As another election cycle looms, two familiar faces, Wayne Girard and Dominic Fedee, prepare to make their case to one of Saint Lucia’s most competitive constituencies.
Nestled along Saint Lucia’s scenic western coastline, the Anse La Raye/Canaries constituency stretches from steep forested hills to fishing villages that have long defined the island’s character. It is a community rich in culture and potential, yet one that continues to grapple with limited economic opportunities, infrastructural needs, and the perennial challenge of balancing tourism with local livelihoods.
This district has frequently swung between the Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) and the United Workers Party (UWP) and the upcoming contest is expected to pit two well-known figures against each other once more: Wayne D. Girard, the incumbent Labour Party MP and Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy; and Dominic Fedee, the former tourism minister and UWP representative for the same constituency.
Wayne Girard: Focused on continuity and community investment
For Wayne Girard, his entry into politics was driven by a sense of purpose.
“My view of getting into politics is to make a difference,” he said, reflecting on his time in office and the projects his team has initiated or advanced across the constituency.
Among them are the rehabilitation of sporting facilities, redevelopment of key road ways, the construction of the West Coast Fire Station, and ongoing work to establish a new jetty in Canaries — complementing the recently redeveloped jetty in Anse La Raye. He also pointed to efforts to develop new tourism products to encourage visitors to stop in Anse La Raye, contributing to local economic activity and the continued growth of the Anse La Raye Fish Fry, which has become one of the island’s signature community events.
The minister also addressed criticisms suggesting that he is not frequently seen in the constituency, noting that his national portfolio required significant attention during a period of economic difficulty following the pandemic.
“I have always been available to my constituents,” Girard said during the September 17 edition of Choice TV’s For the Record, noting his ministerial responsibilities often required long hours as the government worked through a difficult fiscal period. “I haven’t missed any major activities in Anse La Raye or Canaries — my commitment has never wavered.”
Dominic Fedee: Aiming to reconnect and revive
On the other side of the political divide, Dominic Fedee — who served as MP from 2016 to 2021 — is once again vying to represent the constituency under the UWP banner. During his tenure as Minister for Tourism, Information, and Broadcasting, Fedee presided over one of Saint Lucia’s strongest tourism years on record. In 2019, the island recorded 423 736 stay-over arrivals, the highest annual figure at the time.
That record year serves as a central plank in his campaign narrative, bolstering the idea that he can deliver sustained growth in the tourism sector even amid challenges.
Fedee has long championed what was once called village tourism — now widely referred to as community tourism — a philosophy aimed at giving Saint Lucian communities a greater stake in the tourism economy. According to his party profile, he played a leading role in promoting this concept, advocating for the decentralisation of tourism opportunities and the creation of more avenues for local entrepreneurship.
With both men advocating for similar forms of development within the constituency — from community-based tourism to youth empowerment, infrastructure upgrades, and local enterprise, the choice for voters in Anse La Raye/Canaries may ultimately come down to trust, delivery, and connection.
Wayne D Girard (SLP)
Wayne D Girard, the Saint Lucia Labour Party candidate, is the Member of Parliament for Anse La Raye/Canaries and serves as Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and the Youth Economy. Elected in 2021, he has focused on infrastructure, youth empowerment, and small business development. Girard holds a business with law degree from the University of Wales, with executive education from Oxford and Chicago Booth.
Dominic Fedee (UWP)
Dominic Fedee is a member of the United Workers Party and served as Member of Parliament for Anse La Raye/Canaries from 2016 to 2021, as well as Minister for Tourism, Information, and Broadcasting. Prior to politics, he worked as the OECS regional public relations manager for Sandals Resorts International. Fedee remains an active political figure, focusing on economic revitalisation and tourism-driven development.
