Welcome to Extra N.A. Online! Tuesday September 7, 2010 Homepage    |    News    |    Archives    |    Advertise    |    Contact Us    |    News Email to a Friend > Jamaicans welcome new consul general in Toronto Wednesday, February 03, 2010 Photo Eddie Grant - Jamaica’s new consul general to Toronto, Seth George Ramocan, left, is welcomed by Leroy McLean, consul general of Barbados, and Madeline Blackman, consul general of Antigua and Barbuda at a community reception in his honour held at the Jamaican Canadian Centre in Toronto last Wednesday. Eddie Grant TORONTO: The Jamaican community officially welcomed Seth George Ramocan, Jamaica’s new consul general to Toronto last Wednesday at a reception. Ramocan assumed his duties as new consul general on November 12, 2009. Accompanied by his wife, Lola, and other staff members, he was greeted by several members and diplomats of the Caribbean community including Madeline Blackman consul general of Antigua and Barbuda, who was representing the CARICOM Consular Corps, and Leroy McLean, consul general of Barbados. Although the new consul general has been attending a number of events since his arrival, this was the first event where he had the opportunity to meet a large number of his fellow nationals. In his address to the over 250 people in attendance, Ramocan paid tribute to the many Jamaicans in Canada who have made significant contribution to their adopted home. He said he was honoured to walk in their footstep. achievement He singled out individuals like the late Louise Bennett-Coverley, Mary Anne Chambers, Dudley Laws, Bromley Armstrong, and in particular, the achievement of Alvin Curling who was also present at the function. He also acknowledged the work of the Alliance of Jamaican Alumni Associations. “Prior to coming here, I have done my homework. I have taken time out to find out the needs of Jamaicans here, those that have contributed to the country, not only in Toronto, but the wider Jamaican community across Canada. I want you to know that I came here with a sense of purpose, I want to work with you, I am here for you, I want to lift the bar a little higher, and there a number of things I would like to achieve during my tenure here and many of these I have already begun to explore the possibility of making them a reality,” he said. He paid tribute to former consul general, Anne- Marie Bonner, and promised to build on the foundation she laid. One of the things listed on his to-do list is to increase trade between Jamaica and Canada. He wants more Canadian investors to look to Jamaica as a safe and lucrative place for their investment and the possibility of skilled Jamaican workers being trained to fill vacancies in companies here in Canada. He encouraged Jamaicans who are eligible for Canadian citizenship to apply. “By becoming a citizen, you are in a situation that your voice can be heard. You are then also able to vote, apply for government jobs, and remember you can also be charged for minor offence for which you may be deported because you are not a citizen. By becoming a Canadian citizen, you are then allowed to hold dual citizenship.” The consul general also encouraged parents whose children are Canadian born to maintain their Jamaican culture. “We do not want this beautiful culture to fade away and I implore you to keep the culture alive,” he said. Send your comments about this Note. Include your name and location at the bottom of your comments. 1000 characters left. Change Image Write the Validation Code from the image above >>Read More News Stories © 2006-2010, Gleaner Extra NA, All Rights Reserved.