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Stop the EXODUS of TCI People says Opposition Leader 

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By Deandrea Hamilton and Dana Malcolm 

Editorial Staff  

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 9, 2023 – There are ways to track the ebbs and flows of a population; a curious algorithm which estimates how many people are moving into an area and how many are moving out.  Turks and Caicos is not there yet, though recently the Governor of the territory uncorked that he is approving as many as 1,000 people a year for British Overseas Territory Citizenship; reckoning that it makes the TCI the Caribbean country with the fastest growing population.  The thing is, the growth is migrant driven; and the only thing growing when it comes to the indigenous population is the exodus of them to other, more attractive cities around the world.

The issue is a lament of the Leader of the Opposition, who is again accusing the Washington Misick-led, PNP Administration of being disconnected.

“The cost of living is at an all-time high, for many the chance of owning a home is far out of reach. They just can’t afford the extremely high prices.  Many persons have left the country, and many more are planning to leave.  We have not seen an exodus like this since the late ’60s, and early ’70s,” he claimed in a February 27th rebuttal to the State of the State Address delivered by Premier Washington Misick.

Many residents have expressed the same sentiments as they watch their children leave for places overseas and decide not to return.  Last year, E Jay Saunders, TCI Deputy Premier had explained that the country was working on building up its infrastructure to keep people at home.

Astwood also claimed that TCIG is understaffed by hundreds.

“Under this current PNP administration, we are seeing a record amount of vacancies in the Public Service – we heard 400 vacancies— we are seeing persons being sent into retirement while there is still a great need for the retention of their services,” he said.

Last year it was revealed that several government agencies were critically understaffed because, despite publications of opportunities, no one was applying.  The Government is also currently in the midst of a massive employment drive.

On two Bahamas islands during February, the Premier, joined by the Deputy Governor and Minister of Immigration made appeals for Turks and Caicos Islanders to ‘come home’ not only for the investment opportunities, but for the jobs.

The brain drain and employment issues are problems that the government hopes second and perhaps even third-generation immigration will solve in the future.  Astwood is less confident in this strategy, calling the option to enlarge the franchise by changing the policy on who can gain citizenship a ‘knee-jerk reaction and not well thought out’.

Edwin Astwood, LOO said Government’s energies and efforts ought to first be toward creating reasons for Turks and Caicos Islanders to want to return home in order to build their lives and simultaneously, their country.

Government

Elisann Delancy Appointed Deputy Director of Education

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PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR

AND HEAD OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 18 March 2025: The Office of the Deputy Governor is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Elisann Delancy as the new Deputy Director of Education within the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.

Ms. Delancy began her career as a Graduate Teacher at the Marjorie Basden High School, where she quickly made a significant impact on her students and the community. She progressed through various positions, including Assistant Curriculum Development Officer and Curriculum Development Officer. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in shaping local and regional literacy and numeracy programs, serving as the Turks and Caicos Islands Focal Point for the CARICOM, CDB, and OECS LET’s REAP Initiative.

Ms. Delancy holds: a Teacher’s Diploma (Honours) from Mico University College; a Bachelor of Education in Technical and Vocational Education from the University of Technology, Jamaica, and a Master of Education in Curriculum Development with Distinction from the University of the West Indies. Her award-winning research on the “Impact of Teacher Quality on Students Performance” in the Turks and Caicos Islands has garnered recognition and has been published, further demonstrating her expertise and dedication to the field of education.

In addition to her academic credentials, Ms. Delancy has honed her leadership and management skills through various professional development opportunities, including Organisational Leadership from Harvard Business School and Contemporary Project Management from UWI Cave Hill. She is also a Level 4 Caribbean Vocational Qualifications Assessor and an active member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD). Currently, she is pursuing Public Financial Management qualifications through ACCA, London, to enhance her knowledge in this critical area.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Delancy stated, “The responsibility of leadership comes with great expectations, and I embrace this calling with gratitude and humility. Luke 12:48 states, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” I am deeply grateful to God for guiding my path as I continue working to advance education for all. I did not stumble into the path of Educating; I chose this path because I recognised its power as the greatest equaliser, a force that can break cycles of disadvantage and create opportunities for all. The work ahead remains critical, and I am fully committed to working with the new Director of Education and our team at the Department of Education to build a progressive and responsive education system.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor and Head of the Public Service H. E. Anya Williams congratulated Ms. Delancy on her new appointment, stating, “We are thrilled to have Ms. Delancy stepping into this vital position. Her passion for education, proven leadership skills, and commitment to developing our youth will undoubtedly propel our educational system forward. We look forward to the positive impact she will have in this role.

Congratulations, Ms. Delancy, on your well-deserved promotion.”

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Government

Post Cabinet Report Renews Fisheries Applications

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Turks and Caicos, March 15, 2025 – Her Excellency the Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam chaired the 2nd meeting of Cabinet held on February 26th, 2025, at the Hon Hilly Ewing Building, Providenciales. All members of the Cabinet were present.  

At this meeting Cabinet:

  • Reviewed the TCIG 3rd Quarter Financial Report for FY 2024-2025 and approved its publication.
  • Reviewed the Statutory Bodies 3rd Quarter Special Purpose Financial Report for FY 2024-2025 and approved its publication.
  • Approved a Development Agreement for the Retreat Development Ltd.
  • Reviewed the National Health Insurance Board’s quarterly reports and agreed actions to address key risks.
  • Approved the appointment of Ms. Desericka Lightbourne as Secretary to the Credit Union Project Implementation Committee effective April 1, 2025.

Noted the award of the following contracts in line with the process according to the provisions of the Public Procurement Ordinance; Contract Award Notification:

    • PN005695, TR 24/27 Interior Design and Supply Furniture and Equipment
    • PN005811/TR 24/42 Works to Matthew Canal-Salt Cay       
  • Approved the draft variation to the Development Agreement over parcels 60900/291-325 and 327-362 to WACAL Holdings Ltd. Development.
  • Approved an amendment to the Immigration Protocol Document for the Hamilton Education Foundation Ltd.
  • Approved the following appointments to the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority for a period of two years:
    • Dwayne Gardiner, Chairman
    • Gardvin Missick, Deputy Chairman
    • Godfrey Smith, Director
  • Approved settlement terms relating to a DECR matter.
  • Approved applications for Class A Processing and Export Licenses for the 2024-2025 year for Caicos Seafood Ltd.; Caicos Fisheries Ltd.; and Provo Seafood.

Further information on these matters will be provided by Ministers in due course.

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Government

Swearing-in of the 30th Canadian Ministry led by Mark Carney, New Prime Minister

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Ottawa, ON, Canada, March 14, 2025 – Today, at a ceremony presided by the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, at Rideau Hall, Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, was sworn in alongside members of the 30th Canadian Ministry.

This new, leaner, focused Cabinet includes returning ministers, seasoned leaders, and new voices who will bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the team as it delivers on the things that matter most to Canadians, such as strengthening Canada’s economy and security.

The new Cabinet is as follows:

  • Mark Carney, Prime Minister
  • Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of International Trade and Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada
  • Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development
  • François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance
  • Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
  • Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
  • Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services
  • Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
  • Ginette Petitpas Taylor, President of the Treasury Board
  • Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant
  • Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
  • Kamal Khera, Minister of Health
  • Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
  • Rechie Valdez, Chief Government Whip
  • Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Jobs and Families
  • David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
  • Terry Duguid, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
  • Nate Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
  • Rachel Bendayan, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
  • Élisabeth Brière, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canada Revenue Agency
  • Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
  • Arielle Kayabaga, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Democratic Institutions
  • Kody Blois, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Rural Economic Development
  • Ali Ehsassi, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Services and Procurement

This team reflects the ambition that makes Canada strong and it will work each day to protect workers, families, and businesses. It will take action to unite Canadians, defend Canada’s sovereignty in the face of unjustified trade actions by the United States, make Canada an energy superpower in both conventional and clean energy, create new trade corridors with reliable partners, and build one Canadian economy – the strongest economy in the G7.

“This team is built for immediate action and focused on protecting Canadian workers, supporting their families, and growing this great country. We are changing how things work, so our government can deliver to Canadians faster – and we have an experienced team that is made to meet the moment we are in. Our government is united and strong, and we are getting right to work.”

The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, is the s 24th Prime Minister of Canada.  His cabinet is the 30th Canadian Ministry and consists of a total of 23 ministers, in addition to the Prime Minister.  The Cabinet is the central decision-making forum in government, responsible for its administration and the establishment of its policy. Its members are each responsible for individual portfolios or departments.

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