Posted by Admin Wednesday June 13 2012 in
News
St. Lucian visitors claiming refugee
status in Canada is an issue of serious concern for both the Canadian and St.
Lucian governments, says new consul general, Michael Willius.
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| CONSUL GENERAL- MICHAEL WILLIUS |
Nationals from the eastern Caribbean
island do not need a visa to travel to Canada as visitors, but the new diplomat
is concerned that could change if his country people continue to make false
claims to stay in the country.
“These people don’t realize they are
hurting the healthy relationship that exists between Canada and St. Lucia and
also our country’s image,” said Willius, who took up his new appointment on May
28. “Also, there is no reason for a St. Lucian to be seeking refugee status
here because we don’t have a state that oppresses our people. For those wanting
to come to Canada for extended periods, there are legitimate ways in which you
could go about doing that.”
A University of the West Indies
Management Studies graduate, Willius held several strategic posts in the public
and private sectors. He was an agricultural economist with the Ministry of
Agriculture, trading manager with the Caribbean Agricultural Trading Company,
general manager with the St. Lucia Marketing Board, managing director of
Packaging Solutions Ltd. and chief executive officer of the St. Lucia Free Zone
Management Authority.
This is his first diplomatic
posting.
“It’s something new and a fresh challenge,”
Willius admitted. “It’s an opportunity to serve my country and I will do that
to the best of my ability. The government is currently reviewing its external
policies so that it can reposition itself in a constantly changing world
environment. That review will be completed shortly and I intend to use it as a
compass to see what I can do here to promote trade and foreign investment.”
With the closing of the Organization
of Eastern Caribbean States High Commission in Ottawa, Willius effectively has
jurisdiction for nationals across Canada.
“It’s a big responsibility, but I am
hoping that out of the review, the government will find it fitting to provide a
greater presence in Canada,” he said.
Willius intends to meet shortly with
the leadership of organizations and action groups in the Greater Toronto Area,
Ottawa and Calgary to share his views and get a sense from them as to what he
can do to advance their causes.
“One of the things I would like to
do is get St. Lucians in Canada to undertake a project that will financially
benefit both them and our country,” said Willius, who owns a business that
imports food products from China, Vietnam and Costa Rica. “It has to be
something that goes beyond patriotism and it must be a win-win for both sides.
I think that’s the only way you can sustain people’s interest and enthusiasm in
the long run.”
Prior to coming to Canada, Willius
served as president of the Rotary Club of St. Lucia South and the St. Lucia
Industrial & Small Business Association, director of the National
Development Corporation, the Windward & Leeward Brewery Ltd. and the Free
Zone Management Authority and chair of the Southern Tourism Development
Corporation.
Willius replaced Stephen Julien who
was recalled two months ago.
SOURCE:
http://sharenews.com/st-lucian-refugees-a-major-concern-for-new-c-g/
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