CATEGORY:POLITICS ---------------------- INSIDE GRENADA FRIDAY October 26,2007 Montreal, Quebec: The National Democratic Congress, the Official Parliamentary Opposition of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique, is continuing its mission of reaching out to nationals overseas with a visit to Montreal earlier next month. It would be the second North American visit by an NDC delegation within a month. At the end of September, a five-member NDC delegation led by the Right Honorable Mr. Tillman Thomas, NDC head and Parliamentary Opposition Leader, visited Toronto and New York. They were greeted by enthusiastic crowds, and inaugurated the formation of an NDC Support Group in Toronto. During the two-city tour, Mr. Thomas emphasized that the NDC's belief that "Grenadians abroad should be part of the transformation'' of the tri-island state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. In addition to Mr. Thomas, the delegation to Montreal will include Deputy NDC Leader Senator George Prime, Party Treasurer and M.P. for South St. George Honorable Glynis Roberts, and clergyman Karl Hood, who is an NDC candidate in Grenada's next general election. Mr. Hood will be contesting the St. George South-East seat against controversial NNP incumbent and current Deputy Prime Minister, Gregory Bowen. Both Mr. Bowen and Prime Minister Keith Mitchell are defending separate lawsuits in the U.S. over allegations of business impropriety involving American citizens. The NDC team, which also plans on going to New York and Maryland, will be in Montreal on Sunday, November 4, for a reception and public meeting. The event, which is open to all members of the Grenadian community and other Caribbean nationals, will be held at The NDG Black Community Association Centre, 3757 Prud'homme. The NDC, in keeping with the theme of engaging nationals in the rebuilding of the country, has promised that a future National Democratic Congress government will establish a Department of Diaspora Affairs in the Grenada Foreign Ministry. The department, says party General Secretary Peter David, will "tap into the resources'' of Grenadians living abroad and solicit meaningful contributions from them in the nation-building process. "The department will enter into dialogue with Grenadians in the Diaspora to allow them to participate more fully in the country,'' said Mr. David, the M.P. for the Town of St. George. "I know several Grenadians who want to invest in Grenada but they are not given the opportunity.'' Mr. Thomas, the 60-year-old veteran leader of the NDC, said once elected to office, his party would bring a new type of governance to Grenada; one with openness, transparency and fairness to people. "We are committed to respecting the institutions in our society, and we want to work together with the stakeholders in an open and democratic way,'' said Mr. Thomas, who is a lawyer by profession. The November 4 reception and public meeting will start 4 p.m.