The National Youth Parliament opened yesterday to some spirited discussion as members dealt with the issue of reparations and the government’s handling of the issue.
The two-day event saw a number of government ministers including Shawn Edward, Danny Butcher and Kenson Casimir and other government officials taking part in the debate. Speaker of the House Claudius Francis was also monitoring the proceedings from the sidelines. There was also a small crowd of uniformed students in attendance.
The MPs included 12 women and 6 men; 12 on the government side with 6 Opposition members. The was sponsored by The St. Lucia National Reparations Committee and The Repair Campaign (TRC).
Each speaker laid out their case in a well-planned, quick concise fashion.
DAY 1
Hon. Shonnelle Eugene – Hon. Prime Minister, Member for Dennery North – Minister for Finance, Justice, National Security, Constituency Development and People Empowerment
Hon. Delicia Daniel – Member for Anse La Raye/Canaries – Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs
Hon. Renair Yarde – Member for Castries Southeast – Minister for Infrastructure, Ports Services and Energy
Hon. Naeem Philbert – Member for Castries East – Leader of the Opposition
Hon. Stevenia Jean Baptiste – Member for Castries North – Minister for Equity, Equity, Labour, Gender and Elderly Affairs, Social Justice and Consumer Welfare
Hon. Kesi Rodney – Member for Micoud North – Minister for Home Affairs, Crime Prevention, Conflict Resolution and Persons with Disabilities
Hon. Jada Marie Volson – Member for Gros-Islet- Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture and Heritage
Hon. Sarah Mc Fralane – Member for Vieux-Fort North-Opposition Member
Hon. Alrica Antoine – Member for Micoud South – Minister for Education, Youth Development, Sports and Digital Transformation
Hon. Cletuson Leon – Member for Babonneau – Opposition Member
Hon. Dequan Charles – Member for Castries Central- Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Climate Change
Lunch-45 minutes
Hon. Kayla Antione – Member for Choiseul/Saltibus – Member of Government
Hon. Shakim Faisal – Member for Dennery South – Minister for Physical Development and Public Utilities
Hon. Gabrielle Elie – Member for Vieux-Fort South – Opposition Member- Deputy Speaker
Hon. Jade Albert – Member for Laborie – Minister for Health, Wellness and Nutrition
Hon. Rochelle Vitalis – Member for Castries South – Minister for Public Service, Transport, Information and Utilities Regulations
Hon. France Calixte – Member for Soufriere -Opposition Member
Rebuttal – Hon. Prime Minister
Day 2
Senator Latifah Van der Luxe- Leader of Government Business
Senator Davianne Alexander – Leader of Opposition
Senator Faith Regis- Independent
Senator Chalin Edward- Government
Senator Aidan Daniel – Opposition
Senator Whitney Daniel – Government
Senator Chris-Anne Moonie- Independent
Senator Juhdai William – Government
Senator Ethan Glasgow – Opposition
Senator Aidan Hyacinth – Government
Senator Amanda Desir – Government
Rebuttal Latifah Van der Luxe