The Government of Saint Lucia has announced further details of its new Newborn Grant programme while confirming a change at the nation’s highest constitutional office following the departure of Governor-General Sir Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles.
The announcements were made during Monday’s pre-Cabinet briefing by Press Secretary Melissa Paul.
Paul said the Newborn Grant is intended to provide immediate financial assistance to families following the birth of a child while encouraging the timely registration of newborns.
“The Newborn Grant is intended to help mothers meet some of the immediate expenses associated with caring for a baby,” she said.
She explained that the initiative also seeks to ensure that every child is formally registered at birth.
“It also encourages timely registration which gives every child a legal identity and is necessary for accessing public services and obtaining official documents.”
According to Paul, the programme forms part of Government’s broader efforts to support families during the early stages of a child’s life.
“The program forms part of the Government of Saint Lucia’s efforts to provide practical support to families at the important stage of their child’s lives.”
She encouraged parents seeking additional information to contact the relevant authority.
“Further information on the Newborn Grants program can be obtained at the Civil Status Registry.”
The briefing also marked the conclusion of Sir Errol Charles’ tenure as Governor-General.
Paul announced that, “His Excellency Sir Cyril Errol Melchiades Charles GCMG demitted office as Governor-General of St Lucia on July 31st 2026.”
She said His Majesty King Charles III, acting on the advice of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, had appointed Felix Finisterre to serve as Acting Governor-General.
“His Majesty King Charles III acting on advice of Prime Minister Honourable Philip J. Pierre appointed His Excellency Mr. Felix Finisterre as Acting Governor-General of St Lucia with effect from August 1st 2026.”
Paul reflected on Sir Errol’s years of service, noting that he first assumed office as Acting Governor-General in November 2021 before being formally appointed Governor-General in November 2024.
She said his tenure coincided with several significant constitutional milestones.
“Sir Errol served during a period of constitutional change in St Lucia including the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the accession and coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and St Lucia’s transition from the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council to the Caribbean Court of Justice as its final Court of Appeal.”
Paul also highlighted the extensive public service record of Acting Governor-General Felix Finisterre, describing a career spanning education, community development, tourism and public administration.
She noted that Finisterre spent 18 years teaching at every level of the education system before returning from university studies in the United Kingdom to lecture at the former Saint Lucia Teachers’ College, now the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.
Paul said Finisterre became widely recognized for championing community-based development and sustainable tourism initiatives, including helping establish the Soufrière Regional Development Foundation, developing the Sulphur Springs as one of the island’s premier tourism attractions, and playing a key role in creating the Soufrière Marine Management Area, the first integrated marine management area in the Eastern Caribbean.
Finisterre later entered public life, serving as Minister for Communications, Works, Transport and Public Utilities after his election to the House of Assembly in 2000.
Following his retirement from active politics he continued working with communities and institutions in Saint Lucia, across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States and in Haiti.