Canadian High Commissioner eyes transformative partnership on visit to A&B

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High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Brenda Wills. (Photo by Robert A Emmanuel)
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By Robert Andre Emmanuel

[email protected]

As a member of the Red River Métis—an indigenous community in Canada—and a seasoned trade policy expert within the Canadian foreign affairs service, newly appointed High Commissioner Brenda Wills brings a unique perspective to Caribbean diplomacy that could reshape bilateral relations between Canada and the Eastern Caribbean.

Last Wednesday, after presenting her letter of introduction to Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Wills outlined an ambitious agenda to Observer media that spans from climate resilience initiatives to enhanced security cooperation—signalling what could be a transformative period in Canadian-Caribbean relations.

The High Commissioner’s four-year mandate will focus on implementing and enhancing the Canada-CARICOM Strategic Partnership, which outlines joint priorities including climate resilience, inclusive economic growth, multilateral cooperation, and regional security.

“Through this partnership, we’re focusing on promoting climate resilience, building inclusive and sustainable economies, enhancing multilateral cooperation, and bolstering bilateral regional security,” she stated.

With an extensive diplomatic portfolio including roles as counsellor and senior trade commissioner at the High Commission of Canada to Singapore, trade policy counsellor at the Embassy of Canada to Mexico, and senior trade commissioner at the Embassy of Canada to Colombia, Wills brings substantial experience in international trade relations to her new role.

Most recently, she served as chief of staff to Canada’s Chief Trade Commissioner and Assistant Deputy Minister for International Business Development at Global Affairs Canada, positioning her to leverage commercial opportunities between both nations.

Those opportunities appear significant, particularly in infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. According to Global Affairs Canada, in 2023, Canadian merchandise exports to Antigua and Barbuda reached $6.3 million. This tally included essential goods like electronic equipment and industrial machinery Meanwhile, Antiguan products exported to Canada totalled approximately $300,000.

The High Commissioner outlined specific programs that could benefit local communities, businesses, and government institutions over her four-year tenure.

Antigua and Barbuda, like most regional countries, have a heavy dependence on its northern neighbours for essential goods.

Wills highlighted untapped potential for increased bilateral trade in the areas of infrastructure, clean technology, and agriculture.

One immediate area of impact is disaster preparation and response where through CDEMA, the region’s disaster management agency, Canada has demonstrated significant practical support, responding to natural disasters such as the 2020 flooding in St John’s Rural West and Hurricane Irma in 2017.

“We have another key project funded to strengthen the regional response mechanism,” Wills explained, noting Canada’s “Caribbean Early Recovery Fund” aimed at providing quick support for local recovery projects after natural disasters.

Wills highlighted Canada’s substantial financial commitments to global climate initiatives that Antigua and Barbuda can access. “We’ve provided significant funding through global mechanisms,” she noted, citing contributions including “CA$241.8 million to the Global Environment Facility and CA$34.2 million to the Special Climate Change Fund.”

Meanwhile, the timing of Wills’ appointment and visit coincided with the Canadian Armed Forces training activities at Camp Blizzard, where she met with Chief of Defence Staff Brigadier General Telbert Benjamin and discussed a plethora of regional and national defence issues.

Beyond traditional military exercises, their discussions included potential youth development through cadet programmes and Canada’s commitment of approximately $1.2 million through its Anti-Crime Capacity Building Programme.

“We’re currently exploring how we can work with the Defence Force on encouraging youth,” Wills revealed, suggesting new opportunities could be coming for young Antiguans interested in military or leadership training.

“We’re proud to support Antigua and Barbuda’s preparations by providing training in operational and exercise planning,” she added.

In the education space, High Commissioner Wills noted the strong educational ties between both countries as Canadian universities continue to engage in regular recruitment visits to Antigua and Barbuda.

“Every second or third person had some link to education in Canada. Either they’d studied in Canada, or they had a family member that studied in Canada,” she observed.

Additionally, she highlighted Canada’s $3 million commitment to establish the Caribbean Future Skills Fund to benefit local technical and vocational training.

“We recognize the value technical and vocational education training has on a country’s economic growth,” Wills explained, “This fund originates from aspirations of regional leaders and will help build a workforce that can capitalize on technological innovation.”

She noted that this programme could create additional pathways for Antiguans to gain practical skills in emerging industries such as green technologies.

As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to host the Organization of American States General Assembly and also the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Wills sees opportunities to elevate bilateral relations beyond traditional diplomatic frameworks.

Following the successful hosting of SIDS4 in May 2024, the nation secured two major diplomatic victories: the Organization of American States voted in June to hold its 55th General Assembly here in 2025—marking the first Caribbean hosting in 22 years—and in October, Antigua and Barbuda was confirmed as host for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), becoming the smallest nation ever to host the 56-country gathering.

“What’s really struck me is the very close historical ties, cultural people-to-people connections, and the warmth between our countries,” Wills reflected, as she begins her four-year term.

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