On November 3, 2026, as Dominica marked its 48th anniversary of national independence, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, seasoned economist and leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), delivered a nationwide address extending warm congratulations to all Dominican citizens, both residing on the island and part of the global diaspora.
Opening his remarks by tracing the island’s 1978 path to self-rule, Dr. Fontaine paid solemn tribute to the generation of activists and trailblazers who fought tirelessly to secure national sovereignty, singling out the nation’s first Prime Minister Patrick Roland John and other key figures of the independence movement. He emphasized that their historic sacrifices should serve as a lasting moral compass for current generations, reminding all citizens of the shared national responsibility to build a more equitable, thriving nation.
Challenging the public to reimagine the true meaning of independence beyond parades, national anthems and symbolic flag ceremonies, Dr. Fontaine argued that the value of national sovereignty must be tangible in the daily lived experiences of every Dominican. He outlined clear metrics to measure that value: accessible, upward mobility pathways for young people, dignified support and security for elderly residents, a robust diversified economy that guarantees all workers a living wage, and full agency for citizens to shape their own life trajectories. He went on to praise the extraordinary resilience of Dominica’s cross-sector workforce, including small-scale farmers, coastal fishers, frontline educators, healthcare staff, public servants, small business owners and laborers across every industry, as the unsung backbone of the nation’s decades of progress.
A core theme of the address was a call to set aside partisan political divides in favor of collective national unity. Dr. Fontaine urged citizens to prioritize mutual respect, constructive cross-party dialogue and collaborative problem-solving over ideological friction. He laid out targeted priorities for inclusive development: expanded access to high-quality education, vocational training, formal employment and startup support for young people, and comprehensive, age-appropriate care systems that honor the contributions of older residents. He also highlighted the Dominican diaspora as a vital, undervalued extension of the national family, calling for policy reforms to strengthen ties with overseas nationals and create structured pathways for them to contribute to domestic development efforts.
Reaffirming the UWP’s core governing vision, Dr. Fontaine highlighted the party’s established “10 Pillars to Shared Prosperity” framework as a actionable roadmap for equitable national growth. The plan prioritizes strengthening core productive sectors, targeted subsidies and infrastructure investment for the agriculture and tourism industries, increased foreign and local direct investment, sustained human capital development, and expanded grant and financing support for small and medium-sized enterprises. He explicitly noted that all development efforts must prioritize universal outreach to ensure no community or household is left behind, and that all economic progress must be paired with strict environmental safeguards to preserve Dominica’s pristine natural ecosystems for future generations.
As a long-time economist, Dr. Fontaine framed robust public accountability, full fiscal transparency, institutional integrity and consistent good governance as non-negotiable foundational pillars of a healthy independent democracy. He called on ordinary citizens to take an active role in community building, prioritize patronage of local small businesses, volunteer to support elderly and vulnerable neighbors, and hold all public institutions to the highest ethical standards. He closed the address by extending special recognition to the thousands of public servants, security personnel, frontline healthcare workers, private sector employees, community organizers and volunteers who dedicate their time to national service, and offered personal congratulations to all recipients of 2026’s national honor awards.
Closing his remarks with an uplifting call to collective action, Dr. Fontaine emphasized that the future success of Dominica is not the sole responsibility of any single political party or individual leader, but a shared duty belonging to every citizen. He urged all Dominicans to move forward with renewed confidence and collective determination to build a nation defined by radical inclusion, strong independent public institutions, expanded equitable opportunity, social justice, and widely shared prosperity for all, before offering a formal blessing for the entire Dominican community at home and across the world.