Jamaica republic debate, KSA signage fees and Scotiabank delisting lead June 15 bulletin

Kingston and St. Andrew businesses are being given another chance to clear unpaid signage fees as the municipal corporation steps up compliance work. Mayor Andrew Swaby said mobile payment outstations and public education sessions will be taken into plazas and commercial centres, where staff will answer questions, receive applications, give permit guidance and carry out preliminary inspections where needed.

In Parliament, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck urged lawmakers to return to Jamaica’s republic transition and consider changes to legislation that would remove the British monarch as head of state. Chuck said constitutional reform should proceed with broad political agreement, and invited Opposition Leader Mark Golding to resume talks. He also said Jamaicans would be consulted through town halls on the country’s final appellate court, which he argued must ultimately be Jamaican.

Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton announced community-based measures for Jamaica’s ageing population, which is projected to pass 500,000 within two decades. A caregiver training programme led by Dr. Denise Eldemire-Shearer and the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre will first prepare trainers, then recruit unpaid caregivers through churches and community groups. Pilot geriatric clinics are also planned for St. Ann and St. Catherine.

In business, Scotiabank Canada plans to buy the Scotia Group Jamaica shares it does not already own through a court-approved scheme of arrangement. Minority shareholders are expected to vote in the coming months, with completion targeted for the fourth quarter, subject to approvals. If successful, Scotia Group Jamaica would become private and leave the Jamaica Stock Exchange. The offer to minority investors totals about C$500 million.

Real estate data from the Realtors Association of Jamaica’s Multiple Listing Service showed J$100 billion in property sales for 2025, despite the economic impact of Hurricane Melissa. St. Andrew led with 1,727 sales worth J$41.17 billion, followed by strong activity in St. Ann and St. Catherine. Westmoreland recorded J$6.8 billion from 52 high-value deals, while St. Thomas had the weakest parish result at J$96.2 million.

Regionally, Barbados marked King Charles III’s official birthday, with the British High Commissioner emphasising UK-Caribbean cooperation and the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda. In Tobago, primary school pupils held a mock legislature debate on continuous digital training for teachers, and the motion passed.

Sports updates included Germany’s 7-1 World Cup win over Curacao, Ivory Coast edging Ecuador 1-0, the Netherlands drawing 2-2 with Japan, Sweden beating Tunisia 5-1, Australia defeating Turkey 2-0, Qatar earning a 1-1 draw with Switzerland, and the United States beating Paraguay 4-1. In cricket, Shemaine Campbell’s unbeaten 90 led West Indies Women to a seven-wicket T20 World Cup win over New Zealand.