Minister Bibeau concludes participation at annual meeting of Caribbean Community’s Council for Foreign and Community Relations 

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

May 9, 2018 - Nassau, The Bahamas - Global Affairs Canada

Canada is a long-standing friend and partner of the Caribbean. Canada is committed to working with Caribbean partners to enhance relations, including by strengthening long-term economic and climate resilience in the region.

The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, today concluded a three-day visit to The Bahamas, where she attended the 21st meeting of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM’s) Council for Foreign and Community Relations to discuss key issues of regional importance, such as the impact of climate change.

The Minister also held a number of bilateral meetings with Caribbean partners and, on behalf of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, attended the launch of The Bahamas’ Delivery Unit, an important initiative to improve accountability and achieve results that will improve lives in the region.

Throughout her visit, the Minister reiterated Canada’s commitment to support post-hurricane reconstruction and long-term climate and economic resilience in the region. She noted Canada’s commitment to championing the interests of vulnerable Caribbean states in international forums, such as the G7 and the United Nations. She also highlighted the importance of promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls—objectives at the heart of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy—to reduce poverty and build economic growth that leaves no one behind. 

Quotes

“Canada is committed to strengthening the Canada-Caribbean relationship and addressing key issues of regional importance, such as the impact of climate change, as well as enhanced trade and investment. That is why, as part of our 2018 G7 presidency, development and finance ministers as well as central bank governors will meet this month to discuss solutions that will support climate and economic resilience in this time of need.”

- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

Quick facts

  • CARICOM was established in 1973 to foster regional economic integration and includes 15 members: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

  • In response to hurricanes Maria and Irma in the fall of 2017, Canada provided over $2 million for humanitarian assistance and later pledged $100 million over five years at the November 2017 UN-CARICOM conference on reconstruction and climate resilience in the Caribbean region.

  • In April 2018, at the Summit of the Americas in Peru, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada would provide an additional $25 million for two initiatives that will improve climate-resilience efforts in the Caribbean.

  • G7 development and finance ministers and central bank governors will meet on the theme of Investing in Growth That Works for Everyone from May 31 to June 2, 2018, in Whistler, British Columbia.

Associated links

Contacts

Justine Lesage
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-5977
Justine.lesage@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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