PM makes official visit to Canada April 23-26

File: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her Canadian counterpart at the Suumit of the Americas

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar will lead a Trinidad and Tobago delegation on an official visit to Canada from April 23 to April 26 at the invitation of her Canadian counterpart, Stephen Harper.

The official announcement came at Thursday's post cabinet media briefing.

Trinidad and Tobago has had a long relationship with Canada beginning with maritime trade. One of Canada's greatest legacies in T&T is the Presbyterian Church and schools established by Rev. John Morton in the 19th century.

Tens of thousands of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have made Canada their second home and have contributed to the development of the country in various fields, including the arts, culture and politics. 

JYOTI has published the official announcement below: 

The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, Prime Minister, has accepted an invitation from the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, PC, MP, Prime Minister of Canada, to pay an official visit to Canada over the period April 23-26, 2013. 

This official visit of the Prime Minister follows the May 01-02, 2012 State Visit of Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada and Mrs. Sharon Johnston to Trinidad and Tobago during the fiftieth anniversary of independence of Trinidad and Tobago and the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Canada.

Trinidad and Tobago and Canada enjoy longstanding and vibrant bilateral relations, with cooperation initiatives in areas such as agriculture, corrections, education, energy, environmental management, health, mutual legal assistance and public sector modernization. Trade and investment between both countries constitute a significant pillar in those bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar's official visit to Canada will further strengthen the cordial and multi-faceted relationship which Trinidad and Tobago enjoys with Canada. 

The programme for the official visit will include an official greeting at the Rotunda, Parliament Hill, a meeting with Prime Minister Harper and calls on the Presiding Officers of the Parliament. 

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar will participate in a "town hall" meeting with the Trinidad and Tobago diaspora and will have media interviews. The Honourable Prime Minister will also deliver the keynote address at a trade and investment roundtable hosted by the Canada Council for the Americas.