BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – NOT only has Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau’s recent visit to the Federation led to him facing questions from two politicians about any commitments made to lift the visa restriction imposed on St. Kitts and Nevis, but also for Foreign Affairs Minister Mark Brantley to clear the air on the issue.
Following Canada’s Conservative Party’s members, Tony Clement and Michelle Rempel, letter to that country’s Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion on the issue, locals had called in to WINN FM’s ‘Voices’ programme yesterday (Jan. 12) with numerous questions and suggestions.
One particular individual was of the view that the Government should have organised a press conference so that media practitioners could have sought answers to what stage were discussions on the lifting of the visa imposition.
In response, the moderator explained that PM Trudeau was not in the Federation on Government’s business, but on vacation with his family.
The individual stressed that it was incumbent upon the local media to get information from Trudeau so as to sensitise the yearning public on the issue, and that they should have operated like the paparazzi.
The moderator went at length to explain that it would have been unethical for media operatives to behave in that manner, for the Prime Minister needed not to have an invasion of his privacy.
A number of other callers had supported the individual’s view of questioning PM Trudeau’s position on the issue.
In an effort to clear the air on the question asked by the two Canadian politicians and the perception of callers to ‘Voices’, the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Mark Brantley, had called in to the programme and offered an explanation.
“The Honourable Prime Minister and I were afforded two opportunities to interact with the Prime Minister on the understanding, of course, that it was not a state visit. It was not an official visit, but rather he was on holiday. So we took the decision that it was best to respect his privacy and his private time with his family.”
Brantley said he and Prime Minister Dr. the. Hon. Timothy Harris met with PM Trudeau when he arrived in the Federation and also on his departure “to say goodbye”.
Brantley further explained that a number of issues were raised with PM Trudeau, including visa waiver, but no discussion was held.
“We were able to raise various issues and the Prime Minister specifically raised the issue of visa waiver with him. I believe that nothing more could have been done, save what was done, which was to raise it and to indicate that we would be following up at the diplomatic level with Canada in relation to this particular matter.”
In November 2014, the Canadian Government had revoked its waiver on the Federation’s passports over security concerns associated with the country’s Citizenship By Investment programme.
