Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Denis Kingsley - Photos by Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

English may not be his native tongue, but unless this French-speaking family man said so, you wouldn't have a clue. Denis Kingsley, Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, is one of the most charming persons you will ever meet. And, behind the charming smile is a man on a mission.

Mr. Kingsley left his fast-paced Canadian life in September last year to begin his first diplomatic appointment in Jamaica.

"I was pleased when I found out. Jamaica is key for the Caribbean, soit makes this position very interesting," he told The Gleaner.

Prior to his appointment, Mr. Kingsley served as Vice-President of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in charge of human resources and corporate services. A strong work ethic he said was instilled in him as a child by his father, and it has never left him.

three-year tenure

Each challenge is an opportunity for the High Commissioner and as such, there are several projects he would like to undertake during his three-year tenure. "We have a major project that we are going to undertake in the next couple of years and that is to assist Jamaica in reforming its justice system," he said. The justice project will look at the whole process from the police force to incarceration and how to improve the structure. The Canadian Bar Association has been assisting with identifying the shortcomings. A report has already been handed over to the Ministry of Justice.

Another project that High Commissioner Kingsley plans to tackle is trade between Jamaica and Canada. "Now we're on a transaction basis ... I want to bring it to a relationship basis where Canadian companies start doing things with their Jamaican counterpart and then end up doing it together," Mr. Kingsley noted.

Understanding the immigration process to enter Canada is another key area Mr. Kingsley has on his agenda.

But he is not all about work; this High Commissioner enjoys making bread from scratch (kneading the dough relaxes him), lighting up a barbcue, reading, watching movies, playing a game of golf, socialising and spending time with his family.

While concern that security is the main difference between living in Jamaica and Canada, Mr. Kingsley said the friendly people have had a great impact on him.

pleasant environment

"I find that here it makes it a more pleasant environment to do things because people actually care ... in Canada we move too fast, we're too pressured, we have to deliver too much too quickly so, it makes it difficult on that part," he saidnoting that relationships are easier to establish.

Mr. Kingsley is married to Jo-Ann and has two daughters.