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Bahamas 40th Anniversary of Independence Bahamas High Commission OttawaCalendar of Events

May 28th 2013 Bahamas High Commissioner to Canada Travels to Prince Edward Island and MeetsBahamian Students

 

The celebrations for The Bahamas’ 40th Anniversary of Independence began with a luncheonhosted by His Excellency Dr. Calsey Johnson and Mrs. Johnson while in Prince Edward Islandfor this year’s Diplomatic Economic Mission. High Commissioner Johnson and thirteen (13)Bahamian students shared experiences with each other in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. 

The High Commissioner described this first interaction with Bahamian students, particularly thisgroup who are working during their summer break to pay for next year’s academic expenses asa positive demonstration of the tenacity of Bahamians to further their education.  Dr. Johnson has been charged with the responsibility to deepen foreign direct investment fromCanada to The Commonwealth of the Bahamas while holding office in Canada.  Dr. Johnsonand other Mission Heads visited the PEI Mussel King Mussel Processing Plant, the GeorgetownWharf (fishing boats and mussel operation viewing), Wind Energy Research Centre, VectorAerospace, Cavendish Farms (food processing facilities), Bio Vectra Bioscience sector amongother stops.

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Bahamian students studying in Prince Edward Island attend a luncheon hosted by HisExcellency Dr Calsey Johnson High Commissioner to Canada on Friday, May 17th 2013.  

Bahamian students studying in Prince Edward Island attend a luncheon hosted by HisExcellency Dr Calsey Johnson High Commissioner to Canada on Friday, May 17th 2013.   July 7th 2013Bahamas High Commissioner Hosts Bahamas’ 40th Independence Celebration  The Bahamas High Commissioner, His Excellency Dr. Calsey Johnson hosted a poolsidereception in Ottawa, Ontario on July 6th for members of the Diplomatic Corps, Canadianofficials, Bahamians and friends of The Bahamas from all over Canada, to celebrate the 40thAnniversary of Bahamian sovereignty and Independence.The Honorable V. Alfred Gray Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Governmentbrought remarks on behalf of the Prime Minister the Right Honorable Perry G. Christie and theBahamian people.  The event was attended by the Dean of the CARICOM Heads of Mission,His Excellency Evelyn Greaves, other CARICOM Heads of Mission, High Commissioners andAmbassadors from around the world.Guests were treated to the native sounds of the Bahamas by the Royal Bahamas Police ForceBand who flew in for the special occasion.  The pool-side event also featured lots of Bahamiantreats such as coconut tart, pineapple tart, conch chowder, peas and rice, chicken, fish,macaroni and cheese, chicken souse, Johnny cake and the crowd-favorite Bahamian conchfritters.  By all accounts, the celebration was one of the best ever held at the residence.The festivities began with the 40th Anniversary prayer; the event’s sponsor, Royal Bank ofCanada in the person of Mr. Andrew Arnott, Vice President of Commercial Banking, spokebriefly about their involvement in community initiatives and how pleased they were to assist inbringing the Royal Bahamas Police Force band to Canada.  The Director General for the LatinAmerica and the Caribbean Bureau of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs andInternational Trade and Development, highlighted the fact that 2013 also marks 40 years ofdiplomatic relations between Canada and The Bahamas as Canada was one of the firstcountries to recognize the newly independent Bahamas.   Minister Gray welcomed guests and thanked them for joining The Bahamas in celebrating thismilestone.   The Minister highlighted the importance for all countries to continue to adopt valuesand principles that would foster democracy.   The Prime Minister’s remarks encouragedBahamians to recommit themselves to confronting our challenges so that we can march on to amore prosperous future.   This year’s Independence theme of “The Bridge to the Future… TheJourney Continues” reinforces the need for Bahamians to continue to tap into our resources andvast potential as individuals within the nation.   The Prime Minister charged the people of TheBahamas to look within themselves to “develop a greater spirit of service and volunteerism”.  Bahamians, the Prime Minister said can no longer rest on their laurels and wait for thegovernment to act.  The Prime Minister continued that we each have a duty as Bahamians tohelp our nation become the best little country on the Earth.The Honorable Fred Mitchell, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration in his written message,conveyed his best wishes to all Bahamians.  He said that after four decades of transformationfor and by the Bahamian people, our country stands as a beacon in the region, exemplifyingstability, good governance, steady economic growth and pervasive social freedoms for herpeople.  We indeed have much to be thankful for.  The 40th Anniversary was also marked at a church service which was held on Sunday, July 7that Christ Church Cathedral, Ottawa, Ontario.  The Dean of Ottawa and the cathedral’s rectorThe Very Reverend Shane Parker warmly welcomed the Bahamian delegation and othermembers of the diplomatic community.  The Honorable Minister V. Alfred Gray brought remarkson behalf of the Bahamas government and citizens.  In his remarks he noted the very importantachievement of 40 years of sovereignty and Independence accomplished through God’s grace. He also thanked Canada for continuing to be a supporter of The Bahamas.  One of the scripture readings for the service was taken from 2nd Kings Chapter 5:1-14.  TheDean noted that in preparation for our commemoration he ‘Googled’ The Bahamas and found itvery interesting that The Bahamas’ motto of ‘Forward, Upward, Onward, Together’ wasstrikingly similar to the day’s scripture reading.   

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Pictured: Standing: Members of The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band; Seated: L-R: HisExcellency Dr. Calsey Johnson High Commissioner for The Bahamas to Canada, PoliceSuperintendent Ronald Campbell and The Honorable V. Alfred Gray Minister of Agriculture,Marine Resources and Local Government.

Pictured: The Honorable V. Alfred Gray Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and LocalGovernment addresses the reception attendees.

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Pictured:  Donna Lowe, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Bahamas High Commission, Ottawa,Ontario, The Honorable V. Alfred Gray Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and LocalGovernment, Mrs. Dulcena Johnson, wife of His Excellency Dr. Calsey Johnson HighCommissioner for The Bahamas to Canada and His Excellency Dr. Calsey Johnson HighCommissioner for The Bahamas to Canada.

Pictured: Guests enjoying The 40th Independence Reception.  

Pictured: Mr. Andrew Arnott, Vice President of Commercial Banking at Royal Bank of Canada,the official event sponsor.

Pictured: Guests enjoying The 40th Independence Reception.   July 10th 2013Bahamas High Commission Attends Canadian Military’s changing of the CeremonialGuard as part of the Bahamas’ 40th Independence Commemoration. At the invitation of Commanding Officer of the Ceremonial Guard, Major B.M. Plaunt, TheBahamas High Commissioner, His Excellency Dr. Calsey Johnson, his wife Dulcena Johnsonand Mission staff attended a changing of the Ceremonial Guard.  In honor of the 40thAnniversary of Independence of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the High Commissionerand Mission staff viewed the ceremony from the VIP-section of the East Lawn on Canada’sParliament Hill in Ottawa, ON.   A Canadian tradition, the colorful Ceremonial Guard of the Canadian Forces brings stirringmilitary drill and music to Parliament Hill.  The Changing of the Guard ceremony is Ottawa’smost recognized military tradition and is performed daily from late June to the end of August. When required, the Ceremonial Guard mounts Guards of Honor for visiting dignitaries. TheBand of the Ceremonial Guard is the largest in the Canadian Forces; outside of public duties,they perform in public concerts, at military functions and other ceremonies throughout theNational Capital Region. Today, the Ceremonial Guard is a Canadian Army unit of over 400 Regular and Reservesoldiers that includes the Band of the Ceremonial Guard and the Pipes and Drums of theCeremonial Guard. The Guard is also comprised of members of the Royal Canadian Navy andthe Royal Canadian Air Force to execute sentry duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Pictured: Members of the Ceremonial Guard.

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Pictured: His Excellency Dr. Calsey Johnson and members of the Ceremonial Guard.

Pictured: His Excellency Dr Calsey Johnson pictured with his wife Mrs. Dulcena Johnson,Deputy Chief of Mission, Donna Lowe, Bahamas High Commission staff and members of theCeremonial Guard.

Pictured: His Excellency Dr. Calsey Johnson High Commissioner to Canada for The Bahamas,his wife Mrs. Dulcena Johnson, Donna Lowe Deputy Chief of The Bahamas High CommissionOttawa and members of The Bahamas Credit Union Delegation who traveled to Ottawa,Canada for the World Council of Credit Unions Annual Meeting.  They were then hosted to areception at the Official Residence of The Bahamas High Commission. Future EventsSeptember 20-22 2013Pan-American Food Festival:  This annual festival will feature food and cultural activities fromPan-American countries.  Bahamian cuisine prepared by Bahamian chefs will be featured. TheBahamas’ installation is a joint collaboration between the Bahamas Tourism Office in Torontoand the Bahamas High Commission, Ottawa.                     

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