Guyana looks forward to continued close ties with Canada, TT – Pres. Ali

Canada and Trinidad and Tobago both went to the polls on Monday and with the respective winners already announced, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has joined other regional leaders in extending congratulations to them and expressing optimism with what the future of bilateral cooperation holds.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was chosen by the Liberal Party of Canada to lead them into the 2025 elections after his predecessor Justin Trudeau stepped down, emerged triumphant after Monday’s election. He won the vote over Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre, who actually lost his Ottawa seat.

In his message of congratulations, President Ali noted that “Canada is a long-standing friend of Guyana and we look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Carney and his government to further strengthen our strong cooperation and friendship.”

Canada has for some time been extending its support to Guyana through innovative programmes, encompassing essential Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health services for Indigenous communities and remote hinterland populations lacking access to quality healthcare.

Last year, Canada had announced a partnership with the Government of Guyana to contribute up to CA$9.5 million in support of their One Guyana Digital Skills Development Programme. This initiative will promote economic opportunities and gender equality by empowering thousands of young Guyanese with skills and training for the digital economy.

Further, Canada announced CA$120 million in funding to the Government of Guyana, which will be provided over 10 years through a policy-based loan with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with the aim of strengthening the protection of marginalised populations and expanding the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s capacity.

Meanwhile, the people of Trinidad and Tobago also voted on Monday, with Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC, who formerly held the office of Prime Minister from 2010 to 2015, returning to that position after a decade in opposition.

Persad-Bissessar led her United National Congress (UNC) and its coalition partners to victory over the People’s National Movement (PNM), whose candidate, incumbent Prime Minister Stuart Young, had to contend with the political baggage left by his predecessor Keith Rowley who had stepped down and handed him the mandate to lead the party into the elections only a month ago.

In his message of congratulations to the TT Prime Minister, President Ali referenced the strong bilateral ties between Guyana and Trinidad and also expressed optimism that such ties will grow in strength.

“Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago share a strong friendship, both at the bilateral level and within CARICOM. I, therefore, look forward to our continued collaboration to strengthen our relations and work towards our shared goals of advancing regional integration, economic development and the well-being of the people our region.”