Neil Armstrong, Gleaner Writer
GOLDING
TORONTO, Canada:
OPPOSITION LEADER Bruce Golding says Jamaica needs a common vision to bring all Jamaicans together, despite political party or other affiliations.
He says that vision would include space for each Jamaican.
Mr. Golding said on Wednesday that if he were to invite 20 Jamaicans into a room to write down their vision for the country, there would either be 20 blank pages or 20 different visions.
He presented his position on the Jamaican economy at 'Outlook for the Future', a forum organised by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) and The Gleaner Company in Toronto, Canada.
WORK WITH DIASPORA
Commending the Government on the initiative to work with the Jamaican diaspora, Mr. Golding said his party supports it and has appointed Ed Bartlett as Shadow Minister to work with the Government in this regard.
"One of the things that I've been so impressed with in all of the locations that I've been is the strength of the Jamaican community," he said.
"They're strong, they're organised, they're involved in so many different activities, both in the countries where they are now and also retaining such an intimate involvement in what is going on back home."
He implored the large audience to look at the quality of life that they have in Canada and the quality of life in Jamaica and to ask themselves what is needed to make the vision of Jamaica's society resemble the quality of life in Toronto.
The Opposition Leader alluded to the murder rate in Jamaica being about 1,400 since the start of the year, and projected it may reach 1,600 by the end of the year.
He said he met with the Chief of the Toronto Police, Bill Blair, who was concerned about the 63 murders that have been committed so far this year in the city.
Also speaking at the forum was Dr. Horace Chang, deputy leader of the Jamaica Labour Party, who said the party was committed to fundamental changes to deal with the fundamental challenges to social order in Jamaica.
He also said the JLP would make the country investment-friendly and education of children a priority, especially the education of young men.
The forum was chaired by JNBS General Manager Earl Jarrett, who invited members of the audience to seize the opportunity to participate in the outcome of things happening in Jamaica.
The last leg of the tour will take place in New York today.
