Reshuffling of Canada’s cabinet affects planned Foreign Ministers’ meeting

An inaugural Meeting of the CARICOM-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Group scheduled to be today Wednesday has been postponed, the CARICOM Secretariat said in a release. The postponement could be as a result of the Cabinet shuffle in Canada which saw the appointment of a new Foreign Affairs Minister, Marc Garneau.

Wednesday’s was expected to discuss the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; economic recovery and inclusive growth; and climate resilience and sustainability, CARCIOM Secretariat said. This proposed meeting signals “a new momentum in the existing bonds of friendship” between Canada and the region as Canada “has shown its willingness to re-engage with the Region and strengthened its cooperation with CARICOM,” the regional body said.

The establishment of the CARICOM-Canada Foreign Ministers’ Group is expected to provide the respective parties with an “institutionalized framework to discuss on a regular basis their shared priorities at the ministerial level,” CARICOM has said.

While a new date is expected to be announced soon.