Canadian PM Arrives in Island for Working Visit

Canada’s Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Stephen Harper, arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston on Sunday (April 19) for a two-day working visit.
Prime Minister Harper travelled to Jamaica from the three-day Summit of the Americas, which ended on April 19 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
He arrived in the company of Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Hon. Dr. Kenneth Baugh, who also attended the Summit.
A high level Government delegation, inclusive of members of the Cabinet was on hand to welcome the visiting Canadian Prime Minister and greet Mr. Golding and Dr. Baugh.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding (right) makes a point to Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper on their arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston Sunday night (April 19). The Prime Ministers travelled by special aircraft from the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, which concluded on April 19. The Canadian Prime Minister, who is in the island for a two-day working visit, will address a special session of Parliament on April 20.

Prime Minister Harper will address a special joint sitting of Parliament on Monday (April 20) and he is expected to hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Golding on a range of issues including the global economic crisis, the impending negotiations toward a free trade agreement between CARICOM and Canada, and Canada’s assistance in the implementation of the Justice Reform Programme.
During his visit, Prime Minister Harper will also pay courtesy calls on Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Dr. Patrick Allen and the Leader of the Opposition, Portia Simpson Miller.
He will tour the Jamaica Military Air School, which receives funding from the Canadian Government, and will meet with Jamaican/Canadian business leaders at a working luncheon. He will also participate in a signing ceremony for the Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation (JUST) project.
Prime Minister Harper departs the island on Tuesday afternoon (April 21).