Prime Minister Harper concludes meetings with CARICOM leaders

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Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.

Thank you Tom for that kind introduction.

And thank you President Knight for your generous welcome.

Greetings to:

Chief Justice Sir David Simmons,

Deputy Prime Minister Honourable Mia Mottley,

Distinguished Members of the Cabinet, Legislative Assembly and Senate,

Members of the Barbados International Business Association,

And guests of the Canada-Caribbean Ideas Forum.

It is a pleasure to be here in Barbados, and to have this unique opportunity to share a few moments with some of the Caribbean community’s past, current and emerging leaders.

It is often forgotten that, next to the mother countries of Britain and France, some of Canada’s longest relationships are with the nations of the Caribbean, especially Barbados.

In the 1800s, Canadian ships hauled ice from Canada to Barbados and returned home laden with rum and sugar.

No doubt Barbadians appreciated cool drinks, and I know for a fact that Canadians appreciate warm rum.

So close were relations that at the end of the 19th and early 20th century, that there were serious suggestions of persuading Britain to allow political ties between the islands of the British West Indies and the Dominion of Canada.

While that idea lapsed, one hundred years ago, Canada did establish our first full-time Trade Commissioner in the Caribbean. His name was Mr. Flood. His headquarters were located here in Bridgetown.

Mr. Flood covered all of the British West Indies, Bermuda and British Guiana. He may even have had his afternoons free for a bit of cricket.

Speaking of cricket, Canada joins the world’s other cricketing nations in applauding the superb organization that Caribbean countries put on for the World Cup this past spring.

You were able to ensure the smooth flow of ardent cricketing fans from one country to another and one venue to another.

It was a great and convincing demonstration to the world of what CARICOM cooperation can achieve.

I see that CARICOM cooperation is moving forward in other areas – and no slight intended to cricket fans – in perhaps more important areas.

A year-and-a-half ago, the CARICOM Single Market and Economy initiative was launched.

At that time, Prime Minister Arthur described the Caribbean as the region in today’s world where integration is most sorely needed.

This is – if you’ll permit me to paraphrase – the indispensable foundation on which to build national and regional endeavours which can lead to fair and sustainable growth and opportunity.

People and governments of the Caribbean, the Prime Minister pointed out, have tried many other approaches.

Now, he said, it’s time to give Caribbean unity another chance.

These are profound words.

And they represent a most laudable direction for the Caribbean community.

But why, you might ask, would the prime minister of that large land mass occupying the northern half of North America have strong views on this subject?

Simply put, we have these views because Canada’s relationships with the countries of this region matter greatly to us.  Just as, I believe, they matter to you.

Our connections with the Caribbean Community are not just long-standing. They are also rich and diverse.

In English and French, we share common languages.

Along with many of your countries, including Barbados, we share a common system of government, inherited from Westminster.

We likewise share a belief in democracy, accountable government and the rights and freedoms of the individual.

Finally, we share cultural diversity and cultural links.

In fact, as I stand here this afternoon, literally hundreds of thousands of people from this region are converging on my birthplace of Toronto for the 40th anniversary of the popular Caribana Festival.

It’s all part of the movement of people back and forth between our countries over several centuries.

But the past is the past, and the challenge for us today is how to leverage this past to make a better future.

Canada’s New Government believes that now is the time to go a step further: to build together a stronger, enduring partnership – one that brings the countries of the Caribbean and Canada even closer together on the issues that really matter.

People have often heard me describe the Canada our Government is committed to building: a Canada where what really matters is not who you know or where you’re from, but rather what you’ve done and where you are going.

And just as we are dedicated to a Canada that works for all Canadians, our Government is committed to hemispheric relationships that work for everyone in the region.

This is why I am so pleased to be here today in Bridgetown, to speak to the people of the Barbados and the broader Caribbean Community – and to speak about the next generation of opportunity.

To tell you that Canada is committed to playing a bigger role in the Americas – a role that reflects best practices as well as our identity, our tradition of order and community values – and the simple reality that we’re all in this together as members of the western hemisphere.

Building on a long tradition of involvement in the Caribbean and Latin America by Canadians from all walks of life, three key objectives form the basis of our new Government’s re-engagement in the Americas: to promote basic democratic values, to strengthen economic linkages and to meet new security challenges.

Of course, Canada already does a lot of business with the Commonwealth Caribbean.

From Canadian direct investment in excess of 60 billion dollars to billions more in the import and export of products and commercial and travel services, Canada and CARICOM and its associates certainly have a trade foundation upon which to build.

One of the key purposes of my visit here is to launch free trade negotiations between Canada and our CARICOM partners.

A free trade agreement would complement and help further develop the regional cooperation that you are already undertaking through the Caribbean Single Market and Economy initiative. 

Now I know there is some scepticism within the region about free trade. 

But frankly, there is no better way to boost living standards over the long term.

And your region is following a proven path by working toward a single trading block.

Canada has benefited greatly from our Free Trade Agreements with other hemispheric partners – not just the United States, but also Mexico, Chile and Costa Rica. And they have benefited too – maybe even more so.

A key point for you to understand is that we are willing to work with our trading partners to help those economic sectors which face challenges from open borders.

We have long experience with trade facilitation and adjustment programs.

And, as a friend and partner, I can assure you Canada will be there to support you as you move towards a more integrated regional economy.

We are ready to help address vulnerabilities which may come from the move to a more open trading environment, through increased development assistance to the Caribbean, for instance.

We will help to bolster individual economies to adapt to the changing terms of trade, to confront the excessively high cost of public services in small states, and to address the need for strong, accountable public institutions.

We will contribute to strengthening the transition to the single regional market and economy by delivering assistance for effective implementation, for the building of internal trade, and for the negotiation and implementation of trade agreements.

Canada also understands the importance of providing West Indian youth with the skills they need to develop and make their way in this world.

We look forward to launching a Caribbean Institutional Leadership Development Program to promote the principles of leadership, accountability, transparency.

Indeed, the focus of our development assistance to the Caribbean Community over the next 10 years will be on strengthening democracy, on facilitating economic renewal, and on helping expand opportunity for every citizen.

At the same time, seizing new economic opportunities, adjusting to market realities, and using development assistance funds productively cannot be achieved in an environment of insecurity.   

Insecurity includes exposure to natural catastrophes. These, as we’ve seen in the past few years, can devastate an island’s economy.

Being here during the height of hurricane season makes me appreciate all the more deeply the danger posed by such tropical storms to life, health and economic development. 

Canada is contributing to variety of new Caribbean funds aimed at preventing and responding to natural disasters, and increasing the capacity of authorities to manage such disasters and reduce the impact on people.

Insecurity is also a matter of personal safety; of public and individual health challenges; and of local law and order.

That is why our Government is intensifying our efforts through organizations such as CARICOM, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the Organization of American States and the Pan-American Health Organization, in the areas of police training, crime prevention, illegal migration, human smuggling and health threats.

Clearly some countries need more assistance than others.

Tomorrow I will be visiting Haiti, the largest recipient of Canadian assistance in the hemisphere.

We are there to help the people of Haiti break the cycle of poverty and violence.

To do that requires a firm foundation of security, which is why Canada is focusing on police training.

We have up to 100 police officers attached to the United Nations mission in Haiti, along with military and correctional officers.

Much remains to be done in that country by the international community as well as Haitians themselves. It faces a long road of institution-building, police and judicial reform, economic and social recovery.

But, together, we will stay the course.
 
We know we share this commitment with our Caribbean friends, which have played a key role in supporting Haiti’s reintegration into CARICOM. 

I know a number of you have been participating in the Forum of Ideas, hosted by the Caribbean Development Bank.

It has brought together talented individuals from the Caribbean and Canada.

In fact, some of the best minds in the Caribbean – from business to academia and the non-governmental sector – participated, sharing views on the challenges and opportunities facing this region.

I propose that education should be a key instrument linking Canada and the Caribbean Community. 

Education is what nurtures development and brings forth leadership.

It is what underpins the adjustment to and exploitation of new economic realities and, therefore, of future prosperity.

We want to strengthen the already extensive links Canada has with Caribbean academics, and to assist you in building opportunities for people to tackle tomorrow’s challenges.

By increasing the number of scholarships we provide to Caribbean students, particularly at the graduate level, more of the Caribbean’s leaders of tomorrow will be able to spend part of their formative years in Canada - enjoying the experience of our Canadian winter.

Yes, we have experience with winter. And we also have experience with public administration and institutions of good governance - experience that will prove useful to young Caribbean researchers and students.

In the past, many people from the West Indies came to Canada for their university education. 

We both benefited from this. Many became Canadians. Others helped to build a generation of Caribbean leaders – in government, labour, and the business sector.

In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, let me just note that this is my second-last stop on a week-long tour of the Americas.

During this week, I’ve had the opportunity to underline Canada’s new commitment to the region.

This is a priority for my government.

My travels this week have convinced me that Canada can play a dynamic role working with our partners in the hemisphere to build a prosperous and safe neighbourhood of nations committed to democratic values and social inclusion.

In Colombia a few days ago, I spoke to President Uribe about our common interest in pursuing free trade negotiations. 

We also spoke about the challenges his government faces from those who would undermine democracy and security.

Canada is a strong supporter of Colombia’s efforts to promote peace and reconciliation bilaterally as well as through the OAS and the UN. 

To this end, we are contributing to efforts to protect and assist youth who have been affected by conflict.

We are also a major investor in Colombia, especially in mining – practising principles of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

In Chile, President Bachelet and I discussed how much our two countries have in common. 

Much of that "commonality" is based on our successful Free Trade Agreement, now celebrating its first decade.

Open markets and business-led growth are, we agreed, the way to build higher standards of living and improve social conditions for all. 

We further agreed that we could not be successful without an equally strong commitment, which we both share, to promote freedom, democratic values and human rights.

This commitment is shared by Barbados and nearly all governments of this region.

And this commitment to shared values provides the cornerstone for the new partnership between Canada and the Caribbean Community.

Today I have extended an invitation to CARICOM leaders to meet in Canada in 2008. 

Many of you will know that Halifax will also be hosting next year’s meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank.

In looking forward to that event, we would do well to keep in mind the words of the Bank’s President, Dr. Compton Bourne.

He noted that sustained economic growth is achievable - if we try a little harder, if we focus better, if we move faster to grasp opportunities.

He was talking about the countries of the Caribbean Community, but I would say he could just as well have been talking about Canada.

If we try a little harder, focus better, move faster to grasp opportunities, we can build a better future.

Let’s do that together – Canada and the Caribbean Community, in partnership.

Thank you.

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