Throne Speech Calls for Banding Together

The traditional throne Speech by the Governor General of Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, was delivered yesterday, Tuesday, May 06. During the address that lasted just over an hour, the Governor General highlighted the island’s susceptibility to natural disasters and its fiscal challenges.

“As we glance upon our current times, it is easy to become mired in pessimism. But we have faced stern times before and we have triumphed. Overcoming these stern times demands that we must bring out our collective best to break the mould,” the GG said Tuesday. Further, solutions are not found in depression but common sacrifice and common action.

The Governor General, an educator and longtime advocate of the arts, also made calls for the strengthening of the creative industries and for a second language to be taught in schools. Her address was followed by the Budget Address from the Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, National Development and Social Security, Kenny Anthony Tuesday evening. The actual debate on the Budget Statement will take place on May 15 and 16.

The Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the financial year 2014/2015 were laid in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Debate on the estimates was preceded by a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House that same day. The debate on the Estimates continued on April 30.

More on this year’s budget and the Governor General’s throne speech in the weekend STAR!