President Ali hails deep connection, exceptional relationship with Canada

…accredits new High Commissioner to Guyana

With Guyana and Canada already sharing a strong bilateral relationship, President Dr Irfaan Ali has noted that these ties are grounded in the deep connection between the two hemispheric states and their peoples.
The Guyanese Head of State made these remarks on Tuesday when he accepted the Letters of Credence from the new High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin.

According to a post on his Facebook page, President Ali, during his brief remarks, lauded the “exceptional relationship” between the two countries, which he said has been built on shared culture, value systems and respect for law and democracy.
He further underscored that the relationship between the two countries is not only defined by trade, investment, and project planning but also by a deep connection between people and states.
Last month, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, announced the diplomatic appointment of Sigouin, who will serve as High Commissioner (Designate) to Guyana, Ambassador (Designate) to the Republic of Suriname, and Plenipotentiary Representative (Designate) to the Caribbean Community (Caricom).
High Commissioner Sigouin is replacing Mark Berman, who wrapped up his four-year tenure in Guyana last month and will now serve as Canada’s High Commissioner in Jamaica.
According to Global Affairs Canada’s website, Sigouin (LLB, University of Sherbrooke, 1993; PhD and LLM [International Relations], Graduate, Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva, 2002) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1997 as a human rights and humanitarian affairs adviser.
At Headquarters, he has also served as manager of the International Program and Director of Policy for the Canadian Human Rights Commission (2002 to 2010). He was also Director of Strategic Planning and Operations for Canada’s development assistance programming (2010 to 2015), Deputy Head of the Permanent Mission of Canada to the Organization of American States (2015 to 2018), and Executive Director responsible for relations with Central American countries, Cuba and the Dominican Republic (2018 to 2022). Most recently, he was Executive Director of the Haiti Division.
Guyana and Canada established diplomatic ties on May 26, 1966 and have enjoyed a close working relationship over the past 50 plus years. Currently, Canada is home to a Guyanese diaspora of close to 100,000 persons.
In terms of trade relations, Guyana is one of Canada’s largest trading partners within Caricom.
Based on information on the Government of Canada’s website, merchandise trade between the two countries totaled CA$272.7 million in 2023. Exports for 2023 were valued at CA$59.1 million and imports were valued at CA$213.5 million.
Currently, Canadian mining companies are actively exploring in Guyana while Canadian companies are seeking joint ventures in Guyana’s oil and gas market.
In December 2020, a Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) was launched and an Air Transport Agreement is being finalized between both countries.
Moreover, Canada’s international assistance supports Guyana’s efforts to foster climate resilience, economic growth, and inclusive governance. Gender equality is at the forefront, in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
In February 2024, at the 46th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Georgetown, Guyana, Canada reiterated its commitment to the region by announcing CA$39.2 million in further funding for four new international assistance projects aimed at advancing climate action, biodiversity conservation, food security, economic resilience, sustainable and inclusive governance, health, and gender equality.
Canada also announced a new partnership with the Government of Guyana to contribute up to CA$9.5 million in support of their One Guyana Digital Skills Development Programme. This initiative will promote economic opportunities and gender equality by empowering thousands of young Guyanese with skills and training for the digital economy.
Further, Canada announced CA$120 million in funding to the Government of Guyana, which will be provided over 10 years through a policy-based loan with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This Canada-led development loan initiative will strengthen the protection of marginalized populations by enhancing the capacity of Guyana’s Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to efficiently deliver social programs and promote gender equality. The loan will include a climate-resilient debt clause, which automatically defers debt payments if Guyana experiences a climate incident, natural disaster, pandemic or epidemic.
Meanwhile, at the 2023 Canada-CARICOM Leaders’ Summit held in Ottawa, Canada made several multi-million-dollar announcements that also benefit Guyana.
In addition, Canada is extending its support to Guyana through innovative programmes, encompassing essential Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health services for Indigenous communities and remote hinterland populations lacking access to quality healthcare. (G8)