Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell met this morning with the Hon. Jean Augustine P.C., M.P., Special Advisor for Grenada to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, to discuss ways by which the Government of Grenada can facilitate her new responsibilities. Ms. Augustine was appointed Special Advisor for Grenada in November and is currently in Grenada to assemble information on the continuing reconstruction efforts. Being mandated to encourage Canadians to continue to support the reconstruction effort either on an individual basis or through non-governmental organisations, Ms. Augustine told the Prime Minister that she will be in constant contact. “I am mandated to keep the Canadian Government and Grenadian nationals in Canada apprised of the reconstruction process here in Grenada,” Ms. Augustine said. On December 16, Acting Prime Minister Gregory Bowen and Canadian Minister of International Cooperation Aileen Carroll signed a Memorandum of Understanding for $4.8 million (CDN) to assist the Government of Grenada in the reconstruction process. Simultaneously, in Canada, Ms. Augustine announced the new support package, which will be channelled through the Agency for Reconstruction and Development (ARD). The ARD will also have access to an additional $350,000 (CND) in technical assistance from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). During the meeting, the Prime Minister and Ms. Augustine also discussed the support provided by other countries and the donor community generally. “It is important that we keep the lines of communication open among all the donors to ensure that we avoid duplication and that the funds and other forms of support we are receiving are used in the most efficient manner,” Prime Minister Mitchell said. Source: Office of the Prime Minister