This meeting is a partnership between the CPDC, the Department of Human Resource and Social Development Canada (HRSDC), and the Government of Canada. The HRSDC supported CPDC’s programme of ‘Public Education & Building Awareness on Trade & Labour Issues” in 2007 - 2008 and has again agreed to support CPDC in a new 18 month programme; the first activity of which is the regional conference.

Our intention is that the meeting be as inclusive as possible involving relevant stakeholders, including governments via relevant ministries/departments, CARICOM officials, regional trade negotiators, labour and civil society. The conference is expected to host some 70 participants and there is also the possibility that we will also be hosting a special meeting of the ‘Group of Friends of Labour’ which is a grouping of select countries who have signed trade agreements with labour clauses.