Hansard — November 27, 2020 — Bermuda Parliament

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning, Members. We are ready to start the s ession this morning. We will begin with the prayer this morning, and Ms. Beale will give us the prayers this morning. PRAYERS [ Prayers read by Ms. Kara Beale , Assistant Clerk ]

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Ms. Beale. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES [Minutes of 6 and 13 November 2020 ]

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning, Members . The Minutes of the 6th and the 13th of Nove mber have been circulated. Are there any omissions, corrections or adjustments that need to be made? There are none. The Minutes are approved as printed. Thank you. [ Minutes of 6 and 13 November 2020 confirmed] …

The Speaker The Speaker There are no messages from the Governor. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING

The Speaker The Speaker There are no announcements by the Speaker this morning. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

The Speaker The Speaker There are n o messages from the Senate. There are some 14 papers and communications this morning. The first is in the name of the Premier, the audited financial statement . . . Mr. Premier. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE Hon. E. David Burt: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE OFFICE OF THE INFORMATION COMMISSIONER (ICO) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING THE 31ST OF MARCH 2019 Hon. E. David Burt: M r. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the Honourable House of Assembly the Audited Financial …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Premier. The next paper or communication this morning is in the name of the Deputy Premier. Deputy Premier, in fact you have the next two. Would you like to present yours now? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Ho n. Walter H. Roban: I wish to present . . . j ust a moment, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. SUBMARINE COMMUNICATIONS CABLES (REGULATORY AUTHORITY FEES) REGULATIONS 2020 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, at the Gove rnor’s recommendation and in accordance with section 36(3) of the Bermuda Constitution, I would like to attach and submit for the consideration of the Honour able House of Assembly the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: The next one, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, go right ahead, Deputy Premier. You may be heard. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS (REGULATORY AUTHORITY FEES) AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 2020 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, with the Governor’s recommendation and in accordance with section 36(3) of the Bermuda Constitution, I have the honour to attach and submit for the consideration of …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy Premier. The next paper this morning is in the name of the Minister of Finance. Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker The next five [sic] are yours , Minister, so you can continue to speak to us. CUSTOMS TARIFF (APPROVED BUSINESSES) AMENDMENT (NO. 4) NOTICE 2020 CUSTOMS TARIFF (APPROVED ORGANISATIONS) AMENDMENT (NO. 2) NOTICE 2020 CUSTOMS DUTY (BELCO NORTH POWER STATION) REMISSION AMENDMENT ORDER 2 020 CUSTOMS TARIFF (APPROVED BUSINESSES) AMENDMENT …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, how about the Government Fees Amendment? That requires the Governor’s recommendation. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, one second. I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the Honourable House of Assembly the Government Fees Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2020 .

The Speaker The Speaker It should read . . . Do you have the communication that goes with it, the Governor’s recommendation and in accordance with section 36(3) — Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Pardon me, Mr. Speaker. I have got several pieces of paper. Sorry.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. GOVERNMENT FEES AMENDMENT (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 2020 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, with the Governor ’s recommendation and in accordance with section 36(3) of the Bermuda Constitution, I have the honour to attach and submit for the consideration of the Honourable House of Assembly the Government Fees Amendment …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Thank you. Bermuda House of Assembly The next report is in the name of the Minister of Transport. Minister of Transport, I believe they are the next two reports. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Yes. Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. BERMUDA CIVIL AVIATION AUT HORITY’S ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 “BUILDING ON OUR FOUNDATION” BERMUDA AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20, “NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE” Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the Honourable House of Assembly the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Would you like to do your second? Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Sorry. I did both at the same time.

The Speaker The Speaker Oh, okay, you were moving quickly. I missed that. Thank you, Minister. I guess that is the youthfulness of that young Minister, eh? [Laughter]

The Speaker The Speaker We will now move on to the last report, and this is in the name of the Minister of National Security. Minister Ming. Hon. Renee Ming: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. Hon. Renee Ming: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce to the Legislature the report of the Parole Board of 2017– 2020 in compliance in respect of section 8 of the Parole Board Act 2001. Honourable Members will be aware that under the Act the board is an …

The Speaker The Speaker Hold on one second, Minister. POINT OF CLARIFICATION Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Honourable Speaker, have we moved on to Statements by Ministers and Junior Ministers yet? This appears to be a Statement.

The Speaker The Speaker No. This is not a Statement. This is just giving her report. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Okay.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister — Hon. Mich ael H. Dunkley: The Statement follows, Mr. Speaker. This looks like the Statement.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. H old on. Hold on. Hold on. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, were you just giving your report at this time, right? Hon. Renee Ming: I am sorry, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker You are not giving the Statement on it right now, are you? Hon. Renee Ming: No. Mr. Speaker, I am sorry. I had login issues. And so I thought that we were on that part. And that was my . . . I am sorry.

The Speaker The Speaker No, no, no. We are still on the reports and communications. So you can just table the Annual Parole Board Report. Hon. Renee Ming: Okay. I am sorry again, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. PAROLE BOARD REPORT 2017– 2020 Hon. Renee Ming: Mr. Speak er, I rise to report the Parole Board combined report for 2017 to [2020] .

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. 84 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Renee Ming: Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker That brings us to a close of the Papers and Communications for this morning. We will now move on. PETITIONS

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS

The Speaker The Speaker We have some eight Statements this morning. The first is in the name of the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Minister Simmons, Attorney General Simmons. Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and good morning, Members.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. UPDATE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM 2020 Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: I am pleased this morning to provide this Honourable House with an update on the government reform initiative . Mr. Speaker , I can advise today that responsibility for government reform now falls under the remit of the Minister …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Attorney General . We appreciate the Statement this morning. The next Statement on the Order Paper this morning is in the name of Minister Furbert, the Mini ster for the Cabinet Office. Minister, you have the floor. BERMUDA POST OFFICE BUSINESS PLAN 2020 Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Good …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker — Another Hon. Member: Mr. Speaker, we cannot hear. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker I hear you, Minister, but it seems that the other Members cannot hear you. But I am hearing you. Can we get an indication from other Members? Are you having problems hearing?

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Yes. He is just not clear. Another Hon. Member: I can hear him.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker, we cannot hear.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. If you can start over again, Minister. You may need to adjust your microphone, your closeness to your microphone. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes. Can you hear me now?

The Speaker The Speaker I still can. Can anyone else hear him?

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member I can hear you. Another Hon. Me mber: It is a little bit better, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. As close as you can get to the microphone would be helpful, Minister. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will do my best. Good morning, Honourable Members. I am pleased to ri se today to provide information regarding the Bermuda Post Office’s three- year business plan. …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Continue on. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda Post Office [BPO] in January 2020 contacted KPMG to dev elop a three- year business plan. The scope of the business plan submission was to include the following: • a projection of the Post Office financials , using current …

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. Go right ahead. You gave a little foretaste of it just earlier, but you can do the whole thing now. How is that? Hon. Renee Ming: Thank you very much.

The Speaker The Speaker Go right ahead. 2017 –2020 PAROLE BOARD REPORT Hon. Renee Ming: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to i ntroduce into the Legislature the report of the Parole Board for 2017– 2020 , in compliance with section 8 of the Parole Board Act 2001. Honourable Members will be aware that under …

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Good morning, Mr. Speaker. This morning I wish to inform this House of the new operators of the Horseshoe Bay beach co ncession . I would like to give some background on the process employed to get to this point. Having r eviewed the last tendering process, the existing lease …

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Therefore, the expiry of the existing lease has presented an opportunity to have the facility redeveloped and improved. The property was advertised, inviting pr oposals for the improvement and operation of the café commencing at the termination of the current lease. However, in the absence of government capital funding for …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. We appreciate the Statement. The next Statement this morning is now in the name of the Minister of Labour. Minister of Labour. Hon. Jason Hayward: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning. EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS Hon. Jason Hayward: Today I am pleased to a nnounce the tabling of two critical pieces of legislation: the Employment Amendment Act 2020, and the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 2020. Mr. Speaker, I have said before in this Honourable House …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. The next Statement this morning on the Order [Paper] is the Statement from the Minister of Educ ation. Minister, would you like to put your Statement now? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: If it pleases you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Continue right ahead. REMOTE LEARNING READINESS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM UPDATE Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise to give my honourable colleagues an update on how the Department of Education is progressing with the distribution of laptops to our students and teaching staff in …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, just one moment. As a r eminder, whe n you are speaking, your camera should be on so we can not only hear you, but see you. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I am trying to figure out what happened to my . . .

The Speaker The Speaker We hear you loud and clear. We just do not have a visual of you. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Not sure why my camera is not working.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I am just not sure why it is not working.

The Speaker The Speaker Well, continue and let us see if we can get it sorted out later in the day. Hon. Diallo V. S. Ra bain: Okay. Will do. Mr. Speaker, first let me share about the Ed ucation Department’s vision for providing mobile devi ces for each school level in the Bermuda …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. We appreciate your Statement. The next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister for Transport. Minister of Transport. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Yes. Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker You have two Statements. Do the first one, and then the second Statement afterwards. Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Okay. Thank you. BERMUDA CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY’ S ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18 "BUILDING ON OUR FOUNDATION” Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to lay before the Honourable House the Bermuda …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Minister, would you like to do your second Statem ent? Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Sure!

The Speaker The Speaker Continue on. BERMUDA AIRPORT AUTHORITY’S ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20 “NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE” Hon. W. Lawrence Scott: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I rise before the Honourable House to lay the Bermuda Airport Authority’s Annual Report 2019/20, “Navigating Challenges, Focused on the Future,” and audited accounts as required under provisions …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. And that brings us to a close of the Stat ements which were listed on the Order Paper this morning. However, I would like to bring Members’ attention to the fact that we are going to seek indu lgence to suspend the [Standing Order] to allow a …

The Speaker The Speaker There are no reports from committees. We now move on to the Question Period. And it is 11:22. That will give us our 60 minutes —

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker, you were going to give the Health Minister’s Statement.

The Speaker The Speaker No. The Health Minister’s Statement will be done later in the day.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Oh, okay.

The Speaker The Speaker She is not ready at this moment . . . or it is being finalised; let me put it that way. So once the Minister has it ready, we will suspend the rule so that the Minister can bring her Statement.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Okay.

The Speaker The Speaker And hopefully, it will be done when we come back from lunch. We are going to break for lunch at 12:30 and return at 2:00. And hopefully, at two o’clock it will be ready and we will start with her Statement. And we will allow some time after her Statement …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Member. Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: As has been already r eported in the media, total payments to support redundancy obligations to employees of West End Properties, otherwise known as Fairmont Southampton, are expected to approximate $11 million.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary? SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Does the Minister of Government have any intention of supporting any other employer who is facing challenges with redundancy payments?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson : Mr. Speaker, given that there are approximately 740 affected by the turn of events at Southampton Princess, or the West End Property, the Government views these as exceptional, special circumstances. So it is not our intention to make this support available to every situation …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes. We have one from the former Premier Cannonier.

The Speaker The Speaker Honourable Member, would you like to put your quest ion?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes. Can you hear me, Mr. Speaker? Am I mic’d?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. I can hear you. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Okay, great. Thank you, very much, and good morning. Minister, who initiated the decision to loan the $11 million to Southampton Princess? Where was it initiated?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, there has been no loan made to Southampton Princess. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Employees.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes, to the empl oyees then. Let me just correct that. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: The decision was mine. 98 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. L. Craig Cannonier: Okay.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes, supplementary. To that, were all the decision- makers —and if it was your decisi on, were you —aware of any political donations made to the PLP by persons affiliated with Fairmont Southampton? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, to the best of my knowledge I am not aware of …

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker You had two supplementaries. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I have a supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Leader, you have one su pplementary. Do you want to make a second one, or do you want to go on to your second question? Hon. Michael H. Dunkl ey: Mr. Speaker, I have supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Is that MP Dunkley? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes.

The Speaker The Speaker Would you like to put your supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, sir. The Honourable Finance Minister mentioned— Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons: I am sorry. We could not see the Members. I see MP Dunkley, but we could not see MP Cannonier.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Remember your cameras, Me mbers. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: It takes some tim e for your camera to kick in occasionally, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Put your question. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: The Honourable Finance Minister mentioned that it was his decision to make the payments. So a question to the Honourable F inance Minister: What discussions were [made] in a dvance of making these payments? Was it initiated by . . …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, could the Honourable Member repeat the question, please? I am confused as to what the essence of the question is.

The Speaker The Speaker Honourable Member, if you could just [restate] your question. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Minister said that it was his decision to make the payment. So my question goes back before that. Who initiated the discussion on ma king the payment? Did it come from the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary? No further supplementary. Opposition Leader, would you like to go to your second question now? Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Will the Honourable Mini ster please table for this Honourable House the wri tten—

The Speaker The Speaker Wait a minute. If you . . . we continue to have problems hearing the question. QUESTION 2: GOVERNMENT’S $11 MILLION REDUNDANCY PAYMENT TO FAIRMONT SOUTHAMPTON EMPLOYEES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Will the Honourable Mini ster please table for thi s Honourable House the written agreement between Gencom Limited …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned in my replies to the first question, or supplementary questions to the first question, there is no agreement between the Government of Bermuda and Gencom. There is no agreement between the Go vernment of Bermuda and West …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary from MP Richardson, yes?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Mr. Speaker, can you hear me?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, I can hear you. SUPPLEMENTARY

Mr. Jarion Richardson Okay. If the Fairmont Sout hampton cannot find the funds to pay the severanc e of Bermudian workers, how are we assured that they are going to find the funds to renovate the hotel?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: I cannot provide that assurance. The responsibility for finding the funds to renovate the hotel rests with the owners of the hotel.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary, anyone? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes. I have a supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, Opposition Leader. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: So at this point, Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Finance confirm that the only recourse he has at this point in time, other than going to court, is to recover the funds from the employees of Fairmont Southampton?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: I cannot confirm that, Mr. Speaker. The Spe aker: Okay. Supplementary or new question? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: So, can the Minister —

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Can the Minister confirm the pathway that he intends to take to recover the funds on behalf of the Government of Bermuda?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson : Mr. Speaker, all employers have an obligation to provide for their employees in the event of redundancy. That obligation existed before the Government stepped in and continues to ex-ist. Inasmuch as the employer does not find a way to make the payments, the Government, …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Scott Pe arman Mr. Speaker, supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary from?

Mr. Scott Pearman MP Pearman.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Pearman, put your supplementary. 100 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly SUPPLEMENTARY

Mr. Scott Pearman Yes. Honourable Minister, given the answer you just gave, does that mean that if the Government pays the $11 million it will expect a pa yment from the hotel owners of the $11 million? And if so, what will happen?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, perhaps it must have been an oversight by the Honourable Member. But I believe it is appropriate for him to di sclose his interest.

Mr. Scott Pearman I am very happy to do so. My law firm does represent the hotel, and I have no involv ement whatsoever in the representation of that client. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Okay.

The Speaker The Speaker Because of your affiliation with the company, we should always try and declare interest on behalf of such.

Mr. Scott Pearman Quite right, quite right. I agree with the Honourable Minister.

The Speaker The Speaker Continue, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, can the Honourable Member repeat the question?

Mr. Scott Pearman Given the answer the Honour able Minister just gave, what does he envision will happen if —

The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Pearman, your camera should also be on.

Mr. Scott Pearman Sorry. It should be on. Can you see me, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker No, MP, it is not on.

Mr. Scott Pearman All right. Let me try again. Can you see me now, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker No . . . Now we can, yes.

Mr. Scott Pearman Yes. I apologise. What does the Minister envisage will happen if the Government pays the $11 million and then the hotel owner is then in a position to pay the $11 mi llion? Will it be paid? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: We will exercise the remedies available to us. I …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Mr. Scott Pearman No supplementary. Thank you. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? Yes, put your suppl ementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in the discussions with Gencom, did they give any reason why they were delayed or not able to make the redundancy payments?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. S peaker, we are all aware that we are living through a pandemic that has been, I would say tremendously —probably an understatement —tremendously disruptive for all of us in terms of our everyday existence. And this disruption has extended to the tourism sect …

The Speaker The Speaker A second, supplementary. Yes. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, sir. Based on that answer, is there any requir ement for the owners to update the Government on access to this capital and to step in to pay the employees and take Government off the hook? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. …

The Speaker The Speaker We are trying to unmute you there. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: You are still on mute.

The Speaker The Speaker You are on mute. QUESTION 3: GOVERNMENT’S $11 MILLION REDUNDANCY PAYMENT TO FAIRMONT SOUTHAMPTON EMPLOY EES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Will the Honourable Mini ster please provide for this Honourable House the details on why he questions Gencom Limited’s willin gness to reimburse the Government of Bermuda for the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, it is public record that employees were owed these funds by West End Properties on the 23 rd of October 2020. That date having passed is evidence of their financial difficulties. It is not a question of willingness. It is an …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. I am resolving a technical matter here. Go ahead, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, the Gover nment will take legal advice and will be guided by that advice in taking whatever appropriate steps are deemed necessary to get the money back. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary, or are you good? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I am good; thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Everyone is good? That brings us to a close of the first written questions that were put this morning from the Oppos ition Leader to the Minister of Finance. The second [set of] written questions this morning is from MP Dunkley to the Minister of Health, Minister Wilson. MP Dunkley, …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the government online travel authorisation form powered by ResQwest was sole-sourced.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Supplementary? Hon. Michael H. D unkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Can the Honourable Mini ster please provide the rationale and reasoning why it was sole- sourced?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: The government on line travel authorisation form procurement was sole- sourced following an assessment of options available to Berm uda on short notice in June 2020. ResQwest has done a stellar job in producing and maintaining the gover nment’s travel authorisation portal with its related …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, I do believe one of the principals of ResQwest is a consultant to the Go vernment of Bermuda with respect to the FinTech pr oject. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, the final part of that question was, If so, who? Hon. Kim …

The Speaker The Speaker No. Yes, you used your supplementaries. Do any other of your Members have suppl ementaries? None. We can go on to the second question. Bermuda House of Assembly QUESTION 2: RESQWEST.COM GOVERNMENT’S ONLINE TRAVEL AUTHORISATION FORM CONTRACT Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Honourable Minister: Will …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Do you have a supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker. But just before that, I thank the Honourable Minister for the answer. But the Minister said the total payment to date was about $193,000. She said “to date,” what is the date she referred to? …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Speaker. We had a team at the Ministry, as well as persons from the IDT [Department of Information and Digital Technologies] to assist with respect to facilitating this arrangement. The Sp eaker: Yes. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Was any concern expressed . . …

The Speaker The Speaker You had two supplementaries. Does any other Member have a supplementary? No further supplementary. We will move on to your third question. QUESTION 3: RESQWEST.COM GOVERNM ENT’S ONLINE TRAVEL AUTHORISATION FORM CONTRACT Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Honourable Minister: Can the Honourable Minister please inform …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. 104 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I assume this money has gone into the Consolidated Fund. Has any of that money been used for other purposes to date?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: As the contract was just finalised, they are in the process of being transferred, those funds, to the Consolidated Fund. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I missed the first part of that answer. Did the Minister —

The Speaker The Speaker She indicated that the funds are in the process of being transferred to the Consolidated Fund. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Okay, Mr. Speaker. If that is the case, where would the funds be now if the pr ocess has not been completed? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: The ResQwest account . …

The Speaker The Speaker Was that your second supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker, that is a supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes. ResQwest have been holding the funds, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. ResQwest has been holding the funds. Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Now that is your second supplementary. Does any other Member have a supplementary? None. That brings us to a close of the written questions today. And we will now move on to the questions from the Statements which were read this morning. And, there are three Ministers, if I …

The Speaker The Speaker Put your camera back on. QUESTION 1: BERMUDA POST OFFICE BUSINESS PLAN 2020 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Can the Minister provide his reasoning for outsour cing the development of the 2020 Business Plan for the Government Post Office? Normally, those plans are done in- house by the lea dership …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr . Speaker. Can you hear me better now?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, we can hear you. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Great. The reason why, Mr. Simons, is that we felt it was better to outsource it to accounting practices. We got three quotes from three accounting practices to make sure that they are the best. Simply put, they are the best …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: A feasibility study and a business plan are two different things, Mr. Speaker. A business plan basically charts a roadmap forward. So my question is, Did the Minister think that the exec utive of the Post Office was unable to craft her own …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: We thought that was better if we got an independent body to do that, Mr. Simons. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: How much did the—

The Speaker The Speaker Second supplementary? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: How much did the Gover nment pay for this 2020 business plan for the Gover nment Post Office? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: We mentioned it in the act ual Statement. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I missed that, sir. Bermuda House of Assembly …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. The second Member who has a question for you, Minister, is the Member from constituency 10. Mr. Dunkley? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I followed the Minister in his Statement. I did not see the cost. I would be interested in that.

The Speaker The Speaker Put your question. Put your question. QUESTION 1: BERMUDA POST OFFICE BUSINESS PLAN 2020 Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I am, Mr. Speaker, just providing some context. In regard to the Statement on page 2, the Honourable Minister said that the KPMG started wor king 2020 and listed some key points …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, yes. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Honourable Member Dunkley, I do not have that information in front of me right now, but as the Honourable Member Cole S imons asks for that information, I will release it to you . . . I will get it to you as soon …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I have a supplementary to that, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker I beg your pardon? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. QUESTION 2: BERMUDA POST OFFICE BUSIN ESS PLAN 2020 Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: On the next page, page 3, the Honourable Minister says at the end of the second paragraph, “The Bermuda Post Office had at its height in 2010 [approximately] 240 staff members. A decade later, …

The Speaker The Speaker Just as a correction before you answer, Minister. Member Dunkley, that will go down as a second question because it was not supporting your first question as a supplementary. That is a second question. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: That is fine, Mr. Speaker. I am at your guidance.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead, Minister. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Sure, I can get that for you, Mr. Dunkley. But you are absolutely right. The [volume of mail] that was delivered in those days was much larger than it is now. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: So you will make a co mmitment to …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. No further questions? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I have a supplementary.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary, yes. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: The Minister does talk about the number of staff and the decline in the num-ber of staff. And he talks about quick wins and buil ding volume again. What are some of the quick wins? 106 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report B …

The Speaker The Speaker Ah, ah! Supplementary question to number two? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes. What are the quick wins? Hon. Wayne L. Furbe rt: The quick wins, as we mentioned, will be e- commerce which we will put in place before, probably by March of next year, which will increase revenue for …

The Speaker The Speaker Third question or no more? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I am complete on that Mi nister’s Statement.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. That brings us to a close to questions for Minister Furbert. The next Minister who has questions from a Member this morning is the Minister for National S ecurity. Minister Ming, you have a question from the Member from constituency 10. Member Dunkley, you can put your question. …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Renee Ming: Mr. Speaker, can you see and hear me?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Yes. I see you in that red- andblue top, is it? Hon. Renee Ming: No, there will not be any red and blue on me. [Laughter]

The Speaker The Speaker Continue on, Minister. Hon. Renee Ming: Sure. MP Dunkley, I recognise that [issue] . . . I did ask that question and was unable to get an answer as to the previous years, which would be 2017, 2018 and 2019, unfortunately. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I thank the Minister for …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: So I assume the Minister asked the chairman of the board why they were not in fact within compliance. Is the Minister comfortable that going forward this will not be the case?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Renee Ming: Mr. Speaker, I can speak to my time here. And under my direction, I would try my best to make sure that we are in compliance. And, you know, as I just said, unfortunately, I do not have a r esponse for the other years.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Second supplementary, or new question? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Go ahead. Ho n. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, in trying to open up the Parole Board report and get a summary view of it, it says in one of the early pages that this is a report for the three years, as we have discussed. But it focuses more …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Renee Ming: I would be unable to answer for the years 2017 and 2018. Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Okay. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Second question, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, your second question. QUESTION 2: 2017– 2020 PAROLE BOARD REPORT Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, the Parole Board Act 2001 also says [at section 7] that “the Mi nister may, after consultation with the Board, give such general or specific direction as to the policy to be fo …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Renee Ming: I am unaware of any direction by my predecessor. And I do plan on giving some direction as to enhancing some of the processes. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Minister, for your answers. Mr. Speaker, I am complete.

The Speaker The Speaker You are complete; thank you. Minister, those were the only questions for you this morning. The next Minister who has quest ions this morning is Minister Hayward, Minister of Labour. You have a question from MP Richardson. MP Richardson, would you like to put your question?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes, Mr. Speaker. Just a moment, please.

The Speaker The Speaker You actually muted yours elf that time.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Can you hear me?

The Speaker The Speaker We can hear you now. QUESTION 1: EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS

Mr. Jarion Richardson Sorry. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, or to the Honourable Minister, will you table the r eport from the Labour Reform Committee, which was used to form this new legisl ation?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: No. The report will not be t abled. What you will find is a combination of the report plus additional conversations which led t o me tabling the two Bills today.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Put your supplementary. SUPPLEMENTARIES

Mr. Jarion Richardson I misunderstood that. Is there a final report? Or is there a set of comm ents?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: The document was not structured in a formal report, but it was structured into recommendations that had pieces of the legislation. So it was not compiled as a complete report to the former Minister.

Mr. J arion Richardson Supplemental.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes. Will the recommendations be published or tabled in this Honourable House?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: The recommendations form part of the two Bills that are actually being tabled t oday. What the Member is essentially asking for is the consultation process that we engaged in to be actually brought forth to the House. And I do not believe that to be …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. MP Richardson, you are muted. Go ahead.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Mr. Speaker, can you hear me now?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, we can hear you now. But it is a moot question, because you have had your two supplementaries. So would you like to put your second question? QUESTION 2: EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Honourable Minister confirm to this Honourable House that this is the Labour Law Reform 108 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Committee that was initiated by OBA Home Affairs Minister Michae l Fahy?

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: In my Statement, I said that, yes, the process began in 2013 under Michael Fahy. I would not say that it was initiated from Michael Fahy; it was initiated from members of the LAC. And Michael Fahy was the Minister at the time.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary?

Mr. Jarion Richardson No supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker No further supplementaries from an yone? That brings us to a close of the question- andanswer period this morning. It is now 12:05. We now move on. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES

The Speaker The Speaker Does any Member wish to speak to that?

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

The Speaker The Speaker Sounds like the MP from the East End of the Island, MP Swan. Would you like to make your contribution now? The clock is starting. You have your three minutes.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Thank you and good morning, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Good morning.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Mr. Speaker, i t is with a profound sense of sadness that I offer condolences for Mr. Jerry Lynn Simons.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan He hailed from the West.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan He had a strong St. George’s connection, well -known football player, but an all -around really nice guy. I have known him almost all my life growing up and admiring him. He is a contemporary of my cousin Gladwin Lambert. They played football for Somerset together, and many other of …

He had a strong St.
George’s connection, well -known football player, but
an all -around really nice guy. I have known him almost
all my life growing up and admiring him. He is a contemporary of my cousin Gladwin Lambert. They
played football for Somerset together, and many other of my cousins , Kirk Edward s and the like were
amongst those guys who played, a legendary group of guys, Tango and those guys.
But in recent years, he loved his golf, too. He
used to come up with my mate, Saunders, up at the golf club, and they had their battles playing golf down at Belmont and coming up at Port Royal. They have
not seen him as much in the last few months. But I just want to say how sad it is [to hear he has] passed away. And I know on behalf of his many friends and family, I offer condolences to his daughter, his c hildren, his wife, Deborah, and sister, Francine Simons. I offer my heartfelt condolences.
And also [condolences for the fami ly of Mr.
Edward “Dick” Simons , from White Hill, from Spring
Benny Road. Man, I mean, tears come to my eyes thinking of those two, back -to-back days were like two
left and a right hook, Mr. Speaker. A Somerset Bridge fellow from cricket, and we just saw him up at the golf
where we all were talking about . . . one fellow said he
was a spin bowler, and I described him as a fast bowler. So you know that started a whole conversation in
itself. But his Shoe Centre was a well -known bus iness, and he even had an outlet in St. George’s. He
knew the value of St. George’s and had to come to St.
George’s in his lifetime as well.
But my family is close, as close as my uncles
and travelling partners and golf he loves. I just want to say the golfing community, the sporting community in general from the West End to the East End, these are
two gentlemen who transcended the whole Island. I
offer my heartfelt condolences, Mr. Speaker. I just cannot say how really —how hard this hits and how
close to home it hits. And I offer my profound condo-lences to their families and friends. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Understandable. And yes, the West End has been hit hard by both of those passings. Does any other Member? Hon. Lovitta F. Foggo: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker That sounds like another voice from the East End. Hon. Lovitta F. Foggo: It is another from the East End.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Foggo, would you like to make a contribution at this time? Your three minutes is now on the clock. Hon. Lovitta F. Foggo: Well, I will not take three minutes, Mr. Speaker. But I do want to be associated with the remarks of MP Kim Swan and offer my …

The Speaker The Speaker No, I know where she hails from, but she was kind enough to come to the West. She came West, so we recognise that. [Crosstalk] Hon. Lovitta F. Foggo: She definitely wears the blueand-blue flag in Somerset. And her family and my family were extremely close, and I want t …

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

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, Opposition Leader. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I thank you in noticing, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. And I am going to acknowledge it at the end of this and do the appropriate at that time. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Okay. I would like to ass ociate myself with the comments made in regard to Jer-ry Lynn Simons. I knew him from my days at …

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

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Yes, Mr. Speaker. Another Hon. Member: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. I have heard two different voices and am just trying to get a clarification.

Mr. Vance Campbell Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Member from constituency 9.

The Speaker The Speaker Honourable Member Campbell, is that you?

Mr. Vance Campbell That is correct, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. You have your three minutes.

Mr. Vance Campbell Mr. Speaker, I would like condolences to be sent to the fa mily of Mr. Charles Samuel “Boo” Brown, who passed. He was one who fought for workers’ rights long before unions were esta blished. He was the family patriarch. He has his descendants, if you want to call it …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker — Another Hon. Member: Can we all be associated? Yes.

The Speaker The Speaker I sugges t you associate—

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Associate me, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker —the House, yes. 110 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Vance Campbell: It looks like everyone wishes to be associated with those remarks, Mr. Speaker. On a lighter note, I would like to congratulate Winn Colley , also a constituent of mine, who celebrated her …

The Speaker The Speaker You took a little while getting to that point, Member, but congratulations to both you and your wife. Sounds like she is more having to put up with you all that time, but congratulations to you. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Continue on, Member. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. You have your three minutes, MP Dunkley. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I would like to be ass ociated with the condolences to the Brown family and also to the Simons family. I would like to send condolences to the Woods family on the passing of Cyril …

Mr. N. H. Cole Simons Can you associate me with that, please? Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I associa te the Opposition Leader for the sudden passing of Mr. Woods. I would also like to be associated with the passing of Mr. Leonard Gibbons. I certainly came into politics when Mr. Gibbons was overlapping, when he was close to his retirement. And …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to make a contribution ? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker That sounds like the Deputy Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes, sir. Thank you,

Mr. Speaker. The Speaker Deputy, you have three minutes. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I would like to send condolences to [INAUDIBLE].

The Speaker The Speaker Deputy, can you adjust your micr ophone? You are breaking up on us, and we would like to hear you nice and clearly. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Okay. [Pause]

The Speaker The Speaker And y our camera did not come on either. Are you there? [Pause] Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: How about now?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, we hear you pretty clear now. Start again. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes. I would like to send condolences out to the family of Ms. Sherlyn Eleanor Jones, a long- term schoolteacher in the Be rB ermuda House of Assembly muda system. Ms. Jones was, I mean, a …

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

Mr. Christopher Famous Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Sounds like the Member from Devonshire there, I believe. Mr. Famous, is that you?

Mr. Christopher Famous Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Famous, you have your three minutes.

Mr. Christopher Famous Can you see me clearly, Mr. Speaker? The Spe aker: Is it a red tie you are wearing? Conti nue on, sir.

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker, I want to associate myself with the comments of a great man, a proud, genius stalwart when it was dangerous to stand up for worker’s rights, a proud PLP stalwart when it was disadvantaged to wear the colour green, a proud pond dog on Saint Augustine Hill, or …

Mr. Christopher Famous He instilled in many that workers’ rights must be protected. And more often than not, he put himself on the first line, working with persons such as Dr. E. F. Gordon and Mose All en, Wilfred Mose Allen. You see, Mr. Speaker, he was not just a union man; he …

The Speaker The Speaker Oops. Member, I think your thr ee minutes just ran out on us.

Mr. Christopher Famous Yes, I said thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Thank you for your contribution. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution?

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Yes, Mr. Speaker. I would like to, please. Ano ther Hon. Member: Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Well, Mr. Tyrrell, I see you coming up on the camera in front of me. Do you want to continue, or someone else?

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell I can defer. I can defer to the Deputy.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Deputy, I do not see you coming up on your camera yet. But the Member has deferred to you. Hon. Walter H. Roban: I am trying to start my video now, Mr. Speaker. I do not understand why it is not coming on.

The Speaker The Speaker All right. Okay. Go ahead and start your three minutes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: My apologies. I am clicking it, but it is not seeming to work.

The Speaker The Speaker Start your contribution. 112 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Oh, I think it is there now.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Walt er H. Roban: Yes. Mr. Speaker, I wish to give a note of condolences for two persons, outstanding persons who were residents of my constituency. One is Mr. Arthur Burchall, who recently passed, a person whom I had been familiar with from the very point that I …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Excuse me, please— Hon. Walter H. Roban: —g lobally in the martial arts area, a student of the well -known master, Moses Powell. There were comments from Skipper Ingham himself to his achievements in the martial arts area.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker, may I please— [ Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Honourable Members want to be associated with that as well, Member. Hon. Walt er H. Roban: Happily. Certainly they should be associated, Mr. Speaker. [He was a] well- known gentleman. I got to know him as a resident, ironically right there on Palmetto Road. He was a resident there …

The Speaker The Speaker I am going to have to bounce you for your three minutes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: All right, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. I would like to say to everybody, have a good day. Thank you very much.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Does any other Member wish to speak?

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

The Speaker The Speaker I see MP Weeks on the camera. I hear another voice. MP Weeks, we will acknowledge you.

Mr. Michael A. Weeks Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Your three minutes is on the clock now.

Mr. Michael A. Weeks Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to you, and good morning to co lleagues and the listening public. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start off my r emarks by associating myself with the remarks of con-dolences to Mr. Brown, Charles Brown. I did not know him personally, but I …

Mr. Michael A. Weeks It is a new post. And actually, he is going to be the Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. And I say this, Mr. Speaker, because Dr. Douglas is definitely a product of Bermuda, and he has many connections in our community. In particular, Mr. Speaker, and …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. It seems that we still have quite a few Members who would like to give contributions, and we were going to break at 12:30 for lunch so we can be back at two. Am I correct in assessing that there quite a few Members who would …

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

The Speaker The Speaker And so, Mr. Premier, can I ask you to break us for lunch right now? We will continue wi th the condolences at two, and then we will have the rest of the business done after that. Hon. E. David Burt: Absolutely, Mr. Speaker, and thank you. Mr. Speaker, I …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? No objections. The House stands adjourned, and we will r esume at 2:00 pm. Thank you, Members. Proceedings suspended at 12:32 pm Proceedings resumed at 2:00 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]

The Speaker The Speaker Good aft ernoon, Members. It is 2:00 pm and I trust everyone enjoyed their break. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES [Continuation thereof]

The Speaker The Speaker We will now resume where we left off, which was under Condolences and Congratulatory Remarks. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

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

Mrs. Ianthia Simmons -Wade It is Ianthia Simmons - Wade.

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

Mrs. Ianthia S immons -Wade Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I wish to send my condolences to the family of Annette Wade of Cavendish Heights, who is actually my niece and the daughter of James Eugene and Eulalee Wade. She was the matriarch of the Wade family and, although havin g no children of her own, …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak at this time?

Ms. Crystal Caesar Mr. Speaker, yes.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes? MP Caesar, that sounds like your voice.

Ms. Crystal Caesar Yes, it is, thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker You have your three minutes.

Ms. Crystal Caesar Thank you. Mr. Speaker, this past Monday I had the sad occasion of attending t he funeral of the young Mr. Clevonte’ Lodge- Bean. And I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to his mother Delphina Lodge and father Alan Daniels. However, Mr. Speaker, I just want to speak …

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Mr. Speaker? Th e Speaker: Yes, MP Tyrrell?

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Th e Speaker: MP Tyrrell, you have your three minutes.

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Firstly, Mr. Speaker, I wish to be assoc iated with the remarks by my colleagues on t he passing of one Mr. Charles “Boo” Brown. I thank them also for their kindness and I really support every word they said about my dad. He was an original, I will just …

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Thank you. Th e Speaker: Now, does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, Mr. Premier. Premier, you have your three minutes. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I speak today to certainly be associated with the condolences given to Mr. Charles “Boo” Brown, as we have heard already, and we just heard from his son, he was a …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, yes. Hon. E. David Burt: So, a man after my heart i n two ways. And I had the good fortune of getting to know him after Dr. Dana Selassie worked in my office, and he was always hospitable, especially on Good Friday where he would happily share his …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Members. Now, Members, I indicated earlier when we were doing the Statements that the Minister of Health was preparing a Statement in reference to current matters under the COVID restrictions that we are currently dealing with, and I was goin g to ask the House to allow us …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to the suspension of the rules? There are none. [Motion carried: Standing Order 14 suspended.]

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, continue. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS [Resumption thereof] COVID -19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATE Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, as our Bermuda community now knows, our country’s status as it pertains to COVID -19 has changed from sporadic cases to clusters of …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. I am going to just confirm that the Statement has circulated. Has everyone received the Statement on the SharePoint ? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, Mr. Speaker, it has not been received.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. This is what we will do, we will move . . . it is on the . . . check on the . . . go onto the home page and see if you can put up . . . on House news on the home page for the …

The Speaker The Speaker It is under COVID update. Just hold on there a moment, Members, we are just making sure it is up. [Crosstalk] The Speaker: If you go under House Business on the website and go to Ministerial Statements, it is actually up on the site there. What we are going to …

The Speaker The Speaker There are n one. 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 We have some nine Gov ernment Bills to be introduced today and we will start with the Mini ster of Finance. Minister of Finance, would you like to put your Bills at this time? FIRST READINGS COMPANIES AND PARTNERSHIPS (ELECTRONIC REGISTRY) AMENDMENT ACT 2020 INVESTMENT FUNDS AMENDMENT ACT 2020 BERMUDA …

The Speaker The Speaker Oh, you have done all three. Okay, I was resetting everything here so it got past me that time. Number 4, the fourth Bill, is in the name of the Minister for Cabinet Office. Minister. FIRST READING BERMUDA IMMIGRATION AND PROTECTION AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2020 Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister of Health, would you like to put yours? FIRST READING HEALTH INSURANCE (MISCELLANEOUS) AMENDMENT ACT 2020 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, 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 …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Minister of Labour. Minister? FIRST READINGS EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2020 TRADE UNION AND LABOUR RELATION (CONSOLIDATION) ACT 2020 Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bills for their first reading so that they may be placed on the Order Paper for the next …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Those are all the Bills that we need to intr oduce today. OPPOSITION BILLS

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. NOTICES OF MOTIONS

The Speaker The Speaker There are none QUESTION PERIOD [Resumption thereof]

The Speaker The Speaker So, before we go to the Orders of the Day, would any Members like to put a questio n to the Minister in reference to the Statement she just gave on the COVID Update? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. I am starting the clock. We have 18 minutes left in this session. Continue, put your question. QUESTION 1: COVID -19 RESTRICTIONS UPDATE Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have not had adequate time to go through the Statement, but I have looked at it and …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The question with respect to “active” relates to the fact that those cases —those persons —still have COVID a nd they have not fully recovered. When I was speaking about the five, I spoke about two that were currently under “active” …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have printed the Statement and read it now—three under active investigation. Mr. Speaker, supplementary question to the Honourable Minister: Does the Minister feel comfort able that we have adequate resources to do the extensive contact tracing that obviously has …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you for that question and I appreciate the Honourable Member’s concern. Yes, we do, and we have actually brought in further individuals who were seconded previously doing contact tracing, going back to their other positions, and they have come back to assist in the …

The Speaker The Speaker Supplementary? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, Mr. Speaker. I just want to thank the Minister for bringing this Stateme nt to the House and for the opportunity to understand what is going on and reflect the need for the community to stay vigilant.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Any other Members wish to put a question to the Minister? No other Member. We will move on to the Or ders of the Day. ORDERS OF THE DAY

The Speaker The Speaker And the first Order today is the Land Valuation and Tax (Special Provisions and Pos t-ponement of Preparations of Draft Valuation List) Act 2020 in the name of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Home Affairs. Deputy Premier, would you like to? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Excuse me, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Sorry, Deputy. I understand that the Whip was going to crave your indulgence for us to reorganise the [Order] Paper so that [Order] No. 4 could be dealt with first so that I could return to some other matters. The Whip—

The Speaker The Speaker It is the first I have heard of it, but I understand that the current situation in reference to the health matter is very fluid, so I am going to seek the indulgence of your Ministers and the House, if they would mind if we put [Order] No. 4 as …

The Speaker The Speaker No objection? Hon. Walter H. Roban: No objection.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay, Min ister, your matter will be the first matter, and that is the second reading of the Health Professionals (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2020 in the name of the Minister of Health. Minister? BILL SECOND READING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDM ENTS) ACT 2020 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, thank you, …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? No objections. Continue on, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, I appear before you to introduce the Bill entitled the Health Professionals (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2020, hereinafter I will refer to it as “the Bill,” Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to speak? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Dunkley, is that you? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Honourable Minister for her brief on the Health Professionals (Miscellaneous Amend-ments) Act 2020. In following the brief, Mr. Speaker, the Mini ster mentioned that this would streamline, this would standardise, and this would …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: —you are not on mute, so it is very difficult to hear the Member speaking. Thank you. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Okay.

The Speaker The Speaker Continue, MP. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Can you hear me now, Minister?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, continue. It was my microphone that was on. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, bearing in mind that it is essential that the health care services are delivered in an effective way, in a safe way, and in a …

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

Mr. Vance Campbell Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, that sounds like MP Campbell.

Mr. Vance Campbell That is correct, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker You have the floor.

Mr. Vance Campbell Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this Bill seeks to provide a framework to regula te health care professionals. It seeks to standardise and streamline the regulatory functions of the respective boards. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has stated that the Ministry is challenged in meeting both the need and demand …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP. 124 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Does any other . . . and I should acknowledge the fact that I believe that is y our maiden speech, MP Campbell. We acknowledge that. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution?

Mr. Vance Campbell Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding that when you speak on Bills it is not consi dered your maiden speech, it is when you speak on a motion to adjourn. I could be corrected on that.

The Speaker The Speaker I do not think so. It is when you . . . yes, I think you can do it on a Bill or . . . because this was a major Bill and you had not spoken for quite some time, but . . .

Mr. Vance Campbell I will yield to you, Mr. Speaker, you have way more experience than me.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker It is any time you speak, other than on condolences or something of that nature. That speech that you make is your maiden speech.

Mr. Vance Campbell I stand corrected, Mr. Speaker, thank you very much.

The Speaker The Speaker No problem. Okay. Does any other Member wish to speak? No other Member. Minister, would you like to wrap- up? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the contributions of those Honourable Members, particularly MP Vance Campbell, on this his maiden speech. He was able …

The Speaker The Speaker Deputy? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: I hear you now.

The Speaker The Speaker You are in control of the House, now. I had taken myself out sooner. You are in control, Deputy. House in Committee at 3:18 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) ACT 2020

The Chairman Chairman Honourable Members, w e are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation of the Bill entitled the [Health Professionals (Mi scellaneous Amendments) Act 2020 .] Ministe r Wilson, you have the floor. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Health Professionals (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any further speakers? I do not see any. Any further speakers at this time? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to move those first 10 [clauses]? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that clauses 1 through 10 be a pproved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 10 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 10 passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move clauses 11 through 41 concerning amendments to the Dental Practitioners Act 1950.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Clauses 11, 13, 15, 18, 25 and 34 insert head ings and organise the provisions of the Dental Practitioners Act 1950 into parts. Clause 12 amends section 1 of the Dental Practitioners Act 1950 with respect to the definition of “the …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any further speakers? There are no further speakers. Minister, do you want to move the clauses and Schedule 2? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move that the clauses 11 through 41 and the Schedule be approved.

The Chairman Chairman Schedule 2. It has been moved that c lauses 11 through 41 be approved and Schedule 2. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. It has been approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 11 through 41 and Schedule 2 passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Minister, continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to now move clauses 42 through 55 concerning amendments to the Medical Practitioners Act 1950.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Clause 42 amends section 1 of the Medic al Practitioners Act 1950 to repeal the definition of “Permanent Secretary”; to amend the definition of “the reg-ister” and to insert definitions for the interpretation of the Act. Clauses 43, 46, 48, 50, …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any further speakers on clauses 42 through 55? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to move clauses 42 through 55? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move that clauses 42 through 55 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 42 through 55 be approved. Are there any objections to that? Bermuda House of Assembly There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: C lauses 42 through 55 passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Minister, continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 56 through 73 concerning amendments to the Nursing and Midwifery Act 1997.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Clauses 56, 58, 60, 64 and 67 insert headings and organise the Nursing and Midwifery Act 1997 into parts. Clause 57 amends section 2 to insert definitions for the interpretation of the Nursing and Midwif ery Act 1997. Clause 59 amends …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any further speakers? Are there any further speakers to clauses 56 through 73? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to move clauses 56 through 73? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I now move that clauses 56 through 73 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 56 through 73 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. It has been approv ed. [Motion carried: Clauses 56 through 73 passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 74 through 104 concerning amendments to the Optometrists and Opticians Act 2008.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Clauses 74, 76, 79, 86 and 97 insert headings and organise the Optometrists and Opticians Act 2008 into parts. Clause 75 amends section 2 of the Optom etrists and Opticians Act 2008 to insert definitions for the interpretation of the Act. The definition of “Perm …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any speakers for clauses 74 thr ough 104? Are there any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to move clauses 74 through 104 and the Fourth Schedule? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move that clauses …

The Chairman Chairman Fourth Schedule. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: —Fourth Schedule.

The Chairman Chairman Third and Fourth Schedules. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Third and Fourth, be approved,

Mr. Chairman. The Chairman Yes. It has been moved that clauses 74 through 104 and the Fourth Schedule be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 74 through 104 and the Fourth Schedule passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Minister, continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank y ou, Mr. Chairman. I now move clauses 105 through 115 concer ning amendments to the Pharmacy and Poisons Act 1979.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Clause 105 amends section 2 of the Pharm acy and Poisons Act 1979 to amend the definition of Registrar and to insert definitions for the interpretation of that Act. Clause 106 inserts section 4C in the Pharm acy and Poisons Act …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any comments on clauses 105 through 115 and the Seventh Sc hedule? Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to move clauses 105 through 115 and the Seventh Schedule? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I would like now move that clauses 105 …

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 105 through 115 and the Seventh Schedule be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 105 through 115 and the Seventh Schedule passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Minister, continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I now move clauses 116 through 131 concer ning amendments to the Psychological Practitioners Act 2018. Mr. Chairman, clause 116 amends section 2 of the Psychological Practitioners Act 2018 to insert definitions for the interpretation of the Act. Clause 117 …

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Minister. Any further speakers to clauses 116 through 131 and Schedule 3? Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister, will you move clauses 116 through 131 and Schedule 3? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr . Chairman. I would like to move that clauses 116 …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 116 through 131 and Sche dule 3 passed.]

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I now move clauses 132 through 135 and the Schedules that set forth the final provisions.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you. Mr. Chairman, clause 132 amends section 5 of the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004 to include the keeping and maintenance of registers for the Council for Allied Health Professionals, the Bermuda Dental Board, the Optometrist and Opticians Council, the Pharmacy Council and the …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any further speakers? Any speakers f or clauses 132 through 135? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to move clauses 132 through 135? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move [that] clauses 132 through 135 and Schedules 1, 2, …

The Chairman Chairman Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, that concludes the — The Chair man: Do you want to move that the Bill be reported to the House? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes.

The Chairman Chairman Oh, move the preamble. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, thank you. 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. Approved. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, 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. Thank you, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [Motion carried: The Health …

The Speaker The Speaker Deputy [Speaker], thank you. Members, are there any objections to the second reading of the Health Professionals (Miscell aneous Amendments) Act 2020 being reported to the House as printed? There are no objections. It has been reported as printed. That brings that matter to a close and we will move …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Hon. Walter H. Roban: It is not coming. I do not know why it is not coming on, sir.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay, start your presentation and we will see if you can sort it out as you are doing your presentation. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker, here, it is up.

The Speaker The Speaker It’s up. Yes. Continue. BILL SECOND READING LAND VALUATION AND TAX (SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND POSTPONEMENT OF PREPARATION OF DRAFT VALUATION LIST) ACT 2020 Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled the Land Valuation and Tax (Special Pr ovisions and Postponement of Preparation of Draft Valuation …

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

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes, Mr. Speaker, Jarion Richardson.

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

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Deputy Premier for a very fulsome explanation of the delay. I would raise a question, though. Insofar as I can understand it, the Honourable Deputy Premier has made the point that this is to protect taxpayers during a volatile time and …

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

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, I believ e it is MP Famous.

Mr. Christopher Famous How much time do I have, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker Well, it is 30 minutes for a Member on a debate here. I am sure you do not need that much time to make your contribution; but you have your 30 minutes.

Mr. Christopher Famous I am not going to need that much time, but the first thing I am going to address is the inaccuracies of the newest Member of the OBA. He infers that property values are going to go downwards and that the Government should, in his . . . he is …

Mr. Christopher Fa mous —that Honourable Member has.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you.

Mr. Christopher Famous But right now, there is a demand for one- and two bedrooms that have gone up, as of late. There is a level of what we call bottoming out . I am sure he understands economic s and I am quite sure, if he does not, he will point -of-order …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP.

Mr. Christopher Famous Okay. I am going to quote from the Royal Gazette of 20 November 2020: “Most homeowners will not see an increase in land tax bills next year after the Government pos tponed a review of property values in the wake of the COVID -19 economic crisis, The Royal Gazette can …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, I hear you loud and clear. Conti nue.

Mr. Christopher Famous Okay. Well, every government around the world, including the Bermuda Government, has to deal with COVID. And we have to deal with it in sound ways to balance our books as best as possible without har ming our people. And this Bill was created for that pr imary reason. Mr. …

Mr. Jarion Richardson A point of clarification, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Hold on. All right, we have a point of clarification, Member. Member, what is your point?

Mr. Christopher Famous Yes, I will yield.

The Speaker The Speaker What is your point, Member? POINT OF CLARIFICATION

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, to the Honour able Member. I wanted to make a difference in his representation of the points I was making. In one we are talking about tax increases, so we are talking about the benefit of not seeing an increase in tax. And what I was addressing was …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Member.

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker, the new Honourable Member is speculating that land values are going to go down. That is speculation. 134 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly I can go on and quote a Royal Gazette article that says that property values have been selling off the …

The Speaker The Speaker Someone else wants to make a point of order?

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

The Speaker The Speaker Is that MP Cannonier?

Mr. L . Craig Cannonier Yes. The Honourable Member may mistakenly be . . . hold on, I am getting feedback here.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker, can you ask the Member to put his video on? The Speaker: Yes. Your camera should be on when you are speaking, Member. Member?

Mr. Christopher Famous He is eating into my time,

Mr. Speaker. The Speaker Member? MP Cannonier?

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

The Speaker The Speaker Okay, we could not hear you all this time.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Can you hear me?

The Speaker The Speaker We can hear you now.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker, can you ask the Honourable Member to put his camera on please?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, there was a request. We are wai ting for you to get your camera on, Honourable Member. POINT OF ORDER

Mr. L. Cra ig Cannonier I am trying to get . . . set up this camera here. You know, the Director, Mrs. Elliott, bases her ARV on the trends in a community. That is how they come up with that ARV. It is based on the market. It is not Government who sets that, …

Mr. Famous. Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker, there was an interesting webinar today hosted by one of the leading real estate companies, and it was about un derstan ding the growing trend of real estate transactions in Bermuda. I suggest some people take it up. But anyway, Mr. Speaker, let me clear this here. We …

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

The Speaker The Speaker Opposition Leader, you have the floor. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I would like to bring clarity to this and I think the former Premier Mr. Craig Cannonier started down this road. We cannot confuse the sales volumes with the price of a unit. Yes, the sales volumes are up …

The Speaker The Speaker We have a point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motive] Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker. I take i ssue with the Honourable Member saying that the Government is not being honest. He is imputing i mproper motives on the Government’s intention in this matter and should …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Member. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: But I will also make the comment that they saw that, economically, it would be prudent for them to continue with the 2015 level b ecause they will not compromise the $87 million rea lised from the land tax. If they drop …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? No other Honourable Member? Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I wish to thank the Members who have made their contributions thus far, particularly, the Honourable Member for constituency 11, who passionately supported the direction that the Government is taking and made it clear t hat we are …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy Premier. And I call on the Deputy Speaker to take us into Committee. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House in Committee at 4 :03 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL LAND VALUATION AND TAX (SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND …

The Chairman Chairman Honourabl e Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation of the Bill entitled Land Valuation and Tax (Special Provisions and Postponement of Preparation of Draft Valuation List) Act 2020 . Any further speakers? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Chairman, I wish to …

The Chairman Chairman Yes, continue. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Clauses 1 through 4; there are only four clauses to this Bi ll, so may I move them all?

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. You may. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This Bill seeks to modify the effect s of the Land Valuation and Tax Act 1967 so as to extend the validity period of the current valuat ion list and pos tpone the preparation of the next draft …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any further speakers? Are there any further speakers to the Bill? There appear to be none. Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the preamble be approved.

The Chairman Chairman Do the clauses first, Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: I am sorry, Mr. Chairman.

The Chairman Chairman That’s all right. Hon. Walter H. Roban: I move that clauses 1 through 4 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 4 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 4 passed.] Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do 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. Minister, continue. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Bill be reported to the House as printed.

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. Approved. [Motion carried: The Land Valuation and Tax (Special Provisions and Postponement of Preparation of Draft Valuation List) Act 2020 was considered by a Commi …

The Chairman Chairman The Bill will be reported to the House as printed. Thank you, Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. House resumed at 4:06 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Spe aker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE LAND VALUATION AND TAX (SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND POSTPONEMENT OF PREPARATION OF …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Members, are there any objections to the Bill entitled Land Valuation and Tax (Special Provisions and Postponement of Preparation of Draft Valuation List) Act 2020 being reported to the House as printed? There are no objections. It has been reported as printed. That brings us to …

The Speaker The Speaker It does. Continue on. BILL SECOND READING INSURANCE AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2020 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled the Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2020 be now read the second time.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any object ions to that? There are none. Continue on, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, the purpose of the Bill entitled the Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2020 is to require registration under the Insurance Act 1978 of any incorporated segregated account company which intends to …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to speak? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes. The S peaker: Mr. Opposition Leader, you have the floor. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you. We have no objections to this legislation. We understand what is going on here, so we support …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Is that it, Member? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Yes, that’s it.

The Speaker The Speaker Does any other Member wish to make a comment? No further [comments]? Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I am waiting for a response for the Member’s query from my tec hnical team. Just for clarification, we want to be sure that we give him the [correct] answer, and …

Mr. Speaker. I beg your indulgence. The Speaker Okay. Are there any other comments you want t o make in the meantime? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I have no other closing comments. Mr. Speaker, if you do not mind, given that there is no objection from the Honourable Member, I could get him the answer to …

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Thank you, Minister. Yes. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill now be committed.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Mr. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr .: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. House in Committee at 4:15 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL INSURANCE AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2020

The Chairman Chairman Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider aBermuda House of Assembly tion of the Bill entitled Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2020 . Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move clauses 1 through 4.

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister . Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, c lause 1 provides that the Bill may be cited as the Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2020. Clause 2 amends section 1 of the Insurance Act 1978 to insert definitions of the follow ing terms by linking them with the …

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Minister. Are there any further speakers? Any further speakers to this Bill? There appear to be none. Minister, do you want to carry on and move the clauses? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, before moving to approve the clauses, I just wanted to pr ovide an answer …

The Chairman Chairman Yes. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: The incorporated segr egated accounts are registered by the ROC as is done now for other bodies corporate. If it is an ISA and an incorporated segregated account, then it will be s upervised by the BMA. With that, Mr. Chairman, I move clauses 1 …

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 4 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 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. Approved. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move that the Bill be reported to the House as printed. The Ch airman: It has been moved that the Bill be …

The Chairman Chairman The Bill will be reported to the House as printed. Thank you, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Thanks. 140 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly House resumed at 4:18 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE INSURANCE AMENDMENT (NO. 2) …

The Speaker The Speaker Gentlemen, your microphones are on. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Deputy, thank you for that. Members, are there any objections to the Bill entitled the Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2020 being reported to the House as printed? There are no objections. It has been reported as printed. It brings that one to a close for now. We …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. BILL SECOND READING DIGITAL ASSET BUSINESS AMENDMENT ACT 2020 Hon. Cu rtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled the Digital Asset Business Amendment Act 2020 be now read for the second time.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? [There are] none. Continue, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members will be aware that the digital asset business environment is a rapidly evolving space and, as such, it is [important] that Bermuda’s regulatory and supervisory framework keeps pace with the rapid …

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

The Speaker The Speaker Continue, Mr. Opposition Leader. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Opposition, we support this piece of legislation. We want to go on the record as stating that the One Bermuda Alliance will not put any barriers to the digital asset business in novation in Bermuda. …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak?

Mr. Jarion Richardson Yes, Mr. Speaker. Jarion Richardson.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP Richardson.

Mr. Jarion Richardson Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I thank the Honourable Minister for bringing this to the House. Just a few questions to the Honourable Mini ster as it relates to the digital asset business applic ation process and industry in Bermuda. The Honourable Minister noted that there was a review conducted …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? [Crosstalk] Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Pardon? [Crosstalk ] Hon. E. David Burt: That is me, Mr. Speaker. How are you doing?

The Speaker The Speaker You have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today is a good day for the dig ital asset business industry worldwide. But it is certai nly a good day for the digital asset business industry here in Bermuda. And I must say …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Premier. Does any other Member wish to speak? No other Member. Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thanks to the Opposition Leader and his colleagues for their support of this legislation. And per-haps more importantly , thanks to the Premier, who is clearly …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, the House is now in Committee. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you. House in Committee at 4 :50 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL DIGITAL ASSET BUSINESS AMENDMENT ACT 2020

The Chairman Chairman Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation of the Bil l entitled Digital Asset Business Amendment Act 2020 . Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This Bill seeks to amend t he Digital Asset Business …

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Clause 1 provides a title for the Bill. Clause 2 amends section 2 of the Act by r epealing and replacing the definition of “digital asset exchange” and “digital asset derivative exchange” to further clarify those definitions. This clause also revi ses the definition …

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Minister. Are there are any further speakers to this Bill? There appears to be no further speakers. Minister, continue. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson : Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 1 through 10 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 10 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 10 passed.] Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Chairman, I move that the Schedule be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the Schedule be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. 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. Approved. Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: And finally, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Bill be repor ted to the House as printed.

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. Thank you, Minister. Hon. Cu rtis L. Dickinson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. [Motion carried: The …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Members, are there any objections to the second reading of the Digital Asset Business Bermuda House of Assembly Amendment Act 2020 being reported to the House as printed? There are none. It has been reported and accepted. We now move on to the next Order today which is the second …

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, Minister. BILL SECOND READING ST. GEORGE’S CLUB ACT 2020

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I move that the Bill entitled St. George’s Club Act 2020 be now read the second tim e.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Minister.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, accor ding to a report of February of this year Hotelco Bermuda SVC, the company behind the St. Regis hotel development in the Olde Towne of St. George’s confirmed that it had plans to buy the St . George's Club resort shortly after the resort’s closure. Hotelco advised …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. 148 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time?

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

The Speaker The Speaker Member . . . yes.

Ms. Lovitta F. Fog go Yes, Mr. Speaker. [Laughter]

The Speaker The Speaker We will let the Opposition go before you, Member.

Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Okay.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just would like to . . . you can hear me okay?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier I am just trying to make sure with these technical issues. First, let me just say that we fully support this initiative of the St. George’s Club Act 2020. It is a good day to know that there are still entities that are willing to invest in Bermuda. I believe …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker, we cannot see the Member.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier It is on.

The Speaker The Speaker I can see him clearly. He is clearly on my screen.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier I am not sure of this preoccupation—

The Speaker The Speaker Continue on. Mr. L. Craig Cannonier: The camera is on. This is —

The Speaker The Speaker No, don’t touch the camera. I see you clearly.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier So this is an exciting time for Bermuda as a whole. What Hotelco basically has said is that they are looking out for the future of Bermuda and Berm udians as they seek to take over the St. George’s Club. We know all of the challenges that it has had …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Turn your microphone back on.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier We are certainly . . . is it—

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member You just turned it back off again. Turn it back on.

The Speaker The Speaker We were hearing you there and you turned it back off.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. You are good now.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Sorry about that. I made a mistake and touched the—

The Speaker The Speaker No problem.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier So certainly this is a great opportunity for Bermuda. I did not hear exactly when this might take place as far as the refurbishment of the St. George’s Club might start — [Crosstalk]

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier —good to be able to hear that information coming forward as to when [INAUD IBermuda House of Assembly BLE] refurbishment of St. George’s Club. Certainly, this is a great opportunity — [Crosstalk]

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier —in Bermuda as a whole and we fully support this here. I do have a question when we get into Committee, but again we are in full support of this Act. Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Member. Does any other Member wish to speak?

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

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP Foggo.

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

The Speaker The Speaker We hear you . . . yes, there you go.

Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Okay . I am very grateful to the Minister for what he has done to ensure that he has brought us to this day when the St. George’s Club is now still up and operating. He mentioned in his words, and I may par aphrase, that people are happy that …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, MP Foggo. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP Dunkley. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker You have the floor. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you for the opportunity to speak on the St. George’s Club Act 2020. 150 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly I speak, Mr. Speaker, i n support with all my colleagues in the Opposition Government benches because …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, Honourable Member Swan. You have the floor.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I speak to this Bill today. I want to thank all those r esponsible for doing the work pr ior to today that brought us here. The former Premier who spoke prior mentioned his tenure there and, you …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? Hon. Renee Ming: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Renee Ming: Surely. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and listening audience for this opportunity to share brief comments on the St. George’s C lub Act 2020. Mr. Speaker, you will be reminded that the Progressive Labour Party platform for 2020, if you allow me to …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. I appreciate your comments. Does any other Member wish to speak? No other Member. Minister of Works.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Let me first say thank you to my colleagues and to those in the Opposition who are supporting this Bill. There was a questi on about timesharing. I did mention in my Statement that the new owners will honour the commitment to the timesharing . . . those people who …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Deputy Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes, t hank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker You can have the House in Committee. House in Committee at 5:30 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL ST. GEORGE’S CLUB ACT 2020

The Chairman Chairman Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation of the Bill entitled St. George’s Club Act 2020 . Minister, you have the floor.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Thank you, Mr. Chai rman. Mr. Chairm an, I would like to move clauses 1 through 6.

The Chairman Chairman Continue, Minister.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Clause 1 is self - explanatory. Clause 2 gives the interpretation of various expressions used in the Bill. Clause 3 authorises the Minister responsible for public lands to lease the property to the developer for a term not exceeding 262 years, but such parts of the property, and rights and …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any further speakers?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes, Mr. Chairman. Can you hear me?

The Chairman Chairman Yes, sir. Continue, Mr. Cannonier. 154 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you. Just a quick question on clause 3(1)(c), where it says, “ in order to facilitate the Works, by agreement with the Developer . . . .” I am …

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Chairman, I don’t have the answer to that question. I will need to get something from my technical officers. Can I give an undertaking to provide that answer to the Honourable Member?

The Chairman Chairman Is that okay with you, Mr. Cannonier?

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Thank you. That is perfectly fine. I appreciate that.

The Chairman Chairman Okay. Are there any further speakers? There appear to be no further speakers? Minister, do you want t o move?

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 1 through 6 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 6 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 6 passed.]

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Chairman, I move that Schedules 1, 2 and 3 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the Schedules 1, 2 and 3 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Schedules 1 through 3 passed.]

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch 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. Approved.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Thank you, Mr. Chai rman. I now move that the Bill be reported to the House as printed.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the Bill be reported to the House as printed. Are there any objections t o that? There appear to be none. The Bill will be reported to the House as printed. Thank you, Minister. [Motion carried: The St. George’s Club Act 2020 was considered by …

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Thank you, Mr. Chai rman. House resumed at 5:40 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE ST. GEORGE’S CLUB ACT 2020

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Members, are there any objections to the second reading of the St. George’s Club Act 2020 being reported to the House as printed? There were none. That now moves us on to the last item on the Order for today which is the second reading …

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled Bermuda National Parks Amend-ment Act 2020 be now read a second ti me.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? No objections. Continue, Minister.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, as Ho nourable Members are aware, our National Hero, Mary Prince, is recognised on the world stage for the crucial role she played i n the abolishment of slavery throughout the British Empire by telling the painful story of her life as an enslaved woman in Bermuda. Bermuda …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to speak?

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

The Speaker The Speaker Sounds like . . . Opposition Leader, did I hear your voice?

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member No, it was somebody else.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay. Shadow Minister. I will take the Shadow Minister first.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes. Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. Again, I want to echo the sentim ents of full support. The Minister certainly [ INAUDIBLE] this change to the Devonshire Bay Park name to Mary Prince Emancipation Park. I must say that we have had quite a few co nversations within the …

The Speaker The Speaker Member, you froze that time. You were going on quite nicely, your audio was good, your pi cture was good. Go ahead.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier —and also the pain that so many of us had to go through. [ INAUDIBLE ] Can you hear me now, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, you are good. Continue.

Mr. L. Craig Cannonier Yes. So what I wanted to do is just in general ask what other considerations or maybe opportunities that they have identified that quite frankly could be seen as an opportunity to r emind Bermuda of our historical past that might be in the makings. And part of why I …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Member. Does any other H onourable Member wish to speak?

Mr. Michael A. Weeks Yes, Mr. Speaker.

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

Mr. Michael A. Weeks Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How are you doing?

The Speaker The Speaker Very good, sir. 156 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Michael A. Weeks: Mr. Speaker, I real ly apprec iate this opportunity of what I consider to be a very important step, another step in shedding our colonial past. You know, I think it is …

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

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Mr. Speaker, I have a few words. It is Susan Jackson.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP Jackson. You have the floor.

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Thank you and good evening, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to follow on a little bit from what the previous Member was speaking of when he spoke of the children and the educational opportunities that are there. Certainly, there is a growing and increasing storyline of our black history i n …

The Speaker The Speaker Just a second. Is someone trying to get our attention?

Ms. Susan E. Jackson I think it might be a—

The Speaker The Speaker Point of clarification? Member Jackson, would you yield to . . . I think it is MP Famous?

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Yes, that’s fine.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Famous? MP Famous, you are breaking up on us. We can see you but we are not hearing you well. [Inaudible interjection]

The Speaker The Speaker I am going to let the Member continue. Say again? Take one more try. You are break ing up, you are breaking up. I will let the Member continue until you can fix your microphone. Member Jackson, continue.

Ms. Susan E. Jackson Thank you Mr. Speaker, I did not have much more to add. I, again, am just grateful that we are bringing our fulsome st ory to light and that we are going to give it the credibility and the validation it deserves, and that we continue to increase and to …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak?

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

The Speaker The Speaker MP Foggo.

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

The Speaker The Speaker You have the floor.

Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo Thank you very much. I am gr ateful to the Minister of Works for formalising this by officially naming the park Mary Prince [Emancipation] Park. It signals to Bermudians and others alike that we are serious about celebrating who we are as a people, and we are serious about ensuring …

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

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

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, MP Swan.

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan Yes. Just a minute, I got to adjust thi s device. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the former Minister that just spoke before me, Ms. Foggo, for being the substa ntive Minister to pilot through the legislation and the initiative through her then Ministry that made it …

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

Mr. Christopher Famous Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Famous. I take it, being that I can hear you, I am assuming you got that microphone matter resolved.

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

The Speaker The Speaker I can hear you, sir.

Mr. Christopher Famous Can you see me?

The Speaker The Speaker I see you in that red tie, yes. Continue.

Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to th ank the Whip for allowing me to jump in real quick. But as the only MP from Devonshire on this deal, I had to speak up. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank former Minister Foggo, she is always my ace, for …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak?

Mr. Dennis Lister III Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, Honourable Member. It is the Honourable Member from constituency 28. Honour able Member Lister, you have the floor.

Mr. Dennis Lister III That is correct. Good evening, Mr. Speaker. Good evening to my honourable co lleagues and to my Opposition and to the listening public.

The Speaker The Speaker Your camera is on, but it is aiming up above your head. We are looking at your ceiling.

Mr. Dennis Lister III I am having technical difficulties with my desktop, so I am on my cell phone right now. So that is why.

The Speaker The Speaker Well, we can see you now.

Mr. Dennis Lister III Okay. Much has been said tonight about the Act [which is] renaming Devonshire Bay [Park] to [Mary Prince Emancipation Park] . . . and I first must take off my MP hat and [ NO AUDIO ].

The Speaker The Speaker We lost you. You took off your hat, and it looks like you took off your microphone.

Mr. Dennis Lister III Oh, hold on. Let me see.

The Speaker The Speaker We hear you now.

Mr. Dennis Lister III Okay. So, yes, I put on my hat as the Chairman of the National Parks Commission. [NO AUDIO ]

The Speaker The Speaker You keep freezing up. Stay close to your phone, to your microphone. [Pause]

The Speaker The Speaker No. We see your mouth moving, but we do not hear a word from you.

Mr. Dennis Lister III Okay. I can hear you. Can you hear? Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: We can hear you now. We could not hear you just now.

Mr. Dennis Lister III Okay . [NO AUDIO 07:51:24]

The Speaker The Speaker No. We may have to let someone else speak until you get your technical [problem] sorted out. Can you resolve it now?

Mr. Dennis Lister III Can you hear me now? [Inaudible interjection]

The Speaker The Speaker No. Do any of the other colleagues want to speak while you sort yourself out? Would anyone else like to speak? [Pause]

The Speaker The Speaker No? If you cannot get it resolved, we had better move on. No one else wants to speak? No one else.

Mr. Dennis Lister III Can you hear me clearly now, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker We were just about to m ove past you. You have got one last chance. One last chance. Let us see if you get it.

Mr. Dennis Lister III I will keep my comments [ NO AUDIO ]. In this Bill, Mr. Speaker, when it came across my desk, I was very much [ NO AUDIO ].

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Are you having problems?

Mr. Dennis Lister III No. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker I believe we will go on to the Minister to wrap up because your microphone just keeps dying.

Mr. Dennis Lister III All right. No problem.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, no one else seems t o want to speak at this time, so, Minister, would you like to wrap up for us?

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me just say thank you to all of those who spoke who were all in support and those who are si tting quietly in support. And with that, I would move that the Bill be committed.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Deputy. House in Committee at 6 :35 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL BERMUDA NATIONAL PARKS AMENDMENT ACT 2020

The Chairman Chairman Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Honourable Members, we are now in Commi ttee of the whole [House] for further consideration of the Bill entitled the Bermuda National Parks Amen dment Act 2020 . Minister Burch, you have the floor.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clauses 1 through 4.

The Chairman Chairman Continue. You may.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Chairman, the Bill amends the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986 (the principal Act) to provide for the renaming of national parks. Clause 1 provides the citation for the Bill. Clause 2 amends section 3 of the principal Act to provide for the Minister to rename any area or part …

The Chairman Chairman Are there any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Chairman, I move that clauses 1 through 4 be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that clauses 1 through 4 be approved. Are there any objections to that? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion passed: Clauses 1 through 4 approved.]

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I move that the pr eamble be approved.

The Chairman Chairman It has been moved that the preamble be approved. Any objections to that? There appear to be none. 162 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Approved.

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I move that the Bill be reported to the House as printed. The C hairman: 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 House, approved as printed. …

The Chairman Chairman Thank you, Minister Burch. Mr. Speaker. House resumed at 6 :37 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE BERMUDA NAT IONAL PARKS AMENDMENT ACT 2020

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Deputy [Speaker]. Members, are there any objections to the second reading of the Bermuda National Parks Amendment Act 2020 being reported to the House as printed? There appear to be no objections. It has been reported as printed. Members, that brings us to a close of the O …

The Speaker The Speaker We now go to the third readings. Well, we switched the order. Minister Wilson went first. Minister Wilson, would you like to do your third reading ? [No audible response]

The Speaker The Speaker We will go to the regular order. Minister of Finance, start us off, please. [Crosstalk]

The Speaker The Speaker Oh, sorry, Premier! Premier, the Dep uty Premier has the first item. Deputy Premier, would you like to start us off? [Pause]

The Speaker The Speaker Minister of Finance. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the Bill entitled the Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2020 be no w read the third time by its title only.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? No objections. Continue. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING INSURANCE AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2020 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its title only and passed.

The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and passed. [Motion carried: The Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2020 was read a third time and passed.] Hon. Walter H. Roban: Now, Mr. Speaker?

The Speaker The Speaker Well, we have got the Minister of F inance now. I am going to let the Minister of Finance finish. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes. Sorry. My apologies.

The Speaker The Speaker No problem. Minister of Finance, would you do the digital asset? SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: I move that Standing O rder 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the Bill entitled Digital Asset Business Amendment Act 2020 be now read the third time …

The Speaker The Speaker Any objections? There are none. Continue on. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] Bermuda House of Assembly BILL THIRD READING DIGITAL ASSET BUSINESS AMENDMENT ACT 2020 Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its title only and passed.

The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and is now passed. [Motion carried: The Digital Asset Business Amendment Act 2020 was read a third time and passed.]

The Speaker The Speaker Deputy Premier. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Your third reading of the land tax— SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Walter H. Roban: I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the Bill entitled the Land Valuation and Tax (Special Prov isions and Postponement of Preparation of Draft Val uation …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections? There are none. Continue, Deputy. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 susp ended.] BILL THIRD READING LAND VALUATION AND TAX (SPECIAL PROVISIONS AND POSTPONEMENT OF PREPARATION OF DRAFT VALUATION LIST) ACT 2020 Hon. Walter H. Roban: I move that the Bill now be read a third time …

The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and is now passed. [Motion carried: The Land Valuation and Tax (Special Provisions and Postponement of Preparation of Draft Valuation List) Act 2020 was read a third time and passed.] The Speaker: Thank you, Deputy. The Minister of …

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I move that Standing Order —

The Speaker The Speaker Excuse me. In the meantime, can someone either stand in for Minister Wilson or acknowledge that Minister Wilson will be here t o do her matter? Thank you. Go ahead, Minister of Works. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the Bill entitled the St. George’s Club Act 2020 be now read the third time by its title only.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? There are none. Continue, Minister. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING ST. GEORGE’S CLUB ACT 2020

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its title only and passed.

The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and has passed. [Motion carried: The St. George’s Club Act 2020 was read a third time and passed.]

The Speaker The Speaker Minister, would you like to do your next one? SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the Bill entitled the Berm uda National Par ks Amendment Act 2020 be now read the third time by its title only.

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? There are none. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] 164 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly BILL THIRD READING BERMUDA NATIONAL PARKS AMENDMENT ACT 2020

Lt. Col . Hon. David A. Burch Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its title only and passed.

The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and is now passed. [Motion carried: The Bermuda National Parks Amendment Ac t 2020 was read a third time and passed.]

The Speaker The Speaker Is anyone available to do the Health Minister’s [third reading]? Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, Mr. Premier. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker. Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, the Minis ter is there.

The Speaker The Speaker Minister. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes. I am sorry, Mr. Speaker. I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the Bill entitled Health Pr ofessionals (Miscellaneous Amendments ) Act 2020 be now read the third time by its title …

The Speaker The Speaker Are there any objections to that? There are none. Continue, Minister. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDM ENTS) ACT 2020 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I move that the Bill be now read a third time by its title only and passed.

The Speaker The Speaker The Bill has been read a third time by its title only and is now passed. [Motion carried: The Health Professionals (Miscell aneous Amendments) Act 2020 was read a third time and passed.] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. Members, that brings us to that last Order of the Day.

Mr. Premier. ADJOURNMENT Hon. E. David Burt premier Mr. Speaker. The Speake r: Yes. Hon. E. David Burt: I would move that this Honour able House do now adjourn until 10:00 am on a very cold Friday, December 4 th.

The Speaker The Speaker Oh, I hope it is a warmer day. How is that? Hon. E. David Burt: It will be cold for some people,

Mr. Speaker. I assure you of that one. The Speaker The Premier has now moved us to the motion to adjourn. Would any member wish to speak to that? Or would we all go home already? Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, we are not going home, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Vance Campbell Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Vance Campbell It is the Honourable Member from constituency 9.

The Speaker The Speaker That sounds like MP Campbell.

Mr. Vance Campbell That is correct, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker MP Campbell, when you spoke earlier today as a new Member, you probably did not realise that you were making a maiden speech because you had a contribution to a debate. It was a short contribution; most of the other maiden speeches are a little longer. I am going to …

Mr. Vance Campbell Much appreciated, Mr. Speaker. Ber muda House of Assembly The Speaker: Go ahead. MAIDEN SPEECH Mr . Vance Camp bell: Mr. Speaker, where to begin? That is the question. Mr. Speaker, my English teac hers would be proud because I decided to start at the beginning. Mr. Speaker, 60 years …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Yes. Mr . Vance Campbell: And he was born to Mary Ann Beak and Joe Harris. And five years later, this young boy started primary school at the Bishop Spencer School. And the school song, Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence, was — Th e Speaker: You can tell us, but …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member That is all right. That is all right. Take your t ime. Th e Speaker: Yes.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Take your time. Th e Speaker: You have the floor. Compose yourself; you will be okay. Happy birthday to you. Mr . Vance Campbell: Yes. I was that little boy. [Pause]

Mr. Vance Campbell And I would like to tell y ou about my village. Under Mrs. Robinson’s leadership, I had Mrs. Benjamin; both Mmes. Smiths; Ms. Bullock (now Mrs. Bean); Ms. Furbert (now Mrs. Esdaille); Mrs. Harris; Mr. Smith; Mr. Stockdale; Mrs. Hodgson. These fine teachers taught me with a passion an d …

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, yes. Go ahead. I had a t echnical problem here. Thank you, MP Campbell. Is it MP Dunkley? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Continue. SEEKING ACCURATE TIMELINE FOR MATTERS INVOLVING ROLFE COMMISSIONG BEING APPOINTED AND THEN REMOVED AS A SENATOR Hon. Mi chael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I commend the Honourable Member for his speech tonight and discussing briefly the values that he was raised on by some men …

The Speaker The Speaker I am glad you mentioned that, because I was listening. And I was close to cautioning you not to walk on thin ice. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, Mr. Speaker. It would not be appropriate for all of the parties involved, espe-cially the people in question, the female members in …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker No. I need no assistance.

Mr. Dunkley. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley Yes, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker I will ask you to withdraw that because the matter was dealt with in these Chambers. I would not want you referring to something in this Chamber as a coverup. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Okay, Mr. Speaker. I was not aware that it was dealt with in your Chambers. So …

Mr. Wayne Caines Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker What is your point of order, Member? POINT OF ORDER

Mr. Wayne C aines Point of order. This Member does not know the timelines and the then Members of Parliament —excuse me, when the potential Members of Parliament were given the approval to run. The stat ement that he just made that he was canvassing for the election is not factual.

The Speaker The Speaker Be mindful of your comments, Member, and speak to what you know to be factual. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Well, Mr. Speaker, it is my opinion that the Member was out there canvassing for the election. So we can have a difference of opinion, but the Honourable Member is —

Mr. Wayne Caines Mr. Speaker — Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: But, Mr. Speaker, I will carry on because my comments will clear that up. Mr. Speaker, I believe it was during one of the Premier’s COVID -19 press conferences on August 27th, just a week later, that Premier Burt was asked questions by …

Mr. Wayne Ca ines Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. POINT OF ORDER

Mr. Wayne Caines I do get that this is a motion to adjourn. The Member is speculating about matters that he has no knowledge of, and it is out of order. He is speaking of internal workings of the party of which he is not factual [on], and is not going in chronological …

The Speaker The Speaker Member, I am listening very intently to what the Member is saying. And basically, thus far he has on ly quoted what was in the public domain. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: You are exactly right, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker If he goes beyond that, I will call him out very quickly. 168 27 November 2020 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Sp eaker, and interestingly enough the next point of contact in this matter was the next day, on …

The Speaker The Speaker Point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member is certainly misleading the people of the country, Mr. Speaker. And he is talking about a lack of transparency. Maybe he can explain to us how he became Pre mier when Cannonier resigned. Let …

The Speaker The Speaker Member, Member. If you are going to make a point of order, let us keep it on the matter that is in front of us, please. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If you cannot, you do not have a point of order; you attack the messenger. But, …

The Speaker The Speaker Does any other Member wish to speak?

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Tyrrell, you have your 20 minutes. T O WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell Good evening, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. Firstly, Mr. Speaker, let me thank you for acknowledging me this evening and giving me the opportunity to make a contribution on this motion to a djourn. Mr. Speaker, you would know from the past that I usually am brief and to the point. …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? Mr. Christopher Famous: Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Sounds like someone from Devonshire.

Mr. Famous. Mr. Christopher Famous Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Famous, you have your 20 minutes.

Mr. Christopher Famous I will not need 20 minutes to do what I have got to do, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Then, Mr. Famous, I am glad your m icrophone is working this week. OBA FALSE NARRATIVE ABOUT LOW VOTER TURNOUT

Mr. Christopher Famous Yes. I bring you greetings from the ever -expanding Robin Hood Corner. Mr. Speaker, earlier today my three minutes ran out, so I did not get to finish my tribute to my U ncle Boo. Uncle Boo, who was a father to many biologically and socially, taught us all, Stand …

Speaker The Speaker “The Minister of Finance, Curtis Dickinson, as he puts through financial legislation, he depends on the Opposition.” Let me repeat for those who are stunned: “As the Minister of Finance, Curtis Dickinson, puts through financial legislation, he depends on the Opposition .” He goes on to say, and I quote …

Speaker The Speaker “The OBA is the only team with experience in financial matt ers.” Mr. Speaker, I just gave you a report about the airport being given away to Canad ians. I just gave you the facts of our having to pay $21 million out to these people. And I am sure …

The Speaker The Speaker Member, you have got one minute left from your twenty. Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Christopher Famous: Mr. Speaker, in closing, My Uncle Boo would say, Kick them down the steps, Chris. We ain’t standing for the false narratives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Okay, Member. You had a few more seconds left. Thank you for your contribution. It was a minute you had left.

Mr. Christopher Famous Oh, okay. All right.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you for your contribution. Would any other Member wish to make a contribution this evening? Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I know that a few of my other Members wish to speak, but I certainly will be closing. But I know that I will defer to my other …

The Speaker The Speaker Any other Member wish to speak? Or the Premier will have the floor. Going once. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Raba in: Hello, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker The Speaker I hear a voice, but cannot put the name . . . Oh, Minister. Minister of Education. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes.

The Speaker The Speaker Yes. You have your 20 minutes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Okay, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, this past week has tested our resolve locally and, more specifically, within the Ber-muda school system. That is the scourge of COVID in both our public and private schools. Our COVID guide …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Mr. Speaker, if we could just see the speaker on his video. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, my camera is on.

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member I think I am looking at “powered by Sargasso Sea”. . . oh, there you are! Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: There you go. An H on. Member: Thank you. Thank you. TEACHER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID -19 AT DELLWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I did not …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to contribute to the Motion to Adjourn? No other Member? Hon. E. David Burt: Yes. I mean that it is on me then.

The Speaker The Speaker Man, I think it is your turn. Hon. E. David Burt: All right.

The Speaker The Speaker I do not seem to see anybody else tr ying to make an effort. Hon. E. David Burt: No problem, Mr. Speaker. I am happy to close.

The Speaker The Speaker I am happy to have you close, too. [Laughter] Hon. E. David Burt: Are you walking back home from the house today like you did a few weeks ago?

The Speaker The Speaker I am going to take a little jog. [Laughter] Hon. E. David Burt: I miss it, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want to follow on from where the Minister of Education left off. But before I go there, Mr. Speaker, I would certainly like to congratulate MP Vance Campbell, …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Members, for the contributions that you have made during the various debates. Thank you for keeping the evening short. And as the Premier said, we will resume this on the 4 th of December at 10:00 am. Members, be safe at home and continue to share the message …

November 27, 2020

Session Summary

Key Topics

Bills & Motions

Notable Moments

Debate Transcript