Local Government Forum

Welcome to the Constitution Reform Forum

Trinidad and Tobago

Taking Local Government Beyond a National Clean-up Campaign

While acknowledging that the planned national clean-up campaign by the municipal corporations can have some benefits, the CRF is concerned that it may have the effect of diverting attention away from the need to develop a more comprehensive long-term approach to the management and protection of the environment.read more

Minister Imbert must withdraw appeal on CL FINANCIAL MATTER

It is with some measure of concern that the CRF is once more addressing this issue of the apparent reluctance of the State to disclose information related to the bailout of CL Financial. In August 2015, the CRF and other organisations urged the then Minister of Finance to comply with the ruling of Justice Mr. Boodoosingh as outlined in CV 2013 – 01162 Afra Raymond vs. the Minister of Finance and the Economy and provide the details of the bailout. read more

Howai must Comply

The Constitution Reform Forum (CRF) hails the High Court judgment handed down by Mr. Justice Boodoosingh as outlined in CV 2013 - 01162 Afra Raymond vs. The Minister of Finance and the Economy, which mandates the Minister to provide Mr. Raymond with the details of the CL Financial bailout as he (Mr. Raymond) had requested under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) read more

Role of the MP

As the countdown to September 7, 2015 continues, one thing we can be sure of seeing more of, is candidates making the rounds of their constituencies, listening to concerns, and making copious promises. While some of these promises are the same as in previous election campaigns, such as basic infrastructural facilities and employment opportunities for the most vulnerable, others have gone beyond the usual. read more

2015 Local Reform

In every election campaign in this country, you are sure to hear that the outgoing MP did nothing for the constituency. "After the election season we don't see them again..." read more

PFTI 2015

On behalf of the Constitution Reform Forum (CRF), I write to support the Political Finance Transparency Initiative that Disclosure Today urged you to consider through its correspondence to you, dated June 12, 2015. In particular, the CRF strongly supports Disclosure Today's request that you and your party commit to the eight (8) Obligations and Voluntary Disclosures outlined for both the party as a whole as well as for individual candidates. read more

Stop the debate - the people must resume the discussion

The CRF joins with other citizens and organizations in calling for the recall of the Constitution Amendment Bill 2014. In spite of all the rhetoric, this proposed Bill shows that the government has scant regard for the contributions of hundreds of citizens who participated in the consultation exercise conducted by the Constitution Reform Commission. read more

Report to the People

The CRF joins with other citizens and organizations in calling for the recall of the Constitution Amendment Bill 2014. In spite of all the rhetoric, this proposed Bill shows that the government has scant regard for the contributions of hundreds of citizens who participated in the consultation exercise conducted by the Constitution Reform Commission. read more

Amendments show government not serious

Even though the Prime Minister has announced that the Retiring Allowances (Legislative Service) (Amendment) and Judges Salaries and Pensions (Amendment) Bills have been put on hold, the CRF maintains that there are two core issues in the initial decision that still need attention. read more

Sheilah SOLOMON

The CRF extends sincere condolences to the family of our sister Sheilah Solomon on her passing on Monday 14 October, 2013. The CRF and the rest of the country will always be indebted to Sheilah for the work that she did through the Trinidad and Tobago Citizens' Alliance Network (TTCAN). Her bold and unwavering commitment to the empowerment of ordinary people and her insistence that people should have a direct voice in the governance of the country are hallmarks of that work. In particular, her perspectives on a civil society senate and local government reform will continue to inform on-going discussions on constitutional reform.

May she rest in peace.

Why the introduction of proportional representation for local government elections?

The CRF views with great concern the announcement made by the Prime Minister that government will be bringing a bill to Parliament to amend the Municipal Corporations Act in order to introduce a system of proportional representation for the appointment of aldermen. While the Prime Minister is claiming that this amendment does not require a special majority for passage, the fact is that the government is bypassing the constitution to introduce a major change in the electoral system of the country. Over the years, including the recent consultations on constitution reform, the CRF has emphasized the need for change to our current electoral processes and has outlined its own proposals for a mixed system that combines the first-past-the-post system and proportional representation. In principle therefore, the CRF shares the outlook of the government that there is need to adjust the approach to the way we vote in this country. read more

Do not postpone elections

The CRF views with deep concern the recent announcement by the Prime Minister and political leader of the UNC that councillors in her party were asking that the local government elections be postponed. read more

Spotlight on local government not PURE

The on-going controversy surrounding the PURE programme in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure represents yet another situation in which the authority of local government bodies is being eroded. read more

Local Government Reform needed to stop manipulation of the sector

Soon after his recent appointment as the new Minister of Local Government, Dr. Suruj Rambachan made some remarks that should be of concern to all citizens of this country. According to one newspaper report, Dr. Rambachan claimed that in his new role, he would get the People's Partnership Government ready for the 2013 local government elections, mobilizing councillors and aldermen to ensure that the current government retains and/or gains control of all corporations and regional authorities, with special emphasis on the Port of Spain City Corporation. read more

Statement on the occasion of Republic Day, 2012

This year's observation of Republic Day is significant for two reasons. First, it comes within the year that the country is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary of Independence. read more

Warner must be removed from Cabinet

The Constitution Reform Forum joins with other citizens and civil society organizations in calling for the removal of Mr. Jack Warner as Minister of National Security and as a member of the Cabinet of Trinidad and Tobago. read more

Warner investigation must continue

The Constitution Reform Forum (CRF) views with deep concern the announcement that Mr. Jack Warner has resigned as Vice President of FIFA and that the FIFA executive would no longer be pursuing its investigation of alleged bribery charges against Mr. Warner. read more