Now that we found love …

Observer column published 1^st July 2019

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

As two of Jamaica’s greatest friends, the USA and Canada, celebrated their national milestones here last week, and outlined their continued support for our development, I reflected on the welcome words of Prime Minister Andrew Holness earlier last month when he declared that there had to be an end to ‘donmanship’ and garrison politics.

Former US Chargé d’Affaires to Jamaica
Eric Khant and Mrs Khant 

At the celebration of the 243^rd Anniversary of his country’s Independence last Wednesday, US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Eric Khant noted, “Our partnership with Jamaica is built on shared values and interests. They include strong security cooperation, building disaster resiliency, expanding economic ties, bolstering democracy and human rights, and making health and education a priority.”

Our Jamaica Defence Force came in for special mention: “At the recent Southern Command Chiefs of Mission Conference, our military leaders commended the professionalism and effectiveness of the Jamaica Defense Force and expressed their commitment to continue working closely with the JDF to enhance security in the region. Our law enforcement agencies collaborate with MOCA, CTOC, FID, JCF, and other Jamaican partners to counter transnational crime that harms both our countries.”

Over US$1.2 billion has been invested by both the American private sector and the US Government towards the development of cleaner and affordable energy sources.  “Going forward, said Mr Khant, “we expect to see more U.S. investments in the energy sector, small and medium size enterprises, especially those owned by women, and in many other areas.”

In the areas of disaster preparedness and health, the US has invested heavily, involving the District of Columbia’s National Guard collaborating with ODPEM, JCF and JDF, and HIV/Zika programmes with our Ministry of Health and Wellness.

Chargé Khant and his wife Mrs Halima Khant have been movers and shakers for Jamaica, travelling throughout the country to affirm their support for Jamaicans of all walks of life. As Mr Khant’s tour of duty in Jamaica winds down, we thank them for their steadfast support not only in security, health, energy and disaster preparedness, but also for an education enrichment programme which has assisted us in surpassing our millennium development goal in literacy at the primary level.

Her Excellency Hon. Laurie Peters
Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica

Last Thursday, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Laurie Peters celebrated Canada Day, the country’s 157^th Birthday.  HC Peters gave us a ‘snapshot’ of our countries’ long-standing relations: “Over 300,000 members of the Jamaican Diaspora live in Canada and make valuable contributions to our society; some 405,000 Canadians visited Jamaica last year to enjoy this beautiful country; -- the number 2 source country for tourists; some 3500 Jamaicans are studying in Canada; over 9,000 Jamaican workers participate in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers’ Program every year; and benefit from the recently extended 10-year validity of biometrics; over 1700 members of the Jamaican military have received training with our support through Jamaica’s Centres of Excellence; there are over 35 MOUs between Canadian and Jamaican academic institutions.”

We appreciate Canada’s support of the modernisation of our justice system and the upholding of women’s rights.  “In the pursuit of equality for women and girls; and equity for small states in the global system, Canada and Jamaica are on the same page,” HC Peters noted, “Our global leadership, via our Feminist Foreign Policy and Feminist International Assistance Policy, calls for equality in all our cooperation efforts… Prime Minister Trudeau recently appointed our first Ambassador for Women Peace and Security.”

She said that through Canada’s Department of Defence has “fully commissioned the Operational Support Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean (OSH-LAC) in Port Royal. This “camp in a box” will support countries around the region in the wake of natural disasters.”

She acknowledged Jamaica’s leadership, congratulating Minister Daryl Vaz and Senator Matthew Samuda for activating our single-use plastic and styrofoam ban, noting that Canada will follow suit by 2021.

In the matter of defence cooperation, she applauded the work of former JDF Head now Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson and announced that, “building on more than 50 years of defence cooperation, we established this year, the Canadian Defence Unit at the High Commission.”

Today, the Canadian High Commission launches their Call for Proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). Local organisations should seize the opportunity to submit proposals to fund programmes in gender equality, peace and security, climate change adaptation and environmental protection.

So Jamaica, here we are, enjoying all this support from our northern neighbours. To quote Third World, “Now that we have love, what are we gonna do with it?” We keep talking about a wholistic approach to peace and justice – let us get more homework centres opened, more social workers on the ground, more trained counsellors, CCTV cameras in volatile areas, and swifter consequences for criminal activities. 

Our good neighbours have equipped us well. Politicians now need to prove that they will no longer consort with the underworld, and we call on the NIA and CAFFE to engage the public on this urgent matter.