OECS Media Release — Dedicated action by the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission to strengthen the Eastern Caribbean Liaison Service (ECLS) Programme and advance its transition to a revised governance framework resulted in a series of official engagements in Canada from July 5 to 12, 2026.
The week-long mission was led by Dr. Kisha Grant, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Diplomacy. It formed part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to ensure that the ECLS Programme remains responsive to the evolving requirements of the Government of Canada while preserving its status and unique character as a programme serving the collective interests of OECS Member States.
During the visit, Dr. Grant held extensive consultations with the leadership and staff of the ECLS Office in Canada, Canadian government officials, including senior representatives of the Directorate of the Temporary Foreign Worker Programme, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), as well as Consuls General, High Commissioners and diplomatic representatives of OECS Member States accredited to Canada.
A key objective of the mission was to reinforce the shared commitment between the OECS Commission, Member States, and Canadian partners to ensure that the ECLS Programme remains firmly rooted as a programme serving OECS Member States.
The discussions focused on the ongoing restructuring of the ECLS Programme to satisfy Canada’s diplomatic designation requirements, while strengthening governance arrangements, operational effectiveness and institutional sustainability. The proposed regularisation framework, which previously received the approval of the OECS Authority, continues to be advanced through the work of the ECLS Transition Committee established in 2025. The Committee comprises representatives of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Head of ECLS, and senior officials of the OECS Commission.
Discussions also explored opportunities to strengthen the Programme by expanding participation, increasing the number of workers benefiting from the initiative, and enhancing collaboration among participating Member States to maximise its economic and social impact.
The mission also included an assessment of the proposed future physical location for the ECLS Office as part of the transition arrangements, as well as firsthand observations of the Programme’s day-to-day operations and engagement with ECLS personnel.
Reflecting on the mission, Dr. Grant described the engagements as highly productive and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the successful implementation of the transition process.
“The Canada mission provided a unique opportunity to engage directly with our ECLS team, Member State representatives and our Canadian partners at a critical point in the Programme’s evolution. The discussions reinforced our shared commitment to ensuring that ECLS continues to serve as a strong and sustainable OECS pillar while meeting Canada’s requirements. Perhaps most importantly, the mission reinforced something we should never lose sight of – that behind every discussion and every decision are hundreds of workers and families across our Member States whose lives continue to be positively impacted by this Programme each year.”
Throughout the visit, Consuls General and High Commissioners representing several OECS Member States reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the Programme as a collective OECS initiative and expressed strong support for its strengthening to benefit even greater numbers of workers from across the region.
The mission also allowed for a meeting with some participating workers, several of whom have been engaged in the programme, year after year, for over 20 years, and to gain a firsthand view into the Programme’s impact on their lives and livelihoods.
“The opportunity to interact with the workers themselves was particularly meaningful,” Dr. Grant noted. “Their experiences are a powerful reminder that the ECLS Programme is one of the OECS Commission’s most tangible and enduring success stories. Behind every placement is a family, a community and a future being strengthened through meaningful employment opportunities.”
The OECS Commission will now continue working through the ECLS Transition Committee and with Member States and Canadian authorities to implement the agreed next steps, ensuring a seamless transition to the Programme’s new governance arrangements while strengthening its long-term effectiveness and impact.