City Welcomes Caribbean Colleagues

Representatives of municipalities and governments from Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Guyana and Belize as well as staff from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Caribbean Local Economic Program (CARILED) are visiting St. John’s and area this week to officially launch the City’s participation in the CARILED program. 
 
In July, the City of St. John’s joined more than 20 other Canadian municipalities in becoming a CARILED partner municipality. City staff will volunteer their time as professional developers, sharing expertise internationally and developing collaborative relationships in the areas of education, industry and community development.
 
“The City of St. John’s is very pleased to be a signatory with FCM on this international program,” stated Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “We have historical connections with the Caribbean through the salt fish trade and through the volunteer efforts or our staff, we will continue our economic development connections with this region of the world.”
 
Through CARILED St. John’s municipal employees will share their economic and community development expertise with their Caribbean counterparts. During this initial visit to St. John’s, delegates will visit local businesses and business support agencies to learn more about economic development planning, business development and innovative projects.
 
“We have always had international connections,” said Councillor Bruce Tilley, Co-chair of the City’s Economic Development, Tourism and Public Engagement Standing Committee. “This week’s study mission is another example of how we can support local as well as international development – it connects with our economic strategy.”
 
The Caribbean Local Economic Development program is implemented with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
 
Media Contact:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca