High Commissioner to Canada Gline Clarke is to finally take up residence in the capital city of Ottawa in the next “two or three weeks”, more than nine months after the announcement of his appointment.
But the former St George North MP is crediting technology for facilitating some progress he has made representing Barbados’ interests in Canada over the last three months.
“I will definitely be going up within another two or three weeks. Things are fast approaching and we will let you know when I will depart for sure,” Clarke disclosed on the Voice of Barbados radio call-in programme, Down to Brasstacks.
“The technology has helped us that we can do work from here,” the High Commissioner added. “You know that this technology since COVID-19 has now shown that a lot of work can be done from home and across the world.”
Two months ago, Clarke told Barbados TODAY that his move to Canada had been delayed by the absence of airlift to the North American country as well as the troubling COVID-19 situation there.
On Monday, Clarke declared that he has been able to “make representation” on numerous matters
He said: “We have had a number of discussions over the past two or three months. Thanks to the technology, we were able to have a number of programmes and we were able to talk to a number of agencies not only here, but in Canada and we are still making representation because even though we are here, we are still doing a number of things.
“These include recent changes being made among the G7 countries that could have a significant impact on the country’s international business sector in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance and the Barbados International Business Association.
“They are making representation on why it is important for us to discuss the effects that new tax measures that are likely to be imposed will have on poor, small and vulnerable countries like ours. Representations are being made at this time and some things are happening.
“The diaspora is very important to us as well and there are persons across the world who would want to not only wish Barbados well but also want to give input and I must tell you that there are people, Barbadians and people who like Barbados, persons who have travelled back to Barbados, repeat visitors and so on, who have the best interest of Barbados at heart.
“Those are persons who would like to make contributions, they want to see Barbadians do well and I must tell you, that despite whatever, we have a very good image in the world and our representation in the world at the highest levels.”
(kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb)
