By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
CANADA REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR GUYANA’S TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY — AMBASSADOR SIGOUIN: “STABILITY IS KEY FOR BUSINESS CONFIDENCE”
Canadian High Commissioner Sebastien Sigouin has reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for Guyana’s sovereignty amid the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela, stressing that stability and legal resolution are vital for fostering a predictable business climate.
In an exclusive interview with HGPTV Nightly News on Thursday, Ambassador Sigouin reiterated Canada’s stance that Guyana’s territorial integrity must be respected and that the issue should be settled peacefully before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“Canada has been on record supporting Guyana’s sovereignty. The controversy is before the ICJ — and that’s where it must be resolved,” he said.
The envoy underscored that clarity and finality on sovereignty will bring confidence and transparency to Guyana’s investment landscape.
“From a business perspective, having stability and a clear sense of sovereignty brings confidence to the business environment,” he explained.
The Guyana–Venezuela border controversy concerns the Essequibo region, which covers nearly 160,000 square kilometers and is administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela. The ICJ has affirmed jurisdiction and ordered Venezuela to refrain from altering the status quo, though Caracas continues to reject the court’s authority.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Sigouin also led a Canadian business delegation to Guyana from October 14–17, featuring companies such as Bionetix International, 4Pay Inc., and FreeBalance Inc., all of which explored trade and innovation partnerships in ICT, education, and infrastructure.
“For Canadian and other international businesses, what they want is predictability, transparency, and stability,” the High Commissioner added.
In a lighthearted yet patriotic moment, Anthony Harris, a Guyanese-Canadian member of the delegation, proudly declared,
“Essequibo is we own.”
