Hansard — June 18, 2021 — Bermuda Parliament

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning, Members. Ms. Beale, will you lead us in prayer? We see you, but we do not hear you, Ms. Beale. The Assistant Clerk: Do you hear me now? Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker A little louder. The Assistant Clerk: Can you hear me now?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. You are a little faint, but go ahead. PRAYERS [Prayers read by Ms. Kara Beale, Assistant Clerk ]

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Ms. Beale. Thank you, Deputy, for your assistance there. Members, we are now in session for today’s sitting. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES [Minutes of 4 June 2021]

The Speaker The Speaker Members, t he confirmation of Minutes for the 4th of June has been circulated. Are there any amendments required? No amendments. The Minutes are confirmed as printed. [Minutes of 4 June 2021 confirmed] MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. ANNOU NCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING APOLOGIES

The Speaker The Speaker I have two matters that I would like to acknowledge today. MP Dunkley and MP Swan have both indicated that they will be absent today. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE

The Speaker The Speaker This morning we have three papers. The first is in the name of the Deputy Premier. Deputy Premier, would you like to present your paper? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to everyone. Good morning to the listening public.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. REGISTRY GENERAL ANNUAL REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF BERMUDA ANNUAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR APRIL 1, 2017 TO MARCH 31, 2018 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, I have the ho nour to attach and submit for the information of the Honourable House …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy. The next Paper and Communication this morning is in the name of the Minister of Labour. Minister Hayward. Hon. Jason Hayward: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. TRADE UNION AND LABOUR RELATIONS (TRANSITIONAL) REGULATIONS 2021 Hon. Jason Hayward: I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the Honourable 1576 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly House of Assembly the Trade Union and Labour Rel ations (Transitional) Regulations …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. That is the completion of Papers and Communications. We now move on. PETITIONS

The Speaker The Speaker There are n one. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS

The Speaker The Speaker We have six Statements this morning. The first Statement this morning is in the name of the Deputy Premier. Minister, would you like to present your Statement this morning? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes. Good morning, Mr. Speaker, again.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. Go right ahead. REGISTRY GENE RAL ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, today I laid for information the Annual Report of the Registry General for the year ended the 31st of December 2020. The Registrar General recogni ses the essential role …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. The next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Works. Minister Burch.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. UPDATE ON WANTLEY

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I wish to provide an update on the property , Wantley , located at 20 Princess Street in the City of Hamilton. The property was purchased by the Bermuda Housing Corpor ation in March 2008 with a view to developing the site. In the intervening years funding was …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. The next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Labour. Minister Hayward. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker. The President: Yes, Minister. PHASE 2 TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVES Hon. Jason Hayward: I rise today to provide you with an update on the education, training …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. The next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Education. Minister of Education, would you like to pr esent your Statement now? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, and good morning, colleagues.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker , I would like to upda te my honourable colleagues about yet another exciting educational opportunity for the people of Bermuda. Today I am pleased to announce another initiative to promote the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Minister, the next Statement is yours as well. Would you like to present that now? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SUMMER LEARNING PROGRAMMES Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise before you and my honourable colleagues to share about the summer programmes that the Department of Education will be putting in place for our students to help make up for …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Minister, just a comment: If you intend to speak later in the day, you may want to adjust your system. You kept fading out, particularly near the end of your Statement. Your audio was dying out back and forth. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Okay. Tha nk …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. The next Statement, which is the last Stat ement this morning, is in the name of the Minister of National Security. Minister Ming, would you like to present your Statement? GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION TEAM UPDATE Hon. Renee Ming: Yes. Good morning, Mr. Speaker and listening audience. Mr. Speaker, …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. That is the close of the Statements for this morning. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. Bermuda House of Assembly QUESTION PERIOD

The Speaker The Speaker This morning we have two sets of written questions. The first are being deferred until our next sitting. Those are the questions to Minister Wi lson from MP Dunkley. QUESTION: COVID -19 VACCINE STATISTIC S [Deferred] Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: 1. Will the Honourable Minister please provide this Honourable House …

The Speaker The Speaker So, we will move on to the second set of questions. The second set of questions is from MP Richardson to Minister Hayward. There are three questions, and [for] each one [MP Richardson] has indicated that he would like an oral response. As I set the clock for our 60 …

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Honourable Minister please inform this Honourable House how many unemployed Bermudians with interest in closed job categories were identified before closing those categories?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, as the Honour able House is aware, the unparalleled level of unemployment that Bermuda has experienced as a result of the COVID -19 pandemic has translated into Berm uda’s worst job crisis in recent history. As employment levels declined, this Government did not hesitate …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Supplementary, MP?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. Jarion Richardson The Honourable Minister said the unemployment has risen. What is the current unemplo yment rate, and how many people are unemployed?

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: The most recent labour force report has not been released to the public. And I be-lieve that once that is released to the public, the public will be well aware of what is the current unemplo yment rate. But based off of data that …

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Second supplementary, go ahead.

Mr. Jarion Richardson What is doubled ? From what? Hon. Jason Hayward: The previous rate, Mr. Speaker. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I have a supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Lea der, put your suppl ementary. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: The Minister indicated that the statistics were derived from the Department of Statistics, Financial Assistance and from his depar tment. Can he give us the date of those statistics? Were they 2021? Were they 2020? Can he …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, all data would have been retrieved in the ye ar 2020, prior to making the announcement to close job categories. The data would have been derived at the time when the policy analysts within the Ministry of Labour would have r eviewed the data …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. MP Richardson, you used your two supplementaries. Would you like to put your second question?

Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. MP Pearman.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman, you have a supplementary for that first question?

Mr. Scott Pearman Yes, I do, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Honourable Minister. You said that the unemployment has doubled from the previous statistics. Roughly, what w ere the previous statistics, numerically? Thank you. Hon. Jason Hayward: I believe that is public information, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Scott Pearman Second supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Second supplementary. Go ahead.

Mr. Scott Pearman Is the Honourable Minis ter able to inform the Honourable House roughly what that number was, and what the number is now that it has doubled? Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, again that is public information. That has already been released to the public.

The Speaker The Speaker Meaning it is in the public domain so the Member can find it in the public domain, MP Pearman.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Does any other Member have a supplementary for that question? None. MP Richardson, would you like to go to your second quest ion?

Mr. Jarion Richardson I would. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. QUESTION 2: UNEMPLOYED BERMUDIANS/ HIRED CATEGORIES

Mr. Jarion Richardson Will the Honourable Minister please inform this Honourable House how many un-employed Bermudians have been hired and in which categories, since those categories have been closed? Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, first, I would be remiss if I did not remind the House that the Depar tment of Workforce Development …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. MP, do you have a supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson I do not, Mr. Speaker. The S peaker: Does anyone else have a supplementary?

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker None. MP, you can put your third question.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Mr. Speaker, I think MP Jackson had a supplemental.

The Speaker The Speaker Oh. I missed that. MP Jack son.

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARY

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes. I am just curious what performance measures do you have then if you are not aware of the number of people who then bec ome employed after going through the Workforce Development training programmes? Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I believe the Member is a bit confused. In my …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Ms. Susan E. Jackson No, thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. MP Richardson, would like to put your third question now? QUESTION 3: POLICY IMPACT ON BUSINESSES

Mr. Jarion Richardson I would. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With so many businesses impacted by COVID -19 and its ongoing impact, will the Honourable Minis ter please inform this Honourable House the d ata that have been collected and what impact this policy has had on local businesses so far?

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, the impact we have seen on businesses affected b y COVID -19 has been mixed. It is the experience of the Ministry that closing categories of work permits has impacted bus inesses in terms of hiring. This is what the Ministry would …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. MP Cannonier, put your suppl ementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 1588 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Minister, if you could, based on the impact, which industries have been positively affected by COVID -19, per se, in that they have seen an uptick in business and employment?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hay ward: I do not have data on which businesses have been positively impacted by the COVID -19 pandemic. I do not think . . . I do not have that information, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Hon. Jason Hayward: And I would not know how to obtain that informat ion either.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Hon. Jason Hayward: Or [know how to] even measure the positive impact of the COVID -19 pandemic.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier I am sorry. Did he say that he would not know how to collect?

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Yes, he did.

The Speaker The Speaker I think basically what he was saying is it is not the type of information that they have been tracking, so he cannot provide the information for you.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Okay. Second supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead.

Mr. L . Craig Cannonier I would endeavour to believe that the whole purpose of serving and the like by the Ministry would be to delve directly into what is going on through COVID -19, and exclusive of COVID -19 to really understand where the opportunities lie. And so with my previous question, I was …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Does anyone else have a supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson I do, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Richardson, you have a suppl ementary?

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. Jarion Richardson I would like for the Minister to clarify, yes. Would the Minister please clarify? In his earl ier answer to Question 3, he said something about Bermudian applications not being fully considered. What did he mean by Bermudian applications are not being fully consi dered?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: I do not believe I used those terms. But what I will do is clarify. It is the experience of the Ministry that closing categories of work permits has impacted businesses in terms of hiring. This is what the Ministry would expect as the policy has …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Mr. Speaker, my first supplementary. The Honourable Minister just said it again, “fully consider,” in his response. And that is what I was asking for clarification about. What does he m ean by that it is not being fully considered, that other applic ations are not being fully considered? Is …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: This is what the Ministr y would expect as the policy has forced employers to fully consider Bermudian applicants. Which means that if there is the availability of foreign labour . . . yes, some employers do prefer foreign labour over employing Bermudians. And so if …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Does anyone else have a supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson I have a supplementary, Mr. Speaker. I was just trying to get clarification on my first one.

The Speaker The Speaker I let it slip through, but . . . Go ahead. Because you basically asked to restate your first question.

Mr. Jarion Richard son Yes. That is all, Mr. Speaker. I was not speaking another one.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead.

Mr. Jarion Richardson This is my last supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. It is your second one, your last one.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Honourable Mi nister. Given that there is some evidence that bus inesses were favouring non- Bermudians, does this result in any kind of investigation or enforcement action? Is this conduct permissible? Hon. Jason Hayward: I do not think favouring nonBermudians is an infringement on immigration law. I believe …

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you.

Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary, MP Pearman. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you. Honourable Minister, the question originally posed was about the data that your Ministry is gathering. And you were asked a question by MP Cannonier as a supplementary about finding out what businesses may have benefited from COVID -19, if any. You said you did not know how to …

Mr. Scott Pearman Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Second supplementary, yes.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Honourable Minister. You have identified three categories of data that you gather, which were being gathered before COVID -19. Were there any specific lines of inquiry of data- gathering as a result of COVID -19? Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, these data were gathered after the COVID -19 …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Does any other Member have a supplementary? No further supplementaries. That brings us to a close of the written question period this morning. We will now move on to the questions from Statements given this morning. And it appears every Statement has questions this morning. The first. Deputy …

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. QUESTION 1: REGISTRY GENERAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: The Minister spoke of mar itime marriages, and he provided the accompanying statistics on maritime marriages on Bermudaregistered ships. Conversely, can the Minister provide details on procedures for maritime deaths on Berm uda-registered ships? What …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I have supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I understand, and I accept the Mini ster’s undertaking. But we have Bermudaregistered ships which are not cruise ships —cargo ships and other bulk carriers, et cetera—that are registered in Bermuda. And so there may be deaths on those vessels in international …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: As I answered . . . I mean, I think part of my same answer is [applicable] to this in that there was no reference to maritime deaths in my report. But I think the Honourable Member would know, Mr. Speaker, that the Bermuda Shipping …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes. If the information is with the Bermuda Shi pping & Maritime Authority (I accept t hat), then should not there be an obligation for them to register information with the Registrar General? Hon. Walter H. Roban: I am sorry. Can the Honour able …

The Speaker The Speaker Basically, he was saying that if the i nformation is gathered by the other department, is it a requirement for that department to register with the Registrar General? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: That is correct. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, I have been advised by the Registrar it …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. All right. The Opposition Leader is the only Member who had questions for you, Deputy. The next Statement this morning by Minister Burch, and, Minister Burch, you have a question from MP Richardson. MP Richardson, would you like to put your question? QUESTION 1: UPDATE ON WANTLEY

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In the Honourable Minister’s Statement he said that the Wantley property was purchased by the Bermuda Housing Corporation in March of 2008 with Bermuda House of Assembly a view to developing the site. Would the Honourable Minister know how much was spent to acquire that property …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I saw the figure, but I do not rec all what it is. I can find out before we are finished [with] this morning’s Question Period.

The Speaker The Speaker MP, the Minister said he does not have the number readily available; he will endeavour to get it before this session today on questions is even fi nished.

Mr. Jarion Richardson I thank you, Mr. Speaker and the Honourable Minister. I would also have two follow - up supplementary questions to that which may be with the information the Minister has. So if I could put those two, and then if he can apply that as well.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Without your knowing the answer, do you have supplementaries?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Well, because it is . . . okay, yes. Yes, it is multi -layered, to be fair, Mr. Speaker. But we can move on because I do have a second quest ion on this Statement.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Do your second question then.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Minister said that—

The Speaker The Speaker Just note that your camera is not on. We need to have your camera on.

Mr. Jarion Ric hardson Oh. It seems to be on. I apologise. Is that working any better?

The Speaker The Speaker In fact, you may have a problem because we have got a yellow triangle coming up. So I do not know what that means . But continue talking, [and just get it resolved] . QUE STION 2: UPDATE ON WANTLEY

Mr. Jarion Richardson Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Bermuda National Trust wanted the buil ding donated to them. Given that the value of the buil ding to the community is now evident, will the Bermuda Housing Corporation undertake any actions on a going-forward basis to prevent the loss of these kinds of …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch: Mr. Speaker.

Lt. Col. Ho n. David A. Burch The funding for housing in this country for the last decade, so the entire time the OBA was in power, has been restricted. I personally think, and as a Minister I think that it is unreasonable for all of the people who are in favour of saving historical buildings to …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Honourable Minister.

The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARY

Mr. Jarion Richardson Would the Honourable Minister please inform this Honourable House how interested parties who do want to save buildings that are currently in the care of either the government or the Bermuda Housing Corporation . . . who do they approach? Is there a way that they are suppos ed to …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Go ahead.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch The Bermuda National Trust I believe has a policy of asking for properties for free. That is not realistic or reasonable. But what we have experienced is people wri ting to the Ministry when they see a vacant and derelict property (not necessarily historic, but the same rules apply) indicating …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. MP, you have a second supplementary or a new question?

Mr. Jarion Richardson No supplementary, no new question. Thank you, Mr. Speak er. I thank the Honourable Minister.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister, there were no other Members who indicated that they had questions for you on this. We will move on to the next Statement by the Minister of Labour. Minister Hayward, you have a question from MP Richardson. MP Richardson, would you like to put your question? QUESTION …

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Minister in his Statement said that there are 13 new tra ining, career development and employment programmes that have been suc-cessfully delivered as it relates to the re- employment strategy. Would the Honourable Minister please i nform this Honourable House how many of those …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, none of those programmes existed prior to the re- employment strategy. They were all a part of the re- employment strat egy, and that is why the word within the Statement says “new.”

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson None at this time. Thank you for that [answer]. I have a new question, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Do your second question. QUESTION 2: PHASE 2 TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVES

Mr. Jarion R ichardson Yes. Given that 650 persons have participated in various programmes —that is, face to face, on the job, online, virtual learning, web inars, internships, apprenticeships and training pr ogrammes —we have 70 individuals who have received part-time or full-time employment as a direct result of those initiatives. That gives a …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I think that the Honourable Member is measuring success wrong in this regard. If we have 650 people who are better pr epared and qualified for job opportunities when they present themselves [for employment], this is certainly success from the Government’s lens. …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Do you have a supplementary? Supplementary, MP Richardson?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary.

Mr. Jarion Richardson I thank the Honourable Mi nister for his response. Given that their participation is how we are determining whether or not this has worked out . . . Mr. Speaker, I would defer my question for a later wri tten Parliamentary Question. Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Do you have a third question?

Mr. Jarion Richardson I do not, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Minister Hayward, that brings a close to Members who have indicated that they had questions for you. We now move on to the next Statement. The next St atement is for the Minister of Education in reference to the University of West Indies. MP Famous. MP Famous.

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker We can hear you. Put your question.

Mr. Christopher Famous Can you see me, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker Not yet.

Mr. Christopher Famous Okay. I am having cha llenges with my bandwidth here.

The Speaker The Speaker That is what happens when you are down in the East. [Laughter]

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead, my friend.

Mr. Christopher Famous Well, the thing is, Mr. Speaker, I wore an outfit today that matches your tie.

The Speaker The Speaker No wonder your camera is not working. Now I know that explains it all. See? If your tie was red-and-blue, it would work, see? [Laughter]

Mr. Christopher Famous All right . . . I don’t —

The Speaker The Speaker Put your question, my friend. QUESTION 1: UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

Mr. Christopher Famous Okay. All right. Mr. Speaker, to the Honourable Minister of Education: In a price- conscious environment, Berm udians would like to know what is the tuition or cost of students going to the University of West Indies?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Open Campus that we are having the fair for next week, the average total cost for a bachelor’s degree is around $10,000. The average cost for a master’s degree ranges between $7,900 and $10,000, and the average cost for a doctorate degree is …

Mr. Christopher Famous Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. Christopher Famous Are those costs per s emester or for the entire course? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Those costs are for the entire course. And that would be in US dollars.

Mr. Christopher Famous So could you reiterate? Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker What do you mean “reiterate”? Do you want to now ask a second supplementary? You can ask a second supplementary.

Mr. Christopher Famous I will move on to the next question. The S peaker: Okay. 1594 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly QUESTION 2: UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Board of the Bermuda College, we often e ncourage our students to stay in Bermuda and get their first set of degrees here in Bermuda. The question that then comes back is, Are their credits transferable to the overseas school? So what I …

Mr. Christopher Famous Further question, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary or new question?

Mr. Christopher Famous A new question, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. Question three. QUESTION 3: UNIVERSITY OF THE WE ST INDIES INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker, as we heard from Minister Hayward, often Bermudians are over-looked for employment in which they are suitably qua lified. So sometimes that yardstick is that, Oh, the school you w ent to isn’t accredited, blah- blah-blah. So, what I would like to ask the Minister is, Are UWI …

Mr. Christopher Famous Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. Christopher Famous Would the Honourable Minister b e able to provide proof, as in alumni, proof to show and prove to Bermudians that the University of West Indies alumni have produced some top scholars? Proof is in the pudding, so . . . [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Well, the …

Mr. Christ opher Famous Final supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Christopher Famous Would the Honourable Minister know that in our midst we have two medical doctors who are graduates of the University of West Indies? One is Dr. Roger Wong, and the other one is Dr. Osseyran. Would the Minister know that? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, I would know that. …

Mr. Christopher Famous All right. That is it. Thank you very much, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, there is no other Member who has indicated they have questions for you on that Statement. So we will move on to your second Stat ement. MP Jackson has indicated she has questions for you on your second Statement. MP Jackson would you like to put your questions at …

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a quick question. I am just wondering if the Minister might be able to tell us how many lost school days there were last year?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Actually, at this point I am unable to give the exac t figure. We can estimate. At the end of semester one, we started the break half -aweek early. And we started the beginning of term two a week late. And then we started …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Ms. Susan E. Jackson No supplementary on that,

Mr. Speaker. The Speaker Second question? QUESTION 2: DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SUMMER LE ARNING PROGRAMMES

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes, yes, I do. Thank you. I am just curious. With the very robust online programming for the summer, I am just wondering what has been done to provide additional Wi -Fi access for students who do not have access to the Internet in some areas that may have been …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Within the Statement it did speak about there may be opportunities for in- person, meaning actually at-school, learning opportunities. Obviously, we will provide Int ernet access there. But also in all of our libraries there is complimentary Internet access for …

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Thank you very much.

The Speaker The Speaker No supplementary questions?

Ms. Susan E. Jackson No further questions. That was [all of them]

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister, that brings to a close your questions. Minister Ming, we have two Members who have indicated they have questions for you today. The first is the Opposition Leader. Opposition Leader, would you like to put your questions to the Minister? QUESTION 1: GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION TEAM UPDATE …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, did you hear all of that, or do you need it repeated? Hon. Renee Ming: I did not get the last part. I just heard—

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. You faded out a bit there, Oppos ition Leader. Could you just repeat it? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: What procedures are in place for the Gang Violence Reduction Team and the CCR Unit to share intelligence in regard to nefarious activities and illegal activities, with the Bermuda Police …

The Speaker The Speaker Those were your two supplementaries. Do you have a second question? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Second question, yes.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, yes. QUESTION 2: GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION TEAM UPDATE Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I am just expanding on what she just said. So if there are illegal activities and they have intelligence of illegal activities, they are not bound to report it directly to Bermuda Police Service? Is that …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Renee Ming: That would be correct. And what would happen normally in that situation, Opposition Leader, is that the Gang Violence Reduction Team would collaborate on what would be the best way forward in that situation. I am sure you can imagine that there are several sensitivities around …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. No supplementaries from anyone else? Good. That brings us to a close of the question-and-answer period for this morning.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Mr. Speaker, I had questions for the Minister.

The Speaker The Speaker Oh, yes! I am sorry. I did indicate there were two Members who had questions for you. I am sorry. Minister Ming, the second Member who had questions for you today is MP Richards [sic] . MP Richards [sic] , put your question.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And it is Richard son.

The Speaker The Speaker Richardson; I am sorry.

Mr. Jarion Richardson I am from a very proud St. David’s family who would not tolerate that.

The Speaker The Speaker All right.

Mr. Jarion Richa rdson Thank you. [Laughter] QUESTION 1: GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION TEAM UPDATE

Mr. Jarion Richardson The Honourable Minister in her Statement said that the Gang Violence Reduction Team has proven to be quite effective. My question relates to that statem ent. Is the policy or intention of this team to reduce the participation in gangs alt ogether? [Crosstalk]

Mr. Jarion Richardson Or is it to take us down to no gangs whatsoever, no gang participation? In a brief statement, could you clarify that by, [telling us] what are they doing so well?

The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Leader, try and get your microphone off. If you would get it off, it would be of great assistance. Thank you. Minister, did you hear his question clearly? Hon. Renee Ming: I believe he asked, What was the purpose of the Gang Violence Reduction Team?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes, Minister. My point was, is it to reduce participation in gangs to zero? Hon. Renee Ming: Okay. Well, actually in the second paragraph of the Statement, it says the t eam “has been charged with the strategic development of prevention and intervention programmes that target our at-risk population. ” …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson No, Mr. Speaker. Second question?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. You can give your second question. QUESTION 2: GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION TEAM UPDATE

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you. The Honourable Minister in her Statement said that the Gang Violence Reduction Team has a Bermuda House of Assembly Coordinated Crisis Response Unit. What is the difference between the Gang Violence Reduction Team and the Coordinated Crisis Response Unit, especially as it relates to membership and cost? Hon. …

The Speaker The Speaker Further question, supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. Jarion Richardson Where do the volunteers originate? Are they known? Do we know who they are? Are we able to say who they are?

The Speaker The Speaker Is the question, How do you get volunteers? Or do you want to name volunteers? Because I do not know if it would be necessary to always put volunteers out for something sensitive like this.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Fair enough. Then I would amend the question to say, How does someone volunteer to join the Coordinated Crisis Response Unit? Hon. Renee Ming: They can reach right out to the Ministry and to the Gang Violence Coordinator direc tly.

Mr. Jarion Richardson And no supplementary. Third question, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker Third question. Go ahead, yes. QUESTION 3: GANG VIOLENCE REDUCTION TEAM UPDATE

Mr. Jarion Richardson The Honourable Minister in her Statement announced the trainees, some 13 trainees who were moving into employment or post - secondary education. Are all of these trainees no longer members of criminal gangs? Hon. Renee Ming: Mr. Speaker, that would be information that I would be unable to answer. The …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Members. We are finished with about four minutes left on the clock I think it is. So we now move on to the next item on the Order Paper. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES

The Speaker The Speaker Would any Member like to make a contribution at this time?

Some Hon. Members Some Hon. Members Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, I will try and catch the first voice that I heard through that time. [Inaudible interjections]

The Speaker The Speaker The Whip? Oh, the Whip.

Mr. Scott Simmons Yes, sir.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. MP Simmons, you lead off your team as the Whip this morning. You have your three minutes.

Mr. Scott Simmons Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I rise in this Honourable House and ask that condolences be sent to, or that I be associated with [condolences to] four families who have lost loved ones r ecently: the family of Mr. Calix Stuart Mallory Darrell; the family of Mr. Gary Linsfield DeShield; and …

Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Please associate me as well.

Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Thank you.

Mr. Scott Simmons Mr. Speaker, Cal was a staple at the Port Royal Golf Course and in the constituency 32, Southampton West at large. He and all mentioned will be very much missed. 1598 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Just to pivot quickly, Mr. Speaker, I ask that …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Whip.

Some Hon. Members Some Hon. Members Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Swan, [I do not see you on] video today, but you are with us, so you have your three minutes.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Yes, Mr. Speaker. In the strong spirit of blue- and-blue, those who want to retain our Cup by the official means, let me associate my self with the condolences —

The Speaker The Speaker Now, Mr. Swan, you may have just lost your three minutes, you know. [Laughter]

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead and do your condolences or congratulations.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Mr. Speaker, let me associate myself ver y solemnly with the condolences offered to my colleague and friend, Cal DeRosa. As Chairman of Bermuda Government Golf Courses, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the DeRosa family. Cal DeRosa’s family is the homestead of the house where my mother was bor …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Leader, you have your three minutes. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to send congratul atory remarks to Cathy Duffy . Cathy Duffy received the Fred Reiss Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to Bermuda’s captive industry. Mr. Speaker, as you …

The Speaker The Speaker Your three minutes are done, sir. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Would any other Member?

Mr. Dennis Lister III Yes, Mr. Speaker. The Spe aker: MP Lister, you have your three minutes.

Mr. Dennis Lister III Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and good morning to the listening audience. I would like to start off by sending congratul atory remarks to a constituent of mine, Ms. Amelia Wi lliams , who yes terday celebrated her 90 th birthday. Her family celebrated by having a drive- through birthday celebration …

The Speaker The Speaker MP, thank you for your remarks. Would any other Member like to make a contribution at this time? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister of Education, you have your three minutes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, while I do not normally do birt hdays, I would like for the House to send a hearty co ngratulations to Dr. Bert McPhee, who will turn 95 t omorrow. Dr. …

The Speaker The Speaker MP Simmons -Wade, you have your three minutes.

Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade Yes. Good afternoon, everyone. I would like to take this opportunity to express —

The Speaker The Speaker Just to remind you to hit your camera button if you can.

Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade Oh, sorry. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my condolences to the family of Staurt Lottimore . Mr. Lottimore was actually my handyman. He was at my house not even hours before he passed. He had his issues in life, but I will say in regard to …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Does any other MP wish to m ake a contribution at this time? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Deputy Leader, you have your three minutes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to, unfortunately, bring a message of condolence to this House, one in particular to the family and friends of Mr. Reuben McCoy, who recently passed away. Mr. McCoy was one of those …

Mr. Michael A. Weeks I would like to be associated. Hon. Walter H . Roban: Yes. And I would with honour associate the Honourable Member, Mr. Weeks, as Mr. McCoy was his constituent before he became mine. Obviously, Mr. McCoy was a constituent, but I know for a fact and have known for quite …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, Opposition Leader. We have noted that. Would any other Member like to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. Jache Adams Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Adams. You have your three minutes. Go right ahead .

Mr. Jache Adams Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I will just be quick and would like to be associated again with those remarks to Dr. McPhee. Dr. McPhee, as the Minister of Education said, is a brother of mine as well, a true gentleman, intelligent, poised, al ways has a smile on his face, …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Ms. Susan E. Jackson: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I would like to say a few words.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Jackson, you have your three minutes.

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to be associated with the birthday greetings for Dr. Bert McPhee. He is also my godfather, and it has been wonderful to know that I have had family support around for my entire life. And the fact that he has reached 95 …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Richardson, you have your three minutes.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to congratulate the team at In Motion School of Dance, led by Lizz Pimentel, for putting on a recital and show under very difficult circu mstances. I did not realise just how much work goes into that, and I wanted to congratulate her, …

The Speaker The Speaker It sounds like the Deputy Speaker. Deputy, you have the floor, sir. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Spea ker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to be associated with the congratulatory remarks on Dr. McPhee. I would venture to say that Dr. McPhee is probably one of the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution?

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, sounds like MP Famous.

Mr. Christopher Famous Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Make your contribution.

Mr. Christopher Famous I would like to associate myself with the remarks with Ms. Duffy, Dr. Maxwell and Ms. Laurie Shiell -Smith. But what others failed to mention is that all of those persons are Berkeleyites. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to wish [happy] National Heroes Day to all of the young …

The Speaker The Speaker Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? 1602 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly An Hon. Member: Hear, hear, Famous!

The Speaker The Speaker Any Member wish to make a contribution? There are none of us. As we m ove on from here, let me just add my remarks to the condolences that were expressed the Joell family. Mr. Robin Joell was a long- standing member of the Sandys community for many years before …

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. NOTICE OF MOTIONS FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE ON MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS GOVERNMENT BILLS

The Speaker The Speaker I believe we have three Bills to be i ntroduced today. The first is in the name of the Deputy Premier. Minister, would you like to introduce your Bill? FIRST READING DEBT COLLECTIO N AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yes. Mr. Speaker, I am …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. The second Bill this morning to be tabled is that for the Minister of Education. Minister, would you like to table your matter? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes. Is my sound okay, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker Sounds fine. FIRST READING EDUCATION AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2021 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for its first reading so that it may be placed on the Order Paper for the next day of meeting: the Education Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021. …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. And the final Bill to be introduced this morning is from the Minister of Transport. Minister of Transport. FIRST READING BERMUDA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY AMENDMENT ACT 202 1 Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I am introducing the following Bill for its first reading so that …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. That now moves us on. OPPOSITION BILLS

The Speaker The Speaker There are no Opposition Bills. PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS

The Speaker The Speaker There are no Private Members’ Bills. NOTICE OF MOTIONS

The Speaker The Speaker There are no notices of motions. ORDERS OF THE DAY

The Speaker The Speaker The first Order of today is in the name of the Minister of Finance. It is the second reading of the National Pension Scheme (Occupational Pe nsions) Amendment Act 2021. Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Good afternoon, Minister. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled the National Pension Scheme (Occ upational Pensions) Amendment Act 2021 be now read the second time.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? There are none. Continue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME (OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS) AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, the Gover nment wishes this Honourable House to now give con-sideration to the Bill entitled National Pens ion Scheme (Occupational Pensions) Amendment …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. It is now 2 minutes to 12:30. It is 12:28. I am going to suggest that we pause for lunch now. And when we return, the Opposition spokesperson can lead off at two o’clock. Are there any objections to that? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: None, Mr. …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Deputy Premier, would you like to lead us into our break? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do adjourn for lunch until the hour of 2:00 pm this afternoon. The Speaker: Are there any objections to that? There are none. …

The Speaker The Speaker Members, it is now 2:00 pm and we can resume the debate that was in process before we broke for lunch, which was the second reading of the National Pension Scheme (Occupational Pensions) Amendment Act 2021 in the name of the Minister of Finance. For the listening audience, the Minister …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Mr. Jache Adams: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Oh, yes?

Mr. Jache Adams Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. MP Adams, go right ahead.

Mr. Jache Adams I just want to make sure you hear me. Mr. Speaker —

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, we hear and see you.

Mr. Jache Adams All right, perfect. Mr. Speaker, I just want to add that the Go vernment recognises these are difficult times for many Bermudians. Whether it is at their job or in their home, many people are constantly asked to do more with less and, quite frankly, it is exhausting. Every day …

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, yes? MP Jackson, I believe.

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes, it is, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to know whether we could ha ve a reminder that Members should be speaking from verbatim, you know, from their hearts, and not from written notes. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker Well, let me just clarify that. Nothing is wrong with using notes, but they should not be reading from speeches. So, if they have notes, folks can refer to their notes. But they should not be reading speeches. If it is a written speech, that should not be accepted. So, …

Mr. Jache Adams Did you see my notes?

The Speaker The Speaker The only time the stuff is read directly is Ministers giving statements, Ministers giving presentations of a matter related to a Bill, all right? Does any other Member wish to speak to the Bill before us this afternoon? Any other Member? None, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Deputy. Hon. Derrick V. Burge ss, Sr.: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. House in Committee at 2:1 4 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME (OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS) AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Honourable Members, we are now …

The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Clause 1 is self - explanatory. Clause 2 amends section 24(9) of the Natio nal Pension Scheme (Occup ational Pensions) Act 1998 by inserting a new paragraph (d) to provide a one- time withdrawal of up to $6,000 by a member or former member of …

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Minister. Any further speakers? Mr. Cole Hedley Simons, Opposition Leader, you have the floor. [Pause]

The Chairman Chairman We cannot hear you, Mr. Simons, please put your microphone on. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: My question to the Minister is in regard to [clause] 2: If an applicant has not e njoyed the first tranche, i.e., the first $12,000, are they able to apply for both options now? …

The Chairman Chairman Any further speakers?

Mr. Scott Pearman Mr. Chairman, MP Pearman.

The Chairman Chairman Honourable Member Pearman, continue.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you. I just have one question for the Honourable Minister. Honourable Minister, during the debate you indicated that this was really a (and I am at clause 2, [new section 24(9)](d) for the lump sum of $6,000) during the debate you indicated this was really intended for unemployed or …

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Honourable Minister, for that very clear answer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, no further questions.

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Honourable Member. Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to move the clauses? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 1 and 2 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 and 2 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 and 2 passed.] Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move that the preamble be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the preamble be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. It is approved. 1608 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move that the Bill be reported to the House …

The Chairman Chairman It 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 House as printed. Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried: The National Pension Scheme (O ccupational Pensions) Amendment Act 2021 was …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy. Members, are there any objections to the Bill [entitled] the National Pension Scheme (Occupational Pensions) Amendment Act 2021 being reported to the House as printed? There appear to be none. Thank you. So, that matter is done. We move on to the next mat ter, but Members, …

The Speaker The Speaker Right. And I would want to ask that we have your indulgence to let this matter be done now being that we have just completed the main portion of it. So, Members, with you indulgence, can we have the Minister go and do [Order] No. 3 now and then we …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister, will you do [Order] No. 3 now and we will come back to [Order] No. 2 after? So, Members, we are now going to do the consideration of the National Pension Scheme (R e-fund) (Temporary) Regulations 2021 in the name of the Minister of Finance. Minis ter. …

The Speaker The Speaker Members, are ther e any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister. DRAFT REGULATIONS NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME (REFUND) (TEMPORARY) REGULATIONS 2021 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, having pr ovided a comprehensive brief on the substantive legi slation, I am not planning on saying much more than to say that these …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Not on my side, thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Opposition Leader. Minister? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the said draft Regulations be approved and that a suitable message be sent to Her Excellency the Go vernor.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? No objections. The said notice will be sent to the Governor. Thank you. [Motion carried: The Draft Regulations entitled N ational Pension Scheme (Refund) (Temporary) Regul ations 2021 were considered by the whole House and approved.]

The Speaker The Speaker That brings that matter to a close. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I ask that the Order Papers that were sent out in advance of the legislation reflect the gender of the new Governor, please. Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Yes, okay. No problem. Members, we will now …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING ECONOMIC SUBSTANCE AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, the Bill now befor e the House is the Economic Substance Amendment Act 2021. This Bill amends the Economic Substance Act 2018 in order that Bermuda’s economic …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contributio n at this time? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Leader, you have the floor. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Speaker, as you know, I work in international business, and I know that this Economic Substance [Amendment Act 2021 ] is just another by -product of the EU and the OECD’s crac kdown on offshore financial centres. I …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Opposition Leader. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Mr. L. Craig Cannon ier: Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP Cannonier.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, you have the floor.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to congratulate the Minister.

The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Cannoni er, can you turn your camera on for us?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier The camera is on.

The Speaker The Speaker Oh, oh, okay, you are down there, okay, okay. Your name is up higher on the other one as well. Okay, go ahead.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier My apologies. Yes, I wanted to just say to the Minister co ngratulations. I know that this space is not an easy space for the Minister. Having had challenges in the past in my dealings myself in my former capacities, it is good to hear the news that has been …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Cannonier. Does any other Member —

Mr. Scott Pearman Mr. Speaker. MP Pearman.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman?

Mr. Scott Pearman Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, you have the floor.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Opposition Leader and MP Cannonier have spoken, I just want to add two very quick points. Firstly, let me also offer my commendation and congratulations to the Mi nister of Finance. I know that when he has to represent Bermuda abroad that he does so …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Thank you, MP Pearman. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution? None other. Minister. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Curtis L. Dick inson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleagues for their contributions. I was not sure if the Opposition Leader wanted …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Deputy. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. House in Committee at 2:3 5 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL ECONOMIC SUBSTANCE AMENDMENT ACT 2021

The Chairman Chairman Honoura ble Members, we are now in Committee of the whole House for further consider ation of the Bill entitled the Economic Substance Amendment Act 2021 . Minister Dickins on, you have the floor. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move clauses 1 and 2.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: I am sorry, Mr. Chairman. The Economic Substance Amendment Act 2021 amends the Economi c Substance Act 2018 by expanding the definition of “partnership” to include all forms of partnership in Bermuda and not just those partnerships that elect to have a separate …

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Clause 1 is the standard citation clause. Clause 2 amends section 2 of the Act by amending the definition of “partnership” to include all types of partnerships, including thos e partnerships that have not elected or cannot elect to have separate legal personality. It …

The Chairman Chairman Okay, let us deal with the amendment first as this is required. Any comments for the amendment, against the amendment? Any unreadiness with the amendment? Any objections to the amendment being— Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, I would like to make a comment.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: For exempt partnerships . . . and I am just putting an example because I am 1612 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly trying to get clarity in my own mind. If I am an expatr iate CFA and my …

The Chairman Chairman Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: I am advised, Mr. Chai rman, that they would not be an exempted partnership— [Inaudible inter jection] Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: —they would be an exempted partnership—and the partnership where there is more than one . . . I am sorry, an exempted par tnership …

The Chairman Chairman Any further speakers to this amendment? Any objections to the amendment being approved? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: None at all.

The Chairman Chairman The amendment has been approved. [Motion carried: Amendment to clause 2 passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I have the further amendment to [insert] clause 2A.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. [Pause]

The Chairman Chairman You may continue. INSERTION O F NEW CLAUSE 2A Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Okay. After clause 2, i nsert the following: “Consequential amendment of Registrar of Companies (Compliance Measures) Act 2017 “2A The Registrar of Companies (Compliance Measures) Act 2017 is amended in the Schedu le by inserting after the …

The Chairman Chairman Any speakers to this amendment in 2A? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: No objection.

The Chairman Chairman There is no objection. Any objections to approving the amendment? There appear to be none. The amendment has been approved. [Motion carried: Clause 2 passed as amended.] Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: So, Mr. Chairman, pr ocess- wise, do I go ahead and move the clauses again?

The Chairman Chairman Well, you do not have to, those two amendments . . . the other amendment has been approved. But you can move clause 1 to be approved and you have got to do [clauses] 3 and 4. Clause 2 is already approved. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Curtis L. Dic …

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clause 1 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Clause 1 is approved. [Motion carried: Clause 1 passed.] Hon. Curtis L. Dick inson: Mr. Chairman, just for clarification, clause 2 and clause 2A, by virtue of them being amended …

The Chairman Chairman Well, they are both approved. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Okay. I will go on to clauses 3 and 4, Mr. Chairman, with your indulgence.

The Chairman Chairman Yes. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, clause 3 provides for transitional matters. And clause 4 provides for commencement.

The Chairman Chairman Any comments on clauses 3 and 4? Hon. N. H. Co le Simons: No problem. Just a question. “‘Partnership’ means a par tnership that has not elected to have special legal personality in accordance with section 4A of the Partner-ship Act 1902.” Given that the Minister of Finance has indicated …

The Chairman Chairman Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I am consulting with the technical officers , is that all right?

The Chairman Chairman Okay. Yes, sir. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I believe there perhaps may be a bit of confusion on the part of the Opposition Leader. I am advised that most general partnerships are local and the decision to h ave a par tnership without a legal personality is an …

The Chairman Chairman Any further comments? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Just for clarity . . . so general partnerships are allowed to have . . . local general partnerships can have legal ent ity, local general par tnerships can opt not to have legal entity, am I correct? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: …

The Chairman Chairman Any further comments, Members? There appear to be none , Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 3 and 4 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 3 and 4 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Clauses 3 and 4 are approved. [Motion carried: Cl auses 3 and 4 passed.] Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move that the preamble be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the preamble be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. The pream ble is approved. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move that the Bill be reported to the House as amended.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the Bill be reported to the House as amended. Any objections to that? There appear to be none. The Bill will be report ed to the House as amended. [Motion carried: The Economic Substance Amen dment Act 2021 was considered by a Committee of the …

The Chairman Chairman Mr. Speaker. House resumed at 2:47 pm 1614 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker , in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE ECONOMIC SUBSTANCE AMENDMENT ACT 2021

The Speaker The Speaker Good afternoon, Members. Thank you, Deputy. Honourable Members, are there any objections to the Economic Substance Amendment Act 2021 being reported to the House as amended? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: No, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. Good. Thank you. That brings that matter to a close. We now move on to the next item on the O rder Paper, which is the second reading of the Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 in the name of the Minister of Health. Minister. [Pause]

The Speaker The Speaker Minister of Health? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am trying to turn on my video.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am sorry, Mr. Speaker. Let me just grab the order, forgive me. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled the Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 be now read the second time.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are no ne. Continue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2021 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, the Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 provides for a revision of aspects of the fixed penalty regime for the enforcement of CO …

The Speaker The Speaker I will have to confirm so we can make sure they are circulated. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Okay, thank you, Mr. Speaker. With that, I will take my leave.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. I am going to ask if there are any other speakers, and in the meantime, I am going to confirm that we have seen those amendments because they will be needed for when you go into Committee. The Clerk: Mr. Speaker, I do not have the amendments. I have …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. At this point we have no notific ation. [Inaudible interjection]

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, both Ms. Beale and Madam Clerk have indicated that we have not received them and, as you know, we will need them to circulate it. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I will do that right now myself,

Mr. Speaker. Thank you. The Speaker Okay, and you can send it so we can get it on the SharePoint so all Members will have a copy of it. Would any other Member wish to speak?

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker, MP Pearman.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman, you have the floor.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Whilst that confusion is dealt with, I have a few brief points. I do have some questions in Commi ttee for the Honourable and Learned Minister, but just a few brief points on the Bill. It sometimes helps just to step back and look at what …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Does any other MP wish to make a contribution? No one else. Minister. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Sorry, Deputy. Deputy. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this Bill is signed, or it is being enacted, to increase penalties based on quarantine. But let me say, Mr. Speaker, that I think the Gover nment has done very well last year in the way …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. Vance Campbell Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Vance Campbell MP Campbell.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Campbell, you have the floor.

Mr. Vance Campbell Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the intent of the measures put in place by the Government in this battle against the COVID -19 virus has always been to protect the health and well -being of the citizens of Berm uda. The intent was not to penalise individuals financially. The …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Campbell. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. Dennis Lister III Yes, Mr. Speaker. An. Hon. Member: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Lister, I see you there. Okay, go ahead.

Mr. Dennis Lister III Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bermuda House of Assembly I just want to add a few brief comments to this debate today, Mr. Speaker. I believe the objective and the intent of the health order and the quarantine order, I think the public of Bermuda all understand and get what the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Would any other Member like to make a contribution?

Mr. Jamahl S. Simmons Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Simmons, you have the floor.

Mr. Jamahl S. Simmons Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. The strength of our Government’s handling of the COVID -19 pandemic in 2020 was based on taking the people along with us, explaining why we are doing what we are doing, how we are doing what we are doing, and what the next steps …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Simmons. Would any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Any other Member?

Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Foggo, you have the floor. 1620 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I am duty -bound to speak on this piece of legislation out of respect for the many, many calls that have come from my constituency, and …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank yo u, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP Cannonier, you have the floor.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have taken to heart, just listening very intently and closely to what I heard thus far, and I am pleased to hear the varying comments that are being made. Certainly, it is not always easy for Government, in the position that it is in, having …

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Listening to caucus, wha tever it is. You know, I recall in so many cases where we as a Government were called out and in many, many cases, Have you consulted enough? And we clearly see now that there are signs with this Government that we are not getting to …

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell MP Tyrrell.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Tyrrell, you have the floor.

Mr. Neville S. Ty rrell Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to express some of the concerns that I have and some of the concerns that some of my constituents have shared with me. Mr. Speaker, it has already been stated that our earlier (and I will use t he word “earlier”) …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Tyrrell. Would any other Member wish to speak? Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Mr. Speaker .

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister Scott? Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Yes, sir.

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I want to pick up where my colleague left off. A nd I want to start by saying that my other colleagues that have spoken—MP Burgess, MP Foggo, MP Lister III, MP Campbell —raised valid and justifiable concerns. And …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Is there any other Member who wishes to make a contribution at this time? Any other Member? No other Member. Minister Wilson. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank honourable colleagues for their comments and their submissions. I think it is important …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Deputy. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bermuda House of Assembly House in Committee at 4:0 2 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2021

The Chairman Chairman Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation of the Bil l entitled the Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 . Minister Wilson, you have the floor. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move c lauses …

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Clause 1 provides a citation for the Bill. Clause 2 amends section 10 of the principal Act to insert subsection (2), which provides for a po-lice officer to issue a public health penalty ticket where a person commits an offence …

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Minister. Are there any further speakers?

Mr. Scott Pearma n Thank you, Mr. Chairman. MP Pearman.

The Chairman Chairman Honourable Member Pearman, continue.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you. Before I pose questions, I understood that the Minister intends to make an amendment to clause 8. I am not sure if that amendment i s still being pursued before we ask questions about clause 1 through 9.

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Mr. Pearman. Minister, do you have an amendment? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I sent that off to the Clerk. It is with respect to clauses 10 and 11. That has been sent.

The Chairman Chairman Okay. We are fine.

Mr. Scott Pearman With respect to the Honourable Minister, the document I received says amendments to clauses 8 and 11(9).

The Chairman Chairman Mm-hmm.

Mr. Scott Pearman And that does make logical sense, Minister, because if you look at clause 8 of the Bill, that is where you see the reference to $3,000 which is being amended to $10,000. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: That amendment is already proposed in the existing amendment. But what I was proposing …

Mr. Scott Pearman Okay. In which case, Honourable Minister, we have not received those. We have r eceived Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 amendments, proposing two amendments. The first amendment was to clause 8, which is the matter where the $3,000 sum is being amended upwards to $10,000. The second and …

The Chairman Chairman Honourable Member, you are abs olutely correct. Let me suggest that we do clauses 1 through 7 and give the Minister time to get the correct doc uments to us.

Mr. Scott Pearman I am very happy with that a pproach, Mr. Chairman, if t he Honourable Minister is happy. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I am a little perplexed, because the amendment that has been draf ted by Chambers that has been circulated speaks to clause 10. Mr. Chairman, I do …

The Chairman Chairman I do not have it in front of me, but the Honourable Member Mr. Pearman does not have that. He has [clause] 10 —

Mr. Scott Pearman [I have] clauses 8 and 11(9), Mr. Chairman.

The Chairman Chairman —clauses 8 and 11. That is the document he has and that is the document he has to go by unless you have another one, unless they sent the wrong document to him.

Mr. Scott Pearman Mr. Chairman, if it assists, shall we deal with all the other clauses in Committee now and then com e back to clauses 8, 10 and 11 at the end? Would that assist the Honourable Minister?

The Chairman Chairman Okay. We can do that. Minister, are you okay with that? [No audible reply]

The Chairman Chairman Minister, let’s do clauses 1 through 7 first. Let’s get that out of the way, please. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Okay. Mr. Chairman. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I think, Mr. Chairman, with r espect, I believe that there were two amendments that were sent from Chambers. The first …

The Chairman Chairman Yes. But before we do that, does the Clerk . . . do you have the second— The Clerk: The first amendment we received was sent by the Minister about an hour or two ago. We were informed about some upcoming amendments which we never did receive. Thanks.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Oh, no.

The Chairman Chairman Okay. So the Clerk does not have it there. So Mr. Pearman does not have it. [Crosstalk]

The Chairman Chairman Well, Minister, can you help us out here? Because we cannot go any further unless you [send] the documents. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, thank you for your patience. Mr. Chairman, right before I started this d ebate I forwarded to the Clerk and the Speaker the amendments that …

The Chairman Chairman Please do. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I will do that right now, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for your indulgence.

The Chairman Chairman Mr. Pearman, just let me know if you get the one she is just going to send. Let me know when you get it. And Clerk, just let me know.

Mr. Scott Pearman Is it coming directly from the Mi nister?

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Mr. Chairman.

The Chairman Chairman Yes, Honourable Member. The Clerk: We just received from the Health Ministry the amendments that the Minister is referring to, so we are going to get them up the SharePoint in just a minute.

The Chairman Chairman Okay. Mr. Pearman, you okay with that? You got it?

Mr. Scott Pear man Mr. Chairman, I will follow your lead here and no doubt we can deal with it. I will deal with it in such a manner as you wish to deal with it. Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Okay. Let’s do [clauses] 1 through 7 first and give the Opposition …

The Chairman Chairman Any speakers to clauses 1 through 7?

Mr. Scott Pearman Yes, sorry, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Honourable Minister.

The Chairman Chairman Continue.

Mr. Scott Pearman Dealing solely for the moment with clauses with 1 through 7, the first question that we have relates to clause 2. It was something that the Honourable Minister referenced in the closing remarks in the debate. It was about the fact t hat police officers are now the ones who …

The Chairman Chairman Do one at a time.

Mr. Scott Pearman So, that is our first question . Thank you, Honourable Minister.

The Chairman Chairman Okay. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you for that question. The purposes of these amendments are to allow the police officers the ability to ticket; however, at some point there will be a residual power for the public health officers once they have been trained. This allows for the operationalisation …

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Honourable Minister. A follow -up question on that. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Could I just clarify somet hing? I am sorry. It would just be the police officers. There may at some time be provisions to allow public health officers to do it, but right now it would …

Mr. Scott Pearman Excellent. You have answered my follow -up question. Thank you, very much, Honourable Minister. The next question is on page 2 of the Bill, and there are two questions arising in relation to clause 4. And clause 4 is repealing and replacing section 107D of the primary Act, the Public …

Mr. Scott Pearman Okay. And then the second question, still in this same clause 4, and in fact this was the question rai sed by the Chairman (MP Burgess), in the debate, which was about asking you to clarify how the criminality would work. If I understand it, to assist, the answer is …

Mr. Scott Pearman So, again, to try and use common sense language, if I put my hands up and say , My fault, and I pay, I will not be deemed a criminal. If I do not do that within the first two periods of 28 days, and then I accept I am …

Mr. Scott Pearman Well, thank you for that. The next question in clauses 1 through 7 is in clause 6. And that is repealing [section] 107F and actually goes back to the health officer/police officer point. And if you look at [section] 107F of the primary Act, this is about the demand of …

The Chairman Chairman Yes. [Pause] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, if I could perhaps get back to the answer. I am just waiting for some technical assistance from the drafter.

The Chairman Chairman That’s fine. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: With your leave, I would just like to . . . perhaps we can proceed.

The Chairman Chairman Yes, you can go to . . . Are there any further speakers on cl auses 1 through 7? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I have heard from the drafter. The drafter indicated that the police are not required to show identification.

Mr. Scott Pearman Right. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: So this particular provision applied to a public health officer who may not have been recognisable in their uniform, whereas police are rec-ognisable. And they are not required to produce any type of identity in current legislation. That is with r espect to the police …

Mr. Scott Pearman So to summarise: The reason for the removal of the obligation to show identification is because public health officers will no longer be able to do this function and it will now be limited to police officers. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: That is correct.

Mr. Scott Pearman Okay. That makes perfect sense. Thank you, very much.

The Chairman Chairman Minister, I think it probably wants to be clearer —if it is a police officer without a uniform, because this does not say “uniformed” police officer. You do not want to mislead the public.

Mr. Scott Pearman Right. So I will pass that back to the Minister, I think. So could the Honourable Minister kindly confirm. So if it is “uniformed” police officer, then there is no obligation to present identification. But as the Chairman has noted, if it is a police officer not in uniform, there …

Mr. Scott Pearman And I had a question in respect of clause 7, but you have answered it, which is really we are taking away health officers and others and we Bermuda House of Assembly are limiting the power t o take it to only those who are police officers. That is what …

The Chairman Chairman Okay. Any further speakers to [clauses] 1 through 7? No further speakers. Minister, do you want to move clauses 1 through 7? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 1 through 7 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 7 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Clauses 1 through 7 are approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 7 passed.] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I do not know if I can pause for …

The Chairman Chairman Mr. Pearman, are you okay to co ntinue?

Mr. Scott Pearman Mr. Chairman, I have gotten an amendment via our Whip, from the Government Whip. That amendment, again, refers to clauses 8 and 11(9). If there is a further document coming to our attention, I have not yet received it. I am happy to deal with the amendment to clause 8 …

The Chairman Chairman Minister, can you help us out there? Hon. Kim N. Wils on: Yes, the amendments . . . and I do not know what happened with respect to the circ ulation so I have to apologise to Honourable Members. The amendments that have been drafted for Cham-bers are amendments to …

The Chairman Chairman Okay. So we can . . . let’s move to clauses 8 and 9. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Okay. Clause 8, Mr. Chairman, amends section 107H(2) of the principal Act to provide a penalty of $3,000 for the offence of refusing to answer questions as required by a police officer …

The Chairman Chairman Any further speakers? Any speakers to clauses 8 and 9? [Crosstalk]

Mr. Scott Pearman No, we are fine on clauses 8 and 9.

The Chairman Chairman Okay. You want to move clauses 8 and 9 for approval, Minister? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would move that clauses 8 and 9 stand, form part of the Bill and be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved th at clauses 8 and 8 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 8 and 9 passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Member, you have an amendment. Right? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Chairman. I will start with [clause] 10.

The Chairman Chairman All right. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, clause 10 amends section 107K of the principal Act to supply the Minister with the authority to prescribe the content of a public health penalty ticket in regulations and to pr ovide clarity with respect to the court’s consideration of the guidance …

The Chairman Chairman Members, are there any speakers to this amendment?

Mr. Scott Pearman Mr. Chairman. [It is] MP Pea rman. 1630 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Yes, Mr. Pearman, c ontinue.

Mr. Scott Pearman Although I still do not have the amendments, I think, in an effort to be helpful, my understanding is that the amendment to clause 10 is in identical terms to the amendment to clause 11(9). And if that is the case, I could cert ainly deal with the amendment on …

Mr. Scott Pearman Right. Okay. So what is happening here is that the fines for these various off ences, of breach of the Public Health Act, are now being i ncreased so that instead of being fines not exceeding $1,500 they are now fines not exceeding $10,000. Correct? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I’m …

Mr. Scott Pearman That’s all right. I may be stating the obvious, but I am just trying to clarify as I do not have the amending language. I think the Honourable Minister confirmed that the amendment to clause 10 is an amendment broadly similar, if not identical, terms to the amendment to clause …

Mr. Scott Pearman God! Don’t blame me! There was a question in the debate Honour able Minister about who made the decision for this i ncrease. Are you able to answer that question? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: This is a policy decision that was made, Honourable Member, by the Government.

Mr. Scott Pearman And is there any assistance you could give the Honourable House as to why we are seeing such a dramatic increase from $1,500 to $10,000? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you. There are a number of penalties, as you could appreciate, that are under the Public Health Act as well …

Mr. Scott Pearman Minister, you thanked me for that question. You may not thank me for this one. Given that we are now going to have fines of $10,000 for breach, are we going to see the regul ations that are coming into effect on Sunday, any time between now and Sunday? Hon. …

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Minister. Are you confident that they ar e negative res olutions and not affirmative resolutions? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am confident that they are negative resolutions. That is correct.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Minister. Those are all my questions, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Honourable Minister, on clause 10.

The Chairman Chairman Okay. Are there any objections to the amendment in clause 10? There appear to be none. The amendment to clause 10 is approved. [Motion carried: Clause 10 amended.] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to proceed with clause 11, please.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 11 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, as the Honour able and Learned Member indicated, the amendment is identical to what we just addressed in clause 10. [Clause 11] amends section 11(1)(f) of the Act to en aBermuda House of Assembly ble the Minister to specify …

The Chairman Chairman Any further speaker s to that, clause 11?

The Chairman Chairman Mr. Pearman.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Chairman. One quick question. This is an amendment on clause 11 which is amending the Quarantine Act 2017, specifically section 11I, thereof, and as I understand it, Minister, it is putting the fine up to $10,000. So, again, just to go to common sense laymen’s terms, if …

The Chairman Chairman Any further speakers? Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Chairm an, if I may.

The Chairman Chairman Yes, Honourable Leader and Premier, continue. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I know that there has been a significant amount of debate, and I think that it is i mportant to note and to recognise that one of the things which we heard …

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Premier Burt. Any further comments?

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Chai rman. Just in response to that point, I was very car eful to use the language from the Bill which said “not exceeding.” So I would respectfully differ from the Premier if it was suggested that I was being anything but forthright, in terms of the …

The Chairman Chairman Mm-hmm.

Mr. Scott Pearman The Honourable Minister indica ted that it was subject to the negative resolution pr ocedure. I am just looking at section 172 of the primary Act, the Public He alth Act [1949], which seems to suggest that where there are any “such regulations or rules [made for the] provision for …

Mr. Scott Pearman It is negative under the Quarantine Act, and it is affirmative in respect of fees and charges under the Public Health Act. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Correct. Thank you.

Mr. Scott Pearman Okay. Thank you. You clarified my question. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Chairman Chairman You are wel come. Any further speakers? Okay. Minister, you want to . . . Any objections to the amendment to clause 11? 1632 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly There appears to be none. Clause 11 is approved as amended. [Motion carried: Clause 11 passed …

The Chairman Chairman Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, thank you. I would now like to move all clauses, 1 through—

The Chairman Chairman All the clauses have been moved. You can move the preamble. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Preamble?

The Chairman Chairman Yes. Hon. Kim N. Wils on: I would like to move that the preamble be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the preamble be approved? Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. Continue, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I now move that the Bill entitled the Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 be reported to the House as …

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the Bill [ent itled] Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 be reported to the House as amended. Are there a ny objections to that? There appear to be none. The Bill will be reported to the House [as amended]. Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried: The …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Members, are there any objections to the Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 being r eported to the House as amended? There are none. The matter has been repor ted with the necessary amendments. We now move on to the next Order, which is the …

The Speaker The Speaker Members, are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister. DRAFT ORDER PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID- 19) EMERGENCY EXTENS ION (NO. 3 ) ORDER 2021 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to invite this Honourable House to consider the Order entitled Public Health (COVID - 19) …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MP Pearman.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman, you have the floor.

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Honourable and Learned Minister. Mr. Speaker, the Opposition is not her e to be critical for the sake of criticism. What I have always tried to do when I have spoken in this Honourable House is to point out things I …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to make a contribution? Any other Member? None. Minister. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I will happily speak. Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, Mr. Speaker, thank you, very much. I had the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Premier. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? No other Member, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wils on: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do not intend to prolong the debate. I think that the Honourable Premier summed up the position very, very eloquently. …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. The message will be sent and the appropriate message contained in it. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Motion carried: The Draft Order entitled Public Health (COVID -19) Emergency Extension (No. 3) Order 2021 was approved.]

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. We now move on to the next item on the Order [Paper] which is [Order] No. 6. The Consideration of the Exchange of Land Agre ement between the Corporation of Hamilton and Hami lton Warehouse Company Limited in the name of the Minister of Works. Minister. Bermuda House …

The Speaker The Speaker We see you Minister but we do not hear you.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. AGREEMENT EXCHANGE OF LAND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION OF HAMILTON AND HAMILTON WAREHOUSE COMPANY LIMITED

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I move that c onsider ation be given to the Exchange of Land Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and Hamilton Warehouse Company Limited, reference those areas of lands situated in the city of Hamilton and the I slands of Bermuda as described in the First Schedule hereto comprising 23. …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to the Minister proceeding? There are none. Proceed, Minister.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to introduce the draft Exchange [of Land] Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton, a corporation existing pursuant to terms of the Muni cipalities Act 1923, and Hamilton Warehouse Company Limited. Mr. Speaker, the two parties wish to enter into the agreement set out …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker .

The Speaker The Speaker MP Cannonier, you have the floor.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes, thank you. Thank you, Minister for this consideration. 1638 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly I was questioning whether we had done this already in looking at the Schedules, but of course, the Honourable Minister has cleared up the question that I did have. [We] …

The Speaker The Speaker Does any other Member wish to make a contribution? [There are] none. Minister.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I now move that this Honourable House in accordance with sections 20(1A) and (1B) of the Municipalities Act 1923, approve the Exchange [of Land] Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and the Hami lton Warehouse Company Limited as set out in the attached draft of the agreement and …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? There are no objections. The appropriate letter will be sent to the Governor. [Motion carried: The Exchange of Land Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and Hamilton Warehouse Company Limited was approved.]

The Speaker The Speaker We now move on to [Order] No. 7, the final item of the day — [Inaudible interjection]

The Speaker The Speaker I beg your pardon. [Inaudible interjections] The Clerk: There is no relevant message for the Governor on these two pieces right here.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. No problem. Noted. —consideration of the Sale and Purchase Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and Arnold’s Discount Limited. Minister. AGREEMENT SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION OF HAMILTON AND ARNOLD’S DISCOUNT LIMITED

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, thank you. I move that consideration be given to the Sale and Purchase Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and Arnold’s Discount Limited, reference areas of all that triangular parcel of land measuring 358 square feet situated in the Islands of Bermuda together with the appurtenances thereto and …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Minister, just for clarification, in fact the message does have to be sent to the Governor for the previous one and this one. Okay? Would any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Cannonier, you have the floor.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker, unlike the previous Exchange, this actually is a sale of land and so we would like to congratulate the Corporation on this opportunity that they have taken. I am very familiar with the lot of land that is spoken of Bermuda House of Assembly and …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? There are none other. Minister.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I now move that this Honourable House in accordance with sections 20(1A) and (1B) of the Municipalities Act 1923, approve the Sales Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and Arnold’s Discount Limited as set out in the attached draft of the agreement and that the appropriate message be …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are no objections. The appropriate message will be sent to the Governor. [Motion carried: The Sale and Purchase Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and Arnold’s Discount Limited was approved.]

The Speaker The Speaker Members, that brings us to the close of the Orders for today. And we will now go to our third readings. I will first call on the Minister of Finance. Minister of Finance, would you like to do your third reading for [Order] No. 1? SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? There are none, proceed Minister. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING NATIONAL PENSION SCHEME (OCCUPATIONAL PENSIONS) AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its title only and …

The Speaker The Speaker Members, the Bill has been read a third time by its title only and has now passed. [Motion carried: National Pension Scheme (Occupational Pensions) Amendment Act 2021 was read a third time and passed.]

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, would you like to do your second one? SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move the Bill entitled Economic Substance Amendment Act 2021 be now read the third time by its title …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to the Bill being read by its title only? None. Continue, Minister. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING ECONOMIC SUBSTANCE AMENDMENT ACT 2021 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speak er, I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its …

The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and has now passed. Thank you, Minister. [Motion carried: Economic Substance Amendment Act 2021 was read a third time and passed.]

The Speaker The Speaker Minister of Health. [Pause]

The Speaker The Speaker Minister of Health. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker. I ––

The Speaker The Speaker I am going to make a comment. 1640 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. E. David Burt: Sorry. STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER

The Speaker The Speaker Premier, before you start I am going to make a comment. We have had confusion today in reference to amendments around this. And a lot of the implication was that the fault was on this side. I did not appreciate that. I would expect the Minister to have been here …

The Speaker The Speaker Premier, go ahead and continue. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speak er. Mr. Speaker, I welcome the explanation [for] the House for . . . which Standing Order I am actually suspending. I would like to move that . . . The Clerk: Twenty -one. Hon. E. David …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are none. Continue. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING PUBLIC HEALTH AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2021 Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled the Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 …

The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and has now passed. [Motion carried: Public Health Amendment (No. 2) Act 2021 was read a third time and passed.]

The Speaker The Speaker Premier, being that you are in front of the microphone, will you do the next item? ADJOURNMENT Hon. E. David Burt: Certainly, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that this Honourable House do now adjourn until Friday, July 2 nd.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Premier. Does any Member wish to speak to that? Hon. E. David Burt: I will certainly be speaking but I know that one of my Members —

The Speaker The Speaker No, you can speak now. You can speak now; I have no objection to you speaking now, Mr. Premier. You were ready. You have the micr ophone, you can c ontinue. [Laughter]

Some Hon. Members Some Hon. Members Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker Is that MP Wade?

Mr. Jason Wade It is, Mr. Speaker. How are you this evening?

The Speaker The Speaker I am getting better.

Mr. Jason Wade I saw that you were rushing us off, Mr. Speaker. I do apologise as my mute button took a while to unclick, as they say.

The Speaker The Speaker Well, if the mute button does not move quick enough the gavel sure can. CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS FOR OUR SPORTS CLUBS

Mr. Jason Wade I have heard, I have heard! Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the Government’s initiative that we followed through on yesterday in ensuring that we provided capital development funds for our sports clubs. Mr. Speaker, as you know I was the president of the Sout hampton Rangers Sports …

Mr. Jason Wade We were voted in to make these tough decisions. W e knew that these tough decisions would have to be made. This Government does not take lightly that the restrictions that go into place on the 20 th are going to be tough for many for our voters. Many of …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to make a contribution?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Cannonier, you have your 30 minutes. ‘REVOLVE AROUND THE WORLD’ LARGE GAT HERING BREACHES

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to start off where we just heard from our Minister that we have to continue to still wear our masks and socially distance ourselves. And with all the controversy that seems to be taking place here lately, I think it is important again that …

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. POINT OF ORDER Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to make sure the Honourable Member is aware, because he said the public health regulations and guidelines. The public health regul ations and guidelines in May were revised and can be found on …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Continue. 1642 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. L. Craig Cannonier: I would like to clarify . I did say, Mr. Speaker, especially if you are not withi n your family circle , to qualify exactly what I was saying. So for those …

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. We will take your point of order. POINT OF ORDER Hon. E. David Burt: I know the Honourable Member swears by what is written in the Royal Gazette, but I am not entirely certain that the Honourable Member attended the Bermuda Captive Conference. In my comments I …

The Speaker The Speaker MP, just be guided by the comment. But continue.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Sure. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is why it is important, as I have already said, that the Premier needs to qualify his statements and ensure that he qualifies them over and over so that the people understand it. Hon. E. David Burt: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member is mi sleading the House. He is saying that I am required to qualify my statements. He was taking the information from the Royal Gazette and using it. If he would have Bermuda House of Assembly …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Be guided, MP.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you. Certainly, Mr. Speaker, I am guided by what the Premier has said and I am taking to heart exactly what he is saying. But if the print media is putting out something that is false then it is incumbent upon the Premier to ensure that he corrects it, …

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. BERMUDA NATIONAL SPORTS C ENTRE CONTRACT

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have been hearing that at some point in time, I do not know exactly when, that Government has awarded the contract (I will quote) , for the National Sports Stadium to the Damon Wade, the former Chairman of the PLP party. So I am hoping …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Member. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Leader, you have your 20 minutes. NATIONAL HEROES DAY 2020/21 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as you all know, we go into our National Heroes [Day] weekend. And I note that we have not designated any new heroes for this year, or last …

The Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker Thank you, the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Cole Hedley Simons. Any further speakers?

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Deputy Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker Yes, that sounds like brother Famous.

Mr. Christopher Famous Yes, it is. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Good afternoon, sir. If I put on my video, I might lose my audio, so I am [going] to keep my video off.

The Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker Continue. PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID- 19) EMERGENCY EXTENSION (NO. 3) ORDER 2021

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Deputy Speaker, over the last few weeks anyone who has been elected, whichever side of the fence they are on, anyone who is appointed, no matter which side of the fence, or no fence, they would have gotten mes sages from friends, family and constituents in some cases for …

The Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker Mm-hmm.

Mr. Christopher Famo us These messages would have said something along the lines of, My child ca nnot afford to pay quarantine. Or my mom wants to quarantine that event. Or they will go so far as to say, The PLP is only working for rich people. It goes on and on, just in …

The Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member Famous. Are there any further speakers?

Mr. Scott Pearman Mr. Deputy Speaker.

Some Hon. Members Some Hon. Members Mr. Deputy Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker The Chair recognises Honourable Member Mr. Pearman. You have the floor. PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID -19) EMERGENCY EXTENSION (NO. 3) ORDER 2021

Mr. Scott Pearman Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I do not usually speak in motion to adjourn and I only intend to do so if I think that there is something particularly important that I need to say.

The Deputy Speaker Deputy Speaker Mm-hmm.

Mr. Scott Pe arman And I spoke earlier today on health legislation. I did so holding the brief in the c apacity on behalf of the Shadow Minister. But I would like to just touch on this subject as myself, as MP Pearman alone. What MP Famous just said is very interesting. He said …

Mr. Scott Pearman These are people’s democratic rights and they are not just important, they are sacr osanct. And we as elected Members of this House of Assembly are supposed to defend them . And when the Government gets something wrong, we are supposed to point it out. And to their credit, certain …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Pearman. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade Yes, Mr. Speaker, Ianthia Simmons -Wade.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Simmons -Wade, you have the floor. You have your 20 minutes.

Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade Yes, Mr. Speaker.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Turn on your video.

Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade My video. I’m sorry. Is my video on?

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Yes. PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID -19) EMERGENCY EXTENSION (NO. 3) ORDER 2021

Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. As long as our borders remain open, the Indian variant will come into this country. The question is, not if , it is when. Our decision is to protect the borders, not to close the borders. The Indian variant is rapidly spread ing all around the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Simmons -Wade. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution?

Mr. Jache Adams Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. MP Adams. You have your 20 minutes. FATHER’S DAY

Mr. Jache Adams Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I am going to begin actually by wishing all of the fathers a very happy Father’s Day, and this one as you know is quite—

The Speaker The Speaker You are a new member to the club, right?

Mr. Jache Adams I am a new member to the club, absolutely. The Sp eaker: There you go.

Mr. Jache Adams I secondly want to thank MP Simmons -Wade actually for stepping in because she allowed me to calm down—

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, your camera is not on. So, if you could adjust your camera. Okay, there you go. Continue o n. PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID- 19) EMERGENCY EXTENSION (NO. 3) ORDER 2021

Mr. Jache Adams And I just wanted to thank MP Simmons -Wade because she allowed me to calm down, because I was almost eager to respond to MP Pearman, but she allowed me to calm down and really start to focus on the message at hand. So, Mr. Speaker, as you know, having …

Mr. Speaker. Mr. Christopher Famous Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Jache Adams And all deserve to be heard.

The Speaker The Speaker Continue on.

Mr. Christopher Famous Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I thought the gentleman had said something incorrect. My bad.

The Speaker The Speaker No problem. Continue on, MP Adams.

Mr. Jache Adams So, it is important that all deserve to be heard, Mr. Speaker. I mention it because with this beauty of diversity comes an understanding that as a people, we just don’t all agree. We all have di f-ferent exper iences, different visions for this country, different expectations of this Government. …

Mr. Jache Adams Mr. Speaker, I accept —

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. Point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Standing Order 19(7)]

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier We heard this earlier, Mr. Speak er. If you put this on a large screen, the Hon ourable Member is reading most of what he is saying. I appreciate that it was pointed out before to him. We are watching very, very closely here, and the Honourable Member is reading. …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Cannonier. MP Adams, I know you are a new Member and just be mindful of the f acts that notes can be r eferred to, but not read from.

Mr. Jache Adams Mr. Speaker, I long for us to meet in— Hon. Walter H. Roban : Excuse me, Mr. Speaker. Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. POINT OF ORDER Hon. Walter H. Roban : I am lost as to how the Member who is making the accusation against MP —

The Speaker The Speaker I am not going to go back and forth. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker Deputy, Deputy, Deputy, let me stop you. I am not going to go back and forth. I was tal king to the new Member. I am addressing the new Member. I am comfortable with who we are and it does not need any further input. So, let me finish addressing …

Mr. Jache Adams Yes. Mr. Speaker, what I will say is I actually long for the opportunity when we can actually meet in person, so that the Opposition can see my notes, and so that we can sit there an d throw this whole entire debate out. But, I will progress, Mr. Speaker. …

The Speaker The Speaker Continue on.

Mr. Jache Adams Mr. Speaker, I accept because the science tells us both that vaccinated and nonvaccinated persons can catch the vi rus. But the science goes on to demonstrate that a vaccinated person is significantly less likely to pass it on. So, Mr. Speaker, if the Government is trying to get back …

Mr. Scott Pearman Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]

Mr. Scott Pearman He is misleading the H ouse. We did try quarantining at home previously and it did work . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Continue on. Just be guided by the comments. Continue on.

Mr. Jache Adams If I am going to be guided by the comments, let him be guided by the science. It did not work.

The Speaker The Speaker Continue on. Just speak to me. Don’t get side- tracked. Don’t get side- tracked.

Mr. Jache Adams Well, I want to get side- tracked to show him that I am not reading. But anyway, we are really living in a time wher e a single person’s selfishness can affect the entire country tremendously. But, Mr. Speaker, I will end with this: As my colleagues have emphasised, these …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Adams. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Swan?

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Swan, you have your 20 minutes.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will not need that much time. I just wanted to follow on from that young bri lliant Member of Parliament who comes from a stock of folk that can look straight at you and present their word as if it were read. But as you …

The Speaker The Speaker I will just remind you to flick on your camera if you can.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan It is on, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Ahh, we hear yo u, but we do not see you. Okay, now we see you. Continue. JUNTEENTH

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan My apologies, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this weekend in the United States is now referred to as Juneteenth, and to many, Juneteenth was unknown, and much of the true hist ory of us in the African diaspora is unknown. And a lot of times, the truth is conveniently hidden and …

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Mr. S peaker, in that vein I certainly had the opportunity over the past 10 days or so to become re- acquainted with the world as we once knew it because of the pandemic. I, like all of us, have been confined, rightfully so, and living under r estrictions. I …

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan You know, Mr. Speaker, as I reflect on this particular weekend, it is somewhat sentimental to me. I feel duty -bound to reflect on how special it is. It is 50 years since I entered the world of golf. When we were young fellows, Mr. Speaker, I was a goalkeeper. …

Mr. Speaker. God bless you. The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Yes, you have your 20 minutes. PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID- 19) EMERGENCY EXTENSION (NO. 3) ORDER 2021 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am quite sure I will not need 20 minutes. But, Mr. Speaker, I got motivated to enter into this motion to adjourn by …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contributi on at this time? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID- 19) EMERGENCY EXTENSION (NO. 3) ORDER 2021 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I will be extremely brief. I must admit that it was my honourable co lleague who (well, he is taking off his jacket now) just finished speaking who actually …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution? There are none. Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Hon. E. David Burt: I did not want you to bang the gavel on me.

The Speaker The Speaker I was reaching. [Laughter] Hon. E. David Burt: I am sure and certain you are, Mr. Speaker. I will not be funny. You might want to bang the gavel up at the West End, but let me not get into sore subject of Cup Match. I will leave that alone.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. ‘REVOLVE AROUND THE WORLD’ LARGE GAT HERING BREACHES Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, let me start with this. The former Pre mier said that I need to qualify my statements, or make sure that if there is something false said to spend time fixing it and correcting the …

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motives]

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier The Honourable Premier is imputi ng improper motives when he speaks of me going to low -level politics. I simply asked him to qualify. That is not “low -level politics.” That is calling all of us to a higher level, to qualify what we say.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. [Inaudible interjection]

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Your point is made. Premier, just be mindful of his point. Continue on. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I tried to remind the former Premier, rules exist in Bermuda. One month ago on May 18, the Minist er of Health, which is …

Mr. L. Craig Cannon ier Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading and imputing improper motive]

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier The Honourable Member again is imputing improper motive and misleading the publi c here. If the Premier is seen to be not social di s1658 18 June 2021 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly tancing, but yet he is asking for the public to social distance, then he should …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Otherwi se, it is the boat that everyone had among SafeKey.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Again, Mr. Speaker, I am not going to take the time—

The Speaker The Speaker Note his concern. Be mindful of your comments. Hon. E. David Burt: Absolutely. I am not going to take the time, because here is the thing, Mr. Speaker. I gave an address that was entitled Moving Bermuda Beyond the Pandemic. And over the past 15 months , I have had …

The Speaker The Speaker You hear the alarm. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you for your 20 minutes. Hon. E. David Burt: And, Mr. Speaker, I am happy that we h ave all worked to move Bermuda beyond the pandemic. So, happy and safe holiday weekend, Bermuda. Happy National Heroes Day. Mr. Speaker, a very happy Father’s Day to you and all …

Mr. Speaker. The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Premier. And as we close this evening, I would just like to add to that by wishing happy Father’s Day to not only those in our Chambers, those Members, but to all fathers of Bermuda. Enjoy your Father’s Day. Be safe and spend time with your families. …

June 18, 2021

Session Summary

Key Topics

Bills & Motions

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Debate Transcript