Caribbean News
Jamaicans Celebrate Appointment of Jamaican-Born Doctor to Canadian Senate
#Kingston, January 22, 2019 – Jamaica – Government Representatives, as well as other dignitaries, are celebrating the appointment of Jamaican-born, Dr. Rosemary Moodie, to the Canadian Senate. She was appointed to the Senate by the Canadian Governor General, Julie Payette, on the advice of Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Dr. Moodie has also made significant contributions in healthcare and community service in both Canada and Jamaica.
A reception in her honour was held at the official residence of the High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica on January 16 in Kingston. In her remarks, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, offered sincere congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica.
“We are indeed proud of your accomplishments and illustrious career, for which you were conferred with a National Award, the Commander of the Order of Distinction, for outstanding contribution to philanthropy, community development and medicine in the Jamaican diaspora in Canada,” Senator Johnson Smith said.
She also highlighted Dr. Moodie’s involvement in reducing social inequities and health disparities among children and communities locally and internationally.
“This is of particular relevance to us here in Jamaica. This is the rationale for our laser focus on implementing policies geared towards the attainment of sustained and inclusive economic growth for the prosperity of all Jamaicans, where no one is left behind,” she stated.
Senator Johnson Smith also indicated that Dr. Moodie’s assent to the Senate of Canada offers a platform where she can make an even greater impact on the Canadian society. She added that her accomplishments are further excellent examples of the fact that Jamaicans excel in their spheres of influence in their adopted countries.
Former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, said the appointment is a “source of very great pride to us”, that another Jamaican has excelled in a country with which Jamaica has had cordial relationships over the years.
“We are sure that she is going to bring to the discharge of her duties an awareness of the concerns in the Caribbean and how we develop the partnership between the people of the Caribbean and Canada,” Mr. Patterson told JIS News.
For President of the Senate, Thomas Tavares-Finson, Dr. Moodie’s record of work in Canada and her “social activism”, have led to her elevation to the post.
“It is a remarkable achievement that all of us, especially those in the Senate here, celebrate with her,” Senator Tavares-Finson said.
President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Howard Mitchell, says the group is extremely proud of the appointment. He noted that Dr. Moodie’s influence of integrity, professionalism and a strong work ethic “is what we need to get out there in Canada to counteract possibly some of the more negative influences”.
Meanwhile, Medical Chief of Staff and Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Dr. Carl Bruce, said he “has no doubt that she is going to do a tremendous job, and represent the people very well, in Canada”.
Mother of the newly appointed Senator, Gloria Moodie, noted that her daughter, as a child, executed tasks with careful attention to detail.
“I am sure that she will bring to that job the same expertise, attention to detail; and efficiency that has been her hallmark,” Mrs. Moodie said.
For her part, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, Her Excellency Laurie Peters, noted that Dr. Moodie has been a “firm advocate” for women and girls. She pointed out that in her capacity as President of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Toronto, Dr. Moodie spearheaded the completion of the city’s largest affordable housing project for low-income women with mental health needs and indigenous women and their families.
“As neonatologist at the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, and as a Professor at the University of Toronto’s 
Department of Paediatrics, she has contributed to public policy changes that have reduced social inequities,” the High Commissioner stated.
In her response, Dr. Moodie lauded her husband, Peter Wong, for his continued guidance and support, and her mother, who has been an exceptional role model to her and her sisters. She told JIS News that her appointment is a declaration that Jamaicans will continue to excel at home and overseas.
Dr. Moodie also noted that young people should “push your dreams, and don’t accept any barrier, because unless you test it; you don’t know what is possible”.
The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s bicameral parliamentary democracy. It unites a diverse group of accomplished Canadians in service of their country.
Senators scrutinise legislation, suggest improvements and fix mistakes.
By: Garfield L. Angus
Release: JIS
Photo Captions:
Header: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (left), with President of the Senate, Hon. Thomas Tavares-Finson (second left); recently appointed Senator to the Canadian Parliament, Jamaican born Dr. Rosemary Moodie (second right); and former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, at a reception held in honour of the new Senator, on January 16, at the official residence of Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, in Kingston.
Insert: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith (right), along with Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Her Excellency, Laurie Peters (left), celebrate the appointment of Jamaican born Dr. Rosemary Moodie (centre), to the Canadian Senate. Occasion was a reception held in honour of the new Senator, held on January 16, at the official residence of Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, in Kingston.
Photos by Donald De La Haye
Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.
The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new
administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.
In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.
The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.
Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.
Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.
Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s
leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.
The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.
Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.
Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM
Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.
CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.
Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.
“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.
“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity,
such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”
Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.
“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.
Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.
Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.
Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.
“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.
