The rivalry in the Anse La Raye/Canaries constituency intensified on Friday as sitting MP Wayne Girard publicly accused former MP Dominic Fedee of using a community development idea for personal business gain. The allegation, aired during a mid-morning radio broadcast, centers on a bamboo rafting initiative originally proposed as a way to generate local revenue.
“There was a discussion in the community about ways of raising revenue…Rafting was one of those suggestions. You can’t now say to me that you are the proprietor of it,” Girard stated, adding that the project had begun while Fedee was Minister of Tourism and emphasizing that the idea was meant to benefit the entire constituency rather than a single individual.
Girard first made these claims during a March 28th, 2024, sitting of Parliament. However, the law protects MPs from civil action stemming from statements made during presentations in the House.
In response, Fedee denied the claims and announced plans to pursue legal action.
Speaking later on another radio broadcast, he said, “This is absolutely untrue…libelous and scandalous. I will be filing a case for defamation against Mr. Girard, and the burden is on him to prove the unfounded allegations he has shared with all of Saint Lucia this morning.”
Fedee explained that he developed the business while in opposition and emphasized that he would not have started a venture under the purview of his own ministry, noting his prior experience with bamboo rafting in Jamaica as the inspiration.
“The idea that I would need to steal an idea is absolutely ludicrous. It points to the desperation of Mr. Girard,” he added.
The public exchange highlights the growing tensions in Anse La Raye/Canaries ahead of the upcoming election, as both candidates seek to assert their credibility and vision for local development.
