New Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Pierre Giroux lauded the Government’s commitment to holding local government elections by year end, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency said yesterday.
“Canada believes that the holding of these elections will promote shared community values, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law by strengthening the professionalism and capability of public institutions and will ensure that citizens of Guyana actively participate in the management of their affairs,” Giroux said.
He made these remarks as he handed over his Letters of Commission to President David Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency. The release said that Giroux previously served as Canada’s Head of Mission in San Salvador, El Salvador. He replaces High Commissioner, Dr Nicole Giles.
Giroux said that Canada is particularly encouraged by Guyana’s efforts to strengthen its trade and investment framework through appropriate legislative amendments and non-discriminatory treatment for foreign investment.
He said that Ottawa is willing to provide expertise and support on sustainable development and other areas.
The release said that Granger in welcoming the new High Commissioner said that notwithstanding an increasingly unfavourable international environment, his Government remains deeply committed in its efforts to reducing poverty and unemployment and to providing a better standard of living for all its citizens.
He adverted to increasing threats to Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which has made the quest for sustainable development and accelerating growth even more challenging. This was a clear reference to a recent series of aggressive acts by Venezuela. Granger had also raised this yesterday while receiving letters of credence from the new Chilean Ambassador.
Granger said that there are ample possibilities for greater cooperation, not only at the bilateral level, but within the framework of the CARICOM-Canada cooperation programme as well.
“Guyana is appreciative of Canada’s continued commitment to this partnership. Many initiatives supported by the Government of Canada have had beneficial impacts on Guyanese communities. We would like to work closer with you to further enhance some of these programmes and also to explore new areas of collaboration in the future,” Granger said.
He also spoke glowingly of the participation of the Canadian private sector in the Guyanese economy, particularly in the extractive sector.
