By Frederick Halley

THE Guyana Ex-Police Association of Canada (GEPAC) celebrated its 28th year of existence with a grand dinner and dance at the Peter and Paul Banquet Hall, Scarborough, Toronto, Canada last Saturday night with Guyana’s Honorary Consul in Toronto, Mani Singh and the association’s president Floyd Blyden hailing the achievements over the years.

Singh, who delivered a message on behalf of His Excellency, President, Dr Irfaan Ali and the Government and people of Guyana, congratulated the members of GEPAC for their many years of service to Guyana and their continued commitment to their birth land, more so in contributing to the annual bursary to schoolchildren in Guyana writing the “Common Entrance Exam.”
The Honorary Consul also recognised the presence of the several diasporaric organisations, who were present, for their contributions to the Guyanese-Canadian community.
Singh took the opportunity to bring the audience up to date on the Guyana-Venezuela controversy, referring to Venezuela’s continued illegal claims to two-thirds of Guyana’s land and maritime territories and the aggressive and outlandish rhetoric and behaviours by the Bolivarian Republic.
He pointed out that Guyana welcomes the recent Provisional ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), prohibiting Venezuela from conducting any election or referendum in the Essequibo area and warned not to disturb the status quo until its final judicial decision, expected sometime between the ending of 2026 and early 2027.

Touching on the recent internal turmoil in Guyana, Singh said, “We saw the unfortunate drowning of a little child and the deliberate throwing of acid on the bodies of three other little children. Guyana, like all countries of the world, also experienced occasional turmoil. But be assured that the situation is under control, thanks to our law-enforcement personnel.”

GEPAC’s President Floyd Blyden reminded the appreciative audience that one of the aims of the association is to assist local community “in keeping with our mission statement and to maintain a close relationship with the Guyana Police Force. We provide fellowship and camaraderie to former police officers from Guyana. We are known for our social programmes which reach those in need in both Canada and Guyana.”
Blyden disclosed that GEPAC’s efforts are geared towards those who require educational, medical, and social assistance. “We also encourage youth in the ethnic community to pursue careers in law enforcement and other public service. We also make an annual contribution to Beyond 330, an after-school programme for middle-school students in unserved communities in Toronto.

The GEPAC President pointed out that his association’s commitment to working “with our brothers and sisters locally and internationally, ensures that we will always receive success.”
The occasion was graced by a few members from the Toronto and Peel Police Services. Honorary Consul Singh was accompanied by Robert Bazil, Executive Officer II of the Consulate General of Guyana in Toronto and Corporal Latoya Crawford-Fraser of the Central Immigration and Passport Office in Guyana, who is currently in Canada on an assignment at the Guyana Consulate.