ST. GEORGE’S, GRENADA, THURSDAY, JULY 9th, 2009_ The removal of the visa restriction imposed on Grenada by Canada was the subject of discussions when Canadian High Commissioner to Grenada His Excellency David Marshall who paid a courtesy farewell visit to Prime Minister Tillman Thomas Thursday. According to the High Commissioner the process for the removal of the visa requirement was presented to OECS High Commissioner in Ottawa, His Excellency Brendon Browne, for review by Grenada. “We have taken what we believe are the necessary steps to ensure that the events that led to the imposition of visas on Grenadians traveling to Canada no longer occurs. We are prepared to work together to see the removal of the visa requirement,” the Prime Minister told High Commissioner Marshall. The two men discussed a range of issues including the impact of the current global crisis on the island’s economy and further Canadian assistance to Grenada, especially in the areas of human resource development and vocational training. The Prime Minister welcomed the support and involvement of Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in the Grenada Public Sector Modernization Change Management Programme, which seeks to strengthen and improve the public sector to achieve Grenada’s longer term national strategic goals through social development and economic competitiveness. Prime Minister Thomas welcomed the announcement from His Excellency David Marshall that the Canadian Government has allocated USD 40M to promote and support technical and trade skills in the English speaking Caribbean. “My government is pursuing several avenues that will provide training to our youth. We believe firmly in the promotion of skills for inclusive growth. We will make every effort to pursue training for Grenadians with CIDA in order to make full use of the opportunity,” the Prime Minister said. The High Commissioner used the opportunity to congratulate Prime Minister Thomas on his government’s first year in office. He also met with Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Peter David, who highlighted tourism development as a priority and identified the need for increased airlift out of Canada.