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| Former Canadian Premier of Canada and Chairman and President of the Forum of Federations, Bob Rae | |
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Basseterre, St. Kitts (March 3rd 2004) – The Forum of Federations which is assisting St. Kitts and Nevis in the ongoing efforts of constitutional reform, is to undertake a study of the fiscal arrangements in the twin-island nation.
Former Canadian Premier of Ontario, Canada and Chairman and President of the Forum of Federations, the Hon. Bob Rae has informed St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas and Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Vance Amory, that the Forum has engaged a consulting group which will visit this month.
The team of consultants is headed by Professor of Business at the University of New Brunswick and former Minister of Finance of the Canadian Province of New Brunswick, Dr. Norman Betts.
In conducting the exercise, the consultants will need to have access to all financial records for the Federal Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and the Nevis Island Administration.
“The team intends to examine and analyse this material and prepare a report that the Forum will make available to both parties,” said Mr. Rae.
The Forum of Federations has indicated an interest in documenting information with regards to the financial and fiscal relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis and the implications on each island as a separate unit.
Prime Minister Douglas has welcomed the assistance of Premier Rae and looks forward to the Report and proposals as to how the Forum of Federations can assist with the constitutional reform process.
Mr. Rae served as Ontario’s 21st Premier and was elected eight times to Federal and Provincial Parliaments before his retirement from politics in 1996.
