It is with great pleasure that I extend greetings to fellow Jamaicans in Canada on behalf of my family and the Staff of the High Commission, as you join in the celebrations of Jamaica’s 53^rd Anniversary of Independence.

This year’s celebration under the theme: “Proud and Free, Jamaica 53!” provides us with a meaningful record of achievements and experiences.  These resonate with every Jamaican and hold significance for every generation. 

Our 53^rd Anniversary is a major milestone in the growth and development of our country.  It presents an opportune occasion for us to reminisce on the past, celebrate our achievements and learn from the challenges which will serve to propel us towards further nation building.

We are proud that Jamaica is one of the most diverse and celebrated countries in the world.  Our culture and heritage are embodied in our person and define us as a people: our principles, our spirit of adventure and our determination to succeed, are attributes that have been emulated by others globally. Indeed, our principled positions on world views at the regional and international levels have influenced and contributed to advocacy for equality, peace and justice. 

We are humbled that our culture and Brand Jamaica have received global recognition and we celebrate the tenacity and resilience of our people who have elevated our country by venturing into unchartered areas thereby placing us on the global stage. 

We recall that our struggles toward Independence were not without challenges.  On this historic occasion, we pause to honour and remember with pride, our ancestors who recognised the potential vested in our nation and who, through persistence, hard work and the quest for freedom, shaped the birth of a nation. 

In spite of the hardships and difficulties that confront us as a nation, we remain resolute through our determination as a people to advance the welfare of our nationals at home and abroad and to contribute to the welfare of the human race.

As we celebrate our Independence, let us be mindful that we all have a responsibility to preserve the legacy bequeathed by our forebears to consolidate the gains of sovereignty and to secure a prosperous future for generations of Jamaicans to come.  

Our journey towards nation building for Jamaica Land We Love continues in earnest as we work to meet the demand for the service of Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora.

Happy Independence Day!

Independence Day Greeting from the Jamaican High Commissioner Her Excellency Janice Miller