Senators passed a bill eliminating land tax for 12 residential care facilities and nursing homes, providing about $66,000 in total relief. They also approved legislation creating a "regulatory sandbox" that allows innovative energy companies to test new technologies like floating solar panels and offshore wind in Bermuda's waters. A lease agreement was approved where Gorham's Limited will spend over $500,000 to upgrade the St. John's field and Western Stars clubhouse in exchange for leasing a small piece of adjacent government land for 99 years.
Land tax relief for nursing homes and residential care facilitiesNew licensing framework for testing innovative energy technologies like floating solar and wind power99-year lease agreement between Government and Gorham's Limited to improve St. John's field and Western Stars Sports ClubCondolences for community members who recently passed away
Bills & Motions
Land Valuation and Tax Amendment Act 2022 - passed all readings and became law
Electricity Amendment Act 2022 - passed all readings and became law
North East Hamilton Local Plan 2022 - notice given for future consideration
Senators praised the nursing home tax relief but noted more support is needed as Bermuda's population ages rapidly
The energy innovation bill was welcomed as a way to attract investment and reduce electricity costs while moving away from fossil fuels
Multiple senators commended Gorham's Limited for their substantial financial commitment to community sports facilities
Debate Transcript
10 speeches from 3 speakers
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoThank you, Madam President. Overall we certainly welcome this relief for the nursing homes, and we are pleased to support it. We know that this is an important move, especially taking care of our elderly, one of our important treasured r esources. I certainly hope and look f orward to …
Thank you, Madam President. Overall we certainly welcome this relief for the nursing homes, and we are pleased to support it. We know that this is an important move, especially taking care of our elderly, one of our important treasured r esources. I certainly hope and look f orward to the Government doing even more in this area. There is quite a lot to be done, and there are many people in our soc iety who are suffering. So this is a good first step, and we look forward to more in this vein. I believe I learned that this was w orth around $66,000 across 12 nursing homes. So I think that is around $5,500 for each nursing home. So it is a good start, and we look forward to more being done. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator De Couto. Would any other Senator care to speak on this Bill? Senator Michelle Simmons, Vice President, you have the floor.
Sen. Michelle Simmons: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. I just want to add my support to this Bill. It is certainly welcomed by the residential care facilities. It is welcomed by members of the community who are clients of those facilities. Hopefully, it will go a long way, or go some way , to helping those facilities to plan for the future. Because right now I know many of them are struggling. So, well done to t he Government for bringing this forward as promised! And yes, I agree there is more that can be done. But we have to be aware of the needs throughout the community as Government addresses its social programme. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Michelle Si mmons. Would any other Senator care to speak on this Bill? Senator Robin Tucker, you have the floor.
Sen. Robin Tucker: Thank you, Madam President. I would just like to join with my Senate colleagues in their sentiments as it relates to—clearly this is a contribution. So any contribution is a good contribution. I would also like to reiterate that more should definitely be done. I mean, as we have heard from—we have all heard at different times about the fact that we have an ageing population. And the numbers of people, there are approximately 25 per cent of our population who are going to be at retirement age by 2026, which is for all intents and purposes around the corner. So I would hope that the Government is looking more closely at other initiatives that can be done that can also help to support our seniors as more people are added to those numbers. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Robin Tucker. Would any other Senator care to speak on this Bill? Hearing none, then, Senator Hodgson, it is over to you. Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. Madam President, I move that [Standing O rder] 26 be suspended in respect to this —
The President: Do the second reading first.
Sen. Arianna Ho dgson: Sorry, Madam President. I move that the Bill entitled the Land Valuation and Tax Amendment Act 2022 be now read a second time. 536 22 June 2022 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate The President: Is there any objection to that motion? No objection.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 26
Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. I move that [Standing Order] 26 be suspended in respect of this Bill.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion? No objection.
[Motion carried: Standing Order 26 suspended.]
Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. I move that the Bill entitled the Land Valuation and Tax Amendment Act 2022 be now read a third time. The President: Is there any objection to the third reading? No objection.
BILL
THIRD READING
LAND VALUATION AND TAX AMENDMENT ACT 2022 Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. I move that the Bill do now pass. The President: It has been moved that the Bill ent itled Land Valuation and Tax Amendment Act 2022 do now pass. Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. The Bill is passed.
[Motion carried: The Land Valuation and Tax Amen dment Act 2022 was read a third time and passed.] The President: Thank you, Senator Arianna Hodgson, and thank you all , Senators. We will now move on to the second item on our Orders of the Day, and this is the Electricity Amendment Act 2022. And this is in the name of Senator Lindsay Simmons, Junior Minister for Home A ffairs. Senator Lindsay Simmons, you have the floor. Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. Madam President, I move that the Bill entitled the Electricity Amendment Act 2022 be now read a second time. The President: Is there any objection to that motion? No objection.
BILL
SECOND READING
ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT ACT 2022
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you. Madam Pres ident, I rise to introduce for the second reading the Bill entitled the Electricity Amendment Act 2022 . The Bill seeks to introduce a new a type of licence, an innov ative licence, thus providing a regulatory sandbox for testing innovative energy technologies. Madam President, before the onset of COVID - 19 and the economic challenges that followed in the wake of this, the Government recognised the need to find ways in which both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors could be attracted to establish business in Bermuda. The stress that the events of the past two years have brought upon Bermuda has made efforts to encourage innovative investors an imperative for this Government. Madam President, the Electricity Act of 2016 was written specifically to exclude innovators at that time due to the potential magnitude of risk to our grid and consequently to Bermuda’s residents and bus inesses. This was with good reason, as the indepen dent regulator could not yet have had the capacity to evaluate any potential newcomers and avoiding risk altogether was a prudent action . The Regulatory A uthority (RA) has now been operating for almost five years in the electricity sector , and more than nine years independently regulating the electronic comm unications sector. It is a natural progression, therefore, to entrust the regulation of the evolution of the electricity sector to the RA as we move forward in achie ving the goals of the Integrated Resource Plan. Madam President, to achieve a meaningfully different result from the status quo of fossil fuel gen-erated electricity, there had to be a meaningfully di fferent framework. Bermuda cannot hope for a low - carbon future while holding on to the framework that supported mostly fossil fuel generated electricity. E xcluding advancements in the renewable energy sphere like floating wind, floating solar and ocean wave technology would mean that the only means by which Bermuda’s electricity can be generated is li mited to the handful of tried- and-true solutions, some of which may not be suitable for our Island setting. Madam President, recently , credible innov ators have been approaching Bermuda seeking to de-velop innovative solutions for electricity generation offshore in our ocean, ranging from floating solar, ph oBermuda Senate tovoltaic arrays, floating offshore wind and ocean wave technologies. Any of these innovations could be game changers for the future of electricity generation in Bermuda. If proven to be not only operatio nally fe asible, but economically viable, attracting innovators means attracting investment and the potential for cr eating jobs, which is something we must all do our part to achieve in these challenging economic times. Madam President, however, in no way should the stability of the electricity grid ever be put at risk. Bermuda’s very prosperity has depended historically on a stable and reliable electricity service, providing energy to our international business sector and our tourism sector alike. Plainly stated, risking grid stabi lity puts the reputation of Bermuda at risk. Madam President, I must emphasise that these amendments do not fling open the gates , but rather provide a measured and structured manner in which these innovators might introduce their technologies . Under the proposed amendment, innovators will be subject to scrutiny to ensure their credibility as developers and will have to meet a series of requir ements before being allowed to connect to the grid. Provided those requirements are met, t he innovator s will have the opportunity to test their innovative tec hnologies in Bermuda. These proposed amendments, with the proper safeguards, [ will] not only invite energy investors to Bermuda, but may also help in lowering the overall cost of electrici ty, thereby also having an indirect effect on increasing Bermuda’s appeal to i nvestors in other areas which require large amounts of electricity. Madam President, the Ministry of Home A ffairs and the Regulatory Authority have been in di scussions over the past year to assess what policy changes needed to be framed by amendments to allow for such a sandbox. Currently, no exceptions can be made to the requirements for a licence for any operators in Bermuda. These proposed sandbox amendments would allow for a different process, one that embraces innovation and introduces a special type of licence for novel solutions, namely, an innov ator’s licence. This licence is for a finite period, long enough to prove viability. Madam President, it is not enough for an i nnovator to merely experiment. However, it is also nec-essary for an innovator to prove commercial viability. Therefore, holders of innovator’s licences will also need to be able to interconnect to the grid, provide technical requirements to do so [ and prove t hat they ] are met. Holders of innovators’ licences will be allowed to test, prove and eventually market their development to the Bermuda public in accordance with the Integrated Resource Plan to provide alternatives to the current fossil fuel generated pow er. Madam President, the rigour of this process goes from inception to end of life, as innovators would hold licences that would have conditions. For example, if the innovator is unsuccessful in proving their technology, the Bill provides that the developer will be obliged to remove and dispose of the equipment. On the other hand, if the technology proves itself well commercially, the amendments allow that it be used to meet the goals of the Integrated Resource Plan. Madam President, it can be confusing and time-consuming for a foreign investor to navigate through the various departments to secure all of the necessary permits or authorisations. These amendments allow for the RA to be the primary and central point of contact through which all permits are ob-tained. This is a one- stop shop. [ This concierge ] approach makes it easy and attractive for innovators, both foreign and local, to explore the possibilities of their technology in the local setting. Fees will also be collected, aligned with those used for th e submarine communication sector, since most development will likely be in our near or offshore exclusive economic zone. Madam President, concerns have been raised about obtaining the independent environmental assessment that would also require public cons ultation. The Bill actually enshrines this requirement in the legislation. There have also been concerns raised about the impact on our environment and delicate biodivers ity. Senators will remember in Minister Roban’s November 2021 press conference introducing Seabased Limited , he spoke to the [significant discussions ] that were undertaken by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to identif y any area that could be used to test wave technology. That i nformation bears repeating: DENR held multiple co nsultations with stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Public Works, the Marine Resources Board and the Commercial Fisheries Council. DENR had to ensure that the location would provide the needed amount of wave ener gy, produce minimal disruption to shipping lanes, strike a balanced approach with the fishing industry in that area, have no impact on whales that may be migrating through the area or on areas where commercially important fish species may spawn, not harm protected species, including coral and seagrass and avoid impact to the marine heritage. Madam President, I would also like to take the opportunity to remind the public about the Throne Speech commitment that the Government will be i ntroducing a Marine Deve lopment Bill. The proposed Act, which is being progressed by the Bermuda Ocean Prosperity Programme, will include a marine spatial plan similar to the Bermuda plan that will (1) protect 20 per cent of our exclusive economic zone; and (2) identify areas that can introduce sustainable industries such as renewable energy. I stress this point to remind Senators that our endeavours to attract new investors and developers will require env ironmental impact assessments both on our land and in our ocean. Thank you, Madam President . 538 22 June 2022 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate The President: Thank you, Senator Lindsay Si mmons.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
SENATE VISITORS
The President: Before I open the floor to Senators to comment, I would just like to acknowledge the pres-ence in the Chamber of the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs, Ms. Rozy Azhar ; as well as the Director of Energy, Ms. Jeane Nikolai. Thank you, and welcome to you both.
[Electricity Amendment Act 2022 second reading d ebate, continuing]
The President: Would any Senator care to speak on this Bill? Senator Robin Tucker, you have the floor.
Sen. Robin Tucker: Thank you, Madam President. First I would like to thank the Junior Minister for brin ging this Bill to us today, which amends the principal Act, otherwise known as the Electricity Act 2016. We clearly are all affected by the high cost of energy, particularly as it relates to electricity, not only in Bermuda but in other jurisdictions as well. I can say, and I am happy to say that the Opposition is in support of this Bill, which focus is the support and expansion of innovation in the electricity sector by creating an environment whereby new technologies may be developed and tested in Bermuda. That is a big deal, and it is an exciting thing. It is a positive thing that ensuring that the ri ght environmental and other cond itions already mentioned by the Junior Minister in Bermuda—that Bermuda can open itself to becoming a test bed for unlocking technological innovations with the licences issued by the Regulatory Authority after it is satisfie d that all of the criteria have been met. The Bill also allows for licensees to be able to create a new electrical generating system that can dismantle the electricity generating industry as we know it. That potential is there for what this Bill is do-ing. And it has potential to give rise to technologies that will have a positive impact on the planet and i ncrease electrical system efficiencies, and hopefully give birth to a new industry for and in Bermuda. And once a successful technology is created, it can lend hopefully to reducing costs for Bermuda. I do have a couple of questions. I would like to know if the Junior Minister can tell us if there are any individuals or companies that have already expressed a serious interest or commitment to testing their technologies in Bermuda and are anxiously awaiting the legislation to be passed? Can I ask all of my questions, or do you want me to just wait? The President: No. You have three?
Sen. Robin Tucker: Yes. The President: Yes. You can ask all of your questions.
Sen. Robin Tucker: Okay. Thank you. My second question is whether the Junior Minister can just clarify , maybe just for me, but if she can just clarify whether the Regulatory Authority will have sole responsibility for revoking any licences if the licensee fails to meet requirements? The third question is, Will there be continual oversight by the Regulatory Authority or any other e ntity for the lifetime that the licence is granted to ensure that the applicant continues to meet requirements? Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Robin Tucker. Would any other Senator care to speak on this Bill? Minister Peets, Senate Leader.
Sen. the Hon. Dr. Ernest PeetsYes, thank you, Madam President. I certainly want to thank the Junior Minister, as well as the substantive Minister and the entire Ministry for this particular Bill. I think this type of conversation and this type of action on behalf of the Government really sort of encapsulate the desires and …
Yes, thank you, Madam President. I certainly want to thank the Junior Minister, as well as the substantive Minister and the entire Ministry for this particular Bill. I think this type of conversation and this type of action on behalf of the Government really sort of encapsulate the desires and wishes of all Bermudi-ans, both old and young alike. So I am really, really glad to be a part of this particular process as it relates to the Government’s commitment to shaping Bermuda as a centre for innovation. This is a huge deal for our country as it relates to the opportunity that we have in this particular sector, and we certainly want to do ev erything we can to encourage our energy technology developers to our shores. This sandbox regulatory amendment certainly opens up the opportunity for these innovative companies to really bring Bermuda to the forefront as relates to these technologies. So overall, Madam President, this type of le gislation aligns with Government’s effort to reduce e nergy costs for the country. I personally believe we cer-tainly need more solutions like this to he lp us to move away from our dependence on fossil fuels as it relates to the environment, as it relates to the costs, et cetera, et cetera. So, thank you to the Ministry, thank you to the Junior Minister for a comprehensive brief. Thank you.
The President: Thank you, Minister Peets, Gover nment Leader in the Senate. Would any other Senator care to speak? Senator Michelle Simmons, Vice President, you have the floor.
Bermuda Senate Sen. Michelle Simmons: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. I would also like to thank the Junior Minister for her presentation this morning and also state that, while it is really, really critical to look at ways to r educe the cost of electricity generation in Bermuda, I think it is also quite commendable to be looking at innovative ways of reducing our carbon footprint. That to me is a really important deal, especially since we see the after -effects in the neighbourhood in which our chief electrical generation plant operates. We hear constantly from people who live in the neig hbourhood about how their lives have been impacted by the fallout from the burning of heavy industrial oil. And any way of reducing the impact on the environ-ment would be welcomed by me. So I am really glad to see that we would like to attract innovators to our shores to help us to do two things, to reduce the cost of electricity, and also to reduce our carbon footprint —two important deals. And I commend the Government for bringing this forward. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Senator Michelle Si mmons, Vice President. Senator De Couto, I recognise you. You have the floor.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoThank you, Madam President. Like those who have spoken before me, especially my colleague, Senator Tucker, [I am] certainly in support of this welcome innovation. Anything to r educe our reliance on imported oil is going to be vital to help our economy. This is a costly reliance on sending …
Thank you, Madam President. Like those who have spoken before me, especially my colleague, Senator Tucker, [I am] certainly in support of this welcome innovation. Anything to r educe our reliance on imported oil is going to be vital to help our economy. This is a costly reliance on sending money overseas, and it certainly impacts individuals’ pocketbooks in the entire economy. So this is a great innovation. And we also know with global inflation coming, the benefits of this innovation will be even greater, especially for those for whom the energy consumption is a larger portion of their pocketbook at the lower end of the economic ladder. So certainly supporting this, I would also encourage the Government to please keep supporting and encouraging the tried -and-true techniques such as the existing techniques of solar power generation and find ways to expand the usage of that, especially for those on the lower end of the economic spectrum who will in fact benefit the most from it. I echo Senator [Michelle] Simmons’s comments on the benefit of this to the environment as well. I probably will not harp much more on that. I do have a few questions to follow on from my col league’s. I would like to understand how we will invite proposals into this innovation framework, for example, whether it be an RFP [request for proposal]. Where will that be published? How will we advertise that? And how will we provide access to the proc ess of getting into this innovation framework? I think equal access and transparency of that will be important to make sure we get the widest possible set of people coming into this. I do have a bit of a question. This is my section question if you do not mind, Madam President. I know that the Bill addresses things such as environmental clean- up, or getting rid of your stuff when you’re done with the experiment. I hope that we end up in a place where these experiments end up being not just useful for the people running the innovation experiment, who will then learn and then go and take it to another, larger market, but that ultimat ely [it] ends up working out in the long term for Berm uda’s benefit. And I wonder if the Junior Minister could comment on how t hat is going to be handled, above and beyond strictly cleaning up of equipment and the environment. So in short, a few questions, but support. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator De Couto. Would any other Senator care to comment or ask questions? Hearing none, then we will just wait until Senator Simmons gets her responses from the Permanent Secretary and Director.
[Pause]
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Madam President, I will answer Senator Tucker’s questions first. So, yes, S eabased has expressed interest. That was stated last year by Minister Roban. But they are subject to qualify for the licence just like anybody else. And yes, only the RA [Regulatory Authority] can revoke licences. The third question you asked, yes. The monitoring will be ongoing as it is for other such licences. Thank you, Madam President, and I will get the other answers for you.
[Pause]
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: So, Madam President, to answer about how we would invite proposals, companies can approach gov ernment, but they have to go through a rigorous process of evaluation. The BDA [Bermuda Business Development Agency] will pr omote this, and the RA will support it. For the next question, in these cases of those who have approached, they will look to provi de power to Bermuda. Each case is different. The IRP [Integrated Resource Plan] will allow them to change to parti cipate. Thank you, Ma dam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Lindsay Si mmons. Were there any supplementary questions from anyone? N o. 540 22 June 2022 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate Then, Senator Lindsay Simmons, then you will do your second reading.
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. Madam President, I move that the Bill entitled the Electricity Amendment Act 2022 be now read a second time. The President: Is the re any objection to that motion? No objection.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 26
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Madam President, I move that [Standing Order] 26 be suspended in respect to this Bill.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. [Motion carried: Standing Order 26 suspended.] Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Madam President, I move that the Bill entitled the Electricity Amendment Act 2022 be now read a third time.
The President: Is there any objection to the third reading? No objection.
BILL
THIRD READING
ELECTRICITY AMENDMENT ACT 2022
Sen. Lindsay Simmons : Thank you. Madam President, I move that the Bill do now pass.
The President: It has been moved that the Bill ent itled the Electricity Amendment Act 2022 do now pass. Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. The Bill has passed. [Motion carried: The Electricity Amendment Act 2022 was read a third time and passed.]
The President: Thank you, Senator Lindsay Si mmons and to all Senators who participated. We will now move on to our third item from the Orders of the Day, and this is consideration of the draft Lease Agreement between the Government of Bermuda (Ministry of Public Works) and Gorham’s Limited. And this is in the name of Senator O. K. Darrell, th e Junior Minister for Public Works. Senator Darrell, you have the floor. Sen. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Madam President. Good morning.
The President: Good morning.
Sen. Owen Darrell: Madam President, I move that the Senate do now take under consideratio n the draft Lease Agreement between the Government of Bermuda (represented by the Ministry of Public Works) and Gorham’s Limited regarding areas of all of the property shown hatched in red on the plan labelled Sheet number 4533- 008-10, dated the 27 th of January 2020, which is attached to the Lease Agreement. The President: Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. Senator Darrell, carry on.
AGREEMENT
DRAFT LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF BERMUDA (MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS) AND GORHAM ’S LIMITED
Sen. Owen Darrell: Madam President, thank you. Madam President, Honourable Members of the Senate, I introduce the leasing agreement between the Bermuda Government and Gorham’s Li mited for the period of 99 years. Madam President, in the 2020 election pla tform the Government promised to support our local community and sporting clubs in upgrading their r espective facilities. I am here to say that this is just one step of the many to accomplish this goal. Madam President, honourable colleagues of the Senate may recall in February of 2021 the Go vernment announced the leasing of a strip of land bordering the St. John’s field and Gorham’s Limited yard. This agreement is another example of w hen both the Government and the business sector work together we can manifest substantial benefits for the community at large. Madam President, as the lease details, Gorham’s has agreed to spend $350, 000 to regrade and resurface the Government’s adjoining St. John’s field which includes flood prevention, suitable water catchment and a minimum regulatory playing area for recreational sporting activities. Gorham’s has further agreed to donate a minimum of $150,000 towards the renovation or rebuilding of the existing clubhouse on said field, more commonly known as Western Stars Sports Club. To provide technical resources to assist with the preparation of plans and drawings including engineering plans and reports as necessary for the construction of a new boundary wall on the adjoining property with the value of such resources and related items to be a maximum of $45,000.
Bermuda Senate To assist the tenants of the adjoining property with the design and costing of additions to the existing clubhouse on the adjoining property or new related construction including design options, quantity surve ying and the establishment of a workable budget for the same with a value of such assistance to be a max imum of $7,500. And to assist with promotional efforts, marketing and contact with oth er relevant organisations to secure funding for the facilities and the operation of the community and sporting programmes of the ten-ants of the adjoining property with a value of such assistance not to exceed $5,000. Simply put, Gorham’s has committed to an amazing $557,500 to support one of the area’s community clubs. Madam President, in turn, the Government leases a portion of the land adjacent to Gorham’s measuring a total area of 0.61 acres for 99 years. This land will be paved over with asphalt to im prove access to the store, thus improving service for its customers and the community. Madam President, this agreement truly supports this administration’s ideal of a progressive soci ety. I would first like to thank the board of directors and the management of Gorham’s Limited who, without them, this would not be possible. I would also like to thank the board of Western Stars Community Club and all of the technical officers who have worked tir elessly on this initiative. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Owen Darrell. Would any Senator care to speak on this lease agreement? Senator De Couto, you have the floor.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoThank you, Madam President. We are certainly pleased to support this initi ative. We see that it is a win -win approach to furthering sport in Bermuda. We certainly know that the G overnment is very tight on funds and does not have many funds to spare. So I congratulate …
Thank you, Madam President. We are certainly pleased to support this initi ative. We see that it is a win -win approach to furthering sport in Bermuda. We certainly know that the G overnment is very tight on funds and does not have many funds to spare. So I congratulate their creativity in allowing Gorham’s to support the sports club in this way and to get a benefit themselves. I certainly look forward to seeing the Western Stars Field in action and busy with training and competition as we drive by. Thank you.
The President: Thank you, Senator De Couto. Would any other Senator care to speak on this lease agreement? Senator Michelle Simmons, Vice President, you have the floor. Sen. Michelle Simmons: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. I will be very brief. I too would like to support this lease agreement between the Government and Gorham’s. It is a wonderful, wonderful idea. We can see clearly how the community will benefit. We see that Gorham’s will benefit. So it is a win -win. It is very impressive that a private entity is willing to commit $557,000 to assist their neighbour, a sports club. And I would just like to encourage other entities in the community that have resources that can be used to support the rebirth or the rejuvenation of some of our local organisations to do so. Step up! Step forward. I am sure your overtures will be well received. So, thank you to Gorham’s. Thank you to the Government for this innovative plan. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Michelle Si mmons. Would any other Senator care to speak on this lease agreement? Hearing none, then it is over to you, Senator Darrell. Sen. Owen Darrell: Madam President, I move that the said draft lease agreement be approved.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion? There is no objection. The lease agreement is approved.
[Motion carried: The draft Lease Agreement between the Government of Bermuda (Ministry of Public Works) and Gorham’s Limited was considered and approved.]
The President: Thank you, Senator Darrell, and thank you, all Senators who have participated. We will now move on.
MOTIONS
The President: There are none.
CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES The Presi dent: The floor is open.
Sen. the Hon. Dr. Ernest PeetsYes, thank you, Madam President. All of us are aware, of course, of the passing of Sister Olga Scott, wife of former Premier Alex Scott, mother to Robyn Eve and our beloved Minister La wrence Scott, Minister of Transport . We certainly invite Senate to join with me in sending …
Yes, thank you, Madam President. All of us are aware, of course, of the passing of Sister Olga Scott, wife of former Premier Alex Scott, mother to Robyn Eve and our beloved Minister La wrence Scott, Minister of Transport . We certainly invite Senate to join with me in sending our prayers and 542 22 June 2022 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate condolences to the family. I did not know her really, really well, but I have met her of course over her illustrious career on a few occasions. She was beloved by all. And in the words of our current Premier, she was a “kind and compassionate woman” who “exemplified the . . . essence of public service.” So cer tainly on b ehalf of the Government Senate team and my entire family, I certainly want to wish condolences and best wishes and sympathies during this time to the Scott family.
The President: Thank you, Minister Peets. Would any other Senator care to speak ? Senator Michelle Simmons, you have the floor. Sen. Michelle Simmons: Thank you, Madam Pres ident. I would like to join with Minister Peets in extending condolences to the family of the late Mrs. O lga Scott, OBE. She came to Bermuda in 1967 specif ically to spearhead a youth development programme. We knew it by its initials, YHED —Youth, Health, Education and Development. The focus of the programme was really to try and help the young people of Berm uda to focus on things which would benefit them in the long term in their lives. Really, it was a programme where she had to win the trust of the entire community in order for this family planning educational pr ogramme to be successful. It was difficult, but she did, she won the support of the community. I think one of the huge benefits of the YHED programme was that young people who found themselves in the family way could return to school and complete their education. But to do that, Mrs. Scott had to enlarge the staff of YHED. She had to seek volunteers. And a ll of this, over a 21- year period as Executive Director, was her passion. She continued to serve the board at YHED, which eventually became Teen Services. And I believe there is a 50- year track record there of service. So the community has lost a very valu able contributor, but the Scott family has lost their matriarch. I always found Mrs. Scott to be very dignified, principled, compassionate, caring. And it is so true that her work in this community changed many lives. So I pray that her family can find so me peace in knowing that her contributions have made a difference, al though that will not take the sting of her loss away. Madam President, I would also like to extend condolences to the family of one of my classmates. He was well -known in the community, probably best known in the City of Hamilton, because this is where he lived for most of his life. And this is where many of us had a chance to interact with him. I am referring to Keith Clarence McDonald Gordon. He was my clas smate at Central School and al so at the Berkeley Inst itute. Our lives were kind of on a parallel because Keith grew up on Victoria Street, and I grew up on Church Street. And we could look across at each ot her’s houses. He was witty. He was intelligent, always wanting to stop and have a chat. My last encounter with him was in Fagan’s A lley just around the time of his 70 th birthday. And it was such a pleasure to be able to stop and have a chat with him about things that we remembered from our schooldays. I would ask that we extend condol ences to his family, all of his siblings, his daughter and especially two of his sisters who have had prominent roles in the community, former Premier Dame Pamela Gordon Banks, and also the Honourable Patricia GordonPamplin. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Michelle Si mmons. Would any other Senator care to speak? Yes, Senator Rev. Dill, you have the floor, Dr. Emilygail Dill.
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you, Madam President. I would like to take the opportunity this mor ning to congratulate Ms. Suzette Harvey and the United Dance Productions on their 30- year anniversary. Certainly as we look at the history of United Dance Pr oducti ons, we would like to celebrate the work that …
Thank you, Madam President. I would like to take the opportunity this mor ning to congratulate Ms. Suzette Harvey and the United Dance Productions on their 30- year anniversary. Certainly as we look at the history of United Dance Pr oducti ons, we would like to celebrate the work that S uzette Harvey has done in this community. When I look at her I always say that she somehow sparked a dance revolution. When she came back from school, she had a vision of this elite art form that seemed to have been reserved to a smaller segment of society, [and] she was able to provide it to individuals from all walks of life. Now you can see [her success], and you [can] hear United Dance Productions, just watching them recently in the parade, the Bermuda Day Parade and the army almost of dancers who came forward. Certainly I have seen how the work of Suzette Harvey —you do not just see it in the cultural segment, but even the work that she has done has actually spilled into every segment of our community. So I want to commend her for the work that she has done over the years. And we wish United Dance Productions continued growth and success as they go forward. I would like to also at this time take the opportunity to congratulate the Rev. Dr. Larry Dixon on hi s retirement from active service in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Dixon, who is a native of Georgia, actually began his journey as a pastor here in the Island of Bermuda some 46 years ago as the pastor of our mother church, St. John AME Church in Bailey’s Bay. After leaving Bermuda, he went on to serve in the US in several congregations and then
Bermuda Senate was elevated to the office of Presiding Elder. And ironically, he ended his journey in the itinerant ministry as the Presiding Elder of the West District here in the Bermuda Conference. He completed his service last week and is now back overseas, but we would like to send con-gratulations to him on his journey, which was full circle in this community, and wish him the best in his retir ement, as wel l as congratulating the Reverend Howard Dill on his appointment as the Presiding Elder of the East West District of the Bermuda Conference. Cer-tainly we look forward to his leadership in this church as it transitions and meets the demands of this age. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Dr. Emilygail Dill. Would any other Senator care to speak? Senator De Couto, you have the floor.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoThank you, Madam President. This moment in our day to me is always a reminder of how full of life and accomplishment Berm uda is whether we be congratulating ahead or we be remarking on those we have lost. So I just wanted to note that. I would also like …
Thank you, Madam President. This moment in our day to me is always a reminder of how full of life and accomplishment Berm uda is whether we be congratulating ahead or we be remarking on those we have lost. So I just wanted to note that. I would also like to associate myself with all of the comments regarding Olga Scott and condolences to the Scott family; as well as to the condolences on the passing of Mr. Keith Gordon and to his family as well. I would like to send condolences to the family of Peter Durhager, who passed at age 80, especially his son, Peter, and wife, Ann, and their family of Wa rwick. Mr. Durhager, Sr., was quite a sportsman, a traveller. He was what today we would call a waterman, busy spearfishing, catching lobsters, swimming, water -skiing and so forth. He was quite a dynamic individual. So I would like to relay my condolences to his family. I would like to relay my condolences to the family of Colin Golder, who unfortunately perished in a man- overboard incident during the recent race to Bermuda. Mr. Golder was a 10- time participant in that race. He was a highly experienced skipper. And that means he had probably been coming to this Island for 20 to 30 years. It is the reminder that even a recreational race like that has it perils. Again, I would like to relay our condolences to Mr. Golder’s family. If I turn to positive news, I would like to congratulate all of the participants in the Newport Berm uda Race who are now celebrating their arrival in the various ways. I would especially like to congratulate the Bermuda boats, the Spirit of Bermuda, skippered by Alex Peacock; Nasty Medicine, skippered by Dr. Stephen Sherwin; and Crossfire, skippered by Bermudian Brian Hillier. Now, hopefully I have got this right. It does change as they run the numbers. But I believe Cros s-fire came third in their class, which is a very good accomplishment, and 25 th out of 108 in what we call the St. David’s Division, which is the most prestigious d ivision of that race. So I would like to congratulate all of them and remark on what a boost to Bermuda’s tourism all of these visitor s are, and how nice it is to see them all enjoying our natural beauty and hospital ity. I would also like to remark on the boat Argo, which those of you know set a new record, 33 hours sailing to Bermuda, which is pretty amazing because I do not think you could it that fast in a motorboat. I have a theme in these congratulations; you probably figured it out. I would like to congratulate Benn Smith and Christian Ebbin, his cousin, for their astounding victory in the 78 th [annual] Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race. I believe they finished with a three- minute lead. And as youngsters, I think they have probably shaken up some of the longstanding champions in that class. I knew that race had been around a long time, but 78 years is pretty ama zing. And it is a testament, frankly, to the Black Berm udian sailors who against all odds created their own community when they were not allowed to participate in the other communities. Finally, I would like to congratulate Sebastian Kempe and Nicole Stovell, who each recently competed in the UK [RYA] Youth National Sailing Championships. Each won their respective classes. For those of you who do not follow that, you should understand that in the UK the sailing is very, very competitive. And we already know that those two are sai ling at a world level, and this is further proof of it. I am going to paraphrase a quote that I read from him, just to give you an idea of the mind- set. He came second in the first race. And I believe his comment was, Well, that race didn’t go as I had planned. So I hope that they keep them up because next month both of them will be competing in the Youth World Championships in their respective classes. And I would send in advance our best wishes for their success there. And as a reminder, Sebastian is the returning champion in that. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Dr. De Couto. Would any other Senator care to speak? Senator Owen Darrell, you have the floor. Sen. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I would just like to first start off by asking that we send condolences to the family of Mr. John Holdipp III. Mr. Holdipp, as some individuals would know, was an ardent supporter of the Pr ogressive Labour Party. And I got to know him as I was the chairman of the party at one time, Madam Pres ident. Also, I do not know how he got my number after that. (Maybe I gave it to him.) But Mr. Holdipp used to constantly call me and offer his ideas and his plans 544 22 June 2022 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate and things that could make this communi ty better. So I know he was laid to rest about a week ago, or 10 days ago. And I would just like condolences to be sent to his family, mainly his siblings. And on a more positive and happier note, Madam President, I would like to congratulate 12 members of what we would call new educators, who have just completed as of yesterday the Bermuda Teacher Inductee Programme. I was due to attend yesterday, and at the last minute I was unable. But I would like to publicly congratulate those 12 members. I do not ha ve their names at this time, but I will come back and probably have a Ministerial Statement on this. But I did want to say congratulations to them. The Bermuda Teacher Inductee Programme is something that I am very familiar with, and I enjoyed the two years that I spent in that. And what it is is that when you come in as an educator, you have a mentor. The mentor teacher shows you the ropes of being an ed ucator in the Bermuda public school system. It is really rewarding and refreshing to be with your cohort for two years, [as you can] share stories. And it is always fun times after the two years. They kind of call you a veteran teacher and they release you on your own. So congratulations to those 12 educators, and I will have their names. And as the next weeks and days go on, we will have lots of congratulations when it comes to education. I know this is the final week of the Bermuda public schools being in. I talk to my chi ldren every night, and every day right now it is the beach, it is a field trip, it is something else. And those are important. I did see a comment from an educator, unfortunately, that they felt it was a babysitting service, and I disagree. I think that the outings that our public school students are going on this week to i mmerse them in the culture —and some things, unfort unately, some of the students in the public school sy stem may not ordinarily get exposure to. I want to thank the teachers who are arranging these field trips and exposing our young people before they go off to summer break and graduations and moving to different schools and things of that nature. So I want to congratulate everyone in educ ation as the school year does come to a conclusion and we start to celebrate many, many, many accomplis hments. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Darrell. I think that is everyone who wanted to speak. I would just like to join in the sentiments that have been expressed for the passing of Mrs. Olga Scott. She was a personal friend of my husband and mine over many years. I am very close to the family, and certainly Honourable Alex Scott and his daughter, Robyn and her family, as well as Minister Lawrence Scott —it has been a very difficult time for them because of the suddenness of the passing, but I want to join in the expressions of sympathy that have been expressed and to certainly express my own for the entire family. I would also like to offer condolences to the family of Judith Swan, the wife of Rick Swan and si ster of Patsy. She obviously, I think most people have heard about Trott Drapery. That was run by her mot her, and she certainly did that for many years. She is being funeralised as we speak, in fact, in Paget. So I would just like to join in the sentiments that have been expressed by others and acknowled ge that. (Sorry. It is a bit difficult for me this morning.) With all of that said, we will move on then.
The President: Minister Peets.
ADJOURNMENT
Sen. the Hon. Dr. Ernest PeetsThank you, Madam President. I move that Senate adjourn to Wednesday, July 6. The President: Would any Senator care to speak on the motion to adjourn? Hearing none, then, Senators, the Senate stands adjourned until July 6. [At 11:06 am, the Senate stood adjourned until 10:00 am, Wednesday, 6 July …