Canada work scheme likely

Monday, June 19, 2006



Ambassador Jesoni Vitusagavulu with Canadian Governor-General Michaelle Jean

FIJI'S High Commissioner to Canada is exploring the possibility of a guest workers program there for fruit pickers and caregivers.

The scheme allows workers from Mexico and the Philippines to enter Canada and work for a time as caregivers and fruit pickers in places like Kamloop, in British Columbia.

Jesoni Vitusagavulu, who is envoy to the United States of America and Mexico as well, is expected to visit Surrey, in British Columbia this week as guest of the Surrey Chamber of Commerce.

A statement from his office said he would meet with senior officials of the BC provincial government to explore opportunities for partnership with the province, including the guest workers scheme.

Mr Vitusagavulu became High Commissioner to Canada in a ceremony formalised in Ottawa last Tuesday when Canada's Governor-General Michaelle Jean accepted his letters of credentials from the President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo.

The position of high commissioner to Canada was previously held by former police chief Isikia Savua, who will now concentrate on being our Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Other trade issues for discussion include the possibility of lifting of a ban on the sale of kava in Canada.

Mr Vitusagavulu said it was a matter he raised in a meeting with Canadian parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Health Steven Fletcher during a meeting last week.

The ban cut kava exports to Canada from August 2002 after fears that kava caused liver diseases.

Last week Mr Vitusagavulu provided Ms Jean with a brief update on political and economic developments here. "She was very interested in the multi-party Cabinet concept that we have introduced in Fiji," he said. "She was equally interested to hear about the strategies Fiji is pursuing to expand our exports against the backdrop of a challenging international trading environment."

He said Ms Jean was optimistic Fiji would succeed in its political and economic endeavours.

FROM: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=43439