ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) – Grenada says Canada has given an undertaking to review the visa requirement for nationals entering the North American country.

A government statement said that the assurance was given during a meeting between Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper on the margins of the Toronto Global Forum held in Canada last week.

The statement quoted Mitchell as having expressed his concern with the cost and travel inconvenience for Grenadians who have to go to Trinidad for visa services to enter Canada, despite the contributions made to Canadian society.

Mitchell said it would be a good gesture, and in the spirit of fraternity for the Canadian government to ease the costs and hassle for Grenadian nationals to enter Canada.

“Prime Minister Harper, in expressing his understanding of the issue at hand, promised to look into it, with a view to reconsidering the visa requirements for Grenadian nationals. He also suggested that if they cannot remove the visa restriction, then the government of Canada will consider appointing a representative to come to Grenada once or twice a month to provide visa and other consular services for nationals,” the statement said.

It said that on a more regional basis, the prime ministers discussed the Canada-Caribbean free trade agreement negotiations that have been ongoing for the past eight years.

“The prime ministers agreed to move speedily and purposefully to follow up with their counterparts for the realisation of this end,” the statement added.