Minister Alando Terrelonge meets Jamaicans across Canada

By Neil Armstrong

Jamaicans in Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec had a chance to engage in dialogue with Alando Terrelonge, State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, at four diaspora townhalls held across the provinces from April 30 to May 3.

High Commissioner Marsha Coore Lobban said the purpose of the meetings in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, and Montreal, was not just to launch the upcoming 11^th biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, June 14-18, but also to have engagements with Jamaicans in Canada.

“We want to hear from you, you’re a strategic partner and so this allows for the minister to hear the concerns you have. It allows for the government to share with you what is taking place in Jamaica and to debunk some of the things that are misrepresented in the media. It also allows for us to inform policy decisions that are coming,” she told those gathered at Ebenezer Holiness Church of God Inc. in Toronto.

Minister Terrelonge, who has lead responsibility for diaspora engagement, thanked those in attendance for always being brand ambassadors for Jamaica.

“Everywhere you go, you raise the Jamaican flag very high. And, that is why it was important for us to include visits to Calgary and to Edmonton on this trip because oftentimes many government ministers don’t make their way that far west.”

Describing the Jamaican community in Toronto as phenomenal, he acknowledged their work to rebuild Jamaica in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Jamaicans across Canada raised over $3.5 million for hurricane relief, including $1 million locally, $2.4 million from a concert, $200,000 from Kiwanis, and shipped 17 containers of supplies.

Providing an update on the reduction in crime figures and security investments by the government, the minister said a safer Jamaica means that the country is more inviting to foreign and local investors because people want to invest in a country where they feel safe.

Citing several areas open for investments, including agriculture and building construction infrastructure markets, he invited members of the diaspora “to come home and invest in Jamaica, capitalize on these wonderful opportunities.”

Minister Terrelonge said Jamaica plans to relocate coastal towns like Black River inland due to climate change risks. With over 80 per cent of the population living within 5 kilometres of the coast, the government aims to reduce vulnerability to rising sea levels, stronger storms, and hurricanes such as Melissa and Beryl by developing safer inland communities across several parishes.

He also identified investment opportunities in artificial intelligence and digital economy, noting that the government is looking for global partners across the diaspora with a sound knowledge of tech and ecommerce to assist Jamaica.

Regarding the conference, he said it is an opportunity for attendees to meet with members of government, experts across several fields, heads of the private sector, members of government agencies and departments, and fellow diasporans who are the best and brightest in their field.

Approximately 1,200 Jamaicans travelled from 18 different countries to attend the last biennial conference.

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