La Plaine Constituency
The La Plaine Constituency is a parliamentary electoral district in the Commonwealth of Dominica, represented in the House of Assembly. Established in 1975, it encompasses the southeastern communities of La Plaine, Boetica, and Delices.
La Plaine Constituency Geographic Boundaries
Natural landmarks define the constituency’s boundaries:
- North: From Freshwater Lake to the source of the Taberi River, following the river to its estuary.
- East: Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.
- South: From the estuary of the Pointe Mulatre River, along the river to River Jack, then to its source, and in a straight line to Morne Anglais.
- Northwest: From Morne Anglais in a straight line back to Freshwater Lake.
As of 2016, the constituency had an electorate of approximately 2,562 registered voters.
Political Representation
The La Plaine Constituency has been represented by several Members of Parliament (MPs) since its inception:
- 1975–1980 – Henckell Christian: Served during Dominica’s transition to independence, representing the Dominica Labour Party. Advocated for infrastructure upgrades and education access in southeastern rural communities.
- 1980–1995 – Heskeith Alexander: A key Dominica Freedom Party figure post-1980 landslide. Held Cabinet roles in agriculture and labour, promoting rural development and cooperative farming in La Plaine, Boetica, and Delices.
- 1995–2009 – Ronald Milner Green: Former DFP leader and opposition figure. Vocal in Parliament on democratic reform and rural equality, particularly in education and access to social services.
- 2009–2019 – Petter Saint-Jean: Elected on a Dominica Labour Party ticket. Served as Minister for Education and Speaker of the House, emphasizing youth development and school rehabilitation in the southeast.
- 2019–2022 – Kent Edwards: Won a by-election and served briefly. Focused on community projects, including local road upgrades and support for small-scale agriculture in Boetica and Delices.
- 2022–Present – Dr. Cassandra Williams: Prioritizes environmental policy, disaster readiness, and village-centered economic programmes.
Dr. Cassandra Williams, representing the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), was elected in the 2022 general election. Following her election, she was appointed as the Minister of State with special responsibility for Seniors Security by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
Socioeconomic Development and Initiatives
Dr. Williams has emphasized the potential of the southeastern communities, including La Plaine, Delices, and Boetica, to contribute significantly to Dominica’s agricultural sector. She advocates for transforming these areas into hubs for producing world-class products such as bay oil, toloma, farine, and plantain. Her initiatives focus on increasing participation in profitable farm enterprises, enhancing processing methods, and improving infrastructure to support resilient agricultural practices.
Additionally, Dr. Williams plans to decentralize agricultural services, utilizing facilities like the La Plaine Agricultural Training Centre and the La Plaine Cultural Station to bolster local development.
Community Engagement
Efforts have been made to enhance community life in La Plaine. For instance, improvements to recreational facilities, such as the local basketball court, have been well-received by residents, reflecting a commitment to holistic community development .