CANADA & CANADIANS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

CANADA & CANADIENSES EN
REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

Introducing The Canadian Corner, a new service for Canadians in the Dominican Republic

by Tim Hall, Publisher, The POP Report

As a Canadian resident of Puerto Plata since 1983, I have watched both the Dominican Republic and its Canadian community grow dramatically.

The Canadian community began its growth in the early 1980's when Canadian travel wholesalers pioneered charter flights to this destination. First hundreds, and very soon thousands of Canadians were landing every week at Dominican airports.

Inevitably, the unspoiled beauty, the natural friendliness of Dominicans and the obvious possiblities for the future acted as natural magnets for so many Canadians who first set foot here as tourists, then returned to make the Dominican Republic their home.

Today hundreds of young families are raising their children in cross cultural, Dominican-Canadian homes.

The tiny Honorary Consulate that represented us in Santo Domingo is now a full blown embassy.

Canadians have gotten involved on every strata of business here. The Dominican-Canadian Chamber of Commerce has evolved into one of the most prestigious business organizations in Santo Domingo, with hundreds of members.

Canadian aid to the Dominican Republic has grown into the millions of dollars

In short, Canadians are making a difference.

Over the course of this year (2003) I became impressed by the number of news articles that made reference to Canada and Canadians. Our Prime Minister is the first G8 Head of State to visit this country. While here in April, he signed a number of accords that formalized commitments by Canada and Canadians, for development projects, technical assistance and private investment that will have a growing and positive impact on the Dominican Republic over the years to come. We learned that the CBC had bought the broadcast rights to the Panamerican Games held here in July. We learned that Canada Post will provide expertise to modernize the Dominican postal system; that CIDA was putting millions into improving the situation on the Haitian border, that Canadians were investing in mining and energy projects. Canadian journalists showed an interest the Dominican-Haitian situation, spending weeks here preparing an in-depth study. Meanwhile, a lot of little things were happening: anonymous Canadians showing their own initiatives through organizing cultural exchanges, donations, sporting events...

Seeing all this prompted the decision to launch these pages and create a focal point for all things Dominico-Canadian, be it hard news, local gossip, social and cultural concerns, or for just blowing our own horn a bit. Whatever... the idea is to link it all up in one central place. And while The POP Report, which hosts these pages, is itself focussed on the north coast, this section is intended to cover the entire country.

So no matter where you are, feel free to contribute in any way you see fit. Suggestions... articles and link submissions... forums... whatever you have to contribute is not only welcome - it's needed! So please write to us, privately through our contact page or publicly on our message board. We hope they will become more and more useful to everyone as they grow.

Sincerely,

Tim Hall

Publisher, The POP Report

Tim Hall is a native of Montreal living in Puerto Plata since 1983. He is a founding partner of Puerto Plata's weekly El Faro newspaper, publishes The POP Report online, owns and operates a popular restaurant in Puerto Plata and represents Canada on the north coast as Canadian Honorary Consul

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