Montreal, Canada, November 24, 2009 – The Government of Grenada is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Leonard Wharwood, Jr. as Honorary Consul to Montréal, and the Province of Québec, Canada. The appointment is effective October 24, 2009.
The proper protocols have been established at the Federal, Provincial and Municipal levels of the Canadian Government, and Mr. Wharwood is now duly recognized as Grenada’s representative in Montreal.
“I am very proud and honoured to hold this position and look forward to representing the interests of the Grenadian nationals living in Montreal and other parts of the Province of Quebec,’’ says Mr. Wharwood, who has worked in the field of telecommunication and Information Technology for many years at McGill University.
In his position as Grenada’s Honorary Consul to the Province of Quebec, Mr. Wharwood will support the interests of Grenadians living in Quebec, as well as serving commercial and economic interests with the official agreement of the Grenada Government. Further, he will play an important role in stimulating cultural, educational and tourism relations between Grenada and Quebec.
“Mr.Wharwood, known to many as Junior, is held in the highest esteem by Grenadian nationals residing in Quebec. He is a stalwart in the community, giving of himself tirelessly to assist fellow Grenadians and others in the Montreal community through his membership and affiliation in several socio/cultural and charitable organizations.,’’ says Mrs. Gemma Raeburn-Baynes, President of A Taste of the Caribbean and longtime Montreal community activist.
In 2004, Mr. Wharwood was appointed Chairman of the Grenada Hurricane Relief Committee, formed to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan which destroyed 90% of the island’s agricultural and housing stock.
As head of the committee, he was instrumental in garnering the support of Grenadians and friends of the Spice Isle to secure and ship over 80 tonnes of much-needed supplies to Grenada. Through Mr. Wharwood’s contacts, international steamship companies and others donated dry containers for the shipment of the supplies that were valued at well over $200,000 Canadian.
It was also under Mr. Wharwood’s leadership that in November 2008, the Grenada Nationals Association – in conjunction with the Montreal Chapter of the NDC Support Group – shipped another 40ft container packed with supplies for hospitals, group homes and other similar institutions in Grenada. The donated items included hospital beds, toys and books.
Congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Wharwood as he enters this most prestigious office, with the hope and aspirations of all Grenadians in Montréal, and the Province of Quebec.