Commonwealth of The Bahamas
Statement by:
The Honourable Fred Mitchell, M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Department of Public Service
On the appointment of Mr. Donald M. McCartney as
Counsellor/Consul to Canada 

            The Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Donald Mauryce McCartney as the new Counsellor/Consul to the Dominion of Canada, with effect from 1^st May 2006.

            Mr. McCartney has served in the Bahamian education system (private and public) and in various capacities in the private sector and public service of The Bahamas for the past forty-three years, most recently as First Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service prior to pursuing studies at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.  He presently serves (substantively) as First Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

            The Bahamas High Commission in Canada will focus on the demands of Bahamian businessmen, visitors, and students, and will serve as a crucial partner creating an ever-increasing flow of trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Mr. McCartney is the recipient of many awards for service to his community and country, including the Ministry of Tourism’s prestigious Cacique Award for his contribution to the development of human resources in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. 

In 2003, he became the first public servant to be awarded the prestigious and coveted Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship to pursue graduate studies at Georgia State University, and was awarded a grant by Georgia State University in recognition of his academic achievement prior to and during his attendance at that institution.

Mr. McCartney holds a Teachers’ Certificate from the Bahamas Teachers’ College; a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication and Education from the University of South Carolina; a Masters Degree (Hons.) in Education from the University of Miami, and a Masters Degree with a major in Public Administration and a minor in Planning and Economic Development from Georgia State University from where he graduated in May 2005 in the top 20% of his class. 

Mr. McCartney is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha (National Honour Society for Graduates in Public Administration and Public Affairs) and a member of Phi Beta Delta (National Honour Society for International Scholars).

 Mr. McCartney joined the rank of that group of Bahamians who have distinguished as authors when he published his first book (“Bahamian Culture and Factors Which Impact Upon It”) in February 2004.

He is married to the former Betty Leona Minnis and is the proud father of two daughters: Donette and Dawn.  He is also the proud mentor of and father figure to many young people.