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
The constituency’s boundaries are defined by natural landmarks:
- 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:
- Henckell Christian (1975–1980)
- Heskeith Alexander (1980–1995)
- Ronald Milner Green (1995–2009)
- Petter Saint-Jean (2009–2019)
- Kent Edwards (2019–2022)
- Dr. Cassandra Williams (2022–present)
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 .