P.C.C Received Thousands of Questions in Consultations

Earlier this week, Head of the Good Governance Unit, Cesar Ross told the media that as one of the leaders of the commission, he observed that there was poor turnout by the public in some areas of the country where they have held public consultations. Chairman of the Commission, Anthony Chanona told us that while the physical turnout in some areas was poor, thousands tuned in online and sent in their questions and concerns. He said that the real work will begin next year when the commission puts together those volumes of questions and concerns to present as part of a report to the government.

Anthony Chanona

Anthony Chanona, Chairman, People’s Constitution Commission

“Next year is the critical work of this commission. This is where the rubber hits the road  because And that’s all two, three and responses that we have that we’ve harvested from across this country and the diaspora.  Remember, we’re also talking to people in the diaspora. Belizeans who love their country just as much as we do, have a voice.  All those questions now need to go on a table and into thematic committees. That is when the work of the commission truly begins  next year, January. to march and then going forward into public consultation.  And why we say we need time? Because  your constitution, and amending or repealing any aspect of it, should not be a hurried exercise. This is a document that’s not sacrosanct in the sense that it can’t be changed, but it must surely be reflective of what the people want. And we can’t rush in and say, Okay, we had a consultation. We asked you what you wanted, and we’re going to now interpret what you said. we want to go back to the people and say, In January to December, you told us this is what you wanted about education, or check and balances, or oath of office, whatever you were telling us. We have met as a committee.  These are the recommendation.  Do you agree that what we are recommending is what you said?  We have to go back to the people with that. We can’t give the Prime Minister a report that has not yet been tested in the public space.”