Former PCC Commissioner Louis Wade Jr. denounces critics of Belize constitutional process

Published by BBNTEAM at May 24, 2025

Posted: Saturday, May 24, 2025. 2:40 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: A new voice has emerged in the ongoing controversy surrounding the final report of the People’s Constitutional Commission (PCC), with former commissioner and Church Senator Louis Wade Jr. strongly disputing claims made in a recent letter signed by eight ex-commissioners. Wade insists that the assertions misrepresent the process and the work undertaken by the PCC, emphasizing that the criticisms lack first-hand knowledge and facts.

Wade, who served as a substantive commissioner during the two-year constitutional consultation, defended the integrity and legitimacy of the process, stating, “I believe that the process used was voted on and approved, was in compliance with the relevant legislation, was true and faithful to the National Ethos, and represent the voices of the vast majority of Belizeans.” He highlighted that democratic safeguards, including a referendum and legislative approval thresholds, ensure that no recommendation will become law without the popular support of Belizeans.

Addressing the critics’ claims that the process was flawed and mismanaged, Wade pointed out that none of the eight dissenting commissioners were part of the Thematic Chair Committee responsible for drafting key sections of the report, thus lacking firsthand knowledge of the discussions and decisions in those meetings. “They do not have direct knowledge of what transpired in the TCC meetings,” Wade stated. He also noted that Chairman Anthony Chanona and other PCC leaders are unable to speak publicly at this time pending formal mechanisms for their input, and warned against attempts to tarnish their reputations.

Wade, speaking to Channel 5 News, further criticized the narrative that millions of dollars were wasted: “It is very interesting that this is the frame that the former commissioners chose to put forward this attack at what I consider to be an attack on the report itself and against the chairman who in our opinion, the vast majority of commissioners, have done an excellent job at being able to put twenty-one different organizations, twenty-one different backgrounds together, and with limited funding, because we needed about seven million dollars, we received about one to two million, yet within the two year period a lot of work was done to bring to the fore what the wishes of the mases of Belizeans wanted as it relates to the constitution. Now to have an attack from within that seeks to give the impression that millions of dollars were wasted and two years were wasted because some commissioners were disgruntled, it is an unfortunate situation that I cannot remain silent about.”

He also condemned efforts by some commissioners to sabotage the process, including alleged leaks of drafts of the report and attempts to insert additional recommendations after the fact. Wade emphasized that the final report was thoroughly discussed, ventilated, and supported by the majority in the plenary session, with the issues raised by the critics being ultimately unsubstantiated.

Support also came from George Myvett, a former Alternate Commissioner, who advocated for respect for the process and praised Chairman Chanona’s leadership. “The work done by the chairman and the commission was vital and well-managed despite limited resources,” Myvett said.

Wade concluded by reaffirming his belief that the PCC’s efforts aimed to give Belizeans a voice and that the recommendations, especially on new rights, are designed to benefit all citizens. He promised to release additional information to counter ongoing attacks and urged the public to focus on the process and the democratic safeguards embedded within it.

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