Montreal Jamaicans to focus on development, recovery efforts at diaspora conference

The Jamaica Association of Montreal says it plans to use this year’s Jamaica Diaspora Conference as a platform to deepen engagement between overseas Jamaicans and national development priorities.

A 10-member delegation from the Montreal-based group is in Jamaica for the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, being held June 14 to 18 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, where they will join hundreds of delegates from across the global Jamaican community.

Newly appointed association president Sharon Nelson, who took up the role in December 2025, said the group is looking to move beyond discussion and focus on practical ways the diaspora can support Jamaica’s development.

She said being physically present at the conference offers an opportunity to better understand issues affecting Jamaicans at home and abroad, and to relay that information back to the wider diaspora community in Canada.

“We hear what’s happening there through the news, but by being there, we can bring that information back to the diaspora, share what we saw and experienced, and identify ways to offer further support,” Nelson said.

Among the key issues for the Montreal delegation is ongoing recovery work following Hurricane Melissa, which caused significant damage to communities across Jamaica.

Nelson said the group has already contributed to relief efforts but wants to assess current needs firsthand.

“We want to understand what has happened nine months later. The Montreal delegation has added our bit to helping in the recovery and it is important for us to go and see what has been done, what the needs are and what more can be done because it is a massive undertaking,” she said.

Security, healthcare, and real estate investment are also expected to be central discussion points, as many Jamaicans in Canada continue to evaluate opportunities for investment or eventual return to the island.

Nelson noted that partnerships with financial and support institutions, including the JN Bank Canada Representative Office, have played a key role in addressing diaspora concerns by providing guidance on investment, housing, savings, and financial planning.

She said these connections help bridge the gap for Jamaicans abroad who often struggle to access reliable services back home.

“Sometimes it’s so hard to get help when you’re so far away from your country and having the JN Bank Representative Office as a partner and part of our events is critical for many reasons,” she said. “For us it’s vital to keep every connection that is associated with Jamaica because it further highlights what they do and assist members in a very important way that we may not even think of.”

Nelson added that the relationship has made it easier for Jamaicans in Montreal to support relatives, explore investment opportunities, and maintain strong economic ties to Jamaica.

The conference, which brings together Jamaicans and stakeholders from around the world, is expected to focus on strengthening collaboration between the diaspora and local institutions, while encouraging greater participation in national development initiatives.