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Check Out Our New Blog Posts!
Dear Friends of the Canada-Caribbean Institute:
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This newsletter brings you a number of stories we hope you find interesting. The big CCI news is that we have started planning our 2026 Research Symposium, to be held at the St. Augustine Campus of the The UWI in February 2026.
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If you enjoy receiving this newsletter, please consider forwarding it to those in your networks who might also find it interesting... and tell them to subscribe.
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If you have a story, or ideas for relevant content, that you think we should look at, please do not hesitate to get in touch,
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The State University of Haiti strengthens its academic ties in Canada
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Published 17/10/2025 by Annik Chalifour The Rector of the State University of Haiti (UEH), Dr. Dieuseul Prédélus, recently held a series of meetings at Glendon College of York University, as well as at Laval University, with a view to accelerating the implementation of concrete university partnerships. "To conclude a collaboration agreement opening pathways for student and faculty mobility, and to advance priority projects in …
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Haiti elections ‘impossible’ by 2026 government turnover deadline
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Haiti’s electoral council said ongoing violence and lack of funds make holding elections ‘materially impossible,’ an apparent failure in filling the mandate that ushered in the transitional government by Juhakenson Blaise Nov. 04, 2025 Overview: The Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) has announced that due to persistent insecurity and the lack of guaranteed funding, holding elections in Haiti is ‘materially impossible’ before …
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Jamaicans in Canada eager to help their homeland
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Government of Jamaica information on how to help November 3, 2025 As Jamaican-Canadians consider how they can help their homeland, ravaged by the fury of Hurricane Melissa, the Jamaican High Commission in Ottawa held a meeting last week underscoring that it is vital to prepare for recovery and reconstruction efforts. The high commission and the consulate-general initiated discussions with the …
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Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Global Response Mobilizes
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“This is about reclaiming our sense of security, our dignity, our future.” By Simone Smith, November 1, 2025 As dawn breaks over Jamaica, in many places the air hangs thick with the smell of saltwater and debris. Hurricane Melissa, a monstrous Category 5 storm, has carved a path of destruction across our beloved island, leaving communities to reckon with unprecedented …
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CARICOM and UNICEF report reveals alarming levels of anxiety and depression among Caribbean youth
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New regional study highlights urgent need for stronger mental health support and services for children and adolescents. Kareem Smith, 27 October 2025 Friday, 24 October 2025, Bridgetown — A groundbreaking new report by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat and UNICEF has revealed that a significant number of children and adolescents across the Caribbean are experiencing high levels of anxiety, depression and …
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Resilience in Action: The UWI’s commitment to Jamaica
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The University of the West Indies (The UWI) extends its deepest solidarity to the people and the Government of Jamaica in the wake of the most powerful hurricane to ever impact the nation. Our hearts go out to all individuals and institutions affected by this unprecedented disaster. It is a sobering reminder of the escalating effects of climate change and …
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CARICOM-CANADA TRADE RELATIONS
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CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IN A CHANGING GLOBAL LANDSCAPE Prepared by Robert Ready, Alicia D. Nicholls and Kai L. Hazlewood October 2025 This policy brief examines the current state of trade relations between Canada and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), identifying key trends, persistent challenges and emerging opportunities in an evolving global landscape. Despite longstanding diplomatic and economic …
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Ali welcomes Islamic Development Bank, IDB Group’s $1 billion financing for Suriname, Guyana development
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Denis Chabrol October 29, 2025 President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday welcomed the US$1 billion pledge by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) to support development in Suriname and Guyana over the next five years, and signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). “Guyana continues to enjoy strong response from the global market. There …
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Canada announces humanitarian assistance in response to Hurricane Melissa
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News release October 30, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada Hurricane Melissa has severely affected the Caribbean region, causing loss of life, as well as damage to homes and infrastructure, impacting local communities and economies. Today, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), announced $7 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to support emergency relief efforts in …
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George Brown College changes name to stand out in crowded higher-education marketplace
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October 30, 2025 Joe Friesen Postsecondary Education Reporter George Brown College is changing its name in order to differentiate itself in a crowded, and financially strained, higher-education marketplace. The school’s new name will be George Brown Polytechnic. It plans to make the announcement Thursday morning. It’s the third Ontario college to embrace the polytechnic name in the past two years, a time …
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PM signals major foreign policy shift; T&T looks beyond Caricom
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Akash Samaroo, Lead Editor - Politics akash.samaroo@cnc3.co.t October 29, 2025 After accusing Caricom of betraying Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar says her Government will now look to significantly realign its foreign policy with a focus on countries outside of the region. Yesterday, Persad-Bissessar reiterated that she does not view Caricom as a “reliable partner” and said that over the next …
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How Jamaica took out an insurance policy for itself, and why it’s about to pay off after Hurricane Melissa
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$150M US ‘catastrophe bond’ issued last year headed to full payout, will provide Jamaica immediate help A detailed look at a financing instrument that offers potential to help the Caribbean and others when disaster strikes. by Inayat Singh Inayat Singh covers the environment and climate change at CBC News. He is based in Toronto and has previously reported from Winnipeg. …
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Canada–Caribbean Institute Urges Swift Canadian Relief Response Following Hurricane Melissa
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Media ReleaseFor Immediate Release Canada–Caribbean Institute Urges Swift Canadian Relief Response Following Hurricane MelissaToronto, Canada — October 29, 2025 The Canada–Caribbean Institute (CCI) expresses deep concern for the people of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba and other Caribbean nations devastated by Hurricane Melissa. As communities face the destruction of homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, the Institute stands in solidarity with those affected and …
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Jamaica - Information on Melissa's impact
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Following Hurricane Melissa's hit on Jamaica the full extent of the damage is just becoming known. Information is hard to come by. The Government of Jamaica has set up a single window for information on the situation at https://supportjamaica.gov.jm This government-run portal was launched to coordinate national recovery efforts following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. Here’s what you’ll find …
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Eye of Melissa moves past Jamaica after hitting as strongest hurricane in the region in 174 years
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Heavy floodwaters swept across southwestern Jamaica, winds tore roofs off buildings and boulders tumbled onto roads Tuesday as Hurricane Melissa came ashore as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record. Landslides, fallen trees and numerous power outages were reported as Melissa came ashore with 295 km/h winds near New Hope, with officials cautioning that …
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Contagion Control
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Fall 2025 Researchers use math to calculate the spread of mosquito-borne diseases by Deirdre Kelly Mathematics is often seen as a world apart – full of abstract theories and distant from daily concerns. Yet, in a York University lab, equations are being put to work on one of the most urgent challenges in public health: understanding how diseases like Zika virus spread. …
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Trade uncertainty threatens economy
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Shawn Cumberbatch October 27, 2025 The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has slightly lowered its 2025 growth forecast for Barbados from three per cent to 2.7 per cent, is advising the island and other Caribbean economies to diversify their import sources geographically “as a strategic way to bolster economic resilience over time”. This advice comes with a warning that “persistent …
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PM: Caricom has chosen Venezuela over T&T
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October 28, 2025 Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Caricom has proven to be an unreliable partner, as it has chosen Venezuela over Trinidad and Tobago. In an interview on Ian Alleyne’s Crime Watch programme on Monday night, the Prime Minister was asked whether she believes she has the full support of regional heads in Caricom regarding Trinidad and Tobago’s position …
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‘Untenable situation in southern Caribbean’
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Mottley urges rejection of US military action in Caribbean October 27, 2025 Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley says the United States’ (US) military action in the Caribbean should be rejected, asserting that the region must remain a zone of peace. Mottley, who was speaking at her Barbados Labour Party’s annual conference on Saturday, said the Caribbean is facing a multiplicity …
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"Madan Sara" film screening
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The Canada Caribbean Institute and Universities Caribbean collaborated for an online screening of the film Madan Sara by Director Etant Dupain. The screening was followed by a discussion panel consisting of: Sandra Wisner, Director of the International Human Rights Program at the University of Toronto, Henry N.R. Jackman Faculty of Law Dr. Sabine Lamour, Professor, Université d’Etat d’Haiti and Visiting Professor at the …
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Hurricane Melissa: How to help
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Note: we will update this message over the next several days as further information becomes available. Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba are being hit with a potentially Category 5 hurricane. Headlines suggest this could be Jamaica's most powerful storm in history. They are going to need more than thoughts and prayers to recover from the effects. While it is too soon …
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10 former Caricom heads urge end to military action in region
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Ten former Caribbean Community (Caricom) leaders have expressed unease at the increased military build up and presence of nuclear vessels and aircraft in the Caribbean, saying that it poses a threat to the safety and livelihood of the region’s peoples. At the same time, they have called for a pull back from the activities in order to prevent the region …
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42 years after the assassination of Grenada’s Maurice Bishop, can the Caribbean remain a “zone of peace”?
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https://globalvoices.org/2025/10/20/forty-two-years-after-the-assassination-of-grenadas-maurice-bishop-can-the-caribbean-remain-a-zone-of-peace/
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Tropical Storm Melissa puts Caribbean's most flood-vulnerable places at risk
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It's still uncertain which way Melissa will track, and how quickly, but the storm is likely to bring colossal rains and life-threatening flooding to multiple islands in the Caribbean. By Yale Climate Connections, Jeff Masters, Bob Henson A Hurricane Watch is up for the south coast of Haiti and a Tropical Storm Watch for Jamaica as newly-formed Tropical Storm Melissa chugs west across …
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Carney says Canada should prepare for ‘sacrifices’ as he outlines plan for budget
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Liberals aim to double non–U.S. exports over next decade, prime minister says Darren Major, Ben Andrews · CBC News · Oct 22, 2025 Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canadians should be ready for some “challenges” and “sacrifices” in a speech outlining some of his government’s priorities for the upcoming federal budget. Carney touted that his government is preparing to “build a stronger economy” against the …
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Jamaica joins regional effort to support women in climate projects
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October 23, 2025 Jamaica is among eight Caribbean countries to join a Gender Smart Facility led by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) and Global Affairs Canada to transform how climate finance reaches women and vulnerable communities. Unlike traditional climate funding, this CA$4 million ($458 million) initiative embeds gender analysis at every stage of project development – from community consultation to …
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Vice-Chancellor's Forum on Free Movement of CARICOM nationals
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Free Movement, The CSME and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project On October 21, 2025 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) held a Vice-Chancellor’s Forum. Titled “Promises, Passports, and Possibilities: Free Movement, the CSME, and the Caribbean Regionalisation Project.” The forum aimed to explore the long-standing aspirations of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) for seamless mobility among Caribbean nationals. The …
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Conversations about Health in Black Communities: Family Past, Family Future
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Information on this event...being held today, October 22, 2025 ...was recently shared. Please register at the link below. The Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program (CDTRP) and the Caribbean African Regenerative Medicine (CARM) Project have partnered to bring you a webinar series focused on health and wellbeing in African, Caribbean and Black communities. "Conversations About Health in Black Communities" explores …
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About the the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI)
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The CCI is a collaboration between Caribbean and Canadian universities and colleges. The mission of the Institute is to provide a forum:
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to connect academic institutions, scholars, the business and public sectors, civil society, the cultural and diaspora communities
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to inform and encourage collaboration across Canada and the Caribbean to advance important social, environmental, and economic issues that are vital to the shared prosperity and advancement of both regions; and
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to identify impediments and opportunities related to such progress.
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For more information please visit our website
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