St. John’s Rural North candidate Charles Fernandez has pushed back against criticism that he has not been sufficiently visible in his constituency, pointing to a range of community initiatives and direct engagement efforts.
Speaking during a “Know Your Candidate” interview ahead of the April 30 general election, Fernandez said the demands of his ministerial portfolio have been significant but have not prevented him from maintaining contact with residents.
“Tourism is not an easy thing… there has been a lot, a lot of work,” he said, referencing responsibilities tied to aviation, transportation and major infrastructure projects.
He rejected suggestions that this workload has limited his presence in the constituency, outlining programmes he said demonstrate consistent engagement.
“We have the back-to-school [programme], we have the bus to take seniors out on a day tour… we were having town hall meetings,” Fernandez said, adding that his team also distributes food packages and provides laptops to students graduating from local schools.
The minister said his office remains open to constituents and that no one is turned away, even if wait times may occur due to his schedule.
“No constituent is turned away from my office, no day,” he said.
Fernandez also pointed to partnerships with community groups, including sewing classes for single mothers, and regular events such as Christmas parties and senior tours as part of his outreach.
He acknowledged that traditional forms of engagement, such as town hall meetings, have seen limited attendance, suggesting that many residents now rely more on media and social platforms for information.
“It is difficult… a lot of people rely on social media and television,” he said.
Fernandez is seeking re-election in a constituency he won in 2023 by just over 200 votes, and the issue of visibility has emerged as part of the campaign debate.
He said balancing national responsibilities with constituency work remains a challenge but insisted that his record reflects ongoing involvement at the community level.
The St. John’s Rural North race is expected to be closely watched, with both major parties targeting the seat as part of the broader contest for government.
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