Benn going to Canada

Former Government Minister Haynesley Benn is Barbados’ new Consul General to Toronto, Canada.
Benn is expected to take up the new appointment September 1, succeeding Dr Leroy McClean who returned to Barbados just before the Feburary 21 general election to take over as chief executive officer at the Barbados Industrial and Development Corporation (BIDC).
Benn, a former Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Commerce and Trade had expressed disappointment at being overlooked for a recall to Cabinet.
Efforts to get a comment on his overseas assignment proved futile yesterday, but reliable sources told the WEEKEND NATION, Benn has been engaged in a series of orientation exercises and meetings, including a visit to the Ministry of Labour’s offices at Warrens, St Michael.
A former marketing expert with at least two leading private companies, Benn, who lost his challenge to former Prime Minister Owen Arthur in the St Peter riding, had blamed his Democratic Labour Party for ruining his chances at winning the seat by neglecting the northern constituency.
Just two months ago, he pledged to quit active politics if Arthur decided he was no longer contesting the St Peter seat. (TS)