GRENADA-New session of Grenada Parliament opens.

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Dame Cecile La Grenade, addressing the ceremonial opening of the Grenada Parliament

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC—A new session of Grenada’s Parliament began here on Friday, with Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade outlining the legislative agenda of the Dickon Mitchell administration for the next parliamentary year.

Delivering the traditional Throne Speech, the Head of State said that the agenda will include repealing and replacing the existing procurement legislation and introducing new legislation for pension reform, deposit insurance, and energy efficiency.

“In the upcoming session of Parliament, my government will prioritize a legislative agenda focused on fostering economic resilience, advancing social equity, and combating climate change. Some of the key initiatives will include new procurement legislation, energy efficiency legislation, deposit insurance legislation, and Pension Reform legislation,” she told the joint sitting of the Parliament.

Dame Cecile said the upcoming budget, laid before Parliament, will contain more details of the government’s policies, projects, and programs for the forthcoming parliamentary year’s end.

Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall, speaking to reporters following the ceremonial opening of the Parliament, said that a date has yet to be set for the presentation of the 2025 budget.

The budget is traditionally presented on the last Friday in November or during the first week of December. Regardless of the date it is presented, it must be approved and published in the gazette by December 31.

The Governor General told legislators that regarding national security, the preservation of public peace and safety remains a significant priority for the government.

“We will continue to pursue policies that discourage crime and anti[1]social behavior, while at the same time keeping our no-nonsense approach to crime, in particular, gun and firearms-related crime.

“We will continue to support our police and prison officers by providing better equipment and upgrading their facilities. My government will also begin the prison reform process, including identifying land for and the modeling for a new prison,” Dame Cecile added.

The theme for the 2024/2025 session of Parliament is “Unifying our focus toward Vision 75.” The Governor General said the government will embark on a journey to reconstruct, revitalize, and renew its resolve to transform the country.

“Our aim is not just to replace lost or damaged social and economic assets, but to build back better and more resilient,” she said, adding that the theme is deeply rooted in Grenada 2035 national plan that describes Grenada as “a resilient and prosperous nation, with a conscious and caring citizenry, promoting human dignity, and realizing its full potential through sustainable economic, social, and environmental progress for all.”

The Governor General said that following Hurricane Beryl’s passage in July, the country will not merely focus on rebuilding what was lost but on laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient future.

“Accordingly, in this session of Parliament, my Government will focus on rebuilding a more resilient Carriacou and Petite Martinique while advancing the Government’s transformative agenda,” she said.

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