DPSU reps donate total of $3,200 to Caribbean-Canada Leaders Dialogue event

The Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) contributed EC$3,000 toward a reception organized by Dr. Gerard Jean-Jacques, Ambassador for CARICOM and Commissioner to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) on May 28, 2025. The event was held in honor of the Caribbean-Canada Leaders Dialogue (CCLD) 2025 Dominica Study Tour delegates.

A press release from a CCLD spokesperson shared that the DPSU took pride in hosting the delegation and provided financial support, venue arrangements, and logistical assistance, which significantly enriched the experience for participants in Dominica. Additionally, Mr. Thomas Letang, General Secretary of the DPSU and an alumnus of CCLD, personally donated an extra EC$200 to cover entertainment expenses for the event.

“Dominica was honored to host this important delegation, and we are proud of the connections made and the conversations sparked; I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Letang and the Dominica Public Service Union for their kind contributions towards the reception, which also provided an opportunity to network with government officials, civil society, and to experience our culture,” said Rianna Patterson, the country host for Dominica and co-lead of the Caribbean Canada Leader Dialogue.

This marked Dominica’s first time hosting a study tour, and Patterson affirmed that it would not be the last.

“Cultivating leaders at this time in a world of artificial intelligence and cascading crises is so critical. A world faced with a climate crisis, several wars, deepening inequalities, and the debilitating impacts on people and workers in Small Island Developing States,” she stated.

She also expressed hope that the experience in Dominica would inspire delegates to view the world through a gender-neutral, just, and rights-based perspective—values that emphasize the dignity of individuals, their families, and the essential services provided by public servants touched by the DPSU.

Throughout the study tour, delegates participated in site visits, fireside chats, and cultural activities designed to promote mutual understanding and highlight Dominica’s unique approach to sustainable development and community resilience.

Reports are that the concluding reception took place at the end of a week filled with meaningful dialogue and exchanges. It celebrated the successful visit of the 13-member delegation to Dominica and the strengthening of diplomatic, developmental, and cultural ties between the Caribbean and Canada. The event gathered key government officials, civil society leaders, and youth representatives in a spirit of unity and regional pride.

The reception also served as a formal closing to the visit and a reaffirmation of ongoing collaboration between Canada and the Caribbean. Delegates expressed gratitude for Dominica’s hospitality, leadership, and pivotal role in fostering regional dialogue.

Following their time in Dominica, the delegates attended a closing plenary in Barbados, where they delivered an emotional presentation reflecting on their learning experiences. The presentation included performances of Bouyon music, expressions of the Kalinago language, and Creole traditions, featuring dance to a Creole song adorned with madras prints in front of an audience of 100 leaders from Canada and the Caribbean.

The CCLD initiative is described by spokespersons as a platform for emerging and established leaders across Canada and the Caribbean to engage in cross-cultural learning, policy exchanges, and collaborative actions.

Organizers extended thanks to the Dominica Public Service Union and Mr. Thomas Letang, General Secretary of the DPSU and CCLD alumnus, whose sponsorship made this engagement possible.

Additional sponsors for the Dominica tour included Fort Young Hotel, Belfaste Estate, Charles Louis Photography, Jael Joseph, Fine Foods Inc., D Baked That, Jaydees Naturals, and Bee Natural.