Canada-born candidate in by-election to formalise his Jamaican citizenship

Dr Shane Alexis

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Opposition People’s National Party (PNP),  in a  news release last week, said Dr Shane Alexis, the party’s candidate for the by-election to be held in St Mary South Eastern on Oct.30, will formalise his Jamaican citizenship immediately.

Dr Shane Alexis

The party reiterated that Alexis has been duly nominated in keeping with the provisions required by the Constitution of Jamaica, adding that he is a registered voter who has consistently voted in elections since 2008.

But JLP Member of Parliament for Portland Western, Daryl Vaz,  said at a recent press conference, said that Dr.Alexis  was born in Canada and is not the holder of Jamaican citizenship.

Noting that Alexis is a Commonwealth citizen by virtue of his Canadian nationality, Vaz explained that the press conference was called to shed light on the situation and is not about legality but morality.

However, the PNP explained that “Dr Alexis was born in Canada and has been residing in Jamaica since age two. Having been granted permanent residency since 1987, he is married to a Jamaican and lives here with his family and will formalise his Jamaican citizenship immediately.”

The PNP further noted  that Alexis successfully pursued his medical studies in Cuba and since his return to Jamaica has given outstanding service in public health to the people of Jamaica. His service includes working at Kingston Public Hospital, Bustamante Children’s Hospital and Annotto Bay Hospital, the party said and it  is a testimony to his integrity, capacity and commitment that he was appointed to public boards under both a PNP and JLP administration.