributions of nationals of this country to Canada in the fields of business, politics, medicine, education, media, literature, sports and community life," she said.
She said both countries have pursued common interests in the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the Organization of American States based on mutual respect and common understanding.
"Our vibrant bilateral relations now cover a broad spectrum of sectors including energy, trade, health, migration, education, security, and financial services," Persad-Bissessar said.
She pointed out that Trinidad and Tobago continues to benefit from a wide range of projects funded by the Canadian International Development Agency or CIDA to assist with:
This six-year project funded by CIDA will undoubtedly serve to boost economic growth in this region, she said, adding that her cabinet agreed last week that it is ready to host the regional office for the implementation of the programme.
She also spoke about the CARICOM/Canada Trade and Development Agreement, which is still under discussion. She said once finalised, it would also assist with the region’s recovery from the global financial crisis. She added that she looks forward to the successful conclusion of these negotiations by the end of 2013.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the seasonal labour programme offered by Canada noting that over 900 Trinidad and Tobago nationals are engaged each year by Canada through the programme.
She said it is about to be expanded to the energy sector with Trinidad & Tobago offering skilled labour for Alberta's oil patch.
"My Government has received requests from companies of the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors to fill the positions of drillers, derrickhands and motorhands.
"There are some 300 vacancies which have been identified, and Trinidad and Tobago has a combination of skilled labourers who can fill these vacancies in Alberta," she said.
Persad-Bissessar also spoke about the oil sands, noting that Trinidad and Tobago welcomes collaboration Canada in finding a suitable technology to explore and develop Trinidad & Tobago's heavy oil resource.
Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister Dr Suruj Rambachan and T&T High Commissioner to Ottawa, Philip Buxo.
In a brief welcome address on tuesday Persad-Bissessar spoke about the strong relations between the two countries dated back to the maritime trade of the 19th century and the contribution to Trinidad & Tobago's educational upliftment by the Presbyterian church.
"Our active trade links date back to the 18th Century when the Maritime Provinces of Canada traded fish and lumber for West Indian rum, molasses and spices," she said.
"Our close ties were further solidified by the appointment of a Trade Commissioner to Port of Spain in 1938 and the attainment of Independence which allowed Trinidad and Tobago to formally establish diplomatic relations with Canada."
Persad-Bissessar noted that Canada remains an important business partner for Trinidad and Tobago, representing the country's 10th largest export market. She said bilateral trade continues to grow at a steady pace, with more than 174 companies from Trinidad and Tobago doing business with Canada. That trade, she said, amounts to to nearly three-quarter of a billion Canadian dollars.
Speaking about the Canadian Mission schools that opened in Trinidad in the 1860's through the efforts of Dr John Morton and Rev. Kenneth Grant, she said she has been a beneficiary of the excellent education system Canada introduced to the country.
"The establishment of schools such as Iere, Siparia Presbytarian School and Naparima Girls High School by the Canadian missionaries marked a watershed period," she said, adding that the schools provided new opportunities for young girls in rural parts of Trinidad who might not have had access to a formal education otherwise.
The Prime Ministwer also stated that the Trinidad & Tobago High commission in Ottawa is working on a commemorative book on distinguished and accomplished nationals of Trinidad and Tobago in Canada.
"This book will highlight the significant contributions of nationals of this country to Canada in the fields of business, politics, medicine, education, media, literature, sports and community life," she said.
She said both countries have pursued common interests in the Commonwealth, the United Nations and the Organization of American States based on mutual respect and common understanding.
"Our vibrant bilateral relations now cover a broad spectrum of sectors including energy, trade, health, migration, education, security, and financial services," Persad-Bissessar said.
She pointed out that Trinidad and Tobago continues to benefit from a wide range of projects funded by the Canadian International Development Agency or CIDA to assist with:
- the training of teachers in special education
- the establishment of radar facilities at the Airports Authority
- disaster risk management
- fisheries resource assessment and management
- private sector development
This six-year project funded by CIDA will undoubtedly serve to boost economic growth in this region, she said, adding that her cabinet agreed last week that it is ready to host the regional office for the implementation of the programme.
She also spoke about the CARICOM/Canada Trade and Development Agreement, which is still under discussion. She said once finalised, it would also assist with the region’s recovery from the global financial crisis. She added that she looks forward to the successful conclusion of these negotiations by the end of 2013.
The Prime Minister also spoke about the seasonal labour programme offered by Canada noting that over 900 Trinidad and Tobago nationals are engaged each year by Canada through the programme.
She said it is about to be expanded to the energy sector with Trinidad & Tobago offering skilled labour for Alberta's oil patch.
"My Government has received requests from companies of the Canadian Association of Oilwell Drilling Contractors to fill the positions of drillers, derrickhands and motorhands.
"There are some 300 vacancies which have been identified, and Trinidad and Tobago has a combination of skilled labourers who can fill these vacancies in Alberta," she said.
Persad-Bissessar also spoke about the oil sands, noting that Trinidad and Tobago welcomes collaboration Canada in finding a suitable technology to explore and develop Trinidad & Tobago's heavy oil resource.
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