BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER
February 2015
Inside This Issue:
Independence message
from Consul General
Featured Person Ms. Jeannie Beausoliel
Jounen Kweyol Toronto 2014
St. Lucia benefits from collaboration
with the Toronto Police
Saint Lucia’s 36th Independence Theme
Deadline for the Extension
for Passport Recall
Saint Lucia Is Leading Caribbean
Honeymoon Destination – Again
Consulate General of Saint Lucia Website
SickKids-Caribbean Initiative
Launching of Saint Lucia’s
Arts and Music Festival
Save the Date
FAQ
National Flowers
Kweyol Corner
Newsletter Sponsored by Anselm
Mathurin, Calabash Condos & Villas
Created by www.gersongraphics.com
Welcome to our 36th Independence issue of our very own Saint Lucian Slate.
36th Independence Anniversary
Message from Consul General
Fellow Saint Lucians, Sunday, 22nd, February, 2015, marks
thirty-six (36) years since Saint Lucia gained independence
from Great Britain. Since then our country has come a long
way. Those of us who have been fortunate to live throughout
that period can attest to the tremendous transformation of
our country.
As a small, vulnerable and open economy, void of mineral
and natural resources Saint Lucia wisely opted to place very
high priority on the development of its human resource as the
main pillar to spur economic growth and meaningful national
Mr. Michael Willius
development. During this post independence period successive Consul General
governments allocated 15 to 18% of the yearly national budget
to the education sector. Much emphasis was placed on the development of other sectors
such as, agriculture, health, tourism, manufacturing, and information and communication
technology.
Saint Lucia has attained significant improvements in its quality of life index. Our
country has long been re-classified from the status of underdeveloped to middle income
developing state, by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. But it has
not always been smooth going. Our country has had many challenges to overcome. For
example, the trade liberalization policies of the World Trade Organization have had a
devastating impact on Saint Lucia’s economy. The once protected, preferential market
access for our bananas in the United Kingdom has been lost. More frequent and intense
weather conditions, blamed on global warming, have visited our shores, resulting in
heavy borrowing to repair or rebuild roads, bridges, and water supply infrastructure.
The cyclical ups and downs in the world economy, especially the 2008 to 2013
financial crisis, have curtailed the flow of investment funds to the economy. In the midst
of those challenging circumstances our country has had to find the financial resources
to meet the ever growing aspirations of its population.
Tourism has become the beacon of hope, the mainstay of the economy, generating
employment and financial resources. Canada, your adopted homeland, has become a
very important source market for Saint Lucia’s tourism, ranking third in arrivals behind
the United States of America and the United Kingdom.
Published by: Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto
February 2015
Saint Lucian Slate 1
The Saint Lucian community in Canada has been an integral
source of assistance and support throughout this journey from
independence. Your contribution to Saint Lucia’s economy is
well recognized and deeply appreciated by the government and
people of Saint Lucia.
In the months ahead the Saint Lucia Tourist Board will be
launching a diaspora programme to compliment its marketing
efforts. The programme will provide you with incentives to visit
your homeland and promote your country as an exciting vacation
destination to friends, colleagues, associates and co-workers. We
will be counting on your support to boost tourist arrivals from
Canada to our island paradise. Your participation will further
contribute to building Saint Lucia’s economy.
As we celebrate another year of nationhood, let us pause
and reflect on some of the unique and striking attributes of our
homeland; its magnificent landscape, rich cultural heritage, warm
and friendly people, great humanitarian values---all of which have
been bequeathed to us as a people. Let us recommit to assisting
in the development of our country in whatever way possible.
I wish all Saint Lucians, at home and abroad, God’s
enduring blessing for a happy and prosperous 2015. Happy
36th Independence Anniversary!
Michael Willius
Consul General
Featured Person: Ms. Jeannie Beausoliel
J
Jeannie reflects on
the great avenues
and privileges she has
experienced, she shares
her joy by giving back to
her country folk and the
Canadian community..
2 Saint Lucian Slate
February 2015
eannie Beausoleil, was the first born
of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cenac
of La Clery. She was always energetic and assertive in her early years.
She subsequently attended the Anglican
school under the leadership of Mr. Keith
Weekes and then went on to attend St.
Joseph’s convent. She entered the workforce at an early age of seventeen years.
Her dream was always to become a
nurse however with a passion for fashion
and makeup; she was drawn to other areas
of work. Her early career life included
banking and journalism. She finally settled
with Cable & Wireless telecommunications where she worked her way up to
a telephone engineer’s secretary. She remarks that the Saint Lucian education and
job background were the perfect foundation for her future outlook on life.
In the early eighties, Jeanine migrated to New York then settled in Toronto,
Canada. Jeanine said “migration worked
miracles with my development of mind
and spirit and what a learning experience
it has been.” When she reflects on the
great avenues and privileges she has experienced, she shares her joy by giving
back to her country folk and the Canadian community through the Saint Lucia
Toronto Aid Action group (STAGG), the
current diaspora organization which she
is a founding member of STAGG was officially launched on June 29, 2013. It has
a humanitarian mandate while advocating
for breast and prostate cancer. They are
a group of determined individuals and
through collaboration with organizations
such as the Sunnybrook Health Sciences
Centres, have been assisting Saint Lucia’s
public health institutions by procuring
medical equipment and also providing the
training necessary to ensure the equipment
is being utilized effectively.
In March 2014, Jeannie Beausoleil in
celebration of her 60th birthday decided to
create an event alongside STAGG aimed at
giving back to her homeland Saint Lucia.
She requested that invited guests make a
donation to the Sick Kids Foundation,
in order to show Saint Lucia’s participation in the Sick Kids Caribbean Initiative.
This event was held under the patronage
of Saint Lucia’s Governor General and
raised some CAD$11 000.00. This was
one of the many initiatives spare headed
by Jeannie which showed her selflessness,
love of country and her passion to help
people in need.
She remarks that, “The support of
my husband is the utmost blessing, and
working with Delores Watson, the incoming president of STAGG is worth every
moment. She has made me realize what
love of country means.”
Jeannie pledges her service to the community in the areas of breast and prostate
cancer and does it for her deceased friends
whom she has lost through this illness.
Her motto, “bring it on with love”.
Jounen Kweyol Toronto 2014
T
his year, the Consulate General of
Saint Lucia in Toronto partnered
with a new vibrant Saint Lucia
group, Back Up Crew and the Saint Lucia Toronto Association to bring Jounen
Kweyol Toronto to the Diaspora.
Sunday 26th October, 2014 marked
a memorable event for Saint Lucians and
friends of Saint Lucians living in Toronto.
Attendees came out in massive numbers
to support the first showing of Jounen
Kweyol Toronto at the JCA located at 995
Arrow Road. The day was to everything
Creole-----dancing, storytelling, performances, exhibitions, music and cuisine.
Loyarl during her performance
Police!
The vendors served a variety of food
that filled the hall with a welcoming aroma
and that also tantalized your taste buds
and kept you returning for more.
The youth entertained the crowd of
standing room only with singing, quadrille
dancing, a fashion show and poetry. We
were also treated to a Creole dance by the
leader of the Back Up Crew, Loyarl Leon,
whose commitment, participation, passion and hard work resulted in the events
being a huge success. Loyarl wore all the
caps-----leader, chef, producer and even
entertainer, and wore them well.
The observance of Jounen Kweyol
Vendors
2014 in Toronto brought all Saint Lucians
in massive numbers and achieved our goal
of being one people. This event marked
the successful collaboration of various
groups to celebrate what is unique to us,
our rich heritage and culture on Sunday,
26th October 2014.
The Consulate General of Saint Lucia would like to take this opportunity
to thank all who turned out to support
Jounen Kweyol Toronto 2014. It was
truly a bon fete kweyol!
See you next year!
Loyarl Leon – Back up Crew and
Mr. Ross Cadasse - SLTA
Saint Lucia benefits from collaboration with the Toronto Police
D
uring the month of July, The
Consulate General of Saint Lucia
in Toronto welcomed Corporal
Marcus George of the Royal Saint Lucia
Police Force to participate in an eight week
training course in Forensic Science.
Corporal George approached the Consul
General, Mr. Michael Willius to assist in
identifying specialized training in Forensic
Science and ballistics to give the St. Lucian
Police greater capacity to deal with gun
violence. Recognizing the need for the
specific expertise in solving firearms offences in Saint Lucia, the Consul General
reached out to the Toronto Police Service
and through consultation with Deputy
Chief Mark Saunders of the Toronto Police Service was able to secure a training
course for Corporal Marcus George which
is usually offered to officers in Ontario.
Corporal George completed a Firearms
Examination Course and Scene of Crime
Officer course at the Toronto Police College located at 2050 Jane Street in Toronto.
The training comprised of in class followed
by training in the field with an experience Forensic Officer. All the necessary
equipment was provided by the Toronto
Police Service.
Upon completion of the training, Corporal Marcus George received a Certificate
in Forensic Science.
Before returning to Saint Lucia, Corporal George and Consul General Willius paid a courtesy call on Deputy Mark
Saunders to thank him and the Toronto
Police Service for this great training opportunity. Corporal George has gained
the level of expertise through his training
that is invaluable for success with firearms
investigation in Saint Lucia. This collaboration between the Government of Saint
Corporal Marcus George receiving his certificate
Lucia represented by the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto, the Toronto
Police Service and the Royal Saint Lucia
Police Force will present future training
opportunities for furthering his expertise
in the Forensic field of study.
February 2015
Saint Lucian Slate 3
Consul General Michael Willius, Deputy Chief of
Toronto Police Service Mark Saunders and Corporal
Marcus George of the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force.
Corporal George during training
Corporal George during training
Saint Lucia 36th
Independence Theme
Deadline for the Extension For
Passport Recall
he Theme for our 36th Independence is “The
Journey.” This year has truly been a journey of
blessings for our Diaspora. We have staged a serious of successful events over the year which has brought
our diaspora closer. With the introduction of our newest
community group, The Back Up Crew which staged our
biggest activity for the year supported by the Saint Lucia
Toronto Association and the Consulate General of Saint
Lucia in Toronto, we saw the unity, the dedication the
commitment and as a result the success of what happens
when we come together as one Saint Lucian family. In
addition, the St. Lucia Aid Action Group (STAGG) has
continued its tireless efforts with tremendous success to
contributing to Saint Lucia’s health sector through its
activities throughout the year. The St. Lucia Toronto
Association under the stewardship of its president Mr.
Ross introduced to the diaspora a year of cultural, innovative sold out activities. As our Journey continues
in 2015 let us remember as we celebrate our successes,
that unity is strength.
he Consulate General of Saint Lucia wishes to inform all citizens
of Saint Lucia residing in Canada presently holding non-machine
readable (“green coloured”) passports, that the deadline to acquire the new machine readable (“blue coloured”) passports has been
extended to 28th February, 2015.
T
T
Important Update:
Saint Lucia Passport Application ApplicationsChange in Acceptable Documents
(Effective 1st January, 2015)
T
he Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto wishes to inform all citizens of Saint Lucia residing in Canada that the
Saint Lucia Immigration Department has advised effective 1st
January, 2015, passport applications will be processed with the birth
certificate ONLY, which includes applicant’s first name, along with
other relevant documents. Applicants will no longer be allowed to
present the baptismal certificate along with the birth certificate,
which does not include the applicant’s first name. This means that
all passport applications must be submitted with a birth certificate
with the applicant’s first name on it.
Saint Lucia Is Leading Caribbean Honeymoon Destination – Again
SAINT LUCIA
(November 3, 2014)
The sun drenched island of
Saint Lucia will again have
the envious opportunity of
being able to use the internationally recognized ‘Winner Shield’ insignia of the
World Travel Awards after
capturing the coveted prize of ‘Leading Caribbean Honeymoon Destination for 2014’.
Saint Lucia was adjudged winner in a
category that included long time competitors
Barbados, Antigua and Jamaica to name a few.
In selecting Saint Lucia as the winner, officials
of the World Travel Awards™ say the accolades
exist to recognize, acknowledge and celebrate
4 Saint Lucian Slate
February 2015
excellence in travel tourism and hospitality,
which was why Saint Lucia was chosen by fellow professionals across the globe for a World
Travel Award™.
“This hallmark of travel excellence will
demonstrate to both consumers and fellow
professionals that you are recognized by the
industry as the very best in your region,” the
august body noted in a congratulatory note.
SLTB tourism officials have expressed
delight in winning the prestigious award for
yet another year. “This is testament to not
only our hard work across the entire industry
but critically our robust efforts and innovative
initiatives like the highly successful wedding
symposium and the multiple hosting of the
Bachelor series that have allowed us, as a des-
tination, to not only keep our pulse on the
weddings and honeymoon markets but to stay
ahead of the game,” said an elated Tourism
Director Louis Lewis. Saint Lucia he says intends to use the World Travel Award™ Winner
Shield© on all its marketing, advertising and
promotional communications.
The island last won the award of Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination in
2012. No stranger to receiving this coveted
trophy, Saint Lucia also won the award in 2012
to 2010 and 2009 respectively. Saint Lucia
has also captured the title of World Leading
Honeymoon Destination for several years.
For more information about the island of
Saint Lucia call 1-800 456-3984, or 1-888
4STLUCIA or visit www.saintlucianow.com.
Consulate General of Saint Lucia Website
W
e at the Consulate General of Saint Lucia in Toronto are proud to introduce the establishment of our new website. On this page, you are able to download all forms required for various applications such as the passport applications, NIC applications, Emergency Travel documents, Saint Lucia Non-immigrant Visa and Saint
Lucia Citizenship. Resources and services that will guide and provide assistance to you are also available. The website will also keep you abreast with all the latest news coming out of St. Lucia. For more information visit us at
www.stluciaconsulate.ca.
DOWNLOAD FORMS
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NICApplication
EmergencyTravelDocument
VisaApplication
CitizenshipApplication
BirthCertificateGuide
Moreformsavailable
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www.stluciaconsulate.ca
SickKids-Caribbean Initiative
Sandals Foundation opens first Telemedicine Room at Victoria Hospital
By Sandals - Monday, October 13th, 2014 at 3:04 PM
PRESS RELEASE - The Sandals Foundation
has commissioned a CAD$200,000 telemedicine room at Victoria Hospital in St. Lucia,
the first of its kind, here in the country.
The telemedicine room, which opened on
October 10, 2014, comes through partnership with the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI) – a not-for-profit collaboration
between The Hospital for Sick Children
(SickKids) in Toronto and various institutions across six Caribbean islands.
Through partnerships in Saint Lucia, Barbados, The Bahamas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica, the
SCI works to provide the best possible management for pediatric cancer and to improve
the survival ratefor children affected by cancer
and serious blood disorders in the Caribbean.
Adam Stewart, President of the Sandals Foundation and CEO of Sandals Resorts International notes “I believe that
children who suffer from cancer in the
Caribbean should have access to healthcare as children in Canada. This is why
February 2015
Saint Lucian Slate 5
I am proud to champion this project.”
The facility will allow medical professionals in the Caribbean to connect with
SickKids oncologists and hematologists in
Canada to collaborate on clinical consultations
and facilitate training and education to support the early identification and
treatment of children living with these
devastating diseases in the Caribbean.
It is believed that children in the Caribbean have an approximately 50% chance
of surviving cancer while those in Canada have an 85% chance. Through the
establishment of this room, children of
Saint Lucia will have a greater chance at
survival for the life they deserve to live.
“Our collective goal is to ensure that more
Caribbean children are able to survive
their diagnosis, and lead healthy, productive lives. One of the ways that will help us
achieve this goal is the improved technology
and connectivity provided by the new Sandals Foundation Telemedicine Room at the
Victoria Hospital.” says Dr. Victor Blanchette, McCaig Magee Family Medical Director for the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative.
Also present at Friday’s event were Acting Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Philip J.
Pierre and Minister of Health Alvina Reynolds among other key members of Cabinet.
Since the Launch of the SCI in February
2013, the Sandals Foundation has donated
in excess of CAD$250,000 to the initiative.
Telemedicine rooms are already in operation in The Bahamas, Barbados, and St.
Vincent and the Grenadines under the SCI
initiative; Saint Lucia marks the newest addition with a new telemedicine room. Jamaica
is earmarked for later this year.
President of the Sandals Foundation Mr.
Adam Stewart (center) flacked by Medical
Consultant to the Victoria Hospital Mr. Stephen King and Health Minister Hon. Alvina
Reynolds (right) as well as Acting Prime Minister Hon. Phillip J. Perrier and President &
CEO of the Sick Kids Foundation Ted Garrard
at Friday’s official handing over ceremony.
Launching Of Saint Lucia Art and Music Festival 2015
By SLTB - Friday, February 6th, 2015 at 6:11 AM
The annual Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, now in its 24th year, raises the curtain on April 30 with a line-up of performers who blends island culture, famed
musical talent and diverse music genres.
Internationally renowned performers taking center stage this year include singer/
songwriter Robin Thicke, two-time Grammy
winner Jon Secada, Jamaican reggae musician and actor Jimmy Cliff, Latin sensation Timbalive, American rapper Flo Rida,
acclaimed Paris-based pianist Alain Jean
Marie and two-time Grammy nominee
Joey DeFranceso featuring Grant Stewart.
The 11-day festival kicks off on April
30 and runs through May 10 featuring hundreds of musical performances
and art showcases throughout the island.
Locations span from Saint Lucia’s iconic
Pigeon Island National Park, where main
stage events will kick-off on Friday, May
8, to various other venues island wide.
“This year’s festival continues to infuse
artistic events with star-studded musical
performances, providing a platform for local artisans, entertainers and cultural enthusiasts to also command world attention during the two-week celebration,”
remarked Tourism, Heritage and Creative
Industries Minister Lorne Theophilus.
Presented by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, the festival continues to attract some of the most recognizable and
sought after names in the music business and has become a magnet for visitors
from the U.S., according to Theophilus.
Completing the line-up is a string of other
local entertainers, together with more than
100 local artisans, who will perform at jazz
venues island wide throughout the festival.
Top row: Robin Thicke and Beres Hammond;
Bottom row :Jimmy Cliff and Chronixx
With a renewed emphasis on the arts component of the festival, an Arts Village will be
incorporated in a dedicated site in the north
between two major shopping areas, while the
acclaimed fashion show, “Hot Couture,” will
return with a spotlight on Saint Lucia and
the region’s cutting edge style.
Save the date
Calgary
Toronto
Independence Anniversary Gala
Saturday, 14th March, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Saint Lucia Calgary Cultural Centre
1135 37th Street SW, Calgary
Independence Flag Raising Ceremony
Friday, 20th February, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.
City Hall
100 Queen Street West, Toronto
MIONTREAL
Independence Anniversary Gala
Saturday, 21st February, 2015 at 6:00 p.m.
Le Parc Banquet Hall
8432 Leslie Street, Thornhill
Independence Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, 22nd February, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
3970 Cote Ste. Catherine Road, Montreal
6 Saint Lucian Slate
February 2015
Independence Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, 22nd February, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
Prince of Peace Catholic Church
265 Alton Towers Circle, Scarborough
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I got married in Saint Lucia. How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate?
A. If you were married in Saint Lucia and would like to
obtain a copy of your Marriage Certificate, you must apply to
the Registry of Civil Status.
Please visit the Government of Saint Lucia website to
download the “Application for a Vital Record” and complete.
Also enclose a letter addressed to the Registrar to the
following address:
The Registrar
Registry of Civil Status
Peynier Street
Castries
Saint Lucia, WI
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel No: 758 468 3195
Hours: Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Open to public from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Please include the following in the letter:
1. Date of Marriage
2. Names of Parties (Husband and Wife)
3. Maiden name of the Bride
4. Where you got married (e.g. Hotel or Church)
If you would like the document urgently, please include a
prepaid FedEx envelope.
Fee: Postal Order or Money Order of USD$10, payable to
The Registrar.
Processing time: 5 to 10 business days
National Flowers
The Rose and the Marguerite are the symbols of the two flower societies of Saint Lucia. They emerged as winners of the
National Flower Competition in September 1985. The national flowers are associated with the Flower Festivals.
The National Flower Festivals: La Rose
and La Marguerite
Where, in some countries, the population may be divided
into classes and castes, in the context of Saint Lucia’s Cultural
traditions there exist two ‘Societies’, Roses and Marguerites singing societies whose members are dedicated to the praising
of those respective flowers.
Each society holds an annual festival or grande fete, an elaborate and colourful event full of pomp and pageantry, which is
preceded by several months of nightly singing practices called
“Seances”.
Presiding over the annual festivals are the ‘King’ and ‘Queen
who are accompanied by their royal entourage of Dukes,
Duch¬esses, Princes, Princesses, Soldiers, Policemen, Magistrates, Doctors, nurses, the clerical hierarchy and supporters
of the respective flowers. Strict protocol is observed at those nightly Seances,
with every visitor or participating member, upon entering, bowing to the
King and Queen who are present with their court. Police and soldiers in uniform enforce regulations against any disorder, breaches of protocol, or what
are consid¬ered misdemeanors. Offenders are taken before a magistrate for a
mock trial and then fined.
Each society has a patron saint on whose feast day the grande fete is celebrated. For the Roses it is the feast of St. Rose of Lima on the 30th August;
and for the Marguerites it is that of St. Margaret Mary Alacocque, 17th October. The grande fete is celebrated, first with church services through¬out
the island and afterwards with processions through the streets, the principal
personages magnificently attired. In the evening there is a sumptuous banquet to which dignitaries and leading personalities are invited. The rest of the
evening is spent in dancing. One can then witness and participate in some of
the colourful folk dances, the Quadrille, the Mappa, the Belair and such like.
Source: www.govt.lc
Kweyol Corner
Ki lès ou ka vlé? = Which one do you want?
Ko ou té yé? = Where were you?
Ki sa ki* wivé ou? = What’s the matter with you?
Ès ou konpwann? = Do you understand?
Nou pa ni ayen pou ba ou. = We have nothing to give you.
Ki lès ou ka vlé? = Which one do you want?
Source: A Visitor’s Guide to Saint Lucian Patois, Mary W. Toynbee, 1969
February 2015
Saint Lucian Slate 7
Consulate General of Saint Lucia
60 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 909 Toronto, Ontario M4T 1N5
Tel: 416-203-8400 Fax: 416-203-8486
Email: [email protected] Web: www.stluciaconsulate.ca
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch (CLOSED)
8 Saint Lucian Slate
February 2015