Acting Prime Minister Gregory Bowen and Canadian Minister of International Cooperation Aileen Carroll this morning signed a Memorandum of Understanding for $4.8 million (CDN) to assist the Government of Grenada in the reconstruction process. The funds will be channelled through the Agency for Reconstruction and Development (ARD), which will also have access to an additional $350,000 (CND) in technical assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Acting Prime Minister Bowen provided an update on the overall progress in the recovery process and expressed appreciation on the part of the Government and people of Grenada for the assistance the Canadian Government has provided since the passage of Hurricane Ivan. The Acting Prime Minister was accompanied by Minister of Education and Labour Claris Charles, Minister of Health and the Environment Senator Ann David-Antoine, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Culture and the Performing Arts Senator Brenda Hood, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Timothy Antoine and Acting Chairman of the ARD Richardson Andrews. It was noted that Hon. Jean Augustine, who was recently appointed Special Advisor for Grenada to Prime Minister Paul Martin, is making an announcement in Canada today regarding the new funds, which will be provided by CIDA. “The Hon. Jean Augustine keeps Grenada very much in front of us,” Minister Carroll said, adding that her new appointment as Special Advisor for Grenada “formalises a role she has always played.” Vice President of CIDA Guillermo Rishchynski, who had visited Grenada in November, referred to the progress that has taken place since his last visit as “quite compelling.” Simultaneous announcements by Ms. Augustine in Ottawa and Minister Carroll in Grenada also included the provision of $250,000 (CND) for the following community groups: Programme for Adolescent Mothers: $33,834 Grand Anse Social Development Centre: $40,520 Grand Anse Conference Society of St. Vincent de Paul: $12,089 New Life Organisation (NEWLO): $32,049 Grand Anse Roman Catholic School: $48,131 Douglaston Community Development: $30,685 Coast Guard Development Group: $24,740 Chantimelle Furniture Cooperative Ltd. $18,837 Grenada Community Development Agency (GRENCODA) $31,206 Salvation Army of Barbados (for GRENCODA and Bogles, Carriacou): $6,268 in chain saws, blades and seedlings. While in Grenada, Minister Carroll also signed a $2 million grant agreement with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) for assistance to Grenada’s farmers and fishermen The additional funds bring the contribution by Canada to Grenada since the passage of Hurricane Ivan on Sept. 7 to $10.7 million (CND). Source: Office of the Prime Minister