Visit of the Honourable Leo Housakos, Speaker pro tempore of the Senate, and a Parliamentary Delegation, Trinidad and Tobago

From March 15 to 17, 2015, the Speaker pro tempore of the Senate, the Honourable Leo Housakos, led a parliamentary delegation on an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago. The delegation was composed of the Honourable Anne C. Cools, Senator, the Honourable Pana Merchant, Senator, the Honourable Grant Mitchell, Senator, the Honourable Betty E. Unger, Senator, and the Honourable David Wells, Senator. Accompanying the delegation was Ms. Marie Eve Belzile, Secretary to the delegation.

In Port of Spain, Trinidad, the delegation met with:

• His Excellency Anthony Carmona, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago;
• The Honourable Ivor Archie, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago;
• Her Excellency Raziah Ahmed, Senator, President of the Senate;
• His Excellency Wade Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives;
• The Honourable Winston Dookeran, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs;
• The Honourable Vasant Bharath, Senator, Minister of Trade;
• The Honourable Kelvin Ramnarine, Senator, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries;
• The Honourable Dr. Keith Rowley, M.P., Leader of the Opposition;
• Brigadier General Mr. Anthony Phillips-Spencer, Vice Chief of Defense Staff, Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force; and
• Mr. Garvin Heerah, Director, National Operations Centre.

In addition to these meetings, the delegation visited the Chamber temporarily being used for the Senate and the House sittings. The delegation was also invited to attend a sitting of the Senate. The delegation had the opportunity to meet with numerous stakeholders and Canadian representatives involved in various economic activities in Trinidad and Tobago. They were able to share with the delegates the current business climate in the country.

The purposes of the visit were to promote Canadian interests and democratic values, enhance parliamentary cooperation and underline the importance of people to people relations Canada and Trinidad and Tobago share for more than 50 years. The delegation exchanged ideas on matters of trade and investment, economy, security and justice. The delegation also discussed the CARICOM agreement. All meetings stressed the importance of ongoing parliamentary dialogue.