Ottawa, CMC: The Government of Canada says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, on Friday, on the margins of the first-ever Canada-Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Summit on Canadian soil.
The Canadian Government statement said Trudeau was joined in the meeting on Thursday by Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth Marci Ien.
“The prime ministers underscored the launch of the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership and how it will help build on the already strong, longstanding relationship between Canada and CARICOM members,” the statement said. “Prime Minister Mottley thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for his commitment toward regional collaboration and for Canada’s hosting of CARICOM leaders.”
The Canadian Government said the two leaders “highlighted their collaboration on shared priorities,” particularly advancing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals and climate resilience, building inclusive and sustainable economies, defending the rules-based international order, and strengthening regional security and stability.
They also spoke about the importance of improving access to concessional financing, including by exploring channeling Special Drawing Rights to climate funds that are accessible to small-island developing states, the statement said.
It said Trudeau reiterated Canada’s commitment to working with CARICOM, the UN, and other international partners to re-establish peace and security in Haiti.
“Prime Minister Trudeau and Prime Minister Mottley looked forward to making progress on shared priorities and remaining in regular contact,” the statement said.
It said Canada and Barbados had enjoyed “vibrant bilateral relations since 1966” when Barbados gained independence.
“Our rich cooperation is built on shared values, trade, and investment,” said the statement, stating that about 31,440 Barbadian-Canadians are “an integral part of Canada’s social fabric” and that Canada welcomed 138 temporary workers from Barbados during the 2021–2022 season.
“We are like-minded partners in regional and multilateral fora on a wide variety of important issues, from climate to economic resilience to the promotion of gender equality,” the statement added.
It said Barbados and Canada collaborate closely in key regional and multilateral forums and institutions, such as the Caribbean Development Bank, and that Canada also represents Barbados on the Board of Governors at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Canada is represented in Barbados by the High Commission of Canada, which opened in 1967.
On the other hand, Barbados is represented in Canada by a High Commission in Ottawa and a Consulate General in Toronto.
The statement said that, in 1907, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service established an office in Barbados, “which laid the foundation for the close trade partnership that Barbados and Canada have today.”
In 2022, the Canadian Government said Canada’s merchandise exports to Barbados amounted to CAN$47.3 million, primarily animal and food, machinery, and mechanical products.
The statement said that imports from Barbados were worth CAN$23.1 million, mainly consisting of food products.
Due to the Commonwealth Caribbean Countries Tariff (CARIBCAN) – an economic and trade development assistance program for the Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories established by Canada in 1985 – and Canada’s other Tariff preference measures, 94 percent of all Caribbean exports to Canada enter duty-free.
The statement said while Barbados is ineligible for Official Development Assistance, “it benefits from Canada’s support through regional initiatives that have strengthened national statistics for policy-making, public financial management, access to justice and private sector development.”
Following the devastating 2017 hurricane season in the Caribbean, Canada announced a 5-year CAN$100 million Pledge for Caribbean Reconstruction and Economic and Climate Resilience to support Barbados and the region.
The Canadian Government said the pledge was fulfilled in 2022 and included support to strengthen natural disaster planning and response through the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).
“Canada’s support to CDEMA and the World Food Program has also provided for a regional logistics hub in Barbados to facilitate the delivery of assistance in response to emergencies, such as natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, across the Eastern Caribbean,” the statement said.
At the 2023 CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in The Bahamas, Canada announced CAN$44.8 million in new initiatives to help support CARICOM in addressing the climate crisis by protecting more biodiversity and improving climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
“Canada continues to advocate for small island and low-lying states in the Caribbean, who are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change like rising sea levels and extreme weather events,” the statement said.
On regional security, it said Canada supports the Regional Security System (RSS), a regional organization based in Barbados, comprised of both military and police personnel that provides “a collective response to security threats on request.” Member States include Barbados, countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, and Guyana (joined in 2022). The mission of the RSS is to contribute to peace and stability in the region.
The Canadian Government said its current commitment to Barbados through the Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP) is CAN$2M (2022).
Barbados has been a Canada’s Military Training and Cooperation Program (MTCP) member since 1973.
To date, the Canadian Government said almost 400 officers from Barbados have participated in MTCP training and activities.
It said training has focused on areas like army operations, peace support operations, language, Information Technology (IT) security, and cyber and forensics.
and then  Summit on Canadian soil){kind=link}