The highest decision-making body of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), which forms The Council of Ministers, recognised the leadership role of Agency and by extension the Participating States in the management of the COVID-19 event during the 10th Annual Ordinary Session, which was held via ZOOM over two days, June 26 and July 3, 2020. The Council noted the efforts being undertaken by the Agency to coordinate response and relief to the region amidst the COVID-19 pandemic specifically in facilitating the relief supplies hub for the region...

Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet presented the 2020/2021 Appropriation Bill to the House on Tuesday under the theme “New challenges, new opportunities for building a stronger Saint Lucia, Together” taking an optimistic outlook at the plans for Saint Lucia’s continued growth and progress.

Stakeholders in the energy and transportation sectors were charged not to wait until a comprehensive plan and perfect conditions are available in order to get started on the Regional Electric Vehicle Strategy during an online discussion, which focused on innovation opportunities and the Caribbean reality.

The Government of Saint Lucia continues to work on building a new and stronger Saint Lucia and the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Economic Growth, Job Creation, External Affairs and the Public Service, Honourable Allen M. Chastanet, will continue to chart the way forward on the Government’s vision. The Prime Minister will table the Appropriation Bill 2020/2021 (Budget Address) in Parliament on Tuesday June 23rd 2020 at 4:00PM...

“Slave passes, also called ‘certificates’ or ‘tickets,’ were written notes granting slaves permission to leave the plantations on which they lived. Almost all slave societies in the New World required slaves to have written permission from their owners to leave the plantation, and they could not leave without it. Slave passes contained the slave’s name, the destination, the trip’s duration, the expiration date of the pass, and the master’s signature. Passes were most commonly given to male slaves who ran errands and performed transportation work beyond the plantation. Depending on the master.

Thus reads an excerpt from the Historical Encyclopedia of World Slavery in reference to Slavery in late 1600s America...

The Cannabis Commission presented to the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday morning (June 15th) on the “Economic Analysis of the Regulation of the Cannabis Industry in Saint Lucia.”

The Cabinet of Ministers has adjusted the protocols for operations during the State of Emergency which includes lessening of the curfew time and hosting of social activities with the established health protocols in place.

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Honourable Allen Chastanet has announced that the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) has paid out over eight million dollars to Saint Lucians as part of the Income Support Programme for NIC contributors.

In a judgment released today, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) upheld the decision of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to raise the tariff on “other hydraulic cement” imported into Barbados. The CCJ declared, however, that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Barbados failed in their respective duties to conduct prior consultation with the importers, Rock Hard Cement Limited (“Rock Hard”)...

Four years on, this United Workers Party administration continues to champion the vision of ‘Building a New Saint Lucia’. On June 6th 2016, the people spoke, and the country voted, for change and transformation. Today, we take time to reflect on that call to action and the mandate given to our Political Leader and Prime Minister Honourable Allen Chastanet and the successful UWP candidates..

Another anniversary has just landed at our door steps with COVID-19 well in check, to keep our population in a safe environment, while taking a toll on our economy with our Government doing all they can to keep our head above the rising tide of economic turbulence.

The Government of Saint Lucia will this weekend welcome 151 more nationals through the ongoing repatriation process.  Returning nationals will include cruise ship workers and students from Canada and Barbados.  

As you know, the Government of Saint Lucia, through a Cabinet-appointed Ministerial Sub­Committee (with support from the Department of Finance), has been engaged in numerous discussions with the Trade Unions since 2nd April, 2020. This was in an attempt to arrive at a consensus position on the issue of the proposed reduction in the monthly cash outlay by Government for salaries of civil servants in the face of reduced revenue collection and contraction in the economy, directly caused by COVID-19...

In response to the high demand for personal protective equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies due to COVID-19, the United States has donated more than US $104,000 worth of PPE and other medical supplies for seven Eastern Caribbean countries: Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.  

On Monday March 30th 2020 our Government took the decision to suspend all classes of liquor licenses in Saint Lucia. It had become necessary to impose the temporary restriction at the height of the battle against COVID-19 when we were beginning to see a rise in the number of cases which were locally transmitted and our country was also in a state of partial shut-down.

Two hundred and nineteen (219) nationals will be repatriated to Saint Lucia on Friday May 8, 2020. The nationals are employees of Carnival Glory and Caribbean Princess cruise ships who over the past month have been desirous of returning home due to industry challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Two hundred and seven (207) will arrive on Carnival Glory and twelve (12) aboard Caribbean Princess...

Through a tangible demonstration of commitment towards the fight against COVID-19 in the region, the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU), the apex regional association for Credit Unions through its Foundation donated US$ 25,000 towards CDEMA’s regional logistical operations for the COVID-19 response to  its member countries.

The Chairman of the Council of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Honorable Ralph Higgs, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Elizabeth Riley as Executive Director (Acting) of the Agency with effect from May 1, 2020.

Ms. Riley joined the team at the CDEMA Coordinating Unit in 2001 and has been the Deputy Executive Director since April 2012. She also acted in the Deputy position between 2009 and 2012.

Ms. Riley has over 20 years experience in the area of disaster management at the regional and international levels in various capacities...