This was primarily a session for ministerial statements rather than legislative debate. Ministers updated Parliament on various government activities and achievements. The most significant announcement was that Bermuda's new minimum wage of $16.40 per hour officially took effect on June 1st, with special provisions for workers who receive tips and gratuities. Ministers also celebrated the opening of the St. George's Marina project after years of delays, and condemned recent violent attacks against bus drivers while announcing new safety measures.
Opening of the new St. George's Marina for superyachts on Ordnance IslandImplementation of Bermuda's minimum wage of $16.40 per hour starting June 1, 2023Bermuda College graduation ceremony with 102 graduates from the Class of 2023Recent attacks on bus operators and safety measures for public transport workersBermuda Monetary Authority annual report showing growth in financial services sector
Bills & Motions
No bills were debated or voted on in this session. Several regulatory orders and notices were tabled for information, including:
Public Health and Quarantine Communicable Disease Orders 2023
Bermuda Monetary Authority Annual Report 2022
Notable Moments
Premier Burt noted that BMA executives earn significantly more than government ministers, with the CEO earning $500,000 compared to ministers' salaries
Minister Furbert strongly condemned attacks on bus operators and announced immediate safety measures including surveillance cameras and training programs
The St. George's Marina project cost jumped from $2.2 million to $4.12 million due to pandemic-related supply chain issues
Debate Transcript
537 speeches from 44 speakers
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerGood morning, Members. We will be led in prayers by the Clerk, Mr. Somner. PRAYERS [ Prayers read by Mr. Clark Somner, Deputy Clerk ] CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES [Minutes of 19 May 2023]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerConfirmation of Minutes for the 19th of May. Any objections? [ Minutes of 19 May 2023 confirmed] MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThere appear to be none. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING APOLOGY
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Speaker will be absent from today’s proceedings. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThere are none. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWe will start with the Premier’s paper. It will be done by the Deputy Premier, the Honourable Walter Roban. BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY 2022 ANNUAL REPORT Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Good morning to Members of the Legislature and listening public. I have the honour to attach …
We will start with the Premier’s paper. It will be done by the Deputy Premier, the Honourable Walter Roban. BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY 2022 ANNUAL REPORT Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Good morning to Members of the Legislature and listening public. I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the Honourable House of Assembly the Bermuda Monetary Authority Annual Report 2022. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe next paper s are by the Honourable Minister Jason Haywood. EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE ENTITLEMENT) ACT 2022 COMMENCEMENT DAY NOTICE 2023 EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE) AMENDMENT ORDER 2023 EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE ENTITLEMENT) REGULATIONS 2023 Hon. Jason Hayward: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have the …
The next paper s are by the Honourable Minister Jason Haywood. EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE ENTITLEMENT) ACT 2022 COMMENCEMENT DAY NOTICE 2023 EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE) AMENDMENT ORDER 2023 EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE ENTITLEMENT) REGULATIONS 2023 Hon. Jason Hayward: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the Honourable House of Assembly the Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement) Act 2022 C ommencement Day N otice 2023 made by the Minister responsible for Labour in exercise of the power conferred by section 23 of the Employm ent (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement) Act 2022; The Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage) Amendment Order 2023 made by the Minister responsible for Labour in exercise of the power conferred by section 11 of the Employment (Wage Commission) Act 2019; and The E mployment (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement) Regulations 2023 made by the Minister re-sponsible for Labour in exercise of his power conferred by sections 6(2) and 7(2) of the Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement) Act 2022. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speak er.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Minister. The next communication is from the Honourable Minister Kim Wilson. PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICABLE DISEASE ORDER 2023 QUARANTINE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE ORDER 2023 1438 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you and good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, …
Thank you, Minister. The next communication is from the Honourable Minister Kim Wilson. PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICABLE DISEASE ORDER 2023 QUARANTINE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE ORDER 2023 1438 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you and good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the Honourable House of Assembly the Public Health Communicable Disease Order 2023 made by the Minister responsible for Health in exercise of the powers conferred by section 67 of the Public Health Act 1949; and the Quaran-tine Communicable Disease Order 2023 made by the Minister responsible for Health in exercise of the power as conferred by section 8[(6)] of the Quarantine Act 2017. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThere are no petitions. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWe will start with the Honourable Colonel Burch. OPENING OF THE ST. GEORGE’S MARINA
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchGood morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, on Monday, May 22, 2023 , I along with the Honourable Premier, the Honourable David Burt, JP, MP ; yourself, the Deputy Speaker , the Honourable Derrick V. Burgess, JP, MP ; Mrs. Renee Ming, JP, MP , the Member of Parliament …
Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, on Monday, May 22, 2023 , I along with the Honourable Premier, the Honourable David Burt, JP, MP ; yourself, the Deputy Speaker , the Honourable Derrick V. Burgess, JP, MP ; Mrs. Renee Ming, JP, MP , the Member of Parliament for constituency 1; and the m arina owner , Mr. Mark Soares, attended the celebratory grand opening for the new St. George’ s Marina facility on Ordnance Island, which provides a haven for numerous superyacht vessels which are larger than standard yachts and are typically serviced by highly skilled, highly paid crew members. This achievement not only symbolises this Govern-ment’s unwavering commitment to the superyacht charter industry but also reaffirms our dedication to the ancillary industries that thrive alongside it. Mr. Deputy Speaker, originally conceived in October 2010, the Corporation of St. George’s [the Corporation] with the support of the then- PLP- helmed Ministry of Public Works began an investigation into the possibility of developing a marina around Ordnance Island as well as a boutique hotel over the Corporationowned car park. However , despite all efforts, financing for this development proved difficult. But nevertheless , Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Corporation pressed on by issuing a standalone request for proposal [RFP] in Janu-ary 2012 for the marina, which included an initial phase of procuring planning approval, undertaking additional engineering assessments that would provide a more accurate costing, to scheduling and negotiating the necessary commercial agreements between all parties so the necessary funding could be secured. The Cor-poration took this course of action as it believed the ma-rina on its own was more likely to attract investors due to the lower capital cost in comparison with the hotel and marina combination. This belief proved true as three bids were received. Mr. Deputy Speaker, arising out of this 2012 procurement process an agreement in principle was made for the development of the marina between the Corporation and the St. George’s Marina Development Ltd. [the Developer] that would see the renovation of the existing dock at Ordnance Island. However, in December 2012, right as the project was set to move to the next step, as we all are aware there was a change in Government. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I cannot speak to why this project seemed to be on a five- year hiatus from December 2012, but when this Administration came into Government in July 2017, we vowed to revitalise this initiative. So much so it was placed in our 2020 Election Manifesto, and I quote: “[Your ] PLP Government will : Enact legislation to advance the construction of a marina in St. George’s Harbour. A marina will en-hance the town while providing a much- needed economic boost to the community.” Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Corporation with the full support of the Ministry of Public Works reengaged the Developer to see the actual materialis ation of this project. To show this Government’s belief in not only the economic revitali sation of the Town of St. George’s , but the potential macroeconomic impact of the superyachts to Bermuda’s t ourism industry , Mr. Deput y Speaker , first this Honourable House wisely passed the Superyachts and Other Vessel s (Miscellaneous ) Act 2019. This legislation , which supports three categories of vessel permits —transit, cruise and superyacht charters—makes it easier for superyachts to obtain permits for cruising and chartering while allowing them to stay in Bermuda without penalties for refuelling and stocking up on supplies during transit. The Act brings substantial advantages to our economy , as these vessels contribute significantly to the local consumption of goods and services especially now in the former c apital. Once this passed, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in November 2021 then- Acting Minister Wayne Furbert announced the 21- year leasing agreement and public –private partnership between th e Developer ( again , St. George’s Marina Development Limited) , the Corporation of St. George’s and the Government , which solidified the path forward to see the fulsome retrofit of the existing dock including: • improved and designated dock areas for visiting yachts; • 650 linear feet of visiting dockage for smaller yachts; • 10 stern to berths for superyachts with mooring systems;
Bermuda House of Assembly • m arina reception, showers, laundry facilities, lounge, food and beverage, an internet café; and • the installation of sewage pumping serv ices. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I presented to this Honourable House a Statement on May 6, 2022 , detailing some of the issues which we encountered during this project , mainly the sharp increase in the associated costs first estimated at $2.2 million with a completion date of June 2022. However, attributed to the p andemic, supply chain issues and material cost in-creases , the total cost rose to $4.12 million. Whilst this was not ideal , Mr. Deputy Speaker, we are steadfast in the belief that this investment was necessary , as the now opened marina will have major positive macroeco-nomic impacts to the former capital and the whole Island for decades to come. Mr. Deputy Speaker , I must acknowledge the essential efforts of Crisson Construction Limited, which spearheaded the primary dock works, D&J Construction for the renovation works to the building and the in-valuable technical supervision provided by engineering consultants Br unel Limited. Mr. Deputy Speaker , this facility will solidify Bermuda’s position as a premier destination for superyachts and unlock new opportunities for local businesses, especially those in the Town of St. George’s . As I conclude Mr. Deputy Speaker , I want to express my congratulations to Mr. Mark Soares , owner of St. George’s Marina Development Limited, and his team and wish them much success. [I wish] t o also congratulate the Corporation of St. George ’s for increasing revenue for the t own by this arr angement. This marina contributes to the ongoing economic revitalisation of the Town of St. George ’s. And let me say , based on our site visit recently where we saw hundreds of tourists walking about the town and enjoying themselves , this only helps contribute to the business community within the former c apital. As we look forward to future expansion of the marina, it would be remiss of me not to mention that this Government has set a new standard for excellence in the superyacht industry , which ultimately leads the way in ensuring a thriving and prosperous future for Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker .
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Colonel Burch. The next Statement is from the Minister of Education, Mr. Diallo Rabain. Minister, you have the floor. BERMUDA COLLEGE GRADUATE CLASS OF 2023 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, colleagues, and good morning to the listening audience. Mr. Deputy …
Thank you, Colonel Burch. The next Statement is from the Minister of Education, Mr. Diallo Rabain. Minister, you have the floor.
BERMUDA COLLEGE GRADUATE CLASS OF 2023 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, colleagues, and good morning to the listening audience. Mr. Deputy Speaker, t his morning I rise before this Honourable House to share information about the recent graduation events at Bermuda College and to provide details of this Class of 2023. Mr. Deputy Speaker, l ike most universities and colleges, commencement represents the culmination and highlight of the academic year for Bermuda Col-lege. Bermuda College’s c ommencement also marks the start of the graduation season in Bermuda. This year’s event was held on the afternoon of the 18 th of May 2023 under the big tent on its sports field w here biochemist, researcher, lecturer and first Black female founder of a genomics company in the world, Dr . Carika Weldon , gave the Commencement Address. The G raduate’s Address was delivered by Mr . Jayden Cheeseman, a former student of t he Berkeley Institute who received his Associate of Science in Education and is aspiring to be a physical education teacher. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am proud to note that there were 102 graduates, with almost 54 per cent of the Class of 2023 earning either merit (that is, a GPA between 3.0 and 3.49) or distinction (a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0), including four Phi Theta Kappa Honour Society graduates. Again, the Associate of Arts in Business Administration programme produced the largest graduating group with 22 graduates. Mr. Deputy Speaker, p lease indulge me at this time to share the number of graduates for other pro-grammes represented on the graduation list, which includes the following:
Division of Arts and Science
• The Associate of Arts in Art & Design , nine graduates; • Associate of Arts , four ; • Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education, four; • Associate of Arts and Science , four ; • Associate of Science, one; • Associate of Science in Actuarial Science, three; and • Associate of Science in Education, two .
Division of Business, Hospitality and Technica l Education
• Certificate for Accounting Technician , one ; • Certificate in Applied Science Technology , one; • Certificate in Electrical Wiring Technology, five ; • Certificate in Heating, Ventilation & Air Condi-tioning Technology , two ; • Certificate in Motor Vehicle Technology , two ; • Certificate in Plumbing Tec hnology , two ; • Certificate in Wood Technology , two ; • Diploma in Computer Network Technology , one; 1440 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly • Diploma in Culinary Arts , seven; • Diploma in Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology , two ; • Diploma in Plumbing Technology , one; • Diploma in Hospitalit y Management , three; • Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts , one; • Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality Management , one; • Associate of Arts in Business Administration, 22; and • Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems , three.
Division of Nursing and Allied Health
• Associate of Science in Nursing, 11 graduates; • Associate of Science in Pre-Health Science, four; and • Associate of Science in Pre-Medical Science, three. Mr. Deputy Speaker, t here were also three dual-enrolment graduates who were also awarded their associate degrees and certificates before receiving their high school certificates later this month. There were also eleven College Promise graduates of whom four graduated with distinction and three with merit. Mr. Deputy Speaker, as a reminder to my honourable colleagues and the listening audience, as a means to provide additional support to our public school students, the College Promise program me was introduced in 2020. This programme allows any student from Cedar Bridge Academy or the Berkeley Institute who graduates with a 3.0 GPA or higher to attend the Bermuda College tuition- free. I am immensely proud to see these young men and women take advantage of this opportunity, and I wish them all success in their next steps. Mr. Deputy Speaker, o ther Outstanding Award recipients include the following: • Most Outstanding Arts Graduate, Yasmeen Codrington- Edmead; • Most Outstanding Art & Design Graduate, Lila McHugh; • Most Outstanding Actuarial Science Graduate, Mitchiko Daquiz ; • Most Outstanding Education Graduate , Jayden Cheeeseman; • Most Outstanding Early Childhood Education Graduate , Sarabi Outerbridge- Dill; • Most Outstanding Arts & Science Graduate, Tiazhe’ Trott ; • Arts & Science Distinguished Dean’s Award, Yukia Hall; • Overall Most Outstanding Division of Arts and Science Award Graduate, Chantae Wilson; • Most Outstanding General Business Graduate , Iannah Caines ; • Most Outstanding Management Graduate, Cheyne Smith ; • Most Outstanding Accounting/Finance Gradu-ate, Mya Peets ; • Most Outstanding Information Technology Graduate , Shaun DeCouto; • Best Culinary Arts Graduate, Carolina Carter ; • Ming Family Culinary Graduate Award, Gideon Wheddon; • Business & Hospitality Dean’s Award for Excel-lence, Sara Costa ; • Most Outstanding Electrical Wiring Graduate, Da-Juan Place; • Most Outstanding Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Graduate, Shomori Fox ; • Most Outstanding Plumbing Graduates , Dylan Lightbourn and Aaron- Claude White; • Most Outstanding Wood Technology Graduate, Isra Sharr ieff-Furbert ; • Director of Nursing & Allied Health Leadership Award , Melanie Garca; • Excellence in Clinical Nursing Practice Award , Rebekah Darrell ; • Nursing Impact Award, Giselle Muhammad; • Nursing Academic Achievement Award, Jecar Chapman ; • Pre-Health Science Academic Achievement Award , Gabriella Camara; and • Pre-Medical Science Academic Achievement Award , Sakena Francis . Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 11 students who graduated with their Bachelor of Business Administration in association with the Bermuda College degrees through the longstanding partnership Bermuda College has with Mount Saint Vincent University. Six of them graduated with distinction. Mr. Deputy Speaker, during the evening the College’s Athora Division of Professional and Career Education [APACE] also held its awards ceremony where it issued 269 awards covering 34 different careers [including] the following areas : The Certificate for Intellectual Disability, Certificate in Basic DJ -ing and the International Coaching & Leadership Institute’s Coaching Foundations Certificate were awarded for the first time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, included in the APACE awardees were several current public high school students and 2022 graduates as follows:
Endeavour Maritime Springboard Programme
• Cohort 2022, eight students ; • Cohort 2023, four students ; • Certificate for Nursing Assistants , 10 students ; • City & Guilds Entry Level Introductory Award in Employability Skills , 26 students .
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Deputy Speaker, I ask that you and this Honourable House join me in congratulating the Bermuda College Class of 2023 and the APACE Award Recipients, who discovered and followed their path at Bermuda College! Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker . [Desk thumping]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Minister. The next Statement is from Minister Haywood. EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE) ORDER 2023 AND EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE ENTITLEMENT REGULATIONS 2023) Hon. Jason Hayward: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am pleased to rise today to provide to the Members of this Honourable House an overview of …
Thank you, Minister. The next Statement is from Minister Haywood.
EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE) ORDER 2023 AND EMPLOYMENT (MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE ENTITLEMENT REGULATIONS 2023) Hon. Jason Hayward: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am pleased to rise today to provide to the Members of this Honourable House an overview of the Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage) Order 2023 (the Order) and the Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) t hat have been tabled in this Honourable House. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Employment (Minimum Wage Hourly Entitlement) Act 2022 sets out the guidelines for the application of the minimum hourly wage and the enforcement provisions regarding adherence to the payment of a minimum hourly wage rate, amongst other things. Additionally, it gives Labour In-spectors the authority to investigate an employee’s complaint against his employer and issue enforcement notices to employers who fail to correctly remunerate their employee(s) pursuant to this Order. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Regulations, which are subject to the negative resolution procedure, are necessary to properly carry out the provisions of the Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement) Act 2022 as it relates to the average hourly rate of pay for the minimum hourly wage and the records to be kept by every employer. The Regulations outline the calcu-lation for the average hourly rate of pay as well as the records to be kept by the employers at their premises or a place where their employees work, that show that they are in compliance with the Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement) Act 2022 and the Order and are paying their employees at a rate that is equal to the minimum hourly wage rate. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Order, which is subject to the negative resolution procedure, sets out the minimum hourly wage rate for Bermuda at $16.40. The Order took effect on the 1 st of June 2023. Employers of low wage earners are now required to amend their contracts and/or statements of employment to ensure that they are compliant with the Order. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the minimum hourly wage rate is set at the proper threshold and will carry an inflation uplift using the average . . . Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Order provides for a hybrid payment structure for employees who receive gratuities and service charges and for personal service workers —barbers, hairdressers and beauticians —in accordance with the Bermuda Standard Classification of Occupations. These employees will receive a basic wage set by their employer to which service charges, gratuities and/or commissions will be added to guaran-tee a minimum hourly wage rate of $16.40. Where an employee’s basic wage plus service charges, gratuities and/or commission do not equal the minimum hourly wage rate of $16.40, their employer will be liable to provide the difference. This guarantees that an employee will receive the minimum hourly wage rate for every hour worked. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to remind the Members of this Honou rable House that the Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement ) Act 2022 entitles employees who believe that they are not being correctly remunerated to request a review of their em-ployment records. If the employee finds that they are in fact not being compensated correctly or that their employer fails to adhere to their request, they may file a complaint with the Department of Labour. Mr. Deputy Speaker, employers who are found to be operating contrary to the Employment ( Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement ) Act 2022 will be issued with enforcement notices by an inspector requiring them to pay the difference between the current rate of pay and the minimum hourly wage as well as awarding an additional 10 per cent of the minimum hourly wage for each pay reference period in which they were in contravention. Additionally, inspectors have the power to issue civil penalties for failure to keep the necessary records according to the Act and for failure to comply with the enforcement notice. Mr. Deputy Speaker, this Order, together with the Employment (Minimum Hourly Wage Entitlement ) Act 2022 and the Regulations , will ensure that persons within low paying job categories, personal service employees , and those workplaces and industry sectors where gratuities and service charges may be provid ed will receive a dignified wage that will give them the ability to afford the basic necessities to support themselves and their families. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Ministry would like to thank the Members of this Honourable House for the opportunity to address them in this regard. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Minister. The next Ministerial Statement is from the Honourable Wayne Furbert. Minister, you have the floor. PROTECT OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FRONTLINE WORKERS 1442 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, everyone. I rise …
Thank you, Minister. The next Ministerial Statement is from the Honourable Wayne Furbert. Minister, you have the floor.
PROTECT OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FRONTLINE WORKERS
1442 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, everyone. I rise today to express my deep concern and condemnation of the recently reported attacks on bus operators in Bermuda. These senseless acts of vio-lence have no place in our society and will not be tolerated. We stand in solidarity with our bus operators and their families during this difficult time and will do every-thing in our power to ensure that justice is served. The safety and wellbeing of our public transportation operators i s of paramount importance to us. These valued workers play a crucial role in keeping our Island moving, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their hard work and dedication. It is unacceptable that they should have to face violence and aggression while carrying out their duties. Mr. Deputy Speaker , bus operators are essential to Bermuda’s transportation system. They are responsible for safely transporting thousands of passengers every day, ensuring they reach their destinations on time and in comfort. They provide a critical service that is relied upon by locals and tourists alike and are an integral part of Bermuda’s economy and society. Frontline public transportation workers are often the first point of contact for visitors to our I sland and are ambassadors for Bermuda’s hospitality and culture. They provide a friendly and welcoming service, helping to create a positive and memorable experience for our visitors. They also play a crucial role in reducing traffic congestion and promoting sustainable transportation, which is essential for our I sland’s environmental and economic sustainability. Without those on the frontline of the public transportation industry, Bermuda’s trans-portation system would not function effectively, and we would all be worse off for it. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we are taking immediate steps to address this issue and prevent any further at-tacks on our transportation officers. We are working closely with the Public Transportation’s Department ’s (DPT) Occupational Safety and Health Committee and other stakeholders to identify and address the underly-ing causes of this violence. Some of the advancements made thus far are as follows : • DPT are holding lunch -and-learn sessions in the cafeteria for staff with various stakeholders and Bermuda Police to receive first -hand information, instruction and answers to their ques-tions . • Develo pment of training programmes for staff members, equipping them with the necessary skill sets to effectively manage and navigate challenging interactions with the public. • Development of a policy to extend the deployment of surveillance cameras across buses currently without such systems. • The implementation of informative signage aimed at notifying the public about the presence and purpose of the surveillance cameras. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the aforementioned actions shed light on a larger concern regarding the safe-guarding of our workforce as a whole. The Government remains dedicated to assessing existing legislation in order to ascertain the necessity of additional laws that can establish effective mechanisms to ensure the safety of our community. An exemplification of a law that grants the authorities in the United Kingdom the ability to tackle safety concerns is the Anti -social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act of 2014. Considering the potential benefits, we will continue ongoing discus-sions to explore the possibility of implementing a comparable Act or a similar measure. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I conclude in saying we will not rest until those responsible for those attacks are brought to justice. We call on the public to come for-ward with any information they may have that could as-sist in these investigations. If anyone witnesses a physical confrontation in progress on a public vehicle, they should contact 911. If the matter has ended, witnesses should call 292- 3851 to support their bus operator and report what they have seen. We will work closely with the police to ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. I would like to reiterate our commitment to the safety and well -being of our bus operators and all frontline workers in Bermuda. We will not tolerate any form of violence or aggression toward them and will take all necessary steps to ensure their safety. We urge everyone to show their support for our frontline transportation workers and work together toward a safer and more peaceful Bermuda. Mr. Deputy Speaker, thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Minister. The next Statement is from the Honourable Minister for Tourism, the Honourable Vance Campbell. Mr. Campbell, you have the floor. USATF BERMUDA GRAND PRIX 2023 Hon. Vanc e Campbell: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and thank you. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish to provide this Honourable House …
Thank you, Minister. The next Statement is from the Honourable Minister for Tourism, the Honourable Vance Campbell. Mr. Campbell, you have the floor.
USATF BERMUDA GRAND PRIX 2023
Hon. Vanc e Campbell: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and thank you. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I wish to provide this Honourable House with an update on the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix , which was held in partnership with the Puma American Track Team on May 21, 2023, at the Flora Duffy Stadium. Mr. Deputy Speaker, this prestigious sports event saw the world’s top track and field competitors from more than 20 countries go head- tohead in one of the most exciting events to take place in Bermuda in this post -pandemic era. Mr. Deputy Speaker, it was a proud moment to see our culture, our country and the hospitality of our people on full display to hundreds of thousands of peo-ple around the world thanks to the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix being broadcast live on NBC to 140 Territo-ries. Mr. Deputy Speaker, data are still being gathered to confirm the actual media reach believed to be quite significant. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the USATF Bermuda
Bermuda House of Assembly Grand Prix reinforced our credibility in delivering a first - class international sporting event. Honourable Members should note that the 2023 event marked the second year that the Bermuda Tourism Authority, in partnership with the Bermuda Na-tional Athletics Association and USA Track & Field, successfully delivered a [World Athletics] Continental [Tour] Gold event, the second- highest designation of World Athletics events. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Bermuda is the only USATF Grand Prix event held outside of the United States. And thanks to our hosting of this event, we have attracted the attention of other countries in our region. Mr. Deputy Speaker, they have marvelled at our community support, infrastructure and ability to att ract top-tiered global sponsorship to support such an event. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the event produced several outstanding leading performances. Olympic Gold Medallist Jasmine Camacho- Quinn stunned the crowd by running the third- fastest all conditions time i n history in the hurdles. US Olympic long jumper Tara Davis - Woodhall had a spectacular showcase as she jumped a world lead in the women’s long jump. Similarly, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in the 100 metres sprinter Christian Coleman edged out 200 metres American r ecord - holder Noah Lyles with a time of 9.78 seconds. Mr. Deputy Speaker, one new addition to this year’s programme included the world relays, which saw a head- to-head race between Team USA and Team Jamaica. With the addition of these relays, Bermuda saw additional support staff, coaches and athletes visit our Island shores, bringing the total overseas visitor numbers to 289 participants. Mr. Deputy Speaker, in order to create new visitor opportunities for the Island, the Bermuda Tourism Authority worked at the USATF to market packages for Masters athletes who participated in the weekend’s event programme. In total, 22 Masters athletes and guests travelled to Bermuda and took part in the Move More Bermuda [Senior] Games sponsored by the Ministry of Health. Mr. Deputy Speaker, these participants, many of whom were first -time visitors to the Island, were fascinated and keenly interested in Bermuda and our plans for a more robust programme. Plans are already underway to attract a larger group of Masters athletes in 2024. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we also realised that it was critical to expand the experience and provide op-portunities for our young people as we hosted this event. The Athene Fastest Kid on the Rock races and Run Jump Throw clinic were youth- focused ini tiatives created to inspire and expose our young people to track and field and also so that they can learn more about engaging in active lifestyles. The Run Jump Throw clinic and Fastest Kid races attracted more than 250 youth participants, who learned the fundamental elements of track and field from top Olympians and com-peted in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. Mr. Deputy Speaker, as you and Honourable Members can appreciate, top- tier events such as these must have adequate logistical support and funding re-sources to ensure their success. I should note that there were no appearance fees for any of the elite ath-letes or ambassadors. The BTA [Bermuda Tourism Au-thority] with the assistance of our industry partners aided in supplementing hotel and air costs for non - USATF -tiered athletes and the relay athletes only, which included 65 athletes. Bermuda’s first -year partnership with the American Puma League garnered additional interna-tional press coverage and facilitated a new relationship for the BNAA [Bermuda National Athletics Association], who will receive Puma- branded competition uniforms for our national track and field team members. This support of our national team can be directly linked with Puma’s sponsorship of the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix. F inally, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we recognise that the success we enjoyed with the USATF Bermuda Grand Prix would not be possible without the support and participation of all of those in the industry. I wish to extend a special thanks to the BTA, hoteliers, loc al sponsors, taxi and minibus operators, the Department of Public Transportation, our restauranteurs, the volunteers and every single resident who came out to the Flora Duffy Stadium to not only cheer on our local sports talent, but our international sport s talent as well. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Minister. The final Statement is from the Premier, the Honourable David Burt. Premier, you have the floor. BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022 Hon. E. David Burt: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, in accordance with section 28 of the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act [1969], earlier …
Thank you, Minister. The final Statement is from the Premier, the Honourable David Burt. Premier, you have the floor.
BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022
Hon. E. David Burt: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, in accordance with section 28 of the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act [1969], earlier today the Deputy Premier on my behalf tabled the Bermuda Monetary Authority Annual Report 2022
(which I will refer to hereinafter as the Report). Mr. Deputy Speaker, Bermuda’s financial services sector is subject to the regulation and supervision of the Bermuda Monetary Authority [the Authority].The Authority operates pursuant to the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969 [the Act] which provides it with a number of principal objects including the supervision, regulation and inspection of financial institutions oper-ating in or from within Bermuda together with the promotion of financial stability and the soundness of financial institutions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the House would be aware that the Authority has specific licensing and su-pervisory responsibilities under the following regulatory statutes: the Banks and Deposit Companies Act 1999; the Digital Asset Business Act 2018; the Insurance Act 1444 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly 1978; the Investment Business Act 2003; the Investment Funds Act 2006; the Fund Administr ation Provider Business Act 2019; the Trusts (Regulation of Trust Business) Act 2001, together with other statutes. The Authority also regulates the Bermuda Stock Ex-change.
Mission
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Authority’s mission is to con tribute to Bermuda’s financial stability, protect consumers of financial services and protect Bermuda’s currency through maintaining effective and proactive regulatory frameworks through its highly skilled and engaged workforce, delivering efficient operations and sustainable business practices, and supporting responsible innovation locally and in global markets.
International Recognition Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Authority has received international recognition of its work. The House wo uld be aware that Bermuda is one of only seven total jurisdictions worldwide that has received the United States National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ [NAIC] qualified jurisdiction status. Additionally, Bermuda is one of three jurisdictions to h ave received the NAIC elevated status of reciprocal jurisdiction. Bermuda has also been granted equivalence status under the EU Solvency II Directive for its com-mercial insurer sectors. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Authority is recognised as a constructive par ticipant in a number of international organisations. Meetings with such organisations offer opportunities for the Authority to strengthen its relationships with other supervisors. Currently, the Managing Director, Supervision of the Authority serves as a member of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors [the IAIS] Executive Committee. The Authority’s staff are also heavily involved as chair, vice chair or member in a variety of IAIS committees and subcommittees such as the Macroprudential Committee, the Policy Development Committee, the Resolution Working Group and the Financial Crime Forum. Mr. Deputy Speaker, in addition to the foregoing, the Authority is an active member of the Financial Stability Board Regional Consultative Group for the Americas and participates in and contributes to the Bank for International Settlements and the Organiza-tion for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (better known as the OECD) Insurance and Private Pensions Committee. The Authority also is a member of the Global Financial Innovation Network [GFIN]. The Global Financial Innovation Network is a group of reg-ulators committed to advancing financial integrity, con-sumer well -being, financial inclusion and financial stability. Legislation Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Authority is authorised to act as adviser to the Minister of Finance on policy matters relating to any financial institution. Ac-cordingly, it may propose laws where it can do so appropriately and consistently with its functions under the BMA [Bermuda Monetary Act] 1969. The regulatory proposals covered during the relevant period included but were not limited to the conduct of business, fees, banks, investment business, insurance and amend-ments to the [1969] Act.
Supervision and Licensing
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to highlights from the Report under supervision and licensing.
Banking Sector
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, the number of banks increased from four to five in 2022, and the consolidated assets of the banking sector decreased by 2.9 per cent, or $0.8 billion, to $26 billion in 2022. This change was in line with a decrease in deposit liabilities and is evidenced primarily by cash and deposit liabilities decreasing by 16.4 per cent to $4.2 billion from $5. 0 billion in 2021. Mr. Deputy Speaker, investments retained the largest share of total assets, and this was 46.0 per cent compared to 46.2 per cent in 2021, followed by loans at 34.7 per cent compared to 32.6 per cent in 2021, and cash and deposits at 16. 2 per cent compared to 18.8 per cent in 2021. Mr. Deputy Speaker, net interest income continues to be the largest component of the banking sector’s income at $620 million. And this, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is compared to $484 million in 2021. So we do see the reflection of the increase in interest rates expanding banking sector profits.
Insurance sector
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, 1,196 insurance companies were registered as at the 31 st of December 2022 which is compared to 1,158 in 2021. And there were 80 new insurers registered in 2022 compared to 64 new insured registered in the previous year. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Companies and Groups are required to submit their statutory financial returns either four months, five months or six months after their financial year -end depending on their licence class. While the majority of companies have a December 31 year-end, some companies have financial year -ends outside of the calendar year -end. Occasionally, companies also apply and are granted filing extens ions. The underwriting statistics in the Report incorporate an aggregation of all data from the 2021 year -end filings reBermuda House of Assembly ceived in 2022. The 2022 year -end statutory filing’s initial filing was due at the end of April 2023, and therefore the 2021 year -end information is the most recent complete set of information. Mr. Deputy Speaker, according to the 2021 year-end information, total capital and surplus of Bermuda’s insurance sector was $370.7 billion, and this compares to $349.0 billion in the prior year. Gr oss premiums written were $268.0 billion, which compares to $294.0 billion in the previous year. The movement between 2021 and 2022 gross premiums written is ex-plained by the lumpy nature of long- term business where insurers write significantly large block s of business in a particular year and then run them off through the life of the contract. The numbers were largely driven by a few large insurers. Total assets of Bermuda’s insurance sector were $1.6 trillion in 2021 compared to $1.4 trillion in 2020. The main increase of $175 billion is due to new insurers entering the market and increased business from a select group of companies. Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker, continued growth and expansion of our international business sector, contrary to what some will have you believe.
Investment Sector
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, there were 48 licensed investment business providers operating in Bermuda in 2022 compared to 51 in the prior year. The aggregate total assets under management [AUM] was $216.2 bill ion compared to $253.2 billion in the prior year. Mr. Deputy Speaker, 67.0 per cent pertain to European clients while 24.0 per cent pertain to Bermuda-based clients. Total assets under administration [AUA] was $26.8 billion compared to $31.5 billion report ed for 2021. Mr. Deputy Speaker, there were 804 investment funds in the Investment Funds Act register, com-pared to 799 in the prior year, operating in or from within Bermuda in 2022 with a net asset value of $292.71 billion which is an increase from the $ 219.60 billion reported in the previous year. Mr. Deputy Speaker, there were 24 fund administrator licences in issue at the end of 2022 (unchanged from the prior year) with $242.4 billion assets under administration.
Digital Asset Business Sector
Hon. E . David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, there were 16 digital asset business providers operating in Bermuda at the end of 2022 compared to 10 at the end of 2021. And we now know, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that number is over 20. Licensing fees increased year over year from $369,000 [in 2021] to $845,000 in 2022, which is showing the expansion of the sector.
Bermuda Stock Exchange Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, total equity market capitalisation of the Bermuda Stock Exchange [BSX] stood at $166.0 billion at the end of 2022 as compared with $334.0 billion at the end of 2021. Mr. Deputy Speaker, a total of 142 new insurance- linked securities were added to the BSX in 2022, increasing the total nominal value up to $52 billion from $50.8 billion in 2021. Mr. Deputy Speaker, domestic trading volume totalled 1.42 million shares in 2022 compared to 3.0 million in 2021 and was valued at $13.13 million com-pared to $23.4 million in 2021.
Employees
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to human resources, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when turning to the employees at the Authority, at year end, the 31 st of December 2022, the Authority comprised 235 full -time permanent employees as compared with 219 in the prior year.
Financials
Hon. E. David Burt: Members’ attention is drawn to the following highlights set out in the Statement of Accounts Report: Net comprehensive income was $5.45 million, down from a $13.3 million in the previous year. Total revenue increased by . . . was up to $79.65 million, up from $73.09 million. The increase is mainly due t o a $2.47 million increase in revenue from supervisory and licensing fees. Mr. Deputy Speaker, expenses increased by 24.12 per cent to $74.2 million. The increase was mainly due to the $8.75 million in increased salaries and benefits. Mr. Deputy Speaker, licensing fees were $71 million at year -end as compared with $68.6 million of which $60.9 million was paid by the insurance sector. Mr. Deputy Speaker, board members are paid an annual fee of $26,000, up from $20,000 the prior year; board subcommittee chairs are paid an annual fee of $33,000, up from $25,000 the prior year; and the Chairman of the Board receives an annual fee of $96,000, up from $75,000 the previous year. (Yes, Cole, more than you.) Mr. Deputy Speaker, here is a figure that many will be interested to hear. The CEO’s salary is set at $500,000 (no change), and the CEO is eligible for a performance- based bonus of up to 50 per cent of base salary. Salaries of the other 14 members of the executive team range from $253,000 to $450,000 in 2022 with a performance bonus of up to 37 per cent of salary. And this has changed from in the prior year, where it was up to 35 per cent of the total salary. Of course, Mr. Deputy Speaker, you will note that even the lowest range of the executive of the BMA is paid more than the Minister of Finance and the Premier of the country.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. 1446 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Hon. E. David Burt: Just an important point.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes, it is. [ Inaudible interjections and laughter ] Hon. E. David Burt: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we like to talk about salaries and wages around here a lot. So, you know, I thought it would be interesting for all Mem-bers to note this. The Opposition will certainly go there …
Yes, it is. [ Inaudible interjections and laughter ] Hon. E. David Burt: Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we like to talk about salaries and wages around here a lot. So, you know, I thought it would be interesting for all Mem-bers to note this. The Opposition will certainly go there later today, I have no doubt. Fines, Penalties and Other Income Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, revenue from fines, penalties and other income also grew by $1.69 million due to increased anti -money laundering fines, insurance fines, and trust and corporate service provider fines. Mr. Deputy Speaker, in reviewing the Authority’s financial statements, the Auditor General has is-sued a clean opinion. Mr. Deputy Speaker, before I close, I know that many persons will take note of the increase in salaries. The Bermuda Monetary Authority is a very important institution in this country. They must make sure they maintain the highest level of quality, and they must con-tinue to fend off against other companies and other countries who are trying to poach the regulators who make this industry so successful. So what I would say, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that I wish to express my sincere thanks to the Board of the Authority who served and continue to serve this complex sector. A special thank -you to the executives of the Authority who, in my opinion, Mr. Deputy Speaker, are worth every penny of which they are paid because they continue to do excellent work inside of this jurisdiction. And I want to thank them for their con-tribution to the maintenance and growth of the financial services sector, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And I want to thank all of them for their continued work as Bermuda continues to lead the way in financial services regula-tion. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Premier. And I would think that the House would endorse those comments about the staff at the Monetary [Authority]. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThere appears to be no reports from committees. QUESTION PERIOD
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThere are questions for Minister Burch. There are three questions, and then after that there are questions for Minister Rabain. [Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMinister —pardon? [ Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes, you are right. And these questions are from Cole Simons. Mr. Simons. QUESTION 1: BERMUDIANA BEACH RESORT PROJECT, CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND GRAND ATLANTIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Will the Honourable Minister please confirm for this Honourable House the total capital …
Yes, you are right. And these questions are from Cole Simons. Mr. Simons. QUESTION 1: BERMUDIANA BEACH RESORT PROJECT, CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT AND GRAND ATLANTIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Will the Honourable Minister please confirm for this Honourable House the total capital development amount paid to date from inception for the infras tructure currently in plac e as a result of the initial dev elopment of the Grand Atlantic Housing Developm ent project and the development of the Bermudiana Beac h Res ort project combined, including any project conversion cos t? Thank you.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, it is my intent to provide full background to the questions asked so there is a complete understanding of the history of this project, decisions made, the funds expended but also the expectation that those funds will be recouped. So the answer to the firs t question, …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, it is my intent to provide full background to the questions asked so there is a complete understanding of the history of this project, decisions made, the funds expended but also the expectation that those funds will be recouped. So the answer to the firs t question, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is total capital development amount paid to date from inc eption for the infrastructure currently in place as the result of the initial dev elopment of the Grand Atlantic Housing Development project and the development of the Bermudiana Beach Resort project combined, including any project conversion cost, is $64,077,146 of which $42,028,370 relates to the dev elopment and acquisition of the 78 condo units at Grand Atlantic 12 years ago, and $22,048,776 for the development of the Bermudiana Beach Resort. The 78 condo units at Grand Atlantic were originally part of the 2007 Grand Atlantic Resort and Residences project which was a priv ate sector projec t. The Bermuda Housing Corporation (BHC) involvement began in 2009, and the construction began on 78 condo units in 2010 and was c ompleted in 2012. The sales process for condo units has spanned several Governments and Ministers over the years and has faced many challenges since inc eption, including a difficult economic climate, decline in housing prices, decline in demand for housing and a false narrative over the safety of the Cliffs, to name a few. In 2013 the sale of units was placed on hold indefinitely by the then Government while options for
B ermuda House of Assembly the property were considered. A request for information (RFI) on the property was issued in March 2013 with submissions due by May 2013. After analysis, meet-ings and a review of the submissions, a memorandum of understanding [MOU] was entered into with the se-lected proposal to convert the property into a condo hotel. The MOU was initially for a period of 120 days and was then extended to March 2015. After the expiration of this MOU the BHC negotiated with the bank to obtain a term loan for $36 million to refinance the short -term loan used for the original purchase of the Grand Atlan-tic condo units. Also in 2015, BHC was asked to rent a portion of the property on a short -term basis for the 2015 America’s Cup World Series event. The property was rented for this event, and a request for proposal for the prop-erty was drafted and issued in May 2016 with submis-sions due by the end of June 2016. After analysis, meetings and a review of the submissions, a proposal was selected and approved in October 2016. BHC was again asked to rent the property for the America’s Cup event until July 2017. In July 2017 an election was held which resulted in a change of Government. The new Govern-ment continued negotiations with the selected co- developer party who were approved by the previous Gov-ernment to develop a condo hotel on the Grand Atlantic site. Th ere were several steps involved in moving forward with this proposal, including approval of plans by the Planning, Health, Fire, Environment departments, as well as consultation with other related government departments such as Tourism, Amendments to the BHC Act, creation of subsidiary companies, applications and approvals of tourism investment orders which will be coming to this House soon. Once this process was completed, an agreement was signed on August 22, 2019, between the Government and the co- devel oper parties. The co- developers set up the sales office and began the sales process. Furniture and fixtures for the first four blocks were ordered at that time, and construction of the elevator shafts on blocks A and D commenced along with the condo configuration for the four model rooms. In early 2020 the COVID -19 pandemic started to take hold on the world, which made meeting sales targets challenging. The pandemic resulted in sales targets not being reached to meet debt financing conditions, and therefore an alternative financing facility was negotiated with the bank. In June of 2021 a new $10 million loan facility was agreed. With the new financing in place there was a need for a new co- developer agreement to be negotiated and signed. During the course of negotiations, the parties agreed to an amicable separation agree-ment. The Government is committed to the completion of this project, as there is a direct correlation between available hotel beds and airlift. The shortage of hotel beds has resulted in a decline in the number of flights. This project will also result in increasing employment durin g constructi on in the short ter m and employment in the hotel i n the longer t erm. Revised plans were drafted and submitted to Planning in March 2022 and were approved late July 2022. Applications for building permits were submitted in three phases. [Permits for] phase 1, which covers the reception building and wastewater treatment plant, were issued in December 2022. [Permits for] phase 2, which covers the new restaurant, bar, meeting rooms, spa, gym and back -of-house, were also issued in December 2022. And [permits for] phase 3, which covers the pool, pool deck, pool bar and grill, stairs to the beach and elevator, were issued in March 2023. Thank y ou, Mr. Deputy S peaker. The Deput y Speaker: Thank y ou. Mr. S imons, s econd qu estion? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Supplementary. The Deput y Speaker: Supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: The Minister indicated that there was a co- development agreement. My question is this: Is there an infusion of capital by the Hilton group of companies, and are they the partner in the co- development agreement? [Inaudible i nterjection and l aughter]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, no, there is no financial involvement by Hilton. And yes, they are the co- developer in the agreement. The Deput y Speaker: Thank y ou.
Mr. S imons.
Hon. N. H. Cole SimonsThank y ou. Supplementary. Is there a leas e in place bet ween BHC an d the management c ompany? A nd if t here is, can you provide a s ummary det ail?
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, I am not sure that . . . there is no lease in place with anyone, actually. The property is owned by Bermuda Development Company Limited, which is a subsidiary of the Bermuda Housing Corporation. The Deput y Speaker: Your s econd question? QUESTION 2: BERMUDIANA BEACH …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am not sure that . . . there is no lease in place with anyone, actually. The property is owned by Bermuda Development Company Limited, which is a subsidiary of the Bermuda Housing Corporation. The Deput y Speaker: Your s econd question? QUESTION 2: BERMUDIANA BEACH RESORT PROJECT, LOAN FACILITY Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Will the Honourable Mini ster please provide for this Honourable House the d etails of the expected sovereign guarantee increase required to 1448 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly satisfy the $29 million loan facility currently in place for the benefit of the Bermudiana Beach R esort project, as the current guarantee stands at $10 million?
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, there is no $29 million loan facility currently in place. There is a $10 million facility which has sovereign guarantee as indicated by the question. An additional con-struction loan of $25 million is in the process of being finalised to complete this project. Once finalised it will …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, there is no $29 million loan facility currently in place. There is a $10 million facility which has sovereign guarantee as indicated by the question. An additional con-struction loan of $25 million is in the process of being finalised to complete this project. Once finalised it will be reported to this House as required by law. Thank y ou, Mr. D eputy Speaker. [Pause] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Okay. I hav e no supplemental on that. The Deput y Speaker: Okay. Y our third question. QUESTION 3: BERMUDIANA BEACH RESORT PROJECT, WORK OUTSTANDING Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Will the Honourable Mini ster please confirm for this Honourable House the de tails of the work currently outstanding on the Bermu diana Beach Resort project and the estimated remain ing cost to bring this new hotel development project to a completion, including all of its amenity costs? Thank you.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, the estimated remaining cost to bring the new hotel development project to completion, including all of its amenities, is $28,280,510. Of this remaining cost, $19,682,510 is for construction and $8,598,000 is for furniture, fixtures, equipment and other related costs. In order to convert the property into a …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, the estimated remaining cost to bring the new hotel development project to completion, including all of its amenities, is $28,280,510. Of this remaining cost, $19,682,510 is for construction and $8,598,000 is for furniture, fixtures, equipment and other related costs. In order to convert the property into a hotel that meets Hilton’s standards, a number of upgrades and modifications were needed. These include items such as electrical upgrades, backup power generation, upgrades to water and wastewater systems, environmental controls, amenity areas and safety and security systems. Electrical upgrades required the site to be converted to three- phase electrical from single phase. To accomplish this, it required the replacement of all BELCO lines and related infrastructure in addition to new automatic transfer switch rooms to accommodate the increase in load requirements. All units were required to be rewired with three- phase electrical wiring. To accommodate changes in technology for electric vehicles, upgrades were required in the parking lots in order to provide charging stations. A key requirement by Hilton is to have backup power generation. This required the purchase of two generators, each linked to one of the ATS [ automatic transfer switch] rooms. In order to accommodate the telecommunication connectivity and security requirements, additional modifications and wiring were required in all rooms and amenity spaces. The conversion of the property from a residential to a tourism property required upgrades to the water and wastewater systems. The average water consump-tion per person in a residential unit is approximately 35 gallons, whereas the average use for a hotel is approx-imately 100 gallons per person. This required upgrades to the water heaters and pumps to accommodate the increased usage by hotel guests and maintain con-sistent temperature and pressure. The anticipated in-crease in wastewater resulted in the need to increase the size of the wastewater treatment plant not only for the guests in the rooms, but also for other services in the restaurant, spa, pool, pool area and so on. In order to meet guests’ expectations, as part of Hilton’s standards, rooms must maintain a certain level of environmental control relating to heating, cool-ing, water temperature, et cetera. As such, each room is connected to a metering system to monitor and maintain these controls on an ongoing basis. In converting the residential rooms into hotel accommodation, modi-fications were necessary for the buildings. These items include elevators for each block, additional handrails to the stairways, upgraded fire suppression systems, additional washrooms in both room and public areas, disability access, creation of two ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] compliant rooms, sidewalks and pe-destrian walkways, and installation of CCTV systems and other safety items such as access control points. Conversion to a hotel requires the addition of several amenity areas. A reception and administration area was required in addition to the IT and telecommu-nication area, storage and restrooms. In order to ac-commodate these functions, a new two- story reception building was needed including a covered area for arriv-ing and departing guests. The northern- most residential building is being converted into a restaurant, bar, lounge, meeting room, spa, gym and back -of-house areas. These amenities are a key part of the operations of the hotel. In order for the restaurant to meet the standards of the hotel building regulations, a new wing has to be added to the building. On the south east of the property, a large pool, pool deck, bar and grill will be built for the enjoyment of guests staying at the hotel. Added to this is the construction of stairs and an eleva-tor giving direct access to the beach. The Bermudiana Beach Resort will be able to accommodate close to 500 persons as such group business will play a key role in the success of the hotel. One important amenity is the support kitchen and washrooms adjacent to the events lawn which will pro-vide the venue and services for large functions such as weddings, receptions, cocktail functions, barbeque and other large gatherings. Hilton Hotels is one of the leading players in the group business segment. As a result of the changing use of the property, as well as the additional buildings and amenities, sev-eral areas on the property require significant modifica-tions to the landscape to reflect the natural beauty of Bermuda as well as to provide privacy and shade for
Bermuda House of Assembly the guests. A comprehensive landscape plan was designed and submitted to Planning for approval. These items include additional endemic trees and plants, other architectural features such as the Bermuda moongate and relaxation area. The Housing Corporation has a construction management contract wit h the contractor, BCM Construction Limited. It consists of the construction man-agement of the redevelopment of Bermudiana Beach Resort and new construction of the following and refers to a client budget dated the 22 nd of April 2022: 1. residential blocks A, B, D, E, F, G, H and J, eight blocks; 2. block C, which is the spa and restaurant and gym, meeting rooms and back -of-house; 3. the sewage treatment plant; 4. the generators; 5. the swimming pools; 6. the reception and entry building; 7. the beach access stair and elevator shaft; 8. the events lawn building; and 9. landscaping and site works. If the work is modified by the owner or for any other reason outside of the construction manager’s control, construction manager shall be entitled to pay-ment for all costs plus addi tional overhead and profit associated with the resulting change in the work. Some of the items which would cause changes [include] in-creasing costs on material such as cement and block, upgrade assistance to meet Hilton’s standards, site conditions, instructions from Planning to add or change items and other such issues. Brunell Limited engineering have been contracted to manage the project and review all invoices and tenders, and sign off on the monthly application and certificate for payment which is then presented to the Board of the Bermuda Housing Corporation for approval. Both the board and the Ministry believe that this partnership with Hilton Hotels will not only prove to be a welcome addition to the tourism inventory, but also a profitable inves tment for those purchasing the condos and the Bermudian taxpayer, who will eventually see every dollar spent on this project repaid. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Simons.
SUPPLEMENTARY
Hon. N. H. Cole Simo nsThank you. Can the Minister please confirm to this Honourable House the costs to deliver on the requirements prescribed by the Hilton group of hotels to have this hotel up and running at their standards?
Lt. Col. Hon. D avid A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, I wonder if the Opposition Leader could repeat the last part of his question?
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Can the Minister please confirm to this Honourable House the costs of the requirements presc ribed by the Hilton group of companies to ensure that the hotel meets their standards?
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, that would be the figure that I used at the beginning of the answer to question number 3. That would be $28,280,510. T hat is split $19,682,510 for construction and $8,598,000 for furniture, fixtures, equipment and other related costs. And I might add, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, that would be the figure that I used at the beginning of the answer to question number 3. That would be $28,280,510. T hat is split $19,682,510 for construction and $8,598,000 for furniture, fixtures, equipment and other related costs. And I might add, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that Hilton are regularly on the Island and meeting virtually in relation to this project and have been intimately involved in every aspect of it, including the approval of the wording of the actual practice and sales agreements, which has been an exercise in and of itself. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny—Mr. Dunkley. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, colleagues. To the Honourable Minister: The Honourable Minister has mentioned the arrangement with Hilton. And with this $100 million project, the Minister said that the taxpayer would be repaid in full. How is the Minister …
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, the hotel is going to be a success and going to make a profit. And the Bermuda Development Company Limited, the subsidiary of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, will reap some of those benefits. And they will enure to the benefit of the Bermudian taxpayer.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Mr. Dunkley, you have another [supplementary]? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes. Second supplementary. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I thank the Honourable Minister for that, [stating] that the Bermuda Housing Corporation will reap some of those benefits. What is the financial arrangement between the Bermuda Housing Corporation and the Hilton …
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, I do not have that information to hand. But I will undertake to provide it. 1450 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Any further? Mr. Simons, second supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Second supplementary now. …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I do not have that information to hand. But I will undertake to provide it. 1450 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Deputy Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Any further? Mr. Simons, second supplementary.
SUPPLEMENTARY
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Second supplementary now. Okay. Let me see if I can combine these two. Can the Minister confirm th e details and costs of the advertising campaign for the 2024 suggested opening date of the hotel?
Mr. Pearman.
SUPPLEMENTARY
Mr. Scott PearmanYes. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning. Supplemental to the response given by the Honourable Minister Colonel Burch: You indicated in the amenities that would be available the events lawn. I had understood that this was still subject to Pla nning permission, that Planning had recommended against. Has …
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning. Supplemental to the response given by the Honourable Minister Colonel Burch: You indicated in the amenities that would be available the events lawn. I had understood that this was still subject to Pla nning permission, that Planning had recommended against. Has that been approved or when will it be approved and by whom?
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, I did not mention the events lawn. I mentioned the events lawn building. And I talke d about the work that has been taking place with that. With regard to the events lawn itself, that is currently on appeal to the Minister responsible for the En-vironment. And …
Mr. Deputy Speaker, I did not mention the events lawn. I mentioned the events lawn building. And I talke d about the work that has been taking place with that. With regard to the events lawn itself, that is currently on appeal to the Minister responsible for the En-vironment. And in fact, whilst that appeal has been go-ing on, we have amended the application t o withdraw the aspect of a parking lot, which was a significant irritation (I will say) to those who like trees. But I accepted that there was some confusion in the application to Planning in that there were two parking lots referred to. We were unaware of the second parking lot and could not figure out how Planning were talking about two parking lots. But suffice to say that we have accepted that we can use the parking lot that is currently in place, with some enhancement. And so the Minister has been advised in writing that the Bermudiana Beach Resort are withdrawing that part of the application for a parking lot.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Are there any further questions? There are some questions from MP Cannonier to the Minister of Tourism. Mr. Cannonier — [Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOh, I am sorry. I forgot about that. I am sorry. Questions for Minister Rabain. [Laughter]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMs. Jackson. QUESTION 1: SCHOOL LOCATION STRATEGY ASSESSMENT TEAM
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, everyone. My question to the Education Minister is this: Can the Minister provide details on the School Loc ation Strategy Assessment Team? Who were the members and how were they selected? The Depu ty Speaker: Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank …
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, everyone. My question to the Education Minister is this: Can the Minister provide details on the School Loc ation Strategy Assessment Team? Who were the members and how were they selected?
The Depu ty Speaker: Minister.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Though the question received was slightly different, it is still relatively the same. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Parish Primary School Location Strategy Team was selected from government technical officers with extensive skills and knowledge regarding education and school facilities, along with a representative from the Office of Project Management and Procurement. The team comprises the Permanent Secretary of Education; the Comm issioner of Education; the Comptroller of Education; the Facilities Manager at the Department of Education; the Senior Estates Surveyor, Department of Parks, Lands and Buildings; the Buildings Manager, the Ministry of Public Works; and a quantity surveyor from the Office of Project Management and Procurement. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOkay. Bermuda House of Assembly SUPPLEMENTARIES
Ms. Susan E. JacksonIf the School Location Strategy Team was made up of Bermudians, can you please explain then what the role of the (I think it was called) Santec [sic] consultancy was all about then? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Stantec is the name that she is referring to—had …
If the School Location Strategy Team was made up of Bermudians, can you please explain then what the role of the (I think it was called) Santec [sic] consultancy was all about then?
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Deputy Speaker, Stantec is the name that she is referring to—had nothing to do with the school location team. The school location team did their work in 2020.
Ms. Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonMy second supplementary then is, Was there any local company that helped with the School Strategy Assessment Team and the matrix that was set out for them? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Deputy Speaker, no.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerContinue. QUESTION 2: SCHOOL LOCATION STRATEGY ASSESSMENT TEAM
Ms. Susan E. JacksonCan the Honourable Minister please provide the dates each school was assessed and if the entire team took part in the onsite assessments? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, there were no scheduled dates for school building assessments during the as-sessment …
Can the Honourable Minister please provide the dates each school was assessed and if the entire team took part in the onsite assessments? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, there were no scheduled dates for school building assessments during the as-sessment period. The team used their hands -on experience and working knowledge of the current state of the school facilities, and access to school building rec-ords, to outline the maintenance, upgrades, building plans, et cetera, spanning over several decades.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAnything further, Ms. Jackson? SUPPL EMENTARY
Ms. Susan E. JacksonYes. I have a supplementary then. I am just curious then. So the assessment team (I am just clarifying) was a roundtable exercise, by the sounds of it. So then there was no actual onsite visit? Can the Minister confirm that there were no onsite visits and that principals were …
Yes. I have a supplementary then. I am just curious then. So the assessment team (I am just clarifying) was a roundtable exercise, by the sounds of it. So then there was no actual onsite visit? Can the Minister confirm that there were no onsite visits and that principals were not consulted at all about any renovation or changes or anything going on at the school? It was all just a paper exercise? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Deputy Speaker, this exercise . . . Mr. Deputy Speaker, I do want to stress that the team that did the assessments have several decades of intimate knowledge of what has happened within the schools. There was no need for any local or overseas entities to assist them with this process. This team is responsible for the maintenance of every single school in Bermuda, and hence [they had] local knowledge of what is intimately within the school. This particular process did not explore what renovations inside the school needed to happen. It was an evaluation of the current facilities, and the team did that based on their immense knowledge of what the actual buildings were and the conditions that the buildings were in.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOkay. QUESTION 3: SCHOOL LOCATION STRATEGY ASSESSMENT TEAM
Ms. Susan E. JacksonCan the Minister please pr ovide the details of each assessment, including how the numbers were produced for each school and if there has been an independent scrutiny of these scores? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Parish Primary School Location Strategy …
Can the Minister please pr ovide the details of each assessment, including how the numbers were produced for each school and if there has been an independent scrutiny of these scores? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Parish Primary School Location Strategy Team determined four broad study factors of categories that were identified as most critical for determining the best building location for future primary schools. The four broad study factors included existing building conditions, land property conditions, safety and health, and transportation. A structured process was followed that comprised reviewing study factors including international standards ex-tracted from the UK Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, the Royal Institute of British Architects profes-sional standards pertaining to land, property and buildings, the Whole B uilding Design Guides for elementary schools, the preventative maintenance guides, best practices for maintaining efficient and sustainable buildings, and the December 2015 School Reorganisation Advisory Report (otherwise known as the School Report), the r eport that was done under the previous Administration on the facilities of our schools. Of the study factors used from the School Report, two were relevant for determining which building location site was best for the placement of transformative 21 st century primary schools. These are safety and health, and transportation. While it was determined in 2020, some of the safety and health issues listed in the 1452 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly School Report might have been dealt with since that report was issued in 2015. It was deemed that gener-ally safety and health should remain a priority —for example, with regard to safety and accessibility, the school facilities, including washrooms, staircases and outdoor areas that needed to be safe, easily monitored and accessible for children. For transportation, students [should] have reasonable access to transporta-tion to and from schools in their designed zone and for minimum traffic congestion. Each of the four broad study factors was weighted based on the level of importance. The condition of the site, the property site and safety and health were both ranked as most important in deciding the most suitable location for a 21 st century learning facility and were weighted at 30 per cent each. The existing building and transportation access were rated sec ond with a rating of 20 per cent each. The higher the weighted score for a school, the more favourable the building site was for locating a pri-mary school that met the requirement for a system vi-sion for a 21 st century learning facility. These factors impacting student achievement include but are not limited to a student’s personal factors, interaction with oth-ers and other systems around them such as school sys-tems to enable the economy, political policy and multi - cultural relations. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the quantity surveyor from the Office of Project Management and Procurement ensured the assessment was conducted in accordance with the agreed study factors and evaluation framework and was utilised as the independent re-viewer of the matrix that was developed and utilised.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. There are questions for the Premier. QUESTION 1: FINTECH ADVISORY ROLE— UN-PAID POSITION
Mr. Scott PearmanThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, when we had the Question Period last sitting on the 19th of May 2023, the Honourable Speaker confirmed that the Premier had made a commitment to this House to respond to a specific question and provide information, namely, the date on which …
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, when we had the Question Period last sitting on the 19th of May 2023, the Honourable Speaker confirmed that the Premier had made a commitment to this House to respond to a specific question and provide information, namely, the date on which his FinTech advisor went from being a paid advisor to an unpaid advisor. That answer remains outstanding [and I] would be grateful to have it when convenient. Thank you. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will provide that information no later than the end of today’s session.
Mr. Scott PearmanI thank the Honourable Premier and thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMr. Simons, you had a question concerning the Ministerial Statement. QUESTION 1: BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, can the Premier/Minister of Finance address this question? As a British O verseas Territory, how did we have the …
Mr. Simons, you had a question concerning the Ministerial Statement. QUESTION 1: BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, can the Premier/Minister of Finance address this question? As a British O verseas Territory, how did we have the ability to participate in and contribute to the Bank of International Settle-ment and the OECD’s [Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development] Insurance Pension Committee? And what were our recent contributio ns? Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I cannot necessarily speak to the specific recent contributions that may have been made. But what I can say is that these bodies are international standard- setting bodies, and our participation is due to the fact that our regulator is recognised as a financial services regulator and that is why our participation occurs within them. So when we talk about the OECD, these are bodies that are set up by the OECD. This is not actually participation directly, of course, within the matters of the OECD, but sub- bodies which are set up to coordinate matters and to allow persons to exchange information and exchange ideas. And regarding the IAIS [International Association of Insurance Supervisors], of course we are a well - known insurance supervisor. And so we try to make sure that we have leadership positions on those various bodies and boards. And that falls in the BMA [Bermuda Monetary Authority], which is a recognised financial services regulator, not under the Government of Bermuda of course, which is not an internationally recog-nised body.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny further questions, Mr. Simons? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Supplementary.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerSupplementary. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Supplementary and then a second question. Bermuda House of Assembly Supplementary: Is there any pending legislation [sic] outstanding against the BMA? And if he has any details, can he share them with us?
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerLegislation against the— Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: So sorry, litigation. Sorry, litigation, litigation.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAll right. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, none to my knowledge.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerIt is not in the Statement. Hon. E. David Burt: I mean, if the Shadow Leader wants to send a direct question, I will seek to try to get the information. But none to my knowledge.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMr. Simons. QUESTION 2: BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you. My second question: The capital equity market capital of the BSX [Bermuda Stock Exchange] reduced by 49.7 per cent. It went from 334 billion in 2021 to 166 billion in 2022. Can the …
Mr. Simons.
QUESTION 2: BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you. My second question: The capital equity market capital of the BSX [Bermuda Stock Exchange] reduced by 49.7 per cent. It went from 334 billion in 2021 to 166 billion in 2022. Can the Finance Minister provide an ex-planation for this dramatic downturn? T hank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerPremier. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, there could be a number of reasons for those changes. It could be the climb in market values. We have to remember that 2022 was a reasonably turbulent year. The Deputy Speake r: Yes. Hon. E. David Burt: Marked by an invasion, …
Premier.
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, there could be a number of reasons for those changes. It could be the climb in market values. We have to remember that 2022 was a reasonably turbulent year. The Deputy Speake r: Yes. Hon. E. David Burt: Marked by an invasion, a war, public turmoil and different items. But insofar as the specific information of which the Member seeks, if he wants to write to me, I can seek to try to make sure I can get those specific answers of which he is talking about. I am not entirely certain if the report itself made detail on those figures. But I will do my best to try to seek the information of which he is trying to get hold of. But there are a number of various things, and of course the Honourable Member could also contact the BSX directly.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMr. Simons. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you. I would ask that the Premier give the House an undertaking that he would get that information. Because that way we will get it for sure. The Deputy Speaker: What is your next question, Mr. Simons? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: …
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOne more question, well questions, from MP Cannonier to the Minister of Tourism, Ministe r Campbell. QUESTION 1: USATF BERMUDA GRAND PRIX 2023
Mr. L. Craig CannonierGood morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker and colleagues. First let me just say congratulations to the Minister and the BTA [Bermuda Tourism Authority] on this track meet. It was fantastic. So I did want to congratulate the Minister on the teamwork that took place. My first question is, With this partnership …
Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker and colleagues. First let me just say congratulations to the Minister and the BTA [Bermuda Tourism Authority] on this track meet. It was fantastic. So I did want to congratulate the Minister on the teamwork that took place. My first question is, With this partnership with the BTA and the Puma American Track League for this particular meet, does he have an idea of the outlay for this track meet for the BTA?
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMinister Campbell. Hon. Vance Campbell: Mr. Deputy Speaker, that information is still being compiled.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Supplementary. The D eputy Speaker: Supplementary? Go ahead. SUPPLEMENTARY
Mr. L. Craig CannonierI am asking the question because I would like for Bermuda to see the benefit in things like this. I know that a lot of the young people attended the particular track meet. And so with Athene Fastest Kid on the Rock, the Run Jump Throw clinic, can the Minister …
I am asking the question because I would like for Bermuda to see the benefit in things like this. I know that a lot of the young people attended the particular track meet. And so with Athene Fastest Kid on the Rock, the Run Jump Throw clinic, can the Minister tell us a little more or give us a little more idea about how that is going to transpire into—it did get a lot of kids out, I must say. But what is the programme that is in place that is going to help bring our kids along into being senior members of Puma maybe, and the like?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberPatience. [Crosstalk]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMinister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Mr. Deputy Speaker, having the international athletes along with our elite athletes participating in such events piques the interest of our 1454 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly young up- and-coming athletes and encourages them to continue with their athletics endeavours. And …
Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Mr. Deputy Speaker, having the international athletes along with our elite athletes participating in such events piques the interest of our 1454 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly young up- and-coming athletes and encourages them to continue with their athletics endeavours. And it is up to our local clubs to continue to nurture and develop that talent. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThere ends the Question Period. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBIT UARY SPEECHES
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Honourable Kim Swan.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanYes. Good day, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would just like to echo and be associated with a Ministerial Statement earlier by the Minister of Works congratulating both the Minis-try of Works and the Corporation of St. George’s and Mr. Mark …
Yes. Good day, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would just like to echo and be associated with a Ministerial Statement earlier by the Minister of Works congratulating both the Minis-try of Works and the Corporation of St. George’s and Mr. Mark Soares with the St. George’s marina development. The yachting trade in Bermuda has for a long time provided gr eat revenue for the great town. And with the marina, certainly as I dine around I see a lot of participation in restaurants from persons coming off of yachts. It brings me to mind of the time when the [ INAUDIBLE] used to spend a whole summer in St. George’s Harbour. So congratulations to that. I was unable to be in attendance because I was ensuring that I met a quorum at the BTA board meeting. Thank you.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanI would also like to congratulate the organisers of the Bermuda Day Parade for the decision to make sure that the show did go on. I was there in an official capacity. Notwithstanding the weather, it was an outstanding, an outstanding day. And I know I speak for all who …
I would also like to congratulate the organisers of the Bermuda Day Parade for the decision to make sure that the show did go on. I was there in an official capacity. Notwithstanding the weather, it was an outstanding, an outstanding day. And I know I speak for all who participated and all who had to make sure that the event went on. [And] that end result made many happy. And it was shown by the beautiful collage of pictures that have been captured. I want to associate MP Foggo, who was a proud grand-parent , running around the parade chasing after her young ones with the St. George’s Dancerettes. And she was seen dancing as well.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanFinally, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I saw in the newspaper that a long- standing civil servant is retiring, Mr. Rochester, whom I have known for many, many, many years. And his story I am sure will be told in the months to come of how he started off very humbly in …
Finally, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I saw in the newspaper that a long- standing civil servant is retiring, Mr. Rochester, whom I have known for many, many, many years. And his story I am sure will be told in the months to come of how he started off very humbly in government in the early 1980s and rose to t hat of a permanent secretary. I know that my neighbour, the late Herman Basden, if he was still with us (he passed away this [past] year) would be very proud of this young man’s progress and how he is going to move on into the private sector and take his talents and continue on. So thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Honourable Jamahl Simmons.
Mr. Jamahl SimmonsGood morning, everyone. I would like to add my name to the list of congratulations to Permanent Secretary Mr. Randy Roch-ester, who has served the government and the country impeccably over his many years of service. I would also like to send congratulations to the Bermuda Nurses Association and particularly …
Good morning, everyone. I would like to add my name to the list of congratulations to Permanent Secretary Mr. Randy Roch-ester, who has served the government and the country impeccably over his many years of service. I would also like to send congratulations to the Bermuda Nurses Association and particularly the President Karen [Grant -]Simmons. I declare my interest; this is my late cousin’s wife. They had a very successful Bermuda Nurses Association month. The Honourable Kim Swan would like to be associated. I would like to also offer congratulations to Mr. Trevor Lindsay for continuing to provide an alter native to the mainstream and often- biased media. Other Members wish to be associated as well. On a sad note, finishing on a sad note, I would like to send condolences to the family of Mr. Kelton Crockwell, who passed this week on the heels of his sister’s dying a few months ago. So it has been a very rough couple of months for the Crockwell family. Condolences to the family of Mr. Cyril James Elliot Raynor, a constituent of mine of long standing. And his family mourns him deeply. I would finally like to wish a speedy recovery to the brother of a former PLP candidate, Mr. Neville Dar-rell. His brother, Mr. David Darrell, is in the hospital suffering, and we wish him a speedy and quick recovery. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. The Chair recognises the Honourable Premier Burt. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to be associated with the remarks from the Honourable Member from constituency 2 in regard to the organisati on of the Bermuda Day Parade …
Thank you. The Chair recognises the Honourable Premier Burt.
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to be associated with the remarks from the Honourable Member from constituency 2 in regard to the organisati on of the Bermuda Day Parade and also in regard to the congratBermuda House of Assembly ulations on the retirement from the public service, certainly, to Mr. Rochester. I have known, of course, Mr. Rochester for a while. He used to be my boss in another time. So these are how role reversals sometimes happen. But I wish him the best in his endeavours. On a sadder note, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to ask that this Honourable House do send a letter of condolence to the family of the late Edgar Donally (better known as “Donny”) Bean. He is the son of Alfred and Winifred Bean and one of my constituents of course, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and loving father to Don-nika and Danielle Bean. He was in his 67 th year. He passed away and I would just ask that the Honourable House do send a letter of condolence to his family on his passing. Of course, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will be visiting with the family.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Honourable Wayne Caines.
Mr. Wayne CainesThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the birthday of a local icon, a man who has given his life in service for Bermuda, Carlton “ Pepe ” Dill. Yesterday was his 80 th birthday.
Mr. Wa yne CainesEightieth birthday! This is a man who you cannot say his name without smiling. He is a football legend in Bermuda. He played for the Young Men’s Social Club. He also played and coached at the Devonshire Colts. He led Bermuda in a number of different capacities —FA Cup, champions …
Eightieth birthday! This is a man who you cannot say his name without smiling. He is a football legend in Bermuda. He played for the Young Men’s Social Club. He also played and coached at the Devonshire Colts. He led Bermuda in a number of different capacities —FA Cup, champions in Friendly and Dudley. He has had and been a part of every cup that we have in Bermuda.
Mr. Wayne CainesHe was the first Bermudian to play for the North American Soccer League for the Houston All Stars and the Dallas Tornadoes. He was the first Bermudian to get a full badge coaching certificate in the United Kingdom. He was also a FIFA certified coach and instructor. He played on …
He was the first Bermudian to play for the North American Soccer League for the Houston All Stars and the Dallas Tornadoes. He was the first Bermudian to get a full badge coaching certificate in the United Kingdom. He was also a FIFA certified coach and instructor. He played on the Bermuda Pan American team, Mr. Deputy Speaker, which got a s ilver medal. He also served (many people do not know this)—he was a probation officer for a number of years. Stayed active in our community, an active member of the Progressive Labour Party, traversing the hills with a number of the candidates in his const ituency. He and his wife Valerie are loving family members to their grandchildren. I live next to them, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And last night until late in the night you could hear his grandchildren, everyone playing and supporting, even in the rain, celebrat ing this great Bermudian icon. I have seen that a number of my colleagues have raised their hands for us to be associated with the celebration of this great Bermudian. The Deputy Speaker: I think you will want to associate the whole House.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerGood cricketer. Yes. The Chair recognises the Honourable Zane De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to first of all let the public know that the only reason that the Honourable Member Wayne Caines talked about Pepe Dill …
Good cricketer. Yes. The Chair recognises the Honourable Zane De Silva.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to first of all let the public know that the only reason that the Honourable Member Wayne Caines talked about Pepe Dill is because you chose him over me first. [Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I would like to be associated with all of the things that my honourable colleague said, Mr. Deputy Speaker. But what I would like to congratulate him on is not only attaining the age of 80, but as my colleague said very briefly about him tr aveling the hills of Bermuda. Well, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Carlton Pepe Dill was probably one of the last people on the branch of constituency 30 (at the time) to accept me as a candidate. But when we finally did get together, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we were inseparable.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: We were inseparable.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhy? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: We were inseparable. And I can say this: Mr. Carlton Pepe Dill taught me a lot .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberDid you listen? [Laughter ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I did listen! Unlike when I was in school with you, Mr. Dunkley. I did. I did listen to Carlton Pepe Dill. 1456 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly POINT OF ORDER Hon. Michael H. …
Did you listen?
[Laughter ]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I did listen! Unlike when I was in school with you, Mr. Dunkley. I did. I did listen to Carlton Pepe Dill. 1456 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly POINT OF ORDER
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. He is misleading the House. I was never in school with the Honourable Member. For the record, I want it to state .
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes, yes. Well, you are much older than him. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: See, the Honourable Member mistook educational school from this school. And I am talking about the political school, okay? But anyway, this Honourable Member quick to jump to his feet, he is becoming the Chief …
Yes, yes. Well, you are much older than him. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: See, the Honourable Member mistook educational school from this school. And I am talking about the political school, okay? But anyway, this Honourable Member quick to jump to his feet, he is becoming the Chief Interpolator around here.
[Inaudible interj ections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Inchirpolator , that’s right, Inchirpolator .
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerNow, let us stay on obits and congrats. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, let me say this That in all sincerity, he is a very respected man in this country. And I respect him, and I always will. And again, as the Honourable Member Wayne …
Now, let us stay on obits and congrats.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, let me say this That in all sincerity, he is a very respected man in this country. And I respect him, and I always will. And again, as the Honourable Member Wayne Caines mentioned his wife, she is the rock beside Pepe Dill and she has been with him the entire way. So I would like to again congratulate him for making that milestone, the 80 th mark. And I know he enjoyed it. I spoke to him. One thing I did do, I am sure I spoke to him before Mr. Caines did on his birthday because I called him at quarter to seven in the morning.
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, thank you for the time.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Lovitta Foggo.
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I have two congratulatory remarks. One for Hamilt on Princess having made the top list in the Caribbean section for the best of the best hotels. So I just thought that this is something worthy of mention. But more important to me, I would like …
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I have two congratulatory remarks. One for Hamilt on Princess having made the top list in the Caribbean section for the best of the best hotels. So I just thought that this is something worthy of mention. But more important to me, I would like to congratulate East End Primary and St. George’s prepara-tory schools (and I would like to associate the Honourable Kim Swan) for their parade that was supposed to take place the Wednesday before the parade on Fri-day. However, it took place on Monday. It was abso-lutely spectacular. And the whole of the eastern area was thrilled with their production. They had every section of what takes place on the Bermuda Parade Day covered in their rendition of the Bermuda parade. It was absolutely fabulous. And as I said, many St. Georgian residents and even tourists were out wat ching this event which took place on Monday of this week. So ku-dos to them, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because it was spectacular. I would also associate you. You live in the east, you live in the best part of Bermuda.
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoAnd I would like to associate the Minister of Education with that. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Honourable Dennis Lister III.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I just have one congratulatory remark today. And you can see in the absence of the Speaker, as next Tuesday is his 65 th birthday. So I would like to send congratulations to the Speaker — [Desk thumping]
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIAnd I will associate the whole House. He is gone 65. And I dare say he has spent half of his life in this House. He was elected— [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Mr. Dennis Lister IIII will say this. He did tell me he had to go pick up his blue card last week. [Desk thumping]
Mr. Dennis Lister I IIBlue card, his special card. But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, yes. Mr. Speaker has actually spent half of his life in this House. So it goes to show his dedication he has for serving not just the party, but the country of Bermuda. So again I would just like to send …
Blue card, his special card. But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, yes. Mr. Speaker has actually spent half of his life in this House. So it goes to show his dedication he has for serving not just the party, but the country of Bermuda. So again I would just like to send congratulations —have this whole House — to the Speaker on his 65 th birthday next Tuesday.
[Desk thumping]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Bermuda House of Assembly The Chair recognises the Honourable Minister Weeks. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to start off my congratulatory remarks by associating myself with the congratulatory remarks for Randy Rochester. Randy Rochester and I have a …
Thank you.
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chair recognises the Honourable Minister Weeks.
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Good morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to start off my congratulatory remarks by associating myself with the congratulatory remarks for Randy Rochester. Randy Rochester and I have a special kind of relationship. I know when I first became Minister, I was obviously being green and he was a brand- new PS [Permanent Secretary] so we grew —
[Inaudible interjections and laughter] Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Well, the PLP is green anyway. So I would take that. We were both new in our roles, and we kind of grew together. So that created a bond that I think we will always, always have. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would also like to associate myself with the remarks for Carlton Pepe Dill. He is one of my family member’s older cousins. So he was always a shining light for the fami ly. I could never emulate his athletic ability, but he was always a good—
[Inaudible interjection]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWell, we all know that. [Laughter] Hon. Michael A. Weeks: He was always a good role model for myself and other members of my family . Mr. Deputy Speaker, I saved this one for last because yesterday I witnessed with some of my other colleagues, my political colleague and my …
Well, we all know that. [Laughter]
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: He was always a good role model for myself and other members of my family . Mr. Deputy Speaker, I saved this one for last because yesterday I witnessed with some of my other colleagues, my political colleague and my neighbour. We had a press conference, and he announced the minimum wage. This is a milestone for Bermuda. I think we all should acknowledge that because that is not something that can be taken lightly. You know, there is a lot of work that went into that, and I was glad I was there to see that. And I would like to associate the whole House with the courage that it has taken and the resilience that he went through in order to get it across the line. And I think it is a first step in making sure that our workers are not mistreated and are taken care of fairly. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Honourable Ms. Simmons -Wade.
Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -WadeGood morning. I would like to send congratulations to my nephew, Jonathan Simmons. Last month Jonathan graduated from the US Naval Academy. He has a degree in physics. He also was the Vice President of the Black Engineering Students Association. Many of you may not be aware, but the US …
Good morning. I would like to send congratulations to my nephew, Jonathan Simmons. Last month Jonathan graduated from the US Naval Academy. He has a degree in physics. He also was the Vice President of the Black Engineering Students Association. Many of you may not be aware, but the US Naval Academy is the second most difficult naval academy to get into in the United States. They have an 8.5 per cent acceptance rate. You have to h ave an SAT score of 1200 or 1245. At age 15, Jonathan also received his third degree black belt.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mrs. Ianthia Simmons- WadeHe has now been accepted into the Navy Pilot programme in which he wants to be a fighter pilot. He is a true example of a young man showing commitment and dedication to reach his goal. He will leave as a second lieutenant. Congratulations to my nephew, Jonathan! Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Minister Rabain. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to first be associated with the comments for Mr. Cyril Raynor. It was a tremendous loss hearing of his passing earlier Tuesday. I know that many of us …
The Chair recognises the Minister Rabain. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to first be associated with the comments for Mr. Cyril Raynor. It was a tremendous loss hearing of his passing earlier Tuesday. I know that many of us know about E. & C. [Well] Drilling and the Raynors from Somerset. It is especially hurtful as my very good friend and his daughter, Cyre-lah. And of course, Mr. Deputy Speaker, you would know his son Del Hollis.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: A very famous spinner from one of the few people who play County Cup for two teams, I think.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerNo. He played for one team. [Laughter] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And he played for Cleveland County, yes.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerNo, he played for St. David’s. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: No, he played for Cleveland County, too.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerHe played County Cup for St. David’s. You can only play one County Cup in the East-ern Counties. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Oh. [Inaudible interjections] The Deputy Sp eaker: He is from Harris Bay. 1458 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. …
He played County Cup for St. David’s. You can only play one County Cup in the East-ern Counties. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Oh. [Inaudible interjections] The Deputy Sp eaker: He is from Harris Bay.
1458 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: He is from Harris Bay.
[Laughter] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: He had played for Cleveland, but he played for St. David’s.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYou have got it right now. [Crosstalk] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: All right, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would also like condolences sent to the family of Helen Benjamin of Loyal Hill. She was considered the grandmother of Loyal Hill. She passed in her 90 th year. …
You have got it right now. [Crosstalk]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: All right, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would also like condolences sent to the family of Helen Benjamin of Loyal Hill. She was considered the grandmother of Loyal Hill. She passed in her 90 th year. She had only recently celebrated her 89th birthday. And the celebration was quite a well -attended one at the First Church of God on North Shore. I will associate MP Michael Dunkley with those condolences as well. The family on Loyal Hill is still suf-fering. Whenever I would canvass, she would always be sitting in her kitchen. And it was no surprise that in the obituary they talked about her always being in her kitchen. She would always be in that kitchen or be sit-ting outside. She never ventured far from her place, but she was always there. Mr. Deputy Speaker, on a happier note, I would like to send congratulations to the Loyal Hill community for putting on their annual Bermuda Day Parade that happened the Sunday before Bermuda Day, the usual festive facilities up there. It is something that came out of the COVID -19 era when we did cancel the Bermuda Day holiday that year. They got together and did one, and it has kind of carried on from then. We had the usual floats, the Mr. and Mrs. Loyal Hill. Congratulations to Mr . Henry Asc ento and June Caines for being Mr. and Mrs. Loyal Hill! And of course the exciting gokart race that took place coming off the hill. Those oldfashioned go- karts, I know that you remember them. You know, they were wooden rinky -dink things you put together with a string to steer.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: So it was an exciting family event that went on for a good three or four hours on that afternoon. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would also like congratulations —and I am going to associat e the whole House with this. I would like to …
Yes.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: So it was an exciting family event that went on for a good three or four hours on that afternoon. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would also like congratulations —and I am going to associat e the whole House with this. I would like to send congratulations to the Education Reform Unit and their recent signing of MOUs as we expand our offerings to our students within the public school system on the signature level. So we have recently signed MO Us with BIOS [Bermuda Institution of Ocean Sciences], BUEI [Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute], BAMZ [Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo], KPMG and ABIC [Association of Bermuda International Companies]. And I do realise that there are a couple of them c oming up. I do not want to pre-empt by naming them, but there will be a few more companies as more and more persons gravitate to what is happening in education reform and join in in making sure that our children get the relevant experience and knowledge pr ior to their leaving our system. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. The Chair recognises the Honourable Tyrrell, Neville.
Mr. Neville S. TyrellThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, colleagues. Mr. Deputy Speaker , let me start off on a sombre note and ask that condolences be sent to the family of the late Ermintha Gwendolyn Swan of Khyber Heights Lane in Warwick. Ms. Swan obviously was a constituent of mine …
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and good morning, colleagues. Mr. Deputy Speaker , let me start off on a sombre note and ask that condolences be sent to the family of the late Ermintha Gwendolyn Swan of Khyber Heights Lane in Warwick. Ms. Swan obviously was a constituent of mine and was very popular in the area. She was the widow of Wi lliam Swan. And they both lived a very full life, and it is recognised in the fact that they had three lovely kids, Edward, William, and Gina— and specifically Gina who spent, I think, most of the last year and a half or more never leaving her mother’s side almost. And Ms. Swan and her husband produced many —had a hand, obviously, in producing many grands and great -grands. She lived a very long life. She celebrated —in fact, I called her a few weeks ago for her 95 th. So she was obviously in her 96th year. And as I said, she lived a full life. And I ask that condolences be sent to the family. On a brighter note, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to be associated with two persons who have already been mentioned. The first one was PS Randy Rochester. Let me say that PS, even though I always have the ear of the Minister, PS Randy Rochester was my go- to person for anything I had concerning a constituent in my area. He was always very helpful. So I wish him well in his next role of his life. I also want to be associated with the remarks [regarding] Carlton Pepe Dill. Mr. Dill and I go way back when I was in my football administration years. He, as mentioned, had been a coach for the BFA [Bermuda Football Association] and took away many successful teams. And I had the privilege of actually travelling with him one time and his team. And I watched how he handled [the team] so he got the best out of people. And that is the sort of person he was in life. He really got the best out of people. So I wish him well in his 80 th birthday. Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Honourable Michael Dunkley. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: You have got eyes in the top of your head, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You didn’t even look up. I appreciate that. Bermuda House of Assembly [Laughter] Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I would like to also be associated with the …
The Chair recognises the Honourable Michael Dunkley.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: You have got eyes in the top of your head, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You didn’t even look up. I appreciate that.
Bermuda House of Assembly [Laughter]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I would like to also be associated with the best wishes and congratulations to PS Rochester. Having had the pleasure and the oppor-tunity to be a Minister and Premier of this country, and I am sure all Cabinet Ministers are well aware that you contact your PS on a regular basis, quite often at the end of working hours. Well, PS Rochester was one of those people who if you sent a message he would always get back to you no matter what time of day it was. And certainly that is a very laudable trait. It shows your sincerity and [how] you care about your job. And I am sure that his next employer is going to benefit from the advice and the experience that he brings. So thank you for your service! And it is disappointing that the civil service is losing a good person like him, but I am sure there will be more to return and come back. I would like to thank the Honourable Members for the 80 th birthday wishes to Pepe Dill. Mr. Dill is a few years older than me, but when he was in his heyday, I was really bullish abo ut trying to play the best football I could. [Laughter]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And I remember the likes of Pepe Dill. Pepe Dill was one of those icons that the Honourable House talked about. But when you reflect back on those days, it is no wonder we did so well overseas because you had the likes of Sam “Cat” Nusum and Bubba Daniels. And the list goes on.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And they wore very big shoes and put Bermuda on the map.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Right. Hon. M ichael H. Dunkley: So happy 80 th. I hope you are healthy and happy for many, many more years of your life. And I would have to give congratulations to the Speaker —it has already been done—on his birthday wishes. I knew the Speaker was a …
Yes. Right. Hon. M ichael H. Dunkley: So happy 80 th. I hope you are healthy and happy for many, many more years of your life. And I would have to give congratulations to the Speaker —it has already been done—on his birthday wishes. I knew the Speaker was a good man the first day I met him because he was born in the month of June. And so many good people are born in the month of June, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOh. Okay. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I want to be associated with the congratulations offered for Bermuda Day for a great day in spite of the weather, and certainly specifically to all of the participants and the winners in the race, Lamont Marshall and Gayle Lindsay for winning. What a …
Oh. Okay. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I want to be associated with the congratulations offered for Bermuda Day for a great day in spite of the weather, and certainly specifically to all of the participants and the winners in the race, Lamont Marshall and Gayle Lindsay for winning. What a race it was! This is one of the real joys I get out of my life, watching the competition to see that there were still probably over 1,000 runners. There were 700 in the main race and 300 or 400 in the relay. Certainly it was an awesome race. And I would like, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to specifically congratulate my daughter who fin ished third in the female section four months after giving birth to a grandson. [Desk thumping, cheering and inaudible interjections]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Typically amazing! I have only got three minutes. But I guess the last congratulations would be to my brother, who said he was going to run again. And the only picture I saw of him running was, somebody took a picture of him from behind. And when I sent it to my brother he s aid, I was running so fast he could not catch me from the front!
[Laughter]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, congratulations to all of the participants in Bermuda Day in the parade and in the race. It truly shows that we have a great pride and a great culture that we like to continue. And we should acknowledge that because it was no usual Bermuda Day. The Lord shone above us in his way, and we are thankful for that. And thank you to the Honourable Minister Burch because we have had a v exing issue in my constituency in the junction of Jennings Land and Middle Road. And as a resident, the Opposition Leader is my constituent. I am not sure who he voted for, but I tried my hardest to get his vote. But the Minister was instrumental in gettin g the work done to allow that junction to be much safer. And now it is almost finished. We are just waiting on BELCO to move the pole. But I am sure that will be done in the near future.
[Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: But talking about road safety, these little improvements can go a long way in helping our community. And I thank the Honourable Minister for whatever assistance he gave. And thank you too, Honourable Minister, for recognising me in the condolences to the Benjamin family. Helen Benjamin was a person who knew everything going on in the area. And even though I represent just across the bor-der I would always stop by and say hi because she could share some experience and inspiration. So to her family, may she rest in peace, and may they get comfort from the life she lived. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Deputy Premier Roban. 1460 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I would just like to give, one, a congratulatory message to the aquarium, the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo, …
Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Deputy Premier Roban.
1460 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I would just like to give, one, a congratulatory message to the aquarium, the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo, which opened up a brand- new exhibit last night that I do encourage everyone to go and see because it does characterise a number of fascinating facts about Bermuda and her natural environment. One of the things that I was fascinated by as I was asked to attend the opening was the story of the blight. And there were interesting facts about the blight that I was not aware of that were characterised in that exhibit that I think we all will be interested to know. But the overall exhibit is excellent. They have converted one of the buildings already onsite to house it. I believe all residents will benefit from going to see it. The other is congratulat ions to Ms. Lenora Pearman who celebrated her 100 th birthday yesterday.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: In my constituency at the wonderful, historic, great Methodist church and was well attended by many seniors and others in the community . So tributes to her reaching the 100 th year milestone, her and her family. And there were not only local people, but …
Yes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: In my constituency at the wonderful, historic, great Methodist church and was well attended by many seniors and others in the community . So tributes to her reaching the 100 th year milestone, her and her family. And there were not only local people, but people from overseas in attendance. Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Deputy [Premier]. The Chair recognises the Honourable Vance Campbell. Hon. Vance Campbell: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want to follow on from MP Foggo where she congratulated the Fairmont Ham-ilton Princess for receiving an award. If I am correct, this is t he second …
Thank you, Deputy [Premier]. The Chair recognises the Honourable Vance Campbell.
Hon. Vance Campbell: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want to follow on from MP Foggo where she congratulated the Fairmont Ham-ilton Princess for receiving an award. If I am correct, this is t he second time in the last 12 months they have received international recognition. I also want to mention St. Regis, Rosewood, Tucker’s Point and Cambridge Beaches, who have also in that 12- month period received international recognition. Now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, why do I raise this? Because we pass laws, and we pass Acts and Bills in this House. And we do not always see a connection. But this is no coincidence that all of these hotels, these four hotels received some sort of concession on taxes to reinvest into their physical structure, and in the case of St. Regis to actually build a new hotel that was much needed.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWe are on obits and congrats. Hon. Vance Campbell: So there is a connection to what we do here. And that internat ional recognition leads and lifts Bermuda’s profile in travel and leisure. So congratulations to the Hamilton Princess and St. Regis, Rosewood and Cambridge Beaches. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Honourable Cole Simons. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I have a lot to do because I was not here the last sitting. [Laughter] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: First I would like to associate myself with the comments made in regard …
The Chair recognises the Honourable Cole Simons. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I have a lot to do because I was not here the last sitting. [Laughter]
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: First I would like to associate myself with the comments made in regard to Mark Soares and the marina development in St. George’s. I think it is very admirable and was a long time coming. So I commend them for their efforts. I would like to associate myself with the comments made in regard to the Bermuda Day Parade and the marathon. To see so many Bermudians out in this torrential rain made a clear statement to the community. I would like to associate myself with [the congratulations to] my dear work friend Randy Rochester. He will be a true loss to the civil service. He was special, he was responsive and he is a flag-bearer of excellence when it comes to showing how senior leader-ship is to be served in government. I would like to also associate myself with the comments made in regard to Carlton Pepe Dill and Trevor Lindsay. [I ask that condolences be sent to the family of] a friend of mine, Carneal “Chocolate” Smith. He recently passed. He is from Spring . . . the Honourable Kim Swan wants to be associated with that. He worked for Bermuda Gas. He was the caterer at Image Catering and Image Restaurant at Warwick Workmen’s Club. He was a football player, former goalkeeper at the Devonshire Colts. He was a member of the BFA Disciplinary Committee. And he won the government Sport Citation award in 2017. We send condolences to his partner, Ron [Veronica] Harv ey and his daughters Renee, Crystal and Nahtasha, and his sisters and brothers and grandchildren. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to send congratulatory remarks to the recipients of the awards for 2023 for the Spirit of Bermuda. The Spirit of Bermuda’s theme is “ Changing Lives One Voyage at a Time, Over Time. ” Mr. Deputy Speaker, it is amazing the work that they do for young people in our school system, both public schools and private schools. They teach them leadership skills, situational awareness, determination and perseverance. They are doing things that can be emulated in other sports. Mr. Deputy Speaker, this gentleman, Dkembe Outerbridge- Dill, spoke about his journey. He said he was a troubled child. He got kicked out of school. And the Spirit of B ermuda changed his life. I mean, it brought tears to everyone’s eyes including mine when he spoke about his journey. At 29 years old he has a
Bermuda House of Assembly daughter, and he said, This has put me on the right track so I can model the behaviour of a Black man to my daught er. And when my daughter is old enough to choose a man, she will choose a Black man like me because I am setting the standard for her. That moved me to tears.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerTears. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The Deputy S peaker: Thank you, Mr. Simons. Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Anthony Richardson. You have the floor.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonGood morning, Mr. Deputy Speaker, hello colleagues, and the listening audience.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonI want to add my comments of congratulations to every single person who was involved on May 26 for Bermuda Day. Fir st of all, the road race for the pedal bikes. They had some challenges in terms of having marshals available, but I want to com-mend Mr. Dunne, who …
I want to add my comments of congratulations to every single person who was involved on May 26 for Bermuda Day. Fir st of all, the road race for the pedal bikes. They had some challenges in terms of having marshals available, but I want to com-mend Mr. Dunne, who is the President of the Bermuda Bicycling Association because he made the statement, The race will go on.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonAnd then beyond that, of course we had the Bermuda Day half -marathon, definitely an exciting race, difficult running conditions. And I will certainly add my congratulations to everyone who participated. I thi nk sometimes during the race we forget that there are actually many, many categories. And so to …
And then beyond that, of course we had the Bermuda Day half -marathon, definitely an exciting race, difficult running conditions. And I will certainly add my congratulations to everyone who participated. I thi nk sometimes during the race we forget that there are actually many, many categories. And so to every single person who participated, there are one or two whom I have significant commendation for, but I will not mention them right now. But they did very, very well based upon their own commitment. But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, more than that I want to say that on the day I got completely drenched at about two o’clock in the afternoon. But the reason why I mention that is because I was actually helping some young people. I was parked near Lobster Pot , and I walked from there down to Bermudiana Road and got soaked. But guess what? There were many, many young people who were preparing for the parade, as young as six. They were still prepared to go and march or danc e, whatever they were doing, in the parade soaking wet! And I want to specifically mention Ms. DeShay Hollis, who is my niece. She actually is respon-sible for the dance group, Sui Generis. I say that because the children range in age from about five to as old as maybe in their teens. And they had to get transported from Devonshire to Front Street. So I asked a lady you may know, Ms. Debbie Brown, if I could actually use her minibus. She said, Yes, of course, and she allowed me to drive the children through. And they were then able to experience the parade. And during the actual process, there was another young lady who was assisting the Bermuda motocross riders. She has a young son who participates. And I helped her to move things also. And again, it was j ust amazing because there was such a family camaraderie around all of that. And the takeaway from that is that whilst we may sometimes complain, Bermuda does have that en-during spirit that when they want to work together, they will work together. Old, young, Black, White, Bermudian, non- Bermudian, the whole nine yards came out. So to everyone who participated, and Bermuda for sure, congratulations for what we all experienced on Bermuda Day 2023, a tremendous, tremendous day. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, MP Richardson. Any further? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Cannonier.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Congratulations I would like to give today to Randy Rochester. Having had him as a PS, he was tremendous to work with, quite frankly. And I know that PSs sometimes can get bad reps, but we have some really, really good civil servants. He …
Yes. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Congratulations I would like to give today to Randy Rochester. Having had him as a PS, he was tremendous to work with, quite frankly. And I know that PSs sometimes can get bad reps, but we have some really, really good civil servants. He is going to be a huge loss, and that is what our government is going to have to face in civil service where many of these really good people are going into the private sector. Replacing, quite frankly, former civil servants, opposition in the private sector. [Laughter]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierSo great to work with. We see each other, qui te frankly, all the time. His daughter and my grandson are in school class together. So congratulations on his new appointment. I would like to give congratulations to the Speaker for his 65 th birthday. I knew him long before …
So great to work with. We see each other, qui te frankly, all the time. His daughter and my grandson are in school class together. So congratulations on his new appointment. I would like to give congratulations to the Speaker for his 65 th birthday. I knew him long before I got involved in politics an d have always respected him. Everyone— I mean, for the House. Everyone has given congratulations pretty much. He is a fantastic man. I hope that he is away enjoying this momentous 65 th birthday. It is quite an achievement. I went 60 myself, and I am having difficulty admitting 60.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThat’s all. 1462 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. L. Craig Cannonier: So 65 is quite an achievement.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierBut one other Member, a former Member of the House, the former Honourable Member Bob Richards celebrated his 75th birthday. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThe guy does not look 75 at all! I will say he was a menace in Cabinet. He was a menace in this House! [Laughter]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierAnd always in everything that he did when he came to politics, he was earnest and forthright. You could never blame him for not being forthright about what he believed in. So 75 years is quite a momentous occasion.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierIn fact, he and his wife both celebrated 75, his birthday on the 16 th of May and hers on the 10th. So congratulations to them on quite an achievement! And a model family for Bermuda, a truly model family for Bermuda. In addition to that, I did not hear …
In fact, he and his wife both celebrated 75, his birthday on the 16 th of May and hers on the 10th. So congratulations to them on quite an achievement! And a model family for Bermuda, a truly model family for Bermuda. In addition to that, I did not hear anyone as yet—maybe I missed it —but I want to congratulate Lamont Marshall on his victory!
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes. My apologies. I might have stepped out at the time. But again, I join in the chorus of congratulating a young man who continues to be a model in the sports arena. Congratulations to him as well. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Colonel Burch.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Deputy Speaker, first I would like to be associated with the condolences for [the family of] Carneal Smith. The Deputy Speaker: Yes.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchAs we ll as the congratulations to Carlton Pepe Dill on the occasion of his 80 th birthday. I do not know if I want to fully congratulate or congratulate and commiserate with Mr. Randy Rochester. I did not know him until he came to the Ministry [of Public Works] …
As we ll as the congratulations to Carlton Pepe Dill on the occasion of his 80 th birthday. I do not know if I want to fully congratulate or congratulate and commiserate with Mr. Randy Rochester. I did not know him until he came to the Ministry [of Public Works] as a Permanent Secretary. And I was anticipating that they come work with me with a certain amount of trepidation. So I usually have the same conversation with every PS I do not know, that I don’t care about your politics. I don’t care about anything that you do other than in your job. You must be honest, and I’ll be honest with you. And I will never throw you under the bus. But you will never have to guess where I am coming from. So over the last three or four years, we have actually developed quite a go od relationship in the sense that we did what we do. We were honest with one another. I would protect him when I am going to go off the rails. I would tell him, you know, You know nothing about what I’m going to do, so you can’t . . . You know, when they s ay to you, Why didn’t you stop your Minister from doing stuff?, he can honestly say, I knew nothing what that crazy man was going do. [Laughter]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchBut it has been an actual joy to work with him because I think that one of the things that we uniquely have in common is a willingness to help all of the people in the Ministry in the sense that from students to people who have been promoted to …
But it has been an actual joy to work with him because I think that one of the things that we uniquely have in common is a willingness to help all of the people in the Ministry in the sense that from students to people who have been promoted to people who come to work for us to people who are interested in just being successful even outside of the Ministry. I know what he thinks, and I know he knows what I think about that. And I am always going to agree with hiring students and doing what is best.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchAnd so in a very positive way I say to people who have asked me, What are you going to do without Rochester? I am saying, We’re going to be fine. Because we plan for the departure of everybody. He used to (I think he still does) blame me for …
And so in a very positive way I say to people who have asked me, What are you going to do without Rochester? I am saying, We’re going to be fine. Because we plan for the departure of everybody. He used to (I think he still does) blame me for the departure of many of the young engineers whom we have highlighted. He said, You go on TV and advertise through the private sector that we’ve got these bright people. And they come and poach them. So I say to him, Y ou can’t blame me for their coming and poaching you. Because I didn’t go on TV and say anything about you. You’ve done that all yourself. [Laughter]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchAnd so I wish him well in his new adventure. And I know that the Ministry will Bermuda House of Assembly be fine, and he knows that the Ministry will be fine. We have already figured out who is going to act. They turned down my offer to act as …
And so I wish him well in his new adventure. And I know that the Ministry will
Bermuda House of Assembly be fine, and he knows that the Ministry will be fine. We have already figured out who is going to act. They turned down my offer to act as PS while they find a permanent one. But be that as it may, we will progress and we will flourish. As I said to him, I said, That is a testa-ment of your legacy. Not that you have done such a good job that when you leave everything collapses because one person is not there. But the fact that you have put people in place and trained them so that they are able to pick u p the baton and carry on the good work that you started. So I wish him the very best and success, and I know we will interact because he is going to a place [which is] one of only two entities in the country that do asphalting. So we already have a very c lose working relationship with East End Asphalt. So there will be reg-ular interaction with him, and we will be able to some-times fellowship together. So I wish him well in his new career and much success in that regard. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I would just like to send condolences to two families, and I would like to associate the Opposition Leader Cole Simons. This first condolence goes to the family of Betty Lespere, nee Caines. She worked at BELCO for many years and certainly made a contribution …
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I would just like to send condolences to two families, and I would like to associate the Opposition Leader Cole Simons. This first condolence goes to the family of Betty Lespere, nee Caines. She worked at BELCO for many years and certainly made a contribution not only to the company, but to the community in her support and her role there. So I would like to send condolences to her family. I would also like to send condolences to the son of [sic] Ursula —
[Inaudible interjection]
Ms. Susan E. JacksonI would like to send condolences to Ursula Vallis Darrell, and these are condolences on the loss of her son, Kevin Darrell . I am very sorry to hear of that loss, and we certainly send our thoughts and prayers to the families. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Just before we close, I would like to se nd condolences to the family of Ms. Constance Hollis from Harlem, Baileys Bay, the wife of the late Robert Hollis. And she leaves to mourn sons Robert, Frankie [Franklin], Graham and …
Thank you. Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Just before we close, I would like to se nd condolences to the family of Ms. Constance Hollis from Harlem, Baileys Bay, the wife of the late Robert Hollis. And she leaves to mourn sons Robert, Frankie [Franklin], Graham and Christopher. She was the sister of Bishop Goody Smith around the corner, around there. She will be sorely missed by one and all, and I want to associate Minister Tinee Furbert with that. MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerNone. NOTICE OF MOTIONS FOR THE ADJOUR NMENT OF THE HOUSE ON MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerNone. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS GOVERNMENT BILLS
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerI think it is Minister Campbell. FIRST READING PERSONAL INFORMATION PROTECTION AMENDMENT ACT 2023 Hon. Vance Campbell: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill so that it may be placed on the Order Paper for the next day of meeting: Personal Information Protection …
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOkay. That is it. [There are] no further Bills. Let me just call on Acting Speaker Foggo. [Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, Acting Speaker, in the Chair] OPPOSITION BILLS
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. ORDERS OF THE DAY 1464 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Acting Speaker: We have two orders down for the day, and that is the second reading of the Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 and the second reading of the Tourism Investment …
There are none.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
1464 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Acting Speaker: We have two orders down for the day, and that is the second reading of the Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 and the second reading of the Tourism Investment Amendment Act 2023. I call on the Minister of Economy and—
[Inaudible interjections]
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerWell, yes. Minister of Economy and Labour. And Minister, let me point out the time to you. It is now just about 12:25. And it might be a good time for us to carry over for lunch because it does not make sense for you to begin the second reading …
Well, yes. Minister of Economy and Labour. And Minister, let me point out the time to you. It is now just about 12:25. And it might be a good time for us to carry over for lunch because it does not make sense for you to begin the second reading and then having to break. So, Deputy Premier, I call on you.
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I move that we adjourn for lunch until 2:00 pm.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Lunch is from now until 2:00 pm. And so, Members . . . [Inaudible interjection]
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, that is what I just said. We will adjourn until 2:00 pm. (You confused me; I thought that that was what I said.) Okay. Thank you, Members. Proceedings suspended at 12:21 pm Proceedings resumed at 2: 02 pm [Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, Acting Speaker, in the Chair]
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerGood afternoon, Members. We are resuming on the second reading of the Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023. I call on the Minister of Economy and Labour. Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: Good afternoon, Madam Acting Speaker. I move that the Bill enti tled the Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 be now …
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerIt has been moved that the Bill, the Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 be read a second time. Any objections? [There are] none. Continue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT ACT 2023 Hon. Jason Hayward: Madam Acting Speaker, I rise today to introduce a Bill entitled the Financial Assis-tance …
It has been moved that the Bill, the Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 be read a second time. Any objections? [There are] none. Continue, Minister.
BILL
SECOND READING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT ACT 2023 Hon. Jason Hayward: Madam Acting Speaker, I rise today to introduce a Bill entitled the Financial Assis-tance Amendment Act 2023. The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Financial Assistance Act 2001 and the Financial Assistance Regulations 2004 in order to provide for a new award for eligible able- bodied recipients whose initial sevenyear term has expired. Madam Acting Speaker, this Honourable House may recall in June 2016 regulation 6A was deemed to have come into effect on the 1 st of April 2016 allowing the then able- bodied recipients to remain on financial assistance for five years ending March 31, 2021. In 2020, regulation 6A was amended to allow able- bodied persons to remain in the programme for an additional two years, totalling seven years. This was mainly due to challenges arising from the COVID -19 pandemic. The first cohort of recipients extended to seven years saw the financial assistance (FA) award extinguished on March 31, 2023. Specifically, regulation 6A of the 2004 Regulations states that: “(1) Payment of an award to an able- bodied recipient shall be limited to a maximum period of seven years, whether that period is — (a) continuous; or (b) an aggregate period made up of two or more awards.” Madam Acting Speaker, this change does not affect an inordinate number of financial assistance re-cipients and will ensure that persons affected will have the ability to meet their basic needs until they find employment. As at the 31 st of March 2023, there were 124 able- bodied recipients on financial assistance. Of that total it was determined that approximately 19 recipients had reached their seven- year term and as a result the current awards are extinguished. Madam Acting Speaker, to avoid further hardship for these recipients this amendment will allow them to access a new subsequent award. Subject to them meeting all the eligibility requirements, this subsequent award will provide a standard benefit to assist them in meeting their basic needs. Madam Acting Speaker, there are certain conditions that the Director may impose as eligibility requirements for the subsequent award, which includes the following: • requiring the recipient to enrol or take part in an approved volunteer programme for a maximum of 20 hours per week; • requiring the recipient to enrol in a full - or part - time skills development programme at the Bermuda College not exceeding 12 months. This requirement period is intended to help persons to better prepare for future employment opportunities in a timely manner; • requiring the recipient to participate in and complete a minimum of two skills development
Bermuda House of Assembly and assessment programmes offered at the Department of Workforce Development. And for the same reasons previously mentioned, such programmes are not to exceed 12 months from the commencement of the award; • requiring the recipient to participate in such additional development programmes as the Director may determine, except that each programme selected shall not exceed 12 months from the commencement of the award. Madam Acting Speaker, all registered recipients will be referred to the Department of Workforce Development where the staff will work with them to en-sure they have a personal employment plan [PEP]. The personal employment plan sets out a development plan and creates a path to enhancing their skills and competencies. Each PEP is designed specifically for the respective recipient with the aim of better positioning them to take up employment. Madam Acting Speaker, the Director is also able to impose penalties on recipients for failure to comply with the eligibility requirements. A subsequent award can be revoked or suspended by the Director if the recipient is found to be in breach [of] or contravening the requirements. If recipients are aggrieved by any decisions, they have the right to appeal as set out in the legislation. Madam Acting Speaker, while the Department of Financial Assistance is committed to working with the recipients to help ensure their financial independence before reaching seven years, continuing to assist those who require support beyond the seven years span is the humane thing to do. Madam Acting Speaker, recipients who satisfy the eligibility criteria for the subsequent award shall make application and be assessed for receipt of the following awards only: a standard room rate; food allowance; and health insur-ance coverage. No other benefits will apply. Madam Acting Speaker, the new subsequent award demonstrates Government’s continued an un-wavering support for the vuln erable. Although significantly lower than the full financial assistance subsist-ence, it is believed that this new award will afford recip-ients some form of financial relief in order that they are able to maintain a basic standard of living. Madam Acting S peaker, this is an initiative that this Government is proud to be bringing forth today. This Bill is fundamentally important to the lives of many within our community. Madam Acting Speaker, this Government set out with an aim to increase social protections with an aim to increase labour protections, improve the quality of life of workers in this country, so this is part of a robust financial reform strategy which aims to expand social protections for all within our community. You would know, Madam Acting Speaker, that this falls in line with other reforms that are introduced in this Honourable House that the Ministry of Economy and Labour will be embarking on, reforms that increase eligibility of those who can apply for financial assis-tance, reforms that inc rease benefits for those who are in need, increased child day care allowance for individ-uals to ensure that we are helping families place children in safe child care settings and put those children on pathways to success at an early age. This is part of the human- centred ethos of the Progressive Labour Party Government. When one asks us What is the difference between voting for the Progressive Labour Party and the One Bermuda Alliance? It should be stated that the Progressive Labour Party seeks to ensure t hat we leave no one behind, that persons are not falling through the social cracks, that we are expanding the social protections. While the One Bermuda Alliance reduced benefits to a five- year period, we have expanded benefits and now we have an indefinite benefit for those who need it. No, we are not creating any state of dependency; but we are helping people when they need help. And if we can help corporations, certainly we can help people. I was just thinking, Madam Acting Speaker, [about] the $200 milli on that has been spent on Morgan’s Point thus far, how many families could be helped? How much additional social protection will we have in our society? How can we continue to broaden and strengthen our social safety nets? If you look at the response from this Government, not just the health care response as a result of the pandemic, but the response in terms of the protections we provide for people, it is almost second to none worldwide. [Desk thumping]
Hon. Jason Hayward: The level of income support that we have provided, the level of relief that we have supported, and we have not stopped there. We con-tinue to provide protections while staying within our fiscal guardrails and frameworks. This is the difference between us and them. When the rubber meets the road and you say, What have you done on behalf of the people? I can proudly say that we looked out for individuals who needed assistance. So, to be clear, what we are doing is, we are not just allowing persons to continue on financial assistance without providing them with the necessary support. You will find that I will bring amendments to regulations that will introduce personal employment plans. Notwithstanding that it is not part of law as of yet, we now currently are working with Financial Assistance clients to put them on personal employment plans. Personal employment plans set out employment pathways for individuals who need assistance in positioning themselves for employment opportunities that may ex-ist. And it is not just employment services that we are providing. These persons are also being assessed to see if they need any other social services which may 1466 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly be addiction counselling ser vices or mental health services, financial literacy services [and] employment etiquette services. What we want to do is ensure that we position people to succeed. We want to ensure that people are empowered so that they can thrive inde-pendently in our soci ety. We do not mind helping people when they need help. But what we desire is that people are living independently of the government. Madam Acting Speaker, when it comes to providing benefits for our seniors, we have been unwavering. Anybody who reaches t he age of 65 and gets on our social protection programme typically remains on it for the remainder of their life. And we do not mind providing the most valuable and vulnerable members of our society with that level of support. Individuals with disabilities , you will see that we will be changing the schedule of allowable expenses as well, to ensure that our seniors, those who are disabled, those who are low - income earners, that they receive additional benefits as well underneath our financial assistance framework. We will ensure that work pays. For far too long persons have been encouraged to go out there and work and when their remuneration does not make ends meet, they are left in no better position than if they were on our social protection system. What w e want is a social protection system that rewards work. It is a change of mindset. And so it is no longer a dollar in and a dollar out, Madam Acting Speaker. This empowers individu-als. When we look at social protection frameworks and we look at what are t he mechanisms used to empower persons and progress persons from where they are to where their potential can lead them, it is these little changes that make a big difference. Allowing someone to come on to financial assistance who has $500,000 in their account rather than $500 makes a big difference. When an individual is made redundant they should not wait until they spend their last dollar before the Government is able to assist those individuals. We saw that as being a shortfall and we are also going to amend that. We also want to encourage people who are on financial assistance that if they have the capacity to save, to save, so that when they get off of financial as-sistance they have money in the bank. So that particular change works twofold. We are also going to allow parents who receive child support to retain 50 per cent of that child support so that it is not a dollar in, a dollar out (the same way [with] income) so that those monies can go toward supporting the child. It is very difficult to be on a cashless system in a society that is reliant on cash. So, a parent cannot take the child to the exhibition if they are on financial assistance if they had no cash. We also are changing the rules to allow persons to get gifts that assist persons in their t ime of need, whether it be medical expenses, whether . . . each and every one of us may go to a constituent’s house and the constituents says to their MP, on either side of the aisle, I have children and my fridge is broken down. And you want to assist by getting some funds together to help purchase a fridge for that person —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Jason Hayward: While I hope that is the ethos of both parties, I can only speak for what happens on this side of the aisle, Madam Acting Speaker. And I know it is difficult knowing that you want to help somebody, but the rules prevent you from helping somebody. Or if you help somebody, you may compromise the benefits that they receive. This change allows us to help people who need the help. And this is the common theme: helping people who need the assistance, encouraging individuals to come on to financial assistance when they need it. There is a stigma that is built around our social protection system. But there is also a reality that people need help and suffer in silence. We do not want people suffering in silence in this community when we have programmes in place to assist them. We are also introducing a sudden hardship benefit. This will be a short -term benefit which would allow somebody to receive up to $1,500 for a sudden hardship so that they can get immediate support for an immediate situation and do not have to go through the entire administrative process of getting on financial assistance in earnest. The pool of persons who will now b e eligible after we make our changes to child day care allowance increases substantially. It will increase substantially. The former Government reduced who is eligible for child day care allowance, as if they did not understand the connection between provi ding child funds to support families and ensuring that children have access to early child care. What were the educational challenges one may receive or experience without adequate child day care? What are some of the social harms that children are subject ed to on a daily basis because the person watching those kids is not the most responsible person but is the person, based off of the household circumstance, who is available? See the social ramifications to economic decisions. We may look as though we are saving a dollar on one end by reducing benefits but what are the social impacts of that reduction in benefits? And that is something that cannot be quantified. It cannot be quantified or qualified. The impact of reducing benefits, social protections in a society and the social and economic impact of those reductions . . . yes, we save the Government “X” amount of dollars that we did not have to pay out. But how many more families are now in a precarious situation because they did not have access to benefit s? How many people currently will be in better positions in their lives if five or ten years ago we had these benefits? It’s fine. As a Government we could have moved quicker as well, but we are doing the right thing now for
B ermuda House of Assembly the right reason. And it is in the best interest of our society to ensure we provide these social protections. If you go to any ILO [International Labour Organiza tion] meeting, if you go to any world dev elopment meeting, any economic development meeting, a key portion of the equation is the social protections that Government is providing to the people within their society. You cannot have proper economic development without proper social protec tions . You c annot have a just, equitable, dignified society without adequate social protec tions. You can have economic growth, but you are not going to have meaningful economic development if you are leaving people behind socially. What we are going to do is see an eros ion of the gains that we have made into income inequality if we do not hav e proper social protections. And so, I am proud to stand here today to highlight not only how significant this Bill is that we have in front of us today, but the full suite of changes that we are making to support the working people and those who are in need within our society . And these are just [the] s ocial protections that we have put in place underneath the financial assistance framework. That is not to mention all the relief, the tax relief that we have provided to people within this society , reducing taxes, improving purchasing power. Notwithstanding that, when Bermuda has been challenged by international organisations to say What have you done as a result of the economic conditions caused by supply chain shortages and increased inflation? I was able to proudly state the number of policy changes that we have made, the fiscal changes that we have made which allows for additional relief and protections for the people of Bermuda, the rebates that we have provided, the assis tance for school clothes, things of that nature. Things [during] isolation that people may take for granted all add up as being part of the bigger picture, meaning that our recovery has always been human-c entred. Madam Acting Speak er, we are getting the economic side right because all the economic indicators show us that our economy is improving and continues to improve. MP Dunkley is over here chuckling. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Jason Hayward: No, no, no, no. It was not a chirp; it was an actual chuckle. And the chuckle is maybe because he is in disbelief. Because when I stood on the floor of this House months ago and said that our economic situation is improving, the Honourable Member said this Gov ernment has our head in the sand. But fourth quarter economic data showed us . . . there were no questions asked on that day when I gav e that Statement. Do y ou know why? They did not want to talk about the facts and the reality in terms of the economic situation in Bermuda. Our economy has exceeded pre-p andemic lev els. That is a fact. [Desk thumping] Hon. Jason Hayward: And so while our economy is doing better — [ Inaudible interjections] Hon. Jason Hayward: — while our economy is doing better, we also are now increasing social protections. And that is important. It is a distinguishing factor be-tween the two party’s positions. One was contraction and reduction of social protections, and you see an-other Government’s expansion of social protections. Those are the facts. So, the $200 million we sent out for a failed guarantee on Morgan’s Point, that could be going to our health care system, that could be going to increase so-cial protections, that could be going to our education system, but it is not! [ Inaudible interjections] Hon. Jason Hayward: But it is not! And they are going to have their turn to say what they want on that side of the aisle, but the facts remain. We have been excellent stewards of this ec onomy. We are increasing social protections. And our people will be better off [for] it. [ Inaudible interjections] Hon. Jason Hayward: Jobs year -over-year are increasing, Madam Acting Speaker. Jobs year -over-year are increasing. That is a fact. And we expect better job performance in 2023. We expect better job perfor-mance, getting more of our people to work. You know what? These are the realities that the Opposition does not want to hear. Based on their articles and what they place in our society, they want you to assume that eve-rything is doom and gloom. That is not the reality. And while I accept that we always will have a way to go to improve the social economic conditions of our people, let’s not forget that our people are not in a depressed social ec onomic state because of the current Government. We can never forget that we operate in a con-struct. We should never forget that we have operated in a construct — [ Crosstalk]
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, let’s not distract the Minister while he is on his feet. [ Crosstalk ] Hon. Jason Hayward: Can I get —
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerI don’t see anybody speaking to the Chair — [ Inaudible interjections] 1468 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Acting Speaker: Member! Speak to the Chair! Thank you. The Minister would like to continue without disruption while he is on his feet. Thank you. Hon. …
I don’t see anybody speaking to the Chair — [ Inaudible interjections] 1468 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Acting Speaker: Member! Speak to the Chair! Thank you. The Minister would like to continue without disruption while he is on his feet. Thank you.
Hon. Jason Hayward: We should never forget that we live in a society that has purposefully by its construct held persons back. And if you talk to the seniors within our society, they will let you know the challenges that they faced throughout their lives that exceed my life-time. I said in this House already on my Granny’s 90 th birthday, I asked her what she would like to see. And she said, Change. And I said, Granny, you must accept that we have made significant change in your 90 years. And she said, Not enough. And you should never stop. And she is 90 and she is looking for more change. This party is working hard to deliberately deliver change. So yesterday we rolled out our first national minimum wage rate. You know what? We live in a society where there was no minimum wage rate, where individuals were slaves. Madam Acting Speaker, $16.40 is a way long from free—$16.40 an hour is a long way from free! And I am proud that at least we have a statutory minimum benchmark in place that no employee will receive less than $16.40 an hour for the time that they work in this Island, where labour once was free! It is significant!
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Jason Hayward: It is significant! And our people will feel the impact of it. So, as I tie this into our legislation that we have in front of us today, it is consistent with the commitment that this Government has made to increase social protections, increase labour protections, increase working rights, improve individuals’ quality of life, ensure that people do not slip int o absolute poverty within our society. I thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. [Desk thumping]
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Are there any other Members who wish to speak?
Mr. Jarion RichardsonThank you, Madam Acting Speaker. Madam Acting Speaker, I rise first of all to say that it is vital that we have financial assistance and that we continually reform financial assistance. I have gone on record before saying that a society is judged by the manner in which it treats …
Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. Madam Acting Speaker, I rise first of all to say that it is vital that we have financial assistance and that we continually reform financial assistance. I have gone on record before saying that a society is judged by the manner in which it treats its most vulnerable, and we will always have the vulnerable amongst us. So, protecting them is key to the work of this Honourable House. To that end I also want to add, Madam Acting Speaker, that the community is definitely hurting. We are well aware of persons within the community who are, in effect, sponsoring families by way of assisting them. We know of people who have opened their houses and their apartments where they were so fortu-nate to have it to continue to assist the most vulnerable amongst us. Not always successfully, but certainly the effort is there. We know that families are taking care of families. They are taking care of families that are not eve n related to them. The pandemic revealed a number of cracks and only through persistent, continual attention to financial assistance and financial assistance reform and other social safety measures are we going to be able to take care of those. You know, financial assistance is not about . . . it is easy to be a cynic about these kinds of things. It is easy to have a conversation about payouts and dependencies and to infer laziness or a lack of productivity. It is easy to . . . that is the very worst part of us speaking out loud. What we have to talk about when we talk about social safety nets and we talk about financial assistance is compassion. We have to think about the people who, again, are most vulnerable amongst us, and the quality of life they are l iving, what they can and cannot do. The Honourable Minister liked taking kids to the Ag Show, you know, a seminal event in Bermuda. We just came out of the parade. Who wants to participate . . . you know, if you are disadvantaged, if you are vulnerable in our community, you cannot participate in those things. It is harder to do it. And those are the things that define us as Bermudians. So, when we look at financial assistance, we have to always look at it through the prism of compassion and the prism of taking care of those most vulnerable. The danger of compassion, of course, is that it can blind us. It can mean that we will not evaluate, that we won’t question, critique, examine and analyse, and that is where the work in this Honourable House comes into play. You see, Madam Acting Speaker, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And so we have to make sure that we are paying very, very careful attention to everything we do. One of the problems we definitely have right now when working on financi al assistance and financial assistance reform, is the lack of a total picture, a full picture about the need within the community. There is not any one of us who is not aware of the emigration problem or emigration trends that we have right now. A number of people are leaving the Island. And given the absence of data on that, are we seeing the full picture of need within our community? Are people reaching the
Bermuda House of Assembly point at which they do have economic need and they are in fact not going through our own institutio ns but rather just leaving altogether? Because if emigration has anything to do with economics, then all of a sudden, the picture of Bermuda is radically different. We may not be paying through our current taxes and social programmes to a system that may be taking place somewhere else. But having that need displaced is dangerous because all of a sudden we are starting to think about things like we are being successful. We are starting to think about things like we are taking care of it all . When in fact a l ot of that is being taking into other jurisdictions. So, we have to be always mindful of that, again, given the amount of emigration that we are seeing in the Island. My questions for the Minister . . . actually, I will talk to coherence and effectiveness first. The Minister spoke at length about a number of items that are not in this Bill. He spoke about financial assistance reform in total on a number of things that I believe he plans to bring to the H ouse. I am going to sort of orbit around the Bill here because I do think that since it is being brought to us piecemeal, we have to deal with every piece as it comes. I note that the Minister said that there are some 19 people who will be impacted by this Bill. And this Bill reduces the number of benefits that a person gets. There must be 10 benefits in bullet points in the current programme. And this reduces it to three bullet points. I want to say housing, health care, and food. And by that logic the Min ister is saying that those 19 people are still in need. Then doesn’t that need keep going after the seven- year period? Why are they [being] limited to only the three benefits? That is my first question to the Minister. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Jar ion RichardsonIt falls to this House to question what the best use is of all these resources that we are putting toward the social programmes. Is it better spent in job training or creating jobs, reducing red tape, or growing the economy? If this Governm ent is to prove that it …
It falls to this House to question what the best use is of all these resources that we are putting toward the social programmes. Is it better spent in job training or creating jobs, reducing red tape, or growing the economy? If this Governm ent is to prove that it cares about Bermuda, then it has to prove that it’s not working toward handouts but hands up. To that end, this Government has a plan. We have seen that introduced. We are looking to seeing more legislation coming, but this one in particular is the one that we are dealing with today. I wanted to ask some questions of the Minister as well relating to this particular Bill, because we know that the personal employment plans have not been fully rolled out. And I believe they first came into the public domain as a policy item in . . . I want to say two years ago, in that Budget Speech. So my question to the Minister is, How do we rationalise the cost of this job and career training being put forward when the able- bodied person after seven years, already within these programmes, cannot yet be gainfully or independently employed? [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Jarion RichardsonThank you. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. And to that end, Madam Acting Speaker, there is a lot of things that can be said about financial assis-tance, but I think the big one, the big takeaway, certainly from this side of the House, is that we can only do these …
Thank you. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. And to that end, Madam Acting Speaker, there is a lot of things that can be said about financial assis-tance, but I think the big one, the big takeaway, certainly from this side of the House, is that we can only do these things, we can only be compassionate. If we are not compassionate to those most vulnerable amongst us, then I am not sure what we are doing here. And I do genuinely believe that the One Bermuda Alliance is thinking about the most vulnerable amongst us. And to that end, I will take my seat and I thank you, Madam Acting Speaker, for my contribution, howsoever sporadic.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Member Jamahl Simmons . Member, you have the floor.
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsThank you, Madam Acting Speaker. And good afternoon to the Chamber and to the listening audience. I would like to begin by saying that I am grateful to the Minister for bringing forward these progress ive changes. And these changes have been needed for some time because for many, many, …
Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. And good afternoon to the Chamber and to the listening audience. I would like to begin by saying that I am grateful to the Minister for bringing forward these progress ive changes. And these changes have been needed for some time because for many, many, many years the policy and legislation surrounding financial assistance in this country did not align with our community, cultural and family values. And what do I mean by that? There was a time if you had a car and you needed to go on financial assistance, that might have been in jeopardy. There was a time where you as a senior who might have put aside a few dollars to have a funeral with dignity, might have been denied f inancial assistance. You had a time where a family member would say, I want to help my flesh and blood. And they were punished. It was not in align with our values as a community and as a culture. So, what you saw was inadvertently and good intentioned pol icies that helped divide and de- structure the family unit and take away the natural inclination for us to help each other. So, these changes . . . and there will always be I think . . . you know, one of the lines . . . I am not particularly religious, but one thing always stays with me is that it was said that the poor will always be with us . And we have an obligation, as long as we live under a system where there must be winners and losers, where 1470 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly there must be greed and profiteering, where there must be suffering and strife, we have to care for those who are the victims of the economic system we choose to continue. So, Madam Acting Speaker, think to the days where if you were on financial assistance and you went and got a job that paid a little too much, but not enough, you were punished. You de -incentivise people to do for self and go out and get a job. If you think about the fact that for most of our lives, if you were on financial assistance, you were spoken of in the worst terms. You were a drain on o ur society. You were a parasite. You were this and that. And I must digress because one of the things that I found really, really soul crushing for a lot of people in our country. When we know somebody is on financial assistance, when we know somebody is s truggling, what do we do? Look! Her nails are done. She is spending all of her money getting her nails done. Oh, they got their hair done. And you know, they got a fancy watch. Or maybe they have a car, and it is a little too fancy because they are poor. I want to say today that our people are a very proud people. The average Bermudian wants to work. The average Bermudian does not want to go anywhere near financial assistance. And when they are driven to do so because they can turn nowhere else, the averag e person wants to get off as quickly as possible. And I think that this helps add a little bit more dignity to the equation. I hope that it will also change the conversation in terms of how we talk about people, because many times . . . we pay taxes, and I have to tell people, You are entitled to assistance because you have been pay-ing taxes all this time. So, there are people who when COVID -19 hit, had never been unemployed in their life before the time they left their parents’ house. They struggled because I’ve always worked. I’ve always done my part. I don’t want to be a drain. And I say to them, You are not a drain, because you have contributed. And when you do what you need to do to get off, you will contribute yet again. And so, we have to change the conversation. I think that we have done a lot. And I think the Minister has acknowledged that more must be done. I think that when we look at who is impacted by financial assistance reform, it is far too many people who will be positively impacted. And we know that this has to change. We know that while we have addressed the cultural and institutional practices that debilitated and hurt people and removed their dignity, we also have to get our people back to work. And so, as we go forward, with different legislation and different opportunities designed to create incentives for our people to work, designed to create incentives for businesses to hire, designed to get our economy moving, we need to put aside the playground antics and the point scoring be-cause people want to have hope. And the thing you hear about us is that we are out of touch, both sides. You are not connected. You are arrogant. You do not know what I am suffering. And so part of changing that is making sure that as we de-bate these issues as we drive them f orward, we are solution -driven. We are speaking to the genuine and real concerns of our people. And not just looking for oppor-tunities to beat our chests a little bit or to maybe oneup somebody because they just wear a different coloured tie and pin than you do. So, my hope today is that . . . Minister, I commend you for this, bringing it forward. I continue as a progressive; I am person that I am never satisfied with the state of any country, and we will always be more progressive. And I will push and push and push and continue to support initiatives that drive us forward and make life better for people in this country. But I again urge the public: Think better about the people who you share your country with who may be less financially well off than you because there, but by the grace of God, goes any one of us. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Minister of Home Affairs. Minister, you hav e the floor. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I wish to share a few brief remarks about this Bill and this …
Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Minister of Home Affairs. Minister, you hav e the floor.
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I wish to share a few brief remarks about this Bill and this initiative. Some very interesting comments have already been put. Certainly, the Minister of Economy and Labour has been part icularly eloquent and clear on the intent of the measures that he is bringing in this space and he will continue and has brought other measures, Madam Acting Speaker, that has sought to transform this particular perspective of how we manage. And if we in t his House are the managers of this community on how we manage the social situation, the situation that people have to face, this is a part of a tapestry, a picture that certainly the Members on this side are seeking to paint. As has been said, it is cons iderably different from those who proceeded us. It is certainly different from the previous administration. And I will say that from this perspective. I do not doubt that the Members on the other side feel that taking care of people is important. I do not doubt that. I also do not doubt that in their own constituencies, all of them, that they have come across persons who have found themselves economically challenged and have sought to help them. And when they were in Government, they did what they thought t hey could to help. But we also know that there is a record behind that and perhaps based on the priorities that their Government set, they made certain decisions about how this should operate in their own responsibility of managing a community. And clearly , we thought that this was not adequate. They may have thought it was from their perspective on how they
Bermuda House of Assembly thought the community should be managed, but we thought it wasn’t. And so we are here doing things to ensure that our perspective of how this community should be managed socially and how we should give support to people socially should be managed and how it should be deployed. I do think, Madam Acting Speaker, that we as a country, no matter which side of the aisle we sit on, over the past few years have learned a number of things. And in fact, I will go back even further than that. From the mid- 2000s we know that there was an interesting experience that this country has had. There was a significant recession which put considerably economic pressure on the country. And coming out of that was not easy. And certainly, in recent years, as I have said, we have gone through a particular experience which was not easy for the country. And over these 25-or-so years of that period, and even more recently in the last three or four years, I think we have seen some things. We have seen that, certainly since 2020, there was a particular stress put on the community and on the mechanisms of governance and the mechanisms of the economy which showed some blatant gaps. There are some things we thought were okay, [and then] we realised through the stress the community was [experi-encing] at times, they were not okay. There are things that were revealed that we did not know and if we had not gone through that experience as a c ountry, we would not have known. And part of what the Honourable Minister is bringing today is to address some of what this country experienced during that time where the noticeable gaps in this system of social protections that we probably thought by and large was working . . . there were things we wanted to address, but some blatant gaps and [omissions] and weaknesses were shown because some people were thrown into situations that had not been. Parts of our community were in a state or position that ha d not existed [during] the lives of most of us in this country. [Those conditions] existed, pre- war. Or during the war time. We know that. That is what the history tells us. Bermuda was in a state that it had not been since the Second World War. And there were no social protections back then, so we do not even know what people were doing back then, other than what is told in the history books. But we have a different type of situation now. [It is] much more complicated. And these issues were blatantly made evident through the experience of the last three years and even going further back with some of the challenges we faced through the economic crisis and the sluggish recovery of coming out of that. This Government has made a concerted effort through previ ous measures of which the Ministry has ably described and what has been actually embedded in the legislation that is has brought forth today to begin to bring some of these considerations to the fore and put things that we hope can address them, to address what the needs of the community are right now. What people are facing right now. And one thing you can also say that we have learned, Madam Acting Speaker, is that even in prosperity there are challenges. Even when there is not prosperity there are challenges. So having a basic foundation of social protection takes into account that even when you are doing economically well, there are people who fall off the ladder. There are people who perhaps cannot keep up with the economic capacity that is faced. They cannot find a job where they have affordability in even the best economic con-ditions. That is what we know and that is why having a solid foundation of social protections and the particular measures that the Minister is bringing today are particularly impo rtant and will help address the issues that we have discovered that we as a country are experi-encing. And going forward, we are confident that the Minister will continue to give attention to this because this is, as he says, a part of the human- centred foundation that this Government operates from. And I will say it again, I don’t doubt that the Members on the other side have social concerns and appreciate the needs of people. I don’t doubt that. It is just that from a policy standpoint they have approached these differently from us. And we saw their approach to not be adequate and we are addressing that. And addressing the needs that we have found that this community needs, seriously needs. So, I congratulate the Minister for bringing these and his conti nued push to shape these sorts of efforts to make changes to financial assistance, which I don’t doubt that everybody in this House accepts as necessary. He is seeking to address the stigma that is attached with financial assistance. And it is always ironic that . . . because there were some undertones from the other side which could imply a lack of sensitivity. But I don’t . . . I don’t believe . . . I think that is just part of the theatrics that we all go through in this House. Right? Right? It is part of the theatrics. I don’t doubt that even those who were doing those undertones understand the need for these things. But the reality, Madam Acting Speaker, is that the majority on financial . . . people going through this are our seniors. And people who ar e in a situation, possibly disabled, or have other incapacities which make them . . . their inability to work or their social circumstance is so much . . . are so acute that they need support. That is the majority of people. So, the able- bodied [constituents] that we want to address is actually the minority of this system and we should make every effort with social protections to keep it that way. And the irony is that many countries, even those that are the mature in this space that have had social protect ions in place long before Bermuda ever had, are themselves stressed in this. I read recently that even in the UK that the current Government made a change which meant that a family that has more than a certain amount of children 1472 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly are denied benefit. And it has put hundreds of thousands of families in poverty. This is a country that has a mature social support system that goes back generations that have done things that we are just trying to figure out to do now. And they still find themselves chal-lenged to m anage these types of programmes and systems to deal with their people. So, we will still be challenged even as we pursue the best approach as a Government. We have to understand that. But we must continue on this road with having basic social protections i n place because whether in prosperity you will find people challenged like this, even as you are economically stressed. And there must be a basic foundation to ensure that our seniors, those who are disabled, those who challenged in other ways or find them selves in unanticipated circumstances can get help. And at least support them until they get to a place where they can manage on their own. Again, I congratulate the Minister for bringing these things forward. He will continue, as he has eloquently said, to ensure sure that the human- centred approach of this Government is continuously at the forefront of our policies. And I look forward to the House supporting these measures. Thank you very much, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Mini ster. Are there any other Members who wish to speak? I recognise the Member from constituency 14, I believe it is. Member, you have the floor.
Mr. Wayne Caines—Madam Acting Speaker. I listened to Member Richardson, and I could not let it go. I just went to get my notes. I think when we realise that we are not just up here speaking, that people listen to everything that we say, if we leave it unchallenged, that we …
—Madam Acting Speaker. I listened to Member Richardson, and I could not let it go. I just went to get my notes. I think when we realise that we are not just up here speaking, that people listen to everything that we say, if we leave it unchallenged, that we do not care that the Progressive Labour Party is putting forward a Bill this afternoon that is not in the interest of the average person, words multiply—and in this community, rapidly so. It is important that we deal with it. That we address it and that we debunk in this very room. I know the Member. The Member is not mischievous. He has a pure heart. So that is not my point. My point is that when there are points of miscommunication, when there are points that are not appropriately stated, I think it is our responsibility to correct those points. When we look at the purpose of the Ministry, the current programmes are there to assist people with food, rent (or nursing home fees), electricity (or utili-ties), health insurance (whether it is HIP or Fu-tureCare), adult day care, home care, medications, medical equipment, transportation, overseas accom-modations, transportation of food (if they are for medical emergency) and funeral expenses. Now here is where we have to take the supposition, the words that are inflammatory, and connect those elements with the facts, with the figures. The Opposition always asks us to demonstrate our points with facts and with figures. So, let’s do that. When we are talking about the pensioners, this year we spent just over $ 2 million assisting 1,025 people. That’s a fact.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberPer month.
Mr. Wayne CainesPer month! So let’s go back. This is our country where every month this Government has set aside $2 million for just over 1,000 people —the people who laid dow n the foundation for us, whether Black, White, Jew or Gentile. That is making sure that our foundation is covered. …
Per month! So let’s go back. This is our country where every month this Government has set aside $2 million for just over 1,000 people —the people who laid dow n the foundation for us, whether Black, White, Jew or Gentile. That is making sure that our foundation is covered. We do not care about our seniors? It is evidenced in this policy! Disability. I don’t like that word. Physically challenged; those with spec ial needs. Just under $1,300,000 a month. That is 763 people. We are not taking care of those who are physically challenged? This party is not looking out for people with special needs? Look what we are doing every month. The Minister is bringing a back -up policy to shine, to make sure that it is efficient, to make sure that it is covering the financial bases, making sure that there is no abuse, making sure that it is running efficiently. And we are challenging, not that! Because Lord forbid we challenge t hem, doing something efficacious in the best interests of Bermuda. We are challenging, Does the party care? Ridiculous! Let’s look at the next one. Employed with insufficient earnings —$200,000 a month and 145 people. These are people who are doing their best. They are coming just below the tape. And they need assistance getting through the month. Now remember, to the pundit this is not somebody sitting outside a government building with a bucket giving out money to whosoever [they] will. This is a disciplined approach of professionals—social workers, care givers, people up at the department understanding the specific needs, holding them to account for seeking jobs and making sure that they go out, making sure that they bring in receipts, making sure that t hey travel [responsibly]. This is not the Minister doing this in absentia of rules, coming in arbitrarily and giving out money. That is what the Opposition wanted to make you think, that this Government is irresponsible with the purse. They are just spend ing money. The reality of it is . . . the reality of it is —
[Inaudible interjections]
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Wayne Caines: It’s [not] your time . . . object or let me finish.
Mr. Wayne CainesThe last one is the able- bodied employed —$215,000 in payouts a month that represent 124 people. Now, the Minister is simply saying t hat he wants to put some parameters around that. And the parameter around that is saying that the money that is going to be for here, …
The last one is the able- bodied employed —$215,000 in payouts a month that represent 124 people. Now, the Minister is simply saying t hat he wants to put some parameters around that. And the parameter around that is saying that the money that is going to be for here, the benefits are going to be limited to food allowances, health insurance and a room rate. That is what this is simply doi ng. So any notion to say that anything is not caring, we don’t care about our people, is not in keeping with the legislation. Again, I know this Member was not being mischievous. There was a line and length that I believe needed to be corrected. It needed to be highlighted that the epicentre of this Minister’s policy . . . the Bible says if you have done it to the least of them, you have done it unto me . . . Matthew [25:40] I think it is. Somebody check that. Right? This Minister and his team, the extension of it, are looking out for the least of them. He should be applauded. Everything in these policies is going . . . we just came through a pandemic. Our people are trying to get back on their feet. They have to be given the notion, they have to be supported. That is the undergirding, that this Government cares, that we are doing everything to make sure that they have a better way of life. We cannot let all the work that we will do this afternoon for them to be giving the mis-notion [sic] that we don ’t care, that we are up in this room not working on their behalf. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to this Bill? I recognise the Member Scott Pearman from constituenc y . . .
Mr. Scott PearmanThank you, Madam Speaker. Acting Madam Speaker. Madam Acting Speaker . . . something in there. [Laughter] Mr. Scott Pearman: I actually wasn’t going to speak to this at all but for the last speaker who I am afraid completely got the wrong end of the stick. At no point …
[Laughter] Mr. Scott Pearman: I actually wasn’t going to speak to this at all but for the last speaker who I am afraid completely got the wrong end of the stick. At no point did the Shadow Minister, Jarion Richardson, ever suggest that the Government doesn’t care. Indeed, I noticed the careful words from the Deputy Premier when he spoke, when he quite rightly said that there is no economy on caring. We have caring on both sides of the aisle. He was quite right. And I commend MP Walter Roban for his statement to this Honourable House that we all care and that where we may differ is how to achieve the ultimate goal. And I noticed, and I thank the Honourable Minister who is nodding my way from the other side of the aisle, because this should not descend into a partisan argument.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Scott PearmanI am slightly . . . I am not disappointed because like the commendation that was made by the MP Dwayne [sic] Caines behind me to MP Richardson—
Mr. Scott PearmanLike the commendation that was passed to MP Richardson about his being pure of heart, I would make the same commendation to MP Caines. He is pure of heart. And I just t hink he got the wrong end of the stick. At no point has the Opposition made the …
Like the commendation that was passed to MP Richardson about his being pure of heart, I would make the same commendation to MP Caines. He is pure of heart. And I just t hink he got the wrong end of the stick. At no point has the Opposition made the suggestion that the Government does not care. Nor would we.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Scott PearmanAnd we wouldn’t because we accept that there is a goal here which is to help . . . and I appreciate that MP De Silva is chirping from the back. But I am going to ignore that, Madam Acting Speaker, and speak to you.
Mr. Scott PearmanThere is a goal here— Hon. Zane J. S. De S ilva: I could point -of-order on that one. I could do a point of order, please, if you don’t mind. 1474 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Acting Speaker: What is your point of …
There is a goal here—
Hon. Zane J. S. De S ilva: I could point -of-order on that one. I could do a point of order, please, if you don’t mind.
1474 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Acting Speaker: What is your point of order, Member?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member is certainly misleading the House. All I said was that Hansard would tell whether or not that was in fact a fact of statement, when it was not.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: As I said, Hansard wil l tell the truth.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerMember from [constituency] 22, please continue.
Mr. Scott PearmanYes, the expression, Madam Acting Speaker, better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and confirm it. But there we are.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo, no, no, no! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order! Point of order!
Mr. Scott PearmanWe are trying to make, Madam Acting Speaker, to— Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order! P oint of order!
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerLet me take his point of order. Yes. POINT OF ORDER [Unparliamentary language] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That certainly must be withdrawn. That Honourable Member could take a walk.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerHere is what I agree with. I do think that you did not use parliamentary language in the way in which you described, so I would ask that you please withdraw that comment.
Mr. Scott PearmanMadam Acting Speaker, I do so gladly, and thank you for the direction.
Mr. Scott PearmanThe point I was seeking to make, and indeed the Honourable Deputy Premier, Walter Roban, made it before me, is that both sides of the aisle do care. In fact, all 36 of us would not be in this room if we did not care. And the suggestion from any …
The point I was seeking to make, and indeed the Honourable Deputy Premier, Walter Roban, made it before me, is that both sides of the aisle do care. In fact, all 36 of us would not be in this room if we did not care. And the suggestion from any MP to another MP that they don’t care is simply ill -founded. And I am not attributing motive to the prior speaker. I am just saying simply that it is ill -founded. And, respectfully, I suggest that he got the wrong end of the stick there, because there are different ways to solve problems. And that is the important thing here. And just on the facts of the poi nt, because there seems to be a disagreement about what had been said by MP Richardson, and what MP Caines un-derstood him to have said. Just on the facts of the point, what this Bill is doing quite specifically, and it is on page 7 (and we will look at the section in Committee; I am not going to go there now) is extending for three things: room allowance, food allowance and health insurance. And that is what MP Richardson said to this Honourable House, and he was quite right to do it. So I don’t think there was any confusion on his part in terms of the expansion that this Bill is achieving. And it is right to point out what this Bill is actually doing, as opposed to what this Bill is not doing, because when the Honourable Minister got up and gave his presentation to the House he did range quite broadly on a number of things that he as a Minister and his Ministry are seeking to achieve. And so it is quite right for MP Richardson to point out what this Bill is ac-tually doing as opposed to the broader context o f the speech that was given by the Honourable Minister. No criticism is made. He is the Minister. He is saying what he is trying to do to achieve things for the betterment of Bermudians. But let us focus on what is actually in this Bill. And MP Richardson was quite right to focus on what is actually in this Bill. So, again, I was not planning on standing and speaking. I do think that all 36 of us, all the elected MPs, are seeking to do the best for all Bermudians, and particularly those most in need. And we are trying. We may come at it from different ways, we may have different perspectives. And so it does help when we don’t start to chuck bricks back and forth. Again, I know that the Honourable MP behind me who just spoke . . . I respectfully say he may have misunderstood and got the wrong end of the stick. And I would encourage us to adopt the approach of the Deputy Premier where we do recognise that we just have different ways of solving problems. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 29. Member, you have the floor. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank, Madam Acting Speaker. I too was not planning to speak to this Bill because in fact …
Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 29. Member, you have the floor. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank, Madam Acting Speaker. I too was not planning to speak to this Bill because in fact if you listened to the Minister I think he
Bermuda House of Assembly was quite specific indeed as to what this Bill intends and will do. But when I heard the Members opposite, and in particular the Member who just took his seat, and he said it several times, and I quote, You got the wrong end of the stick . . . what exactly does that mean? I will take my seat if the Honourable Member wishes to explain what that means because I think many of us, if not all of us on this side, don’t know exactly what that means.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerJust a minute. Do you yield for the clarification, Member? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Absolutely. POINT OF CLARIFICATION
Mr. Scott PearmanMy point was that when MP Caines was commenting on what MP Richardson had said, he had the wrong end of the stick. He had misunderstood the comments by MP Richardson. That’s my point, plain and simple. Thank you.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Member, continue. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I will repeat. What does “the wrong end of the stick” mean? The Honourable Member said that he got the wrong end of the stick. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, …
Thank you, Member. Member, continue.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I will repeat. What does “the wrong end of the stick” mean? The Honourable Member said that he got the wrong end of the stick.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, now the chirping bird from Dunkley’s Dairy —
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —is trying to say —
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerMember. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —what his colleague was saying. Maybe what he needs to do is go in the backroom with t he consultants and get advice as to how to explain it. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Because we do not know on …
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue, Member. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes. Madam Acting Speaker, I would just like to say that I thank the Minister for his vision, for his continued watchful eye over those who need assistance in this country. And I think he was very, very specific in what he …
Continue, Member.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes. Madam Acting Speaker, I would just like to say that I thank the Minister for his vision, for his continued watchful eye over those who need assistance in this country. And I think he was very, very specific in what he hopes will [be] achieved with this Bil l. And I look forward as I think many of those who may be outlined, or find themselves in a situation where they need assistance do, and will certainly, will certainly, give thanks to not only the Minister but to his colleagues who sit around the table, an d his colleagues who sit around him on the backbench, because every time we discuss this we discuss this as a group. And even though they may not wish to admit it from time to time, as they did today, this Government does care for the people of this count ry. And it is Bills like this, the specifics inside of his speech and inside of this Bill that will show that this Government does care for those who have come upon hard times in this country. And we will continue to do our very best for them. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak? I recognise the Member from constituency 20.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I have been listening intently to this debate and I am declaring my interest. Back in 2018 I was fortunate enough to be able to sit on a committee that was entitled the Financial Assistance Reform Committee. I happened to have been on the committee …
Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I have been listening intently to this debate and I am declaring my interest. Back in 2018 I was fortunate enough to be able to sit on a committee that was entitled the Financial Assistance Reform Committee. I happened to have been on the committee with th e present Minister before he was a Minister. So I have a very real and a very sensitive understanding of the complexities within the financial system arena. And I also have a clear understanding of the dedication and the passion that the Minister of Labour and Economy has for financial assistance. So, rather than go into that, I would like to just present and maybe ask a couple of questions of the Minister on how we keep moving forward with this. One of the things that I have not heard yet that I would lik e to discuss for a few moments is, How do we take this one step further? Now, before we go there, I would like to preface this by saying that it is encour-aging to know that within the able- bodied unemployed environment, where there is a need for either an award or an extended award, that we are looking at a relatively small population of people. But that does not in any way undermine the importance of each one of those individual people and how we can get them back into a feeling of prosperity within their lives. I then wanted to just have a conversation in the room and maybe the Minister can address some of these questions around what do we do next? What else can we do? Because the last thing any government wants to do is to have people, especially if it s tarts to increase in population (which is not the situation here today) find that they are becoming more dependent on 1476 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly government’s social services rather than finding their own economic empowerment and are able to achieve their own prosperity. There was a time when the Government under the Burt administration came into power and there was a feeling of the potential of [a] flush of jobs. And yes, we have been through horrible global times. But there was a time when people could actually explore the idea of maybe what it would be like to work within a casino where there would be different kinds of job descriptions and talents and skills that would be required. And, of course, we know that we have been delayed in seeing a real uptick in jobs within the hospital ity industry. So, you know, we wait with bated breath, but there are a number of people who have been doing that now for so long that they now need an extension on the financial support in order to sustain themselves. Of course, it would probably take an awful lot, or more than I can imagine, of training and workshops and the like to get into the digital asset business as well. So, you know, those jobs might not necessarily be available to everyone. So, although we have had the excitement and the potential of some real different job opportunities, they have not come to fruition for many and so we then have to look at what is next. So, Madam Acting Speaker, I just want to present the idea that we might start to look as a Govern-ment at the way we actually support and introduce new business opportunities and innovation for the individual who may have an idea that could bring some economic growth prosperity and financial independence but they are unable to navigate the system. Or the laws that we currently have in place are just too restrictive for them to have the flexibility to maybe do what it is that they would like to do. Madam Acting Speaker, I do have a visual in mind. And I know that if I describe the person that they will be identified. But you know, there are individuals in the community who have different philosophies on life. They may not want to do the office job. Or they may not be about shift work. Or they may just simply not have the mind- set to really be in sort of a customer service environment. They may work better on their own and be creative in certain ways. But we do not really have the flexibility in some of our legislation to be able to do that. Now, the One Bermuda Alliance did work hard to start to ease some of the restrictions in the [Vending] Act. But I personally believe that there is scope and potential for the [Vending] Act to be eased or maybe mas-saged a little more to allow for some individual innovative thought and creativity to have an opportunity to really provide a professional or a financial source of income for individuals who may not be interested in the mainstream career roadmap. Then I also think or believe that some people are having a real difficult time navigating through some of the bureaucracy, some of the red tape that it takes to navigate into starting their own business. And maybe there are different levels. Maybe there are already different levels, but some people are not necessarily going to enter into the BLDC because maybe that is just a little overwhelming for t hem. So, again, we are looking at a relatively small population, but as a Government, every single human being on this Island is an important and equal member of our society. So, whatever we can do to introduce or to support people who may have an idea but maybe they do not have the conformist skills that our government, and I am saying that in the broad sense—
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, because Member, we want to make sure that you are focusing that in on the Financial Assistance Amendment Act.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonAnd I am speaking directly to the people who may either be in the able- bodied unemployed population or could find themselves there. Because there just is not necessarily the ability to navigate through some of the more sophisticated or maybe even philosophically different methods of conducting business. I will …
And I am speaking directly to the people who may either be in the able- bodied unemployed population or could find themselves there. Because there just is not necessarily the ability to navigate through some of the more sophisticated or maybe even philosophically different methods of conducting business. I will wrap up by saying that maybe this is an opportunity for us to provide a little more flexibility to allow people who are in the able- bodied unemployed circumstance to have an opportu nity to maybe investigate some areas of employment or entrepreneurship that is not going to be that fulsome . . . having a retail outlet or having the strength of a business plan and the rest, but that would have an opportunity to thrive in Bermuda without feeling as though they are breaking the law or doing something wrong. I am going to end with this. It is coming to my mind that there is a market for that. Certainly I have . . . I don’t know if those remember, but I lived up in Dockyard for a few years so I was right in the midst of the cruise ship passengers. And I caught the ferry twice a day, so I was always in conversation with passengers. They would often ask me where the individual artistic talents are and where could they go find that one person w ho does something that they do not necessarily see in the shops. Unfortunately, I did not have a real answer for them other than, you know, the Harbour Nights on Wednesday and that sort of thing. But I would imagine there is still a bit of red tape and str ucture around that. What I am getting at, Madam Acting Speaker, is that if we just explore the idea that maybe we can offer some innovative ideas to allow those who are maybe not fitting into the mainstream and more bureaucratic system to have an opportunity to express their ideas and see where we could go to assist them where they are not breaking the law or having to go through a lot of red tape, et cetera. Thank you.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Bermuda House of Assembly Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 7, I believe it is.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonOkay. Good afternoon, Madam Acting Speaker. And to my colleagues again and to those in the listening audience. I will say this, and I smile because others have said the exact same thing, and that is that there was no fundamental intention to speak today. But the beauty of coming …
Okay. Good afternoon, Madam Acting Speaker. And to my colleagues again and to those in the listening audience. I will say this, and I smile because others have said the exact same thing, and that is that there was no fundamental intention to speak today. But the beauty of coming to the House of Assembly is that sometimes the thoughts that you have are forced to the front based upon what people say or what is said. And so to emphasise and to clarify, right now we are speaking to t he Minister’s amendment Bill to extend the financial services benefit to those who (in my words) would time out. And so that is what we are speaking to. And to the extent that this occurs, persons will be able to still retain or accept some benefits. Now, to give context I will do this. When asked to speak about why is Anthony a Member of the PLP, the answer is because for the PLP it is actually people first. There is a role for business, but it is always people first. And then when asked the other questi on, Well, why not the other side? It is because for the other side it is business first and then people. And so, yes, it is definitely correct that each of the parties do have peo-ple as part of their concern. What really got me on my feet today is because (I want to say my namesake) the other MP Richardson spoke about the fact that when we talk about financial assistance it should be in the context of a prism of compassion. Now, Madam Acting Speaker, what is a prism? Believe it or not, one definition of a prism is that it presents either a clarification or a distortion afforded by a particular viewpoint. And clearly today there is both a clarification and a distortion about what happens on either side depending upon the viewpoint. And what is interesting, again, is that each of us has a viewpoint. And as a team we have a viewpoint, depending upon which party we have associated ourselves with. Now, clearly, and I will be very careful about this and I will actually speak a little bit more slowly. I am not in any way, shape or form speaking about any individual person. I am trying to bring the context for my comments today, which goes down to prism. It depends upon your viewpoint. And it depends upon my viewpoint right now in terms of the PLP as people first and the OBA as business first. They do have a component for people, but it is not first; it is business first. And so there we go. So, for today I want to say for the listening public, be very clear that the PLP prism is absolute clarity around helping peopl e, vulnerable persons and others. Now, we can easily refer to what has happened in recent memory. A lot of times we talk about, Oh well, the PLP has been in power for 25 years and yada, yada, yada. But guess what? The PLP did not create the economic found ation of Bermuda. It was done by a different party. And I will not go there, but it was not the PLP. And so let’s make sure that we don’t get into this narrative in terms of, Oh well, the PLP for the past 25 years . . . because that is not the foundation of the Bermuda economy. But we also have to remember, though, and to go back to what the Minister is talking about in terms of the social security or the social net that we have provided, that this was actually a very l ong-standing goal of the PLP from [their] inception. And what many people might not know is that as early as 1970, when we first put in place or when the Government first put in place the Social Insurance Act 1970 [sic], it was based upon those pressures f rom the PLP, BIU and others (right?) to ensure that there was at least some protection in place for those in our community who were more vulnerable. So now, if we fast -forward to today and the financial assistance, there can be no challenge— no challenge—t o the fact that the PLP has the people, our people, all Bermudian residents, at the forefront of their mind when they make these sorts of adjustments to legislation. So, to echo the comments from MP Wayne Caines, let there be no distortion from either Members here present or those in the listening audience that the PLP has a focus for helping those who are vulnerable. Now, to speak to some of the comments that were made earlier, this is not an abuse in any way, shape or form. And it is interesting because from the general public’s perception we do think (as others have said) that those who are on financial assistance are less than. But what the policy is doing today, and the Minister spoke to it already, is giving those persons who need the assistance both the comfort that they are not going to fall into abject poverty, but also the confidence and the incentive to move beyond. And so, yes, Anthony, you might have been on financial assistance for a period of time, an extended period of time, and based upon t he rules you are about to time out, fall off that cliff. But guess what? There is the safety net now because you are not going to fall off the cliff. There is still going to be for today those added benefits. But guess what, Anthony? It is still a recognit ion that you are ablebodied and so still continue on trying your best to get back to where you [were]. And to go back even to the comment from MP Simmons earlier, I just think it is incredible that we have these thoughts about what it means when you need as1478 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly sistance or when you need help. Again, from a PLP perspective, assisting an individual is almost the equivalent of what the Opposition would do for a business. When we say that a business needs assistance, guess what? It is a great thing. Let’s all rah, rah, rah, rah, rah. Help them for various reasons. But yet we do not say the same thing when it comes to the individual. This is a real example, Madam Acting Speaker. One of our significant financial institutions had a major problem some years back and the Government of the day, which was a PLP Government, provided assis-tance, i.e., Bank of Butterfield. In the past few weeks the Bank of Butterfield actually changed their operating system, the banking system. And I will say that it created havoc. Why is this relevant? It is relevant because a lot of us right now think that those who are on financial assistance are less than. But I can assure you that on many occasions, because of their new system, they were not able to process the payroll until 4:00 pm on payday right before the end of the month. And so many of those persons who believe that people who are on financial assista nce are less than, had themselves a major panic because, guess what, they could not receive their pay cheque. So, what I am saying, right now, Madam Acting Speaker, is that we have to (as it was said earlier) change our mind- set toward those who find thems elves right now in need because many of us, if we fail to get our pay cheque, are in the same boat. So that should provide an incentive for all of us to start thinking differently. Again, as MP Simmons said earlier, it is not as if something has gone wrong. The pandemic came, business failures were taking place, and so there are many times now . . . and even just basic sickness where you are suddenly put into a place whereby you need help. And it is okay because you have been providing all along to ensure t hat the Government has what it needs to provide help. And so that is my point. And I will emphasise this this idea of prism one more time. A prism can actually bring clarity or distor-tion depending on your viewpoint. And clearly today we have different viewpoints based upon our political affiliation today. What I will also say, and I do this some-times and people think that I am not quite there, but when MP Jarion Richardson spoke about financial assistance from the prism of compassion, I was like, Wow! He i s going the PLP route. But then he switched it up a little bit and toward the end I wasn’t quite sure if he was saying he supports what is happening in the Bill or not, in terms of the PLP [putting] people first. So obviously I will defer to him and others to clarify that point. But it is important for us to be consistent and to know, as I said earlier, that for sure the PLP is a people-first Government, and all the policies that are being put in place reflect that. And the Minister did explain earlier abou t the other components that are coming forward in the context of financial assistance reform. And again, I believe the comment or the inference that things are done in a piecemeal fashion is entirely incorrect, because the Minister has already provided a s tatement to talk about the various aspects in which we are reform-ing financial assistance. While it may be that, yes, each piece is put in place in succession, it does not equate to the fact there is not a fulsome plan. And he has provided that plan to all of us in the House. So we have to be careful about our selective memory. Two final points. One is that we have to embrace our young people and the Government policy whereby we can provide assistance for what I call the child care assistance. That is absol utely critical because it does build a foundation because we know, for example, that, certainly when it comes to a child, that the child’s first two or three years of development are critical. And with the assistance provided, whereby they are able to get proper health care and also day care, it is virtually invaluable. It is incomparable in terms of the benefit it can have to that child’s life because that assistance sets that child on a tremendously positive trajectory for life. Two final comments. One i s this: I also had the opportunity to assist people in the past. And when I did one person wanted to take care of themselves, i.e., get their hair done, nails, whatever, and there was a discussion at that point in terms of No, they can’t. They can’t. They can’t, they can’t; which is crazy in the sense that we are human. And those things, those small things, provide motivation for people to get up and get out of the house and do what has to get done. And so I always say that, y es, in the context of you as a female, Madam Acting Speaker, want your hair to look nice [and] your nails and to be physically presentable when you are at home. And so yes, there is a need for us to support that. And we need to understand that fulsomeness because that gives you the impetus to go and be a productive member of society. The final comment is to go back to what I said earlier. It is about a prism. The prism can bring clarity or distortion. And if we know that, [when] we hold a prism in our hands we get to turn the prism to d etermine whether we want to see clarity or distortion. And so what I will say today, especially to Members opposite, is that we have the opportunity today to adjust the prism to bring more clarity so we understand that fundamen-tally and in a fulsome way this legislation today is about continuing to provide assistance to those who need it without the attendant negativity of causing them to feel as if they are less than. This, Madam Acting Speaker, is a tremendously positive legislative adjustment and I hope we can have support from Members opposite in an un- ambivalent way to say Yes, we support. No ifs, ands or buts—just Yes, we support. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak t o this Bill? Bermuda House of Assembly I recognise the Member from constituency 2, the Honourable Kim Swan. Member, you have the floor.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanThank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I thank the previous speaker for very succinctly putting some important points into perspective. I am go-ing to pick up on one of the points he left off on, referring to piecemeal. Language is very important to pay attention to, the inference of language. The …
Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I thank the previous speaker for very succinctly putting some important points into perspective. I am go-ing to pick up on one of the points he left off on, referring to piecemeal. Language is very important to pay attention to, the inference of language. The choice of words and what the intent of them is meant to be, in this case introducing necessary amendments to deal with circumstances that pertain to a very serious set of realities in Bermuda. The piecemeal aspect of it certainly cannot apply to particularly the Minister who introduced the Bill, because if anyone were to know this par ticular Minister they would know that he is the opposite of piecemeal because he is very thorough. But you know, as a teacher the application of how you are going to deal with things is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. You find the corners first. You cannot put in all four corners at once. You put them in systematically and build it together. So if the inference was directed toward the Minister, I would say, I don’t think it applies. But I hope the clarification could be forthcoming or at least a nod would certainly suffice. But I just felt it necessary to take that point a little bit further. And to bring it into a little bit of context, it is always important that when you look at things, such as the need for financial assistance in Bermuda, to look at the circumstances of which we find our country in. And whilst we are in 2023, sometimes the knock -on effects can go back as far as 2007 and 2003, which are some 20 years ago, maybe some 15 years ago. But I believe that at that particular time in 2007 there was a recession which, whether persons came to accept it or not, tore the heart right out of a lot of people in Bermuda including businesspeople, and including very much including workers. The irony of it (and I often say this, and some things bear repeating) is that when there was some doubt as to whether or not there was actually a recession in 2008, it was the workers of Bermuda, the Ber-muda Industrial Union [BIU] down at the theatre of the BIU building at the (I believe, someone will correct me; Brother Derrick is not far away) quadrennial conference that announced the wage freeze for hotel workers. In 2008 a wage freeze which signalled . . . which was far greater leadership that was even shown in many other quarters, including businesses who were busy blaming the PLP for the global recession, I might add. So, what happens during a time when a global recession comes along and workers took a wage freeze which lasted in excess of five years? I think after that the mind- set became such that it became normal. It normalised it!
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan: It normalised it! And I will declare my interest. Since a young boy all I wanted to do was to be up here to emulate some of my relatives from Somerset to St. George’s, both sides of the aisle, and serve my country. And …
Yes. Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan: It normalised it! And I will declare my interest. Since a young boy all I wanted to do was to be up here to emulate some of my relatives from Somerset to St. George’s, both sides of the aisle, and serve my country. And you know, if you were making “X, Y and Z” in 2008, and all of a sudden you found yourself making the same thing in 2023 . . . cheese didn’t stay that way. It went up! Bread didn’t stay that way. It went up! Eggs didn’t stay that way. They went up! Fuel went up. Everything went up! And in the context of even today when the Minister just recently announced a minimum wage, you know, it gets downplayed or overlooked. It is a major situation because it is going to change s ome mind- sets as it relates to how we look at persons on the lower end of the economic scale. And I hear another narrative of, Oh, we care; they don’t care. I hear that. Oh, you are PLP. . . . Why do you care? But let me just tell you how the construct works. If you are a member of the Progressive Labour Party you have to answer to the people directly, regularly. It is called cc .
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanAnd if you think that decisions come just by Members of Parliament standing up, you know, you need to maybe ask for a pass to come visit and let someone show you just how grassroots politics really works. And so the narrative sometimes is deliberate because it has a purpose. …
And if you think that decisions come just by Members of Parliament standing up, you know, you need to maybe ask for a pass to come visit and let someone show you just how grassroots politics really works. And so the narrative sometimes is deliberate because it has a purpose. The purpose is how one can erode away whatever goodwill has been built up, because people are connected with people and try-ing hard to serve people. In this regard, Madam Acting Speaker, we came through a recession from 2008 to 2012. A nd we had a change in Government in 2012. And when you talk about mind- set, the way in which that that particular Government dealt with things in 2012 was to cut things. Yes, they cut! They cut salaries for workers. Furlough days. They cut scholarships. Ri ght? And in the context of that, we already had persons leaving the country. So that would precipitate leaving if they knew at that particular time, Well, I am not going to get too much joy over here. I need help. Look at the time when the country was fac ed with a global recession between 2008 and up to 2012, because it was pretty long and it was very well sustained. And because you had a lot of criminal activity that took place, and you had a lot of bad decisions that were made in boardrooms, and you had a lot of recouping that had to take place when persons were . . . when the world came out of that recession, so when that was taking place, those persons at the lower end of the economic totem pole would become even more vulnerable. So, when you start look ing at how we are going to deal with this, it is very important to notice that there is a different way in which a Progressive Labour Party would look at how people in the vulnerable category are 1480 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly handled versus the way in which five years of an OBA Government dealt with it. Their methodology of dealing with it was in cutting. And people could see that, and they felt that. So, when you look at what has taken place in more recent years, a global pandemic . . . and I am sure if persons could place the global pandemic on the PLP’s doorstep and say that the PLP was responsible for a global pandemic the same way in which the global recession was laid at the PLP’s doorstep, it would have been done as well. But during that time you had a Gov-ernment that said, I am not going to allow the people of this country to fall by the wayside. I am going to move heaven and earth to make sure that we ride this out together. And as a consequence, mechanisms were put in place . . . and I believe in that space we did as well as any country in the world would have done serv-ing its people. The Minister, as it relates to this particular Bill, recognises that there is discretion that needs to be had and is putting some mechanisms in place to be able to deal with that. Is this going to be the end of amendments? No! Amendments have come and gone ever since I have been hanging around. I ran for us in 1983 and you have always got governments coming with amendments. But when you have Ministers who serve a particular Ministry, there is a plan which they work off of and a timetable in which they look to implement these types of mechanisms. And I believe that is what is taking place now. And let me say this, Madam Acting Speaker, the difficulty we face in Bermuda is with our ageing population and with the need to grow our economy and expand our labour pool. Why? Because 65- year-olds like me no longer pay the level of taxes that we once did. And we do not have enough younger people coming behind us. So that is a real scenario. And as those per-sons who are on the lower spectrum of the economic earning pole find the need, have the need . . . you have heard the saying, Land rich and cash poor? There are a number of persons falling in that category who are seniors. And thankfully they know that there is a Government here today that is prepared to hear their needs and rise to the occasion in this regard. So, I support the Minister in his efforts to bring about amendments and find ways in which we can service the financially challenged in our community . I declare my interest as being a senior and having great empathy for those seniors who find themselves in the vulnerable category. I have empathy for those who find themselves in a vulnerable category for an extended period of time. I like the fact that in this particular space there is going to be some ability to encourage persons to do either work or charitable things because there are ways in which great contributions can be made in this country and there are a number of people who, through no fault of their own, because an economy has moved past much of what their earning capacity provides, that still have a lot of intellectual capacity that could make a con-tribution. And whilst I talk (as I wind up) about persons’ earning capacity being far less than what the cost of living is, I remember giving many speeches about the poor and near poor. I can certainly remember, and I think it has not gone down, it has probably gone up, there was a time when $75,000 was the threshold for a household to earn to be ab ove the poverty line in Bermuda, the debt and poverty line, that we dared to ven-ture into—$75,000! Well, if you make $16.00 an hour, you are only near half of that. And if you have got another person in your household . . . and there are many single househ olds out there. [There are] many single households with dependents out there. So two persons in that category are still hovering around what is deemed poor and near poor. Why? Because of the high cost of living in this country. And so as a consequence the Minister will need discretionary powers to be able to look at how we can delve . . . whilst the same Minister is trying to find ways to make sure that our pensions can be provided for by growing the economy by whatever formula he and his capable team have come up with. So with that I just want to add a bit of clarity to a point that the previous speaker had spoken to and remind persons that it has taken a period of time for us to find ourselves in the difficult times that we find ourselves in when it comes to persons who are very vulnerable in our society. And a person who was young and spry at 45, in the 2003 to 2005 period that I was referring to, now finds themselves pensioned, near pension, and then looking ahead 10 years from now (if they are still able) and wondering what their quality of life will be like. So a person such as our capable Minister who serves a party whose grassroots keep him in touch with the very thing that people are trying to allude is not in touch, I can tell you, hand over heart, that is not the case. That happens on a regular . . . formerly every week or two, and daily if you really know what time it is. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Is there any other Member who wishes to speak to this Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 26. Member, you have the floor.
Mr. Neville S. TyrrellThank you, very much, Madam Acting Speaker. I had no real intention of speaking to this Bill but I only think it is right that I stand to my feet and support the Minister in this way. And I just wanted also to repeat a couple of things that were …
Thank you, very much, Madam Acting Speaker. I had no real intention of speaking to this Bill but I only think it is right that I stand to my feet and support the Minister in this way. And I just wanted also to repeat a couple of things that were said earlier that I probably would have wanted to say myself but sometimes repetition is good. So I am just going to pick out one or two things and just repeat it.
Bermuda House of Assembly First of all, as I said, I do want to support the Minister in this Bill. He has definitely looked at things that are going to help our people in Bermuda in terms of those who are in need. He has looked at things like sudden hardship relief. There is always that need when a person just does not have the ability to look at an issue that they have that has come on them very, very suddenly. There are the social protections that he has also looked at as well which I think certainly makes it very clear that this party does care. And I think knowing the Minister himself, I think that was obviously one of the first things that he looked at in his brief form of this Bill. One of the other things that certainly struck me was that it shows that we are giving some dignity to people. And that is one of the things that I think this party has always been chief on in terms of giving dignity to those that we serve. Now, I am just going to briefly comment on a statement that one of the Opposition Members said. I hope I am quoting them correctly, and I am sure they will point -of-order me if I do not. The question was, How do we take this one step further? Well, I think the Minister is well qualified to answer that question, but I am going to try and answer it in this way and say that we are going to continue to listen to the people, which is something that we do, and you have heard how often that we do that. We are going to measure twice after seeing how things work before we improve what we already have, which again will provide assistance to those who need it. And I am sure, if necessary, the Minister is going to bring another amendment which is really what life is about anyway. You improve on what you have done. So, as I said, he has my full support in this one. But let me just end, as I said, I will be very brief because a lot of things I wanted to say have already been said. It didn’t make sense to repeat them. But there was also a statement that said that if this Government cares. Well, I don’t think the “if” should be in there. This Government cares! Thank you, very much, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 9. Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Vance Campbell: Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. Madam Acting Speaker, I would like to congratulate Minister Hayward for bringing this Bill. I …
Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 9. Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Vance Campbell: Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. Madam Acting Speaker, I would like to congratulate Minister Hayward for bringing this Bill. I do support it. I think every one of us in here today knows someone who is on financial assistance, and it may even be a family member. I encourage him to continue the good work that he has been doing to improve the lot of our workers in this country and, as is the case with this Bill, to continue to modernise the range of social protections available to our most vulnerable. Madam Acting Speaker, I wonder [what would be the response] if we approached a group of young people and asked them to consider what their life will be in their future, What do you want to be? Where do you want to be when you reach adulthood? Well, first of all, I think the responses would be, I want to be a doctor. I want to be a lawyer. I want to be an astronaut. I want to be a bus driver. I do not believe, Madam Acting Speaker, that any of them would say I want to be on financial assistance, especially with no hope of getting off of financial assistance. And if someone finds themselves on financial assistance, it is reasonable to assume that something has gone awry. Their life plan did not work out the way that they foresaw it work ing. The Bill being considered here today speaks to persons who are able- bodied individuals. The Bill being considered here today is an example of continued pro-gress being made by this Government in reforming current financial assistance programmes. It is an example of another reform that provides additional social and economic support to help families rebuild and regain their self -confidence thereby allowing them to be productive members of our community. Yes, the benefits offered under this Bill are a bi t of a nudge toward independence, a weaning off of financial assistance, you might say. Madam Acting Speaker, the benefits of this Bill, along with adjustments to asset limits, allow recipients of financial assistance to save and improve their financial standings —and this is critical —through their own efforts. I am going to repeat that. They are able to save and improve their financial standing through their own efforts to reduce their reliance on financial assistance to increase their self -sufficiency an d, in some instances, to regain their dignity. This Bill, Madam Acting Speaker, [is] taken in conjunction with other provisions as mentioned by the Minister earlier today —expanding eligibility for financial assistance, allowing recipients to retain partial income from work, improving support to assist Bermudian children with greater access to child day care, adding new funding schemes to allow the receipt of gifts, creating short -term funding for sudden hardships and what I might add: efforts by the Minist ry of Economy and Labour to train and retrain those in our community who are in need of it; tuition support for those wishing to attend Bermuda College. We heard earlier today from the Minister of Education of those who are graduating— and we have heard from them in the past, of those graduating — some of whom benefitted from tuition support. So we are seeing the fruits of providing assistance to those in need: enhanced protections to individuals in need, enhanced protections to families in need, a hand up, a nudge, a weaning off, a nudge towards independence, a weaning off of financial assistance for all able- bodied 1482 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly individuals who find themselves on financial assistance right now. What does this Bill mean to those individuals? It means a restoration of pride, a restoration, a return to self-sufficiency, a restoration of dignity. Madam Acting Speaker, that is what this Government will continue to work toward and support. The question was asked a bit earlier this afternoon by a Member of the Opposition, How do we move forward with this? Madam Acting Speaker, I have a suggestion. How about this? How ’bout (yeah, that is how we say it, “how ’bout”) the Op-position jo in the Member s of the Government and support this and other similar measures that the Minister might bring to improve the wellbeing of the most vulner-able in this country and return able- bodied recipients of financial assistance to self -sufficiency. That s ounds like a good next move. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to this Bill? There being none, I call on the Minister . Minister , you have the floor. Hon. Jason Hayward: Madam Acting Speaker, I will attempt to answer some of the questions that were asked as it …
Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to this Bill? There being none, I call on the Minister . Minister , you have the floor.
Hon. Jason Hayward: Madam Acting Speaker, I will attempt to answer some of the questions that were asked as it pertains to this Bill, but before I do so, I want to say a few remarks. The Honourable Member Richardson, by his own colleagues, has been described as having a pur e heart. He came here today, and he did not speak from the cuff; he had written notes. It means, with a pure heart and pre- scripted notes, it means what he said, he was absolutely deliberate about. The first matter was the Minister is bringing this legislation piecemeal. Madam Acting Speaker, I went through great lengths to provide a policy document which lays out a roadmap of the changes. Because they were so caught up—
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister , do you accept the point of clarification? Hon. Jason Hayward: I do not.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay, continue, Minister . Hon. Jason Hayward: That was the word “piecemeal” —I wrote it down. Because they were so caught up on scoring points, they missed a key part of my presentation. On 31 March 2023, persons would have met their seven- year cut -off date. The Minister is …
Okay, continue, Minister .
Hon. Jason Hayward: That was the word “piecemeal” —I wrote it down. Because they were so caught up on scoring points, they missed a key part of my presentation. On 31 March 2023, persons would have met their seven- year cut -off date. The Minister is not bringing this legislat ion piecemeal. He is bringing this legislation out of a sense of urgency. So, yes —no, I could not wait to bring this legislation when I bring the rest of the reform items. I wanted to ensure that those individuals got the benefits that we intend for those individuals to receive in a timely manner. That is critically im-portant. When we start to talk about do we care, I think it is demonstrated that, notwithstanding the agenda that we have, the legislative agenda that we have had, we prioritised getting thi s legislation to the [floor] of the House so that we could provide benefits to people who actually need it. If this Government cared should not even be a matter of question—
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister , do you accept the point of clarification? Hon. Jason Hayward: There is no point to be clarified.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Minister does not accept. Continue, Minister . Hon. Jason Hayward: Unless I say something inaccurate, I will accept a point of order out of the [Standing Orders] of this House. But nobody needs to clarify at this point what was articulated. I do want a Member of this House …
The Minister does not accept. Continue, Minister .
Hon. Jason Hayward: Unless I say something inaccurate, I will accept a point of order out of the [Standing Orders] of this House. But nobody needs to clarify at this point what was articulated. I do want a Member of this House to clarify something. A Member said on several occasions that one of my colleagues got the wrong end of the stick. He deliberately said it on multiple occasions. The phrase is, he got the short end of the stick , which means he was disadvantaged. He did not use the phrase the short end of the stick . The wrong end of the stick is a derogatory term. You just visualised somebody receiving a wrong end of a stick. We must be extremely cognisant of what is being said in this House, who is making those comments and how they continue to say those comments. And when asked to justify what it meant, another Member of the House at tempted to justify what their colleague said instead of the colleague that made the comment. Nobody in this House should be receiving the wrong end of a stick . . . and no man should be receiving stick in the context in which it was used to describe a mis -clarification. Madam [Acting] Speaker, it is clear when we discussed these amendments it is because we care. The average Bermudian is not going to benefit from these amendments. This is a true statement. A small portion of our society will need assistance and we will happily, happily provide assistance to that portion of our community. Despite the narrative, there is not an ever-growing portion of our community. The numbers have remained extremely consistent. We did have after the pandemic challenges with employment, where there was an increase of persons that needed assistance—your traditional demographic of individuals and non-traditional demographic of individuals.
Bermuda House of Assembly As the economy continued to improve, the demand abated. And that is why we can do away w ith the supplemental unemployment benefit that we had because we saw the number of persons who were quali-fying for that reduce itself. But for persons who have been on the system for seven years, and they look at the Minister and say I am timed out. Now wh at? I can confidently say that you may not be able to receive all of what you have received for the last seven years, however, I will ensure that you are supported with food in your stomach. I will ensure that you are supported with getting adequate health care. I will ensure that I can contribute to you having a roof over your head. And I will also ensure that I will provide the necessary ser-vices to assist you with getting employment. I also do not want people under the assumption that because 19 people timed out that means 19 people are going to go on this additional benefit, because I have been informed already that an individual has found a job. Somebody who was on financial assis-tance for seven years, timing out, has now found a job. [Desk thumping]
Hon. Jason Hayward: This Bill is part of a slew of changes. I take great offence to the Honourable Mem-ber who has a good heart and came with prepared notes when he said If this Government cares —
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Jason Hayward: Well, let me clarify —
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerDo you accept the point of clarification? Hon. Jason Hayward: I do not.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue, Minister . Hon. Jason Hayward: If this Government cares —not just this Government , if a government cared it would increase social protections. If a government cared, it would implement a minimum wage. If a government cared, it would increase eligibility for financial assistance and increase benefits. If a …
Continue, Minister .
Hon. Jason Hayward: If this Government cares —not just this Government , if a government cared it would increase social protections. If a government cared, it would implement a minimum wage. If a government cared, it would increase eligibility for financial assistance and increase benefits. If a government cared, it would increase child day care allowance and the eligi-bility for it. If a government cared, it would improve workers’ rights. If a government cared, it would execute on effective labour policy. If a government cared, it would create a youth employment strategy. If a government cared, it would increase the amount of youth that can take advantage of our summer employment pro-grammes. [Desk thumping] Hon. Jason Hayward: You be the judge of if this Progressive Labour Government cares about the people of Bermuda! We have had a human- centred approach and we will continue to have it. Whether we care should not be in question. Madam [Acting] Speaker, I now move that the Bill be committed.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerIt has been moved that the Bill be committed. Do you approve . . . does the House approve? Yes, everyone approves, and I ask the Member from constituency 5 to take the Chair. House in Committee at 4:14 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL FINANCIAL …
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Member . Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consideration of the Bill entitled Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 . Minister Hayward, you have the floor. Hon. Jason Hayward: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I rise in this Honourable House …
Thank you, Honourable Member . Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consideration of the Bill entitled Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 . Minister Hayward, you have the floor. Hon. Jason Hayward: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I rise in this Honourable House today to speak to the Bill entitled the Financial Assis-tance Amendment Act 2023. The purpose of this Bill is to amend the Financial Assistance Act 2001, the principal Act, to provide for a new award for eligible ablebodied recipients whose initial seven- year term has extinguished. Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 1 and 2.
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, clause 1 provides for the citation for the Bill. Clause 2 of the Bill amends section 2 of the principal Act to insert a definition of the newly prescribed “subsequent award,” and to revise the definitions of “award” and “recipient” as a consequence of …
The ChairmanChairman[Are there] any speakers to clauses 1 and 2? There appear to be none. Minister , do you want to move that they be approved? Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I now move that clauses 1 and 2 be approved. 1484 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of …
[Are there] any speakers to clauses 1 and 2? There appear to be none. Minister , do you want to move that they be approved? Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I now move that clauses 1 and 2 be approved.
1484 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: It has been moved that clauses 1 and 2 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Clauses 1 and 2 are approved.
[Motion carried: Clauses 1 and 2 passed]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 3 through 5.
The ChairmanChairmanContinue, Ministe r. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, clause 3 amends section 4 of the principal Act to provide that the Director’s powers apply to the subsequent award. Clause 4 amends section 6 of the principal Act to include that the qualifications and eligibility criteria apply to persons who are …
Continue, Ministe r.
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, clause 3 amends section 4 of the principal Act to provide that the Director’s powers apply to the subsequent award. Clause 4 amends section 6 of the principal Act to include that the qualifications and eligibility criteria apply to persons who are seeking to apply for a subsequent award. Clause 5 amends section 7 of the principal Act to provide that an able- bodied recipient may apply for a subsequent award after the maximum period of seven years has extinguished.
The ChairmanChairmanAny speakers to clauses 3, 4 and 5? There appear to be none. Minister, you can move the three c lauses. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 3 through 5 [be approved].
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that clauses 3, 4 and 5 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 3 through 5 passed] Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 6 through 10.
The ChairmanChairmanContinue, Ministe r. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, clause 6 amends section 8 of the principal Act to provide the Director with t he power to grant or refuse an application for the subsequent award, and in doing so, the Director has the duty to inform an applicant if their …
Continue, Ministe r. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, clause 6 amends section 8 of the principal Act to provide the Director with t he power to grant or refuse an application for the subsequent award, and in doing so, the Director has the duty to inform an applicant if their subsequent award has been approved. It also provides that the Minister with the power to make regulations in relation to the maximum duration of a subsequent award and the percentage reduction per annum of a subsequent award. Clause 7 amends section 9 of the principal Act to provide that the general conditions and special conditions of an award als o apply to subsequent awards and amends section 9 to provide additional conditions applicable to the subsequent award being paid to an approved able- bodied recipient whose award has been paid for the maximum period of seven years. Clause 8 amends section 10 of the principal Act to provide the Director with the power to suspend a subsequent award. Clause 9 amends section 11 of the principal Act to provide the Director with the power to revoke a subsequent award. Clause 10 amends [section ] 11A of the principal Act to provide that the provisions does not apply to the subsequent award.
The ChairmanChairmanAny speakers to clauses 6 through 10? There appear to be none. Minister . Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 6 through 10 be approved.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that clauses 6 through 10 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Clauses 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 are approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 6 through 10 passed] Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 11 …
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Hon. Jason Hayward: Clause 11 amends section 12 of the principal Act to provide the Director with the power to review a subsequent award an d upon review may revoke or vary a subsequent award. Clause 12 amends section 13 of the principal Act to provide that the Director …
Continue. Hon. Jason Hayward: Clause 11 amends section 12 of the principal Act to provide the Director with the power to review a subsequent award an d upon review may revoke or vary a subsequent award. Clause 12 amends section 13 of the principal Act to provide that the Director may recover an overpayment of a subsequent award from a recipient. Clause 13 amends section 14 of the principal Act to apply the appeals provisions to persons aggrieved by a decision of the Director to refuse an appli-cation for a subsequent award, to apply special conditions to a subsequent award, to suspend a subsequent award, to vary or revoke a subsequent award, and als o to apply the appeals provisions to the conditions of a subsequent award specified in section 9(3A). Clause 14 amends section 18 of the principal Act to provide that no money payable under a subsequent award shall be subject to alienation or transfer by a recipient or to attachment or seizure in satisfaction of any claim against him.
Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanOkay. [Are there] any further speakers to clauses 11 through 14? There appear to be none. Minister . Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I move cla uses 15 through 18 —
The ChairmanChairmanLet us approve the 11 to— Hon. Jason Hayward: Sorry. I move clauses 11 through 14 be approved.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that clauses 11 through 14 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Clauses 11, 12, 13 and 14 are approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 11 through 14 passed]
The ChairmanChairmanContinue, Ministe r. Hon. Jason H ayward: Mr. Chairman, I move clauses 15 through 18.
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Hon. Jason Hayward: Clause 15 amends section 20 of the principal Act to provide the Director with power to pay a subsequent award after the death of a recipient for the month in which the death occurs to a member of his household who has been benefiting directly or …
Continue.
Hon. Jason Hayward: Clause 15 amends section 20 of the principal Act to provide the Director with power to pay a subsequent award after the death of a recipient for the month in which the death occurs to a member of his household who has been benefiting directly or indirectly from the subsequent award. Clause 16 amends section 21 of the principal Act to provide the Minister with the power to make regulations in relation t o the subsequent award. Clause 17 provides for the consequential amendments to the Financial Assistance Regulations 2004 as set out in the Schedule which provide for subsequent awards. Mr. Chairman, the final c lause 18 provides for the commencement of the Bill which is deemed to have come into operation on the 1 st of April 2023.
The ChairmanChairmanAny speakers to clauses 15 through18? There appear to be none. Minister . Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 15 through 18 be approved. The Cha irman: It has been moved that clauses 15 through 18 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to …
Any speakers to clauses 15 through18? There appear to be none. Minister .
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 15 through 18 be approved. The Cha irman: It has been moved that clauses 15 through 18 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved.
[Motion carried: Clauses 15 through 18 passed]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I now move the preamble.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the preamble be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. The preamble is approved. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Chairman, I move that the Bill be reported to the House as printed.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Bill be reported to the House as printed. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. The Bill will be reported to the Hous e as printed. [Motion carried: The Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 was considered by a Committee of …
The ChairmanChairman[Madam] Acting Speaker — [Pause] House resumed at 4:23 pm [Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, Acting Speaker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT ACT 2023
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerIt has been moved that the Bill be reported to the House as printed. Are there any objections? There being none, we move on with the Orders of the Day. We are now moving to the second reading of the Tourism Investment Amendment Act 2023 . I call on the …
Mr. Vance CampbellThank you, M adam Acting Speaker . Madam Acting Speaker , I move that the Bill entitled the Tourism Investment Amendment Act 2023 be now read the second time.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerIt has been moved that the Bill entitled Tourism Investment Amendment Act 2023 be read a second time. Are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister . BILL 1486 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly SECOND READING TOURISM INVESTMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2023
Mr. Vance CampbellMadam Acting Speaker, the purpose of the Bill before this Honourable House is to amend the Tourism Investment Act 2017 (the “Act”) to permit the Minister responsible for Tourism greater discretion in the grant of relief under the Act to developers of or i nvestors in new or refurbished hotels, …
Madam Acting Speaker, the purpose of the Bill before this Honourable House is to amend the Tourism Investment Act 2017 (the “Act”) to permit the Minister responsible for Tourism greater discretion in the grant of relief under the Act to developers of or i nvestors in new or refurbished hotels, new or existing restaurants or attractions on the following terms: • a new hotel from 10 years up to 15 years; • a refurbished hotel from 5 years up to 15 years; • a new restaurant from 3 years up to 5 years; • an existing restaurant from 1 year up to 3 years; • an attraction from 3 years up to 5 years. Madam Acting Speaker, the Act is also being amended to repeal the provisions whereby the devel-oper upon receipt of a tourism investment order is required to maintain full and proper records of the goods to which customs duty relief has been applied. Further, Madam Acting Speaker, the Act is being amended to permit the Minister upon receipt of an application for a new or refurbished hotel to consider the planned estimate costs of the proposed develop-ment plus the aggregate value of investment in the proposed development not exceeding seven years before such application is made. Madam Acting Speaker, Honourable Member s will recall that the Tourism Investment Act 2017 became operative in November 2017. The primary objective of the Act is to make Bermuda more attractive to foreign investors and to incentivise and assist local tourism- related businesses to reinvest in their product. Madam Acting Speaker, the Tourism Inves tment Act [2017] provides a scale of relief for five types of tourism products including a new hotel, a refurbished hotel, a new restaurant, an existing restaurant and an attraction. The Act’s current construct permits a maximum of 10 years of relief in the case of a new hotel and specifies the period of relief to be granted in the case of the refurbishment of a hotel, a new or existing restaurant or an attraction. Madam Acting Speaker, tourism is a key driver of economic growth and development for Bermuda and the Government ’s aim is to remain oriented towards continuously enhancing the framework for a sustaina-ble tourism investment. Madam Acting Speaker, Honourable Member s will recall the Hotel Concessions Act 2000 provided five years relief for a new hotel from land tax, hotel occupancy [tax], payroll tax, [and] customs duty relief until one year after the hotel’s opening date and landholding charges as a reduction or deferral. Madam Acting Speaker, the Tourism Investment Act 2017 provides for 10 years relief for a new hotel from customs duty, hotel occupancy tax, the employer’s share of payroll tax, landholding charges and five years relief from land tax. Further, the same 2017 Act provides for five years relief for a refurbished hotel from customs duty , hotel occupancy tax, landholding charges and the employer’s share of payroll tax. Madam Acting Speaker, this Act considers the entire tourism ecosystem and includes three years of relief for a new restaurant from customs duty, the employer’s share of payroll tax and one year relief for an existing restaurant from customs duty and three years relief from customs duty for an attraction. Madam Acting Speaker, during the period since inception of the framework established to stimu-late investment in hotel and tourism development, there have also been hotel -specific Acts—the St. George’s Resort Act 2015, which was subsequently repealed by the St. George’s Resort Act 2018 which was peculiar to St. Regis, and the Fairmount Southampton Hotel Act 2023 . The latter , though not yet in force, mirrored a 15year relief framework established in competitive markets. Madam Acting Speaker, this Honourable House will note that by way of comparison the Tourism Development Act of Barbados provides up to 15 years of relief, the Hotel Incentives Act of Jamaica provides up to 15 years of relief and the Hotels Encouragement Act of Bahamas provides up to 20 years of relief. Madam Acting Speaker, in keeping with this trend and in an effort secure further investment in Ber-muda ’s tourism product, Honourable Member s will recall this Government undertaking in the 2022 Speech from the Throne, “ The Government’s role is to provide the legislation that will support a tourism recovery and as such, in this Session the Legislature will take under consideration amendments to the Tourism Investment Act 2017 to permit the Government greater discretion in the grant of relief under the Act to developers and those investing in attractions, restaurants and hotels. ” Madam Acting Speaker, the House may also recall that I provided a Statement on the same at the last sitting of the House in March. Madam Acting Speaker, to this end I provide the following details regarding the aforementioned amendments.
For a New Hotel • Increasing the period of full relief from customs duty from the commencement of the Tourism Investment Order from 10 years to a period not exceeding 15 [years]. • Increasing the period of full exemption from hotel occupancy tax from 10 years to 15 years from the hotel’s opening date. • Increasing the period of full relief from the employer’s share of payroll tax from 10 years to 15 years from the hotel’s opening date. • Increasing the period of full relief from land tax from 5 to 10 years. This exemption will commence six years after the new hotel’s opening
Bermuda House of Assembly date, subject to the hotel’s verifying in writing to the Minister in years 6 through 15 that 70 per cent of the hotel staff are Bermudian .
For a Refurbished Hotel • Increasing the period of full relief from customs duty from the commencement of the Tourism [Investment] Order from 5 years to a period not exceeding 15 [years]. • Increasing the period of full exemption from hotel occupancy tax from 5 years to a period not exceeding 15 years from the hotel’s opening date. • Increasing the period of exemption from the employer’s share of payroll tax from 10 years to 15 years from the hotel’s opening date.
For a New Restaurant • Increasing the period of full relief from customs duty from the commencement of the Tourism Investmen t Order from 3 years to a period not exceeding 5 years. • Increasing the period of full exemption from the employer’s share of payroll tax from 3 years to a period not exceeding 5 years from the restaurant’s opening date. For an Existing Restaurant • Increasi ng the period of full relief from customs duty from the commencement of the Tourism Investment Order from 1 [year] to a period not exceeding 3 years.
For an Attraction • Increasing the period of full relief from customs duty from the commencement of the Tourism Investment Order from 3 years to a period not exceeding 5 years.
Madam Acting Speaker, the recordkeeping provisions contained in the Tourism Investment Act [2017] are no longer required as they are superseded by the more up to date and comprehensive recordkeeping provisions of the Revenue Act 1898 . The obligation to retain records arises upon each and every duty -free importation under a Tourism Investment Order and the Custom’s right to inspect premises will extend six years after the last duty -free importation. Madam Acting Speaker, I have already referenced the amendments to the Act which will permit the Minister of Tourism to consider the aggregate value of investment in any property over a period up to seven years prior to the instant applicatio n for relief. In conclusion, Madam Acting Speaker, I am most pleased to provide this Honourable House with this summary of amendments to the 2017 Tourism In-vestment Act. I anticipate that these amendments will result in fostering and securing further inv estment in Bermuda tourism product and ultimately usher in a healthy tourism recovery. Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Are there any other Member s who wish to speak to this Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 12, MP Cannonier. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, thank you, and good afternoon, [Madam] Acting Speaker. I thank the Minister for his brief thus far. So, from the …
Thank you, Minister. Are there any other Member s who wish to speak to this Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 12, MP Cannonier. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, thank you, and good afternoon, [Madam] Acting Speaker. I thank the Minister for his brief thus far. So, from the brief that he has given, the Minister has told us what he wishes to do, and we wi ll get into Committee and several questions that I do have on some of the clauses there—which are quite substantial, actually —that I will be asking. However, he also has said that he wants to stimulate the tourism industry through these incentives that we are talking about. As I went through them trying to understand a little more the changes, it is clear that quite obviously with the ongoing of the Southampton Princess and the concessions that were given there to that particular Act, that in many cases m uch of that is mirrored in this new Tourism Investment Act. And as we go through the actual Bill itself, where it does differ is that the former Tourism Investment Act did not allow for land tax relief for renovations. Southampton Princess is getting it, but in this particular Bill any new investment coming into the arena when it comes to renovations, I should say, are not being afforded that one particular area. So, I am hoping that we can hear from the Minister as to why we still have that difference sinc e we have already allowed it to happen for Southampton Princess. As I went through the Bill, it was very evident in looking at some of these amenities to tourism talking about restaurants and the like, proportionately I guess I was a bit concerned about ( and we will get into this in Committee) the systematic . . .well, it does not look like it is a systematic approach. Proportionately, it has increased in some areas by a third, two- thirds in other areas and tripled in some senses, so the formula be-hind ass essing and getting to these concessions . . . I would like to hear a little more on how they got to this particular point. The reason I bring that up is because a restaurant is just as important, maybe not in the magnitude of the number of people that it hires, but if you have a Bermudian open a restaurant, proportionately if they fail, then that husband and wife who are running the restau-rant run a lot of risk proportionately to someone who might be a millionaire or billionaire who also is investing. So t here is a lot at stake. What we need to do is show that we are full -in if we are going to be making these assessments —full into ensuring that whatever we do for local entrepreneurs who are involved within the industry that we can be as generous as possible . . . as generous as possible. 1488 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Minister spoke also to the fact that there were other jurisdictions that were doing 15 and 20 [years], or whatever the case may be. It draws back to a comment that was made by the former Finance Minister [for the] PLP. He mentioned that maybe what we need to do is an analysis of exactly where we need to be because we might find ourselves in a situation whereby we are costing the taxpayer a bit more than what we should. What I have not heard is the methodology coming from the Minister . . . and maybe he will share i t with me at some point in time afterwards. We have been able to talk on occasions about his Ministry and he has been forthcoming with information, and I have enjoyed those conversations. But my concern is that we are doing this and I do not understand the methodology behind it other than to say, Well, somebody else is doing it. These other jurisdictions have millions of people where we have 60,000— and not all of those 60,000 are paying into the coffers of Government . So, the scale of things is very, very, very different and our offering, as far as a tourist jurisdiction, in many cases is completely different than some of those in this Caribbean. I recall a former leader of the PLP who used to say we need to free up and maybe these are some of the things that the BTA and the Minister is looking at in how we free up and do more in our country. But to simply say that other jurisdictions are doing this without having a real analysis in front of us as to why we are going to make these moves, then it becomes unclear to people. People want to understand. And from my opin-ion, people want to support when we see these kinds of . . . they want to support it but they do not understand it. So, we need to have more information as to why. We are already seeing the chall enges that we are having with Southampton Princess. Right? People still do not understand why it has got to be this many condos and why it has got to be that. So, the transparency and an understanding of the methodology and the investment and the business model . . . because we want all Bermudians to be working. We all want everyone to get back to where we used to be and improve on that product. I mean, most of the Bills that we see coming here are about trying to improve on where we are today so that we can improve the plight of Bermudians and those who visit our shores. We have not heard, really, the science behind this other than to tell us that other people are doing it. That is not good enough. I would like to, you know, be able to hear more and maybe the Minister will be able to do that after some of us speak. I am sure other people are going to want to speak to this thing. We have not finished the hotel that we gave 15 years concession—we have given them 15 years and it has not even started yet. But y et, since we want to have all of these comparisons, as I listened in the last Bill, within four years the OBA was able to get St. Regis, the Loren, Azura and the likes to come to the table, negotiate the deals that were put in place and to ensure that they started and got going. The key to the difference —and the difference in these projects is St. Regis had the money in hand, and so they started. The Loren had the money in hand, and so they started. And one of the challenges that we have, as we have been t alking about what do we do for Southampton Princess and we give these extended concessions that are beyond what the others received, but yet we still cannot seem to get a shovel in the ground. So, the question becomes, Is it the conces-sions that we need to be overly concerned about or how are the negotiations going to ensure that we protect all? Now, I am not suggesting that, you know, the PLP, the Government that is negotiating here, is not trying to look out for the people of Bermuda. But if they listene d to the people of Bermuda they are very concerned about where we are. So, here we are now. It used to be 10 years and we are giving 15 years to a renovation —not a new hotel, but a renovation— and giving them concessions to land tax, which was not there bef ore for renovations. So people are trying to understand, Okay, so exactly what are we doing here? How does this work? And that methodology is not being laid out before the people of Bermuda . What they are hearing is, Well, you know what? If we do not get, you know, the SDO on this one particular project, if we do not get this here, then it is going to be moth- balled and it is just going to sit there. That is not good enough. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThat is not good enough. I am sure that everyone will have their opportunity to speak to the issue. But the fact is, it is not open. After giving them the concessions that they required, there is no shovel in the ground! And no one really can tell us when …
That is not good enough. I am sure that everyone will have their opportunity to speak to the issue. But the fact is, it is not open. After giving them the concessions that they required, there is no shovel in the ground! And no one really can tell us when that shovel is going to be in the ground. We do not know! No one knows. I will assure you of this: If the people of Bermuda saw that we were putting a shovel in the ground they might be more willing to accept this Tourism In-vestment Act the way that it is now and say, O kay, well it is working. It is working . And we can always get to the other issues and negotiate on some of the other issues that are going on, but the urgency with which the Bill came to this place for South P, the urgency that it came with, was to get this thing going so we can get the hotel up and running. It has not happened! And after one false start after another, and now the cost of the renovations is almost doubled from [what it was] initially when it came out. And we know there ar e reasons for that. There are extenuating circumstances. But the longer that this takes to get something into the ground, so that the people can be convinced that we actually got something solid here, then it is going to be difficult for us to say, Well, we can agree with these extended concessions .
Bermuda House of Assembly We can agree because we can see where it is making sense. Right now, it is very difficult. So, you got a lot of noise being made and, you know, we are looking at time. And this is politics here, and I was like, Well, okay, I am not sure why the Minister is actually bringing this to the table other than he wants to incentivise people to come and invest in the Island as quickly as possible. And I agree with that. But at this particular time, when you have extended the concessions to what you are already putting in this In-vestment Act, many of them, when you cannot get a hotel going with that in place, and now you are going to bring these extensions . . . [this is] kind of bad timing because people are going to make off because they are still not understanding. And I would dare say that even after we debate this Bill today, we are still not going to have an entire clarity as to why we are doing this here other than to say we want investment to come here. Well, I can assure you, [Madam] Acting Speaker, there is a lot of investment that wants to come here. Some of us have been talking to them on both sides of the aisle. They are now waiting. They are just waiting to see what is going to happen with South P. That is what they are doing. They are saying to us, Well, we are just going to wait and see how this pans out. We want to see how this works out . Well, so far, it does not seem to be working out too well. So, people are concerned. And then I mentioned before, we need an analysis because if we continue on this scenario, 15 years from now most of us in this room are not going to be here—and those concessions are going to continue on.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWe may not be in the room, but we will still be around.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierWe will still be around. But then you [consider] proportion, as I mentioned earlier when it comes to the smaller amenities to the hotel like the restaurants and the like, well they are only getting three years and five years to their concessions. We want them around just as long …
We will still be around. But then you [consider] proportion, as I mentioned earlier when it comes to the smaller amenities to the hotel like the restaurants and the like, well they are only getting three years and five years to their concessions. We want them around just as long as we want the hotel around. Their investment is just as proportion-ate when one of us has to come out of our pocket to make something happening. There are a lot of entrepreneurs in this room, but it has to come out of our pockets. It is impacting if it does not go well. To the people of Bermuda, they want to know why we are giving up more. Now, the Government may have an answer to that. Why are we giving up more? But you cannot tell the people of Bermuda you are giving up more because somebody down in the islands is doing it too. Where is the analysis? We need . . . and it does not take long to do that, quite frankly. The Minister already set in place that, hey listen, if anyone wants to . . . as we asked, when he did the Southampton Princess Act, if anyone wants to have these concessions in the Tourism Investment Act, they can come and apply for the 15 years. Well, while that is in place, let us do the analysis so that we got some clear guidelines and some paperwork and s ome understanding behind why we are doing this and we can move forward because people still can come. Elbow Beach, or whoever, can still come in and say, Well, look, you know, I want 15 years and this is why I want 15 years. They can still do that now —without this! So, let us get the analysis in front of us. Let us be smart about it other than just to say, Well somebody else is doing it . Two completely different jurisdictions. Our tourism product [differs] to just about every other Caribbean island, our cousins, basically. So, I am very much concerned about where we stand with this here. And I know the Minister . . . he probably will not be surprised. I have said from the beginning that I did not agree with 15 years for Southampton Princess and I do not agr ee with this concession of going forward with 15 years because we do not have anything to base it on. We have nothing to base it on!
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: We can chirp all we want. Some may be angry. Some may be upset, and some will laugh. Oh, well, why do you not vote against it? I am on the floor speaking and saying what my concern is and I will say categorically, if you need it because it is coming, I am not supporting this because it does not make any sense. Where is the analysis? You had a Finance Minister who actually said, and knew what he was talking about it. And I am not saying anyone else does not know what they are talk-ing about. He said we should do an analysis before we make a mistake. Is that not sound principle? Why jump off the cliff when you are not sure how high it is? [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: It does not take long. It does not take long! He is bringing up Bermudiana Cliff . You know, hey , I get it. I am still trying to understand the rationale behind building low -cost housing and now making it a hotel when we know we still need low -cost housing. And at $538,000 that is not low -cost housing!
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And now it is going to cost more! So, hey, it is what it is. They are trying to do what they can but there needs to be some analysis behind why you are doing what you are doing. We just found out today that the Bermudiana Beach Resort is going to cost us $100- plus million. Okay. Who is funding that? We are! We are, basically, because we want investment to come. Ain’t nobody talking about the analysis of it. And I am hoping that it works. We all want it to work. We have been in support of trying to get Southampton Princess going. We said, 1490 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly hey listen, in the interest (although you do not agree with 15 years) of moving on, let us go ahead and do this. Let us see what happens. Well, since which, what has happened? Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Well, now there are forums going on and that kind of . . . that should happen anyhow. But there is no shovel in the ground. Like I said before, the difference is because the money is not there. I recall the former Minister asking, Well, are you insolvent? Can you show us that you are not insolvent? After defaulting—can you show us that? Just do some paperwork. Just do some analysis. We did it. And we made sure the shovel got in the ground. How many years has this Government been in place? We have not got a hotel done yet. Well, we can announce as the OBA, several . . . one new and several renovations. Several!
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: That is a fact! Now, that is not to say that the OBA is better than the PLP. But certainly there were some different approaches to the matter.
[Inaudible int erjections] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Several different matters. All of a sudden now, O h, that is what you are trying to say. I just sat here and listened to the former debate and how it went down. We were in support of it, but yet, there has to be compare and contrast. Well, what we did and what they did. You did a good thing. Stand on doing a good thing. You do not need the OBA to do a good thing. Just go ahead and do it! Just go ahead and do it! [Inaudible interjections] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And now we care. Well, if you cared you would be holding Southampton Princess to the wire because they defaulted! To unionised members, hold them to the wire. Do not allow them to get up and say, Well, if you do not do this here, well we are going to put a fence around it.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: They did not default? Ha!
Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Point of order.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Well, maybe he should ask the former Finance Minister —
Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: The—
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerYour point of — Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Madam Acting Speaker —
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerYour point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: The Member is misleading the House. They did not default to the members of the Bermuda Industrial Union or the workers. They were paid —
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: —in full.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, [Madam] Acting Speaker. Yes, they were paid. They were not paid by Gencom; they were paid by the Government . Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Point of order.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerYour point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: That Honourable Member is misleading the House. That is not correct.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, M ember. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Well, maybe he should have clarified. Who paid it? I know that they had to come back — Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Point of order. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: But who paid it? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Point of order. …
Thank you, M ember.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Well, maybe he should have clarified. Who paid it? I know that they had to come back —
Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Point of order.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: But who paid it? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Point of order.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And so —
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. D errick V. Burgess, Sr.: If he followed the events as they happened, he would have known that Gencom paid the workers. It does not matter who paid it first. The money was paid by Gencom. So, do not talk that foolishness.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, [Madam Acting] Speaker.
Bermuda House of Assembly That says it all. As he sits down and says do not talk that foolishness . Does not matter when they paid—it says it all.
Mr. Curtis L. DickinsonPoint of order, [Madam Acting] Speaker. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Ignoring the facts.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. Your point of order? POINT OF ORDER
Mr. Curtis L. DickinsonLet me clarify this for once and for all. Gencom did not pay the workers. The Gov-ernment paid the workers and Gencom reimbursed Government after a statutory demand was made for the money. [Desk thumping]
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Continue, Member. You have the floor. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you for the clarification. I stand on what I have said, and so all of this goes back to . . . I get the point of increasing the concessions. I get the point. And I understand …
Thank you. Continue, Member. You have the floor.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you for the clarification. I stand on what I have said, and so all of this goes back to . . . I get the point of increasing the concessions. I get the point. And I understand where the Minister is attempting to go with this here. But at a time when we are struggling, at a time where we need to give more to people who are in need as we have di scussed today on a [previous] Bill; at a time where we are trying to balance the sheet, we need to ensure that we can stand on our heads, blow bubbles and chew gum all at the same time because we have the exper-tise in the room. We do! But this Bill, to me, is going in the wrong direction before we truly understand what deep water we are getting into. And so I hope, and we will go through this particular Bill with many questions that I do have of the Minister , I hope that we get more clarity because the public of Bermuda need clarity on this matter. Thank you.
The Acting SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, M ember. Are there any other Member s who wish to speak to the Bill? I recognise the Member from constituency 14. Member, you have the floor.
Mr. Wayne CainesThank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I think in listening to the last speaker who has the portfolio for the Opposition to speak for Tourism, he highlighted a couple of points. I think if yo u look at the line and length of this legislation, it has a specific bent. And …
Thank you, Madam Acting Speaker. I think in listening to the last speaker who has the portfolio for the Opposition to speak for Tourism, he highlighted a couple of points. I think if yo u look at the line and length of this legislation, it has a specific bent. And before I go into the legislation, we must be reminded of where we are and what we are trying to do. We have a tourism industry that is the second pillar of our country that is s truggling after three years of a pandemic. We have seen a promised hotel development fall along the wayside and now the Government spends millions of dollars trying to regularise that endeavour to bring it back on the tracks. It is immaterial who was responsible for it, but it must be highlighted that the people of Bermuda have spent a large amount of money trying to make this now a redeemable project. When we look at the world, the cost of capital, not just tourism projects, on projects in general, has skyrocketed. And so a number of capital projects, no matter what they are around the world, have not taken place. Why? Because companies are not getting the return on investments, the ROI, based on deploying money in certain manners and in certain ways that they did prior [to] the economic slowdown based on the pandemic. So, when we are talking about an island in the middle of the Atlantic and hotel development, this Government must look at it critically. The critical analysis can no longer be that we are pr etty, that we have pink sand and that we have nice . . . what is underwater? What is that stuff called when you go under there looking at the . . . coral reefs and scuba diving. So, at one point they came to Bermuda for our pink sands, and everybody set up. MP Kim Swan, for the last two sessions, has been going through a litany of local properties that have closed over the last 10 to 15 years. Horrifying to read! Horrifying to read. When we see something that is burgeoning, that is developing all around the Caribbean . . . shall we say it? Last week, I went on —and I will say it again — business to the Dominican Republic.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat type of business?
Mr. Wayne Caines—to the Dominican Republic — BELCO business, Madam Acting Speaker. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Wayne CainesI am being led astray, Madam. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Wayne CainesYes, I have got my eye on the proverbial prize. When I landed in the Dominican Republic, there were 12 planes on the runway —12 planes on the runway! I landed as a man that has a responsibility for tourism — 1492 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House …
Mr. Wayne CainesOne word, Dominican Republic, set the room alight. [Laughter and crosstalk ]
Mr. Wayne CainesUntil I told the name of the country. I saw 12 planes on the runway and as we went inside, I looked around and I said, This place is jumping! I went into the arrival hall and there were about 500 people in the arrival hall. They all had electricity, …
Until I told the name of the country. I saw 12 planes on the runway and as we went inside, I looked around and I said, This place is jumping! I went into the arrival hall and there were about 500 people in the arrival hall. They all had electricity, Madam. When I got to the conference, the Minister responsible for energy was there. He and I had a very good conversation. He shared with me that this part of the country was called Punta Cana. He shared with me that this was an island, part of the country is quite similar to our St. David’s, and they invested in two things. They invested in the infrastructure for energy, and they invested in developing legislation around tourism. Based on the legislation that they put around tourism, they now can say in the last 10 years they have 27 new hotel developments and 50,000 new beds. I will say that again —this is not in the entire country, this is just in . . . I do not know if they call them provinces or parishes. In the last 5 to 10 years, they have 27 new hotel developments and 50,000 beds. When you are looking at Barbados with the Tourism Development Act, or whether you are looking at Jamaica with the Hotel Encouragement Act, excuse me, Barbados is the Hotel Encouragement Act. Jamaica is the Hotel and Concessions Act. When you look at what is happening in the rest of the Caribbean, people understand that it is a region —whether you are talking telecommunications, whether you are talking about engineering and energy services. There has not been a rush for people to develop business in the Caribbean. There has not been! The Royal Bank has lamented about trying to get people. Whether it is tele-communications, whether it is in the utility space, there has been a lack, a reticence, to invest in the Caribbean. So, in order to make investment in the Caribbean more palatable, the countries have started to put Acts in place (not a flight of fancy, not people just doing things to do it) to get investment to come to the countries. People need the ability to be induced to come to a country to invest. And so what we have seen [in] the islands that we often times think we are better than, we see people investing in these countries and now they are reaping the harvest amongst other things. So, they are not just investing in the hotels. They have also invested . . . when I was in the Dominican Republic [DR], I saw this massive structure and I asked what it was. They said it was a dormitory. Everybody was in the dormitory. Now, we understand the phases that we are going through, but the issue that we are dealing with now is that in order for people to come to Bermuda—
[Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Deputy Speaker, in the Chair]
Mr. Wayne Caines—Mr. Deputy Speaker, we realise that we must enshrine in law concessions that make the deployment of capital in Bermuda for it to make sense. But you look at ROIs, or Returns of Investments, there are specific things that have to be in place for it to make sense for …
—Mr. Deputy Speaker, we realise that we must enshrine in law concessions that make the deployment of capital in Bermuda for it to make sense. But you look at ROIs, or Returns of Investments, there are specific things that have to be in place for it to make sense for a business plan, for a business entity. This legislation is simply putting concessions in place that make it more palatable for businesses to come to Bermuda and invest in the long run. Why is that necessary? It is necessary [because it] makes Bermuda more attractive. So, when you are looking at the legislation, the new hotel relief period goes up to 15 years; the current time is 10 years. For a refurbished hotel . . . this is just for refurbishment. The speaker before me . . . it is not 20 years for just refurbished hotels. It is currently 5 [years] and it goes up to 15 . . . no, no, I know you did not say that. It goes to 15 [years]. And so, when we are looking at the new clauses, it permits the Minister to consider for the relief plus an aggregate value of the investment in any prop-erty over a period of up to seven years prior to the application for the relief. Yes? We are not just looking at things where it is done arbitrarily. Now, the previous speaker made a direct correlatio n between Southampton Princess and this legislation. I actually believe it is fair for him to do so. I come from a perspective of looking forward. And he said it. When people are looking at and laying in abeyance they are looking at what happens at Southampton Princess, to see what happens at Elbow Beach. So, if we are doing— [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Wayne CainesNow, just take that premise. If we are standardising the processes, if we are making a concession Act, well, they do not have to wonder or Bermuda House of Assembly gander at what we are doing. It is prescribed in the legislation. So, the very point that he is making, …
Now, just take that premise. If we are standardising the processes, if we are making a concession Act, well, they do not have to wonder or
Bermuda House of Assembly gander at what we are doing. It is prescribed in the legislation. So, the very point that he is making, the legislation is actually making that point. We are not making legislation arbitrarily for St. Regis, for Elbow Beach, for Southampton Princess. It is now all enshrined in one particular point showing you how we are going to do it for investment in Bermuda. That is what I think makes this strong. Do we have to look at other things? Yes, we might have to look at other things around (here we go) collective bargaining agreements. We have to look at things around housing. Those are things that we have to consider. But at this time what we are considering is legislation that deals with this process, getting people to invest in Bermuda—strong legislation, good legislation. At the appropriate time in this room let us go through it line by line. But let me say this, we cannot look at the failings of others to determine what we are going to do at this point. We have to get into a room, we have to look at this clause by clause, and we are saying that to come to Bermuda there has to be a level of guarantee (my words), that the Government has to give concessions around to get people to come to Bermuda . I think that in the absence of it they are not going to choose Bermuda. In the absence of this legislation, they are not going to choose Bermuda. That is not somebody holding the sword of Damocles over our heads. Those are basic facts. The reality of it is that construction is difficult and expensive in Bermuda . The cost of labour is expensive in Bermuda. There must be concessions in Bermuda for people to choose us as a jurisdiction. If you cannot see that . . . that is why everyone else is moving down those roads. Look at what has happening. Oh, we are just looking at other people and saying they are doing concessions and we are following other people. No! We are not following oth er people. The tourists are following the concessions because the hotels are springing up. We are saying, Have you looked at this scientifically? We are saying the model that we had of opening con-dos, the model that we had of doing fractional ownership, th at model of construction is over. We tried it. We did it for years. People are bragging about St. Regis. How long did that property stay vacant? What did it do to the town of St. George’s?
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Wayne CainesWhat I am saying . . . the hotel stayed vacant for a while because there were no . . . the absolute absence of the right concessions to attract people to Bermuda. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Wayne CainesNow, now the Government is saying that we are at the precipice of do ing great things within tourism. Get out of your own way! Look at what we have to do to make tourism stronger. If this was a panacea, if this was a magic bullet, it could be …
Now, now the Government is saying that we are at the precipice of do ing great things within tourism. Get out of your own way! Look at what we have to do to make tourism stronger. If this was a panacea, if this was a magic bullet, it could be done in absentia of anything else. We realise that this has to be done in tandem w ith training and development in Bermuda ; in tandem with dealing with the social ills; in tandem with getting tourism together. When you put all of those elements together, we see the possibility of a renaissance in tourism. So, this Minister has done his p art in this chain. His part in the chain is what? To pass leg-islation that allows for people to come to Bermuda, invest in Bermuda and build hotels in Bermuda. That is his part in this chain. Now, we have the opportunity —that is what we are doing now —to tell the public that we are passing the legislation. We are discussing it. We are talking about it. That is what we are doing. The reality of it is, if the public does not understand their need, if there is poison, We are giving away money. We are not thinking it through , if that is what we are telling the public they do not understand that this is how business is done. This is what will be necessary to get the hotels up and running in Bermuda. Stop making it look l ike it is something nefarious. This is something that has to take place, measured—
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Wayne CainesThis is something that has to take place in order for the businesses to come to Bermuda. We should not resile from that. We need to make sure that this legislation and the discussion is robust. We need to hold each other accountable for it, but I would not resile …
This is something that has to take place in order for the businesses to come to Bermuda. We should not resile from that. We need to make sure that this legislation and the discussion is robust. We need to hold each other accountable for it, but I would not resile from the fact that tourism is on the precipice of something great. We have the opportunity to continue to invest in tourism. We have the opportunity to look at investment and what this represents for Bermuda . [For] people who are not necessarily willing to invest in Bermuda as it is, this makes us more palatable. Another thing that makes us more palatable is the ease of doing business, the ease of getting work permits, the ease of getting things passed through different government departments. I think this legislation is strong. I think that it makes sense. I think that having the Tourism Investment Act, the amendments, t o allow us to attract businesses to Bermuda, to say to hoteliers around the world that Bermuda is open for business, that the other properties that this gives people who might invest, and heavily so, the opportunity to consider Bermuda —not just because we are a good place to fish. We have a Bermuda Monetary Authority that makes the regulation around financial services sound. We have an opportunity where they can see the benefit in their investment, that their ROI [Return on Investment] makes sense, that their ROE [ Return on equity ] makes sense, that this is a clear place to do business. This is an example of us investing in the future of hotel development. It should be supported. It should 1494 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly be explained in masticatable [sic] bites to the public so that they can see—
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerHonourable Cole Simons. You have the floor. [Crosstalk ] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker — Mr. Deputy Speaker. My friend, the Honourable Member Mr. Caines, encouraged me to get to my seat based on his comments. An Hon. Member: To your seat? Another Hon. Member: You …
Honourable Cole Simons. You have the floor.
[Crosstalk ]
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker — Mr. Deputy Speaker. My friend, the Honourable Member Mr. Caines, encouraged me to get to my seat based on his comments. An Hon. Member: To your seat?
Another Hon. Member: You should have been in your seat. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Out of my seat I said. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we, in the Opposition, understand the need for concessions. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we, in the Opposition, understand the need for sound negotiations with hotel developers —especially international ones. Mr. Deputy Speaker , the challenge is that we are so anxious to please that we, as a country, are bearing the brunt of a lot of these projects. Mr. Deputy Speaker , the other issue that we have to address as a jurisdiction is the cost of construction. Our friends just mentioned earlier about DR, Dominican Republic, and all the hotels going up there. Well, look at what their labour costs are. Look at what their development costs are. Look at the landscaping there. Look at the vastness of the country. Mr. Deputy Speaker , we have to be very selective and we have to do a better job in negotiating these hotel development deals. Mr. Deputy Speak er, right now I have to agree with my Shadow Tourism Minister that these concessions are overly generous at a time when we are facing difficult economic times, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We take the view that we should stick to the 10- year concession periods and when opportunities come otherwise, then we would be possibly open for negotiation. Mr. Deputy Speaker, listen, we have two hotels, the Fairmont Southampton and the new Bermudiana. Just two hotels have given a commitment to Bermuda Government and our Bermu dians. Our commitment to this hotel development is $310 million (approximately) just for supporting the development of two hotels. Mr . Deputy Speaker, it is only the beginning, and if we get more hotels, Elbow Beach developed, the other properties that are available for development, we will be handing out more concessions and we can easily have concessions that are arriving at half a billion dollars. Again, can the people of this country afford it? Can the Government afford it? So, as I said earlier, we take the view that, given the current economic environment that we find ourselves under, the concessions are far too generous. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I think we have to examine these hotel development projects more closely. As it was said with the Fairmount Southampton, the resi-dential units at Fairmount Southampton and other tourism units, the residential units will enjoy all of the concessions granted to the Fairmount Southampton and yet they will not form a part of the hotel development. These are residential units and yet the investors in these residential units will get hotel concessions and their properties will not be in the hotel stock. Again, I am saying we are giving far too much away, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and we are not examining
Bermuda House of Assembly the details of these c oncessions that we are giving. We are so eager to please —
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: —to tick the box.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWhat is your . . . Member? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Walter H. Roban: This may not be my specific area of responsibility, but I think it has been very much said publicly that the residential component . . . and I am being very careful because I really …
What is your . . . Member?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Walter H. Roban: This may not be my specific area of responsibility, but I think it has been very much said publicly that the residential component . . . and I am being very careful because I really should not be saying anything in this way, but I wish for the publi c to be . . . it is not benefitting from any concession packages that have been designed thus far for that devel-opment. That has been made very clear publicly and I do not understand why the Opposition is misleading the public in this way.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes, Honourable Member , that was clarified in the last sitting. Please give correct information or I will stop you. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have this information from a reliable source.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMr., Mr. — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of, point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerJust one second. Take your seat. Honourable Member Simons, you heard what I said. Do not mislead the House. That information has been here and verified. Hon. N . H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker —
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerIt is in legislation. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have taken this information from a statement made—
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMr.— Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: —by the former Finance Minister.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMr. Simons! If you are going against my ruling, you know what is the next step, don’t you? I would advise you again, stay away from that. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker, listen — [Laughter and inaudible interjections ] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: You …
Mr. Simons! If you are going against my ruling, you know what is the next step, don’t you? I would advise you again, stay away from that.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker, listen —
[Laughter and inaudible interjections ] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: You know about economics and dollars and cents. And the bottom line is we cannot afford it as a country. You saw the financial assistance legislation that we have just passed through this House to help people of this country.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker, we must spend as much energy and finances that we spend on the hotels and foreign investors . . . we should spend that same amount of energy and resources on the people of this country. And the people of this …
Yes.
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker, we must spend as much energy and finances that we spend on the hotels and foreign investors . . . we should spend that same amount of energy and resources on the people of this country. And the people of this coun-try are feeling that they are not enjoying similar benefits of international business, people investing here. They feel like they are second class citizens in their own home, and we have to loo k out for them, Mr. Deputy Speaker. So, I will finish by repeating what I said: We understand the need to have salespeople out there in the community to sell Bermuda as a tourism investment destination. We understand concessions, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we also believe that we must do a better job in negotiating with our hotel investors so that they can respect us more. The Honourable Works and Engineering Minister said this morning (I am not reflecting, friends), Hilton . . . they are not investing one cent in our Bermudian a Hotel. Not one cent! And yet we are accommodating and doing whatever is necessary that they want. And to me, they should put money —skin —in the game. That is what negotiations are all about, skin in the game. If we all have to make joint sacrifices for it to succeed as a project, if you have skin in the game you have more commitment. And say, Well, I don’t have nothing to lose —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberSkin in the game like Morgan’s Point? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have nothing to lose because I do not have any investment in the game. I can just close the door, walk away and say thank you. Done. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: …
Skin in the game like Morgan’s Point?
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I have nothing to lose because I do not have any investment in the game. I can just close the door, walk away and say thank you. Done.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the time is not right. We cannot afford these extensions and we in the Opposition feel that the current structure that we have in place is adequate until our economy turns around. Thank you.
1496 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Deputy Speaker: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Opposition Leader Cole Simons. Are there any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Anthony Richardson.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonGood afternoon, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and again to the listening audience and my fellow colleagues. Mr. Deputy Speaker, this is always an interesting subject to me when it comes up for discussion here in the House and in the broader community in terms of hotels, in terms of our local …
Good afternoon, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and again to the listening audience and my fellow colleagues. Mr. Deputy Speaker, this is always an interesting subject to me when it comes up for discussion here in the House and in the broader community in terms of hotels, in terms of our local economy and all of the attendant activit ies. I believe it is quite clear to all of us that within the context of the Bermudian economy, our hotel or hospitality industry takes second place to our business community at this point in time. If you go back in our history, that was not always the cas e. But what is interesting, I think for many of us, is that being involved in the hospitality industry has been part of our development. And remember for some of us who may be . . . yes, some of us. It might have been a matter of when you were younger you worked in the hotel industry as a busboy, for example, or a houseman or otherwise, either during summer holidays, school breaks from university or the like. And what I was always amazed at is that . . . you know how we have our opinions about people in society, right? What I would say is that some of the roughest members of our community were the best in the dining room. They knew their stuff —whether they be the waiters, the maître ds, the bartenders or whatever the case may be, right. And I always used to smile because they were the ones that taught me about hos-pitality —how to serve, how to approach the guests, how to do things and how to keep yourself organised so that you can manage your tables effectively. And so I will always remember them. But for to day, Mr. Deputy Speaker . . . sometimes when I come here I get confused, to be honest, in terms of the commentary from Members opposite in particular because I cannot always follow their argument, if you will.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonThe example for today, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that one Member said that we should not be overly concerned about the concessions. Another Member said that we understand the need for concessions, but we should not do any more. And so, for me, that is a conflict in terms of …
The example for today, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that one Member said that we should not be overly concerned about the concessions. Another Member said that we understand the need for concessions, but we should not do any more. And so, for me, that is a conflict in terms of if you understand the concessions then you have to support what is being done today. Now, let me go back so I can come forward. We understand that in Bermuda we actually live or operate in the context of a capitalist society. And while people do not like the description, the reality is that as the owner or the investor you want to extract as much as you can out of whatever is taking place. So, t herefore you can maximise your profits. Whilst I will not say that this is the case in this instance, the reality is that Bermuda is not the only place in the world.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonAnd so, I have a chance to make an inv estment, and it can be in Bermuda or it can be elsewhere. So, in reality it is that Bermuda does have to match what others are doing in order to demonstrate that we are at least equal from the start. …
And so, I have a chance to make an inv estment, and it can be in Bermuda or it can be elsewhere. So, in reality it is that Bermuda does have to match what others are doing in order to demonstrate that we are at least equal from the start. [So an investor might say to himself], I have money to build or invest in a hotel. I can do it in Bermuda. I can do it in the Caribbean. I can do it in the US. I can do it in Europe. I can do it wherever I choose. What I have to do is understand the economic and investment landscape as part of my decision process. Now, if we want to give some examples, because the OBA or the Opposition keep on making certain references, right, and in the recent past they have made some decisions that have worked out and others that have not. So, let us be real. It is not as if there is an exact science with all of these things. And others make it seem as though it is. And it is not. There is actually an art in all of these things in terms of when you negotiate you have to understand the lay of the land in terms of I know what I want to do, and you know what you want to do and then let us have a real negotiation. So, for today, I do not accept the argument, to be honest, that the Fairmount Southampton is directly relevant to this in the sense that this is a contract negotiation that has taken place. And there were some aspects to that which we have talked about here already, primarily the guarantee. And there is some discussion in terms of whether it should be $50 million or $75 million or whatever. We have had that discussion alr eady, so, I will not go back there. What I want to emphasise, though, is that at this point in time there are negotiations taking place and there is the advantage of offering concessions or not. What is unfortunate, to be honest, is that there is no certainty around what is being offered or not being offered. So, today, I think it is important for all of us to understand that what we are doing is actually eliminating the uncertainty. So, going forward, if this . . . well, not if this, but once this passes, at least everyone will understand that if I am coming to Bermuda to invest in a hotel or a restaurant these are the rules of the game (if you will) that I can negotiate with. So, I will know. And it is good also to note that it applies to hotels and resta urants and attractions because each of those are important to getting visitors to Bermuda. And to the extent that we succeed in getting visitors, guess
Bermuda House of Assembly what? The economy does benefit. I believe we all accept that to the extent that there are more hotel beds . . . guess what? There are more airlines, or there are more seats coming to the Island. As I just made a note, the beauty of that is if you forget everything else, more seats means [lower] prices which means even if you are in Bermuda you can get off th e Island cheaper — less expensively. So, to that extent, it is going to benefit all of us. One of the difficulties, I guess, for all of us is to understand the reality of the concessions. I believe one of the former speakers talked about the fact that we cannot afford the concessions. And I want to take my time and try my best to explain that, because if I am correct, at the moment the Elbow Beach hotel is closed.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonSo, that means that right now, there is zero occupancy tax. There is zero payroll tax. There is zero, zero, zero, zero, zero —all kinds of zeroes from that location. Being very careful, if the Government grants concessions of $50 million and that results i n Elbow Beach opening up, …
So, that means that right now, there is zero occupancy tax. There is zero payroll tax. There is zero, zero, zero, zero, zero —all kinds of zeroes from that location. Being very careful, if the Government grants concessions of $50 million and that results i n Elbow Beach opening up, guess what? There will be more activity in Bermuda as a result, without the $50 million. So, what I am trying to do in my mind, as I am talking actually, is explain better how you can assess more than zero. So, Elbow Beach, as the example, opens up. What will you have? You will have employment. And based upon how the legislation and conces-sions currently work the hotel might get a concession on its portion of payroll tax, but the employees have to pay their portion. So, Government is obviously going to get some revenue. There will be people working there and they will get paid. So, therefore, they will benefit. And speaking to your background, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as a union person, even the union will benefit because they will rec eive union dues from those employees that are there because they will be unionised. Taxi drivers will be benefitting because they have to get the people from the airport to the hotel and back. All of the attractions in Bermuda will benefit because people will go somewhere. What is also beautiful is that if Elbow Beach opens up (and I am just using them as an example), it means that there are going to be more tourists coming to the Island and then there is going to be more opportunity for Bermudians to hav e these attractions. So, it may be in the summertime, it is going to be jet skis, it is going to be moped rentals, it is going to be the smaller [electric] car rental, it is going to be golf . . . all those things will benefit. So, we have to (I believe) be more realistic. And to use the words of one of the previous speakers, if we really understand the need for concessions and we should not be overly concerned about the concessions, then there has to be support for this legislation today. For me, sometimes, as I said earlier, I do get confused in terms of the logic of the arguments that are presented by Member s opposite. I have been chastised in the past for some of my comments but, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I can assure you I am not going to speak to the integrity or whatever the case may be of any individual Member, but I will speak to the comments that are being offered sometimes. Earlier, also, there was the intended or unintended reference to the Fairmount Southampton in terms of the residential units attr acting the benefits of the concessions. It has been clarified in many in-stances that this is not the case. So, right now, I repeat for the benefit of the public that the concessions that are being offered or considered or negotiated do not at all refer to the residential units, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I also want to, I guess, briefly comment on the whole idea of a straw man argument. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I actually value my opportunity here in the House of Assembly because sometimes either phrases are used, or words are spoken that I need greater clarity around—and I learn. So, today’s word is going to be a “straw man argument.” What is a straw man argument? A straw man argument actually is when someone uses an argument to try to refute a different concept and does not realise that they are not appropriate. So, in this case, the commentary from one of the previous speakers in terms of the currently not -concluded Fairmount Southampton project is actually a straw argument. So, the currently not-concluded Fairmount Southampton agreement has nothing to do with today. And if it did . . . this is where it actually becomes a fallacy. If the Honourable Member believes that the current concessions that are being offered or discussed at Fairmount Southampton at 15 years, if that was a hindrance, then it might make sense. But if that is being offered and the deal still cannot be finalised, it means that we need to do more. I want to encourage the Member and also the general public to understand that, clearly, the negotiations for any hotel are very, very difficult. I will also offer that sometimes we want to politely muddy the waters, but we forget that even when it came to Morgan’s Point, there were some difficulties and that did not proceed. We need to remind ourselves and understand the Government was involved. There were some significant local insurance companies involved in guaranteeing the financing. There were individuals with significant personal reputations. There was the former Government . There were so many peopl e involved in their project and it still did not succeed —and I am only speaking to that in the context of there is obvious difficulty. So, let us not fool ourselves in thinking that any of this is easy. To come back to the legislation today, Mr. Deputy Sp eaker, it is back to the idea of the concessions. The current legislation does not say that every single person who comes to the table will get 15 years of concessions. Clearly, not every project is of the same size. So, what is being proposed makes eminent sense, Mr. Deputy Speaker, in terms of at least allowing that the 1498 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Government (or whoever is negotiating on the Government side) has the tools in their toolkit to make it happen. And now I will go back one more time, because I want to ensure that this does get the emphasis that it needs. If, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Bermuda was able to negotiate successfully with all of the hotels that are supposedly on the horizon, and the concessions totalled . . . and I am being intentionally exaggerated right now. But let us assume that Bermuda was able to get 10 new hotels with total concessions of $1 billion —10 hotels, $1 billion in concessions. Guess what? It would still make sense because right now, Bermuda is getting zero. And if you had 10 hotels, you could imagine how many people would be employed, how much construction would take place, how many taxi drivers would be employed, how many restaurants/bars and all the rest of it. So, we have to make sure that we understand that right now we are getting zero. If we are a ble to use this legislation to attract others to come to the Island, we will start to get some benefit. I also smile because here and in the broader community, many people compare . . . not compare, but many people talk about whether it be the Cayman Islands or the Bahamas or whatever, and what is taking place there in terms of investment. Let us understand that in some of those jurisdictions there is normally one person, or one country, if you will, that is putting up all the money. They are not doing it for free, Mr. Deputy Speaker. They are not doing it for free because they understand that, guess what? We have an opportunity to invest in various places and it is just going to be a matter of what place do we see as being the most at-tractive. One previous speaker also spoke about the cost of construction in Bermuda. We know it is high, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We know that we are higher certainly than anybody to the south of us and so if we accept that then, clearly, we have to meet or exceed what i s being offered to people that invest in those areas. So, we have to now come back to some common sense or sensibility when we talk about these things. Let us forget the opportunity or the . . . yes, the opportunity to try to score political points. Let us now fundamentally understand that we need to ensure that the economy gets back on its feet completely. The Minister of the Economy spoke earlier about the fact that the economic indicators are positive for Bermuda. I want to encourage us all, including Member s opposite, to stop the narrative that this is gloom and doom. Member s will know that I have the opportunity to interact with visitors on a regular basis. I will say to you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that on Wednesday I was speaking to one person, and I s aid to them, you know, have a good trip, or whatever. And they said to me, Don’t worry. I will be back next week and then towards the end of June . I said, Okay, well, good to have you coming back. [They said] Don’t worry . The person that they were with wil l be coming back frequently. Guess what? Guess why they came to Bermuda . They like what we are doing. They understand the economy and they are going to buy a house. And it is not going to be a house that is worth $1 million. It is going to be far in exces s of that. What I am saying to you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that Bermuda is not gloom and doom. It is not perfect, but we need to make sure that we collectively understand that the glass is more than half full. I will say this, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I do fi nd it (the real word is irritating) irritating that we have to put up with a constantly, intentionally negative narrative about where Bermuda is. As I said, it is not about being perfect; but we are far from gloom and doom. Our young people, Mr. Deputy Sp eaker, are doing very well in many instances. We heard MP Sim-mons -Wade speak earlier about her nephew and how well he is doing. There are many other young people doing exactly . . . not exactly, but in a very similar circumstance. I guess my final comment is from personal experience. I remember . . . and you have a background also in hospitality, Mr. Deputy Speaker. There is an in-valuable lesson to be learned in working in the hospitality sector, especially in hotels. You get to meet people from various ar eas, jurisdictions, and they will tell you that there is nothing better than being served or assisted or helped by a Bermudian who can tell them about our culture, who can explain for example where to go, who can talk about where you can get the best wheth er it be fish chowder, whether it be a fish sandwich, whether it be whatever Bermudian things that they like, even the peas and rice, for example, because it is different. You can explain to them where they can go and mingle with Bermudians and really get a sense of who we are. The taxi drivers can drive them to places whereby they can see such beauty. What we also have to start to appreciate, I guess, is that there is so much good for us to experience that we almost need to, I suppose, rediscover Bermuda. The one thing that makes me smile all the time for our visitors is that the very first thing they say is, Oh my goodness; I cannot believe how blue the water is! Something so simple to us. They cannot believe how blue our water is. But we take it for granted. We do not bother to go swimming, for example, or go to the beach and those sorts of things. So, there is so much more that we can do. But of course, Mr. Deputy Speaker, to come back to today, it is that the Government is increasing the certainty of b usinesses by putting in place or codifying, really, what is going to be available for concessions for both the hotels, for restaurants and for attractions. We need to be sure that we collectively underBermuda House of Assembly stand what it is about because our future is tied together in the context of the success of the economy. And while the hospitality sector is less than the busi-ness community, we know for sure I can run an insurance company with five people. Open a hotel and you need a minimum of probably 30 or 40 people. So, i n that context, having these hotels in Bermuda opened up and running, will definitely benefit our people in terms of the individuals that can have a job and get paid more, really, than the business community. With that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will say thank you and again to the Minister , I commend you for bringing the legislation today and look forward to its passage later on this afternoon. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister. [Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYou guys . . . I have called the Minister . Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I am sorry, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I had a little cramp in my leg. I am sorry. [Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerGo ahead, Mr. D e Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerContinue. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want the record to show that the OBA in its entirety does not support this legislation. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: We d on’t. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And the Honourable [Opposition] Leader, Cole Simons . . …
Continue. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I want the record to show that the OBA in its entirety does not support this legislation. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: We d on’t. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And the Honourable [Opposition] Leader, Cole Simons . . . the Honourable Mr. Cole Simons just said We don’t . And let me say that one more time. The OBA collectively does not support this legislation. That is a sad day for us here in this House. And most of the arguments, Mr. Deputy Speaker, seem to stem around the 15- year concession. What I find absolutely mindboggling is the fact that under the OBA, they gave St. Regis a 20- year concession —20! Now, let us repeat that. T he OBA to a person— to a person, so far (I mean, there are only six of them, but to a person) —have said that they disagree to the 10- or 15- year concessions that this legislation speaks to. But the same OBA that disagrees to it gave St. Regis 20 years —20! An Hon. Member: Really?
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, 20. But yet their concerns were what’s next? Now, I was going to do a point of order, but I figured I would just let them go. I just let them go. They said, We have to be careful because what is next ? Elbow Beach I think they said. Well, they will be asking for 15 or maybe more. But they gave St. Regis 20 years. Crickets next door. Crickets.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Prove it. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I do not hear a thing. The former Premier of the OBA, Mr. Cannonier, says prove it. I will tell yo u what. I will tell you what; I am going to prove it. I am going to prove it. Just stand by and listen. It is coming. It is coming. Mr. Deputy Speaker, now, let us talk about a few things. My colleague Wayne Caines talked about his travels, and I think he said Barbados and the Bahamas. I know he has been to Jamaica, too. I, too, Mr. Deputy Speaker, have spent a lot of time in the Caribbean over the last two years —a lot of time —the Bahamas, Jamaica, in particular, and I can tell you, Mr. Dep-uty Speaker, fir st hand—not from anyone else—when I arrive in Jamaica or the Bahamas, it is a zoo! There are so many people. I mean, it is incredible. You know how they say get to the airport two hours ahead of time. You better get there four hours ahead of time, there ar e so many people. And why is that? Because they are giving concessions to developers, Mr. Deputy Speaker. A lot of concessions. I am not even going to go overboard outside of the concessions that we are talking about here today. But we know that many of o ur Caribbean partners down to the south and our competitors to the south, they are going as far as giving passports out! You know that, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Certain investments, $400,000 or you buy a house, you are getting a passport. Why do you think they do that? Mr. Deputy Speaker, construction in the Caribbean is booming. It is booming because they are giving concessions very similar, if not more, than …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Certain investments, $400,000 or you buy a house, you are getting a passport. Why do you think they do that? Mr. Deputy Speaker, construction in the Caribbean is booming. It is booming because they are giving concessions very similar, if not more, than what we are giving here today. And, Mr. Dep uty Speaker, let me state for the record—because I have said so in this House before— if it were up to me and I was negotiating with hotel developers who want to inject foreign investment and foreign exchange in this country, and they wanted 20 years, they would get it! Because what are we getting, 1500 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly as my colleague Anthony Richardson, the Honourable Member , said earlier . . . what are we getting now?
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMm-hmm. Nothing. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: We are getting zero! Just today, our Minist er Jason Hayward brought legislation and talked about financial assis-tance. We are paying $2 million a month! How much more do we want the Government to pay because we have able- bodied people that …
Mm-hmm. Nothing.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: We are getting zero! Just today, our Minist er Jason Hayward brought legislation and talked about financial assis-tance. We are paying $2 million a month! How much more do we want the Government to pay because we have able- bodied people that are unable to find work? And you get the Opposition talking about oh, they are going to spend $500 million. They did not tell you that it was over 20 years. I will spend that $500 million. I will add $500 million to our debt today if we had six, seven, eight, nine hotel developers who said we will start digging to morrow (what is the word, I think, that Caines uses all the time?) damn skippy !
[Crosstalk and laughter ]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Deputy Speaker, we need to make Bermuda more attractive for developers. We need to make Bermuda more attractive to get more foreign exchange in this country. We need to make Ber-muda more attractive to get foreign investment in this country —for our people and our visitors. We are constantly bei ng left behind. And the Honourable Member Cannonier talked about a science. And I am going to get more into that in a minute, but you talk about science? Look, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it is not rocket science, I will tell you that, on how to get people in this country. It is not rocket science. It is common sense, and that is what we are doing. If we have to jump through hoops and if we have to jump over hurdles to get this done, we are going to do it. I will say it a hundred times over. Do not ask me to choos e between a tree and a job for our people because I am taking the job for our people every time.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And I will plant three trees over the other side later. Every time! Every time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Honourable Member Cannonier talked about science a lot —a lot —today! Where is the science? Where is the proof? Where is this? Where is that? Well, wher e was the science when they bragged about St. Regis and the Loren, didn’t they? Well, what is the difference between that science and this science? He was the leader of the OBA! So, what, what? The science today was different then? And, by the way —
Hon. L . Craig Cannonier: Point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWhat is your point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Honourable Member is misleading the House. We announced in a previous discussion how we had all hotel representatives to come to Bermuda to discuss to us on a science and an application …
What is your point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Honourable Member is misleading the House. We announced in a previous discussion how we had all hotel representatives to come to Bermuda to discuss to us on a science and an application to getting investment into the Island. And that is where that came from. [Inaudible in terjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And we applied that science which is how St. Regis came out of that meeting. It was discussed here in the House. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I am glad to say he met with them, and the science was he met with St. Regis, and it came to this House. Well, what is St. Regis doing right now? Are they building another hotel? No. No. They are building residences ain’t they? Ah! Wait a minute! Is that not what Fairmount Southampton wanted to do? [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Wait a minute! They gave St. Regis . . . and wait a minute, it did not stop there— Loren as well!
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAah! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: How many houses? Has anyone actually been up Loren and driven around the entire six acres up there? [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: How many houses have they built? [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And why? [Inaudible …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHow many? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: They have built houses around Loren, and they are building condos as we speak at St. Regis.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHow many? Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member says How many? I will tell you what. I hope it is going to be about 260! [Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That is what I would . . . that is what …
How many?
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member says How many? I will tell you what. I hope it is going to be about 260!
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That is what I would . . . that is what I would hope!
[Laughter and inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I know they are not going to do that many — [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But I tell you what, I would give . . . I will tell you what I would do. St. Regis? I would give them permission if they found the land to build 260 tomorrow because that is jobs for our people. All our St. Georgians would be working.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And that is right, all of our construction companies would be busy —all our carpenters, all our plumbers, all our el ectricians. So do not talk about Southampton Princess. Where were all the objectors when St. Regis was going up and all the residences that were going to help to support the finance of that hotel? Where were they?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I did not see anybody marching down Loren. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And look, while we are on Loren, while they are bragging about Loren, they did not sell one unit under the OBA, but when the PLP came in that is when they started selling them. I wonder why that was. I wonder why that was. Oh, coincidence, huh?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, coincidence. And while you are at the science, I will take a seat if you want to tell us the science about Morgan’s Point.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I will take my seat!
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Sil va: Let us talk about the science of Morgan’s Point. I will take a point of order! I will even take a point of clarification! [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Crickets again, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Crickets. Talk to me about the science behind Morgan’s Point.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Wait a minute! It does not stop there. Talk to me about the science of Ariel Sands! I remember when the Honourable Member Dunkley was the Premier and Michael Fahy was the Minister of Immigration sitting in a backhoe down at Ariel Sands.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAah! [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Saying Here we go! We got it! And Cole Simons, the Honourable Member , talked about the len gth of time it has taken. Well, how long as Ariel Sands been there? They were sitting in a backhoe. What happened? I …
Aah! [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Saying Here we go! We got it! And Cole Simons, the Honourable Member , talked about the len gth of time it has taken. Well, how long as Ariel Sands been there? They were sitting in a backhoe. What happened? I will take a seat, point of order . . . No point of order? But you see what happens, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is this: You can have plans to build, whether it is a hotel or otherwise. You can have all the plans you want. I have seen 1,000, 10,000 business plans in my life, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Putting something on paper and moving it to the next step, going to financial institutions . . . there are hurdles. And the bigger the project, the more hurdles you have. Jache Adams, the Honourable Member , who used to work in the bank, ask him how many times people have to jump over hurdles and the more money you spend, the more hurdles you have to jump. Anybody filled out any KYC forms lately? You can imagine the paperwork involved. But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, you see because when I listen to Members opposite and they are talking about the length of time a nd they are talking about their non-support of it, but then they say you are taking too long—total contradiction! Total contradiction! I cannot wait to get the Hansard printouts and I am going to keep them right on my desk every session, I will keep them, because they said one thing at the beginning of the speech and another thing at the end of the speech. Totally contradicting themselves!
Hon. E. David Burt: The one thing they did not contradict. They do not support this.
1502 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well, there is no contradiction in that, Premier, you are absolutely right. They do not support this to date. Now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, let me make something else very clear because sometimes, sometimes we forget. We forget. You will remember very clearly, Mr. Deputy Speaker, you were in this House in the year 2000. The Honourable former Member, the late Honourable and great former Member David Allen, brought the first -inour-history legislation for concessions in this House in 2000. And from 2000 to 2008 there were billions —not millions, billions —of dollars invested in Bermuda ’s economy by almost every hotel owner in the country. And I will say that again: Billions of dollars were in-vested in Bermuda ’s economy. Everybody was working. I challenge anyone that owned a business —if you were selling peanuts or you were selling cars —to tell me that they did not make money between the years 2000 and 2008. I would challenge any business owner. But you see, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we forget. But we have to be ever so grateful for the Honourable David Allen’s vision. And what were those back then? It was not 15 years. It was not 10. It was not 20. It was a few years —gave everybody. But look where we are today because we progressed along. The world has gotten more difficult to do business in —in particular, the hospitality industry. It is tough! And especially we have just come out of two and a half, three years of a pandemic. And our competitors are . . . let me put it this way, our competitors are leaving us behind. The money is leaving investors’ pockets and they are going south. They are going to other parts of the world. We need to get moving. This legislation will put us in good stead.
Opposition Members talked about Elbow Beach today. Look, like I said, Mr. Deputy Speaker, if someone came along with the money to redevelop El-bow Beach today . . . and they say we are anxious! I will say it again, you are damn skippy we are anxious! We want to put our people to work! And how important is this legislation? How important is 25 per cent more airlift to this country? How important is 25 per cent more beds in this country? How can we compete with our competitors if we do not get the airlift and the bed count?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I cannot . . . I cannot believe that they do not support this legislation. I tell you what, I bet you all their friends down Pitts Bay and Front Steet will have something to say about that. But they continue. They continue with the scaremongering, with the words and phrases that scare investors to this country. I said two weeks ago, Mr. Deputy Speaker, they have to stop that —calling investors, calling the Government , the deal, criminal. Words like that! They have to stop it!
1 Royal Gazette 22 April 2023 Mr. Deputy Speaker, the Honourable Member Cannonier talked about the taxpayer needs more infor-mation and he does not understand this methodology. His words. He does not understand the methodology. Really? How can one get on their feet and make that statement? We do not have any real analysis , he said. Gencom, who have already invested millions in this country down at the East End, millions of dollars in this country, wants to invest hundreds of millions more, an d we are going to sit up in this House and say where is the analysis? Mr. Deputy Speaker, when was the last time you saw a billionaire spend money and he does not do his homework? Really? It is embarrassing, you know, to make statements like this in this House.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberGet the hotel open. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And you should not understand . . . and the Honourable Member says get the hotel open. That is what we are working our socks off to do! But, of course, you object to it! He just said get it …
Get the hotel open.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And you should not understand . . . and the Honourable Member says get the hotel open. That is what we are working our socks off to do! But, of course, you object to it! He just said get it open. Do not support this legislation but get it open. You see how they talk?
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Do not support the legislation but get the hotel open! And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, while we are at it, the Honourable Member Cole Simons stood up and said (and you had to correct him) that the housing that is built would not go into hotel stock. I will table this. The bigger picture. This is a complete detail that we re-ceived when we went up to the open house at Fairmont Southampton. I went to it. And in this document, and I will quote, Mr. Deputy Speaker, 1“‘Of the 261 units, 114 are planned to be built in the first phase and will be of-fered as part of the hotel rental programme.’” Now, this is not Zane De Silva’s document. This is a Fairmont Southampton’s document, and I will table it if the Members opposite want to see it. If they were so concerned, why did they not go to the open houses? It was two of them back to back. I went to both. I did not see them. The Honourable Members opposite said one false start after another. See, that is the kind of thing, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that gets my hair standing up a little bit, right? One false start after another. We have had a pandemic. We have had I think nine federal rate increases over the last 16, 18 months. I am not sur-prised it is stop -and-s tart. We are not talking about going down to the bank and borrowing $20 go get a beef pie and a coke. We are talking about millions of dollars, hundreds of millions of dollars. So, yes, we are going to have some stops and starts, just like they did! I mean,
Bermuda House of Assembly I know they were only there for a short time. Got that. But Ariel Sands never took off —never took off! And by the way, I mentioned Loren and their housing, St. Regis and their housing. Right across the harbour you see it is a big, big place over there c alled Belmont. Anybody been up there lately, all the houses along the property up there? Okay?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberGo there every day. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well, I do not go every day. But you see all of the houses. You have to pass . . . how many hous es do you pass on the way up, Honourable Member? Quite a few.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberQuite a few. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Nobody said a peep! What about that green space?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThey said they looked gorgeous. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: What about Honourable Members opposite? They do not have any problem with that.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThey said it looks beautiful, gorgeous. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And let me state again. They are looking at 261 homes over 20 years. I hope, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that they can get those 261 homes if they are given permission by my Honourable Minister Walter Roban. But …
They said it looks beautiful, gorgeous.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And let me state again. They are looking at 261 homes over 20 years. I hope, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that they can get those 261 homes if they are given permission by my Honourable Minister Walter Roban. But I hope they get the hotel going, I hope they get houses going, get the condos going, get the beach renovation started. It is going to generate so much work for our people! So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as I take my seat I would like to finish where I started.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The record will show today that every OBA Member in this House did not support this legislation. They did not. It is a crying shame indeed. And let us remind Members of the Opposition that when they were Government, they gave St. Regis …
Yes.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The record will show today that every OBA Member in this House did not support this legislation. They did not. It is a crying shame indeed. And let us remind Members of the Opposition that when they were Government, they gave St. Regis 20 years’ concessio ns—20. So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I thank you for that. [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: You will get an explanation for it. Do not you worry about that. You will get it.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYeah, right.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Thank you. The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Walter Roban. You have the floor. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerContinue. Hon. Walter H. Roban: It has been an interesting debate, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I did hear a Member mention the word “confusion.” He even had some interesting use of the dictionary as well, because clearly this is a topic that inspires a considerable amount of interesting dialogue. And I …
Continue.
Hon. Walter H. Roban: It has been an interesting debate, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I did hear a Member mention the word “confusion.” He even had some interesting use of the dictionary as well, because clearly this is a topic that inspires a considerable amount of interesting dialogue. And I can understand why the confusion could be felt becaus e of what we have heard, particularly from the Opposition, around this issue today and at other times. And they have had to be corrected. And certainly the Honourable Member who sat down just now who (I and many know) has considerable experience in this area, not only as a former Minister but in other capacities, is uniquely familiar with not only what it takes to be successful in this area but also the challenges of being successful in this area and the pitfalls that have often happened around it in ways that you cannot control. But I can tell you this, Mr. Deputy Speaker: Our success as a Government of a country will not be de-fined by the Opposition’s historic failures in this area. It will not. The Premier and the Minister of Finance, because I did hear something said about how this packet of concessions is a reaction to what others are doing. The Honourable Premier has been very deliberate and clear that for some time we have had plans to amend the tourism investment machine and concessionary model as a way to make Bermuda more attractive. And again the confusion that we heard today, I am not surprised some Members would feel it, because what we have been attempting to do . . . and I appreciate and thank the Honourable Member from [constituency] 29 for outlining the history of concessions and how we have dealt with them. This Government has had a clear eye for decades on what can help to make tourism better. And you have been in other roles yourself, Mr. Deputy Speaker, dealing with the human relations issues around this. But cer tainly the history of this Government is being prepared to do what is necessary to keep Bermuda in the tourism business for decades. When we became Government we made the steps on what we felt would be best to help Bermuda be successful. And the Honourable Member from constituency 29 outlined that clearly. Our record speaks for itself. I am almost dismissive of what the Opposition says because they do not have the same record we have as a Government in doing what is necessary to ensure that tourism is successful in this country. Their record is miniscule compared with the impact of this Government over the past 20- plus years. Right? Right? The whole concept of how concessions 1504 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly can be positively applied to advance tourism development for Bermuda was designed by the PLP. They just followed in whatever they have done with their meagre time as Government —meagre, meagre, meagre, meagre time.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Let me see. Rosewood Tucker’s Point is one that benefited from our conces-sion development. The only five- plus star hotel in Bermuda that benefited from PLP concessions models. I know; I am waiting for the point of order.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThere is no point of order. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Of course not, because they know I am ri ght. Our record stands for itself. And the Honourable Finance Minister has been clear as to our intentions to further advance the con-cessions model, to respond to the change in environ-ment. …
There is no point of order. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Of course not, because they know I am ri ght. Our record stands for itself. And the Honourable Finance Minister has been clear as to our intentions to further advance the con-cessions model, to respond to the change in environ-ment. Again, Honourable Members who have come before me . . . And I tak e great, humble pride in the fact that on this side we have people with great experience in development. We have people with great experience in hospitality. We have people who have great experience in banking, in IT. It is a very diverse shop back here, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And I feel confident that this team has the competency and maturity and expertise to speak solemnly on these issues. Our diversity [shines compared] to anything that is on that side when it comes to these issues. And everybody who has spoken today on this side has spoken with that experience and that competency. And they are right. It would seem as to what the Opposition professes that, why would they not support this legislation? This legislation seeks to do what Bermuda has been doing in other areas of our activity. In financial services we had to create a legislative framework. We do on a regular basis what is necessary in legislation to ensure Bermu da’s financial model is certain and clear and ripe for investors so that those who are out there in different areas of activity, whether it be reinsurance , insurance, funds, whatever you have, have a certainty in the investment environment if they come int o the Bermuda market and what they can expect. That is what we do in other areas. So why is this any different? Explain to me, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We seek to do the same in hospitality, in an environ-ment where, yes, it is a challenging world when it comes to investment in this area. I remember in 2012, actually just after . . . I will go back further. In the period right after the financial collapse. And the Honourable Member Zane De Silva I am sure can attest to this, where the capital being put into the hospitality in the region dried up. It dried up! It dried up here, it dried up throughout the Caribbean, right? No money! And many of our friends in the south had to take some very des-perate measures to either support investment or bring it back over time. And it was at least four or five years until the investment environment in the Caribbean, in the region, improved again where money started coming in. Because right after the financial collapse it dried up. It was a desert. Hotel development stopped, [s ome were] left standing unfinished in some islands that have much more dependence on tourism than Bermuda does. That is the environment that many have struggled with. So is it not surprising that they have moved to create, following perhaps a model that they saw Bermuda doing years before, a concessionary model that they are putting in place to ensure that they keep investment flowing in their region, in a region that is particularly dependent on tourism. And countries that, particularly, though their size, are enormous [compared with] ours and they have greater capacity and potential for development, they are more dependent on tourism than we are. So it is no surprise that they have attractive concessions packages. Those countries that have been mentioned today; I am not going to go back over that. But there is a reason this has happened. But it is no different from other environments where we seek to be competitive in that industry. We are constantly hav-ing to assess and look at what is happening in the marketplace and refine and shape our legislative framework, our regulatory framework to keep that investment attractive here so it does not go somewhere else with markets where money moves quickly and can be scared off. This Bill seeks to continue the process of refining our investment market for hospitality so that an Elbow Beach does not sit too much longer, so that an Ariel Sands does not sit, so that other properties we know that are ripe for money, ripe for investment can see the light of day with being attractive. If the Island has an attractive investment environment for hospitality and a market that is extremely challenging on all levels, and they have been mentioned today why Bermuda is challenging, it does not mean that Bermuda is not a great place to be. It is just that it is a challenging place to attract what is needed. The Honourable Member for [constituency] 7 talked about where somebody told him they want to come and buy a house here. It is clear that Bermuda is attractive on so many levels that we are proud of. But we cannot rest on our laurels, and we have to continue to refine the environment that makes investing in hospitality here good and people in the international community whose money can go anywhere they want will see Bermuda as an opportunity. This Bill presented by the Honourable Tourism and Cabinet Office Minister is a part of that effort by this Government to do just that. So it is incredible that the Opposition could be so vehemently against, considering their record in this area, which has been outlined.
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Right? And they profess to want things to happen tomorrow! But they are not prepared to sit here today and support what will make things happen! I do not know what else to say, Mr . Deputy Speaker, other than we must as a government and as a people sit on the side of common sense. Somebody said they are looking for the math or like the science. Since when was good investment all about science? Since when? Sometimes you have to shap e your investment portfolio and your investment package to what your client needs. That is not science always. Since when was it just science? So what? Is it all a cookie- cutter formula that makes this work? That is nonsense, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We know it is nonsense. Those who said it know it is nonsense. So let us get back to the common sense of what Bermuda needs. We need to continue to show the world that we are serious about tourism. What the Honourable Member Kim Swan has been articulating over recent sittings about the disappearance of properties here, if you did not have any sort of sense of what Bermuda was and just were looking at those factors, you would think that we do not care about tourism. They have let all of these properties close over the last two decades. That country is not serious about tourism. There is nobody in the country who works in tourism. They have to bring in all of the workers from everywhere else to do it all . Right? That is what somebody could think. So we must do everyth ing we can to show the world and show those who are interested that we are serious. This is what this is a part of. And I support it. This Government is about the serious business, as it always has been through its history, the PLP with mak-ing tourism ripe because our people are in tourism. The pandemic showed us that as well, recently, but we have always been serious. But we now have to show that we are really about what needs to happen not only for now, but also the future. Thank you very much, Mr. Deput y Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Chair recognises the Honourable Member Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I just wanted to speak to the principle of these concessions that we are debating today with regard to tourism. Because I am sure that there are people who are out there who are listening to this, and they are trying really hard to figure …
Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I just wanted to speak to the principle of these concessions that we are debating today with regard to tourism. Because I am sure that there are people who are out there who are listening to this, and they are trying really hard to figure out how losing al l of this money so that closed properties might reopen, and they probably have questions. One of the questions I would like to ask the Minister is, What else have we tried? Is it just that we are going to go with giving away the taxpayers’ money, or are th ere other tactics and strategies that we have tried? And if we have tried everything else, let us let the public know what those things have been. And the reason why people would be asking why we are giving more money away for longer periods of time is because we are —
Hon. E. David Burt: Point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerPoint of order, Member. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: It has been made and stated on numerous occasions that concessions are not giving money away. If there is no development, there is no tax revenue anywhere. And if there is development, that means that there is more …
Point of order, Member.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. E. David Burt: It has been made and stated on numerous occasions that concessions are not giving money away. If there is no development, there is no tax revenue anywhere. And if there is development, that means that there is more money in government coffers. The Honoura ble Member cannot keep saying giving money away. She knows that it is factually incorrect. She is misleading the House.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerHonourable Member, please be mindful of your comments.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonYes, Deputy Speaker. People are stru ggling. If anyone in this House has been into the grocery store lately, it is downright scary.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonAnd so no matter how the equation works, Mr. Deputy Speaker, people in Bermuda are just very concerned about how anything around the economy is being managed. Because these are fragile times. And so, as much as we understand, as the Premier has very clearly stated, there is still going …
And so no matter how the equation works, Mr. Deputy Speaker, people in Bermuda are just very concerned about how anything around the economy is being managed. Because these are fragile times. And so, as much as we understand, as the Premier has very clearly stated, there is still going to be a perception out there that this might be a desperate move on behalf of th e Government to get hotel operations back up and running. And in that vein, people are going to want to know, Is this a Hail Mary pass? Or is this a bona fide strategy after everything else has been tried? And again I am sure that the public would like to know what else has been tried. That we are going to be able to actually make this successful. Because, Mr. Deputy Speaker, these renovations that we are talking about, these are existing hotel developments that are closed. They have been closed all this t ime. What indication do we have? Have some of these owners said, you know, Absolutely, I will sign the paper if I get these concessions ? Or is this some move to try to get the lights on and it may or may not work?
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order. Point of order, point of order. 1506 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Deputy Speaker: What is your point of order, Honourable Member?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member is misleading the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I cannot let her continue, I really cannot. The Honourable Member surely has heard the principal himself, one of the principals, Mr. Chris May-bury, speak about the genuineness of their investment in this country. I mean, to say Is this some Hail Mary? Stop that! It is not true. It is not true. Rosewood . . . they are putting tens of millions of dollars. They are putting hundreds of millions on the table. Stop it.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonMr. Deputy Speaker, I was not aware that this had anything to do with the Fairmont Southampton.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerLet me say, Honourable Member. I think she was speaking in general terms. That is the way I took it.
Ms. Susan E . JacksonYes. Fairmont Southampton already has their concessions. We have been through that. These are other concessions. So it may leave the listener wondering, Why are we giving these kinds of concessions to places that are closed? Yes, we want them open again. Hon. E. David Burt: Point of order, Mr. …
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWhat is your point of order, Honourable Member? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member is misleading the House. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. E. David Burt: [The Honourable Member] cannot say that we are giving concessions in this Bill. This Bill is very clear that it sets …
What is your point of order, Honourable Member?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member is misleading the House.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. E. David Burt: [The Honourable Member] cannot say that we are giving concessions in this Bill. This Bill is very clear that it sets up a framework, a framework where applicati ons are examined which are then brought to this House to be approved under affirmative resolution, and [the House] can debate individual ones. That is the Bill of which she is discussing, so the Honourable Member is misleading the House.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Member, just stay to the Bill. Ms. Susan E. Jackson: Yes. I am so sorry.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonSo yes. Maybe I will just use what is in here, like land tax relief or something like that. Yes?
Ms. Susan E. JacksonSo just getting back to the relief such as land tax relief, as the Bill has stated, that is fine. But then there are people out there who actually were doing quite well. And who I think about are the Airbnb folk who had a real going concern. And now …
So just getting back to the relief such as land tax relief, as the Bill has stated, that is fine. But then there are people out there who actually were doing quite well. And who I think about are the Airbnb folk who had a real going concern. And now for whatever reasons, the Government is charging them an astronomical amount of money in order to have a licence to run their Airbnb. So then the people in Bermuda are going to wonder, Why are the people who are actually really trying and coming up with innovative ways to attract business to Bermuda being penalised? And yet we are giving these concessions away to hotel and guesthouse accommodations that are closed. They have been closed for a long period of time. Giving things like lan d tax relief to accommodations that are closed, and some of them have been closed for a num-ber of years. So I guess my main point here is that it feels as though it is either one person gets one side and another person gets another side, and that it may not feel particularly fair, especially since I believe that the people of Bermuda do not really know what is going on when it comes to the relief. Are we actually —do we have people at the table?
Hon. E. David Burt: Point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes, Honourable Premier. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: I am trying to let the Honourable Member know and understand. This Bill creates the framework to allow for concession orders to be brought to this House. This Bill does not grant any concession. It allows for concession orders …
Yes, Honourable Premier.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. E. David Burt: I am trying to let the Honourable Member know and understand. This Bill creates the framework to allow for concession orders to be brought to this House. This Bill does not grant any concession. It allows for concession orders to be brought to this House to be voted on by this House in individual man-ners, whether or not they be two, three, four, five, a maximum of up to fifteen depending on the size and scope of the i nvestment. So I want to ask the Honourable Member to please keep in mind and stop trying to mislead the public that this Bill is granting concessions.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. E. David Burt: It is not. It allows a framework for the granting of concessions, and concession orders Bermuda House of Assembly must come to this House to be voted upon under the affirmation resolution procedure.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Honourable Member, this is not for any particular hotel. It is just the framework going forward. And as the Premier has said, they must come here.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonAnd I appreciate that clarification. Thank you so much. So I will end by asking again the question of, Does this mean that we actually have some existing guesthouses or small hotels on the Island (or large) that are actually prepared and ready for any kind of frame-work to be …
And I appreciate that clarification. Thank you so much. So I will end by asking again the question of, Does this mean that we actually have some existing guesthouses or small hotels on the Island (or large) that are actually prepared and ready for any kind of frame-work to be brought to the House for these kinds of con-cessions to be applied? Thanks.
Mr. Christopher FamousMr. Deputy Speaker, I just returned from the hospital. And all the way to and from the hospital I have been listening to the debate. And I heard this word “masticate.” I said, What? What is masticate? [Laughter]
Mr. Christopher FamousI thought it was referring to something else at first. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Christopher FamousAnd then I googled it. And it said to bite slowly, to chew 32 times. Small pieces so you do not choke. You do not need CPR. You do not end up lying in the hospital. So I am asking the Honourable Members, there are six of them or four. …
Mr. Christopher FamousLook, I say present , present. Four into thirty -two is eight. So eight chews each, right? So I want to chew on what I am going to say right now. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know some of us in here do not spend, I do not know, a dollar, …
Look, I say present , present. Four into thirty -two is eight. So eight chews each, right? So I want to chew on what I am going to say right now. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know some of us in here do not spend, I do not know, a dollar, two dollars to buy the paper. Sometimes we get it for free. But it is always online. With your permission, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to read something from the [ Royal Gazette ] from March 31, 2016, six years ago.
Mr. Christopher Famous“ Additionally, the first condo is now fully finished . . .” [a] “concept that will be continued . . . . ” Hmm. So then I said, Hey, who said that? Get ready for the first mastication. [Laughter]
Mr. Christopher FamousSenator Michael Fahy. Because he was on a tour down at the Loren, down at God’s country, the hole—
Mr. Christopher FamousAlong with the then MP, Honourable Member Sylvan Richards and the then Premier, the Honourable Michael Dunkley. [Inaudible interjections] The Deputy S peaker: Oh, no.
Mr. Christopher FamousHe was on the tour of the Loren. I am going to sit down for a point of clarification. How many years’ concessions did they get? Anybody? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Two? Must have been two or three. If it was OBA.
Mr. Christopher FamousThey got concessions, correct? And they built condos, correct? An Hon. Member: They did.
Mr. Christopher FamousAnd the OBA chief headhunters bragged about it and said, It will continue. It was nothing bad then. There were no . . . let me quote. Chew slowly. [Laughter]
Mr. Christopher Famous“Additionally, the first condo” (which means condominium) “is now ful ly . . . furnished . . . ” [a] “concept that will be continued . . . .” Hey. So my point, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I never saw massive amounts of —what do they call those things? — petitions …
“Additionally, the first condo” (which means condominium) “is now ful ly . . . furnished . . . ” [a] “concept that will be continued . . . .” Hey. So my point, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I never saw massive amounts of —what do they call those things? — petitions against condos down at Harris Bay. I never saw petitions about, Oh, they are going to chop down a casuarina tree. Oh, they are going to mess up the migration of the sparrows. Not one!
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNot a dicky. 1508 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Christopher Famous: Not a dicky! (Can I use that, Colonel?) Not one dicky bird of a complaint. Matter of fact, the concerns were from this side, where it was 50 per cent of the jobs …
Not a dicky. 1508 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Christopher Famous: Not a dicky! (Can I use that, Colonel?) Not one dicky bird of a complaint. Matter of fact, the concerns were from this side, where it was 50 per cent of the jobs were guaranteed to non- Bermudians. And they said—they say and they said, This is what we have to do in order to seal the deal. Okay, the deal got sealed. All right. All right. Let me move on, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Chr istopher FamousIt is the same topic. I am speaking on the Bill, but I am going to use a different context.
Mr. Christopher FamousMr. Deputy Speaker , we all have some vehicle or another. Some have cars. Some take the public bus. Some take ferries. Right? And some ride push- bikes. You know what I mean, Mr. Deputy Speaker .
Mr. Christopher FamousThese things operate because there is a propulsion system whether it be an en-gine, a motor , or, in your case, your feet.
Mr. Christopher FamousThat propulsion system moves the primary gear, and that gear then moves other gears and other things. Mr. Deputy Speaker, in this case, the framework, as the Honourable Premier said, is the framework for concessions. The framework . It is not specific to a ny given hotel. That is the …
That propulsion system moves the primary gear, and that gear then moves other gears and other things. Mr. Deputy Speaker, in this case, the framework, as the Honourable Premier said, is the framework for concessions. The framework . It is not specific to a ny given hotel. That is the main propulsion system, Mr. Deputy Speaker . Because when you build hotels, no matter how high our construction costs are there are going to be people who are working, Mr. Deputy Speaker . Hopefully, it will be some of our people. But let’s be real. Many of them will not be. But the point is there will be workers who have to come into this Island, Mr. Deputy Speaker . Now, I remember there was a certain political organisation that said we must have population growth. And every time you asked them, Well, where are these people going to work?, they could never give a defini-tive answer. But let’s break it down, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Second mastication. It is not going to be in IB [international business] because they have limited growth. They might get 300 , 400 new workers, but that is not going to give us the thousands that we need. It is not going to be agriculture because we do not have any more land. So, what is left, Mr. Deputy Speaker? What is left? Hospitality, Mr. Deputy Speaker . So whether it is in building, in maintaining or in operating these hotels, that is the only path to massive population growth in this Island, Mr. Deputy Speaker . Now, for some, when you say population growth, they rightfully get their backs up against the wall because we know what disproportionate population growth did to us. So, let us , the PLP, not feel that suddenly our people are going to buy into it. We have to bring them along. We have to help ourselves understand it to make our people understand it, Mr. Deputy Speaker . We have to tell our young people that there are going to be millions of dollars —billions of dollars — in the construction industry. Get involved. Mr. Deputy Speaker , there are going to be lifelong careers in construction, maintenance, so on and so forth. Get involved. For those who own retail establishments who survive Amazon, the actual workers, the actual money in the econ omy is going to help keep them afloat, if not make them richer. There are going to be legal people making money here. I will not say who, but there are learned persons on both sides of the aisle who are going to make money out of more people coming into th is Island. So, if they want to declare their interest, let them do so. Mr. Deputy Speaker , more importantly . . . as importantly, more people equals more tax revenue. Let’s keep it real. The more people that come in, the more people are buying food. Although we have given some concessions on food taxes, we still make money off of food. We still make money off of everything else that comes to this Island. And we have debt that has to be paid. We have civil servants who have to be paid. We have seniors who have to be taken care of. We have a financial system that has to be maintained. We have a host of things. But all of that is part of the gear. But if we do not have that primary propulsion system, Mr. Deputy Speaker , we ain’t got nu ffin. Nuffin. N-[u]-ff-i-n—nuffin. So, whilst they sit here and say, No, we do not support that. Take it back to 10 years and when the economy improves, then maybe we can talk about it. Well, how is the economy going to improve if we do not get hotels started? What? Is it going t o drop out of the sky? They have yet to come to us to say how the econ-omy is going to improve, Mr. Deputy Speaker . Mr. Deputy Speaker , I want to close on this last mastication. The Opposition has a role to critically think and scrutinise legislation, but t hey also have a role to come with common sense. And if we do not have no hotels . . . I am using double negatives. If we do not have no new hotels, all that other stuff ain’t going to happen. And if we sit around and say, Well, let’s just wait for the 10 years. Let’s just wait for somebody who is going to get 10 years . . . I will not get into that. It ain’t going to happen. Mr. Deputy Speaker , I am going to close on this note. As you know, I am proudly from the Caribbean. As I said before, Bermuda once was the hare ahead of everybody. We are now the tortoise. And if we do not
Bermuda House of Assembly be honest with ourselves, we are going to find ourselves further beh ind the eight ball than we already are. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker .
[Desk thumping]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Michael Dunkley. Mr. Dunkley, you have the floor. Hon. Michael H. Dunkl ey: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I have a question for the Honourable Member who just sat down, and maybe he can answer the question if he has …
Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Michael Dunkley. Mr. Dunkley, you have the floor.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkl ey: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I have a question for the Honourable Member who just sat down, and maybe he can answer the question if he has an opportunity to think about it and talk in motion to adjourn, Mr. Deputy Speaker . He said we once used to be . . . I am not sure if he said leader. I missed the first word. But now we are the tortoise. The hare; now we are the tortoise. Well, how did we get in that position, Mr. Deputy Speaker ? How did we get in that position?
Mr. Christopher FamousPoint of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker . Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And there is a reflection though the Honourable—
Mr. Christopher FamousMy point of order is he asked how we got there. By the UBP saying —
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerBut that is not a point of order, Honourable Member. Continue, Mr. Dunkley. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, no one on this side in the One Bermuda Alliance has said that we do not want to see hotels develop more in Bermuda. No …
But that is not a point of order, Honourable Member. Continue, Mr. Dunkley.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, no one on this side in the One Bermuda Alliance has said that we do not want to see hotels develop more in Bermuda. No one has ever said that, Mr. Deputy Speaker . We have been very clear that we support hotel develop ment. And we understand the critical need for it in Bermuda. And I will take a little bit of time to talk about it again because I do not think that repetition in such an important subject such as this is futile in any way. We appreciate the dire need. And we have heard colleagues from both sides of the floor talk about how the hotel industry and other parts of the Caribbean, specifically, have left us behind. Yes, I too have been to the Dominican Republic. I too have been to Mexico, Mr. Deputy Speaker . You know, people make it a joke about being in the Dominican Republic. Dominican Re-public —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: They laugh about it. You have to explain why you are there. I went on holiday with my wife. It is a beautiful place.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And the hotel that I stayed at was beautiful. The service was first class and the people, Dominicans . . . I am an early riser. I wake up, Mr. Deputy Speaker, probably like you, early in the morning, and go to the gym. By …
Yes.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And the hotel that I stayed at was beautiful. The service was first class and the people, Dominicans . . . I am an early riser. I wake up, Mr. Deputy Speaker, probably like you, early in the morning, and go to the gym. By the time I finished at the gym, the guy was there making coffee. They had not set up for breakfast yet. He remembered my name from the first day and he said, Mr. Dunkley, would you like a coffee today? They were not open.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCoffee shop? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Right there where they set up breakfast. Right where they set up breakfast, Mr. Deputy Speaker .
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThat is five -star service. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And so, I say all of that, and I say . . . I am blessed to have gone to Mexico where I waited outside the terminal to get inside because there were 500 people lining the runway and planes were …
That is five -star service.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And so, I say all of that, and I say . . . I am blessed to have gone to Mexico where I waited outside the terminal to get inside because there were 500 people lining the runway and planes were landing quicker than you could turn around. The inside was full with over a thousand people. And why are they going there? It is not just because of hotel development. Yes, they have hotels. They have hotels , but it is because they know that when they go there they are going to get what they expect , whether it be beauty, whether it be service, whether it be cuisine, whether it be a new surroundings . Now, Bermuda has all of that to offer, but we slipped because we took the eye off the ball. We tend to argue too much as politicians, not just in this session of the House, but sessions going back 40 to 50 years. Because you look at some of the notes, the Hansards . . . remember, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we used to have the library up in the old House. And I would sit back there during long debates and read through some of the Hansards , and some of the arguments that I saw in the 1940s and 1950s and 1960s were the same things that we talk about out here. Right? And it is not that we are too far apart in our position.
Mr. Anthony RichardsonPrism! Prism! 1510 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: It is not the prism , as Anthony , the Honourable Member , likes to call himself. He talks in the [third person]. He is like my grandson. He always says, Chase, do …
Prism! Prism!
1510 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: It is not the prism , as Anthony , the Honourable Member , likes to call himself. He talks in the [third person]. He is like my grandson. He always says, Chase, do it this way. He is talking about himself. He does not say, I do it this way. He says, Chase, do it this way. I like that. That is personal pride. But let me not digress. The difference is . . . we are not too far apart but the difference is we just want to always put the pol-itics in there.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: We? You got that right.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I said all we —all of us. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: No. No. Just speak for yourselves over there.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: We just want to put the politics in there because like with the earlier Bill today, we try to pull down the other side. We try to pull down the opposing party whether it be the Government, whether it be the Opposition. We try to pull it down. That makes for lo ng debates. But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, what it also does . . . in this case, our investors are listening. Hon. E. David Burt: You’re telling me. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I don’t have to tell you, Hon-ourable Premier. He knows like I know. The investors are listening. And they come in and they say, But wait a second. Do you guys really hate each other that much that you have these arguments? And I say, No, no, no, no. It is not like that. That is the politics getting in the way . Mr. Deputy Speaker, s o, here w e are today. My honourable colleague Craig Cannonier, the Member of Parliament for constituency 12—
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Former Premier.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Former Premier. I was getting there. Thank you to the Chief Inchirpolator [sic] for helping me out, but I was getting there. The former Premier stood up and he made a valid argument. He said, Wait a second. And these are my words now because what I kind of heard from Government Members is we are trying to play catch- up. We are trying to play catch -up because down in the Caribbean, and they listed countries —Barbados, Jamaica—their concessions are already doing this. So, we are trying to play catch -up. And my honourable colleague was simply saying, But wait a second. If that is the rationale, tell us how playing catch- up is going to benefit us. And I will digress for one minute here, because playing catch- up, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is tough. It is tough. I know it. I go back to my school days when I was running 800 metres , and after [running] 400 metres I was behind. It was hard to play catch- up. Sometimes you lose that stamina. And in this case, if we have fallen back, we are not the hare; we are the tortoise now. Copying what somebody else is going to do— is that necessari ly going to help us catch up? No. No. Somebody interpolated from behind me that it is a tool. Yes, it is a tool. But my honourable colleague, all he was simply saying was give us —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, he didn’t say —Anthony, the second Chief Inchirpolator —
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: The Honourable Member . My colleague was not saying he does not agree with the tool because obviously he supported the tool before. But he—
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No. He just —
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order. Point of order. Point of order. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: It’s not a point of order. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat is your point of order? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. “Acting” Deputy Speaker. [Laughter]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWhat is your point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member is misleading the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker . Right? We all heard the Honourable Member Craig Cannonier say he did not support this Bill, along with the Opposition Leader. They both …
What is your point of order?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member is misleading the House, Mr. Deputy Speaker . Right? We all heard the Honourable Member Craig Cannonier say he did not support this Bill, along with the Opposition Leader. They both stood up in this House and said they do not agree to this Bill.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAbsolutely. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Deputy Speaker, that is different. That is totally different than not supporting the tool. We are going to get down in a minuscule political argument. The tool is the concession. Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: The tool is the …
Absolutely. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Deputy Speaker, that is different. That is totally different than not supporting the tool. We are going to get down in a minuscule political argument. The tool is the concession.
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: The tool is the concession. The concession here is a longer use of that concession, not what the Honourable Member was trying to justify in giving more information about how you think the longer use of that tool would be effective. That is what he was saying. That is what he was saying. Now, here the Honourable Member, the Chief Inchirpolator was saying five years less than ours. But I researched quickly that St. George’s Resort Act 2015, and the concession in the Schedule says “ten years.” It clearly says “ten years” in there. So, I am happy to give the Honourable Member a copy of the Bill to look at it. But it does not say that. It says there under Concessions. St George’s Resort Act 2015, Concessions 1010-10-7-7-10. Right? Mr. Deputy Speaker , what my honourable colleague was referring to is the length of the concessions. Now, let me be very clear, there has been a lot of discussion in this House, and in the community, you hear it from time to time because people do talk about what we say up here. And there has been a lot of concern in certain quarters , Why we are giving something else away ? I am not one of those people. Because nothing from nothing is always going to be nothing. Right? And these are decisions . . . these are decisions that we have to make as politicians. And what the Opposition says tonight is going to be recorded in Hansard, and it will probably be talked a little bit about after the discussion this week . But the Government is 30. What the Government decides is going to move forward. So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the debate is critically important because it gives us an understandi ng of how we are going to get there and what is expected. But tonight and this afternoon we have not really heard a lot about how we are going to get there and what is expected. All we have heard is, It is done in the Caribbean, and we want to catch up. That does not give me confidence. It does not give me confidence, and this legislation here tonight is all -encompassing. As I have heard colleagues talk, as we do in the Chamber off the record, anybody can apply for concession that comes to this House. So, i t is all- encompassing. But we do not know how important this legislation is based on new investors or current investors who are going to be at the table because the Honourable Premier and his colleagues really have not said much about that, even if it is just in confidence. The second thing that is critically important about this, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that we live in a very difficult period where we have talked a lot about airlift, we have talked about hotel occupancy and we have admitted that our colleag ues in other parts of the Caribbean and other parts of the world are having a boom now after COVID -19. I am of the opinion that while concessions are important, there is a lot more that needs to be done for us to be in a better position. Now, I disagree wi th the Honourable Member who spoke just before me from constituency 11, MP Famous, where he said that there is not a lot of room for growth in international business. The Honourable Premier has been on record saying that international business has been the strength of our economy. Exact ! Hit the nail on the head. Hit the nail on the head. Right? International busi-ness in Bermuda is the underpinning of our economy. It has pulled us through tough times. It did well during COVID -19.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerHonour able Member, I think he was talking in terms of numbers of people. The amount of people employed. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes. I am coming to that. I am coming to that. I am sorry to draw it out a little bit, but I wanted to make sure …
Honour able Member, I think he was talking in terms of numbers of people. The amount of people employed.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes. I am coming to that. I am coming to that. I am sorry to draw it out a little bit, but I wanted to make sure that it was clear f or people. International business, corporations, companies in Bermuda have thousands —tens of thousands — of people all over the world. In my view (I share a different view from the Honourable Member who spoke before me), I believe that there is plenty of roo m for growth for that industry on the Island. I would not discount it. But I think it goes hand in hand with the tourism industry because international business travellers come here. They want to stay. We need more hotels. We need more airlift. It goes hand in hand. So while, yes, we want tourism to grow and we need it to grow to bring the airfares down, to get more airlines to come to Bermuda, to get more hotel beds (mind, [I] digress a little bit) , I would not be surprised if many of the hotels that were operating at the present time were experiencing some of the best times that they have had in a long time simply because their rooms have been full and their prices have gone up drastically. And it has not stopped people from coming to Bermuda yet—these hi gh airfares or these high room prices — because we must be delivering value for money. Now, as we expand our base a little bit with airlines, but the hotel rooms first, we need to make sure we continue to do that. Now, Mr. Deputy Speaker, one of the challenges that we have on this side, as well, is that the most critical thing facing us right now in tourism, in my view, is opening up Fairmont Southampton. That is the most critical thing. It seems that a lot that we have done in tourism over the past three and a half years has been focused in on getting that property open. So, we support wanting to open the property, but every time we come back to the House, it seems that there is something tabled and debated to make that a reality. We have come back to the House early on occasion to make that happen. No. I think [there was] a September session, perhaps, to make that happen. So, we want to know when that is going to end, when we are actually going to move forward. And this Bill does not discuss that tonight. Th is Bill discusses 1512 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly concessions in itself. It might be involved in that, but it does not discuss that. But that is important to reiterate because people are starting to get a sense of doubt about the way forward and how it is going to happen. And it is in our best interest to clear up that sense of doubt, to build some confidence in the way we are going to make it happen, to debate the issues like mature leaders that we want to be so that we can work through this. That is the only way that we are going to succeed, because we can give concessions after this Bill has passed tonight , because the 30 are always going to beat the six. Some people say the 30 do not need the six , but we have been there. But if those concessions are given and then people have challenges with what is in them, then we are going to be roadblocked or stalled. A nd we have been stalled the last three and a half years. COVID -19 had something to do with it. Let me be fair. But we have been stalled because commitments made have not come to fruition yet. And I choose my words carefully, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerBut Honourable Member, you know what is going to happen worldwide with finances. It’s been a moving target just about. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I accept that. I accept that. But other countries have made it happen, but we have not yet. There is a big difference there. You know, …
But Honourable Member, you know what is going to happen worldwide with finances. It’s been a moving target just about.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I accept that. I accept that. But other countries have made it happen, but we have not yet. There is a big difference there. You know, I am choosing my words very carefully because the point has to be made. Right? And so tonight, the 30 will pass the legislation. We have shared our concerns. We have raised our concerns. Passing this legislation does not mean that all of a sudden the challenges are going to go away. It still means that people have to come to the table. We have to close these deals. And we have to let the community know and un-derstand what is involved in these deals, because it seems like every other development nowadays is a big debate. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: And the Honourable Chief Inchirpolator makes a comment.
POINT OF ORDER
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Now, point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker . If the Honourab le Member wants to call me Chief Inchirpolator . . . we are joking on the side, but to continuously say it when he is on his feet is disrespectful and should be withdrawn.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerHonourable Member, let’s keep it up here. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Okay, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I think the Honourable Member interpolates, I think, twice as much as everyone else in the room.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWell, that is his right. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: That’s his right. That’s his right. But sometimes I think he goes just a little bit too far.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWell, there is no law that states how many times you can do it, you know. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: That’s true. And last week, the Speaker did call him up on it. So, Mr. Deputy Spea ker— Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Chirp , chirp. Hon. Michael H. …
Well, there is no law that states how many times you can do it, you know.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: That’s true. And last week, the Speaker did call him up on it. So, Mr. Deputy Spea ker—
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Chirp , chirp.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Deputy Speaker . . . I had to pause for a moment before I said what I was going to say.
[Laughter]
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, I didn’t want the Deputy Speaker to call me up after just making me sit down. [Laughter and crosstalk ] Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I am glad we still have some levity in a serious matter. So, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I think I have made some pertinent points t o this debate. And I would hope, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that we can raise the level of discourse that we have. Even though we can disagree we are going to come back here for the next sitting and we are going to do these things again. And if we are going to have progress, we have to start to listen more rather than fight along our party lines because the people of Bermuda do not care about a political party. They will vote in the elections and they will vote vehemently for their party. But right now, in spite of what many politicians think, Bermuda still has a long way to go before a lot of our people can start to feel better about where they are. The industry . . . the Bill that we had earlier today (not reflecting) is important. But we need to be able t o allow our people to feel good about what they do, be involved in something, take care of their family and actually have hope for a better direction. We can help that. We need to break down some of these barriers of debate because when my honourable colleague who started this debate spoke, he was being sincere about what he had to say. And we ought to respect that , just like I respect Members from the other side and some of the things that they say. I disagree with some of those things and
Bermuda House of Assembly I lay out those points. That is part of the debate. At the end, we have to come to a conclusion. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. [Are there] any further speakers?
Mr. Swan.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanThank you, Mr. Depu ty Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I choose to speak this afternoon on this particular Bill today, the second reading of the Tourism Investment Amendment Act [ 2023 ] which sets out a framework and, I would say , is definitely in the national interest. I am …
Thank you, Mr. Depu ty Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I choose to speak this afternoon on this particular Bill today, the second reading of the Tourism Investment Amendment Act [ 2023 ] which sets out a framework and, I would say , is definitely in the national interest. I am not going to read out the 22 major hotel properties that have gone by the wayside to condominiums and some to offices , but the list is substantive. And it does not even include the number of guesthouses that opted to move toward residential tenancy because of the proliferation of the international business that took off around the early 1980s, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You would know probably better than me, having been directly involved in that industry as well as me , but also from wearing your hat as a union leader , that the exodus was very progressive and the change of mind- set. And it was not fuelled by workers; it was fuelled by decision- making that took place in boardrooms. It was alluded to that Bermuda Inc . . . somebody interpolated Bermuda Inc. Yes, it w as a major mind -set that was led by one of the chief architects of finance, a gentleman that was both the Premier and the Finance Minister back in the day when companies like Jardine Matheson came to Bermuda. And there was a synergy that existed between hi s parent company, which was a finance company, Gibbons Company , and also, he was the Premier in the country and also the chairman of a bank , maybe close to simultaneously , if not. I say that to say that there was a shift in the dy-namic of Bermuda when the Condominium Act came into being probably in the early 1980s. I remember when it came to be. That caused this country to move very progressively over a period of time. The re were companies that saw the opportunity to become a part of being both a condominium and a hotel that did not fulfil the hotel portion of it. We are where we are. We are in a national situation where we have three major properties that can be developed in short order. And the Minister responsible for tourism, who I have great faith in . . . and I know he is a dot -the-i’s-and-cross- the-t’s person because of his trade as an auditor. And when I ran a government department he was my first auditor, so I know that he is very thorough in what he does in the work for the Audi-tor General in Bermuda. And so, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as we look at this situation that we are confronted with today as to the need for Bermuda to look at hotel concessions that rightly was laid out that Mr. David Allen introduced in 2000 (it may have been 2000 or 2001) when he was the Minister of Tourism before his un timely passing. In this country, it is no secret that labour costs are exorbi-tant, very high when it comes to the construction industry. The cost of goods to bring them into the country and transport them here make s the cost of building that much higher. And the cost of doi ng business and financing made it even more difficult with every passing day. I believe the tone of the politics that the speaker who just took his seat spoke of was more punctuated by the fact that persons in the Opposition were prepared to say, Listen. I don’t support this. And then on the one hand try to say, But you know, it’s okay if you would do this and that. And there are people listening to us. There are people looking to us to reach some consensus on an issue as important as this. And they would have heard what the f ormer Premier had said vehemently. When it comes to Gencom, we are not talking about someone who we do not know in Bermuda. We are talking about an entity that runs a major property already and has put significant investment in that pr operty down in Rosewood already. Before I go any further there, let me just say this. There is an old saying that the Opposition will have its say and the Government will have its way . But on an issue as important as this from an Opposition that was a G overnment and had its hand in doing some projects that caused great angst in the country but still went its way when it had a very narrow majority, I would have thought that they would take the opportunity to take a different tack today. I am reminded of Morgan’s Point, of that deal concluding probably on the eve of an election, probably the night before, so that call was very close. And this PLP Government has had to come in and pick up the pieces of almost $200 million in decisions that were made by a G overnment in election mode on the eve of an election that it had to call. And it was probably in default when they cut the deal . The same OBA Gov ernment went full steam ahead in the cloak of darkness to cause the House to sit through protests to go through on its mandate to build an airport. And the Opposition of the day [together] with the people were protesting and raising concerns about the way in which they proceeded with that.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerHonourable Member, tie this into the Tourism Investment —
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanI am. I am. The point I am making, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that the decision that they made cost us $50 million during the pandemic. The opportunity for us today to come to some consensus on showing the peopl e what this Government is trying to do, to use …
I am. I am. The point I am making, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is that the decision that they made cost us $50 million during the pandemic. The opportunity for us today to come to some consensus on showing the peopl e what this Government is trying to do, to use my good friend the plumber’s analogy, prime the pump . . . nothing from 1514 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly nothing is nothing. We want hotels in this country. They are . . . tying into, Mr. Deputy Speaker, that blog mentality that is writing, writing, writing, writing and denigrating, denigrating, denigrating, denigrating. And we are not against people being in opposition to things, but there has to be some type of responsible leadership, particularly when it comes to something so significant in this country as getting hotels up and running again. Because whilst international business creates a great deal of foreign exchange, the hospitality industry of which we are trying to employ people, these projects of which we are priming the pump with enticing people to a climate of business that other jurisdictions are trying to lure, will employ people. And once the building of them is concluded, it will employ people [ad] infinitum . . . in years. People are talking about 15 years. But I remember when the Southampton Princess was opened and built 50 years ago. And we are talking about 50 years later. So, once we start looking at the properties, the Elbow Beach and Ariel Sands —another property owned by a Bermudian connection of people . . . s o, we are not talking about persons without knowing that they have some interest and love and concern for Bermuda. As I conclude, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I just feel it is necessary for us to bring some assurance to those persons out there who are listening, those persons out there who are interested in investing in this country, that we are interested in them. And sometimes when you start being close to an election, you start hearing some things that would fan the flames of discontent or divi-sion and they become political. But I would say and contend that in this space, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the im-portance of getting these hotel beds back online is sig-nificant. I am grateful to the Honourable Member from up there in constituency 29, the Honourable Zane De Silva , who in the l ast session call ed a point of order on a point that I made with regard to the [residential] units that Gencom had committed would be going into the hotel stock. That is significant , because you are not talking about a one- bedroom hotel unit. You are not talking about a hotel suite like the nice suites they showed us. You are talking about 147 maybe three- or five-bedroom units. So, that multiplies the number of beds. And then if he looks at that, it reads that this will come online first. So, the amount of hotel potential, hotel stock [swells] from 500 all the way up closer to 1,000. This is huge , because that means the type of clientele who could afford to invest in a vacation in that type of unit are the type of folks that will spend a lot of money. I would not dare describe them the way Uncle Jim used to describe them, but they spend a consider-able amount of money. And I believe that this point needs to be reiterated because it was unceremoniously spoken about incorrectly last time. And I am ever so grateful for the Honourable Member Zane De Silva for bringing the documentation here to back up the point of order that he made because persons even [then] were still not prepared to accept it. Keep telling a lie too many times, people believe that to be so. Th e Deputy Speaker: It is in the legislation. The Premier made it quite clear in the last session.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanThank you. And I am reiterating it and I am appreciative of both of them for making that point, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because it is s ignificant. And to suggest that the need for concessions is something that was not thought out, that it was only going to be done …
Thank you. And I am reiterating it and I am appreciative of both of them for making that point, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because it is s ignificant. And to suggest that the need for concessions is something that was not thought out, that it was only going to be done because other jurisdictions are doing it in the south is nonsense. It is not true. You know? You know, we have persons on this side, persons you would think do not have the acumen to be able to make good decisions like that, but that is not true. We do. And we have thought this out. And it will serve the best interests of this country. We must get hotels being built in this country and we need to do it and we need to do it now. And I am very supportive of the Minister of Tour-ism for bringing this forward and for the Cabinet for seeing that it will assist Bermuda. And I would urge the Op-position to come on board. Come on board because there are other investors out there listening, and we cannot afford [negativity] right now. And know this. I will close with this. We are a responsible Government. We are a Government that when we came in, notwithstanding our reservations about their projects, we made sure that the people who they brought to the table felt comfortable in this country and could do business, unlike them, Mr. Deputy Speaker. When they came into Government, they re-versed an Act of Parliament of the waterfront —probably one of the most egregious [undertakings] ever. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOkay. Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Lawrence Scott.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottGood evening, Mr. Deputy Spea ker. Mr . Deputy Speaker, when we talk about concessions and the length of time that a government should, could, would or has given such concessions for a real estate development, my mind goes to the 30- year concessions given by the OBA Government to …
Good evening, Mr. Deputy Spea ker. Mr . Deputy Speaker, when we talk about concessions and the length of time that a government should, could, would or has given such concessions for a real estate development, my mind goes to the 30- year concessions given by the OBA Government to develop our current air terminal. For the then Government , and now Opposition, to say that extending concession periods is not in the best interest of the country, I believe some on the outside of this room have said sounds sort of like, I think the word “hypocritical” was used. And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, if you are aware of the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s National Tourism [Plan], you would be well -versed in the fact that one key pillar of that strategy is to attract the jet -setter. And the
B ermuda House of Assembly jet-setter for the strategy’s purpose is defined as households that generate $250,000 a year or more. And so, Mr. Deputy Speaker . . . and as I go into this, I will declare my interest. As a manager of the only Forbes rated four -star property on Island, which is the Rosewood—
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerRosewood is five plus, not four. Four is below standard. I will tell you right now.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottI won’t argue with the Deputy Speaker. We give five-s tar service down there. But, Mr. Deputy Speaker, the business model—t he quality of service provided—s peaks to, attracts and caters to thos e individuals of a jet-s etting lifestyle. And, Mr. Deputy Speaker, nobody visits a country to see …
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOkay and now, Mr. Scott, tie it into the entire—
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottI am tying it in because a country, especially a tourism destination, generates its revenue from the people who it attracts to its shores. And airlines, which is one of the two pillars of how you get people on and off this Island en masse , determine how they categorise …
I am tying it in because a country, especially a tourism destination, generates its revenue from the people who it attracts to its shores. And airlines, which is one of the two pillars of how you get people on and off this Island en masse , determine how they categorise a destination based on the hotel bed inventory. In 2019, on any given day during our peak season we would attract 1,989 people. They would flow through that airport needing hotel beds. And we had at that time just over 2,000 beds available. So, for those who might have seen the Fast & Furious movie, we were what they would call redlining—almost at our limit. We have since, due to the pandemic, lost a significant number of hotel beds. And this Government has been tasked with finding a way to bolster our inventory, and part of that is for us to attract hotel development. Now, if you ask somebody to build a hotel and tell them that they [will] only get five years of support, that might not be long enough. It was not long enough for the OBA when it came to our airport. Ten years was not long enough. Fifteen years was not long enough. Twenty years was not long enough. Twenty -five years was not long enough. Thirty years. Thirty years and we were told that this was going to boost our economy in some way, shape or form despite the facts and statistics that the then Opposition, now Government could use. And it has cost us roughly $50 million. Now, a hotel being built to the scale that we have seen with the Fairmont, looking at 650 rooms , approximately, if you do double occupancy and take the Bermuda Tourism Authority’s economic impact of a single visi tor, which is $1,800 per person, a full hotel at double occupancy at 650 rooms would generate roughly $2.3 million a day. Let’s take that $2.3 [million ] and times it by . . . and this is going to be in the best - case scenario and to somewhat exaggerate to prove a point. Let’s [times ] that by 365 days. Let’s say that hotel goes full every day of the year. That is almost $1 billion of economic impact to this country, to this economy — $839.5 million to be exact. Let’s even cut that in half. You are still looking at half a billion dollars in economic impact because we are creating an environment where hotel development is favourable. And that is what this Bill does. It helps to create an environment where hotel development is favoura-ble. And the more hotel beds you have, the more at-tractive you are to airlines. The more attractive you are to airlines, the more consistency and flight connectivity you get. The more consistency and flight connectivity you get, the more economic impact you have, because each airline is bringing in a visitor. Each visitor is contributing $1,800. That is your transportation. That is your restaurants. That is your gift shops, your souve-nirs, your excursions. You see where I am going, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And so, for the Opposition to say today that they are not in support of a g overnment creating an environment where hotel development is favourable, I cannot even say it is laughable.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt is shocking. Mr . W. Lawrence Scott: It is shocking. It is disappointing. And this is coming from an Opposition who claimed to be the persons who are the business experts. And so, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when a Bill comes to this House that in the best -case scenario …
It is shocking. Mr . W. Lawrence Scott: It is shocking. It is disappointing. And this is coming from an Opposition who claimed to be the persons who are the business experts. And so, Mr. Deputy Speaker, when a Bill comes to this House that in the best -case scenario could lay the foundation of putting in place an infrastructure that could generate almost $1 billion in economic activity , and in a more realistic scenario or application —half a billion dollars in economic stimulus (and this is after the construction phase), that is what this Government is about. It is not about the quick wins, thinking that the construction of an air terminal would create the 2,000 jobs that they needed so they could tick the box off on an election platform. It is not a quick win where a government would then give an unguaranteed or unsecured loan guaran-tee to a private sector individual. This is taking the long road, doing the due diligence and ensuring that a strong and sturdy foundation is placed under the pillar of our tourism industry so that it can support not the numbers of the 1980s and 1990s and not the numbers of the prepandemic in early 2019 which surpassed the numbers of the 1980s and 1990s. This is building not for yesterday, not for today, but for the future. Numbers that we might feel are unfathomable today but will become common place tomorrow. And on that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I take my seat.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Are there any more speakers? 1516 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Premier, you have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know this debate has gone a little bit longer than some persons may have expected. And allow me …
Thank you. Are there any more speakers? 1516 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Premier, you have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I know this debate has gone a little bit longer than some persons may have expected. And allow me to say, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am quite surprised by what I have heard. And I would label this as probably one of the most disingenuous debates in which I have heard contributions from the party opposite on an issue as important as tourism. And I say “disingenuous” because this is just all purely politics being played by the other side. Pure and simple. Part of feeding into their continued narrative of which they are attempting to execute with the Combined Opposition starting with talk about, Oh, the Government is giving away this. Oh, the Government is giving away that. Oh, look how bad things are. Not a word about the massive tax cuts that this Government has given to the workers of this country. Not a word about the elimination of duty on staple goods and reductions of which you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, were a principal part of. None of that. That is not the things they talk about. They want persons to feed into the narrative of despair, doom and gloom. Completely disingenuous, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because on one hand, they say, We need ho-tels. On one hand, they say, We need investment . On one hand, they say, We need this and that , and on the other hand they are like, No, you cannot do that in order to get it. Make up your mind. Which side are you on? Are you on the side of growth and development or are you on the side of the Opposition which is where y ou shall stay? Because that is what it is, Mr. Deputy Speaker. And I just literally . . . I am just stunned. The reason why I am stunned that this debate is taking so long is because I fully expected the other side to get up and say, We agree. Let’s go on. That’s the reason why there was no food order because I thought we would be out of here already. But here we are today. And I am going to tell you why it is disingenuous. I am going to run through because the Honourable Shadow Minister of Tourism got up and says you know, Look at our record. Look at our record of developing hotels. Look at what we did. Let’s look back at that, Mr. Deputy Speaker. We will refer to three. First, the Loren. Well, we can all speak about the Loren in whichever way we want. But let’s also be clear. A very significant real estate component. Signifi-cant real estate component. And what do they say? They supported it all the way. We heard. We heard the Honourable Member from constituency 11 speak about how they are all were on board with that. All on board. But now it is not a good thing when talking about current hotel developments. Let’s go ahead and look at Az-ura—same thing. And we should note and record that due to the level of real estate, the Tourism Investment Order that came for that property extension was not even up to the maximum of what was allowed under the Tourism Investment Act. They did not get a full 10 years, taking into account all of the various parts of that development. But here is the thing, Mr. Deputy Speaker. This is the kicker. Let’s go to St. Regis because they want to talk about a new hotel that is being developed. That is what they want to go to. And here is what is interesting, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because at the same point in time that they want to try to criticise the Government for ad-vancing hotel development in this country, they must completely forget that in the very Bill that they brought to this House, they gave Planning permission in principle to use National Park land, shorten the golf course to build residential units and condos, Mr. Deputy Speaker. That is what they did. And they will come in here to talk about all of these other things. But it gets better, Mr. Deputy Speaker, because they say —they say —Oh, well we only needed 10 years. And yes, they passed the Bill in this House for 10 years. But remember how long it took us to get the Master Development Agreement from that other Government, how we had to ask and ask and ask and ask why they would not table the Master Development Agreement? Here is why they would not table the Master Development Agreement. Because inside of that Act, inside of that agreement, it contained an additional 10 years of concessions for the St. Regis property. [ General uproar and desk thumping] Hon. E. David Burt: Now h ere we are.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWhat is your point of order, Member? POINT OF ORDER
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThe Honourable Member , if he is going to make a statement like that, he needs to qualify why that is in there. Qualify. Hon. E. David Burt: Why? I am happy to read it. Don’t worry. I have my stuff. But here is the thing. Here is the thing. …
The Honourable Member , if he is going to make a statement like that, he needs to qualify why that is in there. Qualify. Hon. E. David Burt: Why? I am happy to read it. Don’t worry. I have my stuff. But here is the thing. Here is the thing. This is disingenuous, absolutely disingenuous, disingenuous ! [They] want to come here to lecture us about, Don’t extend, we didn’t need it and all the rest when it comes to a new hotel. All the things of which their attempts to criticise the Government, they realised it was neces-sary to build one. Here is what the Master D evelopment Agreement says. It says, “provided the Resort is man-aged by a world renowned luxury resort/hotel operator the Developer may apply for a ten (10) year extension of the hotel occupancy waiver and full Custom Duty re-lief on a second cycle of refurbishment.” [ General uproar]
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. E. David Burt: Hold a second. “And any such applications will be favourably reviewed by the Government.” So, here we are, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Inside of their own items. Understand. So, that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is why I say it is completely disingenuous. But let me go forward to tell you why it is even more. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, not more, not more! [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: More!
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberMore? Another Hon. Member: This is outrageous! Hon. E. David Burt: Because here is the thing —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberLet’s call St. Regis right now. Hon. E. David Burt: Here is the thing. And this is important. [Crosstalk] Hon. E. David Burt: Now, see? They are all upset now. They are all torn up. [General uproar] Hon. E. David Burt: I am waiting for one of them to get …
Let’s call St. Regis right now.
Hon. E. David Burt: Here is the thing. And this is important.
[Crosstalk] Hon. E. David Burt: Now, see? They are all upset now. They are all torn up. [General uproar]
Hon. E. David Burt: I am waiting for one of them to get up with a point of order, but they won’t because [these facts] are black and white. And see? This is the thing, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: I am not upset because we know what is necessary to develop hotels here.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: I am happy that they talk about their trips to the Dominican Republic. And I am happy that they talk about their trips to Mexico. I am happy.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: But we all know that there are different labour costs. We all know that whe n it comes to construction and development and impor tation and all of those various items we must compete. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: We must compete. Now, let’s go forward because here, Mr. Deputy Speaker, is why I am going to say this. It is disingenuous because remember this side, the opposite side, says, Oh, you know, we must have tourists, investment, and all the rest. Here is the thing. That side, Mr. Deputy Speaker , made the same mistake that we made at the beginning of our tenure, and I am going to explain why , because the Bermuda Tourism Authority said that in order for Bermuda to attract the level [of] investment that is required to execute on the National Tourism Plan , our concessions should be 15 years long. That is what was said by the Bermuda Tourism Autho rity in 2017. In 2017, when the party opposite— when they were in Government —tabled the draft Tourism Investment Act, contrary to the advice of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, they tabled it with tenures. When we came into Government, the same advice came t o us, and the officials of the Ministry of Finance (of which I am the Minister , so I will take it on the chin) said, I am not sure we can do that . And instead of following the advice, we went with 10. Here is the thing, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I t was a mistak e. I can stand up here and say that now because had it been the 15 years, had we not adopted this stingy approach thinking that, Oh, we can just get by. We do not have to. We are exceptional in Bermuda. We do not have to match what other places have. Peopl e just come here and invest. Even though the persons to whom we paid money to research this issue and all the rest told us otherwise. Now here we are, Mr. Deputy Speaker . We cannot make the same mistake again. Those are the facts. And so, as Minister of Finance then and now I can accept the fact that we should have acted and gone all the way. And today I can accept the fact that we should have acted and are going the way that it is recommended. But what I cannot understand is an Opposition that wants to get up and try to flog the Government , to say they are not doing this , this, this, and that, to say they are going to oppose a B ill with provisions that the very organisation they set up and the people they appointed said that the Government should put in place. Disingenuous, Mr. Deputy Speaker . But let us go further because while we are talking about this and while it fits into their comfortable nar-rative of, Oh, the Government is giving away money to foreigners. And what about the people here in Bermuda. What about us?, [they say nothing], n ot a dicky bird about the items inside of this Bill, Mr. Deputy Speaker , that will give additional concessions to Bermudian developers in this country , nothing about the extension of concessions for new restaurants , nothing about the extension of concessions to new tourism at-tractions that we want to have on this I sland for people to spend their money when they come here. And so, the entire country should know that they do not support it. They do not support the exten-sion of concessions to new restaurants. They do not extend it to new attractions. That is what we are being 1518 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly faced with from that Opposition, Mr. Deputy Speaker — opposition. But let us be clear, we will move forward with this, Mr. Deputy Speaker . We are not going to make the same mistake twice. And whatever noise they want to make is perfectly fine. They want to hear about, Oh, the Premier called the Greens already. Yes, we di d! The people who are developing hotels in this country need to know where the Opposition stands because when St. Regis was brought to this House, Mr. Deputy Speaker , did we oppose it? No, we did not. No, we did not. You know what we did oppose, though? Morgan’s Point. We did oppose Morgan’s Point. And when they talk about, you know, their hotel record, they want to forget about Morgan’s Point. If they want to talk about taxes forgone by concessions, well I can tell you $210 million, which you spent already , is a whole lot of money paid out for this, and here we go further because the chirping is coming, Oh, and we did not need to pay. Well, here is the thing, Mr. Deputy Speaker. A s I went back speaking about their political narrative, of which they are try ing to craft with the C ombined Opposition, allow me to say this. And I might get in a little bit of trouble here because I know questions have been received by the Ministry of Finance in another place, but I am going to address it here right now. We will not make the same mistake that the One Bermuda Alliance made getting advice on the cheap when dealing with developers when putting the government sovereign guarantee on the line.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberShame! Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker , let it not b e forgotten that the party opposite before we came into office signed off on an agreement that was in default before we even were elected. Let us not forget that the party opposite with the advice of …
Shame! Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Deputy Speaker , let it not b e forgotten that the party opposite before we came into office signed off on an agreement that was in default before we even were elected. Let us not forget that the party opposite with the advice of which they received decided to not have the entire land at Morgan’s Point to back up the $165 million sovereign guarantee, which meant the Government could not recover it. Here is what the difference is, Mr. Deputy Speaker . In 2019 . . . Sorry, let me rephrase that. Mr. Deputy Speaker, 2019 was the first discu ssions with the developers. In 2021, this Government secured the services of Mr. Michael Bond through his organisation law firm Weil, Gotshal [and Manges] , I know the Honourable Member knows the law firm very clearly because he knows they are one of the best. [It was] p reviously declared in this House through a PATI request. Absolutely. PATI disclosures. And Mr. Deputy Speaker , a key point to note—
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. E. David Burt: [A] key point to note [is that he is] one of the best real estate lawyers in the entire United States —one of the best hired by the former Minister of Finance , after he left his company , kept on by me. Why, Mr. Deputy Speaker ? Because I would rather spend the money up front than to end up putting the country’s money at risk like the other party did with a $265 million guarantee , which we had to pay with interests and costs when the bill is over $210 million, Mr. Deputy Speaker . That is the difference. And so, while we are discussing the principles of this Bill that will allow the Minister of Tourism to bring concession orders to this House for new hotels, for re-furbished hotels, for new restaurants, and for new tourism attractions that we want to empower our Bermu-dian entrepreneurs , through the the BEDC [Bermuda Econ omic Development Corporation] and other places to build. E veryone will know that this party supported it and that part y, Mr. Deputy Speaker , opposed it. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Honourable Premier. [Desk thumping]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMinister Campbell . Hon. Vance Campbell: Wow.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMove right through to Committee. Hon. Vance Campbell: I do not know exactly how long we have been debating this Bill, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker, but I do know . . . and I hope no investors were listening because I do know that it has been enough time for them …
Move right through to Committee.
Hon. Vance Campbell: I do not know exactly how long we have been debating this Bill, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker, but I do know . . . and I hope no investors were listening because I do know that it has been enough time for them to open an account in another jurisdiction and transfer the money that they were going to invest in Bermuda to that jurisdiction. That is how long we have been debating this. We have heard Fairmont Southampton. T he Act that we are amending is the Tourism Investment Act 2017. In the consolidated version, the only place Fairmont Southampton is mentioned is on page 16. And that is Schedule 4 that says “ Revocation of Hotel s Concess ion Orders ” as a result of this Act coming into be. That is the only place Fairmont Southampton is mentioned in the Act that we are amending. Let us go through a chronology. In 2000, we had the Hotel s Concession Act. It provided hotels with concessions for a period of five years. In 2015, the St. George’s Resort Act 2015 was a special Act. It was repealed and superseded by the St. George’s Resort Act 2018 . However, in 2015, the then Government recognised that five years was insufficient to secure hotel development , so they offered 10 years in the 2015 Act. In 2017, we have the Tourism Investment Act 2017, reg-ularising the concession at 10 years for all hotels , eliminating the need for special acts , giving more clarity as was mentioned earlier —I believe MP Ri chardson mentioned it earlier —more clarity to potential investors when they look at what is being offered. And it was also extended. Relief was also extended to restaurants and
Bermuda House of Assembly attractions. Fast forward to 2022 , [the] Fairmont Southampton Hotel Act . Again, we have a major . . . the biggest hotel in this Island looking to refurbish, to renovate, to improve its infrastructure, improve the product that it had to offer to our potential visitors. So, we had a special act that provided concessions because the Gov ernment of the day saw that 10 (after discussions with the potential investors ) saw that 10 years was insufficient . So just as what happened in 2015 when the concession period was upped by five years, that concession Act upped it from 10 to 15 , by five years , just as what happened in 2015. We are very often critici sed by Opposition in this House for falling behind our competitors, so we bring this Act that looks to close the gap. And there is a gap between us and what our competitors are doing. And we are criticis ed for doing that. Mr. [Deputy] Speaker, I need clarification from the Shadow [Minister] . He made some comment as to why there were no concessions for renovations, and I do not understand that. So, I am open for clarification on that. I may have misunderstood the statement.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierI will attempt. I think you are talking about [how] I mentioned that for renovations initially, land tax is not afforded as a concession, b ut the Fairmont Southampton did receive them. And this particular Act, it does not for renovations extend land tax concessions to new hotels or renovations. …
I will attempt. I think you are talking about [how] I mentioned that for renovations initially, land tax is not afforded as a concession, b ut the Fairmont Southampton did receive them. And this particular Act, it does not for renovations extend land tax concessions to new hotels or renovations. And so, I was curious as to what was happening there. If we are affording it to Fairmont Southampton, then why do we not also have that in this Bill itself? Hon. Vance Campbell: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I will draw the Honourable Member’s attention to the Tourism Investment Act 2017, Schedule 2 that lists the scale of relief for a new hotel. Remember, we are just amending as far as the length of concession period. We are making amendments to the length of concession periods.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierNo. You said, “New hotels.” Hon. Vance Campbell: Well, let’s look at some definitions. Let’s look at some definitions. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Vance Campbell: No. I . . . We are going to look at some definitions.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerIf you talk about any specifics of the Bill, that can be done in C ommittee. Hon. Vance Campbell: We are going to look at definitions.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThat [you] can do in Committee. Hon. Vance Campbell: Mr. Deputy Speaker , the definition under this Act for new hotel , “A hotel development —
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerIf you are reading the Act, Minister, if you are reading the Act, you do that in C ommittee. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Vance Campbell: Okay. Well, it is included in there under the defini tion for new hotel and the definition for a refurbished hotel. The mere title that it …
If you are reading the Act, Minister, if you are reading the Act, you do that in C ommittee. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Vance Campbell: Okay. Well, it is included in there under the defini tion for new hotel and the definition for a refurbished hotel. The mere title that it refers to refurbishment . . . that is another word for renovations.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. Mm- hmm. [Crosstalk ] Hon. Vance Campbell: There was mention by my Shadow [Minister] about shovels in the ground. I do not get excited. I will not get excited until we have construc-tion work going on at a site that we have given concessions to. Why? Why, Mr. Deputy …
Yes. Mm- hmm.
[Crosstalk ]
Hon. Vance Campbell: There was mention by my Shadow [Minister] about shovels in the ground. I do not get excited. I will not get excited until we have construc-tion work going on at a site that we have given concessions to. Why? Why, Mr. Deputy Speaker? Because in November of 2014, a shovel was placed in the ground with a whole lot of fanfare at a Devonshire site that still stands vacant today. Ariel Sands. Go look it up.
[Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerLet’s not get that. The point has been made. All right? The point has been made about Ariel Sands and everything else. It does not need to be repeated. Hon. Vance Campbell: We . . . And I have pages here because this went all over the place unnecessarily, but …
Let’s not get that. The point has been made. All right? The point has been made about Ariel Sands and everything else. It does not need to be repeated. Hon. Vance Campbell: We . . . And I have pages here because this went all over the place unnecessarily, but I am not going to address everything in these pages. I am trying to capture the key points. We were asked about the delays in the Fairmont Southampton hotel —nothing to do with the provisions in this Act , nothing to do with the provisions in the Fairmont Southampton [Hotel] Act 2023. Again, I want to reiterate that this Act is establishing a framework that will allow potential investors or existing owners of hotels here to see ex actly what they can apply for and make informed decisions as to whether they invest and if they are going to invest, how much. Questions were asked about restaurants. Restaurants in addition to what is already provided in the existing Act will have an enhanced time fram e during which they can apply for concessions, but they also are receiving customs duty relief under the Restaurants 1520 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly (Temporary Customs Duty Relief ) Act 2002. We were asked by the Opposition what has been the response to what is in place. What has been the response? I guess they were asking for the science . Right now, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker, we have Ariel Sands . They are not moving ahead with their application. They are not filing their application. They had the information. They have the application form. They are not moving ahead because 10 years is insufficient. We have had discussions with potential developers for Elbow Beach who say they need 15 years. Ten years is insufficient. We have Fairmont Hamilton Princess looking to continue their renovations. They have been doing an excellent job of bringing that hotel into the 21 st century, in updating the rooms, updating the offerings they have for their guests. They are looking to get a period to re-coup the money that they have invested for a per iod greater than 10 years. Whilst we have not had intimate conversations with those looking to develop White Sands, we do know that an application is in Planning. I am not sure at what stage, but an application was made to Planning to develop that site. We also know there are plans that have been submitted by the Grotto Bay for further development of that property. What has the response been? That is the response, Mr. Deputy Speaker . And we expect more once this Act that we are debating here today is passed.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes. [In] Committee. Hon. Vance Campbell: There has been talk today about the economic difficulties that the country is fac-ing. We also heard from the Minister responsible for Economy and Labour earlier today, how our economy is sh owing good signs of improving. If we encourage [investors] by passing this …
Yes. [In] Committee. Hon. Vance Campbell: There has been talk today about the economic difficulties that the country is fac-ing. We also heard from the Minister responsible for Economy and Labour earlier today, how our economy is sh owing good signs of improving. If we encourage [investors] by passing this Act, if we encourage and re-ceive investment in our hospitality product, then that economic recovery that the Minister for Economy and Labour spoke of earlier today will accelerate.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOkay. Hon. Vance Campbell: I am just looking through . . . I am trying to wrap this up, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYou can. You can wrap it up. Hon. Vance Campbell: Yes. [Laughter] Hon. Vance Campbell: Trust me. I did not expect to still be here myself. I did not expect this type of opposi-tion. We are losing money. I think that has been well established that we are only losing …
You can. You can wrap it up. Hon. Vance Campbell: Yes. [Laughter] Hon. Vance Campbell: Trust me. I did not expect to still be here myself. I did not expect this type of opposi-tion. We are losing money. I think that has been well established that we are only losing money with these hotels closed. Let me repeat that. We are only losing money with these hotels closed, and if you want me to, I will reiterate. And I will. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for asking me to reiterate.
[Laughter]
Hon. Vance Campbell: Mr. Deputy Speaker, $8.67 million if we go back to the Fairmont Southampton, $8.67 million was the estimated annual concessions that we were giving up. However, with that hotel open, as a result of those concessions, there would be a $100 million contribution every year versus that $8.67 million concession of taxes every year for the 15 years. How-ever, the tax concessions stop at the year 15. That $100 million continues on for at least another 50 years, I would say. Now there is no one in here who, if I said, For every $8.00 you give me, I would give you $100.00, would not take it. They would take it immediately. The words would not even finish getting out of my mouth. And lastly, lastly, Mr. Deputy Speaker , we are talking about jobs. More hotels equal jobs, equals more flights, which equals lower cost of flights, of tickets to here, which equals a stronger economy, which equals more jobs, which equals more flights, which equals lower costs, which equals a stronger economy. I could keep going around in that circle, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker , but with that I will close. And Mr. Deputy Speaker , I move that the Bill now be committed.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe Bill will be committed. Ms. Foggo, [will take the Chair of Committee]. House in Committee at 7:5 4 pm [Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL TOURISM INVESTMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2023
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Bill entitled the Tourism Investment Amendment Act 2023 be committed. Any objections? There being none, Minister, I call on you. Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, I move clauses 1 through 5, which is all of the clauses.
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections to moving clauses 1 through 5? There are none. Continue, Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, clause 1 provides the title of the Bill. Bermuda House of Assembly Clause 2 amends section 3 of the principal Act to enable the Minister to consider the planned estimated cost of …
Any objections to moving clauses 1 through 5? There are none. Continue, Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, clause 1 provides the title of the Bill.
Bermuda House of Assembly Clause 2 amends section 3 of the principal Act to enable the Minister to consider the planned estimated cost of a proposed development plus the aggregate value of investment in that proposed development not exceeding seven years . . . sorry, not proposed development, but development not exceeding seven years before such application is made. Madam Chairman, clauses 3 and 5 amend section 5 and Schedule 2 of the principal Act to provide increases to the years of relief from customs duty, hotel occupancy tax, employer’s share of payroll tax and land tax, where applicable, for a new or refurbished hotel, a new or existing restaurant or an attraction. And clause 4, Madam Chairman, amends section 7 of the pr incipal Act to remove subsections (5) and (6) due to both being included in the record- keeping provisions in the Revenue Act 1898. Thank you, Madam [Chairman].
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the clauses? I recognise the Member from constituency 12. Member, you have the floor.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThank you very much, [Madam] Chairman. Let me go through the first part here. So, I would like to draw attention to [clause 2 which] amends section 3 (on the first page), where the Honourable Member read “When receiving an application for a new or refurbished hotel . . .” …
Thank you very much, [Madam] Chairman. Let me go through the first part here. So, I would like to draw attention to [clause 2 which] amends section 3 (on the first page), where the Honourable Member read “When receiving an application for a new or refurbished hotel . . .” The last sentence there mentions “not exceeding seven years before such applica-tion is made.” I was just curious as to how we get to the seven years. So, you know, why not eight or ten or five? I was curious as to the seven.
The ChairmanChairmanAre there any other Members who wish to speak to the clause? There being none, Minister, you are welcome to answer his . . . Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, when we picked seven years, there was no magic way we calculated that, but we were thinking of the smaller …
Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the clause? There being none, Minister, you are welcome to answer his . . .
Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, when we picked seven years, there was no magic way we calculated that, but we were thinking of the smaller properties, the guest houses, and the small hotels. And we felt that allowing the Minister to consider any expenditure that they had been making over a period of seven years was a fair amount to allow them. We are trying to accommodate and allow them some provision to improve their property because we recognise that the small hotels and guesthouses are a key component of what we have to offer in our tourism product.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to clauses 1 through 5? I recognise the Member from constituency 12.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes, just the second part to that same particul ar section there. It certainly adds clarity to the process. But I was just wondering if the Minis-ter could, for the public’s understanding because I had gone all through this making sure that I understood it, if he could give an …
Yes, just the second part to that same particul ar section there. It certainly adds clarity to the process. But I was just wondering if the Minis-ter could, for the public’s understanding because I had gone all through this making sure that I understood it, if he could give an example of how this works w hen he says, “plus the aggregate value of investment . . .” so that the public understands a little better how you are using the formula.
The ChairmanChairmanDo any other Members wish to ask questions? There being none, Minister, you can answer. Hon. Vance Campbell: I am being asked this . . . [so] off the top of my head . . . assume a small hotel has an appraised value of $10 million. According to the …
Do any other Members wish to ask questions? There being none, Minister, you can answer. Hon. Vance Campbell: I am being asked this . . . [so] off the top of my head . . . assume a small hotel has an appraised value of $10 million. According to the defini-tions, it will qualify as a refurbished hotel if it is looking to expand or makes application to expand on renovations 25 per cent, up to 25 per cent of the appraised value. If they are able to afford and look to spend 50 per cent or more of the appraised value, then it will qualify as a new hotel. So in this example we are talking about a small development with an appraised value, in order to qualify as a new hotel would have to expend $5 million.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Hon. Vance Campbell: Which in one lump sum, in one go, may be too onerous for that hotel to bear. However, they may be able to do it in small chunks. And they may have already started. So this is where this particular clause comes into bear. They may …
Yes.
Hon. Vance Campbell: Which in one lump sum, in one go, may be too onerous for that hotel to bear. However, they may be able to do it in small chunks. And they may have already started. So this is where this particular clause comes into bear. They may have spent $500,000 in each of the last three years and maybe $1 million the year before that. So they now make an application for $4 million. The Minister can now take into consideration that previous expenditure and determine whether they fall into the realm of a refurbished hot el or a new hotel and determine the appropriate period of relief. And again, we are looking to facilitate investment by not only large investors but the owners of the guesthouses and the small hotel resorts.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to clauses 1 through 5? I recognise the Member from constituency 12. Member, you have the floor.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThank you very much, Madam. Continuing on in clause [3 amending section] 5 on page 2 of the Amendment Act here, the Tourism In-vestment Amendment Act, if we go down to bullet point (iii), [clause 3(a)(iii)] where it mentions “in subparagraph (iii) by deleting ‘of three’ and substituting ‘not exceeding …
Thank you very much, Madam. Continuing on in clause [3 amending section] 5 on page 2 of the Amendment Act here, the Tourism In-vestment Amendment Act, if we go down to bullet point (iii), [clause 3(a)(iii)] where it mentions “in subparagraph (iii) by deleting ‘of three’ and substituting ‘not exceeding five’;” 1522 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Then again it is repeated in (iv), if you follow me here, the exact same thing is repeated in (iv). When I look at the Master Development —sorry, the initial Tourism Investment Act, I do not see that same duplication. Is that just a typo or . . . Because then it goes down to [clause 3(a)](v).
The ChairmanChairmanI will take a point of clarification from the Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Yes. I would like a clarification on that.
The ChairmanChairmanMinister. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Vance Campbell: No. I did not quite understand. Can you repeat the question?
Mr. L. Craig CannonierOh, yes. Yes, yes, yes. So if you look at those two items it says “by deleting ‘of three’ and substituting ‘not exceeding five’” — Hon. Vance Campbell: Exactly where ar e we?
The ChairmanChairmanMinister, he is on clause 3, [Amends section 5] Roman number — Hon. Vance Campbell: Under [clause 3](a)?
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThat is correct. Sorry. Yes. So what you see there, (iii) and (iv) say the exact same thing. But if I look at the Master [Development] . . . the Tourism Investment Act itself, it is duplicated here, but it is not in the actual Act itself. And the reason …
That is correct. Sorry. Yes. So what you see there, (iii) and (iv) say the exact same thing. But if I look at the Master [Development] . . . the Tourism Investment Act itself, it is duplicated here, but it is not in the actual Act itself. And the reason I say that is because there is no number (v) as well in the Act where it says “in subparagraph (v) by deleting ‘of one year’ and substituting ‘not exceeding three years”. I think there is a duplication here. By chance, if you look at the Tourism [Investment] Act of 2017, you will see there that there is only (i), (ii), (iii) (iv) and not a (v). [Crosstalk ]
Hon. Vance Campbell: I believe . . . Madam Chairman. The Chairman: Minister, I recognise you.
Hon. Vance Campbell: I believe the Shadow Minister may be looking at a version of the Tourism Investment Act 2017 that has not been consolidated—
Mr. L. Craig CannonierOh, okay. Hon. Vance Campbell: —because the one that I have in my hand has a (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v).
The ChairmanChairmanThank you for that clarification, Minister. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to clauses 1 through 5? I recognise the Member from constituency 12.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes. Under “Amends section 7,” [clause] 4, just further down the page there, I see where we are “repealing subsections (5) and (6).” And initially I thought that (5) and (6) brought about some accountability. I am just curious as to the thinking be-hind removing (5) and (6) which brought …
Yes. Under “Amends section 7,” [clause] 4, just further down the page there, I see where we are “repealing subsections (5) and (6).” And initially I thought that (5) and (6) brought about some accountability. I am just curious as to the thinking be-hind removing (5) and (6) which brought about some accountability if the Minister wanted to go out and . . . It talks about the proprietor holding on to the records and that the Mini ster could come and see these records. We are deleting that now. So could the Minister explain to us if there is any other area where we have accountability by the Minister on the developers?
The ChairmanChairmanAny other Members wishing to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 5? There being none . . . Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Yes. The reason why that is being deleted is because after consultation with the Collector of Customs they advised that the provisions are already contained in the Revenue …
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to clauses 1 through 5? I recognise the Member from constituency 12.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThank you once again, Madam. This is the part where I was asking the question about the land tax. I recognise that in this particular amendment, and I did not see it, and maybe I do not have the consolidated one as [the Honourable Minister] mentioned. I was looking for …
Thank you once again, Madam. This is the part where I was asking the question about the land tax. I recognise that in this particular amendment, and I did not see it, and maybe I do not have the consolidated one as [the Honourable Minister] mentioned. I was looking for clarification here under clause 5, “Amends Schedule 2,” clause 5(a) in Roman numeral (ii) where it says [clause 5(a)] “in paragraph (A) A NEW HOTEL —” [at clause 5(a)(ii)] “‘Land tax relief” (is given) “by deleting ‘ten’ and substituting ‘fifteen . . .” Okay, I get that part.
Bermuda House of Assembly But th en we move on to clause 5(b), and it says “in paragraph (B) A REFURBISHED HOTEL by deleting ‘5’ and substituting ‘not exceeding 15’ . . .” And if you look at the substantive Act, land tax is not afforded to refurbishment of hotels. But it was given to Fair mont Southampton Princess. Land tax was afforded them. It is a renovation; it is a refurbishment.
The ChairmanChairmanSo are . . . yes. [Crosstalk ]
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Any other persons who wish to speak to clauses 1 through 5? I recognise the Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, again this goes to the definition of what a new hotel is and that is an existing hotel . . . oh, sorry. And I read it out …
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Yes, you did, Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: It is a hotel developed on a vacant lot. It also can be a hotel, which is the case with the Fairmont Southampton, where the expenditure on refurbishment is 50 per cent or more of the appraised value.
The ChairmanChairmanRight. Thank you, Minister. Are there a ny other Members who wish to speak to clauses 1 through 5? I recognise the Member from constituency 12.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes. Under the same [clause] 5 that amends Schedule 2, if we go down further to (c) where it says “NEW RESTAURANT by deleting ‘3’ and substituting ‘not exceeding 5’ . . .” and continues on [at clause 5](d) “by deleting ‘1’ and substituting ‘not exceeding 3’ . . .” …
Yes. Under the same [clause] 5 that amends Schedule 2, if we go down further to (c) where it says “NEW RESTAURANT by deleting ‘3’ and substituting ‘not exceeding 5’ . . .” and continues on [at clause 5](d) “by deleting ‘1’ and substituting ‘not exceeding 3’ . . .” For some of the concessions that we have already talked about, there is trickling of those concessions; for instance, from 5 to 15, not necessarily —not exceeding 15. So I just am trying to understand. So for instance with the restaurants, because they are just as important and I mentioned that in my overall statement, had we not considered using the same formula that we did for the substantive concessions and maybe under clause 5(c) it would be going from 3 to 9 years as opposed to 5, using the same formula as 5 years getting 15 now?
The ChairmanChairmanAre there any other Members who wish to speak to clauses 1 through 5? I recognise the Minister. Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, after consultation with the restaurant division of the Chamber of Commerce, they recommended that —or they advised us that five years was the average length of …
Are there any other Members who wish to speak to clauses 1 through 5? I recognise the Minister. Minister.
Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, after consultation with the restaurant division of the Chamber of Commerce, they recommended that —or they advised us that five years was the average length of a lease particularly in a new operation. So we tied that in. Since we are considering a new restaurant, we tied it in to the length of the initial lease. So that is why it is five.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Are there are any other Members who wish to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 5? There being none, Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam President, I move that clauses 1 through 5 be approved.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that clauses 1 through 5 be approved. Are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 5 passed.] Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, I move that the preamble be approved.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the preamble be approved. Any objections? There being none, continue, Minister. Hon. Vance Campbell: Madam Chairman, I move that the Bill be reported to the House as printed.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Bill be reported to the House as printed. Any objections? There being none, it is approved. [Motion carried: the Tourism Investment Amendment Act 2023 was considered by a Committee of the whole House and passed without amendments.]
The ChairmanChairmanI call on the Deputy Speaker to resume his Chair. House resumed at 8:10 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Deputy Speaker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE TOURISM INVESTMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2023
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy Speaker[Is there] any objection to the Bill being reported as printed? There appear to be none. The Bill is approved. Next order of business is third readings. 1524 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Minister Haywood first. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Jason Hayward: …
[Is there] any objection to the Bill being reported as printed? There appear to be none. The Bill is approved. Next order of business is third readings. 1524 2 June 2023 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Minister Haywood first. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move the Bill entitled the Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 be now read the third time by its title only.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerContinue. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT ACT 2023 Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its title only and passed.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny objections? No objections. The Bill is ap proved. [ Motion carried: the Financial Assistance Amendment Act 2023 was read a third time and passed.]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMinister Campbell. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Vance Campbell: Yes, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move the Bill entitled Tourism Invest-ment Amendment Act 2023 that it be now read the third time by its title only.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerContinue. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING TOURISM INVESTMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2023 Hon. Vance Campbell: Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its title only and passed.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny objections to the Bill being approved? There are none. The Bill is approved. [Motion carried: the Tourism Investment Amendment Act 2023 was read a third time and passed.]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThe next order of business . . . Mr. Premier. [ Inaudible interjections] ADJOURNMENT Hon. E. David Burt: They know what is going on. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move that this Honourable House do now adjourn until the date of Friday, June 16, at 10:00 am.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny objections to that? Let me remind you all that tomorrow down at the Bailey’s Bay Cricket Club— [ Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerNobody arise. [ Inaudible interjections and laughter ] [ Gavel]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberExactly. [ Desk thumping]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWe do not wait. You have to get up. Yes. [ Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAnd normally what would happen . . . the rule is there, right? What would normally happen, the Premier would get up and say he has got some Members wanting to speak.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersWhat is tomorrow? What is tomorrow?
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYou know, I did not have this in my hand. So I waited.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat is tomorrow, Mr. Deputy Speaker?
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerTomorrow at the Bailey’s Bay they are having the clinic meant particularly for men with prostate, by Dr. Makanjuola. And I would urge an-yone who is in the area, go there, for our men to go. I think it is around ten o’clock is the clinic? Yes. Ten to probably …
Tomorrow at the Bailey’s Bay they are having the clinic meant particularly for men with prostate, by Dr. Makanjuola. And I would urge an-yone who is in the area, go there, for our men to go. I think it is around ten o’clock is the clinic? Yes. Ten to probably about two. We will see you all on the 16 th.
Bermuda House of Assembly [At 8:14 pm, the House stood adjourned until 10:00 am, Friday, 16 June 2023.]