By Staff Writer
ROSEAU, Dominica, Jun 12, CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, Friday, praised his outgoing Minister for Labour, Public Service Reform, Social Partnership, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, Miriam Blanchard, who announced her resignation from his cabinet due to medical reasons.
“For nearly 10 years, Miriam served the people of Dominica in Cabinet with distinction — leading the reconstruction of our country’s infrastructure after Tropical Storm Erika, guiding our planning and economic development, and championing our workers, our public servants, and our small businesses.
“Throughout this journey, even as the inherent fragilities of life and health became apparent, her perseverance never wavered. Miriam gave herself entirely to the advancement of our people, and it is now time that we, as a grateful country, do the same for her. It is our turn to lift her, to wrap her in our collective support and to hold her up continuously in prayer,” Skerrit said in a statement.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Dominica Parliament, Joseph Isaac, announced that he had received a June 9, 2026, letter from Blanchard on Friday, advising of her resignation as the Member of Parliament for the Roseau North Constituency.
“In her correspondence, Hon. Blanchard indicated that her decision to resign was made on medical grounds”.
Last August, Blanchard, who had been a member of the cabinet since 2016, had sought medical treatment overseas for an undisclosed illness. She had also served as Minister for Public Workers and Ports as well as Planning and Economic Development, in successive Dominica Labour Party (DLP) administrations headed by Prime Minister Skerrit.
In his statement, Skerrit said he wanted to “ express the deepest sentiments of a grateful government and nation” to Blanchard “for her extraordinary years of service,” saying that she had chosen “ to answer the call to enter public life, choosing to raise her hand and be counted when the country needed selfless service”.
He said her constituents have known her “not only as a Minister, but as a tireless advocate who made sure their community shared fully in Dominica’s progress.
“As she steps away to focus fully on making a complete recovery, I pray that the same remarkable resilience which she brought to the service of our country continues to hold her in good strain, bringing her comfort and renewed strength during this season of healing.”
He said that he wanted to assure the residents of Roseau North that their interests will continue to be served “without interruption, and that a by-election will be held within the period prescribed by our Constitution.
“Miriam, your legacy is securely written into the progress of our nation. As you face this next chapter, please be reassured that the Government and the Dominica Labour Party will continue to stand by your side, supporting you and your family in every way possible,” Skerrit added.
CMC/cj/ir/2026