For decades, our friends to the North in Canada have been regarded internationally as a country that values cooperation over conquest, humanitarian response over aggression and partnership over domination. In the Caribbean and especially Dominica, Canada’s involvement has historically focused on disaster relief, training and regional stability rather than foreign occupation or political interference.
As Dominica faces growing challenges from natural disasters and maritime crime, to overburdened public institutions and a stagnant agriculture sector, our people deserve solutions that protect our communities, strengthen our economy and preserve our sovereignty. So it is reasonable and responsible to explore whether carefully structured cooperation with trusted partners like Canada can strengthen our national capacity without compromising our sovereignty.
This conversation deserves facts, transparency and public involvement, not fear, secrecy, or political games. Discussions about security, crime and economic resilience in Dominica have far too often been dominated by fear, half-truths and hidden agendas. It is time for open, honest and accountable dialogue that puts our people first.
The pattern under Roosevelt Skerrit and his government has been consistent. Our people are either told nothing at all or presented with decisions that were already made behind closed doors. That approach has failed Dominica.
If our country is to move forward, we must be honest with our people, transparent about our intentions and firm about our red lines. The people of Dominica deserve to be informed, consulted and respected, not managed in secrecy.
The Dominica Reform Party believes in addressing the hard issues openly, especially when it comes to safety, crime and our national sovereignty. That is why we want to clearly explain a policy idea that will raise questions and spark debate.
Security, Training, and Response Hub (S.T.A.R)
As part of this initiative, we will establish a large-scale Security, Training, and Response Hub (S.T.A.R) – an international response hub operated in partnership with Canada, as a trusted partner who fully respects Dominica’s sovereignty. The S.T.A.R Hub will focus on training, innovation and protection, while creating thousands of skilled jobs for Dominicans and strengthening our economy, security and national resilience.
This is about partnerships, not foreign control. Dominica’s safety, independence and the well-being of our people will always come first. This initiative is designed to strengthen our national security, boost our economy and safeguard our sovereignty, all without turning Dominica into a “war games” island. Modern security today emphasizes advanced technology, drones, maritime surveillance, disaster response and rapid coordination.
We are not surrendering our sovereignty, inviting foreign occupation, or militarizing Dominica. Any suggestion from anyone otherwise is either a misunderstanding or deliberate spreading of misinformation. This initiative is about protecting our country, strengthening our institutions and putting Dominica and our people first.
Why This Conversation Matters.
Our Dominica is a small island country with very limited resources. We are located in a region facing serious and growing challenges every year. These challenges include human and drug trafficking routes, organized crime and cartel networks and increasingly frequent natural disasters, all of which place significant pressure on our law enforcement agencies. It is known that criminal organizations thrive where government oversight is weak, response times are slow, and coordination is limited.
At the same time, our police officers and coast guard are expected to do more with less, often without the adequate training, equipment, or support they need. Ignoring these challenges, as Roosevelt Skerrit and his government have done, does not make them disappear; it only makes them more urgent. Addressing them responsibly is the only way forward.
A Safer, Smarter Approach: Offshore And Maritime-Only Cooperation.
Any international cooperation explored by the Dominica Reform Party government would be strictly offshore and maritime-focused, never on Dominican land. There would be no land-based exercises, no foreign troops stationed in our communities and no erosion of Dominican law or authority.
The focus would be ONLY on:
- Maritime security and monitoring: Patrols to ensure safe and legal activity in Dominica waters.
- Search-and-rescue operations: Rapid response to emergencies at sea, saving lives.
- Disaster response coordination: Hurricane, flood, or earthquake preparedness and relief.
- Anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling deterrence: Eliminating drug, human and contraband trafficking into Dominica.
- Environmental and oil-spill response: Protecting marine ecosystems and coastal communities.
- Coastal erosion and storm surge assessment: Supporting climate resilience efforts.
- Maritime navigation and port safety training: Helping Dominica’s ports and shipping stay safe.
- Early-warning and intelligence: Sharing of illegal activity, natural hazards and emergencies.
- Offshore emergency medical drills: Preparing for medical evacuation and care at sea.
- Community awareness programs: Teaching local fishermen and sailors about safety, reporting and environmental protection.
- Disaster simulation exercises: Testing Dominican government and first responder readiness.
- Capacity-building for the Dominican coast guard and maritime police: Training in modern technology, radar and communication systems.
The S.T.A.R Hub is not just about professional response; it is about training and equipping our people to protect themselves, their families and their communities. The S.T.A.R Hub empowers Dominica, strengthens our communities and creates thousands of skilled jobs, all while keeping Dominica safe and sovereign. Here is what else it offers our people:
- Disaster Preparedness: Learn first aid, emergency response, evacuation planning and search & rescue.
- Maritime Safety: Training for coastal navigation, boating safety and monitoring fisheries.
- Technology & Security Skills: Courses on drone operations, emergency communications and cybersecurity basics.
- Professional Certifications: Gain recognized credentials in emergency management, maritime operations and disaster response.
- Community Resilience: Build a culture of preparedness, strengthen community trust and enhance local safety.
- Career Opportunities: Open doors to new jobs in security, tech and disaster response both locally and regionally.
All activities would take place in offshore waters, away from civilian life, with full Dominica oversight and approval. Words matter. This is not “war games.” This is the three P’s – Preparedness, Prevention, and Protection.
How Canada`s Presence Alone Reduces Drugs And Crime.
Drug trafficking and organized crime do not thrive on strength; they thrive on opportunity. Criminal networks seek quiet waters, predictable patrol gaps, slow response times and weak government coordination. A visible, coordinated maritime presence changes that calculation.
When traffickers know:
- Monitoring is active – traffickers cannot move unnoticed.
- Intelligence is shared – authorities can anticipate and intercept illegal activity.
- Response times are faster – emergencies and illicit operations are dealt with quickly.
- Routes are no longer predictable – criminal networks cannot rely on safe corridors.
- Visibility is increased – the simple presence of patrols discourages crime.
- Enforcement is coordinated – multiple agencies work together for maximum impact.
- Legal oversight is clear – all activity is under Dominican law, building public trust.
- Deterrence is cumulative – repeated visibility makes illegal activity riskier.
- Early warning systems are operational – potential incidents are flagged before they escalate.
- Training multiplies effectiveness – Dominican coast guard and police are better prepared.
- Community awareness is raised – local fishermen and mariners know safe reporting channels.
- Criminal profits are reduced – increased risk and unpredictability make illegal activity less viable.
- Operations are data-driven – intelligence guides action, not guesswork.
- Partnerships enhance resilience – international cooperation strengthens Dominican capacity, not replaces
They move elsewhere. Not because of force, but because of risk.
Our approach does not rely on constant arrests or direct confrontation. It focuses on deterrence, intelligence and efficiency. By making Dominica a harder and riskier place for criminal activity, we protect our shores without inviting conflict. A strong presence, paired with rapid coordination and effective response, reduces opportunities for crime and reducing opportunities means reducing crime in Dominica.
Strengthening Our Own Forces – Not Replacing Them.
A core principle of this policy is capacity building, not dependence. Any cooperation must strengthen Dominica’s institutions, not overshadow them. That includes professional training for our coast guard and police, particularly in how officers interact with the public. This is one of the most important and misunderstood parts of the discussion. Training would focus on:
- De-escalation and conflict resolution – resolving situations without violence whenever possible.
- Communication and professionalism – clear, respectful interaction with the public.
- Community-centred policing – officers working with communities, not against them.
- Human rights and accountability – ensuring every action respects citizens’ rights.
- Stress management and decision-making – helping officers remain calm and make correct choices under pressure.
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity – understanding local traditions, communities, and social dynamics.
- Ethics and integrity training – preventing abuse of power and corruption.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking – empowering officers to handle complex situations intelligently.
- Use-of-force guidelines and alternatives – ensuring force is proportional and lawful.
- Crisis response and mental health awareness – managing encounters with vulnerable populations safely.
- Teamwork and coordination – improving cooperation between units and with other agencies.
- Reporting and transparency protocols – clear documentation to ensure accountability.
- Community engagement strategies – fostering trust and positive relationships with citizens.
- Emergency preparedness drills – training for hurricanes, disasters, or large public events.
This is not about heavier weapons or harsher tactics. It is about better behaviour, better judgment and better relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve. When police are well-trained and trusted, communities cooperate. When communities cooperate, crime goes down naturally. Safety built on respect lasts longer than safety built on fear.
IMPORTANT: There would be no foreign officers policing Dominican streets, no authority over local forces and no enforcement role for outsiders. Training would be advisory, time-limited, Dominica-approved and adapted to our laws, culture and values.
Sovereignty Is Non-Negotiable.
Any cooperation must meet strict conditions:
- No permanent foreign presence: Foreign forces or personnel will never be stationed permanently in Dominica.
- No land-based military activity: All exercises and operations occur offshore; Dominican land remains fully sovereign.
- Dominican law applies at all times: All foreign activity is subject to our laws and oversight.
- Full parliamentary approval: All agreements must pass through the Dominican Parliament before implementation.
- Public consultation and transparency. As part of Direct Democracy, citizens have access to information, can provide input and hold leaders accountable.
- Clear exit clauses: Agreements include well-defined terms for ending the partnership at any time.
- Environmental protections: All operations adhere to strict ecological and marine safety standards.
- Local employment and training guarantees: Dominica workers are hired first, and skills are learned and transferred to build long-term capacity.
- No operational authority over Dominican forces: All training and support respect Dominican command structures.
- Time-limited or rotational activities: Exercises are temporary and scheduled to minimize impact on communities.
- Oversight committees: Independent Dominica committees monitor activities for compliance and accountability.
- Cultural and community respect: All personnel operate with awareness of local traditions, customs and social norms.
If these conditions are not met, the answer is simple: No Deal. Dominica will always remain in Dominican hands.
This Is Not an Economic Shortcut.
Let us be equally clear that the S.T.A.R Hub is not an economic strategy. It is not a replacement for agriculture, tourism reform, renewable energy, education, or small business development. Those remain the foundation of real, sustainable growth. This policy is a supporting measure, one that improves stability, resilience and confidence while we build a people-centred economy from the ground up.
A Different Kind of Leadership.
What separates the Dominica Reform Party from the status quo is not just our policies, but our process. We do not believe in secret agreements, backroom deals, or decisions imposed on the public. Any major national partnership must be debated openly, approved democratically and shaped by our people themselves. That is what Direct Democracy means in practice; this is about Dominica First. People First. Always!
For 25 years, Roosevelt Skerrit and his government have been in power, yet they have never thought outside the box or acted in the best interest of our people. In contrast, we have been active for less than nine months, and we are already delivering innovative solutions that cost nothing to the taxpayer, yet benefit Dominicans greatly (see our Path Forward Section)
We are innovators, problem-solvers and forward-thinkers. From modernizing security, creating the S.T.A.R Hub, to empowering communities through civilian training and disaster preparedness, our approach is practical, transparent and results-driven. We do not just promise change, we will deliver it responsibly, efficiently and with our people at the center of every decision.
The Bottom Line
This policy is about prevention, not provocation. Protection, not control. Partnership, not surrender. It is about making Dominica safer, more resilient and better prepared, without compromising our independence or our values.
Our people deserve honesty. We deserve transparency. Our people deserve leadership that trusts them enough to tell the full truth. The Dominica Reform Party is ready to have that conversation, openly, responsibly and with our people at the center of every decision.
Dominica First. People First.