May 28, 2015 – Ottawa, Ontario – Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner, Minister of Border Control and Labour of the Turks and Caicos Islands, today co-chaired the first meeting of the Canada-Turks and Caicos Islands Bilateral Working Group, held in Ottawa. The working group was established as a follow-up to a meeting between Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Rufus Ewing, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, in the spring of last year.
Parliamentary Secretary Anderson and Minister Gardiner expressed satisfaction with the results of the first meeting of the working group and agreed to explore further areas of collaboration.
Minister Gardiner added that the Canadian delegation had extended the highest level of courtesy to the Turks and Caicos group, which demonstrated both Canada’s grace and a level of seriousness concerning the regard that Canada and the Turks and Caicos Islands have for each other.
Quick Facts
- The working group reviewed the bilateral relationship and discussed new areas for cooperation. It met with several technical experts and held productive exchanges on shared goals in economic prosperity, regional security, stability and democracy, as well as cultural and professional exchanges.
- As a result of the discussions, the two parties agreed to explore cooperation in public-private partnerships to promote innovative Canadian approaches to project implementation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
- The Canada Revenue Agency will pursue further cooperation on approaches to tax administration.
- Canada also extended an invitation for officials from the Turks and Caicos Islands to participate in training on countering money laundering and criminal financial transactions and explored areas for parliamentary cooperation.
Quotes
“The relationship between Canada and the Turks and Caicos Islands is long-standing. It is founded on our Commonwealth heritage, as well as our enduring social and economic ties. Canada looks forward to continuing to work with the Turks and Caicos Islands to strengthen our bilateral relationship.”
– The Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“The obstacles in the region are best met through cooperation and by taking action to strengthen institutions. Common challenges, such as strengthening the economy, encouraging sustainable energy and combatting transnational crime, are best met by capable and resilient regional organizations.”
– David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
“We are pleased to begin this dialogue with Canada, which has been a long-time friend of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The bilateral working group established at the request of Prime Minister Harper and Premier Ewing provides an excellent platform from which we can examine more closely the factors that strengthen our relationship and the areas of cooperation that can benefit both parties.”
– Ricardo Don Hue Gardiner, Minister of Border Control and Labour, Turks and Caicos Islands
The TCI delegation which is Chaired by Border Control Minister, Don-Hue Gardiner includes attorney Mark Fulford and economist, Dr. Gilbert Morris, Ronlee James and the country’s Chief Statistician, Shirlen Forbes.
