Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Commissioner of Police Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin (left) hangs out with Pearnel Charles (centre), minister of labour and social security, and Leo Taddeo, CEO of New Era Housing. - Photos by Winston Sill/ Freelance Photographer

It was a sea of red and white on Seymour Avenue on Monday as Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica Denis Kingsley and wife Jo-Ann, hosted their Canada Day reception.

Amid the festivities, the high commissioner took a few minutes to tell the gathering about his homeland's collaborative efforts with Jamaica. He highlighted the assistance after the passage of Hurricane Dean, especially in the areas of health; education and agriculture. He also spoke of cooperation in the military and Canada's support of Jamaica's democratic governance and free elections. Members of the Area Youth Foundation, another group to benefit from Canadian aid, performed for the audience.

Guests out included Belgian Ambassador Herman Portocarero, French Ambassador Francis Hurtut, Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua and wife Xiao Linhua, Dominican Republic Ambassador Filomena Navarro, Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez, Haitian Charge D'Affaires Max Alce, Housing Minister Dr Horace Chang, National Security Minister Colonel Trevor MacMillan, Labour Minister Pearnel Charles, Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne, Ambassador Dr Matthew Beaubrun, John Issa, Muna Issa, Paul Issa, Andrew Issa, Chris Issa, Marcel Consten, Horace and Josephine Bogues, Cindy Breakspeare, Patrick Lynch, Ainsley and Marjorie Henriques, Philip Mascoll, Glynne Manley, Winston Bayley, Morin and Verla Seymour, Fabian Brown, Michelle Wilson-Reynolds, Earl Levy, Pat Lazarus, Danville Walker, Ambassador David Coore, Tarquinio Caldarelli, Gloria Palomino, Monsignor Richard Albert, Lucy Ramel, Deborah Garry, Barbara and Renée Robinson, Jean-Paul Menou, Drs Dhiru and Laura Tanna, Ambassador Douglas Saunders and wife Angela, Emile George and wife Pamela, Yvon and Cynthia DeSulme and Les Green.

Sameer Younis (left), Avril Leonce (second left), Emile George (partly hidden), William (Bill) Clarke and Denise Coubry are caught up in conversation at the Canada Day reception.

High Commissioner Kingsley (left) embraces Opposition Spokesman on National Security Dr Peter Phillips.

Jo-Ann Kingsley (left) welcomes Neadene Tufton and Dr Christopher Tufton, agriculture minister.