The Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) strongly condemns the recent statement made by the
Hon. Vince Henderson, Minister of Trade, during the 2025/26 Budget Debate in Parliament, maliciously questioned the credibility, operations, and management of Josephine Gabriel & Company Ltd.
Josephine Gabriel & Company Ltd, the island’s only water bottling enterprise and the producer of Trois Pitons Water, is one of Dominica’s longest-serving and most respected
private sector companies on the island. The Minister’s insinuations regarding the safety
of the company’s water, made under the cover of parliamentary privilege, are deeply
irresponsible and troubling. If the Minister had any valid concerns, the proper course of
action ought to have been to engage the management of the company privately to discuss
them.
The DFP views this statement as an unwarranted attack on a private business that has
served Dominica well for decades, and as a broader signal of disregard for the contribution of the private sector to the island’s economic and social development. Such remarks not only undermine investor confidence but also tarnish the reputation of a reputable local brand. The DFP views this as part of a troubling pattern in which Ministers of the Dominica Labor Party-led administration have publicly and viciously undermined local enterprises.
“Such actions erode investor confidence, damage livelihoods, and harm our nation’s
reputation as a friendly place for doing business.”
Furthermore, the Minister’s call for the Dominica Bureau of Standards to investigate the
company appears unjustified in the absence of any substantiated evidence. The DFP believes that public officials must exercise care, fairness, and responsibility when making
statements that can have serious repercussions for individuals, businesses, and the wider
economy.
The DFP reminds all public officials that words spoken in Parliament—while protected
from legal action—carry real-world consequences for the people and companies targeted.
What is also alarming and of concern to the Dominica Freedom Party is the fact that the
Speaker of the House of Assembly Hon. Joseph Isaac is allowing the parliament to be
used for promoting divisiveness and hurt, which should not be part of our parliamentary
discourse in a civil society. The DFP calls on the Speaker to take better control of the proceedings during the meetings of the parliament, to maintain dignity and decorum in
the House of Assembly.
The Dominica Freedom Party wishes to compliment Josephine Gabriel Company Ltd for
their positive contributions to Dominica’s economy over the past four decades and more
and place on record its unwavering support for their continuous success.
Rest assured that a Dominica Freedom Party-led administration would facilitate business growth and job creation upon assuming government, and as we once did during the Party’s three (3) consecutive terms in office.
The Dominica Freedom Party, therefore, calls on Minister Henderson to:
- Issue a public apology for his outburst in Parliament against Josephine Gabriel
& Company. - Take his responsibility seriously as the Minister of Trade.
The DFP stands in solidarity with the private sector in Dominica and will continue to
advocate for a business environment built on fairness, transparency, good governance, and respect.