The House met for a routine budget session focusing on the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation Ministry's spending plans. Premier David Burt presented a detailed budget overview showing a 14% increase in spending, mainly due to salary increases negotiated with unions and digital transformation projects. The session covered six government departments under the Cabinet Office umbrella, with discussions on staffing changes, international office operations, and various public service improvement initiatives. No major debates or controversies occurred during this portion of the session.
Cabinet Office budget debate for 2025/26 fiscal year ($13.8 million allocation)Digital transformation initiatives and government modernization programsInternational offices operations (London, Washington DC, Brussels)Public service reforms including new job evaluation framework and salary reviewsCommunity investments including $1 million for community clubs and $500,000 for cooperative food store initiative
Bills & Motions
Payroll Tax Amendment Act 2025 - introduced by Premier (requires Governor's recommendation, will appear on next meeting's agenda)
Budget estimates for Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, and 80 - moved for committee consideration (approved to proceed)
Notable Moments
Government announced plans for a cooperative food store at the former Heron Bay Primary School site to help reduce food costs for families
Premier highlighted a major overhaul of the 50-year-old public service job evaluation system to better compete with private sector salaries
Funding allocated for community club capital improvements after successful previous program that helped reopen facilities
Debate Transcript
832 speeches from 17 speakers
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning, Members. How is everyone this morning? Ms. Beale is going to lead us in prayer this morning. PRAYERS [Prayers read by M s. Beale , Deputy Clerk ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Ms. Beale. [Gavel]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, the House is now in session. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES [Minutes of 26 May 2025]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, the Minutes of the sitting of 26 May 2025 have been circulated. Are there any amendments required? There are none. The M inutes will be printed as confirmed. [Minutes of 26 May 2025 confirmed] MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING APOLOGIES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe have received notice from Minister Adams that he will be absent today. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. QUESTION PERIOD
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are no questions this morning . CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWould any Member wish to make a contribution at this time? MP King, you have your three minutes.
Mr. Robert KingYes, good morning, Mr. Speaker and Members of this Honourable House and the listening public. I just want to extend congratulations to Ralph Scott, the young man who's attending a prestigious university where he's a basketball star. He potentially has a career in . . . thank you, the whole …
Yes, good morning, Mr. Speaker and Members of this Honourable House and the listening public. I just want to extend congratulations to Ralph Scott, the young man who's attending a prestigious university where he's a basketball star. He potentially has a career in . . . thank you, the whole House will be associated with it. At a Seniors Tea I held yesterday, I actually had the pleasure of meeting the young man, extremely respectful and focused on doing his best for Bermuda and being a mentor as well. So, congratulations goes out to the family. Thank you. Oh, I also have condolences to the Darr ell family of Bridle Hill and the passing of Mr. Clyde Darr ell. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny other Member? Mr. Whip , you have your three minutes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. 926 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell: Mr. Speaker, it's with some sadness that I ask for condolences to be sent to the family of Ms. Una Simmons of Spice Hill, Warwick. Ms. Simmons had been sick previously. She's in …
Thank you.
926 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell: Mr. Speaker, it's with some sadness that I ask for condolences to be sent to the family of Ms. Una Simmons of Spice Hill, Warwick. Ms. Simmons had been sick previously. She's in her 96th year and lived a very good life. And I would like condolences to be sent to her husband, Llewellyn Simmons, who is one of my best mentors in constituency 26, always has an interest in things that I do. So, I ask condolences to be sent to him and the family. Thank you very much.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Any other M ember? MP Ming.
Mrs. Renee MingGood morning, Mr. Speaker. Welcome back as well.
Mrs. Renee MingMr. Speaker , this morning I rise on my feet to just congratulate the 28 students from the Bermuda College that have been accepted to do an overseas Work, Study + Live [Abroad] programme. It's the first time that it's being offered outside of the UK, so it's been in …
Mr. Speaker , this morning I rise on my feet to just congratulate the 28 students from the Bermuda College that have been accepted to do an overseas Work, Study + Live [Abroad] programme. It's the first time that it's being offered outside of the UK, so it's been in collaboration with the United Kingdom and Bermuda College. And 28 students from the Bermuda College will go and reside, I believe it's for six weeks , in Belgium, Italy, and Cyprus. And it's an awesome op-portunity, and they're extremely excited about being able to do so.
Mrs. Renee MingSo, we wish them all the best. I hope that they take every opportunity available to them and they get much from it. I'd like to associate MP F oggo with these comments as well .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDo the whole House on that one.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDoes any other M ember wish to make a contribution? There are no other Members? Thank you. MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. NOTICE OF MOTIONS FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE ON MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere's one B ill to be introduced this morning by the Minister of Finance. Mr. Premier. PAYROLL TAX AMENDMENT ACT 2025 Hon. E. David Burt: Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill which according to section 36(3) of the Bermuda Con-stitution requires …
There's one B ill to be introduced this morning by the Minister of Finance. Mr. Premier.
PAYROLL TAX AMENDMENT ACT 2025 Hon. E. David Burt: Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill which according to section 36(3) of the Bermuda Con-stitution requires the Governor's recommendation so that may be placed in the O rder Paper for the next day meeting, and that is the Payroll Tax Amendment Act 2025.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. There are no other Bills to be introduced this morning. ORDERS OF THE DAY
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMr. Premier, would you like to introduce, and for the listening audience today, the first matter of-fers the Cabinet Office to be debated this morning, and the Premier and Minister of Finance will lead that. Would you like to take us into C ommittee now? Hon. E. David Burt: Sure, …
Mr. Premier, would you like to introduce, and for the listening audience today, the first matter of-fers the Cabinet Office to be debated this morning, and the Premier and Minister of Finance will lead that. Would you like to take us into C ommittee now?
Hon. E. David Burt: Sure, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , I move that the House d o now resume in Committee of Supply to consider the E stimates of Revenue and Expenditure for fiscal year 2025/26.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections? There are none. I will call on [MP] Scott Pearman to Chair the Committee. MP Pearman—you are the Chair for the rest of . . . for the start of this session. Thank you, Members. House in Committee at 10:07 am [Mr. Scott Pearman, Chairman] COMMITTEE …
Are there any objections? There are none. I will call on [MP] Scott Pearman to Chair the Committee. MP Pearman—you are the Chair for the rest of . . . for the start of this session. Thank you, Members.
House in Committee at 10:07 am
[Mr. Scott Pearman, Chairman]
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY
ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 202 5/26
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Good morning Honourable Members and members of the listening public . We are i n the Committee of Supply for [further consideration of the] Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the budget year 202 5/26. And the first debate that we have up this morning is in relation to the budget for the Ministry of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. We will be in a four -hour debate, listening to Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, and 80. And this morning, presenting the debate initially will be the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance, I believe . Yes? Honourable Minister, you have the floor.
CABINET OFFICE AND DIGITAL INNOVATION
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, and good morning to you, Mr. Chair man. Mr. Chair man, I move that the following heads be taken under consideration: Head 9, the Cabinet Office; Head 13, the Post Office; Head 18, Libraries and Archives ; Head 32, Department of Planning; Head 43, Department of Information and Digital Technologies ; and Head 80, Project Management and Procurement.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance. It has been moved that Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, and 80 be taken under consideration. Is there any objection? There's no objection. Please proceed when you're ready. Hon. E. David Burt: Of course, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair man, …
Thank you, Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance. It has been moved that Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, and 80 be taken under consideration. Is there any objection? There's no objection. Please proceed when you're ready.
Hon. E. David Burt: Of course, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chair man, with your leave, of course, I will do Head 9, and the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation will do the remaining heads.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, noted. HEAD 9 —CABINET OFFICE Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present the budget for Head 9, the Cabinet Office, found on pages B-38 through B-44, and C -4, C-9, and C -17 of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure …
Thank you, noted.
HEAD 9 —CABINET OFFICE Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present the budget for Head 9, the Cabinet Office, found on pages B-38 through B-44, and C -4, C-9, and C -17 of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for fiscal year 2025 /26. Mr. Chair man, the Ministry of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation operates at the centre of the public service, providing leadership and advice and guidance to ensure delivery of the Government's policies and G overnment services. This direction is supported by the budget tabled in this Honourable House and certainly under discussion today.
Expenditure Overview Hon. E. David Burt: I will move on to an expenditure overview and dealing specifically with Head 9 rather than the entire Ministry itself. With regard to Head 9, a total of $13,834,000 for fiscal year 2025 /26 has been allocated for Head 9 and constitutes approximately 26 per cent of the budget allocated for the Ministry as a whole. This figure represents an increase of $1,663,000, or approximately 14 per cent over the previous fiscal year's figure due primarily to salary uplifts as negotiated with union part-ners and additional spending under the heading of, or the business unit, digital transformation.
Revenue
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving to revenue. Mr. Chair man, the revenue estimate for this objective analysis of current account estimates for Head 9 is found on page B - 41. The material differences accounted for in the reduction of the estimated fees will be collected from PATI fees, anticipating that most requests will fall outside the requirement to charge any fees at all.
Subjective Analysis Hon. E. David Burt: The subjective analysis of current account estimates for the Cabinet Office may be found on page B -41. The main material difference in this year's budget is due to salaries, professional services and other expenses. Salaries for this h ead have increased due to the salary uplift noted earlier, and the addition of funding for an overall three new posts in the Cabinet Office, which can be seen on page B -41. The total increase in salaries is $629,000, which is a 9 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year. Mr. Chair man, other notable differences is the increase in professional services, which reflects the investment required to advance the Digital Transformation Teams initiative, which accounts for the increase of $1,064,000, and represents a 39 per cent increase over the previous year. For the sake of clarity, professional services within this cost centre also fund essential roles and partnerships that bolster Bermuda's global presence and domestic operations. These include the consultants that are staffing the Brussels and Washington Offices, special advisor for Middle Eastern Affairs in Africa, additionally support services for the overseas office are covered, along with lobbyists in Washington, DC, and the Global Health Platform Partner for the Wellness Initiative (that is part of the Cabinet Office's Wellness Initiative for public officers as a whole) , chairpersons for unit negotiations with the Public Service Negotiating Team (PSNT) , and special contractors for the P ATI/PIPA unit, and also international media engagement partners who work with the Government on overseas public relations —specifically in the European Union and the United Kingdom. 928 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Chair man, there is one notable material increase from the previous year's figures of $50,000 due to the funding allocated in 2024/ 25 for the foreign office anniversary celebration of five years not required for this year's activities, which is noted on page B -40 in the line item of the Brussels O ffice.
Capital Expenditure
Hon. E. David Burt: Capital expenditure for this head can be found on page C -4 of the B udget Book. For capital development, it details $1 million, which is allocated for community clubs and community investments. Mr. Chair man, this programme is the renewal of a highly successful programme which was com-menced in 2019 to award grant funding to community clubs for capital development. It's important that Honourable Members are aware that this is separate and apart from the operational grants that may be awarded to clubs via the confiscated asset fund. These grants support facility upgrades and infrastructure improvements to our local community and sporting clubs. And just by way of information, the last time that this was done, over . . . in excess of $1 million was given to a number of various community clubs around the I sland, which enabled a number of those which had not actually been able to open to reopen their particular facilities. And if Honourable Members have questions, I’m happy to answer those questions when they come. It is important to note that all of these capital development grants are allocated based on submitted applications to ensure transparency and equitable distribution. The reintroduction of this programme under-scores this Government's commitment to empowering community and our community clubs, making them more financially sustainable and necessary to assist on providing alternatives to antisocial behaviour in our community.
Capital Acquisitions Hon. E. David Burt: Capital acquisitions can be found on page C -9 of the B udget Book.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Hon. E. David Burt: And total $520,000, with $20,000 allocated for office furniture and equipment within the Cabinet Office and $500,000 allocated for the Cooperative Food Supply Initiative. Mr. Chair man, as part of our ongoing work to reduce the cost of living for Bermuda families, the G overnment …
Yes.
Hon. E. David Burt: And total $520,000, with $20,000 allocated for office furniture and equipment within the Cabinet Office and $500,000 allocated for the Cooperative Food Supply Initiative. Mr. Chair man, as part of our ongoing work to reduce the cost of living for Bermuda families, the G overnment is advancing the Cooperative Food Initiative, an important step to introduce greater fairness and competition in the food supply sector for essential goods , specifically. This year, the G overnment has committed $500,000 in capital funding for the purchase of equipment and outfitting of the Cooperative Food Store to be located at the former Heron Bay Primary School site. This location is identified as the best site, readily convertible from the G overnment assets to serve the community and planning is already well advanced. To ensure this initiative is viable and sustainable, the G overnment engaged a B ig Four accounting firm whose independent assessment has confirmed the commercial soundness of this model. This budget allocation demonstrates more than just intent, Mr. Chairman. It is a tangible investment in initiative that can provide real relief to workin g families for the cost of essential items. By supporting this direct supply food model, we can empower residents by introducing an alternative that prioritises affordability and community benefits over profits. The G overnment remains committed to doing all it can to ease the financial pressure on Bermudians, and this project represents an innovative approach to tackling one of the most persistent challenges facing Bermudians, high food prices. Lastly, Mr. Chair man, I note that G rants and Contributions as found on page C -17 shows an overall allocation of $78,000, which is the same as the previous year's fiscal allocation, with $50,000 for F uture Leaders, which includes $25,000 for scholarships. Also captured in this category is a projected $25,000 for regional hurricane efforts. The Cabinet Office is a key partner and supporter of the Future Leaders Programme, a youth- centric initiative, intensive three -week summer programme dedicated to empowering bright and passionate young Bermudians. It provides a unique blend of academic study, hands -on community engagement, and invaluable mentorship, fostering a deep understanding of criti-cal social issues from inequality to leadership. The programme's core aim is to equip these future leaders with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to dri ve positive change and contribute meaningfully to Bermuda's ongoing development. Continuing Bermuda's commitment to Regional Hurricane Relief Fund is a tangible demonstration of regional solidarity and strengthens Bermuda's ties with the wider Caribbean.
Manpower
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Chair man, employee numbers can be found on page B -42 of the Budget Book, and overall, there is a net increase of three employees more than the previous fiscal year, or a 6 per cent increase in overall staffing. The overall staffing change results of decreases and increases across various business units. Business unit 19000, G eneral Administration , saw a reduction of two posts. A S enior Finance Officer moved to business unit 190 40, and a S ocial Media Communications Officer. Conversely, additions included one Protocol Officer in business unit 19010, Protocol and Hospitality ; one Administrative Officer in
Bermuda House of Assembly business unit 19015, Policy and S trategy ; two employees in the London O ffice, business unit 19035; and one Senior Finance Officer in business unit 190 40, which was moved from unit 19000, as I just mentioned. Mr. Chair man, I will now share more details of the business units with the estimates that can be found overall on page B -40. And I will not take them in the order that they are seen on the page, but I will take them in the order of the business units themselves. So, as you will see, I will bounce around a little bit, but there is a method to the order.
Business Unit 19000, A dministration
Hon. E. David Burt: Business unit 19000, Administration, $7.07 million, an increase of $25,000. Mr. Chair man, business unit 19000, Administration, serves the central pillar for the strategic leadership and operational oversight of Bermuda's public service. This critical unit funds the public service executive —as a note, all public service posts are actually funded under the C abinet Office and are not funded in individual ministries. [This critical unit] f unds the public service executive, encompassing key leadership roles, such the head of public service, deputy head of public service, and all permanent secretari es who are instrumental in driving ministerial objectives. Additionally, it supports the Cabinet secretary who serves the G overnment's principal advisor on policy and provides essential strategic support to the Cabinet. The unit also covers the necessary administrative support staff, ensuring the proper functioning of the Government's highest level and the effective delivery of public services.
Business Unit 1901 0, Protocol and O fficial Hospitality
Hon. E. David Burt: Business unit 19010, Protocol and Official Hospitality: $785,000, an increase of $110,000. Mr. Chair man, the Protocol and O fficial Hospitality function is essential for upholding the G overnment's international reputation and ensuring the execution of official engagements. This unit acts as a facilitator of diplomatic protocol and official etiquette. The core responsibilities of this unit include advising Government officials from the Premier to the G overnor's Office on all matters of diplomatic conduct, such as prece-dence, forms of address, flag etiquette, and ceremonial gift exchanges, ensuring that Bermuda adheres to international standards. The unit manages the logistics and ceremonial aspects of official visits by foreign dignitaries, coordinating everything from the arrival and departure, their official meetings, accommodations, and cultural engagements. Additionally, Mr. Chair man, the unit is crucial for the organisation of ceremonial events. This unit serves as a vital liaison with foreign missions, facilitat-ing the accreditation of diplomatic representatives in Bermuda and fostering ongoing relationships. Finally, the unit coordinates off icial welcomes for returning sports teams and other representatives. Mr. Chair man, the unit's activities of the past fiscal year encompass significant events, such as the arrival and s wearing into the new G overnor, the precise coordination of two T hrone Speeches in combination with the Legislature, and the annual Cup Match reception. On the international front, the unit assisted with the hosting of the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, which was a select committee of the UK House of Commons who visited Bermuda last year. And as you will note, Mr. Chair man, for the information of the S hadow Minister, I am covering the business units, but also in the covering of the business units, I will also cover some of the performance metrics, which can also be found on two subsequent pages inside of the Budget Book.
Business Unit 19015, Policy and Strategy Hon. E. David Burt: Moving to business unit 19015, Policy and Strategy, which is a $907,000 budget, an increase of $241,000. Mr. Chair man, the Policy and S trategy Unit (PSU) is central to delivering better policy -making across Government. The PSU enhances the policymaking capability of senior officers by providing train-ing, including those in the E xecutive Leadership Programme. This support focusses on crafting and implementing public policy, and includes workshops on advancing Cabinet memoranda, emphasising inter -ministry coordination for a more joined- up and effective government. The unit also offers strategic and technical guidance to the C abinet Office, supporting the Public Service Executive in proper record- keeping and tracking progress on public administrative policy initiatives. A key function of the PSU is serving as the information officer for the C abinet Office, and this entails managing the strict legal obligations under the Public Access to Information Act 2010, which requires the processing and responding to PATI requests within specific time frames, and annual reporting on the requests received. Last year, the PSU achieved significant milestones, as can be found in the Budget Book, and the performance measures, of course, on pages B -43 and B-44.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Hon. E. David Burt: They played a central role in developing and implementing the Public Service Strategic Plan 2024- 27, comprehensive blueprint for modernised public service with a focus on digital transformation and enhanced customer service, and I have spoken on that particular statement initiative in the House. Furthermore, …
Yes.
Hon. E. David Burt: They played a central role in developing and implementing the Public Service Strategic Plan 2024- 27, comprehensive blueprint for modernised public service with a focus on digital transformation and enhanced customer service, and I have spoken on that particular statement initiative in the House. Furthermore, the PSU was at the forefront of the policy devel-opment in crucial areas, such as the artificial 930 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly intelligence policy, ensuring its ethical and responsible use within Government operations. Specific achievements from the past year include the ensuring of the recording of the Public Service Executive meetings, successfully delivering train-ing initiatives on C abinet memoranda, drafting and public policy development, providing comprehensive project support, including research and project management and report submission for the Ministers and Members of the Legislature Salary Review, which was done last year, rec ording and tracking of T hrone Speech and platform commitments, and also offering project support to the Ministry of Economy and Labour for the ongoing implementation items for the Economic Recovery Plan, which, of course, is now the Economic Development Strategy. These highlights underscore the unit's contribution to Bermuda's progress, and in the upcoming fiscal year, the Policy and Strategy Unit will continue to provide similar support for various government -wide initiatives reinforcing strategic planning and execution across the public service.
Business Unit 19020, Safety and Health Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to business unit 19020, Safety and Health, $135,000, an increase of $2,000. Mr. Chairman, the Safety and Health business unit within the Ministry of the Cabinet Office plays a critical role in safeguarding the well -being of all public officers and ensuring the operational safety of government facilities. Its core functions develop, implement, and monitor comprehensive occupational safety and health policies and programmes across the entire pub-lic service. This unit provides value by creating a safer working environment, which in turn reduces workplace incidents, minimises associated costs, such as lost time and medical expenses, and enhances the overall productivity and morale within government departments . Between April and August 2024, comprehensive safety and health audits were conducted across numerous government facilities, including Lyceum Preschool, Westgate, the Farm Facility, Warrick Clinic, Dellwood Middle School, the co- ed facility, and several government administration buildings. These efforts extended to site reviews at correctional facilities and sus-pected sites impacted by mould, done in close coordination with the E nvironmental Health, with follow -up reports detailing corrective action plans. In respect to safety policies and programmes, the Government's new drug and alcohol policy was finalised, with procedures drafted and thoroughly reviewed in collaboration with the Department of Employee and Organisational Development , the Government Laboratory, the Department for National Drug Control, and the Bermuda Industrial Union. The initial phase of implementing this policy, including policy -specific Q&A sessions and integration with HR systems and training, roll -out planning by D EOD is now underway. Regular monthly safety communications were also sent to health and safety communities across G overnment departments. Furthermore, Mr. Chair man— sorry, Mr. Chair man. Let me move on. Mr. Chair man, the Occupational Safety and Health Officer also reviewed contractor safety practi ces and risk protocols during live electrical works, ensuring adherence to the highest standards. These efforts directly contributed to an increase in compliance and training with the Occupational Safety and Health Officer training delivered to multiple departments covering topics such as introduction to occupational safety and health, workplace acts and investigations, and health and safety committee duties. Guidance materia ls and safety orientation slides were also prepared for onboarding, and targeted support was provided to departments seeking assistance with health and safety engagements and compliance. Looking ahead to fiscal year 2025/ 26, the G overnment plans to execute a comprehensive government -wide workplace safety audit across all ministries, excluding the uniformed services and judiciary . Additionally, a centralised risk registry will be developed to track performance and regulatory compliance and ex-pand the training curriculum to include crucial topics such as chemical safety and hazard communications, workplace violence and harassment prevention, and fire safety and emergency evacuation. Mr. Chair man, another aim for the upcoming year is to launch an internal health and safety hub, which will feature a digital incident reporting platform to streamline safety alerts and corrective actions, and relaunch of the ministry -level health and safety committees with refreshed teams, terms of reference, and accountability frameworks, a further testament to this Government's commitment to a safe and healthy public service.
Business Unit 19035, London Office
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to business unit 19035—
The ChairmanChairmanLondon Office. Hon. E. David Burt: Which is the London O ffice, a budget of $1.456 million, an increase of $221,000. Mr. Chair man, the London Office continues to drive forward Bermuda's relationship with the United Kingdom through the highest -level dialogue with the UK Government, and by continued engagements …
London Office.
Hon. E. David Burt: Which is the London O ffice, a budget of $1.456 million, an increase of $221,000. Mr. Chair man, the London Office continues to drive forward Bermuda's relationship with the United Kingdom through the highest -level dialogue with the UK Government, and by continued engagements with departments of His Majesty's G overnment across Whitehall. The office works in cohesion with governments of the Overseas Territories on shared policy areas and engaging collectively with both Houses of the UK Parliament; the United Kingdom Diplomatic Corps such as
Bermuda House of Assembly embassies and high commissions; the United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association; the Commonwealth Secretariat; along with all UK -based Commonwealth associations; the general UK public, including the pri-vate sector, UK -based civil societies and those who have a general or vested interest in Bermuda (such as the Bermuda Society); and importantly, Bermudians living in the United Kingdom, including our students. Mr. Chair man, the London Office continues to provide the necessary immediate assistance and guidance throughout its consular function to Bermudians living and studying in the United Kingdom, throughout Europe, and on occasion, Bermudians in other parts of the world. The budget cont ains a new position for the London Office of D eputy UK representative to facilitate delivering investment opportunities by working with the relevant UK government departments and other key stakeholders in the United Kingdom as par t of the G overnment's economic diplomacy objectives. This new position will also allow a greater focus for the increased amount of complexity of consular cases. And just by way of example, this is going to be a reassignment, but the intention, of course, is to make this post permanent. And what is important to note, Mr. Chair man, is that, of course, the UK can be very focused on titles, and having a Consular Officer is different than having a Deputy Director. And so this is viewed as a reassignment, an upgrade to the post, but which will be able to help in advanced matters and to assist the excellent director, Ms. Kimberley Durant, who's been in the office for a long time, to take some of the weight off of her shoulders and to make sure that the office has better recognition when dealing with not just the top of the office, but other levels of the office. The London Office will continue to offer placement opportunities for internships, as well as summer students, through partnership with the Department of Workforce Development, and that would be the additional post, additional creation of another interim post to support the work inside of the London Office.
Business Unit 19040, Ministry Administration Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to business unit 19040, which is Ministry Administration, $385,000, an increase of $118,000. Mr. Chairman, business unit 19040, designated Ministry Administration, serves the central oper-ational hub for the Ministry of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. Its core responsibilities include di-rectly supporting the Minister of the Cabinet Offic e in digital innovation and coordinating all departments and units under the Ministry's purview. The key departments and functioning fall within a strategic and operational oversight. Of course, all the ministries, sorry, departments, under the Minister for the Cabinet Office — which is post office, libraries and archives, planning, information digital technologies, employee and organisation development, and project management and procurement. As a note, communications falls under the Office of the Premier.
Business Unit 19045, Washington DC Office
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving to business unit 19045, Washington DC Office, $462,000, no change from the previous year. Mr. Chairman, the Washington DC Office is mandated to cultivate essential relationships with both business and Government stakeholders, championing Bermuda's financial services sector in the United States and engaging in constructive dialogue with US Gover nment representatives to safeguard the Island's economic interests. For fiscal year 2024/25, the DC Office successfully met all of its key objectives and those included engaging with vital contacts to inform US officials of Bermuda's pivotal role as an international financial services centre. The office also executed assoc iated business development functions and provided guidance on navigating shifts within the United States Administration while monitoring emerging US policies impacting Bermuda, including those related to taxation, digital assets, financial services, and of course, trade. Furthermore, it advised and managed on direct engagements by the Premier and Ministers with their DC contacts while also identifying opportunities to promote Bermuda's environmental initiatives. As a direct result of these efforts, the office was able to s trengthen bipartisan relationships with US lawmakers to safeguard Bermuda's interests and also to maintain Bermuda's visibility inside of Washington, DC. The office suc-cessfully facilitated high- level engagements for myself and other Ministers to Washington, DC and to Wyoming, coordinating meetings with members of Congress, federal agencies, and also business leaders. It also actively promoted Bermuda's financial services, digital asset insurance, and reinsurance sectors with targeted efforts to attract family offices and individuals of high net worth. Additionally, the office highlighted Bermuda as a premier destination for tourism and business through dedicated industry engagement and participating in US conferences to showcase Bermuda's regulatory lead-ership and innovation- friendly digital asset framework. Lastly, the office effectively advocated against US measures that could disrupt the Island's shipping and trade flows while advertised with the shipping fee pro-posal, which was put forward by the US trade representatives. During the term, the office partially met some of its key performance measures, demonstrating considerable progress regarding the objective of engaging with US organisations in the digital asset and FinTech industries and to host at least one conference in Bermuda. The office held discussions with several digital asset conference organisers and assisted partners in 932 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly facilitating the [Bermuda] Digital Finance Forum, which was held earlier this month. Concerning the goal of securing three business leads regarding and meaningful engagement and progressing of domiciling companies in Bermuda, the of-fice successfully drew the interest of four companies to begin the necessary actions to explore domiciling Bermuda. Finally, for creating and maintaining an up- todate database of Bermuda College students residing in the United States, the office, in conjunction with the relevant ministries, developed the framework for Bermuda College database with implementation sought for the upcoming fiscal term. Looking ahead to the 2025/26 fiscal year, the DC Office's planned objectives are concentrated in three key areas: US political and government engagement, business development, and the image and ac-tions of the DC Office. Specific performance measures set out in 2025/26 include engaging with US organisers in the digital asset and FinTech industry or in family offices that result in having at least one conference or event host in Bermuda. They also aim to secure three business leads resulting in meaningful engagements or progressing in domiciling companies in Bermuda. And finally, the office intends to finalise and implement and maintain an up- to-date database of Bermuda College students residing in the United States.
Business Unit 19075, Brussels Office Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to business unit 19075, Brussels Office, $343,000, a decrease of $50,000. Mr. Chairman, the mandate of the Brussels Office continues to be the maintenance of relationships with key stakeholders and decision- makers in Brussels while establishing and maintaining connections. The objectives of the Brussels Office for fiscal term 20 24/25 remain as • maintaining close dialogue with the European Commission; Council and the European Parliament and other EU institutions; • facilitating access of the Premier and other Ministers to key persons and holding the government's presence in Europe; and • working in cohesion with the Ministry of Finance and the Bermuda Monetary Authority support engagement with European Union institutions that are critical and important to maintaining Bermuda's position as a well -regarded international financial services centre. And as I noted earlier in the brief, that decrease of $50,000 is related to the funding that was placed in the budget last year for the fifth year anniversary of the Brussels Office, which is not in the budget for this year as we are not having a sixth year anniversary celebration.
Business Unit 19080, Head of the Public Service Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to business unit 19080, Head of the Public Service, $456,000, a decrease of $2,000. The Office of the Head of Public Service holds direct responsibility for all internal operations within the Public Service. Its primary objective is to transform and modernise a service with a substantial focus on training and development of customer servi ce and maintaining standards of excellence. This Office's comprehensive mandate covers the full spectrum of public service management. The unit spearheads Government -wide reform initiatives such as the Public Service Strategic Plan 2024- 27 and ensures that all ministries and departments adhere to the core values of being customer -centric and futurefocused. Mr. Chairman, a pivotal area of concentration is attracting and developing and retaining top talent within the Public Service. Over the past year, significant progress has been made in advancing the Reimagining Careers in Public Service initiative. This initiative addresses recruitment, retention, succession planning and training needs. The launch of a Public Service Career Guide accompanied by efforts by Public Officers acting as ambassadors to promote careers in the public service, raise awareness about t he Career Guide and generate interest in various training programmes designed to attract trainees and apprentices to both technical and professional roles such as marine pilots, maritime controllers, engineers and a variety of industrial posts including pl umbers and electricians. These initiatives are further bolstered through new formal learning agreements with signature schools and active partici-pation in school, career days and assemblies. And it's important to note that additional funding has been allocated not necessarily inside of this Ministry but in other particular ministries to boost these apprenticeship programmes. During the time of, I will call it austerity, some of these training programmes were reduced as we are finding the Public Service with a number of persons (due to our demographic profile in the country) approaching retirement. It is important that we make the investments in the apprenticeships and trainees to get young pers ons in the Public Service so they can be at a space to replace the retiring ferry pilots and to replace the retiring persons who have critical skills so they can actually learn from the persons who are doing these jobs prior to their retirement from the Public Service. Continuing on matters related to current public officers, considerable emphasis has been placed on developing capacity at the executive leadership and mid-management levels. Over 20 public officers involved in leadership development programmes have benefit ed from exposure to executive coaching and advanced policy development protocols via participation in the United Arab Emirates Executive Leadership Programme which include both remote and in- person learning components, a programme of course, Mr.
Bermuda House of Assembly Chairman, funded entirely by the United Arab Emirates Government. At the supervisory level, a tailored supervisory training programme was created and launched specifically for industrial employees to ensure that they pos-sess the necessary skills and knowledge to grow professionally and transition smoothly into supervisor y roles which is something that was important with our partnership with the Bermuda Industrial Union. The interactions between the Public Service as an employer and its union partners have also been strengthened through collaborative engagement in joint tr aining on interest -based bargaining techniques. This initiative included all union partners and successfully commenced the negotiations season. Joint negotiations resulted in a framework agreement for salary increases over a four -year period across all unions followed by individual negotiations with eac h union to address non- financial causes of our seven collective bargaining agreements which is the current phase in progress. While standard cost of living increase has been awarded to ensure that government employees restore purchasing power which had been eroded over the years owing to austerity measures and salary freezes, the work with PricewaterhouseCoopers [PwC] on the modernisation of the public officer post -evaluation framework concluded with the delivery of an assessment on salary competitiveness when compared with market value based on similar positions in the private sector and the delivery of a new job evaluation frame-work. Now, Mr. Chairman, this is a massive undertaking that is actually looking at the review of all the particular roles and grading within the Public Service. The new competency -based model which replaces the framework that has been in use in Government for ov er 50 years will assess a job's duties, responsibilities, required skills, and overall contribution to delivery of public services. Implementation planning to transition to this new job evaluation tool is in progress. It is expected that the new tool and t he new grading model will provide opportunities to address issues that are related to recruiting into hard- to-fill roles and the retention of top public service talent. Now, of course, this is something I've discussed previously, Mr. Chairman, but in certain roles inside of the Public Service, which are specialist roles, whether they be in compliance, whether they be in engineering, whether they be in health care, challen ged with attracting dentists into government, retaining engineers inside of government, and others needed to be addressed. Rather than looking at it in a piecemeal fashion, the Government decided to take on board an entire review of the compensation struct ure for all public sector roles, and this encompass . . . this sizable review, which will enable us to make sure that positions that have high value in the private sector can also be represented as high value in the public sector and not necessarily be constrained to the traditional salary bands, which we have been using, which are published in the Budget Book, which we have been using, as I said, for the last 50 years. Mr. Chairman, increased efficiencies have been realised via operational changes to support recruitment. Managers have been trained to conduct their own recruitment efforts, as opposed to being completely reliant on the resources at the Department of Employ ee and Organizational Development. And as we see more persons retiring from the Public Service, it is important that we continue to streamline the recruitment process to make sure that we are able to replace those persons who are retiring from the Public S ervice. Further steps have been taken to implement a more streamlined recruitment process and also complemented by planned amendments to the Public Ser-vice Commission Regulations, which the Government expects to be tabled in the legislature later during this session. Mr. Chairman, it is understood that measuring feedback is essential for improving customer service. Therefore, the Government website now features a customer feedback form, which is now also complemented by posters with QR codes, which are being rolled out to all Government departments, providing quick access to the customer feedback form for persons who may visit Government offices and may wish to record positive feedback or negative feedback. The data is analysed to inform and identify problem areas requiring added resources or corrective actions to mitigate service issues and to ensure high quality and timely customer responses. While we're working towards meeting the response goals, plans include increased training in this area, and that is a focus of the Public Service plan to increase the customer service levels in the Government. The initiatives outlined under this particular business unit demonstrate the Government's commitment to fosterin g a modern, efficient, and responsive Public Service. By investing in our people, streamlining operations, and prioritising taxpayer feedback, we are building a Public Service that is well -equipped to meet the evolving needs of our country.
Business Unit 19085, PATI/PIPA Unit
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to business unit 19085, which is the PATI/PIPA Unit, $862,000, an increase of $23,000. Mr. Chairman, business unit 19085, PATI/PIPA Unit, there was continued achievement of the established measures and expenditures remain largely in line with last year's figures. The PATI/PIPA Unit is responsible for both the Public Access to Information Act [2010] (PATI) and the Personal Information Protection Act [2016] (PIPA) and the Government's adherence to the requirements underneath those particular Acts. 934 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly For PATI, the unit continues to maintain and enhance the PATI administrative code of practice, deliver targeted guidance to public authorities and departments, and provide comprehensive information officer training. During 2024/25, the unit coordinated the update of the legislation and regulations and implemented significant updates to administrative procedures. For PIPA, the unit continued to develop the Government's privacy programme. This included delivering training, establishing documentation and templates, and advancing our international privacy recog-nition strategy. A key focus was coordinating readiness activities ahead of PIPA coming into force on the 1 January 2025. Additionally, legislative activities supported the transition of personal information requests from PATI to PIPA and the harmonisation of the Electronic Transaction Act with PIPA. Mr. Chairman, as this Honourable House is aware, the Government's operations require interaction with the public and international partners involving information exchange through both traditional and digital channels. This reality underscores the importanc e of embedding information rights and privacy principles throughout our operations. Like the evolution of PATI, the Government also promotes the premise that privacy protection is not a destination, but rather a continuing journey that requires ongoing attention and adaptation. As processes change and technology evolves, new privacy challenges emerge, and the Government's privacy programme will continuously mature. Through consistent application of privacy principles and regular programme assessment, the Government strengthens its ability to deliver services while protecting the right to privacy. Looking ahead to 2025/26, the unit's priority activities will encompass • refinement of their organisational structure to optimise service delivery; • implementation of necessary legislative updates and compliance measures; • development of strategic and operational frameworks to support PATI and PIPA requirements; • continued enhancements of guidance materials and templates, ongoing support to public authorities in meeting their statutory obligations; • strengthening the relationships with regulatory authorities and expansion of training and awareness initiatives; and finally, • enabling reciprocal recognition with comparable jurisdictions. With PIPA now being fully operational as of 1 January 2025, its impact does extend across the entire jurisdiction. While the Privacy Commissioner pro-vides overarching guidance, the unit works in collaboration with the regulator to establish international equivalence pursuits, elements that reach across the public and private sectors, and identification of certification mechanisms that may be used to demonstrate compliance. In today's interconnected digital economy, Bermuda's ability to participate in international data flows is essential for our jurisdiction's continued prosperity. Our business and government operations increasingly rely on cloud services and international d ata processing capabilities to deliver efficient and cost -effective services to our community. This unit plays a crucial role in enabling those operations by working to estab-lish privacy equivalency arrangements with key international partners. Our efforts towards privacy and data protection, equivalence recognition, and participation in certification programmes and engagement with various jurisdictions demonstrate the commitment that this Government has to meeting international standards in this area, whic h is something that is important, certainly for our international business sector. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner has communicated guidance to help organisations assess and document transfer impacts, implement appropriate safeguards, and maintain compliance while leveraging modern technologies. This balanced approach ensures that Bermuda can benefit from global technological advances while maintaining the appropriate protection for personal information, regardless of where that infor-mation is kept and or processed. Effective records management forms the Chairman, sorry, let me start again. Mr. Chairman, ef-fective records management forms the foundation of meaningful public access to information. During 2024/25, the unit undertook significant work to develop the PATI Records Management Code of Practice, which will provide comprehensive guidance on how public authorities should create, maintain, and preserve official records. This code is essential for ensuring that public records remain accessible, authentic, and reliable throughout their life cycle. The code looks to address challenges in digital record- keeping, including requirements for managing information across cloud plat-forms and collaborative systems. And this unit has worked closely with archives and the code of practice— the new code—provides detailed guidance on managing hybrid paper and digital environments, ensuring consistent handling of records, regardless of format. These improvements directly support Government departments and public authorities in meeting their statutory obligations while promoting greater transparency and accountability in Government operations. The effectiveness of PATI fundamentally depends on the Government's ability to properly manage Government records, and this revised code provides a framework needed to better support that goal. Mr. Chairman, the unit remains committed to supporting Bermuda's position as a trusted jurisdiction for information handling while ensuring effective protection of privacy rights. And the work of this unit directly
Bermuda House of Assembly contributes to both our economic interests and the protection of individual rights. I think I'm now moving to the final business unit, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Business Unit 19090, Digital Transformation Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Moving to the final business unit, 19090 Digital Transformation, $975,000, a new allocation for this year. Mr. Chairman, created in 2024, the Digital Transformation team is responsible for modernising how public services are delivered in Bermuda. …
Yes.
Business Unit 19090, Digital Transformation
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Moving to the final business unit, 19090 Digital Transformation, $975,000, a new allocation for this year. Mr. Chairman, created in 2024, the Digital Transformation team is responsible for modernising how public services are delivered in Bermuda. Its core mandate is to streamline Government operations through digitisation, with a focus on improving service delivery and enhancing the residents' or taxpayers' experience with the Government. The team leads the development of digital forms, supports departments in transitioning from man-ual to digital processes, and is implementing platforms such as the One- Stop Shop. The Digital Transformation team also plays a key role in piloting artificial intelligence tools, such as chatbots and automated workflows, to enhance responsiveness and to reduce administrative burdens. Working closely with client ministries departments, the Department of Information and Digital Technologies, and other stakeholders, the Digital Transformation team ensures that digital initiatives are deliv-ered in a secure and also scalable fashion across Government to reduce duplication. Since its formation in the previous fiscal year, with funding allocated during the mid- year review (which is the reason why there is zero in the original estimate, but an allocation in the re-vised estimate), the team has made significant pro-gress in digital service delivery. Key accomplishments include developing and launching over 30 digital forms and applications to streamline service delivery across a wide range of public-facing and internal Government functions. These include critical services, such as the Public Service V ehicle Licence and Accident Reporting at TCD, the Asthma Action Plan, the Financial Assistance Short - Term Relief Benefit. The team also built tools to support the public engagement and transparency, such as the Dog Licence Lookup, Bermuda National Hero Nom ination Form, the Annual Occupational Safety Report. In-ternal Government processes were also digitised, in-cluding the new Cabinet Memo System, Privacy Registration Booking, and Feedback Form Enhancements. These forms collectively support operational improv ements while also laying the groundwork for integrated, paperless public service delivery. Continuing on to their accomplishments, launching of the One- Stop Shop, which is a centralised portal, offering citizens seamless access to Government services via forms.gov.bm, where any Honourable Member or any member of the public can go online and see about the 80 different Government functions that are able to be transacted with the Government online. Upgrade and development of the Social Insurance Site, which I did cover in my finance brief a few weeks ago, which is a digitised suite of forms, including a real -time lookup tool for social insurance numbers, modernising access to critical benefits, and of course, reducing calls to the department. Continuing on their accomplishments, rollout of the Government Payment Portal, which enables secure online payments for Government services. This includes the parking tickets application, which allows the public to pay fines online. Ongoing development of the ShoreLink chatbot, an AI -driven tool designed to support digital customer service and provide automated re-sponses to common queries. Continued work on digital literacy and public service upskilling, ensuring that Government employees are better equipped to use and manage digital tools. Moving on to funding, Mr. Chairman, with the funding grants for fiscal year 2025/26, the Digital Transformation Team will focus on • expanding the One- Stop Shop, adding new services and integrating single sign- on solution to improve the user experience; • deploying the Unified Payment Platform, which is consolidating fragmented payment methods into one secure integrated system that connects with the E1 financial system; • launching AI -driven service automation pilots and chatbot functionality to enhance customer service responsiveness, one that I got to trial and demo last evening, very exciting; • further digitising forms and services with the goal of reducing manual processes and improving turnaround time for both internal and public facing requests; and • engaging a digital transformation strategic partner to support highly technical work, particularly for payment platform integration and advanced artificial intelligence implementations. The team will continue to work in close collaboration with client departments, IDT, and external part-ners to ensure that digital investments produce lasting value for the public and also the Government. Mr. Chairman, before I conclude, I wish to thank the public officers and staff within the Cabinet Office, led by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Major Marc Telemaque, and also the Permanent Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Ms. Jeane Nikolai. Serving in the Cabinet Office is a privilege but also requires a tremendous amount of work. And no two days, not even Cabinet days, are the same. The team provides excellent support to myself as leader of the Government, and I am grateful for their dedication to the taxpayers of Ber-muda. 936 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Chairman, this concludes my presentation on the estimates for Head 9, the Cabinet Office, and I will now yield the floor to the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, who will cover the rest of the heads.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Premier. Minister, I think when you are ready, we're moving on to, is it the Post Office first? Head 13. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Head 13. Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Please proceed when ready. HEAD 13 —BERMUDA POST OFFICE Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I stand to present the 2025/26 budget for Head 13, the Bermuda Post Office, as out-lined in the Budget Book, pages B -45 through B -51. The …
Thank you, Minister. Please proceed when ready.
HEAD 13 —BERMUDA POST OFFICE
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I stand to present the 2025/26 budget for Head 13, the Bermuda Post Office, as out-lined in the Budget Book, pages B -45 through B -51. The Post Office is one of Bermuda's longest - standing institutions, with over two centuries of uninterrupted public service, and is 100 per cent Bermudian staffed. Today, even in the age of instant messaging and online platforms, it continues to serve 36,000 delivery points Island -wide with dedication and professionalism. This year's budget reflects our commitment to both honour that legacy and modernise the service to meet today's needs. Mr. Chairman, the total allocation for the Bermuda Post Office in 2025/26 is $10.13 million, as listed on pages B -146 [sic] and B -147 [sic] of the Budget Book.
The ChairmanChairmanI think it's actually just page B -46. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Page B -46.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: This represents a $510,000 increase, or 5.3 per cent over last year's original estimate of $9.62 million. The increase is primarily driven by salary adjustments in accordance with negotiated agreements effective 1 April 2025. Salaries and wages continue t o represent the Post Office's …
Yes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: This represents a $510,000 increase, or 5.3 per cent over last year's original estimate of $9.62 million. The increase is primarily driven by salary adjustments in accordance with negotiated agreements effective 1 April 2025. Salaries and wages continue t o represent the Post Office's largest expense, totalling $8.19 million, which accounts for 81 per cent of the overall budget. Staffing levels remain steady with 125 full -time Bermudian employees. Mr. Chairman, the remaining 19 per cent of the budget covering day -to-day operations includes several important areas with both strategic and service- related implications. Transport costs rise to $91,000, a 98 per cent increase. This corrects last year's underestimation and accounts for international freight, covers security vendor expenses for screening and X -ray outbound mail at the airport to meet international standards. It includes import costs for fixtures and fittings. Equipment upgrades increased by 150 per cent to $50,000. This allows for the replacement of depreciated furniture, fixtures, trays, mail racks, and tools that require upgrading. Training has increased by $25,000, encouraging staff to participate in more on line and regional courses while ensuring our workforce remains current and capable in a rapidly evolving logistics environment. Professional services increased to $77,000, covering UPU and CPU membership dues, EMS co -op fees, and consultant support for upgrading the IPS system and conducting a customer service efficiency survey. Energy costs, including electricity and fuel, slightly decreased to $211,000, reflecting improved ef-ficiency or stable rates. Repairs and maintenance rise to $548,000, which includes building upkeep, cleaning contracts, and security services. Rent for the mail processing centre remains stable at $396,000. Materials and supplies hold steady at $224,000, covering stamps, paper, and office consumables. Communications stay flat at $70,000, supporting delivery tracking and customer notifications. Travel and regi onal participation doubles to $36,000, enabling engagement with regional postal bodies and training events. Advertising and promotion decreases to $44,000, reflecting better targeted marketing efforts. Other expenses grew to $59,000, which includes costs for World Post Day events, staff retirements, office supplies, and transaction fees for debit and credit card processing. Mr. Chairman, the 2024/25, a year of achievement and quiet excellence. This past year, the Ber-muda Post Office was recertified with gold status for postal security and also earned gold certification in dis-aster risk management, both awarded by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) following independent audits by international experts. In terms of delivery, performance remained high—98 per cent of all letter mail was delivered within four working days [and] 99 per cent of customers were notified within two working days of international items arriving. These figures speak volumes, especia lly when paired with the remarkably low number of complaints. Just nine formal and five informal complaints across the entire year. Mr. Chairman, this level of satisfaction is a credit to the hard- working, fully Bermudian staff who keep this service going day -in, day -out across our seven delivery offices and sub- post offices in Mangrove Bay, Southampton, Warwick, Devonshire, Flatts, Crawl, and St. George's. And Mr. Chairman, a particular point of pride is that Bermuda's Postmaster General now serves as the Secretary General of the Caribbean Postal Union, a recognition of our leadership in the region. Mr. Chairman, looking ahead for the priorities of 2025/26, the upcoming year will focus on • modernisation and sustainability; • upgrading operational tools and equipment to improve efficiency;
Bermuda House of Assembly • enhancing customers' experience via the BermudaPost.bm platform, including tracking, mail forwarding, and retail purchases; • expanding access to training and online courses with support from UPU and regional partners; and • continuing to meet our universal service obligations even as traditional letter mail declines by approximately 7 per cent annually. This isn't merely about logistics, it's about creating a postal service that stays accessible, affordable, and resilient, even in a changing communications landscape. In closing, Mr. Chairman, the Bermuda Post Office continues to do what it's always done, serve the people with consistency, care, and quiet excellence. This budget supports that mission, balances fiscal responsibility with forward planning, and ensures the Post Office remains a vital public service, not just for today, but for generations to come. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my comments on the head for Post Office. [Crosstalk] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Head 13 for Post Office. I'll now proceed to Head 18, Libraries and Archives.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Please proceed. This is [page] B -52. HEAD 18 —DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to present the 2025/26 budget for Head 18, the Department of Libraries and Archives, found on pages B -52 through B …
Thank you, Minister. Please proceed. This is [page] B -52.
HEAD 18 —DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to present the 2025/26 budget for Head 18, the Department of Libraries and Archives, found on pages B -52 through B -56 of the Estimates and Revenue Expenditure Book. The mission of this department is clear, T o facilitate access to information for research, inspiration, lifelong learning, and recreation. And that mission is as relevant today as ever. Mr. Chairman, for the fiscal year, the budget has been allocated $3.393 million, an increase of $146,000, or 4.0 per cent over the previous year. This represents 6.3 per cent of the Ministry's total budget. The increase is primarily driven by negotiated s alary uplifts and a targeted reallocation of funds to strengthen key service areas. Mr. Chairman, let's now turn to how those funds are distributed across the department's six core services. • Collection Management, $434,000. Boosted to support the digitisation of local publications and the preservation of work. The FTEs for this remains at three. • Adult Services, $623,000, up 16 per cent. Reflects salary increases and a new staff position, bringing the FTEs to six. • Archival Services, $341,000, up 2 per cent. Modest increase to support salary adjustments. FTEs remain at three. • Youth Services, $478,000. Covers mandated salary increases and the FTEs stand at four. • Records Management Services, $844,000. Supports Government Records Centre in St. David's. FTEs remain at four. • And Administration, $672,000, down 2 per cent. This decrease reflects a reallocation to support staffing in adult services. FTEs remain at four.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. And for the benefit of the listening public, FTEs are full -time equivalent employees. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, yes. In total, the department operates with 24 full - time Bermudian employees, an increase of one over last year. Mr. Chairman, revenue remains modest. Just $8,000 …
Thank you, Minister. And for the benefit of the listening public, FTEs are full -time equivalent employees. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, yes. In total, the department operates with 24 full - time Bermudian employees, an increase of one over last year. Mr. Chairman, revenue remains modest. Just $8,000 is projected, reflecting the seventh month clo-sure of the youth library. On the capital side, the department will receive $5,000 for the purchase of new computers. For comparison, last year's capital allocation was $129,000, which funded a new fire alarm system for the Bermuda Records Centre and new bookshelves at the Youth Li-brary. Mr. Chairman, key shifts in the operational budget include salaries increased due to permanent appointments and negotiated uplifts. Wages decreased as temporary staff transitioned into permanent roles. Transportation and communications funding increased, driven by higher trucking and phone costs. Professional services rose to support digitisation initiatives. Rentals and repairs dropped. The planned Internet centre did not move forward. Energy costs fell due to improved lighting and reduced AC use. And materials and supplies rose to support book acquisition and digitisation. Mr. Chairman, collection management digitised five years of The Royal Gazette ahead of schedule and under budget, catalogued 90 per cent of new books within 30 days, and processed all 36 ISBN requests from local publishers within two days. Adult services engaged roughly 20 per cent of Bermuda's population as active members, deliver ed well -attended Lunch & Learn programmes, and received consistently high satisfaction in in- house surveys. Archival services focused on expanding digitisation capacity with new high -resolution imaging equipment. Staff trained with British Library experts at the University of West Indies in Jamaica. Youth Services have served 60 per cent of Bermuda's under -15 population. The performance slipped due to a seven- month closure for renovations. However, the Youth Library re-opened to the public on 8 April 2025, with a newly refreshed space. 938 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Records Management continued supporting all Government departments in compliant records retention and storage. And Administration managed increasing challenges at the main library concerning security incidents, which rose from 53 to 60. The police were called 25 times and one incident led to a prosecution. Now, looking at the year ahead. Mr. Chairman, the department will advance several key initiatives. They will launch a new website to improve public access and user experience, continue to digitise The Royal Gazette covering 1979 to 1983, finish setting up the new digitisation studio at the archives for online access to documents and images, and expand public services by installing a new digital microfilm reader, increasing available public use computers, introducing ereaders for seniors, expanding large pr int fiction collection, formalising home and outreach deliverable sched-ules. So, Mr. Chairman, the department delivers extraordinary value by connecting citizens to information and democracy, preserving our heritage, bridging the digital divide, supporting childhood literacy and adult learning, providing secure and accessible publi c records. This is not just a place for books and records, it is a vital part of Bermuda's social fabric, cultural memory, and public service mission. So in closing, Mr. Chairman, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff headed by Director Ms. Joanne Brangman, for their unwavering commitment to serving the public with professionalism and care. With this budget, we continue to invest in learn-ing, culture, access, and community. Head 18, Libraries and Archives remains a small but mighty contributor to Bermuda's future.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. And just for the benefit of the listening public, the performance measures you just identified were at pages B -55 and B - 56, and the capital acquisition you discussed for the li-braries was at page C -9. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Please proceed. Is your next head going to be Department of Planning? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I've now concluded Head 18.
The ChairmanChairmanApologies. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And I'll now move to —
The ChairmanChairmanI'm jumping ahead out of excitement. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I'll move to Head 32, Department of Planning. Don't get too excited. I am not going to keep you long. [Laughter] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Not as long as some people would like for me to keep them. …
I'm jumping ahead out of excitement. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I'll move to Head 32, Department of Planning. Don't get too excited. I am not going to keep you long. [Laughter]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Not as long as some people would like for me to keep them.
HEAD 32 —DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to present the budget for Head 32, Department of Planning, found on pages B -57 through B - 61. The department's mission is straightforward and significant, To ensure the sustainable management of Bermuda's natural and built environment . Mr. Chairman, turning to page B -58, for the fiscal year 2025/26, the department has been allocated $4.049 million, an increase of $211,000, driven mainly by Government -wide salary increases. You see a recurring theme there.
The ChairmanChairmanMm-hmm. Revenue Outlook Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Revenue outlook. Mr. Chairman, turning to page B -59, the department expects to generate $1.936 million in revenue, a 14 per cent increase over last year. This growth is driven by robust development activity across the residential, tourism, and commercial sectors. Residential, …
Mm-hmm.
Revenue Outlook Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Revenue outlook. Mr. Chairman, turning to page B -59, the department expects to generate $1.936 million in revenue, a 14 per cent increase over last year. This growth is driven by robust development activity across the residential, tourism, and commercial sectors. Residential, tourism, and office development continues to be healthy, particularly with the high- end sector as evidenced by numerous applications for new residences, new blocks providing additional tourist units at Grotto Bay, and the Brookfield developmen t on Front Street in the City of Hamilton. Mr. Chairman, revenue changes include • planning application fees at $550,000, reflecting caution in some segments because it's down from what we had last year; • building permit fees up $110,000 to $710,000 tied to sustained demand; • planning searches up $84,000 to $234,000 driven by strong re al estate market; and • elevator licences up $150,000 to $350,000, linked to high compliance and inspection demand.
Subjective Analysis
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, subjective analysis of current account estimates of the department is found on page B -58. Salaries increased by $96,000 to $3.447 million. Rentals increased by $43,000 due to the office move to 44 Church Street. Repairs and
Bermuda House of Assembly maintenance increased by $69,000, mostly for software and systems related to the new offices.
Staffing and Recruitment
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, staffing challenges have impacted service delivery. Retirements and vacancies, including in enforcement and inspections, left several units under -resourced. However, the department has responded decisively. They have re-cruited a new administ rative officer, electrical inspector, enforcement officer, management accountant, and manager of administration during the last fiscal year, all of whom are Bermudian. [The department] promoted internally to fill senior roles [and] was successful in its nomination of a Bermudian student who received a bur-sary award for the last fiscal year targeted to the post of assistant planner to whom the department has provided and will continue to provide work experience to aid in his developm ent. [The department also] supports the youth employment programme of the Department of Workforce Development. The department will be providing work experience to a further three young Bermudians during this summer. In addition, the Department of Planning has f eatured at numerous school career days to promote planning as a profession to students and main-tains just four work permit holders. Performance Measures by Business Unit Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the department has faced public frustration, particularly around delays in permits and application processing. These concerns are real and are not being ignored. In the coming weeks, I will be announcing initiatives either in train or under consideration to address the frustrations faced by both the Department of Planning and the public they serve.
Business Unit 42050, Enforcement Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 42050, Enforcement, page B -60. This business unit is responsible for investigating claims of breaches of planning control, seeking remedies for unauthorised development and carrying out planning searches. In the past fiscal year • they processed 353 planning searches, an increase of 79; • issued 11 civil penalties totalling $275,000; • eighty per cent of enforcement complaints were responded to within two weeks below the 100 per cent target. The department has adjusted its goal to 90 per cent for the upcoming fiscal year; and • twenty -nine enforcement cases were opened last year. Performance was impacted by staffing shortages, including a retirement and temporary reassignment. But with a new officer hired and the team now fully staffed, improvement is expected in 2025/26.
Business Unit 42050, Forward Planning
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 42060, Forward Planning, page B -60. This business unit is responsible for the preparation of development plans and associated policies and guidance, including collating evidence through technical studies and surveys. For the fiscal year 2024/25, the department can report the following: The City of Hamilton Plan 2024, which we debated last week in this Honourable House, was completed with no objections, a milestone achievement. And as debated in these Chambers a week ago, this plan marks a shift from rigid controls to principle- based planning, encouraging investment and design flexibility.
Business Unit 42070, Development Management
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 42070, Development Management, page B -61. This business unit is responsible for processing, planning and subdivision applications in ac-cordance with the provisions of the relevant development plan and providing pre -consultation advice on development proposals. Highlights for 2024/25 are as fol-lows: • Processed 362 planning applications, nearly identical to last year. • [Of these,] 61 per cent were completed within 12 weeks, below the 80 per cent target. • Staffing shortages and increased workload contributed to this issue, but targeted recruitment and reassignments are addressing the problem. Most planning applications continue to be for residential development with a noticeable trend towards applications for creating additional units through internal conversions and the installation of solar panels. Notable projects include the Grotto Bay Development, the North Arm in Dockyard, the replacement of the Belvedere Building on Pitts Bay Road and the proposed [94] key hotel at 11 Victoria Street, which was granted on appeal. Significant pre -consultation for tourism development has been conducted at the St. Regis Bermuda Resort and regarding the redevelopment of the Elbow Beach Hotel.
Business Unit 42080, Building Permits
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 42080, Building Permits, page B -61. Everybody wants to know about building permits. This [business] unit is responsible for reviewing applications for building permits to ensure compliance with the building code, guaranteeing safe construction 940 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly and protecting public welfare and well -being. For the fiscal year 2024/25, the department can report the following: • It received 799 building permit applications and 456 permit revision applications. • It issued 551 building permits and 368 permit revisions. • These permits represented 21 per cent commercial, 24 per cent residential and 55 per cent minor works. Notable projects that received building permits in the past year: • Southampton Princess Beach Club, a multi - story mixed- use development on Pitts Bay Road; • the Brookfield Building; and • further tourism development at Nautilus /Azur and Grotto Bay.
Business Unit 42090, Inspections
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 42090, Inspections, page B -61. This business unit is responsible for ensuring standards of construction in accordance with approved building permits and the relevant provi-sions of the building code. For the fiscal year 2024/25, the department can report the following. • It conducted over 6,395 inspections, including 504 elevators, 1,780 electrical and 4,183 build-ing related. • 664 commencement inspections indicate strong project starts. And for the listening public, commencement inspection is when planning comes out and says you can start building.
Plans for the Year Ahead
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the department has a full slate of reforms and initiatives, including: • New general development orders to reduce red tape and allow some changes of use without planning approval. • Updated building code to raise construction standards and sustainability. • Streamlining processes via better internal systems and more engagement with industry stakeholders. • Launch of a digital platform to match underutilised land with prospective farmers, promoting local food production and land use efficiency. • Vacant and derelict property database to encourage private investment in idle housing stock. • Review of the listed building register to ensure that it is transparent, current, and fair. • Policy research programmes underway focus-sing on housing, tourism, industrial land, and vacancy rates, forming the evidence base for the new Island- wide development plan. Mr. Chairman, the Department of Planning is taking action. We are recruiting, reforming, digitising, and collaborating. This year's budget supports that work and it supports our broader goal, a planning system that is efficient, effective, and responsive t o both the needs of the developer and the rights of our residents. To the director, Victoria Cordeiro, and her team, thank you for navigating the complexity with care and commitment. I look forward to sharing the progress that lies ahead. This concludes my comments on Head 32, Department of Planning, and I'll now proceed to Head 43, Information and Digital Technology.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. So, if we pause just for a second there, we are in the Committee of Supply for Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for budget year 2025/26. This is a four-hour debate, and we have covered the first six heads. So, we're moving . . . excuse me, …
Thank you, Minister. So, if we pause just for a second there, we are in the Committee of Supply for Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for budget year 2025/26. This is a four-hour debate, and we have covered the first six heads. So, we're moving . . . excuse me, we've covered the first four heads, and we're moving on to the fifth of six heads, which is Information and Digital Technologies. We are hearing from the Honourable Diallo Rabain, who is the Minister of Cabinet Office of Digital In-novation, who is now going to present Head 43, which can be found at page B -62 of the Budget Book. Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I know it sounds funny, but it's Minister for the Cabinet Office.
The ChairmanChairmanWell, I stand corrected, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Intervention. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Not sure why . . . why they say—
The ChairmanChairmanDid I say of ? I said of . Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, everybody says of .
The ChairmanChairmanThere we go. HEAD 43 —DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I rise to present the 2025/26 budget for Head 43, Department of Information and Digital Technologies, better known as IDT, as outlined on pages B -62 through B -65 of the Budget …
There we go.
HEAD 43 —DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I rise to present the 2025/26 budget for Head 43, Department of Information and Digital Technologies, better known as IDT, as outlined on pages B -62 through B -65 of the Budget Book. IDT functions as the central nervous system of the government, enabling everything from front line
Bermuda House of Assembly public services to internal operations. The public rightly expects these systems to be reliable, secure, and resilient at all times. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, meeting these expectations requires more than maintenance. It demands strategic investment, modern infrastructure, and forward- thinking leadership. This budget reflects that commitment, a deliberate shift towards stronger protection, smarter systems, and a government built for the future. Mr. Chairman, the Department of Information and Digital Technologies has been allocated a total op-erating budget of $9.211 million for the 2025/26 fiscal year, as shown on page B -62. This represents an increase of $706,000 over the previous year's budget of $8.505 million. Mr. Chairman, a subjective analysis of the current accounts for the Department of Information and Digital Technologies can be found on page B -63. While the majority of new investment is reflected in capital expenditures, there are also key changes within t he department's current account, particularly across three areas of strategic importance. Communications, $1.757 million, increased by $242,000. This increase supports the expansion of the network data lines, ensuring sufficient bandwidth and infrastructure to meet the demands of a growing and digitally dependent Government. Rentals, $842,000, increased by $182,000. This reflects the cost of relocating the department to a new premises with updated facilities better suited to IDT's operational needs. And salaries, at $3.447 million, increased by $162,000. This covers Government -wide salary uplifts and funds the filling of a critical security analyst posi-tion, reinforcing our commitment to cybersecurity and digital service protection. Mr. Chairman, the capital allocations for the Department of Information and Digital Technologies for 2025/26 is $6.525 million, representing an increase, a 12 per cent increase over the previous year. And if you could assist me with the page number there, I don't see it. I know it's in [section] C somewhere.
The ChairmanChairmanPage C -2, I think, but I will double - check while you're go on. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease proceed. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: These funds are not merely an investment in technology; they represent strategic steps towards a more resilient and efficient and responsive Government. As part of its ongoing commitment to digital transformation and secure service delivery, IDT will cont inue investing in modernising the …
The ChairmanChairmanPage C -9, it is. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Page C -9. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. These strategic initiatives are crucial for enabling a resilient, efficient, and data- driven Government. Mr. Chairman, while some budget lines show reduced allocations, I want to be clear. These are not …
Page C -9, it is. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Page C -9. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. These strategic initiatives are crucial for enabling a resilient, efficient, and data- driven Government. Mr. Chairman, while some budget lines show reduced allocations, I want to be clear. These are not merely cutbacks; they are recalibrations. They reflect areas where previous investments have delivered, allowing us to redirect resources towards more urgent and transformational priorities. Key areas of capital investment include: • Network Upgrades, $2.5 million. Replacing legacy network switches and upgrading infrastructure at Global House, implementing modern network monitoring tools, firewall enhancements, and unified communication systems, improving Wi -Fi reliability and connecti vity across key facilities. • Cybersecurity and Risk Management, $930,000. Enhancing endpoint protection and real-time threat detection, supporting continuous monitoring, software licensing, and third-party penetration testing, strengthening Gov-ernment's overall security posture. • Government Portals and Digital Accessibility, $505,000. Improving access to public services through a more integrated and user -friendly platform, supporting transparency, engagement, and efficiency. • E-Government Initiatives, $545,000. Focused on data centralisation, performance analytics, and smarter governance, reduced slightly to reflect consolidation with broader data infrastructure work, disaster recovery and continuity. • ISeries Systems, $295,000. Following a major refresh last year, this year's focus shifts to finetuning disaster recovery environments. • Wintel Systems, $950,000, supporting secure cloud transitions and identity management and continuity testing. • Innovation and Hardware Life Cycle Development Projects, $400,000. Sustaining innovation while streamlining focus on core initiatives. • Infrastructure Computers, $400,000. Reflects recent hardware modernisation and more efficient procurement planning, data infrastructure, establishing a centralised government data lake to power business intelligence, sup-port evidence- based policy, and fost er greater transparency and innovation across public service. Mr. Chairman, these investments mark a shift from reactive management to proactive transformation that will strengthen our digital foundation, protect public assets, and enhance service delivery across every corner of Government.
Workforce and Recruitment 942 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Workforce and Recruitment found on page B -63. Mr. Chairman, staffing stands at 50 FTEs (full - time equivalent employees), up by one. But we have 10 funded vacancies and filling them is essential. To that end, IDT has been working with DEOD on recruitment. These include a chief systems engineer, security manager, network engineer, four systems engineers, security analysts, support analysts, and operations analysts. We are addressing recruitment challenges head- on through a new apprenticeship pr ogramme, building a pipeline of young Bermudians, IT professionals, to not just meet IDT's needs, but also Bermuda's digital future. And Mr. Chairman, I did do a Ministerial Statement on IDT's apprenticeship programme last week.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Output Measures Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Output Measures, pages B - 64 and B -65. Mr. Chairman, I will state up front that not all service targets were met. The team worked under pres-sure to manage a post -attack backlog while pushing forward critical upgrades. Business Unit 53030, …
Yes.
Output Measures Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Output Measures, pages B - 64 and B -65. Mr. Chairman, I will state up front that not all service targets were met. The team worked under pres-sure to manage a post -attack backlog while pushing forward critical upgrades.
Business Unit 53030, Device Support
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Performances this year, business unit 53030 Device Support —70 per cent of tickets resolved within targets, below the 90 per cent goal, but improving.
Business Unit 53035, Network Support Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 53035, Network Support, met 75 per cent target rising to 85 per cent this year.
Business Unit 53040, Service Support Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 53040, Service Support, held steady at 25 per cent first -call resolution.
Business Unit 53060, Business System Support Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit, 53060 Business System Support, achieved 70 per cent of the monthly review meetings; target is now 90 per cent.
Business Unit 53090, Security Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 53090, Security, delivered on 100 per cent goal, a critical win. Projects in 2024/25 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, despite challenges, IDT made real strides. Microsoft 365 was deployed government -wide for more secure collaborative work. Infrastructure renewal [is] underway —improving system speed, uptime and resilience. Network hardware replaced at critical sites, including the airport and Government Administration Building. Unified communications project completed at 95 per cent. Streamlining systems and lowering costs. And the ISeries refresh completed, ensuring our cor e financial systems remain stable and secure.
Plans for the Upcoming Year Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, IDT's 2025 business plan will focus on three pillars. 1. Strengthening cybersecurity, disaster recovery and incidents response. IDT's top priority is protecting government systems, data and users through a proactive layered cybersecurity approach. Key initiatives include: a. advanced endpoint protection: state-of-the-art tools to secure all government connected devices b. 24/7 threat monitoring: constant sur-veillance to detect and respond to sus-picious activity in real time c. vulnerability assessments and pene-tration testing: regular system reviews to identify and fix weaknesses before they are exploited d. email threat detection: intelligent solu-tions to prevent phishing and email - borne attacks e. cyber awareness training: educating public officers to serve as the first line of defence and updated disaster recovery and incident response plans ensuring business continuity and fast recovery during disruptions 2. Delivering high performance, scalable and resilient IT infrastructure. To support the govern-ment's growth and service expectations, IDT is modernising its core infrastructure with a focus on speed, stability and long- term reliability. Planned efforts include: a. replacing legacy hardware: phasing out outdated systems to reduce failure risk and increasing performance b. application consolidation: eliminating redundant software to streamline processes and lower costs c. rewiring Global House: a critical up-grade to boost connectivity and improve network stability and prepare for future needs 3. Supporting data- driven decision- making. IDT is investing in tools that enable departments to
Bermuda House of Assembly transform data into insights and actionable outcomes. Key outcomes targeted are: a. real-time operational insights for faster and smarter responses b. identifying trends and opportunities to inform long- term planning, and c. evidence- based decision across government. This will be enabled by user - friendly dashboards and clear comprehensive reporting tools to empower every department to measure, man-age and improve performance Mr. Chairman, IDT is simply not reacting to a crisis. They're using it as a catalyst for transformation. This budget represents a strategic shift away from patchwork fixes towards a coherent, protected and people- centred digital government. To Acting Chief Information Officer, Gina Benjamin and the IDT team, I thank you. Your resolve in facing the unprecedented challenges has kept the Government running and allowed us to rebuild stronger. With this budget, we don’t just recover, we leap forward. This concludes my comments on Head 43, Information and Digital Technology and I'll proceed with your permission of course, Mr. Chairman, to Head 80, Project Management and Procurement.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you and that, for those listening, is at [page] B -75 of the Budget Book. Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: We're smoking, aren't we?
The ChairmanChairmanWe are smoking. [Laughter] HEAD 80 —OFFICE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PROCUREMENT Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I rise to present the budget for Head 80, the Office of Project Man-agement and Procurement [OPMP] as found on pages B-75 through B -77 of the Estimates and Revenue and …
We are smoking. [Laughter]
HEAD 80 —OFFICE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND PROCUREMENT Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I rise to present the budget for Head 80, the Office of Project Man-agement and Procurement [OPMP] as found on pages B-75 through B -77 of the Estimates and Revenue and Expenditure Book. The mission of this office is straightforward yet essential, To provide oversight, guidance in project management and procurement, ensuring transpar-ency, value for money and accountability across the Government. Mr. Chairman, the total expenditure listed on [page] B -75 is budgeted at $925,000, representing an increase of $51,000 over last year. The subjective analysis can be found on page B -76 and reflects the following as a result of the $51,000 budget increase: • Salary uplifts by way of an increase of $44,000. • Travel increased by $1,000 for essential overseas training. • Rentals increased by $2,000. • Materials and supplies increased by $3,000. Mr. Chairman, capital allocation currently stands at $65,000, representing an increase of $43,000 from last year. These details can be found on page C - 10. This funding will support essential software applications and services that enhance digital tools and procurement platforms. Mr. Chairman, the Office of Project Management and Procurement comprises of eight full -time staff, four Bermudians, one spouse of a Bermudian and two non- Bermudians. One post is currently vacant, a contract and compliance manager, and will be recruited this year to strengthen oversight and capacity.
Performance Measures
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I now turn my attention to Performance Measures for 2024/25 located on page B - 77. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to report that the Office's performance measures for the fiscal year 2024/25 were achieved.
Business Unit 9000, Administration
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 9000, Administration unit • produced and submitted all quarterly waiver reports to cabinet on time; • completed 95 per cent of cabinet memoranda reviews within five business days; • published the 2024 annual report; • managed HR and budgets efficiently; and • deployed affordable digital tools like RFX, Drafter and Bonfire to improve service deliveries.
Business Unit 9005, Procurement Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 9005, Procurement unit • delivered eight training sessions (six virtual and two in- person) to 106 public officers; • optimised cost by leveraging virtual platforms; and • demonstrated strong value for money and increased training access across Government.
The ChairmanChairmanI'm pausing you there, Minister. The Budget Book says five sessions, but that should be eight sessions, should it? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Umm—
The ChairmanChairmanOne or the other. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: One or the other. 944 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Okay, please continue. Business Unit 90010, Project Management Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 90010, Project Management unit: • Conducted six half -day …
One or the other.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: One or the other.
944 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Okay, please continue.
Business Unit 90010, Project Management
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 90010, Project Management unit: • Conducted six half -day sessions, in- person training sessions for 22 middle and senior level public officers. • Training using hybrid methodologies based on PRINCE2 and PMI best practices. • Customised sessions ensured relevance and high impact for project execution.
Business Unit 90015, Contract and Compliance
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Business unit 90015, Contract and Compliance —unable to deliver standalone training due to staffing constraints. However, integrated contract and compliance content into Code of Practise training with the Procurement unit. And Mr. Chairman, the Code of Practice for Project Management and Procurement is currently un-der review and a revised third edition will be released shortly, accompanied by targeted training and commu-nication.
Upcoming Fiscal Year
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, in the upcoming fiscal year, the Office will continue to produce quarterly waiver reports for the Minister and Cabinet and aims to complete Cabinet memoranda compliance reviews within five business days, targeting a 95 per cent on-time compl etion rate. In partnership with the Department of Employee Organizational Development, the Office will de-liver five training sessions on the introduction to the Code of Practice and four project management training sessions, alongside specialised learning initiatives such as planning projects for success and negotiation. To further build procurement capacity, the Office will pilot a public procurement training programme in collaboration with the US -based National Institute of Government Procurement, with the goal of developing a syllabus that equips authorised public offic ers with foundational procurement skills and techniques. Additionally, the Office will publish its 2025 annual report in due course. Mr. Chairman, the Office has aligned its future priorities with the Public Service Strategic Plan 2024 - 2027 and Bermuda's broader commitment to good gov-ernance. This year, the work will centre around five pillars. 1. Acting strategically. OPMP will continue to lead as a central authority for Government capital projects and procurement, ensuring alignment with national priorities and efficient resource use. 2. Human capital development. Design and deliver training to strengthen public officers' skills in project management, procurement, and purchasing. 3. Policy implementation. Roll out new updated policies, guidelines, and supporting notes to streamline operations and improve consistency. 4. Strategic sourcing and business opportunities. Guide ministries in sourcing strategies, explore cross- sector procurement opportunities, and implement framework agreements and vetted contractor lists. 5. Compliance and contract management. Build a robust monitoring framework to improve oversight of contract administration and enforce sound management and practises across de-partments. 6. Being customer -centric. OPMP is focused on delivering fair, transparent, and value- driven services tailored to the needs of government clients and the public. 7. Practical accessible training to develop flexible real-world training on project management and procurement available through multiple learning formats. Contract management learning modules will introduce a dedicated module to deepen officers' understanding of contract management and improve outcomes. 8. Specialised training/project training. Will launch new training tracks targeting the unique demands of IT and construction- related procurement and project delivery. 9. Putting people first. OPMP will embed trans-parency, fairness, and professional growth at the heart of its work by supporting all public officers involved in procurement and project oversight. 10. Code of Practice awareness. Ensuring each public officer is well- informed about the Code of Practice and their specific responsibilities under it. 11. Professional development. Deliver training guided by stakeholder feedback and promote careers in procurement, project management, and compliance through outreach and education initiatives. 12. Effecting digital transformation. The office is embracing technology to improve operational efficiency and transparency and accessibility to its core services. The digital platform transfor-mation to migrate to a secure cloud- based procurement platform to b etter manage sensitive data and improve accessibility. 13. Digital case management. Exploring digital tools to track and manage internal office operations and client services.
Bermuda House of Assembly 14. E-learning integration. Embedding e- learning into procurement training offerings to expand access and flexibility for public officers. 15. Delivering excellence. OPMP is committed to high-quality results, better collaboration, and smarter procurement to deliver meaningful value to the Government and the public. 16. Optimise practices and performances to develop collaborative models and performance metrics to drive quality and efficiency in project and procurement processes. 17. Quality assurance and compliance so we can implement best practices aligned with international standards, ensuring the Code of Practice is consistently applied and simplified where appropriate for varying procurement values.
Mr. Chairman, the Office of Project Management and Procurement continues to evolve into a cor-nerstone of good governance, driving professionalism, transparency, efficiency, and how government plans and spends. To the team led by Director Elaine Blair -Christopher, I extend sincere thanks for their focus, disci-pline, and integrity in service to Bermuda. Mr. Chairman, this concludes my presentation of Head 80, Office of Project Management and Pro-curement, and my overall presentation for the Ministry for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Minister. Members, we, and . . . Honourable Members and indeed members of the listening public, we are in the Committee of Supply for Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the budget year 2025/26. We have been listening this morning to the budget debate, or the beginning …
Thank you, Honourable Minister. Members, we, and . . . Honourable Members and indeed members of the listening public, we are in the Committee of Supply for Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the budget year 2025/26. We have been listening this morning to the budget debate, or the beginning of the budget debate on behalf of the Ministry for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. We have heard from the Honourable Premier initially on Head 9, the Cabinet Office, and then we have heard from the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, Diallo Rabain, for the remaining five of six heads. Is there any other Honourable Member who wishes to contribute to the debate? I see the Honourable Member for constituency 10, MP Robert King. You have the floor.
Mr. Robert King—Members of this Honourable House and the listening public. First off, I want to commend the hard work of the persons who work under the Cabinet, all the supporting staff for the hard work that they do to meet the needs of this community. So just, you know, to set …
—Members of this Honourable House and the listening public. First off, I want to commend the hard work of the persons who work under the Cabinet, all the supporting staff for the hard work that they do to meet the needs of this community. So just, you know, to set the table here, Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, pages B -38 through B-75, Corporate Headquarters for the Civil Service, providing service and advice and guidance to other departments and to the public sector. That's their role and responsibility. Department objectives on page B -39: transparency and accountability, efficient and effective services to the Premier, Ministers, Cabinet, ensuring public value, ensure implementation of government re-form priorities, inferred in a tim ely manner. Enhance government safety management systems. So that's the framework on which they operate, and rightly so. I'm going to move to headline [sic] B-40, Cabinet Office.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, that's page B -40 of the Budget Book —B-40.
Mr. Robert KingCorrect. I note that the London Office under [programme] 0902, Economic Policy and Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Robert King[Business unit] 19035, London Office, $1.68 million, actual; revised 2024/25, $1.390 million; estimate 2025/26, $1,456 million. [Business unit 19045], Washington DC Office, $393,000; revised 2024/25, $415,000; estimate 2025/26, $462,000. [Business unit 19075] Brussels Office, $342,000, actual 2023/24; revised 2024/25, $410,000; and estimate 2025/26, $343,000. Under the— [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingNo, no, no, just setting the table. Don't worry, I'll get to that. Under the Cabinet Office, page B -41, current account estimates.
Mr. Robert King[Page] B -41, Training $17,000, 2023/24 actual; revised 2024/25, $143,000; estimate 2025/26, $50,000. Professional Services, actual 2023/24, $2.204 million; revised 2024/25, $2.851 million; estimate 2025/26, $3.775 million.
Mr. Robert KingSo, regarding training, the question is, understanding that we're seeking innovation through digital technology, reliance on IT infrastructure and processes would suggest that training on the new systems 946 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly would be a priority to ensure efficiencies and improve performance with …
So, regarding training, the question is, understanding that we're seeking innovation through digital technology, reliance on IT infrastructure and processes would suggest that training on the new systems 946 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly would be a priority to ensure efficiencies and improve performance with a new system. On the face of it, this budget does not appear to resource this need. The budget for training has been reduced by $93,000. So, the question is, how does this reduction in training budget promote and support skill acquisition on the new format, especially for the more senior members of staff? How does it also, as the Minister stated earlier, seek to improve customer service? Page B -41, professional services. These consultants are utilised for their specific skill sets to perform the tasks that require proficiency in . . . and other areas to support the Minister's objectives. Specifically what? Understanding that these needs were forecast prior, what cost benefit analysis was conducted? Hon. E. David Burt: If I may, Mr. Chairman. Just a point of information.
The ChairmanChairmanWill you take a point of information, MP King?
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Hon. E. David Burt: If I could —
The ChairmanChairmanHonourable Premier, you have the floor. POINT OF INFORMATION Hon. E. David Burt: Just to go back to . . . thank you Mr. Chairman. Just to go back to the question on training. I just want to make sure I get it correct, because I heard the Shadow Minister …
Honourable Premier, you have the floor.
POINT OF INFORMATION Hon. E. David Burt: Just to go back to . . . thank you Mr. Chairman. Just to go back to the question on training. I just want to make sure I get it correct, because I heard the Shadow Minister say a reduction, but the budget shows an increase. So, I just want to make sure I'm understanding precisely which one he's discussing.
The ChairmanChairmanSo, I think he said page B -41.
The ChairmanChairmanAnd the revised of last year was $143,000. The estimate, at least as stated in the Budget Book, is $50,000. Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, so he's comparing revised, not the original.
The ChairmanChairmanI believe so. I'll defer to the Honourable Member. Honourable Member, you have the floor.
Mr. Robert KingI'm referring to the estimate for 2025/26. The Chairman: Right. [Crosstalk ]
Mr. Robert KingCorrect. The revised of the original. Correct.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, I trust that that question is clear. MP King, please, you have the floor.
Mr. Robert KingPage B -41, Revenue Source, 8316, PATI, Public Access to Information fees. What we see is an increase in salaries with no meaningful improvement in service delivery. What performance measures will be changed to ensure that customer feedback on service deli very performance will improve? Head 9, page B -42, …
Mr. Robert KingWe had three employees, actual 2023/24; revised 2024/25, we had three; estimate 2025/26, five. According to what's been documented in employee numbers, I don't see 19045, Washington DC Office. I also don't see 19075, Brussels Office mentioned. I don't see any staff. What I do refer to is on Head …
We had three employees, actual 2023/24; revised 2024/25, we had three; estimate 2025/26, five. According to what's been documented in employee numbers, I don't see 19045, Washington DC Office. I also don't see 19075, Brussels Office mentioned. I don't see any staff. What I do refer to is on Head 9, Cabinet Office, General Summary, page B -40, 0902, Economic Policy and Foreign Affairs. I see the budgets, but I don't see the staff that would be allocated.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, I see. And that's page B -42.
Mr. Robert KingBut in terms of looking for the salaries and the staff, refer to Head 9, Cabinet Office, General Summary, page B -40, 0902, Economic Policy and Foreign Affairs, so you can find the section.
The ChairmanChairman[Programme] 0902 on page B -40 versus page B -42, yes. Okay. Thank you, MP.
Mr. Robert KingQuestion: on Head 9, Cabinet Office on page B -40, General Summary, 0902, Economic Policy and Foreign Affairs. The Washington and Brussels Offices have a combined total of $825,000 recorded as expenditure. And as I've said, there are apparently no staff. If these two offices had been closed, the decision …
Question: on Head 9, Cabinet Office on page B -40, General Summary, 0902, Economic Policy and Foreign Affairs. The Washington and Brussels Offices have a combined total of $825,000 recorded as expenditure. And as I've said, there are apparently no staff. If these two offices had been closed, the decision would have been made after careful consideration of
Bermuda House of Assembly the pros and cons, and as such would have taken some time and planning. But according to what's here, it doesn't seem as though they exist. So, this must be a clerical error in terms of what's being recorded in the [Budget] Book.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingWell, what I'm suggesting is it's in the [Budget] Book. It doesn't exist.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt's incorrect. It does exist.
Mr. Robert KingNo, no, no, it does. But when you're listing the London Office, why aren’t the Brussels and the Washington Offices documented there? [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingOkay, so they've got budgets, but they don't have a cost estimate. But we'll get to that. You'll be able to answer that a little bit later. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingYes, so the interesting thing is that we've got a budget that was two months postponed, so that— Hon. E. David Burt: Point of order.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, what is your point of order? Hon. E. David Burt: Sorry, Mr. Chairman, I'm not going to allow this Honourable Member to talk foolishness on the floor.
The ChairmanChairmanWhat's your point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: The [ Honourable Member ] is misleading the House. It is clear that the offices are not closed because they have budget allocations. So, the Member can ask his questions, but to make the pronouncement that these …
What's your point of order?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. E. David Burt: The [ Honourable Member ] is misleading the House. It is clear that the offices are not closed because they have budget allocations. So, the Member can ask his questions, but to make the pronouncement that these offices are closed on the floor of this House, where people are list ening, is completely false and disrespectful to the Bermudians who are working in those offices.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay, thank you, Premier. MP, you have your answer in relation to that statement.
Mr. Robert KingI would suggest that it's disrespectful to the listening public to have a Budget Book that doesn't accurately reflect what is happening. That would be disrespectful. Hon. E. David Burt: Point of order, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, what is your point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member is misleading the House. The Budget Book clearly and accu-rately reflects what is taking place. If the Honourable Member wants to ask the question, we can provide the answers. But to make …
Yes, what is your point of order?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member is misleading the House. The Budget Book clearly and accu-rately reflects what is taking place. If the Honourable Member wants to ask the question, we can provide the answers. But to make assumptions and to state that these offices ar e closed is [factually] incorrect, and he should withdraw that comment because he said on the floor of the House that these offices are closed and that is not correct.
The ChairmanChairmanHonourable Member, MP King, please be guided—
The ChairmanChairman—obviously you've asked a question, or you may ask a question.
Mr. Robert KingWhat I'm suggesting, Mr. Chairman, is that it gives the appearance that these offices don't exist or are closed because there's a budget, but they are not itemised the same way that the London Office has been itemised with the specific number. That is what I'm referring to. Whether or …
What I'm suggesting, Mr. Chairman, is that it gives the appearance that these offices don't exist or are closed because there's a budget, but they are not itemised the same way that the London Office has been itemised with the specific number. That is what I'm referring to. Whether or not they exist, that's another issue entirely. It's not recorded here next to the London Office. [Inaudible interjections]
The ChairmanChairmanRight, Honourable Member, I think we have the question, or I hope that those in the Chamber have the question.
Mr. Robert KingWell, it appears that the question is . . . it does exist, but it's not recorded as the London Office has been recorded in that specific section.
The ChairmanChairmanAnd this is in relation to page B -42 of the Budget Book.
The ChairmanChairmanRight. Please proceed. I think the Premier has indicated he will answer that question in due course and you have the floor.
Mr. Robert KingWonderful, thank you. Question: Has the public sector review completed? The business unit 19080 shows discontinued. If concluded, is this going to be tabled in the House? 948 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: This is page B -44, Honourable Member?
Mr. Robert KingPage B -44, Head 9, Cabinet, Performance Measures, business unit 19045, Washington Office. Who is doing the job? How is this exceptional figure of three chosen as the target to achieve? With these targets being presented as aspirational goals, what is the target for the Casino Gaming Commission? I guess …
Page B -44, Head 9, Cabinet, Performance Measures, business unit 19045, Washington Office. Who is doing the job? How is this exceptional figure of three chosen as the target to achieve? With these targets being presented as aspirational goals, what is the target for the Casino Gaming Commission? I guess we should watch this space. Question: What does this All Bermuda Party Parliamentary Group look like? It's the first that I've heard of it.
The ChairmanChairmanJust for clarification, we're on page B - 43 and we're on business unit 19045 and you're referring to the establishment of the All Bermuda Parliamentary Group at the bottom of the page.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Please proceed, MP.
Mr. Robert KingWhat does the All Bermuda Party Parliamentary Group look like? Is the Government suggesting that it form another political party? [Laughter]
Mr. Robert KingI'm just . . . I mean . . . here, it's unclear what it actually is. So, I'd like some clarification on that. Hon. E. David Burt: Point of order, Mr. Chairman. Point of order, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanWhat is your point of order? Hon. E. David Burt: May I please ask, and I know it is not your role as you are sitting in the Chair, to please ask Members of your party in the Opposition, to learn this—
The ChairmanChairmanWhat is your point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member is clearly misleading the House. As it has been stated in this House on many times, it has been stated in other places —all Overseas Territories have an All Party Parliamentary Group in …
What is your point of order?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member is clearly misleading the House. As it has been stated in this House on many times, it has been stated in other places —all Overseas Territories have an All Party Parliamentary Group in the UK House of Commons, which is liaising with the London Office as other Overseas Territories do. For this Honourable Member to get up here and say we're starting a new political party is nonsense. Can you please focus on the facts instead of making conjecture? We can answer the questions. If he doesn't know what it is, rather than trying to assume and saying, Is the Government doing X, Y, and Z ? to say, Can the Minister please provide clarity on that? And we will happily provide the clarity for the Member, for the listening public, rather than engaging in this (in my opinion) shameless conjecture, whic h demeans this Honourable Committee.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Premier. Honourable MP King, I think you got your answer there to the question on page B -43, but if not, please proceed.
Mr. Robert KingI want to thank the Premier and Finance Minister for giving me a clear answer on the question. So, I appreciate that, and especially the de-livery of that answer. That was extremely helpful, sir. Thank you for that. Page B -44, Head 9, Performance Measures, business unit 19080, Head of …
Mr. Robert KingDevelop and implement an updated Government reform plan. Actual outcome, 50 per cent, 2023/24. Revised forecast, 2024/25, 100 per cent. Target outcome, 2025/26, discontinued. Hon. E. David Burt: Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanSorry, are you inviting a point of clarification? Hon. E. David Burt: I need to just try —
The ChairmanChairmanHonourable Premier, are you inviting — Hon. E. David Burt: —to make sure that my team can answer the questions, if the Honourable Member will yield.
The ChairmanChairmanIs this a point of clarification? Hon. E. David Burt: I'm just asking . . . Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. One moment, please. MP King, are you happy to yield for a point of clarification? B ermuda House of Assembly Hon. E. David Burt: Okay.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Honourable Premier, you have the floor. [Crosstalk ]
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Thank you. MP King, the floor is yours . We're on page B-44, I believe.
Mr. Robert KingCorrec t. Head 9, Cabinet Offic e, page B-4 0, General Summary 0903, Government Reform. We've got [business units] 19020, Safety and Health; 19040, Ministry Administration; 19055, Management Services.
The ChairmanChairmanAnd, MP, forgive me just for a second. We've gone back now to page B-4 0, correct?
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Thank y ou. Please proceed.
Mr. Robert KingSo, when we're looking at the budget, if we go back to 2017/18 for Health and Safety, and go all the way up to 2024/25, we've got over $500,000. And we've got a similar sort of s ituation for [business unit] 19040, Ministry Administration, Management Services was $591,000 in 2017/18. …
So, when we're looking at the budget, if we go back to 2017/18 for Health and Safety, and go all the way up to 2024/25, we've got over $500,000. And we've got a similar sort of s ituation for [business unit] 19040, Ministry Administration, Management Services was $591,000 in 2017/18. So, understanding that the purpose of government reform is to improv e health and s afety and the functioning, to ensure the welfare of the persons doing the job and persons affected by it, how do we then explain that the situation at the Department of Corrections continues to pose safety and health risks to officers, and this government has known about it, for more than two years? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman—
Mr. Robert KingUnderstanding that these audits have taken place, which have identified what the—
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Sorry. We hav e a point of order? One moment, please, MP King. Yes. What's your point of order, Minister? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Member needs to be . . . The Member is misleading. The debate on national security that he participated …
Yes. Sorry. We hav e a point of order? One moment, please, MP King. Yes. What's your point of order, Minister? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Member needs to be . . . The Member is misleading. The debate on national security that he participated in was last week. He's ask-ing us questions about the National Security budget.
The ChairmanChairmanRight. MP King, you have the floor. My understanding is your questions were about page B-4 0, [General Summary] 0903, safety and health administration, but if I've misunderstood . . . Mr. Robert King: No, no, no. No problem, because the Minister also made a statement about uniformed services and …
Mr. Robert KingCorrections would be considered uniformed services.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Well, obviously, be guided — Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Absolutely not.
The ChairmanChairmanOne moment, please, [Shadow] Minister. Just be guided not to reflect on the debate, but you're entitled to ask questions on those topics on those pages.
Mr. Robert KingSo, basically, this is in reference to the Minister's statement, not specifically as relates to this Cabinet head.
The ChairmanChairmanThe statement in the brief as given this morning.
Mr. Robert KingSo, the question is, health and safety audits were conducted, uniformed services, et cetera, and known hazards to staff and inmates have gone un-addressed despite the audit. So, I would like to know what strategic plan is in place with deadlines, timelines, et cetera, and resource allocation to address those …
So, the question is, health and safety audits were conducted, uniformed services, et cetera, and known hazards to staff and inmates have gone un-addressed despite the audit. So, I would like to know what strategic plan is in place with deadlines, timelines, et cetera, and resource allocation to address those serious needs. Especially understanding that there was a recent incident, I believe it was yesterday, when officers, I t hink it was approximately five, were seriously injured. Head 9, Cabinet, performance measures, page B-44, business — ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIRMANHOUSE VISITOR
The ChairmanChairmanMember, before you move on, let me just recognise the Cabinet secretary who is in the Gal-lery. Thank you. Please proceed. [ Committee of Supply, continuing]
Mr. Robert KingBusiness unit 19085, PATI/PIPA Unit. Performance measure: respond within five working days to request assistance with administrative and legal aspects of public access to information . Actual outcome 2023/24, 100 per cent. Revised forecast 2024/25, 100 per cent. Target outcome 2025/26, 950 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House …
Business unit 19085, PATI/PIPA Unit. Performance measure: respond within five working days to request assistance with administrative and legal aspects of public access to information . Actual outcome 2023/24, 100 per cent. Revised forecast 2024/25, 100 per cent. Target outcome 2025/26, 950 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly 100 per cent. Implementation of privacy initiatives for the Government of Bermuda, 100 per cent, 100 per cent, 100 per cent. Respond within five working days to request s for assistance with administrative and legal aspects of Personal Information Protection Act , non - applicable, non- applicable, 100 per cent.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, and that's in relation to page B - 44, business unit 19085, PATI/PIPA Unit.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, MP King. Please continue.
Mr. Robert KingQuestion. Page B -44, business unit 19085, PATI/PIPA Unit. Performance measures. The [brief] from the Minister spoke to customer satisfaction surveys. Wouldn't it be more . . . the question is, wouldn't it be helpful to determine if the response was productive? Were the achieved goals and aims achieved by …
Question. Page B -44, business unit 19085, PATI/PIPA Unit. Performance measures. The [brief] from the Minister spoke to customer satisfaction surveys. Wouldn't it be more . . . the question is, wouldn't it be helpful to determine if the response was productive? Were the achieved goals and aims achieved by those measures? Question: Page B -44, business unit 19085, PATI/PIPA Unit, performance measures. What specifically is being referred to? The inference I'm drawing is that the recently introduced fee structures and new pro-cesses are anticipated to have the impact of keeping public information private, but this cannot be the case. But it would appear to be —which is supported by a projected 90 per cent reduction in revenue. So, I'm wondering how that projection was arrived at, or that pre-diction was arrived at. Page B -44, busi ness unit 19085, PATI/PIPA —
Mr. Robert King—Unit, performance measures. Question: Understanding that there is a suspicion and or perception that charging fees and the matrix that has been formulated regarding PATI requests will dissuade members of the public from seeking the answers to questions t hat are in the public's interest, how will the Government measure …
—Unit, performance measures. Question: Understanding that there is a suspicion and or perception that charging fees and the matrix that has been formulated regarding PATI requests will dissuade members of the public from seeking the answers to questions t hat are in the public's interest, how will the Government measure performance in this area? On one hand, PATI requests will now potentially become a source of revenue for the Government, and making money is a good thing. But if the request is not handled with the respect and transparency and the standard of accountability that is demanded of Government officials and obviously the civil service Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman—
The ChairmanChairmanJust a moment, MP King. We have a point of order. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Point of clarification.
The ChairmanChairmanPoint of clarification. MP King, will you take a point of clarification? Will you yield? Mr. Robert King: Not yet.
The ChairmanChairmanNot yet. Sorry, Minister. He won't yield. Please continue.
Mr. Robert KingOn one hand, PATI requests will now potentially become a source of revenue for Government. Making money — Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Point of order.
The ChairmanChairmanOne moment, please, MP. We have a point of order. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: If he doesn’t want to accept the point of clarification. Point of order.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, point of order. What's your point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Standing Order 20: Anticipation] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Member is anticipating debate. As he knows, we will be debating the budgets for the Privacy Information Commissioner and the other —I can't remember the name of the …
Yes, point of order. What's your point of order?
POINT OF ORDER [Standing Order 20: Anticipation] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Member is anticipating debate. As he knows, we will be debating the budgets for the Privacy Information Commissioner and the other —I can't remember the name of the other head— on the non- ministries later this afternoon. And these questions he's asking will be answered then.
The ChairmanChairmanSo, Minister, as I see it, the business unit under discussion 19085 is at page B -44, and it's in this debate. And, therefore, as long as he is not mis-leading the House—and if he is, you can pull him up on it— he's entitled to ask these questions, I …
So, Minister, as I see it, the business unit under discussion 19085 is at page B -44, and it's in this debate. And, therefore, as long as he is not mis-leading the House—and if he is, you can pull him up on it— he's entitled to ask these questions, I think. MP King, you have the floor, but please be guided by the point about not anticipating a debate, which will happen later on today. But you're entitled to ask questions on page B -44 as you were.
Mr. Robert KingThank you for your guidance and input from the Minister as well. But if the requests are not handled with respect and transparency and the standard of accountability that is demanded of Government officials and officers of the civil service, the reduction of PATI requests may be interrupted wrongly. So, …
Thank you for your guidance and input from the Minister as well. But if the requests are not handled with respect and transparency and the standard of accountability that is demanded of Government officials and officers of the civil service, the reduction of PATI requests may be interrupted wrongly. So, I'm asking, what measures are going to be put in place to ensure that PATI requests are given the respect and the accountability and responsibility for treating each request properly. What measures will be put in place to do that? Because as it's been stated by constituents and others in the community, and also by the Information Commissioner, there were some concerns that the policies and procedures that have been
Bermuda House of Assembly materially changed as relates to PATI may cause some unintended consequences to the detriment of the people of Bermuda. So, the question is, What is the performance measurement matrix to ensure that PATI requests are handled ethically, legally, and professionally, understanding the competing interests of revenue and the seeking of the truth? I know this must have been extremely difficult to figure out. And for clarification, this is not a rhetorical question. We know that in the past —
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Again, point of information, Mr. Chairman?
The ChairmanChairmanJust a minute, Minister. MP King, will you take a point of clarification?
The ChairmanChairmanYes, the MP yields. You have the floor, Minister. POINT OF CLARIFICATION Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: As I stated, anticipating debate. If the Member had looked on pages B -36, the Privacy Commissioner's Office, and B -37, the performance measures that we will be debating later, the questions he …
The ChairmanChairmanOkay, Minister, that's a fair point. MP King —I appreciate that this topic is [covered by] two different ministries or, more specifically, between this Ministry and the non- ministry debate for later this afternoon, so I will give you some leeway.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. MP King, you have the floor.
Mr. Robert KingIn the spirit of collaboration, absolutely. I mean, I'll have another opportunity, and this Honourable House will, to revisit it if necessary. So, thank you for that.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease continue when ready, MP King.
Mr. Robert KingPage B -43, business units 19000 through 19080, performance measures.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Mr. Robert King: [Business unit] 19000, General Administration.
The ChairmanChairmanThat's the top of page B -43, yes.
Mr. Robert KingActual outcome, 2023/24, three- day turnaround of Cabinet conclusions, 90 per cent of the time; 100 per cent revised forecast, 2024/25; 100 per cent target outcome, 2025/26. The question I have regarding [business unit] 19000, General Administration performance measures is, What are we actually measuring? If we're saying that 90 …
Actual outcome, 2023/24, three- day turnaround of Cabinet conclusions, 90 per cent of the time; 100 per cent revised forecast, 2024/25; 100 per cent target outcome, 2025/26. The question I have regarding [business unit] 19000, General Administration performance measures is, What are we actually measuring? If we're saying that 90 per cent of the time you've got a three- day turnaround, this doesn't appear to be something that we need to measure because we're achieving the targets, especially when you look at some of the other performance measures which have actually dipped. So, I'm just wondering why we are measuring this, a three- day turnaround, 100 per cent of the time with a 90 percent. It just seems like a waste of space on the page. Page B -43, business unit 19020, Safety and Health performance measures. Questions: How many of the audit recommendations have been addressed? Sessions House—what's the plan to fix the health and safety problems there? When is it going to be fixed?
Mr. Robert KingPage B -43, business unit 19020, Health and Safety . . . Safety and Health performance measures. How many of the recommendations remain outstanding? How many buildings are still offline waiting to be repaired? Page B -43, business unit 19035, London Office performance measures. Purpose of the office, roles and …
Page B -43, business unit 19020, Health and Safety . . . Safety and Health performance measures. How many of the recommendations remain outstanding? How many buildings are still offline waiting to be repaired? Page B -43, business unit 19035, London Office performance measures. Purpose of the office, roles and responsibilities, will it be resourced according to performance and meaningful targets met? Head 9, Cabinet Office, page B -41, Subjective Analysis of Current Account Estimates, object code . . .
Mr. Robert KingSubjective Analysis of Current Account Estimates, object code description. Since being elected in 2017 and excluding COVID -19 spending, Cabinet Office spending has more than doubled, driven by a 113 per cent increase in salaries, 11 per cent (much higher than inflation) and a 250 per cent increase in professional …
Subjective Analysis of Current Account Estimates, object code description. Since being elected in 2017 and excluding COVID -19 spending, Cabinet Office spending has more than doubled, driven by a 113 per cent increase in salaries, 11 per cent (much higher than inflation) and a 250 per cent increase in professional services, yet the employee num-bers did not fluctuate significantly. So, the question I ask is, although salaries have been increased, there does not seem to be a correlation between a salary increase and a commensurate improvement in service delivery. So, I'm wondering why that is and what specific measures are put in place to ensure that persons are being fairly and appropriately compensated, especially 952 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly when we consider that there have been many issues that have been as yet unresolved. So, I want to know what meaningful, specific, strategic plans are going to be put in place to ensure that persons are fairly compensated and are also held accountable to pr ovide services, quality public service, to the people of this community. I mean, fundamentally, what benefits did Bermuda receive materially as a result of this spending? Head 9, Cabinet Office, page B -41, Subjective Analysis of Current Account Estimates, object code description.
Mr. Robert KingRentals. Actual Outcome, 2023/24 $1,093,000. Revised Forecast, 2024/25, $1.144 mil-lion. Estimate, 2025/26, $1,135,000. Question: For a staff of 45 and expected to grow to 51, it appears disproportionate. Furthermore, wouldn't it make good economic sense t o repair, renovate an existing government building or to purchase a building instead of …
Rentals. Actual Outcome, 2023/24 $1,093,000. Revised Forecast, 2024/25, $1.144 mil-lion. Estimate, 2025/26, $1,135,000. Question: For a staff of 45 and expected to grow to 51, it appears disproportionate. Furthermore, wouldn't it make good economic sense t o repair, renovate an existing government building or to purchase a building instead of paying high rents? But then, I guess it depends on who the landlord is. How is this considered to be a good use of finances, especially when we add on the cost of electricity and other expenses? This short -term approach does not appear to be prudent and responsible use of gov-ernment funds, and it is Cabinet, that is, the Minis try, whose responsibility it is to set the standard for government departments in the civil service. We in this Honourable House have come to accept that it's okay to watch our House of Assembly located a stone's throw away from this rented office space as being normal. Meanwhile, you have wars raging in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe, where people are having their homes destroyed by war , who can do nothing about it because they are focused on staying alive. We have a choice. When we look at a historic budget surplus, two historic budget surpluses , money doesn't appear to be an issue. When we have the recent cases of, for example, Savvy Entertainment, $800,000; Sandys 360, $800,000; Bermudiana Beach Resort, over $100 million spent, and the breakage fee of almost $500,000; the Casino Gaming Commission, $16 million and counting. The ques tion I have is this —
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingWell, you know what? We've already gone past that. [Laughter]
Mr. Robert KingAnd then the breakage fee of almost $500,000. The question I have is this: If we have an economy that is growing, a historic surplus for the second time in history, under a Progressive Labour Party Government, why hasn't the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance made getting this actual …
And then the breakage fee of almost $500,000. The question I have is this: If we have an economy that is growing, a historic surplus for the second time in history, under a Progressive Labour Party Government, why hasn't the Honourable Premier and Minister of Finance made getting this actual House in order and lead by example? We talk about repurposing and bringing on the properties, bringing on line properties that have been abandoned and not fit for habitation.
The ChairmanChairmanJust a moment, please, MP. Pause. Yes, we have a point of order. What's your point of order, Minister? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I'm just trying to figure out . . . the MP, I believe, is misleading the House. He's going into surpluses and …
Just a moment, please, MP. Pause. Yes, we have a point of order. What's your point of order, Minister?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I'm just trying to figure out . . . the MP, I believe, is misleading the House. He's going into surpluses and rental for this building, which would come under the Legislature, which would, again, be anticipating debate. I'm just wondering what performance measures are we talking about or what page are we speaking of with this latest rant [sic] ?
The ChairmanChairmanSo, I had understood, leaving aside the word “rant,” I had understood that we were on page B - 41 under Rentals, under subjective analysis, but I will let the Honourable MP confirm where he was. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I was just . . . because he had …
The ChairmanChairmanOh, rent, not rant — Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: —where we are now. He said rentals and where we are now, which would fall under the Legislature and not under the Cabinet Office. So, I'm just wondering what are we actually talking about because he then talked about wars.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. I mean, obviously, try to . . . you're entitled to make your comments.
The ChairmanChairmanThey don't have to be questions as directed by the speaker, but you do need to link them to a line item, and my understanding is you were on the subject of rentals.
Mr. Robert KingThe point that I'm making with my continued rant is that we should not continue to pay rent for properties when we have properties that need to be renovated, repurposed. When we are supposed to set the example for the civil service, how can we when we don't keep our …
The ChairmanChairmanMP, while you are checking your notes, for the benefit of Honourable Members and the listening Committee of Supply for Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for budget year 2025/26, and the debate this morning is on the Ministry of Cabinet Office and Digit al Innovation. We have heard this morning …
MP, while you are checking your notes, for the benefit of Honourable Members and the listening Committee of Supply for Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for budget year 2025/26, and the debate this morning is on the Ministry of Cabinet Office and Digit al Innovation. We have heard this morning from both the Premier and also from the Minister for the Cabinet Of-fice and Digital Innovation, Diallo Rabain. We are now hearing questions and comments and debate from the Honourable Member for constituency 10, Robert King. We have about another 15 minutes or so before the lunch adjournment. MP King, you have the floor.
Mr. Robert KingThank you, Mr. Chairman. So, the question I have is, when are we going to fix our broken home if we want to make sure that money for rentals of over a million dollars per year is reduced? The only way we can do that is if we move into …
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, the question I have is, when are we going to fix our broken home if we want to make sure that money for rentals of over a million dollars per year is reduced? The only way we can do that is if we move into buildings that we ow n. Those are my submissions. Thank you. Are we going to continue on?
The ChairmanChairmanWe have another 15 minutes. So, would you like to continue with questions for the next 15 minutes? No, we're not rising early, unless anyone says otherwise. No. So please continue with further questions.
The ChairmanChairmanWell, let me just check. Honourable Premier, do you want to close out Head 9 before lunch, or do you want the Honourable Member to put questions on all heads? I'm in your hands. Hon. E. David Burt: I've been informed that there are additional questions from the Opposition on …
The ChairmanChairmanFine. No problem. Honourable Member King, if you're going to pause there on Head 9, let me just see if there are any other Members who wish to contribute to the debate.
The ChairmanChairmanOr you can proceed with further questions. Are there any other Honourable Members who wish to continue the debate? I see . . . no. Yes? Okay. The Honourable Member for constituency 25, MP DeCouto. You have the floor. And as I said, we have about 15 minutes or thereabouts.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoUnder Revenue, the PATI fees was for last year budgeted at $50,000. Revised is at $50,000 and estimated to come in at $5,000. Can we understand if that revised estimate of $50,000 is simply a carryover of the budget or have there been substantial fees actually paid? And then what …
Under Revenue, the PATI fees was for last year budgeted at $50,000. Revised is at $50,000 and estimated to come in at $5,000. Can we understand if that revised estimate of $50,000 is simply a carryover of the budget or have there been substantial fees actually paid? And then what is the difference between the . . . if substantial fees were actually paid in 2024/25 to get to $50,000, how do we arrive at the $5,000 estimate for the coming financial year?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYes, thank you. Regarding the PIPA/PATI unit on page B -40, [business unit] 19085, the budget does seem relatively flat. And I'm referring also to the Government initiatives, as mentioned in the Throne Speech, on making more information publicly available to the public. Wi ll the PATI/PIPA unit be involved …
Yes, thank you. Regarding the PIPA/PATI unit on page B -40, [business unit] 19085, the budget does seem relatively flat. And I'm referring also to the Government initiatives, as mentioned in the Throne Speech, on making more information publicly available to the public. Wi ll the PATI/PIPA unit be involved in advising on that? Will that be a sort of separate group of people?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoI turn now to page B -42, employee numbers, and I see the addition of two people in the London Office. And if that was already addressed in the brief, I do apologise.
The ChairmanChairmanIt was addressed in the brief.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, there was a new deputy consular officer to assist Ms. Durrant, and there was a second post identified. 954 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Dr. Douglas DeCouto: Great. Turning to page B -43, and I'm looking at business unit 19045, the DC Office.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoAnd the All Party Parliamentary Group. From the Premier's comments, I take it to . . . I'm understood to believe that actually probably applied to the London Office. Could we get some description of who's in that group? And if it's a long list of people, maybe a general …
And the All Party Parliamentary Group. From the Premier's comments, I take it to . . . I'm understood to believe that actually probably applied to the London Office. Could we get some description of who's in that group? And if it's a long list of people, maybe a general description of the sorts of members who are in it. We maybe don't need the full list of individuals. Remaining on this page—
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYes, page B -43. The up- todate database of Bermudian— in the same business unit, the 19045 DC Office —the database of Bermudian college students residing in the US. Could we be in-formed as to how that database is compiled and how that 50 per cent revised es timate for …
Yes, page B -43. The up- todate database of Bermudian— in the same business unit, the 19045 DC Office —the database of Bermudian college students residing in the US. Could we be in-formed as to how that database is compiled and how that 50 per cent revised es timate for 2024/25 is arrived at? I believe you'd probably have to know the total number of students from Bermuda in the United States to arrive at that 50 per cent. So, we'd love to understand how the Government arrives at that number.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoAnd what they think it is. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Right. The direct . . . remaining on the same page, B -43, turning now to business unit 19035.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYes, deliver on UK policy through seven UK government departments. Could we get a highlight of what they believe the top two priorities would be? For that policy objectives. And then turning now to page B -44, under the head of Public Service, performance measures 19080.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoCustomer complaints logged and responded to within 48 hours. I do appreciate that in 2023/24 [and] 2024/25, there seemed to be some system issue. But the revised forecast is only at 30 per cent with a target for this year of only 50 per cent. Could we hav e some …
Customer complaints logged and responded to within 48 hours. I do appreciate that in 2023/24 [and] 2024/25, there seemed to be some system issue. But the revised forecast is only at 30 per cent with a target for this year of only 50 per cent. Could we hav e some commentary on why such a low target going forward? Because I would imagine a response could be as simple as an acknowledgement that we've received your request.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoWith a case number. Those are my questions for this head, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Member for constituency 25, MP Douglas DeCouto. Does anyone else . . . I see someone else wants to contribute to the debate, or we can move for lunch. No? You're going to come? Yes. It's MP . . . the Honourable Member for constituency 12. Hon. …
Thank you, Honourable Member for constituency 25, MP Douglas DeCouto. Does anyone else . . . I see someone else wants to contribute to the debate, or we can move for lunch. No? You're going to come? Yes. It's MP . . . the Honourable Member for constituency 12.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and to the listening Bermuda. As we go through these heads, I wanted to turn over to page B -63.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, thank you, MP Cannonier. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Under employee numbers. And the Minister mentioned Minister “ of” as he mentioned.
The ChairmanChairmanMinister for. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanMinister for. Minister for . Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Oh, for. Minister for . [Laughter]
The ChairmanChairmanI did actually check, and he is the only Minister for, everyone else is Minister of. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I'm not sure how the duties change.
The ChairmanChairmanThere we are. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Or differ.
The ChairmanChairmanHe's going for it. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Under [business] unit 53050, Digital Services, the Minister mentioned about 10 positions that were funded for that we still need to fill. I was hoping that maybe . . . and I was trying to listen intently. He was reading so fast. …
He's going for it.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Under [business] unit 53050, Digital Services, the Minister mentioned about 10 positions that were funded for that we still need to fill. I was hoping that maybe . . . and I was trying to listen intently. He was reading so fast. But what exactly does a di gital service person . . . what exactly do they do? And is this a hard- to-fill position? I know that sometimes within Government, some of these positions are hard to fill, and that's quite a few people, 10- people positions.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: That we want to fill. So, if you could give us a little more detail about what exactly is it that they do, and are they likely to come locally? Do we have to recruit overseas for this type of position? …
Yes.
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: That we want to fill. So, if you could give us a little more detail about what exactly is it that they do, and are they likely to come locally? Do we have to recruit overseas for this type of position? And what's the significance of this, meaning that we re-ally need 10 people? Give us more of a significance of why we need to fill all 10 of these positions, which I'm sure we need, obviously. And then, if we can turn over to page B -65, under Training, business unit 53080. And I brought this up in talking about training.
The ChairmanChairmanThis is still under the Department of Information and Digital Technologies. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes. My apologies.
The ChairmanChairmanNo, no. I'm with you, page B -65. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Head 43. Just curious as to how are we systematically working through the training of all departments in rela-tion to some of our vulnerabilities, like a cyberattack. So, we know that we've been trying to upgrade everyone in …
No, no. I'm with you, page B -65.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Head 43. Just curious as to how are we systematically working through the training of all departments in rela-tion to some of our vulnerabilities, like a cyberattack. So, we know that we've been trying to upgrade everyone in these different departments. I mean, just opening up the wrong email or opening up an advert or something like that. What are some of the things that we are doing to work with all of the departments and getting everyone trained up and aware, even if it's not necessarily formal training, but aware of the vulnerabilities. How are we working through that with the training? And then, here we go . . . when it comes to system integration, which has been a thing for some time now, and the Premier has himself taken on some of this to ensure that we get upgraded and systems are inte-grated within the Government itself. It is diffic ult sometimes for people when they have to go from one department to get this, and then they've got to go to another department to get this, all to just make sure that they get copies of something or get qualified or verified for something. How are we coming along with system integration where we can ease some of the stress for the work that we're doing for the public to ensure that the systems are integrated? Can we get a progress report on that? Just a little bit about some of what we probably already have integrated. I mean, the Premier has spoken to some of that stuff before.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Yes, he has. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: But how are we progressing along? There was a time where even the— [Inaudible interjections] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, there was a time where the phone systems weren't even integrated. So, where are we with that process and progressing there? So, …
Yes. Yes, he has.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: But how are we progressing along? There was a time where even the—
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, there was a time where the phone systems weren't even integrated. So, where are we with that process and progressing there? So, system integration. And the next question I have would be is, with getting advice, and we know we've had consultants come in and advise us and give us some direction go-ing forward on some of the progress of integration and even security when it comes to cyberattacks. Are we still using any consultants to guide us through the process? I can recall I was on Front Street, and I had gone to a restaurant. What's the restaurant up top there? Not Port. Above Brew. What's the restaurant above Brew?
The ChairmanChairmanPickled Onion. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Pickled Onion. Yes. My favourite pasta there.
The ChairmanChairmanIt would be something b etter. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And there were some guys from Google, right? Guys —huh? [Inaudible interjections] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: No, not Port O Call. No, no, no, no, no, no. Upstairs is too expensive for me, Premier. [Laughter] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Absolutely. …
It would be something b etter.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And there were some guys from Google, right? Guys —huh?
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: No, not Port O Call. No, no, no, no, no, no. Upstairs is too expensive for me, Premier.
[Laughter]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Absolutely. Absolutely, mate. You're welcome to come any time. You're wel-come to come any time. But the question I have—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou'd have to pay for it. [Laughter] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, yes — [Laughter] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: The question I have is, are we using any consultancy services?
The ChairmanChairmanThis is on professional services. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, yes —
The ChairmanChairman[Page] B -63. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, correct. Are we using any professional services to help guide us through, not just with the integration of the process, but also with potential cyberattacks and the like? And I brought up Google because I went there for lunch, and these Google …
[Page] B -63.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, correct. Are we using any professional services to help guide us through, not just with the integration of the process, but also with potential cyberattacks and the like? And I brought up Google because I went there for lunch, and these Google guys were there, and they were just talking about how they were looking to help 956 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Bermuda. And so, I'm not sure who we're using. Maybe we're using them. I don't know. But it's a two- pronged question in that, who exactly are helping us through the process? IT is a specialised area, you know, and it's not always where you can find the exp ertise just on the Island. You might be able to find some from, steal some from the international business, but . . . so—
The ChairmanChairmanMP Cannonier, we are probably going to pause there and go to lunch, but if you only have a few left, then I'm happy to let you. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, just one more question then.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay, I'll let you finish if that's all right. Go ahead. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, just one more question. And over on page C -9.
The ChairmanChairmanYes—is that grants? Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: No, capital —
The ChairmanChairmanNo, capital acquisitions. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Acquisitions, yes. I must say I'm glad to see the investment of $6.5 million.
The ChairmanChairmanThis is on information digital technology still? Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: That's correct, on information digital technology.
The ChairmanChairmanIndeed, Cabinet as a whole. Yes, I see. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And I'm glad to see that we have this commitment. I'm sure it probably is costing us way more than that to get us to where we need to be. And so, I was just curious, the Minister …
Indeed, Cabinet as a whole. Yes, I see. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And I'm glad to see that we have this commitment. I'm sure it probably is costing us way more than that to get us to where we need to be. And so, I was just curious, the Minister was talking about network upgrades, and he mentioned firewall en-hancements and the like. If the Minister can tell us a little more about where we are with securing ourselves and how comfortable he feels that we are. I know this is a work in progress, so I get it. This is not an easy area, so it's always something to upgrade because hackers are always trying to upgrade their skill sets as well. But are we in a position now, three years on, since the major cyberattack, are we a bit more comfort-able with where we are infrastructure- wise, technology - wise, firewall- wise? And what are some of the things that we can foresee going in the future? What ar e some of the plans going into the future based on where we are just today? What can the Minister tell us, how we can be a bit more confident? There's no 100 per cent proof, so it could happen —
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: It could happen next week, whatever the case may be. So, I've asked the question. I have asked the question.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, MP Cannonier. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I've asked the question.
The ChairmanChairmanIf that's a convenient — Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: If he can elaborate, yes.
The ChairmanChairman—if that is a convenient place. So, thank you, MP Cannonier. Thank you also to MPs King and DeCouto. Premier, if you'd like to take us to lunch. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Honourable, I guess, Committee of Supply do adjourn …
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Honourable Committee of Supply do adjourn until 2:00 pm. Any objection? There being none, we move until 2:00 pm. [Gavel] Proceedings in Committee suspended at 12:32 pm Proceedings in Committee resumed at 2:0 1 pm [Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, Chairman] COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY ESTIMATES …
It has been moved that the Honourable Committee of Supply do adjourn until 2:00 pm. Any objection? There being none, we move until 2:00 pm.
[Gavel]
Proceedings in Committee suspended at 12:32 pm
Proceedings in Committee resumed at 2:0 1 pm
[Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, Chairman]
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY
ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 2025/26
CABINET OFFICE AND DIGITAL INNOVATION [Continuation thereof ]
The ChairmanChairmanMembers, we are resuming in Committee of Supply. [Gavel] Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Members, we shall resume with the Minister of Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. We are looking at Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 and 80. We have approximately an hour and a half, I believe. …
Members, we are resuming in Committee of Supply. [Gavel]
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Members, we shall resume with the Minister of Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. We are looking at Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 and 80. We have approximately an hour and a half, I believe. I think it is one hour and 35 minutes. Correct?
[Crosstalk]
The ChairmanChairmanApproximately an hour and a half, so I believe we end this debate at 3:25 pm. Are there any Members who wish to speak to Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 or 90? I recognise the Member from constituency 10. Member, you have the floor.
Mr. Robert KingGood afternoon, Madam Chairman, Members of the House and the listening public. I will be addressing questions regarding Head 13, Post Office, page B -45 through B -51. Head 13, Post Office General Summary, Operations 22410, Courier Services. Actual 2023/24 was $239,000; revised 2024/25 is $10,000; estimate 2025/26 is $9,000. …
Good afternoon, Madam Chairman, Members of the House and the listening public. I will be addressing questions regarding Head 13, Post Office, page B -45 through B -51. Head 13, Post Office General Summary, Operations 22410, Courier Services. Actual 2023/24 was $239,000; revised 2024/25 is $10,000; estimate 2025/26 is $9,000. Current account estimates Head 13, Post Office, page B -47, Description. Salary $6.596 million —
The ChairmanChairmanMember, did you want to ask any questions?
Mr. Robert KingNo, no, no. I am just setting the table. That’s all.
Mr. Robert KingAll right. S o we got salaries . [Inaudible interjection and laughter ]
Mr. Robert KingMake sure everybody who needs to be at the table is . Right? Salaries , the salary bump. That was explained and we understood that across the board. There was a salary bump that would increase the amount of expenditure in wages similarly . I do note on H ead …
Make sure everybody who needs to be at the table is . Right? Salaries , the salary bump. That was explained and we understood that across the board. There was a salary bump that would increase the amount of expenditure in wages similarly . I do note on H ead 13, page B -47, Training. A ctual 2023 /24 was $13,000 ; revised 2024/25 was $5,000; estimate 2 025/26 is $25,000. S o page B -47, T raining . Understanding that staff development requires necessary training and the gaining of experience especially as we move towards AI and technologies to improve speed and efficiencies , how do you account for the wild fluctuations in the training budget ? In 2024/25 it was a mere $5, 000. How does this reduction in the T raining budget promote and support skill acquisition on the new format especially for the more senior members of staff ? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Point of clarification .
The ChairmanChairmanDo you yield, Member? Yes. Minister. POINT OF CLARIFICATION Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I am at pains to try and explain to the Honourable Member, how to read a Budget Book. I t was budgeted for $20,000. T he revised estimate means that despite being budgeted that's what was …
Do you yield, Member? Yes. Minister.
POINT OF CLARIFICATION
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I am at pains to try and explain to the Honourable Member, how to read a Budget Book. I t was budgeted for $20,000. T he revised estimate means that despite being budgeted that's what was spent . Sometimes we spend less sometimes we spend more. That’s why it is a revised estimate. T his year we are budgeting more than we spent . . . than we budgeted for the previous year . That’s how you read the Budget Book.
Mr. Robert KingActually, we do because that is why some things —
The ChairmanChairmanExcuse me. S peak to the C hair, please. Thank you. Your questions ?
Mr. Robert KingRepair and maintenance, page B -47. How many buildings does the post office currently have? H ow many need significant repairs ? Are there going to be any closures of post offices due to online shopping, e-billing and a declining population? Page B-47, R entals . Question: Why are we …
Repair and maintenance, page B -47. How many buildings does the post office currently have? H ow many need significant repairs ? Are there going to be any closures of post offices due to online shopping, e-billing and a declining population? Page B-47, R entals . Question: Why are we paying approximately over $1.23 million in rentals ? Wouldn't a strategic plan suggest that purchasing a building or renovating an existing building would be more cost -effective in the short - and long- term? So, the question is , Why do we continue to rent buildings over the course of three years , six years? It's millions of dollars . We could actually have purchased a building which meant that we could properly establish ourselves in those locations —staff, training . Everything just runs a lot smoother if you are in control of the costs involved with operating your business .
958 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingYou'll have your turn. Head 13, Post Office, page B -48, Revenue Summary, 8312. 09, MyBermudaP ost fees , actual 2023 /24 is $448,000; revised 2024/25 was $509,000; estimate 2025/26 is $5 23,000. Head 13, Post Office, page B -49, E mployee Numbers 125, 125, 125—across the board from 2023. …
You'll have your turn. Head 13, Post Office, page B -48, Revenue Summary, 8312. 09, MyBermudaP ost fees , actual 2023 /24 is $448,000; revised 2024/25 was $509,000; estimate 2025/26 is $5 23,000. Head 13, Post Office, page B -49, E mployee Numbers 125, 125, 125—across the board from 2023. Regarding page B -48, Revenue Summary, 8312.09 , MyBermudaPost fees. Question: H ow is the difference of $17,000 recorded as zero per cent, understanding that we need to be accountable for all spending of the people's money . We must be careful not to make too many slips of the pen and yet these errors appear to be common and expected. So I am just trying to understand how come there are so many errors in this budget given that extra time was given? Page B -48, Revenue Summary, 8312.09, MyBermudaPost fees. Question: U nderstanding that the Government states that it supports local businesses , what measures does the Government take to ensure that it is not competing directly with local businesses ? I'm thinking of Mailboxes and Z ipX when I ask that question. Page B-49 Employee Numbers . Question: Are there any plans to close down a post office or post offices due to the reduced demand due to population , eBills, online shopping, in an effort to improve efficiencies and save money ? Head 13, Post Office Performance Measures, [Programme] 325, Administration and Finance, found on page B -50. How does the post office plan to increase revenue with the reduced amount without raising fees ? Employee numbers : Are there any plans to close down the post office or post offices due to the reduced demand ? Page B-50, Performance Measures . Question : Same question. Those are my submissions for Head 13, Post Office.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other M embers who wish to speak to the heads ? Head 13, in particular , but other heads as well .
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYes, thank you, Madam Chairman. Regarding Head 13, and associated with the revenue source, 8312 .09, MyBermudaPost Fees, page B-48. C ould the Honourable Minister please provide an estimate of the total cost required to run that service ? Thank you, Madam Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. T hank you, Member. Are there any other M embers who wish to speak to H eads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, or 80? I recogni se the Member from constituency 10. Member, you have the floor .
Mr. Robert KingThank you. I'll be speaking to Head 18 , Libraries and Archives.
Mr. Robert KingPages B -52 through B -56. H aving visited the National Archives I was most impressed with the professionalism of the staff . In particular, Ms. K arla Inlemann, who gave me a comprehensive tour of the operations and explained the vital role it has in preserv-ing Bermuda’s history and …
Pages B -52 through B -56. H aving visited the National Archives I was most impressed with the professionalism of the staff . In particular, Ms. K arla Inlemann, who gave me a comprehensive tour of the operations and explained the vital role it has in preserv-ing Bermuda’s history and culture. What was apparent was the passion and commitment all employees demonstrated. And I was inspired.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingTowards that end, I inquired about the needs of the Libraries and Archives. [Inaudible interjections]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberA full meal. [Laughter and crosstalk ]
Mr. Robert KingThank you for that. Encouragement always help —
The ChairmanChairmanMembers, please speak to the Chair. Yes.
Mr. Robert KingI really appreciate the guidance of this Honourable House. Thank you for that. Towards that end, I inquired about the needs of Libraries and Archives. It was learned that the Archives has outgrown its space and that in order to present and preserve the documents and books they need a …
Mr. Robert KingI know that Minister Rabain also met with the incredible staff there . And I'm confident that he's in agreement with the comments I'm making with regard to this head. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingWell, let's see how we end up. Bermuda House of Assembly It was suggested that creating another —
The ChairmanChairmanMember, before you . . . just make sure that when you do get to the question that you associate them with a line item.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. All right. [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Mr. Robert KingSo, I'm going to eat with my hands now. That’s okay. It is a simple meal . Pages B-52 through B -56, Strategic plan. W hat is the strategic plan to secure or repurpose a building or space to house the Archive s in order to preserve our cultural artifacts …
So, I'm going to eat with my hands now. That’s okay. It is a simple meal . Pages B-52 through B -56, Strategic plan. W hat is the strategic plan to secure or repurpose a building or space to house the Archive s in order to preserve our cultural artifacts ? Question: R egarding the Internet centre in relation to the statement that the Minister made , with regard to the Internet centre not being operational , can the Honourable Member provide an explanation as to how the Centre did not become operational? What were the barriers and what strategic plan is in place to provide youth and members of this community with a centre that will assist them in gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to compete successfully in the world of AI ? Question: R egarding the 25 arrest episodes at the National Library and one prosecution, what strategic plan is in place to protect members of the public , young and old and of different abilities , from harassment , threats , and antisocial behaviour? This has been an ongoing issue and is related to the culture of antisocial behaviour in our city parks. Page B -55 Performance measures, [business unit] 28060, Adult Services. Question: What is the rational for setting the standards so low? What are the barriers that are contributing to this disappointing ser-vice level?
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingWell, go to the section. You’ll find it. [Inaudible interjections]
The ChairmanChairmanNo. Member, can you indicate which line item because if the Minister is to answer —
Mr. Robert KingYes, it’s okay. Page B -55, P erformance Measures — Hon. E. David Burt: Point of information, if I may. If the Honourable Member wishes to yield .
Mr. Robert KingWell, actually, no. Hon. E. David Burt: Okay. Well, I will just say that we cannot answer the question because we do not know what he is referring to.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Hon. E. David Burt: So, if the Honourable Member wants an answer to the question, state what he is asking so we can answer it.
The ChairmanChairman—I will . . . Member, to make easier —
The ChairmanChairman—because under Performance Measures you have different areas. If you state for each question which specific performance measure you are looking at, so for instance, if it is 28060, and you are talking about users satisfied with the main library programmes, —
The ChairmanChairmanYou are welcome. 960 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Robert King: Page B -55, Performance Measures, [business unit] 28060, Adult Services. Increased number of people attending programmes over previous year, 2023/24, actual outcome 250 per cent; revised forecast 2024/25 is -5 per cent; target …
You are welcome.
960 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Robert King: Page B -55, Performance Measures, [business unit] 28060, Adult Services. Increased number of people attending programmes over previous year, 2023/24, actual outcome 250 per cent; revised forecast 2024/25 is -5 per cent; target outcome 2025/26 is 10 per cent. What is the rationale for setting the standard so low? What are the barriers that are con-tributing to this disappointing service level? Page B -56, Performance Measures, 28110, Youth Services. Increased number of people attending programmes over previous year. Question: The stand-ard is 16 per cent down to 10 per cent. So, you start with 16 per cent and then 2025/26, you have got the target down to 10 per cent. I am asking why the target is— Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Point of clarification.
The ChairmanChairmanDo you yield to the point of clarification? Yes, the Member yields. Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you. POINT OF CLARIFICATION Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Well, we did have a conversation about how to read the Budget Book. These are not standards being …
Do you yield to the point of clarification? Yes, the Member yields. Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you.
POINT OF CLARIFICATION Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Well, we did have a conversation about how to read the Budget Book. These are not standards being set. This is an actual recording of the people who showed up. This is not . . . this is not a performance measure that is saying This is the per-centage we want. This is recording the number of peo-ple who showed up.
Mr. Robert King—because . . . and the reason why it is helpful is if you see that the number of people who are showing up to your facility is low, if you are a restaurant or if you are a hotel you would take a look at that, look at the …
—because . . . and the reason why it is helpful is if you see that the number of people who are showing up to your facility is low, if you are a restaurant or if you are a hotel you would take a look at that, look at the data, and then you would make some changes. What the Honourable Minister is saying is, We will accept that people . . . fewer of them are coming here.
The ChairmanChairmanMember, Member — Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Point of order.
The ChairmanChairmanOne second, Minister. Member, you cannot speak for the Minister. And he did not say that. What you can do is ask a question that says, like, What sort of measures will you put in place to try to increase the numbers? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanYou can ask that kind of question, but you cannot speak for the Minister.
Mr. Robert KingSo that would be the question. What measures are being put in place so that you can inspire persons to show up and take advantage of the ser-vices? [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingOkay. Those are my submissions under Library and Archives. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Are there any there any other Members who wish to speak to the heads falling under the Ministry of Cabinet Office. No . . . yes, are there any other Members? Okay. I recognise the Member from constituency 25. Member, you have the floor.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYes. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Regarding the Head 18, Library and Archives, I did want to say thank you to the briefing, those who normally have a passion for the digitisation of key components of Bermuda’s history. I know that the library has an extensive collection known as the “Bermuda …
Yes. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Regarding the Head 18, Library and Archives, I did want to say thank you to the briefing, those who normally have a passion for the digitisation of key components of Bermuda’s history. I know that the library has an extensive collection known as the “Bermuda Collection,” if I have it correct. Could we have a com-ment on the fraction of that valuable resource that has been digitised by the library? Thank you, Madam Chairman. That is my question on that head. But I can continue with other questions on other heads if that —
The ChairmanChairman—because we are looking at all the heads.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThank you. Bermuda House of Assembly Regarding the Department of Planning, I am turning to page B -60, performance measures and I see there is the business unit, Customer feedback satisfaction. And the revised forecast is 100 per cent. I presume that is for —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat page is that?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoPage B -60, the second row under General Administration, business unit — [Inaudible interjections]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoI see there is Conduct customer feedback satisfaction. I assume that means that that survey was done. But how would the Minister, how would the department quantify the customer satisfac-tion last year? And do they have a target goal for the actual customer satisfaction? I mean, for example, in some …
The ChairmanChairmanI think the Minister understood that question. Yes? Okay.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak? I recognise the Member from constituency 10. Member, you have the floor. [Crosstalk]
The ChairmanChairmanYes. [Crosstalk and laughter ]
Mr. Robert KingA moment of levity. We all appreciate that. Head 32, Department of Planning, Employee Numbers, page B -59, 2023/24 actual outcome 32; revised forecast for 2024/25 is 33; estimate for 2025/26 is 36. Question: Staffing levels have not differed drastically, and we accept that digitisation improves serv ice delivery through …
A moment of levity. We all appreciate that. Head 32, Department of Planning, Employee Numbers, page B -59, 2023/24 actual outcome 32; revised forecast for 2024/25 is 33; estimate for 2025/26 is 36. Question: Staffing levels have not differed drastically, and we accept that digitisation improves serv ice delivery through efficiencies. We cannot attribute poor service delivery to staffing. The question I pose is, What barriers to include management practices other are negatively impacting on service delivery? Subjective analysis of current account estimates, page B -58, Salaries, $3,447,000. Stable with an uplift. Employee numbers, stable. Might the training budget have something to do with performance results? [It appears that] $1,000 for training contradicts the Minister’s statements regarding staff development for training. What is the actual amount budgeted for training? What are the specific areas that have been identified as being skill deficient? What specific time lines? What SMART objectives have been s et?
Mr. Robert KingPage B -61, Performance Measurement Permits. Question: What was the longest wait time for a commercial and/or residential permit? What specific strategy is being used to address the delays? Contract, staff, bonuses, overtime, fast -tracking applications. I remember some time ago that the Supreme Court actually cleared some of its …
Page B -61, Performance Measurement Permits. Question: What was the longest wait time for a commercial and/or residential permit? What specific strategy is being used to address the delays? Contract, staff, bonuses, overtime, fast -tracking applications. I remember some time ago that the Supreme Court actually cleared some of its cases by giving persons discounts. So, we can be innovative in our approach to solving problems. Current Expenditure, page B -38, Cabinet Office training . . . No. That’s it for that. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak? I recognise the Member from constituency 25. Member, you have the floor.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThank you, Madam Chairman. Just a point of clarification on the process. If we have questions that come up later, will we have a chance to continue to ask questions? [Crosstalk and laughter ]
The ChairmanChairmanAs long as appropriate time is given. [Inaudible interjections]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIf you don’t speak for very long—
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYes. Starting on page B -62, I am just referring to my notes here, Madam [Chairman.] I think we have heard . . . I guess I would look to . . . this is referring to the brief. We heard that there 962 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report …
Yes. Starting on page B -62, I am just referring to my notes here, Madam [Chairman.] I think we have heard . . . I guess I would look to . . . this is referring to the brief. We heard that there 962 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly was an acting chief information officer [CIO] in place. How long do . . . how long has that acting CIO been in place? And what are the plans, or when should we ex-pect a full -time substantive chief information officer to be put in place, Madam President . . . sorry, excuse me. I’m having a little flashback there . . . Madam Chairman.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoAlso, the Office 365 deployment, was . . . was . . . was referred to. When is that plan to be . . . is that fully completed? And if not, when is the timeline for that to be fully completed? That would be my second question.
The ChairmanChairmanSo, honestly, I just need to know what line item you are attaching that to.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoWell, these were items that were referred to in the brief. And— Hon. E. David Burt: It would be referring to a line item in the brief.
The ChairmanChairmanWhen the Minister’s read their brief, it does fall under a line item and/or head. All of that. So . . .
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoSo, for the first question regarding the acting CIO, I think we could associate it with . . . on page B -63, under the employee numbers. I would imagine under the Admin and Management, the 53000, Madam Chairman. For the Microsoft Office 365, for me that sounds like Digital …
So, for the first question regarding the acting CIO, I think we could associate it with . . . on page B -63, under the employee numbers. I would imagine under the Admin and Management, the 53000, Madam Chairman. For the Microsoft Office 365, for me that sounds like Digital Services and on page B -62, I would associate it under —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCapital acquisitions.
Dr. Douglas DeCouto—Capital acquisitions. Thank you to the Minister for that assist.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThank you, Madam Chairman. Let me just refer back to my notes. And under page B -63, under Security, 53090, for Security services such as monitoring and threat assessment and penetration testing. Do we have those as an ongoing sub-scription or it a sort of one- time cost? And if …
Thank you, Madam Chairman. Let me just refer back to my notes. And under page B -63, under Security, 53090, for Security services such as monitoring and threat assessment and penetration testing. Do we have those as an ongoing sub-scription or it a sort of one- time cost? And if so, w hat is the annual cost of the subscription? Hon. E. David Burt: A lot of subscriptions.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoSo, this subscription is related to basically security monitoring, threat assessment, penetration testing. I think, especially with what was on the Order Paper these days we can appreciate the importance of that. Thank you, Madam Chairman. Those are my questions at this moment. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to the heads? I recognise the Member from constituency 10. Member, you have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: All right. Dinner time now. [Crosstalk]
Mr. Robert KingIn relation to protecting against cybersecurity threats. So, the question I have is: What percentage of the Government department are in full compliance with virus software and licensing agreements to make sure that antivirus software is up to date and functioning properly?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOne hundred per cent.
Mr. Robert KingHow many departments and areas? Bermuda House of Assembly An Hon. Member: One hundred per cent.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 or 80? I recognise the Member from constituency 10. Member, you have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: Afternoon drinks now.
Mr. Robert KingHead 80, Project Management and Procurement, page B -75. Page B -76, eight employees. Page B -76, Current account training, 2023/24, $1,000. Revised 2024/25 was $3,000. And 2025/26 is $3,000. Understanding that skill acquisition, maintenance and understanding also that the use of digital technologies, especially for the older folks and …
Head 80, Project Management and Procurement, page B -75. Page B -76, eight employees. Page B -76, Current account training, 2023/24, $1,000. Revised 2024/25 was $3,000. And 2025/26 is $3,000. Understanding that skill acquisition, maintenance and understanding also that the use of digital technologies, especially for the older folks and those who might not be tech- savvy, will require to be retrained and upskilled to ensure that they can meet the demands of their roles. So, my question is, Under standing the implications of digitisation of services, why is the training budget so low in comparison to what the apparent need is?
The ChairmanChairmanI will remind the listening public that we are in the budget debate, the Ministry of Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. We are now looking at Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 and 80.
Mr. Robert KingI will ask another question. The statement made by the Minister in relation to training is that we put people first. I am not seeing how that is reflected in the budget, especially as it relates to training and resources for that department. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to— [Inaudible interjection]
The ChairmanChairmanIt was a comment. Are there any other Members who wish to speak to Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 and 80? At this time I will call on the Minister if he has any responses that he wishes to share. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: I’ll start it …
The ChairmanChairmanOh, you’ll start? Okay. Thank you, Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Madam Chairman. [Pause] Hon. E. David Burt: Madam Chairman, I will try to, as best as possible, to answer the questions which were posed for Head 9. We will start, the Shadow Minister might not like the …
Oh, you’ll start? Okay. Thank you, Premier.
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Madam Chairman.
[Pause] Hon. E. David Burt: Madam Chairman, I will try to, as best as possible, to answer the questions which were posed for Head 9. We will start, the Shadow Minister might not like the answers, but I am going to answer so hopefully he will learn the next time around the budget, or maybe even the next debate afterwards to ask proper questions so that he can actually get answers. He asked a question insofar as the training budget has been reduced by $93,000. The training budget has not been reduced by $93,000. So, I cannot answer a question that is based on a false premise. He asked a question for PATI, what performance measures will be implemented to ensure effec-tive service delivery to the public? Now, of course, that is dealing with public authority. In other words, because there is the actual PATI office, per se, but the work in which we do in the office basically states that we continue to train. It is very difficult with persons having to do their regular jobs and also serve as information officers. But we will continue to support the work, and the brief did cover all th e various training matters that we do surrounding there. Of course, there was the question which came after the ridiculous assertion that the Brussels Office and the DC Office are closed, which as I indicated in the intervention which was highly disrespectful to the incredibly talented Bermudians who work and s taff those offices in addition to —
Mr. Robert KingPoint of order. The Honourable Member is misleading —
The ChairmanChairmanMember, just a minute. Your point of order? POINT OF ORDER 964 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly [Misleading]
Mr. Robert KingHe is intentionally misleading the House. The point is that where those two centres were supposed to be, next to the London Office, were not in the position in the [Budget] Book where they ought to have been. So, if they are not there, you could not refer to them. …
He is intentionally misleading the House. The point is that where those two centres were supposed to be, next to the London Office, were not in the position in the [Budget] Book where they ought to have been. So, if they are not there, you could not refer to them. That’s the point. They are in th ere because they have a budget, but in terms of the descriptive place where they are supposed to be, they were not. That was the point that was being made.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Hon. E. David Burt: It is very unfortunate that the Shadow Minister is taking the Shadow Minister of Finance’s time who said he might want to respond with more questions. And I might just advise him that if he waits, he might actually get the answer. But …
Thank you, Member. Hon. E. David Burt: It is very unfortunate that the Shadow Minister is taking the Shadow Minister of Finance’s time who said he might want to respond with more questions. And I might just advise him that if he waits, he might actually get the answer. But if he wants to point -of-order me this entire time, it is perfectly fine. That’s him, it is the Opposition’s debate. But I am going to say what I am going to say in response to what he said. So, it is unfortunate that the Shadow Minister made the assertion that these offices were closed. And if we want to remember what he said, he said, I think there should be a whole bunch of planning in advance. So, I am surprised to learn and understand that these offices are closed because there are no staff who are listed for them. And it has been stated, last year in the budget debate and in the budget debate before and also in this year’s brief. The persons who are in those offices are not public officer s, they are consultants. They are Bermudians and that is the reason why they are not listed underneath those matters because the people who are listed under manpower numbers are those who are actual public officers in established posts as per the laws of t he country and underneath the Constitution. But it is not correct to say those offices are closed. It is not correct to say that those offices are not staffed. It has been reported in this House who staffs Ms. Aliyyah Ahad, staffs the Brussels Office. She is an incredible worker. There is an intern in that office, a young Bermudian as well who is working over there. And in the DC Office it is Mr. Anthony Howell, who has been working in that office who is another talented Bermudian. Both of those young Bermudians have multiple degrees, work incredibl y hard, support the office, support the country, et cetera So those offices are not closed. That is the reason why there is no manpower numbers. And this is something that we covered last year and the year before. And I remember the Opposition used to be very good at reading what the responses were last year on these questions. And I hope that the Honourable Shadow Minister, maybe the Opposition Whip will remind the Honourable Member that in order to make best use of your time you might not want to ask the same questions that have already been answered year after y ear after year and make false assumptions from them. We will move on. T here was a question regarding salary increases . And the salary increases are based on public sector negotiations that have taken place. So, I'm not entirely certain what more he wants . . . I am sure the Honourable Member was a former public officer . I think he would know how salary negotiations take place in regard to unions and collective bargaining agreements . So let me state to the particular question because there is something that is an error on page B -43. On page B-43, it's listed under business unit , DC Office 19045. T he last performance measure. It says, E stablishing the Bermuda A ll-Party Parliamentary Group. That should be under the London Office. And the reason why this is a new performance measure is because as the Honourable House would be aware, as we did offer condolences , et cetera, for that, the C hair of the Bermuda All-Party Parliamentary group was unfortunately murdered in the United Kingdom due to terrorism which was widely covered. And it was not a . . . and so the fact is that the London Office has established a particular performance measure to reestablish that group. That identifies finding a new Chair who will be a Member of the House of Commons to go ahead and to get that group [going] now that there is a new Parliament in place. I can advise the H ouse that the work has not just started, it is well in train. The London Office has written me to ask my views and opinions . We have identified someone. I'm not going to disclose their name here. The London O ffice is going to write and hopefully that Member of Parliament will accept that chairman role. A nd we also have a number of persons who are familiar with Bermuda who we are inviting to sit on the Bermuda A llParty Parliamentary group so we can get it back up and running following the unfortunate, untimely demise of our Chair, Sir David Am ess. There was a question regarding the G overnment Reform Plan agenda and status . I gave a full Ministerial Statement on that in this Honourable House, and I advise the Honourable Member to read that . He asked when they will be shared and tabled. It was tabled that day and put it inside the public domain. So I cannot answer a question based on matters that are already inside of the public domain. [The Honourable Member] had asked about health and safety challenges in the Department of Corrections which I think were covered in the brief on the very first day by the Junior Minister of Justice . I think they may have also been covered the Ministry of Public Works’ brief. And I think they were covered in this where allocations have been made, and the updates were given there. So I'm not going to answer for other Minister s. What I can say is the H ealth and Safety Office is involved in the coordination of those particular
Bermuda House of Assembly exercises . And the questions of which he's referring to are not under this specific budget line item. There was a question on page B-44. Were the relative projections achieved for the units ? And this I'm guessing is dealing with the performance measures for the PATI and PIPA units . Item number one, PATI/PIPA unit response to departments contacting for assistance. Item number two includes the developments of the privacy programme created leveraging international best practice. Guidance issued from the P rivacy Commissioner ’s offices and in consultation with other jurisdictions who have privacy and data protection programmes in operations . And item number three is a new performance measure. Moving forward . On page B-44 to PATI. I think it is important to note and remind that there is no fee to make a PATI request . We know the history of the upper limit. And appropriate limit amendments that were made last year in t hese Honourable Houses. And I'm happy to take any specific question, but I don't want to spend the time reading and rehashing what is inside of the law , as we are trying to make sure we actually dig into the details . So I'm going to try to be brief and only answer questions that are posed and are relevant . I’m trying to move on through the questions that were asked. There was a question that was based around the London Office and judging performance. I will answer and say that the London O ffice maintains a constant database log for the assistance of Bermudians in the UK. The student database is currently 300. To ensure strategic oversight and constitute a policy , the London O ffice maintains a comprehensive cross - ministry policy tracker which monitors the progress of all relevant policy items to the Government of Bermuda that interact with international engagement, UK government coordination, and multilateral commitment . Over 60 policy items are currently being closely tracked in advance in coordination with ministries in Bermuda. The London O ffice staff are public officers and adhere to the same guidelines as the Government’s governance transparency and accountability measures . There's a question , Will PATI/PIPA advise the provision of more information to the public initiative. And the answer is yes . The PATI/PIPA unit works collaborat ively with the groups enabling digital transformation to ensure more information management and privacy requirements are in place for the provision of proactive publication of information. The upcoming information upgrades to the government portal will provide greater capacity for information provided to the public . Also, the work of which we're doing in digital transformation, AI, I know I covered it inside of my particular budget brief on head . . . talking about exposure of financial information. But even yesterday . . . and I'll talk about things that the Shadow Minister of Finance may not know . We are exploring the implementation of connecting the model context protocol into our JD Edwards EnterpriseOne S ystem which will allow natural language interactions so that members of the public can get information on financial information. Because it is not something that needs to be private , but it is just the difficulty of this . And this kind of gets to also the information with the G overnment Whip who w as talking about , you know , these systems talking to each other . The advantages of which are taking place in the work and the resources of which you've seen significant additional resources insofar as information technology are going to enable that to be brought forward . To make a small political comment in a response to the questions , Government is known for trying to keep its campaign promises . And we have promised to expose more information to the public and we will make sure to do that . And I'm happy for the Honourable Members opposite to hold us to account for that. There was a question, DC Office, US-based college students , how is the list maintained and tracked across the compound? The database has not been completed. The 50 per cent completion mark is based off the total completion of the overall action. The DC Office is currently work ing for the Department of Education to complete the action. Currently the framework of which information will be compiled is how it will be implemented. And other matters pertinent to the establishment of the database have been worked out completing the first phase, hence the 50 per cent measure. And this is similar to what I had stated inside of the brief. Page B-43, London Office, UK Government departments . What are the two top priorities for this office? The two top priorities are delivering on the outcomes of the J oint Ministerial Council of which there are 71 deliverable actions . Notable items : Bermuda is working with UK e xport finance on infrastructure , developing opportunities relating to credit guarantees and accessing further financing opportunities . Additionally, the London Office is working on exploring territorial extension for UK free trade agreements with their alignments with Bermuda’ s industries . And I am happy for the Honourable Member to refer to the JMC communique which was published, and I stated in this Honourable House in a Ministerial S tatement in November. I think the next question is for H ead 43. I think I'm done with H ead 9. I think it's over to . . . Oh, I have one more question for Head 9. Performance measures under [business unit] 19080, customer complaint ’s response number , performance measure, 100 per cent of the complaints receive an automated response. The department is in the process of onboarding required administrators to be trained to manage the back -up complaint system . This is something that is new . We committed in public sector reform, as you would well know , Madam Chairman, to make sure that we also measure. So, the fact that we've created an online feedback form, we are rolling out to various departments the forms that will go up, which are QR codes . Which m ost people know how to use. Where they can just scan or 966 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly automatically link . They can say whether they receive d good service or bad service . But all these things will get a response. And just for information since January 2025 , so that's five months now , there have been 138 submissions to the feedback form . . . I believe that is all for Head 9. I will defer to the Minister for the Cabinet Office for the rest .
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Premier. I call on the Minister. Minister [Rabain]. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Madam Chairman. Madam Chairman, I will begin . . . they were actually kind of going a bit not in order .
The ChairmanChairmanRight. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: So, I will start with, I believe it was the Honourable Member Cannonier who had asked questions about IDT . I do see a question . . . [Crosstalk] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And so, I'm looking at . . . the first …
Right.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: So, I will start with, I believe it was the Honourable Member Cannonier who had asked questions about IDT . I do see a question . . .
[Crosstalk]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And so, I'm looking at . . . the first question is training , IDT. How a re we working through the training of all departments with regard to protections against cyberattacks ? IDT currently performs quarterly cybersecurity awareness training for Government users . It's aimed to arm users with best practices . Additionally , they do stimulated phishing of emails to make users more aware of threats . I also will add to that that if anyone who is a public officer know s, you get the e- mail t hat says you must conduct , you must do this self -training , and if you do not , your access to the network will be terminated. And you have to get it reset . But you have to show that you have gone through the cyber training for that . Next question is [regarding] government system integration. How are we coming along with system integration ? Can we have a progress report ? On this fiscal year IDT will focus on establishing the foundation for future integration projects . The accelerator is a small phase integration and there are currently three accelerator 100- day accelerator projects that are going on. And I know two of them talk specifically about integrating government data together and to avoid . . . and I believe this is another one t hat MP Cannonier had asked about . And one of them is to address the why do I have to submit the same information at multiple government offices ? Why can’t I do it once and it ’s spread and it's given to everybody ? So that's one of the projects that is currently being worked on. And I believe we're about 20 days into that . [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Twenty -five! S ee, my memory is getting better , Twenty -five days into that . So, in 75 days we should have, I should be coming back here to say , Hey, we have some solutions. Then we have cybersecurity consultants . Do we have them? Yes, we do. We do have and we do engage with consultants here and off Island as well to bolster our security postur e. We currently have a security partner that provides 24/7 monitoring of our environment . With the C ybersecurity Act 2024, we work more aligned with N ational Security and are becoming less reliant on consultants . Next question I have here. Capital acquisitions , IDT network upgrades . Where are we in regard to the level of data security ? Are we in a more secure position and what are the projections ? As rightly stated, the cyber landscape is always evolving. At the moment we have good visibility through endpoint protection; however, there will always be room for growth. With the capital investments projected for this fiscal year, we will continue to increase our security posture This will always be continuous. Next question, and we are still on . . . No, we’ve moved. This is Post Office now, Head 13. How do you account for the fluctuations in the training budget allocations ? How many buildings are owned that can be renovated or used? I believe this came from Member King. T he UPU [Universal Postal Union ] mandates different compliance initiatives for member posts such a s, disaster risk management , security , transportation [and] paper fee initiatives . Ongoing training is a requirement to keep pace with compliance with the UPU requirements . The $5,000 budget increase in training is to develop more colleagues in different compliance re-quirements . The BPO [Bermuda Post Office] does not own any facilities but occupies eight government buildings and one rental facility at M ills Creek . And to answer the gentleman . . . to answer the Member from constituency 10, when he asked about this very specifically , we did own the building that we now have to rent to use because it was at the airport that was sold off . And the Bermuda Post Office was asked to move from that and so the only one place they could find that could support the sorting equipment is the building they now rent. S o, we were at a mail facility that was owned by Government and then it was not owned by Government anymore because . . . we all know what happened down there.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThey gave it away. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Next question. Bermuda Post Fees, Revenue Summary. How is the difference for $17,000 accounted for and what measurements are in place to account for errors in the budget ? The BPO is continuously working to redefine the budget line item to …
They gave it away.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Next question. Bermuda Post Fees, Revenue Summary. How is the difference for $17,000 accounted for and what measurements are in place to account for errors in the budget ? The BPO is continuously working to redefine the budget line item to be more accurate with expenses and revenues . The increase in $17,000, My Bermuda Post, is an estimate for increased revenues as the service grows .
Bermuda House of Assembly How does the Post Office propose to increase revenue without raising fees ? The Bermuda Post Office is expanding service deliverables especially for entrepreneurs , small - and mid- sized businesses . The BPO also collects terminal fees from foreign posts to deliver mail and packages in Bermuda . The UPU legislates that rates can increase annually as the different products offered globally change. Next question. Still on P ost Office. Can the Minister provide the operational budget for the service? I think this was MP DeCouto. MyBermudaPost is part of BPO services which all colleagues may assist with , along with other postal duties throughout the day . For example, a courier may deliver a MyBermudaPost package, then a UPU package, and then perform a courier service for the G overnment . Once a package is received from abroad, it is considered a postal package of which revenues are collected. And the BPO will use all necessary employees to process and deliver it promptly . And now moving on to head . . . so questions on Head 18, which is our Libraries . Customer satisfaction survey . How would the department measure these? This measure is simply about ensuring that it is carried out . And what we see in the [Budget] Book is the response rate of persons answering. What is the training budget for ? The t raining budget is targeted this year for scaffolding and accessibility training for building inspectors . Ah, I'm sorry . We've moved on to P lanning. Okay? I’m still waiting for some answers for A rchives. We'll just skip to Planning and then come back to Archives . What was the longest wait time for a commercial building permit ? The longest wait time for a commercial building permit was six months . IDT question. A cting Chief Information Officer . How long in place and when would a substantive post be recruited? The Acting Chief Information Officer is in place since June 2024. And is on a secondment from BHB. Microsoft Office 365. We have deployed 74 per cent of the 365 licenc es. This deployment is still ongoing. There is also work being done to train the workforce. Security Services , threat assessment . Is what we have ongoing subscriptions ? Yes. We have ongoing subscription costs for our security applications ; however, as noted as the threat landscape changes , we must be agile as well . This includes evaluating software security options on a continual basis . IDT cyberthreats . What percentage of the departments are in full compliance with licensing agreements to ensure that they are operating effectively ? IDT has a continual patch management process to address the known security vulnerabilities . We will work with departments to help maintain their compliance with the application vendor . Licence agreements fall under the remit of each department . Moving on to Head 80, OPMP. T raining, skill acquisition maintenance, and regular training . Based on the importance of digiti sation of services , why is the training budget so low in relation to the need ? The $3,000 referred to relates to the training budget for the OPMP team. R ecogni sing budget constraints across Government , we are striving to deliver training needs in [the most] cost -effective way as possible. Where appropriate we are utilising free training programmes, including sessions offered through related professional asso-ciations and via the Department of Organizational and Employee Development, DOED. Additionally, we are attending online training programmes rather than in- person and overseas offerings to reduce cost . In some cases , the public officers have done their own self -study progra mme to keep their professional designations , to keep current and abreast of industry practices . So, it sounds like they're doing really good with their budget and finding alternative ways versus flying overseas . Because I'm sure that would be reported if they flew overseas . We will talk about that . Madam Chairman, I believe that's all the answers I have here. I think I've . . . I do recogni se there was a lot of chatter but really, we couldn't decipher ac-tual questions from some of the chatter . But these are the questions that we do have thus far . And I will take my seat . If anyone else wishes to ask [questions].
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Let me just say we are currently outside of approximately 40 minutes , 35 minutes before this debate ends . So I'm calling on any other Members who may wish to speak to H eads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, and 80. I think I have called …
Thank you, Minister. Let me just say we are currently outside of approximately 40 minutes , 35 minutes before this debate ends . So I'm calling on any other Members who may wish to speak to H eads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, and 80. I think I have called the numbers off correctly . Are there any other M embers who wish to speak to those heads? There being no other M embers , I call on the Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Chairman, I move that the following heads , Head 9, Cabinet Office ; Head 13, Post Office; Head 18, Libraries and Archives; Head 32, Department of Planning; Head 43, Department of Information [and] D igital Technologies ; and Head 80, P roject Management . Oh! I am reading the wrong thing. Sorry.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: This is incorrect.
The ChairmanChairmanHeads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 and 80. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: This is incorrect.
The ChairmanChairmanThis is incorrect? 968 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Because it is missing some heads. [Crosstalk] [Pause] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: All right. Madam Chairman, I move that Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 and 80 be approved as …
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 and 80 be approved as printed. Are there any objections to that ? There being none, approved. [Gavel] [Motion carried: The Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, and 80 were approved and stand part …
It has been moved that Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43 and 80 be approved as printed. Are there any objections to that ? There being none, approved. [Gavel]
[Motion carried: The Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, Heads 9, 13, 18, 32, 43, and 80 were approved and stand part of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26.]
The ChairmanChairmanSo that moves us to the next debate which is on the non- ministries . And I call on the Minister in charge. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Chairman, I move the following heads : Head 2, L egislature; Head 5, Office of the Auditor General ; Head 56, …
So that moves us to the next debate which is on the non- ministries . And I call on the Minister in charge.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Chairman, I move the following heads : Head 2, L egislature; Head 5, Office of the Auditor General ; Head 56, Human Rights Commission ; Head 63, Parliamentary Registrar ; Head 82, Ombudsman's Office; Head 92, Internal Audit; Head 98, Information Commissioner’s Office; Head 101, Privacy Commissioner’s Office now be taken un-der consideration.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that Heads 2, 5, 56, 63, 85, 92, 98 and 101 be taken under consideration. Are there any objections to that motion? There being none, Minister. NON -MINISTRY HEADS HEAD 2 —LEGISLATURE Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Chairman, I am pleased to present the budget …
It has been moved that Heads 2, 5, 56, 63, 85, 92, 98 and 101 be taken under consideration. Are there any objections to that motion? There being none, Minister.
NON -MINISTRY HEADS
HEAD 2 —LEGISLATURE Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Chairman, I am pleased to present the budget estimate for Head 2, the Office of the Legislature, as found on pages B -10 through B -13 in the Book of Estimates, Revenue and Expenditure for 2025/26. The Legislature is of course critical to the Government in presenting and achieving its legislative agenda and policy objectives while also providing the forum for parliamentary oversight of the conduct and effectiveness of Government programmes and the management and accounting of the people’s purse and Government spending. Part and parcel of this work is the appropriation of funding to the Government through the annual budget debates and approval of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure by Members of the Legislature. The Office of the Legislature’s mission statement is, To facilitate strong parliamentary oversight and administrative support services for a parliament that is responsive to the people of Bermuda. Madam Chairman, the total expenditure, as shown on page B -10 is estimated at $5,811,000 for 2025/26, an increase of $370,000, or 6.4 per cent, over the approved 2024/25 fiscal budget. Madam Chairman, as seen on page B -11 there are seven full -time equivalents in business unit 12000, Administration; 47 Members of the Legislature in busi-ness unit 12010, Ministers and Members; and one full - time equivalent in business unit 12015, Opposition Leader’s office. Business unit 12002, Youth Parliament provides funding for the activities of Bermuda’s Youth Parliament and some compensation for the Youth Parliament Coordinator and Youth [Advisory] who oversee Youth Parliament activities and debates. Through business unit 12000, Administration, the Parliamentary staff led by the Clerk to the Legislature provide a reliable and impartial administrative and support services for both Houses of the Legislature, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate, and the parliamentary committees. This includes providing quality service on proper parliamentary procedures and practice in accordance with Standing Orders of each House. Administrative and clerical support services, research and IT services, legal advice where needed and other professional support services in ensuring that the House, the Senate and their parliamentary committees have adequate funding and resources to support their operations and fulfil their responsibilities. Members of the House of Assembly and the Senate, following the General Election of February 2025 and convening of the Legislature in March, the House of Assembly remains composed of eight women, (22 per cent) and 28 men (78 per cent), as was the case in the last Parliament. The new Senate following the election is again composed of seven female Senators, including the President (64 per cent), and four male Senators (36 per cent). Madam Chairman, the current Parliamentary staff is as follows: • Clerk to the Legislature, Mr. Clark [W.] Somner, serves as Head of Department and Clerk to the House of Assembly. He is the Accounting Officer for the department and oversees the parliamentary staff and operations of the department, the House, the Senate and the parliamentary committees, including the management of all aspects of the Legislative process, procedural advice and guidance to the Presiding Officer and Members.
Bermuda House of Assembly • Deputy to the Legislature, Mrs. Kara A. Beale, assists the Clerk and serves as Clerk to the Senate and several parliamentary committees, including the Public Accounts Committee. Supervises the Sergeant -at-Arms and the Assistant Clerk. Assists the Clerk in the management of the department operations and all aspects of the legislative process including procedural advice and guidance to the Speaker , the President of the Senate, Committee Chairs and Members. • Assistant Clerk to the Legislature: Vacant. Assists the Clerk and Deputy Clerk in providing procedural advice to Members, clerical and other supporting services to the House, Senate and parliamentary committees. Assists the Clerks with logistical arrangements for commit-tee meetings and the drafting of Minutes. Also works with the Clerks and other staff in the planning and coordination of ceremonial events. This post was formerly held by Ms. Beale and the recruitment of a new Assistant Clerk will be undertak en in 2025/26. • Parliamentary Information Officer, Mr. Derek P. Lamb, is responsible for managing all aspects of Hansard production and editing, including digital recording of House and Senate proceedings and some cross -training with other staff, manages, populates and updates the Parliament website, SharePoint, and our social media pages; actively coo rdinates the provision of various IT services for the Office and for Members of the House and Senate committees including extensive liaison with local and overseas service pr oviders, IDT and the House and Grounds Committee; online streaming of proceedings, and information research services for Clerks and Members. • Sergeant -at-Arms, Mr. Arnold E. Allen, is responsible for active liaison with the House and Grounds Committee, the Speaker and Clerks in coordinating maintenance matters at Veritas Place and at Sessions House and Grounds, [active] liaison with the Speaker, House and Grounds Committee, and clerks on providing robust security and safety arrangements at Veritas and at the Sessions House in coordination with the Bermuda Police Service Special Branch and other security services providers, and aide to the Speaker and performs ceremonial duties in House proceedings and other formal events such as the convening of the Leg-islature. • Administrative Officer, Mrs. Nadine C. Place, manages office operations, communications, liaison with other local and overseas officials and parliaments as well as administrative and logistical support services for the Clerk and the Speaker and the President. The procurement of office supplies, equipment furnishings, cleaning and other office services, as well as food and catering for members of the staff, responsible for the purchasing and payment of billings and maintaining financial accounting records per Financial Instructions. [She] is responsible for all aspects of salaries and administrations for staff and Members of the Legislature and for administering the personal data and information records of all Members and staff. • Administrative Assistant to the Clerk, Ms. Andrina T. Smith, provides administrative and secretarial support [service] for the Office of the Legislature, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk, as well as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House, assists the Clerk in the preparation and distribution of House Order Papers and other documents, official correspondence and com-munications, and assists with the annotation of House and Senate proceedings when required, and works with other staff in planning and coordinatin g official and ceremonial events, and performs other duties that may be assigned by the Clerk. • Aide to the Opposition Leader, Mrs. Judy M. Benevides, provides administrative and clerical support services to the Opposition Leader, including communications, administration of the office operations, and arranging professional services.
[Mr. Christopher Famous, Chairman]
Capital Expenditure
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, you will note on page C -4 of the Estimates Book some $900,000 has been allocated for fiscal year 2025/26 for capital development programme 75230, Parliament Building Refurbishment. The House and Grounds Committee has been informed that the Supreme Court is expected to have fully vacated the Sessions House early in fiscal year 2025/26, after which time the Ministry of Public Works will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the interior state of the building. This wil l take some time. The committee is advised that the substantive Capital Works on the second phase of extensive internal renovations of the building are still some ways off. Members and the staff remain very anxious to see this work progress. The Parliament building refurbishment project, including the maintenance and renovation of the facilities at Sessions House and its precincts fall under the remit of the Parliamentary House and Grounds Com-mittee, now chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Ms. Lovi tta F. Foggo, JP, MP. Rental accommodations and arrangements for Members ’ use and the Legislature offices and the 970 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly temporary House/Senate Chambers at Veritas Place are also funded through this programme. Mr. Chairman, I now turn my attention to the specific current account estimates and revenue expenditure in the four cost centres for the Legislative of-fice. The total current budget allocation for the Legislature for fiscal year 2025 /26 is shown on page B -10 of the Estimates Book and is $5,811,000 which represents an increase of $370,000 or 7 per cent when compared to fiscal year 2024/25.
Administration— Cost Centre 12000
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the objectives for the Legislature’s Administration office cost centre 12000, for fiscal year 2025/26 include the following: • Provide reliable advice on a range of parliamentary procedures and standards in support of the work of the presiding officers and Members of the Legislature, ensuring that the House, the Senate and the parliamentary committees have adequate funding and res ources to support their operations and fulfil their re-sponsibilities.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease hold, Minister. For the benefit of the listening public we are now in Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. We are debating the non- ministries. Honourable Minister Diallo Rabain is giving the prese ntations on Heads 2, 5, …
Please hold, Minister. For the benefit of the listening public we are now in Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. We are debating the non- ministries. Honourable Minister Diallo Rabain is giving the prese ntations on Heads 2, 5, 56, 63, 85, 92, 98 and 101. Please proceed, Minister.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. • Improving understanding of the importance and leading role of the Legislature in the governance of Bermuda, informing and educating public service officers about the legislative process and their roles in making it happen. • Facilitating legal advice to the presiding officers and Members on Constitutional matters, procedure and the interpretation of relevant legislation and parliamentary rules, as well as other professional services. • Advancing the digital transformation of the presentation of Legislature, papers and reports in the Legislature and recording of parliamentary proceedings and safe storage of parliamentary records and information and considering how AI may be applied. • Administration cost centre 12000, found on page B -10, has a budget of $1,361,000 which represents an increase of $65,000, compared to 2024/25. This budget covers administrative staff salaries, office supplies, data lines for Members’ tablets, software maintenance for both Internet and Hansard systems, along with overseas Hansard transcribers. Additional provisions of funding is allocated for the Speaker of the House and Members of the Parliament for legal services. The increase in funding here is largely related to the increase in staff salar ies resulting from the recent uplift negotiated by the Bermuda Public Service Union and Government.
Youth Parliament —Cost Centre 12002
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, this cost centre is found on page B -10. The total budget is $6,000 for 2025/26, which remains the same as for fiscal year 2024/25. This funding covers office supplies and administrative expenses relating to the Youth Parliament and stipends for the Youth Parliament Coordinator and Youth Advisors conducting Youth Parliament meetings, debates and other activities and educating the Youth Parliamentarians on parliamentary procedure.
Ministers and Members —Cost Centre 12010
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the responsibility of the Legislature is to enact laws, fund Government spending and initiatives, and to hold the Government to account through its parliamentary oversight function. In turn, legislators should be fairly remunerated for carryi ng out their legislative and constitutional duties. The total budget for cost centre 12010 found on page B -10, is $4,310,000 for 2025/26, representing an increase of $303,000 over the last fiscal year. Just over $4 million of this funding is allocated specifically for parliamentary salaries of all officers and Members of the Legislature and the increase in this funding is attributed to the parliamentary salary uplift approved by the resolution of the House of Assembly in March 2025.
Opposition Leader’s Office —Cost Centre 12015
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the role of the Opposition Leader’s Office is important, and non- partisan administrative aid staff as required are needed to oversee it operations. Currently there is one part -time administrative assistant working in the Opposition Leader’s Office under the supervision of the Opposition Leader. In the 2025/26 [fiscal year] funding for this cost centre totals $134,000, an increase of $2,000 which resul ts from a salary uplift to the aid to the Opposition Leader. The Opposition Leader’s Office grant for the 2025/26 fiscal year is $86,000 and is found on page C -17 which remains the same for the fiscal year 2024/25. The addi-tional funding of $48,000 covers the salary of the administrative aid.
Subjective Analysis
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I would like to turn your attention to page B -11. Subjective analysis of the current account estimates. Salaries increased by $324,000. The salaries estimate for 2025/26 is $4,809,000 versus $4,485,000 in 2024/25. This $324,000 increase in s alaries resulted in negotiated BSPU’s [Bermuda Public Services Union] salary uplifts for parliamentary staff. And the aforementioned parliamentary salary increase for Officers and Members of the Legislature is to come in fiscal year 2025/26.
Communications Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Communications estimate for 2025/26 is $99,000, a decrease of $4,000 compared to last year. This funding covers cost for telecom, cell phones for the presiding officers, and data lines for tablets of Members and staff.
Professional Services
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The estimate for Professional Services for 2025/26 is $400,000, a slight increase of $2,000 from last year. This funding covers various professional services for the Legislature Office including the digital recording, online streaming, radio broadcast and Hansard production for the proceedings of the House and Senate, local consultancy services, overseas services including the transcription of digital recordings for the Hansard, legal and other profes-sional services provided for the office, the presiding officers of parliamentary committees and funding of the operations the parliamentary oversight committees. Mr. Chairman, Members may recall that prior to the last election a Parliamentary Joint Select Com-mittee was established to examine [matters] surround-ing the September 2023 cyberattack on Government IT systems. It is now intended that a Joint Select Committee again be established by resolution of the House to take up examination of this matter. The Legislature Office anticipates using some of its professional services funding to provide secretarial/clerical support services for the work and operations of that Joint Select Committee following its establishment by this Honourable House.
Repairs and Maintenance
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Repairs and Maintenance estimate for 2025/26 is $124,000 versus $123,000 for the last fiscal year. This funding covers costs largely for software maintenance, $91,000, and for cleaning services, photocopier maintenance contracts, pest control and maintenance of security apparatus and equipment.
Grants and Contributions Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Grants and Contributions funding for the Legislature Office can be found on page C -17 of the Estimates Book. The 2025/26 estimate of $171,000 remains the same as last year. Mem-bers will note that $85,000 has again been allocated to the annual grant to the Bermuda branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association [CPA]. This funding is intended to cover the annual membership fees for both the CPA and the CPA Caribbean Regional group for the Bermuda branch as well as costs for anticipated increase in personal attendance and participation in overseas CPA conferences and seminars by Members and staff. The annual grant of $86,000 has been allocated again for the Opposition Leader’s Office, matching the 2024/25 grant. The grant was increased by $11,000 to cover higher office rental costs and operat-ing costs of the Opposition Leader’s Office.
Performance Measures
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, Performance Measures on the work and activities of the parliamentary staff and Members of the Legislature, the House of Assembly, the Senate and the Parliamentary Committees, and our Youth Parliament, as well as statistics on the number of B ills and other legislation passed by the Legislature, reports and papers tabled, the number of visitors to the Parliament website and our Facebook and Instagram pages, and the number of persons who access the streaming of our House and Senate proceedings on the website can be found on pages B -12 and B -13. Mr. Chairman, the Legislature Office is pleased with the increased number of visits to the Parliamentary website, www.parliament.bm, and increased to the Hansard. As you may be aware, Mr. Chairman, Members can and do make regular use of the Hansard as a research tool to gather information for debates. Streaming of our parliamentary proceedings is also very popular and can be readily accessed on the website. Mr. Chairman, Performance Measures focusing on professional development opportunities and certification in parliamentary practice and procedures are encouraged for both Members and parliamentary staff. In 2024/25, our clerks and staff actively participated in select CPA Academy training programmes. And also in online meetings and discussions of the UKOTP CPA [UK-led UK Overseas Territories Project ] Clerk Leadership Group. The Clerk to the Legislature, the Deputy Clerk conducted a DEOD [Department of Employee and Or-ganizational Development] training course in July 2024 and September 2025 on “Understanding Standing Orders” and “The Legislative Process” for senior govern-ment directors, heads of departments, and technical officers. 972 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly His Honour the Speaker and Madam President of the Senate were pleased to represent Bermuda at the 67th CPA Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) Conference in Australia in November 2024, with the Speaker having been nominated as one of the three Caribbean regional representatives on the CPA Executive for a three- year term ending in 2027. The Speaker and the Clerk together with the London Office Director, Ms. Kimberley Durrant, represented Bermuda at the Commons and Overseas Territories Speakers Conference held in Turks and Caicos Islands in April 2024. The Clerk made a presentation for Members of the Public Service Executive and heads of departments on Parliamentary and In- Chamber protocols, including protocols for the presentation and tabling of legislation, papers and reports in the House and Senate. At a Public Service Leadership Meeting in September 2024, the Deputy Clerk and MP Renee Ming represented Bermuda at the Public Accounts Committee at the UKOPT Oversight of Public Finances and Good Governance forum held in September 2024 in the UK. The clerks and parliamentary staff also arranged and presented workshops on parliamentary procedures, protocols and the legislative process for new and returning Members of both the House of Assembly and the Senate in March 2025, as requested by the Speaker and the President. Members may also note that former MP, the Honourable Cole Simons was nominated to represent Bermuda as one of the main session presenters in the [Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s] Post Election Seminar held in Anguilla in March 2025. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I must take this opportunity to recognise the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the Legislature staff, which has re-mained a very small contingent over many years, especially when compared with other smaller parliaments in the Caribbean region and internationally. The Presiding Officers and Members of the Legislature are obliged to thank the staff for their commitment and service in helping us meet our responsibilities in performing our legislative and oversight duties to the best of our abilities throughout a very busy parliamentary calendar. This concludes the presentation of the brief of Head 2. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanFor the benefit of the listening audience we are listening to the Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. And the Honourable Premier and the Minister of Finance will be speaking on Head 5. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you …
For the benefit of the listening audience we are listening to the Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. And the Honourable Premier and the Minister of Finance will be speaking on Head 5.
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. If you can just bear with me for half a second. I will be speaking on Head 5 and Head 92 at this time. Just to, I think . . . did I just get an email? [Crosstalk] Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, dear. No, I’m good. Thank you. [Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: It’s no problem. Okay. I will do Head 5. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanYou may proceed, Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much. [Crosstalk] HEAD 5 —OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL Hon. E. David Burt: All right. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I will be presenting the budget for Head 5 which is the Office of the Auditor General, found on pages …
You may proceed, Premier.
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much.
[Crosstalk]
HEAD 5 —OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL
Hon. E. David Burt: All right. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I will be presenting the budget for Head 5 which is the Office of the Auditor General, found on pages B -14 through B -16 of the Budget Book.
Mandate and Mission
Hon. E. David Burt: The mandate and mission for the Office of the Auditor General is , To provide positive change by fostering accountability, transparency and efficiency within the public sector. The Bermuda Constitution Order and the Audit Act 1990 provide the legislative mandate for the Office of the Auditor General , and the Office’s primary responsibility is to assist the House of the Assembly in carrying out its oversight responsibilities relating to government spending and accountability for the use of public money. The mission of the Office of the Auditor General, which is derived from its legislative mandate, is To add credibility to the Government’s financial reporting and to promote improvement in the financial administration of all government ministries, departments, and all other entities for which the Government is accountable to Parliament.
Expenditure Overview
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving over to the expenditure overview, the Office of the Auditor General meets with her Parliamentary Standing Committee on her annual budget. The meeting on the 2025/26 budget recom-mendation was held on 3 December 2024. The committee is appointed for t he duration of the life of Parliament according to Standing Order 34 for the House of Assembly and according to the section 45 of the Constitution. The committee has the responsibility for ensuring that the Office of Auditor General has the funding and tools to carry out its responsibilities and to en-sure the independence of the office is not comprised. Once the committee is in agreement with the budget
Bermuda House of Assembly requests, the recommendation by this bipartisan committee is translated to the Minister of Finance.
The ChairmanChairmanPremier, did you say bipartisan committee? Hon. E. David Burt: I absolutely did. It is a bipartisan committee.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Hon. E. David Burt: But it is important that we dig into this a little bit. So I am going to dig into it a little bit more. The reviewed and recommended budget by the committee to the Ministry of Finance was $4,329,205. The Ministry of Finance set a …
Okay.
Hon. E. David Burt: But it is important that we dig into this a little bit. So I am going to dig into it a little bit more. The reviewed and recommended budget by the committee to the Ministry of Finance was $4,329,205. The Ministry of Finance set a budget ceiling of $4,242,455, which as you would note, Mr. Chair-man, is less than the amount that was requested by the committee. However, the budget ceilings were set but we then added salary uplifts afterwards. As you would note, if you look inside of the Budget Book, the total current account expenditure allocated to Head 5 is no w $4,397,000 for 2025/26 which represents an increase of $217,000, or 5 per cent , over the prior year’s budget It is also important to note that roughly $137,000 of this increase is related to the BPSU salary uplift. Now all of that to say, Mr. Chairman, that, yes, it should be noted and accepted that this is not in align-ment with the request that was made by the c ommittee, but just as we discussed last year during this, it is im-portant that we are not allocating resources that may not be used. And from this perspective, I don’t want there to be false equivalents made on the broader items which were issued for other departments. And this is no criticism of the Office of the Auditor General, nor is it a criticism of the work of which they do because inside this brief, which has been sup-plied to me, which I will share, is the fact that there are certainly difficulties in continuing to retain staff inside of the OAG [Office of the Attorney General] structure for accounting. Madam Chairman [sic], if you will look certainly on . . . sorry, Mr. Chairman, if you will look certainly on page —
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: What happened? Now you are being rude, Jarion. Be nice. —if you would look on page B -14, you will note that the original estimate of last year was $4.18 million. We know that it was criticised, as I see the Honourable Opposition Leader looking at the Hansard from last time. Make sure your Honourable Member in [ constituency] 10 knows that.
[Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: Knows how to do that. It works. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: I know. But you will note that the Office of the Auditor General is not expected to spend all their funds this year. It is about $400,000 under. What I did make the commitment to last year was that if there was additional monies that were needed for the Office of the Auditor General, the Ministry of Finance certainly would not hold the Office of the Auditor General back in that. And the same commitment is made this year. If they do ac-tually need, I guess, the difference which is about $80,000 additional for their f ull budget request for this year, we will absolutely make that available. We are in no way, shape or form trying to hamper the ability of the department in executing its particular role. And so I know that the Attorney General is listening. I know that Opposition Leader’s here. I know that the Chair of that Parliamentary Standing Committee is there. And I have also made sure that the Chair of that Parliamentary Standing Committee is well aware of our position in the Ministry of Finance. Mr. Chairman, may I proceed?
The ChairmanChairmanYou may proceed. For clarity, Honourable Premier, if you look behind me there are two flags. Hon. E. David Burt: Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanNone of which are multi -coloured. [Laughter] Hon. E. David Burt: We will now move forward. Revenue Estimates Hon. E. David Burt: Revenue estimates for the Office of the Auditor General of $457,000, a decrease of $124,000 from last year, or 21 per cent, which represents audit fees charged to …
None of which are multi -coloured. [Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: We will now move forward.
Revenue Estimates
Hon. E. David Burt: Revenue estimates for the Office of the Auditor General of $457,000, a decrease of $124,000 from last year, or 21 per cent, which represents audit fees charged to the accounts that do not form part of the accounts of the Consolidated Fund and paid in to the Accountant General as public funds in accordance with the Audit Act.
Subjective Analysis Hon. E. David Burt: The s ubjective analysis , current account estimates for the Office of the Auditor General is found on page B -15. Salaries are $3,464,000, an increase of $138,000 from last year, or 4 per cent . The increase is mainly due to the negotiated BPSU’s salary uplift. The office did not fill all posts for the entire year. For fiscal year 2024/25, which I just said, and the office is working to be at a full complement for fiscal year 2025/26. Mr. Chairman, 70 per cent of the office audit are practitioners are contract workers on work permits 974 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly for three to five years. And the office continues to face challenges in attracting a full complement of qualified professionals. As stated last year, this is not unique to this Government or to this particular department. But it is part of a broader shorta ge of professional accountants, creating an extremely competitive market both locally as of course they get poached after a few years by the private sector and worldwide. While the salary ranges of the office align with similar Government positions, they do remain less competitive than those offered in the private sector. And if you would recall, Mr. Chairman, from the debate which was held previously where I covered extens ively the work of which we are doing to update the models and make sure that public sector pay is commensurate and online with private sector pay. That will also help the office of the Auditor General who is still on public sector pay scales as they are a non-ministry department. The office tries to build resource organically and invest in future talent by providing supportive and collaborative workplace for our students to thrive and grow. Presently, the office employs four Bermudian students pursuing professional and academic designations, which I think is all something that we can ap-plaud.
Professional Services
Hon. E. David Burt: Under Professional Services is $368 ,000, an increase of $38,000, or 38 per cent, from last year, or 12 per cent. This is our next . . . this is the next most significant expense for the office and includes services for contracted audits and expert advice as needed. The department expects to continue to use contracted firms to aid in meeting the Legislative com-mitments and to aid during peak workloads and for unexpected separations. The office outsources roughly six financial statement audits. An outsourced audit does not absolve the Auditor General of her responsibilities to audit the accounts presented to the Senate and the House of Assembly and all Government departments and offices and courts of Bermuda. The Auditor General signs each and every independe nt auditor’s report. The decision to outsource any audit is not taken lightly. The Auditor General is able to sign -off on an agent audit independent auditor’s report because her of fice reviews the completed agent auditor’s working papers, files , reports and schedules and very often may require additional tests or other documents in respect of the audit in the public entity audited to satisfy that all requirements in the auditing standards generally accepted in Bermuda and Canada are met.
Repairs and Maintenance Hon. E. David Burt: Repairs and Maintenance is $140,000, an increase of $11,000 from last year’s budget. The increase primarily relates to software maintenance agreements and subscriptions.
Travel
Hon. E. David Burt: Travel is $28,000, an increase of $14,000 from last year. Staff auditors pursuing their professional designations may travel to attend training and development courses in pursuit of their [profes-sional] designations. Additionally, the Auditor General and team members may attend training for the long- term sustainability of the office. It is critical in keeping abreast of emerging auditing trends and participation in the roundtable discussion to support and influence matters im-pacting our jurisdiction from the development of auditing methodology, practices, and professional development with standard [setters] such as the Public Sector Accounting Board. The office also takes an active role in the Canadian Council of Legislative Auditors and the Caribbean Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions, and the Auditor General is also on the Executive Committee of the CPA Atlantic Board.
Capital Expenditure
Hon. E. David Burt: I will move on to Capital Expenditure, and I sincerely hope that the Honourable Member from constituency 26 [sic] is listening. The Office of the Auditor General has been allocated a capital budget of $21,000 for a server. This amount is $19,000 less than the amount originally requested to the Ministry of Finance for Capital Account Expenditure. This means laptops or desktops earmarked for replacement due to age or productivity loss will not be replaced this fiscal year. The brief that is submitted to me states the following, Mr. Chairman, that, In the short -term the office will make adjustments internally to reduce risk associated with performance or productivity decline due to inefficient machines. What I will say, Mr. Chai rman, on this particularly, is that the Ministry of Finance is happy to revisit, review and revisit this. Of course, the Minister does not go through each and every single particular line item on this, but the reality is (and I can speak from my own statements) that there is nothing more frustrating than slow computers when dealing with Excel spreadsheets and other things. And what I would hate for is for the Office of the Auditor General to be compromised in that manner. There is significant additional funding that has been given to office of IDT to secure more computers. And I just managed to intervene last w eek with Customs to make sure that computers got cleared so that the Min-ister’s department can make sure to get additional desktops to users.
Bermuda House of Assembly And what I will state is that for the Honourable Member from constituency 26, who is the Chair of that particular committee (and I am sure the Auditor General is listening) , the Ministry of Finance will happily facilitate that to ensure that she does. And we will figure out where that money comes from. We are not going to increase the budget right now, but we will have to figure out where that comes from, from a different line item or vote or possibly give permission for funds that may not be used for other matters to be used for that. But I certainly want to make sure that the Office of the Auditor General can get her computers.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: Sorry?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, I will not take it from the Road budget. Don’t worry. [Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: Now you are being funny, Mr. Chairman.
Manpower
Hon. E. David Burt: The employee number estimates for the Office of the Auditor General are 28 full -time posts. Of the 28 full -time employees, Bermudians fill 10 posts. Out of the 10 Bermudian staff, there are four students, three professionals, and three support staff. Of the four students, one recently passed one of her CPA certifying examinations and another is on her last ex-amination.
Performance Measures by Business Units
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to performance measures by business units, Mr. Chairman, to continue the support of the House of Assembly to hold Government to account and to add to the credibility of Govern-ment’s financial reporting, and to promote improvement in the financial administration of all Government ministries, departments and other entities for which the Government is accountable to Parliament, the office intends to fulfil its constitutional mandate by completing the following: • 50 financial statement audits; • 8 financial statement reviews; • 3 non- financial audits; and • 2024/25 compilation to be tabled in Quarter 3 of 2025. (That is very aggressive.)
Current Year Achievements Hon. E. David Burt: The office expected to complete approximately 44 financial statement audits and reviews . As of 31 March 2025, the office actually completed 53 statement audit reviews and financial state-ment or attest audits or examinations of an auditee’s financial statements. In these examinations the auditor expresses an opinion on whether or not the financial statements present information on the auditee’s operation and whether the financial position is presented fairly and complies with auditing standards generally accepted in Bermuda and Canada. Every year the Office of the Auditor General audits the financial statements of the accounts of the Senate, the House of Assembly, all government departments and offices including the Public Service Commission, and all courts of Bermuda as per the Bermuda Constitution Order 1968 and the Audit Act 1990. In addition to the completion of financial statement audits and reviews, the office also completed or participated in the following: 1. Practice inspections: The office successfully completed their practice inspection. The practice inspection is a vital component of Government’s regulatory processes. A practice inspection is dual purpose. First, to protect the Government and the citizens of Bermuda and contribute to users’ confidence in the integrity of financial information by assessing whether the Office of the Auditor General is adhering to the professional standards set out in the CPA Canada Handbook. 2. To provide an educational experience to help practitioners on staff improve their professional standards where necessary.
Mr. Chairman, if you would give me a minute.
The ChairmanChairmanFor the benefit of the listening audience, we are now in Committee of Supply for the con-sideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. We are debating non- ministries. The Premier who is also the Minister of Finance, the Honourable E. David Burt, is giving his …
For the benefit of the listening audience, we are now in Committee of Supply for the con-sideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. We are debating non- ministries. The Premier who is also the Minister of Finance, the Honourable E. David Burt, is giving his presentation on Head 5. You may resume.
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Moving on to the next item which are the matters that the office participated [in] this year.
Peer Reviews
Hon. E. David Burt: Peer reviews are voluntary and are preformed by qualified Professional Accountants of Canada. And the outputs of these reviews provide insight for the continuous monitoring and improvement of the office quality management processes. 976 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Team members participated in training with the Canadian Council of Legislature Auditors, the Caribbean Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions and the UK National Audit Office. Next, to ensure that all staff are kept abreast of the new and evolving standards and to meet continuing professional development requirements all qualified staff in the Office of the Auditor General complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuous professional training. This ensures that all qualified staff are kept abreast of any new and evolving standards and meet the con-tinuing professional development hours for CPA Bermuda and their regulatory bodies.
Plans for the Upcoming Year
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to plans for the upcoming year, the Government’s risk landscape continues to change . And we are building in agility to respond to the emergent risk. Presently, the Office of the Auditor General will continue to work with various stakeholders across Government and the industry partners , such as CPA Bermuda, CAR OSAI, and CCOLA (which is the Canadian Council of Legislative Auditors ). The following continued to have an impact on the Office of the Auditor General audit assessment and strategies: • environmental hazards from coastal erosion due to hurricane frequency; • malicious attacks from cyberattacks to our information and knowledge infrastructure; • areas of significant judgment, such as impairment and obsolescence of tangible capital assets and other assets and addition al disclosure requirements; and • an increased number of fraud risk actors in terms of pressures and opportunities due to changing landscapes and conditions. The office is built on the work it has thus far and provides the Public Accounts Committee, the House of Assembly and the Parliamentary Standing Committee with the same high- quality financial and nonfinancial audits to support accountability. The staff of the Auditor General are independent of the Government. This independence enables the office to conduct its auditing and reporting responsibili-ties fairly and objectively. Mr. Chairman, I would like to acknowledge the Auditor General, Ms. Heather Thomas, and her staff for their hard work, dedication and continued commitment to the Office of the Auditor General’s mandates. The Office of the Auditor General will continue to support the House of Assembly and the Public Accounts Com-mittee in holding th is Government to account and to help improve Government’s financial reporting and public services through high- quality audits for the benefit of Bermuda’s citizens. And what I will say is, as I said last year, though there may be a bit of squabbling (I will use that word, my word) over the budget allocations that were given to the Office of the Auditor General, at no point in time has there been a request (in my memory, at least in the time I have served in this office) that we have not given the resources to the Office of the Auditor General which she needs. And if the Office of the Auditor General somehow is able to hire staff and get more people on and able to help to complete these audits, et cetera, to assist with the backlog, we maintain a cordial relationship and will be happy to make sure that we provide that funding and support. Mr. Chairman, that ends my presentation of Head 5, the Office of the Auditor General.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Premier. For the benefit of the listening audience, this debate began at 2:57 pm and will end exactly at 6:57 pm. We now have Honourable Minister Tinee Furbert who is going to give a presentation on Head 56. NON -MINISTRY HEADS HEAD 56 —HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Hon. …
Thank you, Honourable Premier. For the benefit of the listening audience, this debate began at 2:57 pm and will end exactly at 6:57 pm. We now have Honourable Minister Tinee Furbert who is going to give a presentation on Head 56.
NON -MINISTRY HEADS
HEAD 56 —HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, on behalf of the Human Rights Commission, it gives me great pleasure to present the Current Account Estimates for Head 56, Human Rights Commission, a non- ministry office, found on pages B - 17, B-18 and B -19 of the Estimate of R evenues and Expenditures . Mr. Chairman, the statutory body is charged with the promotion and protection of human rights in Bermuda. The Human Rights Act 1981 was enacted by the Bermuda L egislature in December of 1981 and shortly thereafter in early 1982 the Commission was established to administer the Act. The Human Rights Commission is Bermuda’s national human rights institution, the United Nations “ Paris Principles ” require the NHRI [National Human Rights Institution] • to have a broad human rights mandate and functions; • to be independent, to have an international engagement; • to have an inclusive and transparent selection and appointment process; and • to have adequate powers and resources. Mr. Chairman , the mission of the Human Rights Commission as found on page B -17 is, To protect and promote human rights through education , collaboration, advocacy , and enforcement , The Commission takes a leading role in the modern interpretation of its statutory mandate and the promotion of indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights . The Commission's mandate involves education, the promotion of principles of non-discrimination and equality , and to investigate and endeavour to resolve allegations of discrimination.
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Chairman, the head of the public authority is the executive officer who serves as the accountant officer and is responsible for maintaining a sound system of internal controls which safeguard the public funds and assets of the Commission . The Human Rights Commission is administratively accountable to the Minister with responsible for Human Rights and in accordance with section 13 (5) of the A ct. The Commission receives a budget allocation annually from the Legislature. Mr. Chairman, the Commission's vision is a Bermuda that honours human rights for all as it relates to the provision of services to the public as noted on page B -17. The Commission's objectives are to • inquire into and investigate human rights -related complaints of discrimination and harassment; • resolve human rights complaints through mediation; • facilitate effective administrative support for human rights tribunals; • educate the community on the principles of human rights, inclusion and equality; • work with stakeholders to promote the protec-tions afforded under the Human Rights Act of 1981 and to uphold the principles of human rights for all; • inform the government of human rights matters inclusive of those that require the development of policies designed to strengthen protections; • influence and support the development of Bermuda’s human rights laws and policies; • maintain a team of highly competent profes-sionals to manage the daily operations of the Commission; and • act independently in accordance with the Com-mission’s statutory duties and to continue to strengthen the Commission’s ability to function with the requisite independence. Mr. Chairman, on page B -12 you will note the Commission’s original budget for its 2024/25 fiscal year was $1,380,000. The allocation for the 2025/26 financial year is $1,434,000. The represents a 4 per cent increase in overall spending. Mr. Chairman, you will note on page B -18 there are seven full -time employee positions with the Human Rights Commission for fiscal year 2025/26. A decrease of one full -time equivalent employee due to a reduction of funds for a vacant post which is currently under review. Mr. Chairman, Head 56 has the following business units : • business unit 66020, Office of the Commission • business unit 66030, A ppointment Committee; and • business unit 66040, T ribunals. I will discuss the functions of each business unit and provide explanations of variance between the original 2024/ 25 budget versus the 20 25/26 allocations .
Business Unit 66020 , Office of the Commission
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Chairman, t he Office of the Human Rights Commission provides • strategic and operational management of the Commission; • complaint management and dispute resolution services; • education and outreach initiatives to the com-munity on the principles of human rights; and the • provision of policy recommendations to the government on local and international human rights matters. The budget allocation for business unit 66020 is $1,331,000. The 3 per cent increase from the previous year’s budget of $1,296,000 is due to cost of living increase salary uplift.
Business Unit 66030, Appointment Committee
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Chairman, the budget allocation for business unit 66030 is $22,000. The 8 per cent decrease of $2,000 is attributed to the decreased ad-ministrative cost associated with the Selection and Ap-pointment Committee’s public recruitment campaign and appointment processes in accordance with section 13B(1) of the Act. [Human Rights Amendment Act 2021] The most recent appointment occurred in 2024 as appointments are staggered to promote continuity. Recruitments will occur in the financial year for the appointments that end in September of 2025.
Business Unit 66040, Tribunals
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Chairman, the budget allocation for business unit 66040 is $81,000. The 35 per cent increase of $21,000 relates to the statutory functions of the Human Rights Tribunal. The independent quasi -judicial body responsible for adjudicating meritorious human rights complaints. The funding estimate is based on the number of active matters currently before the Human Rights Tribunal for adjudication. And an increased volume of matters filed with the Commission which are likely to be referred f or adjudication unless resolved through mediation. Mr. Chairman, adequate funding is necessary for the Commission, the Independent Selection Appointment Committee and the Human Rights Tribunal to fulfil their statutory obligations set out within the Act. The current budget allocation does not adequately support statutory needs with respect to the Tri-bunal. Without adequate funding the Tribunal will be unable to fulfil the statutory mandates, human rights complaints, and potential contraventions will remai n 978 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly unresolved and the Bermuda’s National Human Rights Institution will be unable to achieve its legislative and international obligations to effectively promote and protect human rights in Bermuda.
Subjective Analysis Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Chairman, the subjective analysis for Head 56 can be found on page B -18. Salaries, the original full -time employee headcount for the 2024/25 fiscal year was eight. And the budget allocation for Salaries was $846,000. In contrast, the budget for the 20 25/26 financial year is $750,000, which reflects an 11 per cent decrease of $96,000. This reduction is a result of funds being removed from a vacant post which is currently under review.
Operational Expenditure Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Chairman, turning to Operational Expenditure, I will now discuss expenditures within advertising and promotions, professional services, rentals and insurance. Advertising and promotion, in contrast with the previous fiscal year, costs associated with brand design support and visual communication strategies increased to $35,000. This increase reflects a greater investment in strategic branding initiatives aimed at en-hancing public engagement and strengthening the organisation's visual identity. Mr. Chairman, the 2025/26 budget reflects a 44 per cent increase in professional services, from $293,000 to $422,000. The increased costs are primarily attributed to local consultant fees, costs associated with the Commission’s voluntary mediation programme, manage IT services, research services and funding to renumerate human rights tribunal panel members. In comparison to 2024/25, rent increased by 6 per cent to $137,000 because of a new lease agreement for the Commission’s offices. Mr. Chairman, during fiscal year the Commission obtained directors and officer’s liability insurance to ensure adequate financial protection is in place in the event of legal actions commenced against the Commission or the Human Rights Tribunal. This investment of $4,000 provides coverage as a key component of the Commission's Risk Management Strategy, safeguarding its leadership and adjudicative bodies while supporting the integrity of its operations. Mr. Chairman, the Commission’s performance measures can be found on page B -19. In accordance with the Public Access to Information Act 2010, the Commission’s quarterly expenditures are available to the public on request. The Human Rights Commission has a statutory dual mandate, enforcement and educa-tion. Discrimination is addressed by way of meritorious complaints , referrals to the Human Rights Tribunal but also the Commission helps to prevent discrimination by fostering awareness and empowering individual s and institutions to uphold human rights in their daily practices. The complaint management and dispute resolution processes involve several stages which I will briefly outline below ahead of sharing the key performance indicators achieved during fiscal year . Mr. Chairman, the executive officer performs a screening function of all complaints filed with the Commission and has a statutory power to investigate complaints , collect evidence, and refer meritorious complaints to the Human Rights Tribunal . Throughout the complaint -handling process efforts are made to facilitate the resolution of the complaint . Examples of grounds protected within the A ct include race, sex, and disability while examples of protected areas include employment or goods , facilities and services . In 2024, the most frequent protected grounds identified by the public when contacting the Commission [was] for disability , sex, ethnic or national origins , and place of origin. T hese included instances where individuals alleged that these grounds were a factor in discriminatory treatment experienced by them. With respect to conduct deemed unlawful within the Act, members of the public primarily alleged discrimination in the areas of employment when contacting the Commission which was followed by allegations of harassment in the workplace, and alleged discriminatory conduct when assessing goods , facilities or services . Mr. Chairman, I just want to pause so I can get the podium . . . please.
The ChairmanChairmanFor the benefit of the listening audience, we are in Committee of Supply for the . . . [consideration] of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. Minister Tinee Furbert is giving a presentation on non- ministries, Head 56. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. …
For the benefit of the listening audience, we are in Committee of Supply for the . . . [consideration] of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. Minister Tinee Furbert is giving a presentation on non- ministries, Head 56.
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, during the 2024 calendar year there was 179 reports received by the office of the Human Rights Commission which represents a 19 per cent increase from the previous year . Mr. Chairman, 82 per cent of the intakes received were resolved within the calendar year , which represents an increase of approximately 35 more matters , achieving a resolution when compared to the previous year 18 per cent of intakes are ongoing. The Commission provides an extensive triage and referral process to assist the public in finding a res-olution to their queries or complaints in the event their matters do not appear to fall under the jurisdiction of the Human Rights Act . During the period , various intakes once screened were referred to the Labor Relations Office. Additional referral agencies included trade unions , the Department of Education, the Office of the Ombudsman for Bermuda, the Treatment of O ffenders Board the, Police Complaints Authority , Age Concern ,
Bermuda House of Assembly advocacy groups and nonprofit organ isations such as Bermuda is Love, the Women's Resource Centre, and Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda [CURB] and referrals for independent legal advice. Mr. Chairman, when a matter is referred for an investigation in the first instance parties are offered the opportunity to engage in the C ommission's voluntary mediation programme. Where parties agree to participate, efforts are aimed at assisting them to mutually resolve their complaints by bringing parties to a complaint together with an independent mediator who assists them to achieve a resolution. In 2024 , parties in 10 matters participated in mediation; however, offers were also made in six other matter s but the parties did not wish to participate in mediation. With respect to 10 matters active in mediation in 2024 , five matters were resolved through mediation, two matters did not result in a resolution, and there were three matters still actively engaged in the mediation process when the year ended. Based on a review of the matters currently before the Commission, it is anticipated approximately nine matters will be engaged in mediation services provided by the Commission during the 2025/ 26 financial year. Mr. Chairman, following an investigation where a complaint appears to have merit and it appears unlikely that the parties can resolve the complaint , the executive officer shall refer the complaint to the Human Rights Tribunal for adjudication in accordance with section 18(1) of the Act. After hearing a complaint, the Tribunal shall determine whether the Act has been contravened, may order any party to do any act or thing that constitutes full compliance with the Act and may order any party to rectify any i njury caused to a complaina nt in the form of financial restitution. Any order made by the T ribunal under section 20 of the A ct shall be made an order of the Supreme Court and is enforce-able in the same manner as an order of that court . Mr. Chairman, there are eight cases before the Human Rights Tribunal for adjudication. If historic trends continue throughout the financial year , the number of cases before the tribunal will likely reach 18. Despite the 35 per cent increase in funding for this business unit , it is anticipated a shortfall remains to fully cover panel members rem uneration. In 2024, the Tribunal rendered decisions in five matters with all being registered with the Supreme Court of Bermuda. For more information on these judgments , please see the C ommission's website: humanrights.bm. Mr. Chairman, the Human Rights Commission exists to make human rights real in the lives of all people in Bermuda. A core function is its mandate to provide education and guidance on the protections and compliance requirements within the Act and to empower all residents with the principles of equity and inclusion for all . With respect to the consultations and policy reviews conducted by the Commission, the Commission provided guidance related to the compliance with employment and recruitment practices . The guidance was framed around the duty to accommodate the use of application forms and mandatory drug testing policy and the human rights consideration required. In October 2024, the Human Rights Commission acknowledged the extension of the UN C onventio n on the Rights of P ersons with Disabilities [CRPD] to Bermuda. This international treaty adopted in 2006 reaffirms the equal rights of persons with disabilities and outlines the steps required to create an inclusive and accessible societ y, the Commission welcomes this important milestone and recogni ses it as an opportunity to strengthen existing commitments to disability inclusion. Mr. Chairman, the Commission affirms that in Bermuda there are already commitments and obligations already in place at the national level which should result in those with disabilities being able to fully participate in society free from discrimination. Despite existing obligations and statutory requirements , this is not the reality for those with disabilities . The Commission participated in consultations with the G overnment of Bermuda and the UK F oreign Commonwealth Office and the Commission looks forward to working with all stakeholders to bring these international obligations to life. Mr. Chairman, the protected grounds of disability remains one of the most frequent identified grounds of discrimination. These matters have included people being denied work , discriminatory employment practices , people not being afforded equal access to information and education, people being denied access to services and transport systems , the built environment being developed without consideration to those with disabilities , and the existence of barriers to health, well-being and prosperit y. Mr. Chairman, the Human Rights Commission initiated a public consultation focused on disability in-clusion in Bermuda. T he multifaceted research process gathered a broad range of perspectives from the community and was comprehensive in scope and methodology . The consultation included a survey , a series of facilitating focus groups , and a community conversation designed to foster open dialogue . This allowed the Commission to engage with individuals living with disabilities , their families , caregivers , advocat es, and the public broadly . The process was intentionally inclusive ensuring diverse voices were heard and participants had multiple channels through which to express their expe-riences , concerns and recommendations . The f eedback collected has provided the Commission with valuable insights into the lived experience of persons with disabilities in Bermuda. The findings and recommendations emerging from this consultation have been com-piled into a detailed report . This report will be shared with the G overnment through its M inistry as a re source to inform future policy development and program me planning. 980 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Chairman, in keeping with the C ommission's commitment to be transparent and to have transparency and community engagement , the findings will also be made available to the public during this fiscal year. The Commission remains committed to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities and will continue to work in partnership with key stakeholders to advocate for, educate and promote a more inclusive Bermuda. The Commission values and is committed to providing professional development for staff . During the fiscal year quarterly trainings were provided to officers which is essential to enhance the knowledge, skills , and performance of staff while ensuring they are well - equipped to meet organi sational goals and adapt to workplace and societal needs . Mr. Chairman, regarding education and outreach, during the fiscal year the Commission facilitated 63 engagements which represents 33 more initiatives than forecasted—this included presentations, public speeches, and focus groups , all designed to inform and involve the public on key human rights issues . Media and communications continue to serve as a strategic pillar in the Commission's efforts to engage the public and promote human rights . Throughout the year the Commission participated in a range of media engagements including radio interviews and podcast appearances to broaden its reach. In addition, several key press statements were issued addressing key topics such as artificial intelligence, disability rights , and tribunal decisions . These communication initiatives reflect the Commission's commitment to remaining both visible and responsive for matters of public interest. By leveraging multiple platforms , the C ommission is strengthening its ability to inform , educate and advocate for human rights in an accessible and timely matter . The emphasis on media engagement has also contributed to the C ommission's ongoing global goal of demystifying its rule and services by actively promoting public awareness of the rights and protections under the Human Rights Act . All of these efforts underscored the Commission's expanding capacity to reach a broader and more diverse audience, reinforcing its position as a proactive, transparent and community -orientated institution. Mr. Chairman, on the horizon during the fiscal year the Commission will continue to promote awareness of the C ommission's functions and the protections afforded under the A ct to further expand the public's knowledge of human rights . The Commission will meet with stakeholders and promote findings of the Disability Inclusion Report , along with implementing its own recommendations to support its commitments . The Commission also plans to launch a public consultation on age and will host another community conversation to consider how to expand efforts towards a more inclusive Bermuda. Mr. Chairman, the human rights is increasingly recogni sed as a vital public resource and is available to us as the public by visiting their offices , or via phone at 295- 5859 , or via email [at] info@humanrights.bm. Mr. Chairman, the Human Rights Commission has issued a call to action to the country . As Members of this Honourable House, [we] are entrusted with shaping the future of our country with responsibility to ensure that rights and dignity of every person in Bermuda are upheld, not only through legislation but through the everyday environments we create and sustain. The Human Rights Commission invites you to reflect on the spaces you might move through daily , your ministries, your workplaces , your places of wors hip, your favourite café, your child ’s or grandchild ’s school, the parks and beaches you visit . In each of these spaces ask yourself whose voices are missing . Whose rights are not being fully recogni sed or respected? Promoting human rights means going beyond statements of intent . It requires deliberate, sustained action to eliminate discrimination, remove barriers and foster a culture where fairness , dignity and inclusion are lived values. It means being willing to examine systems and practices that may unintentionally cause harm or exclusion. Let this be a moment to recommit not only as legislators but as leaders in your communi-ties to ensure that Bermuda becomes a place where human rights are actively protected , actively promoted, and made real for everyone . Mr. Chairman, in closing , I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Human Rights Commission for its dedication to the advancement of human rights in Bermuda and for stewarding the Commission's statutory mandate with integrity and excellence. Mr. Chairman, that ends my presentation on Head 56, Human Rights Commission.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. For the benefit of the listening audience, we are now in the Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for year 2025/26. Minister Tinee Furbert has concluded her presentation on Head 56, which deals with the Human Rights Commission. And now …
Thank you, Minister. For the benefit of the listening audience, we are now in the Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for year 2025/26. Minister Tinee Furbert has concluded her presentation on Head 56, which deals with the Human Rights Commission. And now the Honourable Premier and Finance Minister, E. David Burt, shall give his presentation on Head — Hon. E. David Burt: [Head] 92.
The ChairmanChairmanHead 92. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Chairman, I am going to try to be like you and say, for the benefit of the listening audience, I am going to do Head 92. And following after which time the Minister for the Cabinet Office will do Head 85, the Ombudsman’s …
Head 92.
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Chairman, I am going to try to be like you and say, for the benefit of the listening audience, I am going to do Head 92. And following after which time the Minister for the Cabinet Office will do Head 85, the Ombudsman’s Office, Head 98, the
Bermuda House of Assembly Information Commissioner’s Office, and Head 101, the Privacy Commissioner’s Office. Unfortunately, I have to leave to attend an urgent meeting, unless I will be back to answer questions. I don’t want the OBA putting out statements saying that I had to go tend to matters of state and tell the very important meeting that I had.
[Laughter and crosstalk ] Hon. E. David Burt: See! He can’t help himself.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: He can’t help himself!
The ChairmanChairmanExcuse me, Premier. Earlier you mentioned a word. Could you give the explanation of the word “bipartisan” again, please? Hon. E. David Burt: Bipartisan means that we try to work together. And it is very interesting that most legislation up here passes on a bipartisan basis. But, you know . …
Excuse me, Premier. Earlier you mentioned a word. Could you give the explanation of the word “bipartisan” again, please?
Hon. E. David Burt: Bipartisan means that we try to work together. And it is very interesting that most legislation up here passes on a bipartisan basis. But, you know . . .
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: I am going to move through. The brief for Head 92 is very short. And I certainly want to get to this meeting.
[Inaudible interjections]
The ChairmanChairmanPlease proceed, Premier. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: Territorial, if you want to be specific. [Inaudible interjections and laughter] Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, boy. They are having fun. It’s like I woke them up. HEAD 92 —DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDIT Hon. E. David Burt: All right, Mr. Chairman. …
Please proceed, Premier.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: Territorial, if you want to be specific.
[Inaudible interjections and laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, boy. They are having fun. It’s like I woke them up.
HEAD 92 —DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDIT
Hon. E. David Burt: All right, Mr. Chairman. If I may, I will now present the brief for Head 92, the Department of Internal Audit which is found on pages B -26 through B-28 of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. The mandate and mission of the D epartment of Internal Audit is To provide independent, objective assurance and advisory services to improve operations and internal control systems. I will move to Expenditure Overview including the subjective analysis which can be found on page B - 27. Mr. Chairman, the total current expenditure is estimated to be $1,115,000 for this current fiscal year and it represents an increase of $60,000, or 6 per cent more than the estimate for 2024/25. This change is primarily due to the 4.81 per cent salary uplift for 2025/ 26. Line item, Salary , $61,000 an offset by a decrease in other expenses . Line item 11, Other Expense $1, 000 which is lower . $61,000 minus $1,000 gets us to $60,000. In regard to M anpower , the total estimated FTE (full-time equivalents ) and funded positions for 2025/ 26 for the department is nine, representing eight professional staff and one administrative officer . The department ’s funded posts are comprised of one director , one administrative officer , one internal audit manager , one IT audit manager , one senior auditor , one IT audit senior, and three internal audit officers who are working towards obtaining a professional internal auditor qualification . The internal audit officer positions are Bermudian-only training positions to encourage and train for Bermudians in the internal auditing profession. One internal audit officer post has been filled as of April 202 5. The administrative officer and IT audit manager vacant posts are currently being recruited and are expected to be filled by the second quarter of 2025/26.
Performance Measures Hon. E. David Burt: Moving to P erformance Measures on page B -28. I will share the information provided on the department ’s performance measures for fiscal year 2023/24. It is a little bit unusual as we typically do , you know, 2024/25 and 2025/26. But there is the initial column, and you'll see that some of the items there, [you heard] the Opposition Leader saying “N/A” because they report actual figures . So I'm just going to go back to report actual figures on the 20 23/24 before I move to the 2024/25 and 2025/26. The department achieved its engagement activity reporting —sorry , achieved its engagement and activity reporting , staff utili sation and continuing professional development outcomes during the year . The number of recommendations issued from audit projects totalled 35 relating to remediating identified weaknesses in internal control systems , governance and/ or risk management activities . As a result of follow -up procedures performed, the department recorded 28 management actions which were implemented by the agreed upon date. The department issued three audit reports covering operations , financ ial and IT systems and three supplies comprising of audit reports for a total of six audit reports issued during the year 20 23/24.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to 2024/25. I'll be able to cover the revised forecast for the performance measures . They can be seen on page B -28. The department issued four audit project reports and five compliance reports during the year 2024/25. Plans for the Upcoming …
Thank you.
Hon. E. David Burt: Moving on to 2024/25. I'll be able to cover the revised forecast for the performance measures . They can be seen on page B -28. The department issued four audit project reports and five compliance reports during the year 2024/25.
Plans for the Upcoming Year 982 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. E. David Burt: The plans for the upcoming year, Mr. Chairman, are to execute the department ’s 2025/26 approved audit plan to conduct six audit projects and five compliance reviews . It is to continue to train and develop staff , especially the three Bermudian internal audit office rs [as] t hey work towards attaining their CISA, which is Certified Information Systems Auditor or CIA, Certified Internal Auditor, professional qualifications while gaining work experience in the internal audit field. Good work if you can get it . If there is anyone listening , you know , who has someone who may be studying accounting , who wants to make sure they can have a job as long as they are ready to work , they can always go to the Auditor General, I nternal Audit Accountant General. M any trainee positions , bursaries — open , willing , ready , and able to accept young Bermudians. A nd as we can see, we have had some success in attracting young Bermudians. A nd there is no question that especially the field of certified information systems auditor , it is something that will continue to be well in demand. S o it is an ideal career opportunity for anyone who may be listening who may have members of their families who may be looking to go in this route. That much being said, Mr. Chairman, as I did say it was a short brief , I welcome any questions that the Opposition Leader has. And although I am stepping out, Opposition Leader, I will be back to answer the questions in case you have any more. And the team will ably record any questions . I would just ask that you make those questions more specific than the Honourable Member from constituency 10, so we can answer them. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Premier, for Head 92. We will no w hear from the Honourable Minister— [Crosstalk]
The ChairmanChairmanWe will now hear from the Honourable Minister Deallo [sic] Rabain. S orry. Diallo Rabain.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberGet it right. Get it right. Get it right. [Laughter]
The ChairmanChairmanDiallo Rabain. On Head 63, which will speak to . . . Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Parliamentary Registrar.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Parliamentary Registrar. What is the Parliamentary Registrar ? For the listening audience. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Parliamentary Registrar conducts elections in Bermuda. The Chairman: Okay. Thank you. V ery interesting. HEAD 63 —PARLIAMENTARY REGISTRAR Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would now like …
The Parliamentary Registrar. What is the Parliamentary Registrar ? For the listening audience.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Parliamentary Registrar conducts elections in Bermuda. The Chairman: Okay. Thank you. V ery interesting.
HEAD 63 —PARLIAMENTARY REGISTRAR
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would now like to present the brief for the Parliamentary Registrar , Head 63, found on pages B -20 through B -22 of the E stimates of Revenue and Expenditure. Mr. Chairman , the mandate for the Parliamentary Registrar is , To independently manage elections and promote voter awareness in Bermuda to facilitate free and fair elections. The Parliamentary Registrar is appointed by the Governor under the provisions of the Parliamentary [Election ] Act 1978 and as such is required to discharge the duties conferred or imposed under the Act. The Parliamentary Registrar is subject to the general direction of the Governor and in the exercise of her statutory duties is assisted by such [ member s] of public officers as may from time to time be authorised to be employed. The Parliamentary Election Act 1978 as amended, the Municipalities (Election) Order 2011 , and the Bermuda Constitution Order 196 8 are the instruments by which the activi ties of the Parliamentary Registrar are governed. Mr. Chairman, the staff at the Parliamentary Regist rar consist of six full-time positions under the direction of the Parliamentary Registrar , Ms. Tenia Woolridge. Mr. Chairman, the Parliamentary Registrar is responsible for maintaining of the Parliamentary Regis-ter and overseeing a range of daily operational functions. During the last budget cycle, the [Registrar] suc-cessfully conducted bye- elections in Smith’s North and Sandys North and led the development of the new election results management platform, which despite being completed on a tight timeline, was successfully de-ployed during the general election and received positive international feedback. In 2024/2 5 fiscal period, t he Parliament also supported . . . the department also supported the work of the Constitutional [sic] Boundaries Commission—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberConstituency. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: —Constituency Boundaries Commission which was temporarily paused due to the election. We anticipate its resumption shortly as the regular assessment of constituency boundaries is a constitutional requirement essential to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process . Mr. Chairman, following the successful completion of …
Constituency.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: —Constituency Boundaries Commission which was temporarily paused due to the election. We anticipate its resumption shortly as the regular assessment of constituency boundaries is a constitutional requirement essential to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process . Mr. Chairman, following the successful completion of the 2025 G eneral Election , the Parliamentary Registrar's Office is currently focused on the organi sation, collection , and analysis of data derived from the electoral process . Concurrently , efforts are underway to secure and archive all election materials and according to the Parliamentary Election Act 1978 .
Bermuda House of Assembly The next phase will involve stakeholder engagement to review operational outcomes , identify areas up for improvement and advance legislative amendments aimed at introducing alternative voting methods , including provisions for absentee voting. Mr. Chairman, I now turn to the detailed estimates of expenditure annual revenue across the five cost centres for the Parliamentary Registrar's Office. For the 2025 /26 fiscal year , the total budget allocation for the Parliamentary Registrar's Office as outlined on page B -20 of the Budget Book is $1,333,000. This reflects an increase of $54,000 when compared to the original allocation in 20 24/25. Mr. Chairman, Administration , cost centre, 73000. The proposed budget for the administration of the Parliamentary Registrar for 2025 /26 is $1,064,000, representing a 29 per cent increase of $241,000 over the original 20 24/25 budget . The rise in expenditure is primarily due to the addition of an election support officer to assist with election preparation and delivery . Updated job descriptions and union negotiated salary adjustments . This cost centre covers expenses related to daily operations, including administrative supplies, registration forms, and equipment maintenance. It also funds the maintenance of the cash re-ceipting system and credit card processing fees, supporting the efficient issuance of apostille certificates which form a key part of the department's responsibili-ties. Mr. C hairman, Boundaries Commission, cost centre 73005, the proposed budget for the C onstituency Boundaries Commission for 2025/26 is $88,000, reflecting a slight decrease as compared to the original 2024 /25 budget . A new Commission is expected to be appointed during this fiscal period w ith ongoing work related to constituency boundaries. Funds allocated to this cost centre will support the administration of the Commission, including travel and accommodations , expenses for overseas M embers participating in its activities . Mr. Chairman, G eneral and B ye-Elections , cost centre 73010 . The proposed budget for the general and by e-elections cost centre for 2025/26 is $149,000, representing a decrease of $ 101,000 from the original 20 24/25 budget . Following the recent completion of the general election the allocated funds are intended to cover the cost above the two by e-elections should they be acquired during the fiscal year . Mr. Chairman, Municipality Elections, cost centre 73015, a proposed budget of $32,000 has been allocated for municipality elections cost centre for 2025/26 —unchanged from 2024/25. This allocation provides for the conduct of up to two extraordinary municipal elections if required during the fiscal year. The Registrar remains mindful of the pending court proceedings related to the proposed changes to the Municipalities Act [ 1923] . Mr. Chairman, [Election] Reform Research, cost centre 73017 —one of the things in the [Budget] Book that have caused a bit of excitement. Although no funds have been allocated to the Election Reform cost centre for 2024/25 fiscal period, work on key reform initiatives including the introduction of absentee voting will proceed. While immediate research —
The ChairmanChairmanSorry. Sorry. Excuse me , Minister. There was a little technical glitch. C ould you repeat that please? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Oh, absolutely . [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Absolutely . Because this will be led by my office. Including the introduction of absentee voting will …
Sorry. Sorry. Excuse me , Minister. There was a little technical glitch. C ould you repeat that please?
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Oh, absolutely .
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Absolutely . Because this will be led by my office. Including the introduction of absentee voting will proceed. While immediate research spending will be limited, target data collection efforts are scheduled to begin this year to support the drafting of legislation. The aim is to have the necessary legislative framework for absentee voting ready by September 2026. Despite the absence of dedicated funding at this stage , preparatory work will continue to ensure Bermuda’s position to moderni se its voting system ahead of the next general election . Mr. Chairman , I'd like to turn your attention to page B -21, the subjective analysis for current account estimates . P rofessional services decreased by $87,000. During the next fiscal period, most funds allocated under this object code will support the operations of the C onstituency Boundaries Commission, including sitting fees for Commission members and costs asso-ciated with consultants engaged in this work . Consultants transitioning to full -time employees will be funded through the S alaries budget . Advertising and Promotion decreased by $42,000. The Advertising and Promotion budget for the 2025 /26 fiscal year is $79,000. These funds are primarily allocated to the Constituency Boundaries Commission by general by e-elections and municipalities cost centres, w ith the main focus on voting information and public awareness campaigns . Rentals have increased by $35,000. The budget allocation for this object code is $152,000, representing a $35,000 increase over last year's figures . It is anticipated that the Parliamentary Registrar will relocate during the 2025 /26 fiscal period. These funds are intended to cover increased rental costs associated with securing new premises , as the lease for the current location has expired. Mr. Chairman, revenue is generated through the issuance of apostilles. For the 20 25/26 fiscal year , total revenue is estimated at $250,000, unchanged from last year . The Parliamentary Registrar remains committed to the prompt and efficient issuance of apos-tle [sic] certificates for international and private sector clients .
984 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Apostilles . Thank you. W hat did I say . . .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberApostle. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Apostle. Apostilles. [Laughter and crosstalk] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: In support of this commitment , processes and procedures have been enhanced to improve the accuracy of financial reporting ensuring greater efficiency and transparency in service delivery . Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, I extend …
Apostle.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Apostle. Apostilles. [Laughter and crosstalk]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: In support of this commitment , processes and procedures have been enhanced to improve the accuracy of financial reporting ensuring greater efficiency and transparency in service delivery . Mr. Chairman, in conclusion, I extend my sincere appreciation for the staff of the Parliamentary Registrar , under the leadership of Tenia W oolridge, for their unwavering commitment and dedication throughout the past fiscal year . Your contributions are deeply valued and I look forward to continued success in the year ahead. And also, Mr. Chairman, if I can add , when it comes to absentee balloting, that is something that I will be making further statements on. I'm sure it would assist with the questionings that may come because the [Budget] Book looks like there will be nothing going on, but there definitely will be committees and such put together in the very near future.
The ChairmanChairmanWould it be questions or , I don't know , blanket accusations ? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Questions . [Crosstalk and laughter ]
The ChairmanChairmanThe statement is already written. Right? Please proceed, Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, and I will move on now to the O ffice of the O mbudsman—
The ChairmanChairmanWhich is head . . . what? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: It is Head 85.
The ChairmanChairmanSo, you have completed which head, Head 60? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: So far, we have completed Head 2, Head 5, Head 56, Head 92, and Head 63.
The ChairmanChairmanSo, you are now on — Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Head 85. We have Heads 85, 98 and 101 left.
The ChairmanChairmanSo, in the interest of the public, this debate began in earnest at 2:57 pm and is due to end at 6:57 pm. And at the current pace (similar to Cup Match) the Opposition is going to have a lot of time to ask ques-tions. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: …
So, in the interest of the public, this debate began in earnest at 2:57 pm and is due to end at 6:57 pm. And at the current pace (similar to Cup Match) the Opposition is going to have a lot of time to ask ques-tions.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: This is the reason why we do what we do.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease proceed, Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. HEAD 85 —OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to present the budget for Head 85, the Office of the Ombudsman of Bermuda, found on pages B -23 through B26 of the …
Please proceed, Minister.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
HEAD 85 —OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to present the budget for Head 85, the Office of the Ombudsman of Bermuda, found on pages B -23 through B26 of the Budget Book. Mr. Chairman, the Ombudsman is an independent non- governmental official who investigates complaints from the public about the administrative actions of public authorities . The role of the O mbudsman is to strengthen governance through the promotion of fairness , accountability and transparency . The office works for the good of the public and those who work for the public . The office provides an impartial form of alternative dispute resolution which is flexible , accessible and less costly than adjudication through the courts . Anyone who feels they have been unjustly treated by an administrative action of a public authority may bring their complaint to the O mbudsman. A family member or other suitable person may make the complaint if the person is unable to do so. Services are free, confidential and available to everyone. E ven if a complaint is outside the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction , the office can assist by providing information or making a referral to another body that can investigate the issue raised . The Ombudsman aims to putting things right if they have gone wrong. Mr. Chairman , the Ombudsman's mission is , To protect the interests of the public by providing independent resources and interventions for individuals who have complaints about public services while influencing improvement in standards of these services to ensure people are treated fairly . To achieve this mission, the aims of the Ombudsman's Office are to • ensure that these services are accessible to all users and provide complainants with effective and timely avenues to seek redress and re-store fairness;
Bermuda House of Assembly • enhance the impact of its work, encourage authorities to improve the services through compliance with recommendations and lay reports in the House of Assembly; • expand its community engagement by developing public awareness, confidence and satisfaction of its performance; • utilise local and international relationships to identify best practices and prepare for future developments; • train and develop staff to create a positive and healthy working environment; and • identify successive plans and contribute to the retention of key staff . Mr. Chairman, core values of the Office of the Ombudsman are independence, fairness, respect and professionalism. Mr. Chairman, the mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman is to receive complaints and investigate any administrative action of an authority for the purpose of deciding whether there is evidence of maladministration on the part of the authority. Wherein an investigation is conducted, the Ombudsman makes recommendations to the authority concerning any administrative actions that formed the subject of the investigation and more generally about ways of improving its administrative practices and procedures. Mr. Chairman, the Ombudsman advocates alternative dispute resolutions and is addressing more complaints with informal resolution wherever it is suitable to do so. The office encourages the preservation of relationships between government authorities and persons with complaints. In addition, as an office of last resort, the Ombudsman also assists complainants by directing them for assistance to a more appropriate authority. The office also aims to assist whenever possible those who do not know where else to go for help. Mr. Chairman, the Ombudsman’s Office was established in Bermuda by the Bermuda Constitution (Amendment) Order 2001, and it is governed by the Ombudsman Act 2004. The office opened on 1 August 2005. Section 93B( 2) of the C onstitution protects the fundamental characteristic of an Ombudsman’s O ffice, which is its indepen dence , by stipulating that “ in the exercise of his functions and jurisdiction, the Ombudsman shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority. ” The Ombudsman submits an annual report of his operations to the Speaker of the House of Assembly with copies to the Governor and the President of the Senate. The accounts of the Ombudsman’s Office are audited annually and reported on by the Auditor General. Mr. Chairman, the Office of the Ombudsman for Bermuda continues to be highly regarded by regional and international ombudsman institutions and colleagues . Its memberships include the Ombudsman Associations of the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, as well as the African Ombudsman Research Centre, and the International Ombudsman Institute. Such relationships provide the Bermuda office with valuable assistance and access to the best available information on current practices and procedures. Mr. Chairman, expenditure overview.
Expenditure Overview
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I now turn my attention to the specific estimates of expenditure which can be found on page B -124. The estimated budget for 2025/ 26 is $1,100,000, an overall net increase of $50 ,000 when compared to last year’s budget. Variances between last year’s budget and the 2025/26 budget for amounts with a net change of $10,000 and over are as follows : • Estimate for Salaries increased by $44,000 as a result of union negotiated salary increases. • Professional services increased by $11,000 as a result of additional assistance required from overseas technical consultants. Mr. Chairman, the allocated budget for six full - time employees [FTEs], all of whom are Bermudians, is shown on page B -124. And that amount is $786,000. These positions are Ombudsman , Deputy Ombudsman, two investigation officers, a manager of finance and administration, an intake and research officer. The Ombudsman also engages service providers and technical and professional services as required. Mr. Chairman, for the 2025/26 fiscal year, there have been no approvals for capital purchases. And this brings me to the end of Office of the Ombudsman ’s budget information. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would like to thank the Ombudsman and staff for their commitment and dedication to their duties on behalf of the people of Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Minister. And the following head, the remaining heads are Heads 98 and 101. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Head 98, the Information Commissioner’s Office. I do hope the Member from [constituency] 10 is here. Because he asked questions earlier on these heads, these next two heads. Hopefully …
Thank you, Honourable Minister. And the following head, the remaining heads are Heads 98 and 101. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Head 98, the Information Commissioner’s Office. I do hope the Member from [constituency] 10 is here. Because he asked questions earlier on these heads, these next two heads. Hopefully we can answer them now.
HEAD 98 —INFORMATION COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, it gives me great pleasure to present the budget for Head 98, the Information Commissioner’s Office found on pages B - 29 through B -33 of the Budget Book. Mr. Chairman, the Information Commissioner Office (ICO) is an independent non- ministry public office established in 2015 when the Public Access to 986 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Information Act 2010, or PATI Act, was brought into operation. The ICO’s mission is to, Uphold the right of all Bermudians and residents of Bermuda to access public records to the greatest extent possible within the provisions of the Public Access to Information Act 2010. The ICO’s objectives as listed on page B -29 in the Budget Book are: • Encourage a cultural shift with the public and public authorities by embracing the principles of public access to information. • Foster the use of PATI rights through public awareness and education. • Assist public authorities to develop and follow best practices in meeting their obligations under the PATI Act through guidance and over-sight. • Conduct independent and impartial investigations and reviews in a fair and timely manner. • Engage stakeholders to strengthen and en-hance public access to information rights and their protections in law. The ICO’s mission and objectives, tak en together , bring life to the purposes of the PATI Act for the public ’s benefit , which is to • give the public the right to obtain access to the information held by public authorities to the greatest extent possible, subject to exceptions that are in the public interest , or for the protection of the right of others ; • increased transparency and eliminate unnecessary secrecy with regard to information held by public authorities ; • increase the accountability of public authorities; • inform the public about the activities of public authorities including the manner in which they make decisions; and • have more information placed in the public domain as a matter of routine. Mr. Chairman , a total of $1,200,000 has been allocated to the Information Commissio ner’s Office as shown on page B -30, which represents an increase of $83,000 from last year's budget allocation and constitutes approximately 7 per cent of IC O's total budget . This increas es the primary fund and reasonable costs associated with an office relocation, which is precipi-tated by the expiry of the shared co- location agreement with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner . This expenditure is discussed further in the s ubjective analysis. Madam Chairman [sic], the IC O Office—
The ChairmanChairmanMinister, I’m going to correct you. Please look behind me. There are no rainbow flags. Not “Madam” Chairman.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOoh! Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Oh . . . who put Madam Chairman there? [Crosstalk] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: This increase is primarily to fund the reasonable cause associated with an office relocation. (I did that.) Mr. Chairman, the Information Commissioner's Office is subdivided into four fiscally identifiable …
Ooh! Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Oh . . . who put Madam Chairman there? [Crosstalk]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: This increase is primarily to fund the reasonable cause associated with an office relocation. (I did that.) Mr. Chairman, the Information Commissioner's Office is subdivided into four fiscally identifiable business units as follows : • 108000— Administration • 108010— Applications • 108020— Compliance • 108030— Public awareness I will now proceed to address each business unit individually , Mr. Chairman, as follows :
Administration, 108000
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The administration business unit provides with a full range of administrative operations and personnel costs to maintain the day -to-day operational activities of the Information Commissioner ’s Office for which a total of $1,157,000 has been allocated. The Administration business unit ’s estimated costs represent 96 per cent of IC O's total budget allocation for [2025/26]. The largest expenditure items under the Administration's business unit are for salaries , rent and IT infrastructure . These are fixed, unavoidable costs for which IC O has made all reasonable efforts to improve cost -effectiveness and value for money .
Applications , 108010
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Applications business unit covers the cost associated with conducting statu-tory reviews of the Information Commissioner on decisions made by public authorities regarding requests for access to public records under the Public Access to I nformation Act . A total of $8, 000 has been allocated for this purpose. This allocation for the fiscal year 2025/26 is new as these expenses were not included in last year's budget package. Mr. Chairman, legal issues arising during applications for review by the Information Commissioner are becoming increasingly complex and more likely to necessitate legal advice or judicial action. While most of the resource costs associated with conducting reviews are accounted for in the a dministrative business unit, the allocation here in the Applications business unit represents a nominal amount of $8,000 to cover legal costs related to judicial filings and legal advice that may arise as part of a review by the Information Commissioner .
Compliance, 108020
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: For 2025/26 fiscal year $8,000 has been allocated to support the Information Commissioners compliance- related oversight and assistance to public authorities . This allocation covers briefings , guidance, and support activities tied to PATI Act compl aints. A $2,000 cost -savings has been achieved are shifting from commercial venues to public facilities such as Bermuda College for hosting in- person briefings . This approach is more economical and helps retain spending within the public sector , reinforcing prudent fiscal management .
Public A wareness , 108030
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Public Awareness business unit encompasses costs related to the delivery of public awareness and education activities aimed at in-forming the public of their right to access public information. For fiscal year 2025/ 26, a total of $27,000 has been allocated to this business unit . Mr. Chairman, the ICO’s Public Awareness business unit has faced underfunding in recent years , with typical costs being covered by savings sourced from other business unit s. In addition, $7,000 for this fiscal year will cover the actual cost of producing the ICO's annual report and anticipated expenses for various right-to-know day events which will be enhanced this year as we commemorate 10 years of PATI rights being available in Bermuda .
Subjective Analysis
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the Subjective Analysis of current account estimates for the Information Commissioner's Office are found on page B-30. I will highlight the material object code , increases and decreases . The estimate for ICO salaries is $815,00 0, an expected reduction of $150,000 year over year . Specifics on the ICO’s staffing complement are detail ed later in the presentation but the 20 25/26 decrease in salaries is due to an apportioned savings for two vacant full -time employee posts . The majority of the budget estimate increase for ICO is to fund the cost of an impending relocation of IC O's office . The estimated expenditure for relocation is spread across several object codes as listed in the subjective an alysis. Higher projected rental costs for IC O are expected to total $147,000. This represents real costs to reflect current market rates for suitable office accom-modations . Facing an anticipated office move in 2025, the ICO will no longer benefit from cost -savings associated with co-location with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner . The budgetary difference when comparing fiscal year 2024 /25 shows an increase of $139,000. Mr. Chairman, the year -over-year increase for the IC O's rent allocation of 2025/26 reflects a budget correction rather than a sharp spike in actual cost . In 2024 /25, [the] budget omitted a full office rent estimate as cost was shared 50/ 50 with the O ffice of the P rivacy Commissioner on the co- location agreement . The more accurate comparison is a revised rental cost of $95,000 for 2024/ 25. However , even that figure does not represent the true rental cost due to the shared space arrangement . As the I CO transi tions to an independent office space, several related budget lines will see modest but necessary increases . Rent reflects a return to a full standalone office occupancy .
Repair s and Maintenance
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: An increase of $15,000 to support office fit -out. Repair s, supplies and equipment each increased by $11,000 to accommodate relocation lease. Professional services [with] an increase of $44,000 to fund the secured transfer of IT and security infrastructure to the new location . These adjustments support the ICO's need for a secure, functional and independent work environment while maintaining operational continuity and compliance safeguards . Mr. Chairman, the Information Commissioner's Office has an estimate of $7 ,000 allocated for travel expenses this fiscal year . This is an increase of $2, 000 which will contribute to the attendance of the International Conference of I nformation Commissioners (ICIC) Annual Conference in June where Bermuda I CO serves as a Member of the Executive Committee . Bermuda’s presence and participation helps to raise Bermuda’s profile as a trusted jurisdiction with a robust access to information regime and lends support to the advancement and capacity -building for improvements in the information rights globally . Public officers here at home benefit greatly from the transference of skills , expertise and insights that are exchanged at ICIC C onferences . Mr. Chairman, Capital Expenditure for I CO is found on page C -9. The estimated budget for 202 5/26 fiscal year is $10,000. This represents no change in capital estimates appropriated for the previous year . This capital expenditure will be allocated for essential software upgrades necessary to enhance the Infor-mation Commissioner ’s secure IT environment . The Information Commissioner's Office depends on a closed IT infrastructure to provide robust data security controls, assuring its data sovereignty while minimi sing the risk of potential data breaches . Maintaining effective IT governance is crucial to upholding the integrity of t he Information Commissioner ’s review s as public authorities must have confidence that any records submitted to ICO for a review are stored safely and securely. The ICO will maximi se the minimum investment of $10,000 as it keeps current with routine and scheduled upgrades to its IT landscape.
Manpower
988 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, for 2025/ 26 the Information Commissioner's Office has salaries allocation of $815,000. Salaries continue to comprise the majority of I CO's operating budget , accounting for 68 per cent of the total allocation . This adjustment reflects a planned approach to staffing with two full -time positions , an Investigation Officer and a permanent administrative assistant to be recruited later in the fiscal year. The IC O closed the previous fiscal year with 17 members , including key leadership and operational roles . By scheduling recruitment to Quarter 3, the Office can effectively manage its salary expenditure within the approved budget . The Information Commissioner remains committed to strengthening the capacity to support delivery of services and uphold the Office’s statutory responsibilities . Mr. Chairman, I'm pleased to report that the Information Commissioner's Office forecast performance measures for fiscal year 20 24/25 are mostly achieved, in line with past year results , as outlined in pages B -32 and B-33 of the Budget Book. T he Information Commissioner's Office continues to demonstrate operational excellence, resilience and commitment to fulfil its statutory mandate and responsibilities within a challenging fiscal environment . The ICO has refined its performance measures for simplicity and to tailor the measures of IC O’s revised mission statement and objectives . Business unit 108000, A dministration . This administration is responsible for the day -to-day operations of the ICO , including facilities management , staff support , training and access to necessary resources . Its performance is measured on how effectively it upholds statutory , financial and governance obligations . The ICO has consistently met its statutory requirement to table its annual report on time with the 2024 report laid before the L egislature on 28 March. It demonstrates fiscal transparency and accoun tability by publishing quarterly expenditure reports and financial rec-ords online. The office maintains a strong audit record having consistently received unqualified audits from the Auditor General . In the year ahead, the Administration plans to review and update internal guides , policies and procedures to align with the evolving best practices and legal standards . Business unit 108010, Application . This unit handles applications submitted for independent review of public authorities ’ PATI decisions . It represents the most complex and labour -intensive function within ICO . In 2024, ICO received 50 new applications for review . The unit consistently meets most performance goals except for the eight -month target to close reviews , a timeline often impacted by the complexity of investiga-tions and staffing constraints . Delays are frequently due to public authority challenges in responding to reviews while managing their core functions , contributing to a growing case backlog. As of now , there are 33 open applications in the investigation phase. T o address this , ICO is streamlining its internal review process for greater efficiency while maintaining fairness and decision quality . Investigators are also committed to assisting public authorities with review submissions and actively seeking resolution opportunities from team parties to reduce review times . Business unit 108020, Compliance. The C ompliance Unit is responsible for monitoring and guiding public authorities to fulfilling their legal obligations under the Public Access to I nformation . PATI Act, particularly as outlined in Part 2 of the A ct. Key responsibilities include • collecting and analysing annual return data from over 190 public authorities; • promoting proactive publication of public records; • ensuring information statements are regularly updated; and • gazetting of contracts over $50,000. Despite the volume of authorities and limited resources , the ICO delivers quarterly compliance briefings on emerging issues , provides direct assistance to public authorities as needed, and publishes guidance materials to support consistent best practices compliance. Looking ahead, the I CO will leverage data analysis from annual returns to identify trends and opportunities for improvement . Authorities with persistent non-complying issues can expect a rise in targeted compliance interventions to address and correct defi-ciencies .
Public Awareness , 108030
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Public Awareness Unit plays a central role in advancing the IC O's mandate by educating the public on their right to access government records under the PATI Act. The ICO raises awareness through educational initiatives , social media and accessible online resources . Public events , including international right-toknow day stakeholder engagements to strengthen understanding and use of information access rights . Mr. Chairman, 8 7 per cent of respondents to the IC O's 2025 public engagement survey indicate that access to public records is important to them. The unit ’s key objective going forward is to turn awareness into action by • encouraging more individuals to submit PATI requests ; • demonstrating how public access can sup-port personal and civic empowerment ; and • the ICO will continue to refine outreach strategies and gather feedback to strengthen public engagement and improve overall access to public records . Mr. Chairman, the Information Commissioner's Office is preparing two significant policy changes under the PATI framework :
Bermuda House of Assembly 1. Implementation of new fees for PATI requests • While no start date has been set, the Government intends to introduce a fee structure for certain PATI requests. The ICO is concerned such fees may pose a barrier to some individuals seeking to access public records. In response, the ICO will maintain strong public outreach to ensure people understand the new fees when they apply. • Reinforce its commitment to upholding the right to access to the fullest extent possible. 2. Amendments to the PATI Act eight - month review deadline • Anticipated legislative changes will require the Information Commissioner to complete reviews within eight months . • The operational impact of this requirement has been previously discussed in the brief, particularly regarding complex cases. To mitigate the added burden, Government plans to increase the availability of Government information accessible online to help reduce PATI requests. The Information Commissioner welcomes consultation with the Minister and public officials to establish official Codes of Practice o n record- keeping as outlined in section 60 of the PATI Act ahead of the fee implementation.
Plans for the U pcoming Year
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Information Commissioner has set a vision for 2025/26 and beyond to bal-ance the IC O's mandate by directing greater efforts and resources towards supporting the availability of proac-tively disclosing public information and enhancing opportunities to improve public authorities PATI compliance. This separate focus , apart from the IC O's review process , in issuance of legally binding orders for disclosure will bring efficiency to public authorities records - handling and ease bureaucr atic lag associated with processing PATI requests . The ICO's vision aligns quite naturally with the G overnment ’s 2025 Throne Speech commitments for the digital transformation of Government services by increasing (and I quote) “the amount of government information that is open and ac-cessible online to reduce the unenviable burden of PATI requests on public officers. ” The Public Access to Information Act and the work of the I nformation Commissioner to protect and promote the right to access public records stands as a fundamental tool in our democracy , empowering Bermudians and residents to reali se social , economic and democratic rights . Mr. Chairman this ends my presentation on Head 98, the Information Commissioner's Office. A nd I wish to commend the Information Commissioner , Mr. Jason Outerbridge, and his staff for their exemplary work in this past fiscal year .
The ChairmanChairmanYes, and there was a previous . . . and his predecessor as well . For the benefit of the listening audience and Honourable Members , we are now in C ommittee of Supply for further consideration of the E stimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/ 26. …
Yes, and there was a previous . . . and his predecessor as well . For the benefit of the listening audience and Honourable Members , we are now in C ommittee of Supply for further consideration of the E stimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/ 26. Honourable Minister Diallo Rabain and his team, including the Premier and Honourable Minister Tinee Furbert, have completed Heads 2, 5, 56, 68, 86, 92, 98 and now remains 101. A nd they are assisted by Permanent Secretary, Ms. Jeane [Nikolai], —everyone loves Jean e—
[Laughter]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And Mr. Ian Cameron.
The ChairmanChairmanIt’s not your place to say this . And Mr. Ian Cameron. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain : I will say , and you know.
The ChairmanChairmanI knew who he was. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: All right. But he is a super popular guy. Can't make kites though.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, so now we are on Head 101, which is . . . Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Privacy Commissioner .
The ChairmanChairmanThe Privacy Commissioner . Are you allowed to talk about that ? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes. It’s public today.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease proceed. HEAD 101 —PRIVACY COMMISSIONER Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present the final head of this debate, of these 52 [sic] hours , of th ese 52 [sic] hours that we have spent up here, for Head 101, the Office of the —56 …
The ChairmanChairmanWell, 54 so far . 990 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Office of the P rivacy Commissi oner for Bermuda, found on pages B -34 through B -37 of the Budget Book. Mission and Mandate Hon. Diallo V. S. …
Well, 54 so far .
990 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Office of the P rivacy Commissi oner for Bermuda, found on pages B -34 through B -37 of the Budget Book.
Mission and Mandate
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The mandate of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Bermuda , Mr. Chairman, for your edification . The mission of the P rivacy Commissioner is, To protect the rights of individuals in relation to their personal information. The mandate of the Privacy Commissioner is, To take responsibility for monitoring how the Personal Information Protection Act 2016 is administered to ensure its purposes are achieved. The Commissioner is empowered to regulate the use of personal information by organisations so that such use is in a manner that recognises both the need to protect the rights of individuals in relation to their personal information and the need for organisations to use personal information for legitimate purposes. Mr. Chairman, the Personal Information Protection Act 2016 (PIPA) establishes the legal foundation for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and sets out its powers, duties and independence. The Act was assented on 27 July 2016 where provisions for establishing the Of fice and appointing the Commissioner were enacted in December 2016, the remaining sections of the Act came into full effect on 1 January 2025, marking a significant milestone in Bermuda’s data protection framework. PIPA applies to all organisations in Bermuda that use personal information as part of a structured fil-ing system, whether manual or automated. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner operates as an independent non- ministry entity. It is not subject to direc tion or control by any person or authority in carrying out its functions, must submit an annual report to both Houses of the Legislature by 30 June each year, undergoes an independent annual audit by the Auditor General outside of the Consolidated Fund. Th ese legislative requirements ensure operational independence and public accountability for the Office, reinforcing its role as a neutral protector of personal information rights. Mr. Chairman, the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) empowers individuals to control how their personal information is used, offering protection for themselves and their families while strengthening Bermuda’s position as a trusted and modern digital jurisdiction. PIPA supports Bermuda’s reputation as a regulatory safe harbour aligned with international standards, encouraging innovation and investment in digital commerce. In preparation for the full implementation of the Act on 1 July 2025, the Privacy Commissioner led a year -long “Road to PIPA” campaign, featured a ta rget Data Privacy Week in January [2024], provided practical tools and guidance for businesses ( especially small organi sations ), published accessible resources such as “Guide to PIPA” templates and chec klist at www.privacy.bm . (Is it priv -acy or pri -vacy?)
[Laughter]
The ChairmanChairmanIs it tom -AY-to or to- MAH -to? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Internationally, the Commissioner has engaged with global data protection peers, ensured Bermuda’s policies aligned with international best practices, positioned Bermuda as a regulatory leader within the global Caribbean region among finance centres and o n the global …
Is it tom -AY-to or to- MAH -to?
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Internationally, the Commissioner has engaged with global data protection peers, ensured Bermuda’s policies aligned with international best practices, positioned Bermuda as a regulatory leader within the global Caribbean region among finance centres and o n the global stage. These efforts have advanced both public understanding of data rights and Bermuda’s global influence, all while strengthening protections for people of Bermuda. Mr. Chairman, as shown on page B -35 for the 2025/26 fiscal year, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner has shown an allocated budget of $2,420,000, representing a net increase of $112,000 from last year. This increase reflects the completion of staff rec ruitment with remaining open positions expected to be filled this year. To accommodate this, funds have been reallocated from other line items to support salary needs.
Office Accommodations Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Following the expiry of the fixed lease in January 2025, the office has moved to a month- to-month arrangement while awaiting new lease arrangements by the Department of Public Works. The rental estimate of $155,000 has been included in the 2025/26 [financ ial year] based on projected market rates.
ITC Infrastructure
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, $119,000 has been allocated for Information and Communication Technology. T his mark s the decrease of $95,000 from the previous year as major IT C upgrades were completed during 2024/25. This budget supports the continued development of the office ’s operational capacity while responsibly managing costs and preparing for full implementation of the Personal Information Protection Act.
Human Resources
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Office of the P rivacy Commissioner has an approved staff complement of 14 FTE positions , as shown on page B -35 of the Budget Book, consistent with the previous fiscal year . The total salary allocation of $1,803,000 shows a $226,000 in-crease over the 2024 /25 estimate. This increase supports the full -year funding for positions that were previously filled on a staggered basis as the office continues to build capacity . Key senior roles established in
Bermuda House of Assembly 2025 /26 include privacy commissioner, deputy commissioner, legal counsel assistant commissioner for operations, policy innovation and investigations. The Commissioner will continue to assess how best to allocate staff resources to meet the office’s growing mandate and service responsibilities with the full implementation of the PIPA Act. The office may also engage external legal and technical expertise as needed to support its work .
Subjective Analysis Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Of the Office’s total $2,242,000 budget allocation for 2025 /26, as shown on page B -35, Mr. Chairman, $165,000 have been designated for operational activities . These operational funds will be strategically focused on public engagement, skills development, and rights education. Including: 1. Supporting organisations and public authorities: • The Commissioner will continue to assist businesses and government entities especially small- and medium- sized enterprises by developing a practical resource such as policy guidance, codes of practice templates, and hosting educational forums. 2. Empowering Bermudians through skills training: • In partnership with schools and community groups, the Office will support individuals seeking to enter the privacy field by promoting career pathways as privacy officers, enhancing job readiness, and meeting private sector needs. 3. Educating individuals on privacy rights : • The Office will help individuals understand their privacy rights as a human right including responding to public inquiries, conducting investigations into complaints [and] issuing official guidance and directions where appropriate. While the operational budget has been adjusted to reflect broader fiscal planning, the Office remains fully committed to delivering meaningful community engagement and ensuring that the privacy pr otections are clearly understood, accessible and actively supported in Bermuda. Mr. Chairman, I will take a point of privilege to let the listening public know, as well as Members within, that there is a forum on forum.gov.bm that if you go and fill out, and you want to know anything about PIPA, they will contact you and arrange to have a meeting with your group or give you a presentation. But you can go on to government forums and actually sign up and have that sorted out for you. Mr. Chairman, the operational expenses total $165,000. These include • $10,000 for staff training, professional fees development and certifications; • $25,000 for travel expenses to attend such training professional conferences and staff secondments with fellow privacy regulators; • $27,000 for telecommunication services; • $34,000 for repairs and maintenance; • $12,000 for education for energy needs; • $10,000 for materials and supplies; and • $34,000 for equipment. The Privacy Commissioner is committed to responsible use of public funds throughout the fiscal year 2025/26. T he Commissioner will assess the needs of the Office and make any additional funds request to the Miniter of Finance to ensure that the mandate of the Office is met . Capital Expenditures
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the capital expenditure allocation for the Office is found on page C-9 of the Budget Book and is $18,000 for the fiscal period 2025 /26. These funds have been allocated to purchase office and technological equipment for staff .
Revenue Overview
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner is reported [as] $161,000 in Revenue for fiscal year 20 23/24 as shown on page B - 35 of the Budget Book. T his revenue . . . I'm not sure if that's a typo . If that should say 2025/ 26. This revenue was generated through registration fees and sponsor-ship—Ah! No. T hat is right , [it is] 2023/24. I remember reading this now. This revenue was generated through registration fees and sponsorship for the G lobal Privacy Assembly (GPA) which Bermuda hosted in October 2023. The GPA brought together regulatory leaders and technology executives , over 130 countries , showcasing Bermuda as a global hub for digital innovation and hu-man rights protection. The Office successfully organised and supported the event without drawing on public funds , relying instead on local and international sponsorships . The only public resource used was staff time . The remaining $661,000 in surplus funds has been placed in a dedicated account to support future participation in the GPA and to cover membership dues and travel costs related to ongoing regulatory cooperation. This approach assures transparency and accountability as the funds are clearly earmarked for international engagement purposes. The Office does not anticipate reve nue collection in 2025/26 but may do so in future years as permitted under the Personal Infor-mation Protection Act (PIPA).
Performance Measures
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Chairman, the performance measures for the Office of the Privacy 992 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Commissioner are found in the Budget Book on pages B-36 through B -37. In 2025/26, the Privacy Commissioner will engage in monitoring how the Act is administered to ensure its purposes are achieved. The Office’s operations business unit will undertake initiatives to develop the operational maturity of the O ffice, enhancing compliance, function and processes concerning various statutory requirements related to finances , annual reports , access to information, and other business operations . This unit will estab lish a mediation, an alternative dispute resolution process , for addressing both formal and informal issues linked to complaints and potential violations of the A ct. In 2024 /25, the Office reorgan ised to incorporate communication functions within the operations business unit , which will also undertake initiatives related to community awareness and education, conduct workshops and events , and manage publications . Mr. Chairman, the Office's Policy and Innovation Unit will undertake initiatives related to creating technical guidance on compliance with the Act. The public will be given specific guidance on how to implement various sections of the A ct. The Office’s Policy and Innovation Unit will continue to work on the privacy , innovation and knowledge- sharing (or Pink Sandbox ) to support businesses engaging in innovative uses of data and personal information. The Office’s Investigations Unit will engage in initiatives related to constructive, proactive regulation. This unit will continue to respond to individual complaints, generate own- initiative actions , draft compliance orders , and undertake sectorial and industry surveys. Mr. Chairman, the Government is proud to have bought the Personal Information Protection Act 2016 into operation on 1 January 2025. The Act is of vital importance to protecting Bermuda and her people from a variety of online , financial and even physical harm. In addition , for a country to promote technological innovation we need forward- thinking rules and regulators . I commend the work of the P rivacy Commissioner in shepherding this Act into force and guiding the community to comply with it . The Commissioner will continue to advise G overnment on the Act and provide recommendations regarding the exercise of provisions now that it is operational . Mr. Chairman , it has been a long road to PIPA since 2016. W ith the A ct coming into effect , it would be easy to say that we have reached our destination; however, compliance is a journey, not a destination. Even while the Act is now in effect, it will be a continuous process to protect the digital rights of individuals. Organisations should continue to ask themselves, What data are we storing? For what purpose is the data being used for? Do we even need the information we hold to accomplish our business purposes? By understanding their data assets, they can determine what policies and procedures would best reduce the risk of harm to individuals. Mr. Chairman, I encourage any organisation that needs a better understanding of the Act and compliance, to visit the website of the Privacy Commissioner, www.privacy.bm. Mr. Chairman, this now concludes my presentation for the budget of Head 101, Office of the Privacy Commissioner. It also concludes the tenth head that I have read today. [Laughter]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I wish to commend the Privacy Commissioner, Mr. Alex White, and his team for the commitment to excellence this past year. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister, and your team for such succinct and brief briefs. [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
The ChairmanChairmanFor the benefit of the listening public and the Honourable Members, we are now in Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. To-day, this last brief we are debating is the Ministry of Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation . . …
The ChairmanChairmanPlease let the Chair . . . have you seen Captain Philips? [Inaudible interjections]
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. All right. Earlier the Ministry of Cabinet Office and Digital [Innovation] was done. And now . . . starting at 2:57 pm, the Non- ministries were done. And now the Opposition has approximately one hour and 40 minutes to ask their succinct and non- accusatory questions. [Laughter] Hon. Jarion …
Okay. All right. Earlier the Ministry of Cabinet Office and Digital [Innovation] was done. And now . . . starting at 2:57 pm, the Non- ministries were done. And now the Opposition has approximately one hour and 40 minutes to ask their succinct and non- accusatory questions. [Laughter]
Hon. Jarion Richardson: I can make no guarantees, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank the Honourable Minister and his colleagues for very thorough briefs. Even though there were quite a few of them, they were detailed enough that we could proceed to this stage of scrutinising the Budget Book. With that being said, Mr. Chairman, I am going all the way back to Head 2, which we started two hours ago. Just to keep it in order. I want to start my contribution, or evaluation, by . . . where the Minister finished, which was thanking the staff. We are currently doing Head 2, the Legislature, which includes some $5.8 million in spending. Mr.
Bermuda House of Assembly Chairman, when in church council you talk about the pastor’s salary, you normally ask him to leave, him or her. I don’t think we can ask these guys to leave though, so you guys will have to be here through the full presentation. I want to make it very, ver y clear that absolutely none of my questions mean that I do not appreciate and value the work of the staff here at the Legislature, at the House. [Desk thumping]
Hon. Jarion Richardson: They are an incredible group of people who work incredibly hard. And most especially I want to point out that even though this Legislature has a Head 2, it infers that this is one of many. It is not. The Legislature is the beginning of all things in Bermuda as it relates to the formality of Government. It is the place where law is made. It is the place where truly hard things are done. It is the place where buildings are permitted to take place. It is the place where social programmes are created and . . . well, I will give it to the Minister for action. But this is so, so key because I don’t think a lot of times the public are aware of just how vital it is. So, starting there. I will start my address by speaking to [business unit] 1000 [sic] on page B -10. Sorry. That is [business] unit 12000 on page B -10. I noted that we see an increase of 5 per cent in the administration budget. And I wanted to get a little bit more information on that. I un-derstand it being salary increase but were there any performance [measures] associated with those increases? I have a very blunt question relating to Schedule 3, on page B -11, which is dealing . . . oh, sorry. It is on Schedule 3 as well as page B -11, which is dealing with the Sessions House. And the question that I have, and it is a straight -up question requiri ng only a straight - up answer is, When will the Legislature return to Ses-sions House? Even though we spoke about it, or we certainly spoke to it in the brief a little bit, what we did not speak to was a finite date for our return to Sessions House. We are c urrently in rented accommodations, and I believe that we are capable of doing our job better in purpose- built facilities. A further question to that, Mr. Chairman, I note that we have had some discussions in passing about some changes that might be taking place to Veritas House while we are here. So, my question . . . I didn’t see where that was coming out of our Head 2, Legislature budget. I am aware that the House and Grounds Committee is busy and meeting and dealing with a number of issues, and I would like to know what, if any, changes we are anticipating to the rented properties and which head, or which business unit tha t will be getting paid from. Thank you. Also, what is the current explanation for the significant increase in energy as well as other expenses? Mr. Chairman, these rising administrative costs are a point of interest to the general public. They certainly speak to if we are in fact going to increase the cost on this that we should definitely see an increase in performance. Mr. Chairman, moving on to my second set of questions relating to Hansard streaming and the legislative accessibility. Mr. Chairman, I note that the Minister or the Premier . . . is it the Premier who brought this? I think it was the Premier. [He] did not speak to the voice transcription service that we had previously en-tertained on our other budgets. And this I will speak to page B -10 under, Department Objectives, which is “Advancing the digital transformation of the presentation and tabling of legislation papers and reports in the Legislature. The recording of Parliamentary proceedings and the safe storage of Parliamentary records and in-formation.” We had previously stated that voice transcriptions would be of use. Now, why would that be of use? Mr. Chairman, right now it takes quite some time for the Hansard to be turned around. Hansard is the written record of our proceedings. As it stands, it is q uite vital, not only in the reflection process but for us to evaluate what is taking place and interrogate that information, correlate it and then put proper questions to power. In the absence of the Hansard, we often have to rely only on our own recollect ions and notes. So, to that end, a voice transcription service would modernise the House and provide us in here the opportunity to actually undertake the work with a lot more professionalism and detail. To that end my question is, what happened to the voic e transcription project? Further to that point, Mr. Chairman, going on to objective number six, still speaking to advancing the digital transformation of the House of Assembly. I wanted to speak to . . . is there a timeline target for turnarounds on Hansard transcriptions? Which I do not see under performance measures. Again, I have spoken to the value of the Hansard, but I wanted to make it clear that it is actually, they can be quite dated sometimes. For example, the most recent Hansard that is available is currently dated 26 Mar ch 2025. And we are on 29 . . . sorry, we are on 28 May. And so obviously that would be incredibly helpful in undertaking our jobs. So, my question to the Premier would be, Is there a timeline target for releasing Hansard transcriptions? And are we going t o expand into voice recording transcription service? Further to that point, Mr. Chairman, under objective number four, for Head 2, the objective is that the Legislature will be customer -centric and improving public knowledge and understanding of the importance and leading role of the Legislature in the governance of Bermuda. I think this is absolutely critical, Mr. Chairman. I don’t think anyone of us can . . . doesn’t have a story where we have been approached by a member of the public who wants us to do certain things but clearly does not understand the nature and structure of the 994 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Houses of Parliament as well as the rules that govern our conduct. So it is very important that we let them know. One of the areas that we could let them know is by livestreaming access to committees. So my question would be, Has the Government or anyone e lse considered expanding livestreaming access to committees. Mindful —don’t need a point of order —that that might need to go to the Rules and Privileges Committee. But it is a point of curiosity since it is outlined, and we are funding at $5.8 million. With that being said, Mr. Chairman, this goes back to the voice transcription services, or the voice recording service. I want to bring that up because we shifted back to manual transcriptions for Hansard, it is under professional services, but I did not see a commensurate reduction in professional services costs. Or an increase. In fact, I can’t quite make sense of how . . . what impact, if any, it had to our budget. So if someone could explain what impact the failure of the ASR project has had. Are we saving money? Losing money? Obviously, my earlier question is, Are we still proceeding with it at all?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Jarion Richardson: ASR, it was called. Mr. Chairman, that would be my questions under the theme of Hansard streaming and legislative ac-cessibility. My next set of questions relate to public and youth engagement, which comes under business unit 12002, under Youth Parliament. And especially, obviously, under the education part of our honourable assembly. Now I noticed that the Youth Parliament partic-ipation rate . . . now, by the way, I genuinely did not know as much about the Youth Parliament until the sad events that the Lister family had experienced. And hav-ing now spent some time looking into it, it is actually quite key. A number of our social commentators in Bermuda right now have come through the Youth Parliament process and so it is key that in order to engage the youth and make sure that we increase youth participation in our electoral process that those mechanisms are reinforced and published as much as possible. Now, the reason I bring all that up is because this Budget Book, again, $5.8 million, a portion of it which is allocated to the Youth Parliament under business unit 12002. And I noted that a number of Youth Parliamentarians participating in each legislati ve session, we anticipated 20 and it went down to 12—anticipating 18. The only sort of recollection I have of Youth Parliamentarians participating in our assemblies is really relating to us during the opening of Parliament when they typically have a role t here. It would be good to get them more involved. So to that end, what is being done to recruit more students into the Youth Parlia-ment? Will their debates and forums be broadcast or held more visibly this year? Right now there is only one a year that is held via CI . . . or held upon . . . sorry . . . broadcast by a CITV. And it is clear that the more people we get involved again, the better we get for youth participation. So, are we going to see more of that? And is $6,000 going to be enough to cover for the Youth Parliament’s engagement objectives? Moving on to Legislative Output and Committee Oversight. This one will be speaking to business unit 12010. I had already spoken to the House and Grounds Committee’s meeting. And I would be interested to know what are, again, those plans that we are looking at in Veritas Place? There is an overlap there. And that takes me on to the Sessions House restoration which we spoke to a little bit about before. To that end, would the Honourable Minister or Premier be able to state the judicial relocation that is required to start the renovation on Sessions House? D uring his brief he said it would take place in early 2025. But we are in May 2025. So, we are already almost half -way through the year. And I am not sure if they are actually going to move out. When I was on the House and Grounds [Committee] it was quite clear that there was quite a lot to do insofar as moving the courts out of Sessions House and into their Dame Lois Browne- Evans Building. And so it is no easy thing. I would ask the Honourable Pr emier if he could specify instead of saying early 2025 because again, we are past early 2025. I note that the 2024 budget allocation was for $250,000 for phase 1 of the restoring of Sessions House. In other words, putting us back in Sessions House. We seem to be running into more and more delays. This year’s Budget Book has $900,000 set aside. If you just bear with me . . . or you could just believe me. Here it is. On page C -4, $900,000, has been allocated to the Parliament building refurbishment. That is under business unit 75230. So there are a couple of questions here. What does $900,000 get us i n terms of how far? Especially given that under that same heading, business unit, we are estimating a $20 million refurbishment and so far, as I said, last year’s fiscal budget we allocated $250,000. This year $900,000. So, at this burn rate, at $20 million we are not going to get into the Parliamentary building for a while. So, my question is, What are we going to get for that $900,000 in this fiscal year? My question is . . . also, further on, 75230, there is an origina l estimate of that $250,000 I had raised earlier, Mr. Chairman, but the revised estimate shows $419,000 was spent. Now, well knowing that full renovations, for that to take place requires the judiciary to move. The judici-ary has not yet moved. What did we spend . . . how did we exceed a budget given that the conditions were not yet met for us to spend up to $250,000. S o some clarification would be an assistance. In other words, what did we spend that extra money on as it relates to getting us back into Sessions House? I also want to make very, very clear, we are going to have to reiterate this. In the last three budgets, we have discussed when we are going to get back into
Bermuda House of Assembly the Sessions House. I think it is time that someone comes up with a deadline to get back into Sessions House. And most especially my question will be, Given that we are now spending $900,000 and the Honourable Premier did make a point in saying that there will be a full review of the work that it will entail for us to get back into Sessions House, my question is, Will he table the Master Plan or refurbishment timeline before the end of the fiscal year? Alternatively, will the House and Grounds Committee be able . . . be given that specific duty? The question also, from the brief, again regarding the $900,000. I noted that the Premier said why . . . that we are going to take time to review, once the judiciary is out of Sessions House. My question is, What does that review entail? We have been monit oring the development of this project for some time, especially in House and Grounds. I know that plans were sent at one point. The Honourable Minister Colonel Burch in fact had quite a plan. I remember us meeting and discussing it at one point. So, it is clear that a lot of work has already been done. My question is, Given that that much work has been done, given that we are now allocating $900,000 and that we overspent last year on the renovation and again, we are not there, and we do not even know when w e will get there, could someone please explain what is the plan to get back into Ses-sions House? My next question, Mr. Chairman, relates to the committees of this Honourable House. Most of which are outlined under Head 2, under page B -13. Specifically, under performance measures, business unit 12010, Ministers and Members. Now, Mr. Chairman, one of the areas that we have been examining here is these committees. I mentioned House and Grounds more than a few times. We have the Audit Office which the Honourable Premier had mentioned, or the Audit Office Committee which the Honourable Premier had mentioned is a mechanism by which to fund the Office of the Auditor General, Private Bills Committee, Standing Orders and Privileges [Committee] and obviously Joint Select Committees. The one we have not mentioned which is outlined here is the Public Accounts Committee. Again, on page B -13, referring to business unit 12010. The Public Accounts Committee plays a key role, as you are well aware, but certainly all of us are very, very well aware in facilitating what we do in this House, most especially holding the Government to account. But it has not been with committed secretarial research facilities. In fact, I just want to point this out. We have some seven staff allocated to the administration of the entirety of the House of Legislature—the entire Parliament —which overse es (I want to say) a $6 billion economy, which oversees $1.2 billion in Govern-ment spending. I mean, we have huge responsibilities and seven people administer that. And that is why I thank them so much. Because it is an incredible, incredible task. One of the primary mechanisms though is that they are all not going to be able to —actually, may I read for a second from something? The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association speaks to a Public Accounts Committee utility. I just want to mention this.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease go ahead. Hon. Jarion Richardson: Thank you. The quotation is from Recommended Benchmark for Democratic Legislatures . It is dated 2018. Specifically benchmark 2.1.5 where it reads, “The Public Accounts Committee shall be adequately resourced and empowered to conduct effective oversight of public expenditure.” Now in similar jurisdictions, which …
Please go ahead. Hon. Jarion Richardson: Thank you. The quotation is from Recommended Benchmark for Democratic Legislatures . It is dated 2018. Specifically benchmark 2.1.5 where it reads, “The Public Accounts Committee shall be adequately resourced and empowered to conduct effective oversight of public expenditure.” Now in similar jurisdictions, which I am pretty sure the Premier actually mentioned in his brief, we see dedicated researchers, report writers, and financial analysts. That is the kind of resourcing the Pub-lic Accounts Committee is going to need . And it is going to need that no matter who is in Government. And so to that end, I think that until we have a committed secretariat who has that source of investigative and analytical resources, the Public Accounts Committee will be entirely reliant —again, speaking to business unit 12010 on the availability of its members to undertake analytical, investigative and report -writing work and researching work. So, I definitely, strongly, advocate that we increase the funding to the House of Assembly, especially under administration. That being business unit 12000 to provi de for the staffing to the Public Accounts Committee to undertake its role. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanSo, Honourable Opposition Leader, for clarity for the Minister, are you advocating for the Government to increase staff? Hon. Jarion Richardson: Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanAnd increase expenditure? Hon. Jarion Richardson: Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Hon. Jarion Richardson: For the Public Accounts Committee, absolutely.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Hon. Jarion Richardson: Twice on Sunday.
The ChairmanChairmanAll right. Just be careful. [Laughter] Hon. Jarion Richardson: Thank you. Okay. Thank you so much. Whilst we are there, let’s go through Head 2. I noted that the Premier’s brief had spoken to 996 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Communications. So we are under …
All right. Just be careful. [Laughter] Hon. Jarion Richardson: Thank you. Okay. Thank you so much. Whilst we are there, let’s go through Head 2. I noted that the Premier’s brief had spoken to 996 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Communications. So we are under Head 2, object and code description, this is subjective analysis at current account expenditures. Under Communications, we see some resources that are in use. For example, right now we are all issued tablets. Those tablets c ome with cell phone numbers or data lines. I could not tell you the last time I saw one of those kicking around here. So, I think it is quite key that where possible that we are able to redirect those resources. Again, there are better places to put it, such as the Public Accounts Committee. So, one of the questions I do have is, and I asked it earlier, I spoke about the jump in energy costs. Again, under subjective analysis of current account expenditures, as well as other expenses. As it relates to the vacancy, under employee numbers, full -time equivalent s, page B -11, the assistant clerk position is vacant. My question to the Honourable Premier, Do we have any understanding of what may take place given that that position is vacant? Right now we have the incredible Ms. Beale as our Deputy. But she was previously Assistant Clerk. Is she wearing two hats? How much work is she doing? What changes, especially what adverse changes could we see to our support structure? And if none, or at the very least, when are we anticipating hiring an assistant clerk? Again, these guys work incredibly hard, and I would hate for them to be working even harder. And I note that in the Premier’s brief he had mentioned that we are going to consider how AI can be applied. That is, artificial intelligence. Mr. Chairman, as someone who is now working in that space where we are using more and more artificial intelligence in the public sector, it would go a long way to our objective number six. That is, Advancing the digital transformation of the presentation. If we were able to get ac-cess to artificial intelligence. I know the Honourable Minister for Cabinet Office ment ioned that Government will be trialling and in a Ministerial Statement probably a month or two ago that we will be trialling artificial intelligence use in Government. I would advocate that that trial be extended to this Honourable House because that would go a long way to providing both report writing, researchers and investigators. And to that end, I would ask that question of the Premier. When would he consider expanding that trial of artificial intelligence to the House, to the Legislature? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Moving on, Mr. Chairman, to Head 5.
The ChairmanChairmanFor the benefit of the listening audience, we are in Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. The Honourable Opposition Leader, Honourable Jari on Richardson, is asking very clinical questions on non- ministries. You may proceed, Opposition Leader. Hon. Jarion …
For the benefit of the listening audience, we are in Committee of Supply for further consideration of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025/26. The Honourable Opposition Leader, Honourable Jari on Richardson, is asking very clinical questions on non- ministries. You may proceed, Opposition Leader.
Hon. Jarion Richardson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the Office of Auditor General, Head 5, I would again start where the Honourable Premier finished by thanking the team at the Office of Auditor General, the OAG, for their incredible work. And the importance of their work should be stated as vital. Abs olutely vital. Again, it always baffles me when we talk about non- ministries. It sounds like an afterthought when it is in fact the most central part of our entire governing system. So the Office of the Auditor General has my thanks. Starting off we'll talk about the financial statement backlog and systemic audit gaps, that the Auditor General has been reporting on for some time. Most specifically, we are talking about, under general summary , on p age B -14 under business unit 15000, which would be the same as the Auditor General's perfor-mance measurements . Similarly , under business unit 15000. Now the Auditor General has asked for an allocation , or rather the G overnment is likely to give an allocation of $4.397 million. The Honourable P remier did specify that a different number was sent to the Audit Committee of the H ouse, and he explained how he arrived at this number . As well as his flexibility on a goingforward basis . Which I'll bring up at another point in question. My question is the Auditor General is generating a number of products as it stands right now and one of my questions under performance measures is she generated a number of reports saying that entities remain in arrears with their financial statements . And I don't see that as a performance measure. My concern , the reason I'm raising this , is because I'm not sure if we are encouraging . . . do we have a dog that can't bite ? Or in this case , bark. If we have so many outstanding audits and we're not tracking t hem in our performance measures when we're allocating $4.397 million, then I have a question about , Well, what value are we getting here for that for $4.4 . . . Let’s just say $4.4 million. S o my question is , How many entities remain in arrears ? How many financial statements have been submitted for audit but are not yet completed ? What is the current number ? Oh, and do we have a remediation plan ? Does the Minist ry of Finance or the Auditor General have a remediation plan to clear up of these backlogs ? Again, I don't see this in the performance measures , but I would argue that anyone who's about to receive $4.4 million we would want to get to grips with that problem. Mr. Chairman, following on from that . . . and in going under performance measures , I don't see any targets relating to closing open recommendations from audits or any departments or boards facing consequences for audits or any selected audits being implemented. In fact , what I do see and let me just read it out. Just to be clear because it's not as if there is nothing there. It just doesn't seem—
The ChairmanChairmanTo be clear , where are you reading from? Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Jarion Richardson: Sure. Sorry. My apologies, Mr. Chairman. I'm on page B-16, reading under Head 5, performance measures for business unit 15000.
The ChairmanChairmanNot that we don't trust you but , you know , people want reference points. [Laughter] Hon. Jarion Richardson: Sir, absolutely , I'm very mindful that people are listening right now and don't have . . . we don't have the TV staring with the presentations like the US Congress …
Not that we don't trust you but , you know , people want reference points. [Laughter] Hon. Jarion Richardson: Sir, absolutely , I'm very mindful that people are listening right now and don't have . . . we don't have the TV staring with the presentations like the US Congress does . To that end, the business unit has some measurables including a number of financial statement audits completed. A number of financial statement reviews completed . A number of non- financial audits completed. A nnual report , percentage of team members who met minimum CPD requirements . Percentage of audit staff time allocated to the annual consolidated fund and percentage of audit staff time allocated to the other audits . And these are good. But I would argue that, again, when we give $4.4 million, what we want to know is how effective $4.4 million is. I don't see that . So, my question is as outlined, and I know persons are taking notes for the Honour able Premier . Further , we have a question or rather relating to the resourcing recruitment and capacity constraints . Now the Honourable Premier made the point that there's been . . . and in fact over the years a number of people have made the point that it's quite difficult to staff the Auditor General ’s department because of the competition in the private sector . So to that end , would the Honourable Premier be able to answer if the Auditor General's Office is currently fully staffed to its authorised full -time equivalen ts? And that information is on page B-15. So, I'm asking if the information on page B15, specifically , business unit 15000. I see that we have 28 in the 2024/ 25 full -time equivalents . I see that in the 2024 /25 revised it says 25. And t hen in the estimate it says 28 again . So, the question is , Do we have those bodies yet ? And if not , what is the plan to get those persons ? Granted it might be incredibly difficult to recruit but nonetheless we still need a plan for such a vital department . Thank you. Also, a question relating to the H onourable Premier and undoubtedly the support team listening in, Has the 2023/ 24 annual report from the Office of the Auditor General been published on time and tabled in the House? I'm afraid that I've not been able to find that information. The last one I found was from 2019 w ith some audited financial statements . And I'm just wondering, Are we looking in different places ? I'm very mindful that the H ouse does an incredible job on digitising the information that we received on our SharePoint site, but that doesn't always mean that it is the easiest thing to do. Which again, I sort of lean on my honourable colleague, the Minister for Cabinet Office to give us access to artificial intelligence which would increase our ability to undertake research. Okay. Moving on. I am in general very pleased to see a $4.4 million allocation to the Auditor General . I am very mindful that the 2023/ 24 allocation was — sorry . That's on page B-14, under 15000. It was $ 3.6 [million] and then in 2024/ 25 the original allocation was $4.1 [million] and then only wound up being spent , it looks like $3.7 million . So, to see $4.3 million is great . And that's a fantastic thing. The Minister did explain how that budgeting process works . My question though is, he's explained that the additional funds , if needed, the Ministry commits to providing them. And yet in the same brief when the Honourable Premier was speaking to capital acquisitions , he mentioned that the Auditor General needed some new computers . But [they] didn't get everything they wanted . Now, I do see some allocations here. I want to say $21,000. And this is on page C-9 under capital acquisitions , which is Schedule C dealing with business unit 76605 . So, the Auditor General is getting $21,000 but the Honourable Premier said that that's not enough. So he said that the Ministry will look at that . So it seems like this number is a bit fluid. So, my question is , What is the criteria that the P remier is deciding when addressing the needs of the Auditor General's department given the fluidity that is currently in evidence by his min-isterial brief ? Moving on , still on page B-15. I noticed that the professional services area , under page B-15, under subjective analysis of current account expenditures , we're seeing an allocation of some $364,000. This was originally allocated last fiscal period at $ 330,000 and revised to the actual spend of being or anticipated spend being $ 201,000 so we're now allocating $368,000. That is on page B -15 under subjective analysis of current account expenditures . My question is that we have spoken quite a number of times about outstanding audits and how the Office of the Auditor General will hire additional staff , additional professional staff , under this line item within the budget to cover for that . So, if the Honourable Premier would be able to just specify , Why is it that we have this line item and this activity where we do hire additional people to go through them, to go through these accounts , but we still have outstanding accounts ? And then further to that , Why are we also providing legislative options for persons to effectively opt-out or . . . sorry , select a different auditor if we have a mechanism to make sure that we catch up with their audits ? And th e last time this happened the Honourable Minister, the then Minister of Education, had brought legislation to the effect facilitating that process for an-other body . So, my question is , Why do we have that option if we're able to hire staff ? I’m happy to take a point —
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Point of clarification.
998 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Jarion Richardson: Absolutely .
The ChairmanChairmanProceed Minister. POINT OF CLARIFICATION Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you for mentioning that. This may affect the question, but the reason that legislation was bought forth for the Bermuda C ollege is [because] part of their accreditation required that they show they have complete control over their financial …
Proceed Minister.
POINT OF CLARIFICATION
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you for mentioning that. This may affect the question, but the reason that legislation was bought forth for the Bermuda C ollege is [because] part of their accreditation required that they show they have complete control over their financial matters . And so it required for them to be able to select their own auditor to do their audits for them. Not that we didn't want the Auditor General to do it.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease proceed. You got your clarity? Hon. Jarion Richardson: Oh, absolutely .
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Hon. Jarion Richardson: That was that was borderline effective . I like when we do effective up here. [Laughter] Hon. Jarion Richardson: So that's a great point . But that also . . . I'll leave that question there for the Honourable Premier because the H onourable former Minister …
Okay.
Hon. Jarion Richardson: That was that was borderline effective . I like when we do effective up here.
[Laughter] Hon. Jarion Richardson: So that's a great point . But that also . . . I'll leave that question there for the Honourable Premier because the H onourable former Minister of Education made the point that that was due to an accreditation. But there are obviously others who would have similar interests , so my question would still apply to everybody else. Which was , How do you . . . given that where you have a mechanism by which to compensate for outdated reports , why do we have outdated reports , effectively ? And performance . . . That's . . . that's my questions . Commissions . . . Ah yes . I have some questions on page B-16 for the O ffice of Auditor General , Mr. Chairman. Under performance measures , again going back to 15000, N umber of financial statement audits completed. And I've looked through a number of reports from the Auditor General and it's been mentioned that sometimes this process has been hampered by no submissions , or problems getting submissions from other parties . And I believe the Honourable Premier did mention that in his brief . So I would ask the question , How many , if any , are these financial statement audits being hampered by either a lack of submissions , submissions which are not substantive enough? And are we tracking? Who's doing that ? Why? So that we can remediate out of that circumstance. That's my questions under H ead 5, Office of Auditor General , Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanDo you wish to continue or do you want the answers ? Hon. Jarion Richardson: I'll just keep on going.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Hon. Jarion Richardson: I'm following the Minister who went for like two hours . I got to . . . if I take a break I might get in trouble.
The ChairmanChairmanI think he went longer but , you know . . . [Laughter] Hon. Jarion Richardson: So the next set of questions is under H ead 56, the Human Rights Commission. And to that end . . . I'm on page B-17 and dealing with . . . well, I'll …
I think he went longer but , you know . . . [Laughter]
Hon. Jarion Richardson: So the next set of questions is under H ead 56, the Human Rights Commission. And to that end . . . I'm on page B-17 and dealing with . . . well, I'll get into the questions to deal with. My question relates to the complaint caseload and investigation timelines , or timeliness , as it were, relating to business unit 66040 of the T ribunal as facilitated or administered by [business unit] 66020, the Office of the Commissi on. And my question relates to the performance, as it were. The performance standards of the Human Rights Commission are outlined on page B -19 under business unit 66020. And the Human Rights Commission, again, under the number 66040. And what I don't see here, but I do see in their annual reports, is reporting on their activities such as how many complaints remained open at the start of 2025/26 and timely resolutions. So, my question relates more so to the Minister on the . . . overseeing this area, or responsible for administering this area , I should say . Why isn't that information included in the performance measures? That being the complaints that have been tabled. And times to resolutions and things like that . My question, it really does relate because performance tracking for resolving discrimination complaints , which are in line with section 14 of the Human Rights Act , are very important . I actually skipped ahead and I apologi se to the Human Rights Commission, its team, staff and Minister. I did mean to say first , thank you for their considerable service. The Human Rights Commission does a job which is absolutely key in modern law and modern life in Bermuda and is often quietly going about their jobs. But they are critical to making life sustainable, civil in Bermuda. So I wanted to mention that point. Hon. Jason Hayward : Point of order, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanWhat is your point of order, Minister? POINT OF ORDER Hon. Jason Hayward : The Honourable Member did maybe a five- minute ramble without asking a single question. I believe that the Member is supposed to ask questions which are in alignment with the Budget Book. And I have not …
What is your point of order, Minister?
POINT OF ORDER Hon. Jason Hayward : The Honourable Member did maybe a five- minute ramble without asking a single question. I believe that the Member is supposed to ask questions which are in alignment with the Budget Book. And I have not heard a question in that last five- minute period.
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Just for your clarity and the clarity of the listening public , the Chairman of Committees had a meeting and there's some levity allowed for creative discussion . That can always be counteracted with factual answers . Thank you, Minister. Please proceed, Opposition Leader.
Hon. Jarion Richardson: Yes, I thank the Honourable Minister for bringing up the fact that , yes, there were some constraints before in this process . I'm glad those constraints have been lifted . Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm at five minutes . . . my clock shows five minutes and 51 . . . five o’clock and 51 minutes . And I have a point there. T he Honourable Minister said five minutes, I'm pretty sure within the five- minute period I asked a question about page B19, 66040.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Jarion Richardson: So, my question to somebody is , really anybody , didn’t that constitute a question? That question?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Jarion Richardson: But anyway , let's get back to the work of the people. And especially . . . by the way and the reason why, Mr. Chairman, that I'm actually adding my thanks and specifying the importance of these roles is because the Minister's briefs all include that portion and what I would hate to happen is for someone to think that because I'm scrutini sing their conduct , their allocations , their funds , or their output in any way means that I am not thankful for their contribution to the state of this country . And so, I just wanted to make that point . Moving on back to H ead 56 , the Human Rights Commissions on page B -17. I had asked the question relating to the tracking mechanisms relating to discrimination complaints . A further question to the Honourable Minister would be on allocations on page B-17 relating to business unit 66020, O ffice of the Commission. My question would be, Of that allocation, which I'm looking at $1.331 million in the 2025/ 26 estimate, how much of that supports investigations ? My understanding is part of this process , part of the complaints process , is an investigation part . And I'm not quite sure I know how muc h, or I can see how much funding goes towards investigating these complaints . I am making this point because timely handling of discrimination complaints is crucial and there is a rising caseload, so we just want to make sure that we are getting an understanding here as we are allocating $1,434,000 under Head 56, that it is being properly dealt with . Relating to education and public engagement, which is coming under department objectives , most especially department objective 4, to educate the community on the principles of human rights inclusion and equality . I do have some questions here. We have three business units : business unit 66020, business unit 66030, and business unit 66040 . But we also have an objective to educate the community under objective 4. And my question is , What share of the operational budget is devoted to the public education media outreach and or training piece ? I believe the Honourable Minister did speak to that, but I wasn't sure if I got a specification as to how much of that funding goes towards that process ? I am mindful but —
The ChairmanChairmanPlease hold there, Opposition Leader. For the listening public , we are now in the Committee of S upply for further consideration of the Estimates or Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025 /26. This debate began on non- ministries at 2:57 pm and it ends at 6:57 pm which …
Please hold there, Opposition Leader. For the listening public , we are now in the Committee of S upply for further consideration of the Estimates or Revenue and Expenditure for the year 2025 /26. This debate began on non- ministries at 2:57 pm and it ends at 6:57 pm which by my calculations , Berkeley maths, means we have one hour left . So, if the O pposition continues to ask non- succinct questions , they may not get any answers . Please continue, Mr. Opposition Leader.
Hon. Jarion Richardson: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman for your evaluation of my sequence of questioning . I would note . . . Oh, that's it . What performance measures exist to track education delivery or outcomes beyond media appearances and consultations ? That's specifically relating to page B -19 either under business unit 66020, which is I think that's where it will be tracked. Because it is an advertising and promotion line item under subjective analysis of current account expenditures . But that looks like advertising and promotion and I'm not entirely sure that I'm capturing the full education delivery or outcome purposes . Okay. O bviously, a great part of making sure that we don't increase our caseload which is what we're seeing right now , is the education piece. So my question relates to the education piece. A further question relating to the performance measures under 66020, relating to the strategic plan. I don't see it mentioned under performance measures , but the Human Rights Commission was applauded when they released their 2023- 2025 Strategic Plan. And it would be interesting to know if any portion of the current projected allocation of $1,434,000 would go towards a new strategic plan. Moving on. Independence and oversight and now moving on to H ead 56 , number 9, To act independ ently in accordance within the Commission ’s statutory duties and to continue to strengthen the C ommissions ability to function with such independence. W hich portion . . . I have some questions relating to the role, to the process , of the allocation process right now because I see that we have $1,434,000 and I know that the Commission is supposed to act independently of the Government and I wasn't sure, did the C abinet amend the request ? We saw a similar circumstance in the Office of the Auditor General where the Auditor General put forward a number to the committee, Audit 1000 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Committee of the House . That number was then sent to the F inance Minister and that number was amended. Is there a similar such arrangement relating to the Commission ? Further on, going back to page B -17, specifically, objective B , Mr. Chairman. T o inform the G overnment of human rights matters inclusive of those that require the development of policies designed to strengthen protections . With 46 per cent of complaints this year . . . this year? Yes, last year . . . tied to employment , has the Human Rights Commission consulted with the Government in drafting workplace discrimination, immigration or wage enforcement policies ? Further on to objective 6 . I note the Honourable Minister had mentioned adopting disability as needed across Government . In her brief , which was , a report will be commissioned. I'm not sure if I caught all of it either . It is being commissioned, has been commissioned but it's supposed to go to Cabinet . And at that point it's supposed to be used as part of the wider con-sultation on every G overnment policy . I was hoping the Honourable Minister could speak to how that process would work because for those of us who work in compliance, we're well aware that if you send the policy to too a high level , it just gets put on a shelf and then collects dust . So, I'm wondering how that's going to work out. Certainly, the Human Rights Commission is an early warning system, and it tells us what's going wrong or what needs to be addressed within our community . And so, I'm pleased to hear about the Human Rights Commission's work, and I'm interested to know how it's informing Government policy . Moving on to the Human Rights Tribunal effectiveness. I am now referring to Head 56, page B -19, business unit 66040 Human Rights Tribunal where the two performance measurements are decisions issued within 30 days of the conclusion of a hearing being 100 per cent for the targeted outcome of this year and tribunal decisions registered in Supreme Court being 12. One of the questions I have is . . . I'm not sure and maybe I might have missed this, is the total number of complaints being received and I'd be pleased to be corrected if I just missed that in the Minister's brief. Again this goes towards the effectiveness of the tribunals because I'm not sure how much how much work is being sent to them. They are being allocated right now $81,000. Speaking of that, there's a great question to the Honourable Minister. She had mentioned that un-der professional services, so 466040, under Professional Services which is the subjective analysis of current account estimates on page B -18 that tribunal — some members of the tribunal are being compensated under the Professional Services line item. And I had a question, Why is that if there is its own business unit under 66040 under tribunals? The problem I see with that, Mr. Chairman, is that I'm not . . . it seems like one of many line items that get stuffed into Professional Services and given that we're seeing a 44 per cent increase in expenditure for that one line item, there's some curiosity around what's going in there. And further if I could ask the Honourable Minister as it relates to the subjective analysis of cur-rent account expenditures, specifically on page B -18 and I think this was under Professional Services as well going to my ear lier point. She had mentioned that director and officer insurance had been obtained for the members of the tribunal and so my question is . . . and I think she said that price point was $4,000. So what about the statutory protections was not enough that required additional insurance coverage? I am just mindful of the precedent it sets relating to all the tribunals in government. And I'll take us past Head 56 on the Human Rights Commission, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would like to move on to Head 63, the Parliamentary Registrar, with your permission.
The ChairmanChairmanYes, please do, Honourable Opposition Leader. Get in all your questions. You have all of 50 minutes to go. Hon. Jarion Richardson: Yes, I think I'll probably take a break so I can get some answers back because I do have some supplementals. I am sure that excited a lot …
The ChairmanChairmanWhat did you say earlier? You said your statement was already written. [Laughter]
The ChairmanChairmanWould you like — Hon. Jarion Richardson: Foregone conclusion.
The ChairmanChairmanWhen would you like to get your answers? Hon. Jarion Richardson: Well I can sit down right now and get some answers. I would love to. [Crosstalk] Hon. Jarion Richardson: Yes, definitely. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanWhile the . . . Minister Jason Haywood wishes to speak to some of the questions — Hon. Jason Hayward: No—I will speak to the heads. Head 56—
The ChairmanChairmanSpeak to Head 56, please. Hon. Jason Hayward: —outlined in the Budget Book. I also laud the efforts of the Human Rights Commission and the departmental objectives. I think it plays a Bermuda House of Assembly fundamentally important role in ensuring that we have an inclusive society, one that's based …
Speak to Head 56, please.
Hon. Jason Hayward: —outlined in the Budget Book. I also laud the efforts of the Human Rights Commission and the departmental objectives. I think it plays a
Bermuda House of Assembly fundamentally important role in ensuring that we have an inclusive society, one that's based off of principles of social justice. One where we can embrace equity and equality. Our department which is designed to understand by nature of us being human beings that we have biases —whether conscious biases or unconscious biases which lead to decision- making which may negatively impact individuals. And as a result of that we want to ensure that we respect persons at their most basic level and that is simply for being a human being. Persons should not be treated different based off of race, gender, nationality . . . we have ageism as well, which is a factor. And we count on and rely on persons to do the right thing within our society, but they simply don't. And there needs to be appropriate protections in place so we can continue to protect those individuals. The department objectives of Head 56 to inquire into and investigate human rights related complaints of discrimination and harassment is needed. You would note that what I would have done in the Min-istry of Economy and Labour would have been to place within the Employment Act the provision that every employer must have a policy in place against workplace bullying and harassment. What we found is that when we looked at the Human Rights Act, it was a very difficult hurdle for employees to climb to prove that they are being harassed or bullied based off of discriminatory grounds. So, we put a policy statement in place to say simply it should not happen, whether it's based off of discriminatory grounds or not. But what we also found is that underneath what we consider to be discrimination and harassment is this layer of behaviour that we consider to be incivility. And that incivility in the workplace also impacts persons on many levels and I find that there is a gap in the human rights legislation as it pertains to incivility. We are going to discuss further with the Human Rights Commission as it pertains to employment equity in the workplace and how we can strengthen those provisions. You would note that employment equity is found in the Human Rights Act and there are strong provisions in place to ensure that there is equality of opportunities in the workplace and that persons are not being discriminated and passed over. Something that exists within our community. Many complain about it and this Government will be on the forefront of addressing it. That was found in our [Retaining] the Local Workforce [Position] Paper, where we identified in order for Bermudians to feel comfortable in th eir places of employment, they needed to . . . we need to ensure that the environment is one that is conducive to them being productive and progressing. We also support the efforts of the department to resolve human rights complaints through mediation. Mediation is an excellent tool to ensure that we have appropriate barometer checks of behaviour. Not all the time do complaints have to go through a tribunal and there is punitive measure. Sometimes mediation can lead to correctional behaviour, but acknowledgement that the behaviour actually exists as well. It is important that the Human Rights Tribunal have the effective support. It is important that we con-tinue to look to revise the Human Rights Act. It is also important to inform Government policymaking—where the complaints lie, who was still . . . which d emographic group within our society are being negatively im-pacted? In which areas does the discrimination actually exist? All of these things are fundamentally important to ensure that we have a society that works for all. The society that appreciates pers ons’ basic human rights but also a society where we afford everyone the same level of opportunity and we extend the quality of rights of that . . . that person's desire. Where persons can work in or live in some sort of dignity. We see worldwide where atrocities are taking place based off of nationality and race and tribal wars and things of that nature. And it is these sorts of bodies—the Human Rights Commission and the international institutions in which the Human Rights Commis-sion aligns itself with that actually provides us with stabilising mechanisms that mitigate against some of the negative impacts of that behaviour within our society. When we look at the budget allocation, we continue to ensure that we increase the budget allocation of the Human Rights Commission's office. We do appreciate the role that they actually play within our society and we want to ensure that they achieve the targeted outcomes which are set up on page B -119, under Head 56, Human Rights Commission. In particular, when we look at ensuring that officers are trained on legislative amendments, ensuring that we keep a track of the number of complaints and the complaints are appropriately adjudicated, another important thing and we see an expansion of the targeted outcomes is where we have community education and public resources. I think that is a critical area. We have to continue to inform persons of the standards in which we expect and desire within our society — whether it be in the workplace. There is now discrimination that is taking place as it pertains to housing. We are having challenges with housing and part of the challenges we are having with housing is because persons are being discriminated against. Certain individuals —whether it be their family size, whether it be their racial background—do not have access to housing opportunities that others have. We certainly see it in the workplace. We see it in our financial institutions as well, where persons who achieve a certain age . . . there are barriers to them accessing capital from our financial institutions and utilis-ing our financial institutions for investments and levels of empowerment. And so, it is something that we have to keep a watchful eye on, and we will keep track of the reports as to understanding where the complaints actually lie and also get a sound understanding of the areas that need actual addressing. 1002 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly As it pertains to Head 5, which is the Office of the Auditor General , a lot of work is done in that area but it is important that we understand that the department's objectives are to strengthen the accountability, transparency and integrity of the Government of Ber-muda and the public sector and just the delivery of assurance services and s ound guidance of the highest quality. I think that the work that has been done over the years in this particular space has allowed us to strengthen our good governance mechanisms. Year after year, reports are written. Year after year, recom-mendations are made. And year after year, the Government makes improvements —whether it be to the evolution of financial instructions but also leading to how we can ensure that we exude good governance more of the time. We do not run from the reports of the Auditor General. We welcome the reports. The reports are independent, critical of Government at times, but it's for us to ensure that we are always operating at the highest standard. And this Government certainly . . . strives to ensure that we operate with a sense of excellence and of highest quality. You see, it ties right in with what we're trying to do as it pertains to economic development. You simply can't have an economy which is a blue-chip business jurisdiction and a government that does not live up to the same values as our reputation from a business community standpoint. And so the same strong regulations and the legal framework that we appreciate in our business eco-system is the hallmarks of what we carry over into the government as well. Those were my interventions, Mr. Chairman. I'll lean on the Minister responsible for the Human Rights Commission to answer some of the questions the Opposition may have asked . . . and I know that other Ministers are now prepared to answer questions which were asked. But those were my brief interventions.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you for your very brief intervention, Minister Jason P. Haywood We now have . . . the Chair now recognises Honourable Tinee Furbert. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will take the opportunity to reiterate some of the brief that I spoke about earlier to answer the …
Thank you for your very brief intervention, Minister Jason P. Haywood We now have . . . the Chair now recognises Honourable Tinee Furbert. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will take the opportunity to reiterate some of the brief that I spoke about earlier to answer the ques-tions. Actually, I couldn't quite follow the questions, Mr. Chairman. It was very difficult to follow the questions but I'll try my best because there w as a lot of ad- libbing in between the questions. But I will try my best to interpret what the questions were. Mr. Chairman, as far as the tribunals are concerned and the budget monies allocated for those units, you would note on page B -17 . . . [where] it speaks of the general amount that is allocated for the tribunals being $81,000. And then when you review page B-18 which gives the actual breakdown of those business units, which gives us the total of the $1.434 million, the tribunal costs in general come out of professional services. So, it is just enclosed . . . when we pay our tribunal members for their services, it is actually enclosed in the professional services area. There was a question—and please forgive me because I'm going to probably answer these out of order. There was a question in regard to the education, number four of the department's objectives to educate the community on the principles of the human rights i nclusion and equality. And I did speak about this, partic-ularly on the area of advertisement and promotion, that the Human Rights Commission has worked very diligently this year. And actually, I had tasked them with making sure that they were communicating their role and what they do and what they offer our community. You will see that they have done that —particularly with the increase in their spend for advertising and promotion, where they have done branding design support, visual communication strategies [which] has increased to $35,000 this particular year. Where if you look in the Budget Book you will see that that amount has been in the region of $12,000 to $27,000 and so they have actually worked hard to increase their education and public engagement and their visual identity in the community. Mr. Speaker there was . . . I'm sorry, Mr. Chairman, there was a question around the insurance for the tribunal members. We must understand that the Human Rights Commission is an independent body and so if there was someone in the community who wants to press charges against our tribunal members that our judiciary . . . I'm sorry our Chambers do not fully cover that and that they would have to have representation. And they can choose to have representation from other outside bodies to be able to protect them throughout tribunal proceedings, if someone decides to take them or want to take them to court. And so, we found it very prudent, and the Ministry supported tha t, that recommendation for them to have liability insur-ance. And it provides an extra layer of protection for our tribunal members in making a decision to want to be a part of the actual tribunal and they felt a little bit more secure having this insurance in place. I'm just wanting to skip quickly because I know you have other questions for the other Minister. In re-gard to the . . . in regard also I had spoke about educational outreach. The Commission facilitated 63 engagements which is 33 more than they had done in the previous year. So that education continues to go strong for the Human Rights Commission, which I'm very proud that they continue to go with . . . let's see . . . sorry — The disability report, Mr. Chairman. It's been an initiative of the Human Rights Commission where they wanted to do research around the areas in which our country may be deficient in disability rights. I'm still waiting for that report. They will present i t to the Ministry first and our country should know that we are doing re-search right now as it relates to Bermuda's own Disability Act and so this report will actually be very helpful,
Bermuda House of Assembly as information gathered from an independent body to help us to formulate the . . . or to cement the direction that we're wanting to go particularly with disability leg-islation. So it doesn't go to Cabinet right away; it goes to the Ministry for the Ministr y to use as information to proceed with . . . as information for us to have for disability legislation. I will sit right there. I'm still . . . I'm still waiting for some answers to come in, but I'll let my colleague answer some of the questions that were ahead of me.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Minister Tinee Furbert. The Chair now recognises Honourable Minister Diallo Rabain. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Why, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I will handle answering questions from Head 2, which is the Legislature. The Hon-ourable Member did have quite a few questions . . . …
Thank you, Honourable Minister Tinee Furbert. The Chair now recognises Honourable Minister Diallo Rabain. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Why, thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I will handle answering questions from Head 2, which is the Legislature. The Hon-ourable Member did have quite a few questions . . . the Honourable Member did have quite a few questions on Head 2 and so I will attempt to answer them. Mr. Chairman, speaking on page B -10, business unit 12000, the Honourable Member asked about the increase in 5 per cent in the admin budget. There were not any performances related to those increases. Answer is (and which was in the brief) is those in-creases are salary uplifts and so I guess the answer is: no performance measures to those particular increases. Page B -11—and there was quite a bit of conversation about Sessions House and when would our legislature return to Sessions House and talked about things going on in Veritas Place. And so the answer that we have here is there's . . . unfortunately there isn't a definitive answer that can be given. I know in the brief it did say that now once Courts have moved out, the Public Works would be required to go in there and do a comprehensive inspection and they are working with the House and Grounds Committee. I do know that there are Members Opposite that sit on that House and Grounds Committee, as the Opposition Whip sits on that Committee. So I'm sure any information on what's being discussed between them and Public Works certainly could be ascertained by the Opposition Leader from the Whip. And speaking of such . . .
[Laughter]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And so projections on costs and project timelines are still to be finished. I believe he mentioned the sum of $20 million and I want to say that did come from the Capital Acquisitions page where it talked about TAF. I'm assuming that's what you were referring to the TAF —so those out there that are listening the TAF, total allocated funding, doesn't mean it's been allocated but that's what you estimate you're going to spend and that actually, from my experience in government, that's not tied to a time frame either. It's always, H ey we're going to fix it . This is what we think the total amount is going to be, and so the project will progress. Being someone who's kind of familiar with renovations it could very quickly, you know, ramp up once you get in there and find out what needs to be done or. . . but it could be a kind of a slow little creep until you get to that point where construction can just ramp up and get going. Again, on page B -11, what attributed to the significant increase in utilities? We have heard the increase was budgeted as energy costs for Session Hall, previously shared with the Courts, was expected to fall slowly to Legislature after the Courts left. I guess what we're trying to say there is because the Courts were in there, they were paying some of the bill and now that they're gone . . . now that they're gone, and even though buildings are not utilised there's still some ongoing energy costs that go with that. The Hansard —next question here talks about the Hansard. I didn't . . . you said the Premier, but it was I that gave the brief. I didn't speak to voice transcription services previously discussed. The idea was that the recordings would be subject to abuse. A voice transcript service would then benefit Members of the House. It says here that VRS was trialled and found to be wanting. The Parliament Information Officer advised ASR software had repeated difficulty differentiating Bermudian vernacular dialect. Al so, not good at formatting and abiding by Hansard style guidelines. And I do understand the Hansard. I use them quite extensively as well and find them very, very useful to go online and find out what had happened previously. Digital transformation. Is there a timeline for implementation of Hansard? The Parliament Infor-mation Officer is the only editor, and it takes five to seven days for Members’ proofs to be completed. This is very contingent on the length of the House and Senate meetings. The editor has to go through the recording and transcript very carefully. Complete editing of Hansard requires at least another week when the House is meeting on usual bi -weekly basis. This process is naturally a lot longer following budget debate meetings. I hope that answers that question. Parliament informing the public through live streaming committees. This would be only considered for public meetings of a committee. However, cost would be prohibitive. Public meetings would be open to the press and the general public. Again, you're talking about voice [transcription] services, and I already spoke about it being trialled and found to be wanting. Interesting question you had here about Youth Parliament and said from 20 to 12 and what is being done to encourage active participation. I do know in the in the [Budget] Book it says the outcome sought for this upcoming fiscal year is 18 —so it is going up. I do know . . . I was kind of shocked to hear when you said you 1004 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly didn't really know anything about Youth Parliament until the unfortunate passing of the Speaker's wife. I know I've been involved in Youth Parliament. I never was a Youth Parliamentarian, but I've been involved with Youth Parliament as I progressed in my venture into the political realm. And I've witnessed their debates. It was a lot easier when it was in the Parliament House, but they really have really robust debates and I've actually been a judge in a couple of their debates. Interestingly they meet every Wednesday, and they were meeting today while you were speaking. They meet on the fifth floor of this building, and they actually just completed their meeting like around 5:30ish and left. So, if you want to come down here on a Wednesday you can come down and actually see them because they meet every Wednesday. But you would reach out to young Lister, Mr. Russell Lister, and he'd be able to organise something for you on that. What does the $900,000 get us? Again, this is something Public Works will answer. They are the ones that's responsible for the refurbishment of the building. But the portion of those funds, as I did mention in the brief, covered a rental cost of Veritas Pl ace and the energy cost of this building as well. And so, this goes into when you were talking about the $20 million, this was budgeted . . . the $900,000 was budgeted by Public Works for the 2025/26 spend for the work that they need to do up there once the Courts have rolled out. You have here Ministers and Members Public Accounts Committee —international comparison support and need for invested secretariat. It says that funding and resources for PAC committees generally come out of the Boards and Committees Fees budget of $100,000 and from the Professional Services funding. We have no dedicated committee secretariat. Clerks and staff are assigned to serve the committees. If appropriate, temporary workers may be assigned to work with committees. And I can say . . . I know I've been on the Joint Select Committee and we've had external support to try to transcribe and all of that stuff, so I do know it's something that does happen. The vacant post as you would have . . . you spoke about the vacant post that's the assistant clerk — not the assistant clerk. Is it assistant clerk? The assistant clerk . . . but I did say in the brief that they plan to recruit in this fiscal year to fill th at post. I do remember saying that. We have here performance measures reports indicate that a number of entities are not in compliance with audit requirements. How many entities are in arrears? Oh . . . that goes into auditor. Sorry, I don't want to answer that one.
[Laughter] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Advancing digital transformation trial use in government . . . that trial is to be extended. I did want to say when . . . because you referred to a Ministerial Statement that I gave and the Ministerial Statement spoke to the AI policy that government was to adapt. That when AI was being utilised throughout government services, these were the rules and regulations that went behind it. I think what . . . listening to you, what it sounds like you're speaking about is the use of a chat box that could be added to the web-site that you will be able to put in a question and go and search the website and fi nd the information that you need. And that's something that I can encourage the Parliament’s Clerk to reach out so we can have that conversation with the Digital Innovation team to see if that's something that we could actually all put together for that. I believe that covers most of the questions. Oh we have here communications, antiquated electronic resources in use. Can these costs be reallocated for better use? I think that question you were talking about the tablets that virtually no one uses. Some people use them, though I do see a few of them here. And it says here procurement of more advanced technology can be considered for funding in future budgets. And so, with that — [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes. And I will say it is nonministry, so a lot of the stuff falls on the under the Speaker . . . and I believe there was something else that you spoke to that I do want to say: there is some legislation that the Parliament is pushing through to revamp s ome of the ways they do things around here. And so where . . . that's in the hands of the Clerk and the Speaker and the rest of them so we're still waiting for that to move forward. You probably would have been aware of the report that was done on modernising Parliament. Cole Simons was the Chair of the Joint Select Committee. It was it was done forever ago. Okay? But thank you. That's the questions that I have here, and I'll just leave it to the Premier to answer questions on au-dit.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Honourable Minister Diallo Rabain. And now Honourable Premier and Finance Minister shall give his succinct answers to his Member Opposite. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will try to answer as many questions as I can on Head 5. There was a question that said …
Thank you, Honourable Minister Diallo Rabain. And now Honourable Premier and Finance Minister shall give his succinct answers to his Member Opposite.
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will try to answer as many questions as I can on Head 5. There was a question that said on page B - 14, performance measurements, reports indicate that a number of entities are not in compliance with audit requirements. How many entities in arrears and do we have a remediation plan to cure the backlog?
Bermuda House of Assembly Response from the Auditor General's office is entities in arrears amount to 176 financial statement accounts. The remediation plan varies. The office is currently working with the Ministry of Finance on roughly 67 fund financial accounts that are in arrear s and expect to address many of the dated accounts within the current financial year —which is something I spoke to inside of my Finance brief which is work that is taking place on that side. A question said, What are the recommendations related to financial statement audits, $4.4 million? What are the outcomes and measures warranting this expenditure? The Office of the Auditor General performs follow -on on the recommendations annually and the last follow -up report dated November 2024 is available on the Office of the Auditor General's website. The question asked, Is the Auditor General's office fully staffed? If not, what is the plan to staff its entity? I did think I answered that question inside of the budget statement, but I will provide the response the Opposition Leader from the Auditor Gen eral. The Office of the Auditor General is not currently fully staffed (which I said in my brief). They are currently recruiting for open posts as noted in the brief; 70 per cent of the staff and 90 per cent of the qualified staff are work permit holders or contract workers. As such the office is constantly recruiting. And I did say in the brief —
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: Sorry? I'm not following . . .
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: Okay. Has the 2023/24 Auditor General's report been drafted? If so, where is it lo-cated? And the response from the Office of the Auditor General is the 2023/24 report on the office operations are to be laid in Quarter 3 along with the 2024/25 compilation. This question is a strange one, but it says the Premier stated that additional funds would be provided to the office as needed and that it is noted that there is a need for computers. What is the Premier's position with regard to the additional funding for the Auditor General's office and I stated to— Hon. Jarion Richardson: Point of information.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease give the point of information. What is your point of information? POINT OF INFORMATION Hon. Jarion Richardson : The question was relating to how does the Honourable Premier decide when to authorise additional spends, given that he said he'd support a $60,000 or $80,000 increase or . . . …
Please give the point of information. What is your point of information?
POINT OF INFORMATION
Hon. Jarion Richardson : The question was relating to how does the Honourable Premier decide when to authorise additional spends, given that he said he'd support a $60,000 or $80,000 increase or . . . but I see there are computers needed so I may . . . so my question was, How do you decide what to permit? How do you allow that to happen? How do you decide when to expand that budget? Blah, blah, blah.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you for that point of information. Premier? Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you. Budgets cannot be expanded because budgets are approved by this Honour-able House. And so, the budgets cannot be expanded. The Minister of Finance does not have that power or discretion. In speaking of the particular point …
Thank you for that point of information. Premier?
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you. Budgets cannot be expanded because budgets are approved by this Honour-able House. And so, the budgets cannot be expanded. The Minister of Finance does not have that power or discretion. In speaking of the particular point to which he was raising, what I had stated on a—
Hon. Jarion Richardson : Point of clarification
Hon. E. David Burt: I will yield.
POINT OF CLARIFICATION
Hon. Jarion Richardson : Yes, he had said he would find the money somehow, I believe that was the statement. So, it was clear that there's some flexibility I'm just trying to figure out how the flexibility gets decided.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: Do you want me to answer the question? It’s the same clarification. I got your question, mate. If I need the clarification, I would have said—
The ChairmanChairmanHonourable Member. Hon. E. David Burt: Honourable Member —
The ChairmanChairmanHonourable Mate. Honourable Member. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: I will start again. We cannot create additional funding because funding is approved by this Honourable Chamber. The way that process works is, number one, if there is a surplus and additional computers that are purchased (as I explained during …
Honourable Mate. Honourable Member.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: I will start again. We cannot create additional funding because funding is approved by this Honourable Chamber. The way that process works is, number one, if there is a surplus and additional computers that are purchased (as I explained during my brief in that time when I was discussing that), there are significant numbers of funds that we have used to purchase computers for the government. Computers are relatively standardised. If there are additional ones, those could be supplied to them. The other options are . . . because the Office of Auditor General never spends all of their funds, as we've seen, because their office is not fully staffed and so there could be provision for those monies to be vired. Or the third thing is if there are add itional capital funds which are not spent (as we do know that capital funds which are appropriated and allocated by this 1006 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly House are rarely if ever completely spent), then we do an authorisation for virement and that comes in the form of a supplement to the estimate. So that is the way under the Public Treasury Administration Payments Act and the rules of the House—which I wou ld of course assume that the Honourable Member does know. He said we have spoken about hiring additional staff under line item for professional services. What about overdue audits and addressing those? And I'll read the answer from the Auditor General. There has to be a shift in mind- set. If there is an agreed upon plan with the Auditor General, her office can work with the auditee to address. The Auditor General does not have the power to compel entities to produce and remit their accounts to audit. Another question was asked, page B -15. It says mechanisms for entities to opt out of audit require-ments, not using Auditor General, but using their own. Why do we have that option if we are . . . why do we have that option if we are able to hire staff. There is — and from the Auditor General —as the Audit Act would state there are no government entity or quango that can opt out of a financial statement audit. The only independent audit report that is laid in the House of Assembly is that signed [by] the Auditor General. With the en-tity that appoints the auditor, they must work with her office, and it is her office that reviews their working papers, and it is her office’s independent report that is laid in the House of Assembly. And so, you cannot opt out of tha t particular requirement. The question that says, Why do we have outdated reports? And the response is there are several reasons why there are accounts in arrears. The two main reasons include a lack of resources of the audi-tees to prepare the financial accounts and competing priorities of the entity’s information in some cases not available due to hurricanes, water damage, et cetera. And the final question under the Auditor General which says 15,000 number of financial statements completed—Oh, 15000 is the [business unit] —number of financial statements completed. It was reported that there was an issue receiving submissions from entiti es. How many statements are being hampered by missing data? And the response from the Office of the Auditor General is missing data cannot be evaluated until the accounts are obtained. And I do not believe there are any questions for the Office of Internal Audit, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you for your succinct answers. Opposition Leader , you wish anymore questions? You have had enough? Hon. Jarion Richardson: Never, Mr. Chairman. Never. They did not send me here to sit back when I had the opportunity. Let me . . . Mr. Chairman, thank you so much for …
Thank you for your succinct answers. Opposition Leader , you wish anymore questions? You have had enough? Hon. Jarion Richardson: Never, Mr. Chairman. Never. They did not send me here to sit back when I had the opportunity. Let me . . . Mr. Chairman, thank you so much for this further opportunity to further scrutinise the Estimates for Revenue and Expenditure. To that end, may I continue on Head 63? The Chairman: You may continue. You have 15 minutes. Hon. Jarion Richardson: Thank you. Thank you very much, sir. Mr. Chairman, thank you. The Registrar . . . again, I will start where the Honourable Minister fin-ished by thanking the Parliamentary Registrar for her considerable work and the work of the staff in executing the general election most especially recently. I don't have a lot of time b ut I would want to say her work is incredibly important and at no point would anything I say now [impute] a motive or anything like that. I know there was some media pieces that . . . that because I had raised questions about processes that in some way, sh ape or fashion I was being untoward and that would be 110 per cent wrong.
The ChairmanChairmanSo, do you want to clarify that you were not attacking the Parliamentary Registrar? Hon. Jarion Richardson: I would never do that. I think highly of her; and she has a very, very important and key role in our country.
The ChairmanChairmanAll right. Thank you. Hon. Jarion Richardson: To that end under Head 63, I do have some questions relating to voter register maintenance and accuracy. Under Head 63, most especially under object . . . sorry, on page B -20 under objective two . . . the Parliamentary Registrar has …
All right. Thank you.
Hon. Jarion Richardson: To that end under Head 63, I do have some questions relating to voter register maintenance and accuracy. Under Head 63, most especially under object . . . sorry, on page B -20 under objective two . . . the Parliamentary Registrar has an objective to maintain a complete, accurate and up -to-date register for voters . And so, I have some questions relating to [business] unit 73000 which I believe houses all of the staff under employment numbers, full -time equivalence under page B -21. And my questions relate to updates to the register, as it says maintain a complete accurate and up-to-date register of voters . My question is, How frequently are updates received from other government departments that would have information relating to voter eligibility such as the Department of Immigration, Courts and the Register General? That information includes register addresses and deceased voters. My further question is, as it relates to . . . and this can also be added to the performance measures under 73000 Administration. I see that the performance measures are voter registrations updated per population, number of online registrations increased over the previous year and stakeholder en-gagements conducted to increase the awareness of voter registration. My question does relate to that process which is, How many voters were removed from or added to the register in the past year? This especially relates to objective two, obviously. And a further question to the Honourable Minister would be, What performance measures (that would be on page B -22) exist to track the timeliness
Bermuda House of Assembly and accuracy of updates to the Parliamentary Registrar? It's obviously key that our elections . . . the accuracy of the Registrar lends credibility to our elections and so it's quite key, that objective. And again, I commend the Registrar for working towar ds that. My next set of questions relate to the advanced and special procedures under which absentee voting falls, which the Honourable Minister did speak to the policy work. Now this relates to page B -22 under [business] unit 73017, Election Reform Research, which has an allocation which isn't funded this year —which the Honourable Minister spoke to and said that that project (that being absentee voting) as well as other electoral reforms will be undertaken under his Ministry, which would be the Ministry for Cabinet [Office]. So, to that end, would the Honourable Minister be able to . . . outline if any funding has been shifted from this head to pay for that research into absentee voting? As well as give an update as to how far that progress has gone before it was handed over t o the Ministry for Cabinet Office. This most especially relates to the earlier work done on absentee voting under the second Progressive Labour Party Premier, the Honourable Alex Scott. So clearly this ball has been under consideration for some time and so I would like to see where we're at . . . at the point at which that it left this Head 63 for the Parliamentary Registrar. Further and then I’ll . . . last question so that I can get . . . see if we can get the answer on the absentee voting. The next question will be as it relates to pub-lic awareness and education or electoral or voter edu-cation, I'm sorry, which comes under objective . . . I don't see . . . I actually don't see it. And perhaps this question is . . . this is the question . . . I had an understanding from the ministerial brief that there were a number of public awareness campaigns or media ap-pearances and educat ion as it relates to voting rights. There was a group, I want to say Bermuda Connect or Youth Connect, who [had] recently done some fantastic work on voter education and registration just before the last election. So, my question would be, Does this Head 63 Parliamentary Registrar have a rol e to play in the education process, educating voters on voter rights? And further, my question relates to elec-toral systems modernisation which I believe falls under 73000—this is on page B -22, sorry, Mr. Chairman. [Business unit] 73000 . . . it might have been under business unit 73017 under Election Reform Re-search—but it certainly goes towards digitising the entire process. There's been some considerable progress made by the Parliamentary Registrar which obviously made life a lot easier and that's depict ed on business unit 73000 relating to number of online registrations . Would the Honourable Minister be able to advise on fu-ture projects relating to modernising our electoral systems? With that said, Mr. Chairman, I do have plenty more questions, but I'll take a seat to get the answers to those questions. The Chairman: The Chair recognises Minister Honourable Tinee Furbert.
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do want to take the opportunity to answer some of the questions that came in earlier, if you oblige me, as the team has just returned them back to me and I'm sure they would want their work to be recognised. There was a question about tracking mechanisms for intakes. The Commission uses a complaints management system to track all intakes which are com-prised of complaints and queries from the public. I also want to take this opportunity to remind Members of thi s House as well as our listening audience that the Human Rights Commission publishes an annual report that they put out every year. And it is a very thorough and succinct report that spells out all of the statistical anal-ysis as it relates to the complaint s management statistics. I encourage our colleagues to take a look at that that which is located on their website humanrights.bm and particularly pages 9 and onwards which speaks to all of the numbers and statistics as it relates to the tracking of reports to the Human Rights Commission. But it also comprises of many other details as it relates to types of complaints as well. And t hat information is out there in the public domain for anyone to take a look at, at any time. There was a question around costs allocated to investigations. There is under salaries for investigators there were two full -time investigation officers which total $201,000, to answer that question. And then there was a question around the strategic planning update. The Strategic Plan was implemented during the previ-ous fiscal year with noticeable commitments met, including the drafting of the operational policies and procedures and the increase in education activities including a human rights conference, a public consultation on disability inclusion, and 19 radio and podcast interviews. There was a question around whether the members of the tribunal are being compensated through professional services. I did speak to this a little bit prior but also, it's important to note that the board and committee fees also fall under professional services for the Government of Bermuda's chart of accounts, which is the reason why the compensation of tribunal members is under professional services. Looking under page B -21, professional services would best describe the nature of services offered by tribun al members. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Honourable Opposition Leader . . . [do] you have any more questions? You have four minutes. Hon. Jarion Richardson: Yes, just waiting on the answers for Head 63 relating to the Parliamentary Registrar, Mr. Chairman. 1008 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The …
Thank you, Minister. Honourable Opposition Leader . . . [do] you have any more questions? You have four minutes.
Hon. Jarion Richardson: Yes, just waiting on the answers for Head 63 relating to the Parliamentary Registrar, Mr. Chairman. 1008 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Okay. Minister.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Hello, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, let's see now. There's a question here about voter maintenance and accuracy. H ow often are registers updated from government departments for voter information? I mmigration is backed up every other day and share deaths, and registry general sent once a month and land valuation backed up every night and shared. Still waiting for the answer to how many voters were removed from the registry in the previous year. You have a question here about public awareness and voter education. Does this head have a role to play in voter education processes? I go back to the brief where we spoke about advertising and promotion and . . . in this fiscal year $79,000 has been allocated. These funds are primarily allocated across the Constituency Boundaries Commission by general bye- elections and municipalities c ost centres with the main focus on voter information and public awareness campaigns. It's also . . . they are also telling me here, yes, in the past they do engage high- school -age students and children turning 18. And so I do know that they do come out and do the voter education stuff as well. Absentee voting, election reform research: Can the Minister advise of the reallocation of funding to support electoral reforms specifically related to absen-tee voting? This budget was completed just before the general election which is when the issue became perti-nent, and it was discussed again. At the time of com-pletion we were focused on the election preparation and therefore that's why no funds were allocated to alternative voting research. However, I can say that I have met with the part . . . one of the first things that I did on becoming Minister is meet with Ms. [Tenia ] Woolridge and we discussed absentee balloting. She has a wealth of information that has previous ly been researched. That's why we said we are just now. . . [we have] to collate this information. You did mention people like Youth Connect and then there's Bermuda [is] Love as well who did come out with this vote campaign. They have already been contacted by my office to say, you know, we want to have these discussions about how we move forward. So, it is something that is on our radar. It just needs to be executed. And as I said earlier on, when I spoke to the brief, we fully expect by September 2026 that that legislation will be passed, and we will have absentee balloting active in Bermuda.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. The time now is 6:57 pm which means that the time for questions has expired. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that Heads 2, 5, 56, 63, 85, 92, 98, and 101 be approved as printed.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that Heads 2, 5, 56, 63, 85, 92, 98 and 101 be approved. Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. Agreed to. [Motion carried: Non- Ministries Heads 2, 5, 56, 63, 85, 92, 98 and 101 were approved and stand part of the Estimates …
It has been moved that Heads 2, 5, 56, 63, 85, 92, 98 and 101 be approved. Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. Agreed to. [Motion carried: Non- Ministries Heads 2, 5, 56, 63, 85, 92, 98 and 101 were approved and stand part of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 202 5/26.] Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move the following heads be approved as printed: Non- Ministry departments, Head 1, Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation Heads 51 and 61, Ministry of Finance Head 49 and Ministry of National Security Head 45.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that Heads . . . Non - Min— Heads 1, 51 and 61, 49 and 45 be approved. Any objections? No objections. They have been approved. [Motion carried: Non- Ministry Head 1, Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation Heads 51 and 61; Ministry of Finance Head 49; …
It has been moved that Heads . . . Non - Min— Heads 1, 51 and 61, 49 and 45 be approved. Any objections? No objections. They have been approved.
[Motion carried: Non- Ministry Head 1, Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation Heads 51 and 61; Ministry of Finance Head 49; and Ministry of National Security Head 45 were approved and stand part of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 202 5/26.]
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I move that the current account estimates, the capital development estimates and the capital acquisition estimates be approved
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections? It has been moved that the current account estimates, capital development estimates and the capital acquisitions estimates have been approved. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for fiscal year 2025/26 be approved.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Estimates of Revenue be approved . . . sorry, it has been moved that the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the financial year 2025/26 be approved. Any objections? Anything from the Opposition? Nothing?
Mr. Scott PearmanSorry, I believe the Premier moved some heads in relation to the Ministry of Bermuda House of Assembly Finance in his first part of the speech and that those weren't repeated and approved. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Scott PearmanAfter you moved the Non- Ministries, you moved some of the Ministry of Finance and those were not repeated and approved by the House. Just for good order — Hon. E. David Burt: What do you mean? Repeat it here, now?
Mr. Scott PearmanRight. When you started reading, you read the NonMinistries that had not been debated, and then you hit the ones that were Ministry of Finance. Those were not approved by the House because they weren't repeated by the Chair.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Hon. E. David Burt: You think he didn't repeat them. I thought he read them all, but let me . . . I will try one more time just for good order if [you] don’t mind. Because the Clerk was there. She would correct you, but I don’t know …
Okay.
Hon. E. David Burt: You think he didn't repeat them. I thought he read them all, but let me . . . I will try one more time just for good order if [you] don’t mind. Because the Clerk was there. She would correct you, but I don’t know —
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: So, let me not get out of good order.
The ChairmanChairmanMaybe he needs AI or something, because . . . [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: I remember you reading Non- Ministry 1, 51, 61, 49, 45. I heard you say those.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay, so — [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: No, no. It was just 49. That is Ministry of Finance. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, but I did it here. That is what I just said. [Inaudible interjections]
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that Non- Ministry Head 1, Head 51, Head 61, Head 49 and Head 45 be approved—again. Twice on Hansard.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAny objections?
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections? Mr. Premier. [Motion carried: Non- Ministr y Head 1, Cabinet Office Heads 51 and 61; Ministry of Finance Head 49; and Ministry of National Security Head 45 were approved and stand part of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2025 /26.] Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, …
Any objections? Mr. Premier. [Motion carried: Non- Ministr y Head 1, Cabinet Office Heads 51 and 61; Ministry of Finance Head 49; and Ministry of National Security Head 45 were approved and stand part of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2025 /26.] Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, having been moved and approved, the current account estimates, the capital de-velopment estimates and the capital acquisition estimates having been approved that the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for financial year 2025/26 be approved. I now move that the approval of the Estimates [of Revenue and Expenditure] be reported to the House.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the financial year [2025/26] be reported to the House. Any objections? None. It will be reported. [Motion carried: The Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the financial year 2025/26 were considered by a Committee of the whole House …
The ChairmanChairmanMr. Speaker. House resumed at 07:02 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair] REPORT OF COMMITTEE ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 202 5/26
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood evening, Members. Are there any objections to the Estimate of Revenue [and Expenditures] for the year 2025/26 being reported to the House as approved in the Committee? Any objections? There are none. It has been reported to the House. Premier. BILL FIRST READING APPROPRIATION ACT 2025 1010 28 May …
Good evening, Members. Are there any objections to the Estimate of Revenue [and Expenditures] for the year 2025/26 being reported to the House as approved in the Committee? Any objections? There are none. It has been reported to the House. Premier.
BILL
FIRST READING
APPROPRIATION ACT 2025
1010 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker, I am introducing a Bill entitled the Appropriation Act 2025 for its first reading with the Governor’s recommendation signified.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny objections? There are none. Continue, Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move in accordance with Standing Order 28(5)(1) that under the provisions of Standing Orders 41, 12 and 42 the remaining stages of the Bill entitled the Appropriation Act 2025 be …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The matter has been brought and will be taken forthwith. No objections to that? No. BILL SECOND READING APPROPRIATION ACT 2025 Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled the Appropriation Act 2025 be now read for the second time …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections? There are none. Continue, Premier. [Motion carried: the Appropriation Act 2025 was read a second time.] Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move clauses 1 through 6, inclusive, together with Schedules A, B and C as printed.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny objections? There are none. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 6 together with Schedules A, B and C passed.] Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that the preamble be approved.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections to the preamble being approved? There are none. Continue, Premier. BILL THIRD READING APPROPRIATION ACT 2025 Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill entitled the Appropriation Act 2025 be now read the third time by its …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections to the matter being read a third time by title only? There are none. Continue, Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. It is a great honour for me to move that the Bill that will produce the second- in-a-row budget surplus …
Are there any objections to the matter being read a third time by title only? There are none. Continue, Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. It is a great honour for me to move that the Bill that will produce the second- in-a-row budget surplus for the country be moved and do now pass. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI don’t think you are serious on your point of order, are you? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoPoint of order. The Premier is perhaps mistakenly misleading the House, Mr. Speaker . There was not a budget surplus in the prior financial year, Mr. Speaker . Thank you. [Desk thumping and laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMr. Premier . . . it has been read. Okay. Hon. E. David Burt: Sorry?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue. [Crosstalk] Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. I move that the budget . . . that the Appropriation Act which will contain the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for this year passed out of the Committee with a record investment in capital investment — Bermuda …
Continue.
[Crosstalk]
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker. I move that the budget . . . that the Appropriation Act which will contain the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for this year passed out of the Committee with a record investment in capital investment —
Bermuda House of Assembly An Hon. Member: Aah!
Hon. E. David Burt: —with more money, a record expansion of health care— [Desk thumping]
Hon. E. David Burt: —inside of this country and the work that is being done with a $43 million projected sur-plus . . . I move that that budget and Bill do now pass.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. The Bill has been read and considered passed. [Motion carried: The Appropriation Act 2025 was read a third time and passed.]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker, I move that the following message be sent to the Senate: MESSAGE TO THE SENATE APPROPRIATION ACT 202 5 Hon. E. David Burt: To the Honourable President and Members of the Senate: The House of …
Thank you.
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, very much, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker, I move that the following message be sent to the Senate:
MESSAGE TO THE SENATE
APPROPRIATION ACT 202 5
Hon. E. David Burt: To the Honourable President and Members of the Senate: The House of Assembly has the honour to forward herewith the undernoted Bill for the concurrence of your House: The Appropriation Act 2025 . Copies of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2025/ 26 are also forwarded for the information of your House.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Mr. Premier. Members, that brings the matter of the annual budget debate for this period to a conclusion. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe will now move on, Mr. Premier. Are there any other matters of the day or would you like to bring the House to a close? [Laughter] Hon. E. David Burt: No, sir. Mr. Speaker, I do believe that we are taking up two particular matters and the first item …
We will now move on, Mr. Premier. Are there any other matters of the day or would you like to bring the House to a close?
[Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: No, sir. Mr. Speaker, I do believe that we are taking up two particular matters and the first item is just another one of the many tax cuts that was in the budget of which we just passed. As this Govern-ment cuts taxes instead of increases them. And so, I will defer, if you will, Mr. Speaker, to the Junior Minister of Finance.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJunior Minister of Finance. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that consideration be given to the draft Regulations entitled the Government Fees Amendment Regulations 2025, proposed to be made by the Minister of Finance, in exercise of the power conferred by section 2 of the Government …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections to that? None. Continue, Junior Minister. DRAFT REGULATIONS GOVERNMENT FEES AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 2025 Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, in the Pre - Budget Report tabled in this Honourable House in December, the Minister of Finance outlined a number of tax reductions that were under consideration …
Are there any objections to that? None. Continue, Junior Minister.
DRAFT REGULATIONS
GOVERNMENT FEES AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 2025
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, in the Pre - Budget Report tabled in this Honourable House in December, the Minister of Finance outlined a number of tax reductions that were under consideration to ease the tax burdens faced by residents and businesses. This Government has a h istory of ensuring that better fiscal performance results in a meaningful relief for taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, I now bring to this Honourable House one of the fees reductions promised within the Pre-Budget Report and the 2025/26 Budget Statement. Mr. Speaker, as stated in the 2025/26 Budget Statement, access to communication is essential for work, for education, for staying connected with loved ones. To ease the financial burden of mobile services, the Government will reduce the monthly fee on mobi le phones by a whopping 50 per cent, Mr. Speaker, from $12 to $6. This measure will result in immediate savings for every mobile customer as a part of our commitment to lowering the cost of essential services. This tax reduction will take effect from 1 Jul y 2025 and is expected to reduce the tax revenue by $2 million. Mr. Speaker, the following fee within these regulations will be amended within the existing head in the revised 2025 fee schedule as follows: • Head 76 (Telecommunications Act 1986), provisions section 1(e)(iv). Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Junior Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Shadow Minister of Finance, you have the floor.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoGood evening, Mr. Speaker. Pleasure to speak with you again. Tax cuts, whopping tax cuts. I'm sure somebody out there, Mr. Speaker, must have spat out their supper. I did a little research to see what I could do with $6. It's unfortunate the Minister of Home Affairs is not …
Good evening, Mr. Speaker. Pleasure to speak with you again. Tax cuts, whopping tax cuts. I'm sure somebody out there, Mr. Speaker, must have spat out their supper. I did a little research to see what I could do with $6. It's unfortunate the Minister of Home Affairs is not here because I perhaps could have helped her with her 1012 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly survey, but $6.99 for a dozen of Dunkley's eggs at Marketplace. Those are imported.
[Inaudible interjections]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, $7.69, that's local eggs at Windybank [Farm] if you can get them. White or wheat loaf of bread from Crow Lane Bakery, Mr. Speaker, $6.95.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMarketPlace house brand, $6.20. And if you want a basic sandwich, $7.99 and up. I recommend you don't ask for the avocado on top, Mr. Speaker. Look, I'll take a $6.00 cut. I'll take it. We're not going to say no. No, you know, we support this.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoBut let's be honest, Mr. Speaker. Let's be honest. And we can acknowledge that communications is a lifeline, that it would perhaps be one of the basic needs of people in this modern age. So, we could support making sure that everybody in Bermuda has acces s to this fundamental …
But let's be honest, Mr. Speaker. Let's be honest. And we can acknowledge that communications is a lifeline, that it would perhaps be one of the basic needs of people in this modern age. So, we could support making sure that everybody in Bermuda has acces s to this fundamental communication. Okay —$6 a month. I looked up a couple plans on Digicel, like the most basic prepaid, not prepaid plan, postpaid plan where they send you a bill, $120. Roughly the equivalent one for prepaid for the same amount of usage in days, about $100. And I note that often people are going around with $1,000, $750 phones in their pockets. So, I'm just trying to put this $6 in context, Mr. Speaker. I also note that this is one of the headline initiatives from the Government in its budget, this whopping $6 cut.
[Inaudible interjections]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoWell, let me turn . . . so we support this. But I would suggest —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAre you sure?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoI would suggest, well, I would hope, Mr. Speaker, that the Government could have some better ideas on how to support the people in this country with real need to get the basic telecommunication services that is becoming a human right for somebody. So, what I would have suggested is, …
I would suggest, well, I would hope, Mr. Speaker, that the Government could have some better ideas on how to support the people in this country with real need to get the basic telecommunication services that is becoming a human right for somebody. So, what I would have suggested is, for example, perhaps the Government could have worked with the providers to provide a very low -cost basic plan for people who need basic telecommunication services. It would have been a little more work, but it probably could have saved people more money —and the people who need it. Because, for example, is this $6 cut going to apply to all the corporate workers who have their corporate cell phone? Is it going to apply to people who are in the upper tax bands who aren't ev en going to notice it? They pay more for their coffee every day, Mr. Speaker.
[Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYourself.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoIn fact, in fact, Mr. Speaker, it is indeed myself. I do not need a $6 cut. I'm not lying. [Inaudible interjections]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoIn fact, Mr. Speaker, I would put to you, with the recent pay rises, nobody in this Chamber needs a $6 cut. [Inaudible interjections and general uproar ]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. Point of order, Mr. Speaker. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order, point of order. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe have a point of order —MP — POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motives and misleading]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottThe Honourable Member is imputing improper motive and misleading the House. He says that nobody in this Chamber needs a $6 cut. We are not speaking for ourselves. We're speaking for the people that we represent. And the people that we represent —and I'm speaking for the people in constituency …
The Honourable Member is imputing improper motive and misleading the House. He says that nobody in this Chamber needs a $6 cut. We are not speaking for ourselves. We're speaking for the people that we represent. And the people that we represent —and I'm speaking for the people in constituency 24— may not have the same disposable income as those who they represent on that side.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Continue, Minister. Bermuda House of Assembly Dr. Douglas DeCouto: Mr. Speaker, the salaries of the Members of this House are above the median salary of the people in Bermuda— [Inaudible interjections]
Dr. Douglas DeCouto—above the median salary. In fact, the Honourable Member has made my point for me, because I outlined some of the costs, Mr. Speaker, that it takes to get basic telecommunication services in this country. And that $6 is a very small dent in that cost. What I would have …
—above the median salary. In fact, the Honourable Member has made my point for me, because I outlined some of the costs, Mr. Speaker, that it takes to get basic telecommunication services in this country. And that $6 is a very small dent in that cost. What I would have liked to see, because as you know, Mr. Speaker, one of our themes over here from the Opposition is we support these types of cuts in general. But we are hoping to see targeted initiatives from the Government that help the people who need it the most —not just the quick gimmicks to put out in the budget. Not just the gimmicks. So, for example, and I'll repeat it because I wasn't sure that they heard it appropriately in the Gov-ernment —heard it fully. For example, they could have worked with the telecommunication providers to provide a kind of basic, low -cost package that could have cost people who need that and have trouble affording it a lot less —a lot less —than it would cost them today. A lot less. So let me wrap up with a few closing comments, Mr. Speaker. Actually, and I will commend the Government. I do have one example where they have provided a very good example of a targeted relief, and that is the child day care, where the amount that you get is connected to your payroll tax band. That's the kind of thinking we would like to see more of over here. So, of course, Mr. Speaker, no one's going to say no to an extra $6 a month in their pocket. I've got to look under the couch so I can go get my sandwich, right?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoBut, frankly, if this is the best that they can come up with from the Government side, it's going to be a tough year for the people of Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDeputy Premier. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I find it very, very rich for that Honourable Member to stand up in this House and diss the people of this country that could use a $6 break per month in their bill. I find that rather …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoHe is misleading the House. I did not diss the people that could use the $6. In fact, I exhorted the Government to do something better! Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThere we are! [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMember. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker, I repeat. I repeat. And we'll let the people of the country judge what the Honourable Member said when he said it. And one thing is it's on Hansard. And if anybody wants to get a little creative, take that and …
Member.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker, I repeat. I repeat. And we'll let the people of the country judge what the Honourable Member said when he said it. And one thing is it's on Hansard. And if anybody wants to get a little creative, take that and put it out in the social media and see what kind of response you get. Now, the interesting thing is that Members opposite will chastise this increase. Some of them might have been around when I was Health Minister and I increased FutureCare by $5.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIncrease? It’s a decrease; not an increase. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: No, increased it. See, that's it. See, some of these Members weren't even around. So, they don't know what I'm talking about. But I increased FutureCare by $5. And guess what? They banged the tables and said, …
Increase? It’s a decrease; not an increase.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: No, increased it. See, that's it. See, some of these Members weren't even around. So, they don't know what I'm talking about. But I increased FutureCare by $5. And guess what? They banged the tables and said, the people of this country, $5, that's way too much money. You shouldn't be doing that to the people of this country. But yet here today —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo one said that. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Here today, here today . . . and you know what? We've heard it. We've heard it several times in my 20 years. Where minimum things that we do are cheap. But you can tell seniors that money don't grow …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOoh! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let's talk about that.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberLet’s talk about that! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Ask the seniors, who you told money don't grow on trees , what they think about $72 per year. Because they'll get up in the future and they'll tell you, Look, you guys got to do something. Because our seniors …
Let’s talk about that! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Ask the seniors, who you told money don't grow on trees , what they think about $72 per year. Because they'll get up in the future and they'll tell you, Look, you guys got to do something. Because our seniors are trying to make a decision 1014 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly between buy ing dr ugs an d buying groceries . Well, what do you think $72 would do?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That's right. That's what they do. Now, Mr. Speaker, let me say this. I've done a quick look up. And a roll of masking tape can cost $6, too. I s uggest the Honourable Members opposite buy some for MP DeCouto.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNow, now, now Members. Now, Members. Let's keep it above board, Members. Minister, were you going to speak or not? You're on your feet now . . . well, well, . . . let’s go. When they decide who's going to speak— Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker— [Inaudible …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes—s peak to the Chair. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: What we were subjected to by the Member opposite actually mak es me feel dirty . It actually makes me feel so insulted that I sit opposite that Member. I feel completely embarrassed to have to listen to that tirade …
Yes—s peak to the Chair. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: What we were subjected to by the Member opposite actually mak es me feel dirty . It actually makes me feel so insulted that I sit opposite that Member. I feel completely embarrassed to have to listen to that tirade just now, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speak er, I have not felt that way since I graduated from Saltus Grammar School in 1988. When I left and I attended a HBCU for university, and you know what, Mr. Speaker? One thing that I was educated on was the ins titutionalised racism that is so politely exercised by Members like that. [General uproar]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWait, wait, wait. Hold on, hold on! Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up. I was listening v ery carefully to see where he was leading on that. Hold on, just take a seat a minute. Take y our seat. No, no, take a seat. I was listening very …
Wait, wait, wait. Hold on, hold on! Hold up, hold up, hold up, hold up. I was listening v ery carefully to see where he was leading on that. Hold on, just take a seat a minute. Take y our seat. No, no, take a seat. I was listening very careful. And you were s waying, but you hadn't crossed the line until you got to your last word, the last point. And I'm going to as k you to be clever enough not to cross the line. If you're going to be clever enough, don't cross the line. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I will endeavour and be guided, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when persons don't understand that what they say is hurtful, it is unfortunate that they just cannot see it. But, Mr. Speaker . . . Mr. Speaker, when you grow up with the UBP handbook next to your cradle, that is the attitude you carry for the rest of your life. No matter what — Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Point of order, point of order. [ Inaudible interjections] POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Member is misleading the House. He's going down the wrong path. Once again, insinuating DNA. [ Inaudible interjections] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: If we want to go down the DNA road, we can certainly go down the DNA road here. [ Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers — Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Lost my book? And that's a particular Honourable Member that shouldn't go down the DNA road.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI heard your point. Members. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: The greatest slave owners in this country who moved slaves back and forth were the Portuguese. [ Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTake your seat back. You’re your seat back. Members, from what I understand, today has been a decent day. You ended your debates earlier. [ Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd I would like to think we could conclude this debate, this day, in the manner and tone that we had in the early debates. So, I'm going to ask all Members to be more guided in your comments, more structured in your comments as we go forward from here. …
And I would like to think we could conclude this debate, this day, in the manner and tone that we had in the early debates. So, I'm going to ask all Members to be more guided in your comments, more structured in your comments as we go forward from here. We ended the de-bates on a good foot. Let's end this part of the debate today on a decent foot.
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I will be guided. That wasn't a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I'm speaking . . . one thing that I cannot be challenged on is the facts that I speak of right now. And when you have a certain type of personality ingrained in you since birth, you will always display that.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerBe careful now, be careful now. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: You always display it, no matter who you affiliate with. Mr. Speaker, this Government is fighting tooth and nail to create savings where we can. Now, I under-stand what that speaker is trying to say . But I don't …
Be careful now, be careful now. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: You always display it, no matter who you affiliate with. Mr. Speaker, this Government is fighting tooth and nail to create savings where we can. Now, I under-stand what that speaker is trying to say . But I don't believe he understands how insulting he sounds when he says it. Mr. Speaker, $6 here, $2 here, 50 cents here, $10 here, it all adds up in the end. This is one of the initiatives that we are putting forth to save our people money. The taxes that are inflicted on our people today have been the lowest in the history of this country, the lowest they have ever been. We will be reducing . . . we talk about things that people have a right to have. People love to drive their cars. They will have a reduction in licensing their cars, more savings, Mr. Speaker. They'll have a reduction in getting their cell phones, more savings, Mr. Speaker. That Member had the audacity to speak to the child care allowance that was reduced to unsustainable levels under that Government.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberSay it again! Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Reduced. Less people qualified for child care allowance under that Government than ever in the history of this country. But he has the audacity to sit here and say that maybe you should do something like that. More people now qualify for …
Say it again!
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Reduced. Less people qualified for child care allowance under that Government than ever in the history of this country. But he has the audacity to sit here and say that maybe you should do something like that. More people now qualify for child care subsidy under this Government than ever before. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, it all adds up. But if you cannot, because of just your makeup, see that—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER (Standing Order 19(11)(f))
Mr. Scott PearmanThis is the third occasion on which the Honourable Member has trespassed against Standing Order 19(11)(f), which is that this House is not to impute improper motives or indulge in personalities. He's been directed already, and I would invite him to withdraw the remark. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMember, I've asked that we try and keep the tone and the level at a higher level. And we get on sticky ground when we try and impede or imply it to a level that it directs to an individual. Member, if you can take a road that doesn't direct …
Member, I've asked that we try and keep the tone and the level at a higher level. And we get on sticky ground when we try and impede or imply it to a level that it directs to an individual. Member, if you can take a road that doesn't direct it to an individual, Member, you're on safer ground.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I'm guided . . . and thank you for your wisdom. I think the point has been made. The public will judge the comments that have been made up here tonight. And history will reflect that despite the efforts of this Government to reduce the tax burdens on our people, there are Members within here that do not have the wherewithal to see that these are good things, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDoes any other Member . . . MP Darrell, are you speaking now, or are you jumping up again? You've been up three times, and then— Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, I'm still new, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet's go. Hon. Owen Darrell: Wow, you liked those Gombeys, didn't you? Let me tell you a little bit about Gombeys and what they can do with a $6 savings. Whoo! Here we go. All right. Mr. Speaker, good evening, and good evening to the Members of this House, Honourable …
Let's go.
Hon. Owen Darrell: Wow, you liked those Gombeys, didn't you? Let me tell you a little bit about Gombeys and what they can do with a $6 savings. Whoo! Here we go. All right. Mr. Speaker, good evening, and good evening to the Members of this House, Honourable Members of the House. And I just want to rise today in support of this Government legislation to reduce mobile phone fees. And, Mr. Speaker, this measure of which we talk about today speaks both to the character of this administration, Mr. Speaker, and the values that we, the Progressive Labour Party, will bring to how we govern in this Island, which we call Bermuda. See, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Honourable Member from the other side, who comes from constituency 25—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerRemember the caution I gave— Hon. Owen Darrell: —and he represents an area up the road, may not see savings the way that people in Pembroke East see savings, Mr. Speaker. See, the people which he represents, Mr. Speaker, while they are important Bermudians, they may not appreciate a $6 …
Remember the caution I gave— Hon. Owen Darrell: —and he represents an area up the road, may not see savings the way that people in Pembroke East see savings, Mr. Speaker. See, the people which he represents, Mr. Speaker, while they are important Bermudians, they may not appreciate a $6 savings that goes across 12 months and on multiple years and what they can do. And I just find it rich at best that — 1016 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Dr. Douglas DeCouto: Point of information, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of information. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, if I may get into the meat of my comments. Thank you. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: Mm-hmm. See, Mr. Speaker, again, this is not just a technical adjustment, Mr. Speaker. This is strategic inter-vention. And this comes from the …
Point of information. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, if I may get into the meat of my comments. Thank you.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: Mm-hmm. See, Mr. Speaker, again, this is not just a technical adjustment, Mr. Speaker. This is strategic inter-vention. And this comes from the slogan of which you saw, and everyone saw, and everyone voted for on February of 2024 [sic], that fairness is not just a slogan,
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou have an objection to the election?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe Honourable Member is misleading the House, because not everybody voted for the slogans to which he is referring. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Inaudible interjections]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberEveryone had an opportunity to vote. Hon. Owen Darrell: Twenty -five, thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd if you're referring to the recent election, I believe it was in 2025. Hon. Owen Darrell: I'm sorry, February of 2025. And while the Honourable Member will, from the other side, who is the Shadow Minister, I remind him, of Finance, I want to remind him that that fairness …
And if you're referring to the recent election, I believe it was in 2025. Hon. Owen Darrell: I'm sorry, February of 2025. And while the Honourable Member will, from the other side, who is the Shadow Minister, I remind him, of Finance, I want to remind him that that fairness word is not just a slogan, Mr. Speaker. See, fairness is a duty to the people of this country. The affordability to live in this country is not just a charity, Mr. Speaker. As the Honourable Tinee Furbert will tell you, that affordability is a justice. And that's the leadership. That's the leadership that this budget that we've just gone through shows. This budget, our first since receiving this fresh mandate of February 2025, sends a clear message that progress must be felt, Mr. Speaker. It must be. Not just promised.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER
Mr. Scott PearmanI respectfully remind the Honourable Member who's new to this House and from an-other place that we do not read speeches in this House. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: Aha. Well done.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMember that is a ruling in this House. Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, if the Honourable Member would like to come sit next to me, he can see that nothing here is verbatim of what I am saying. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWell, well, well, well — Hon. Owen Darrell: And while, Mr. Speaker, while—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister, Minister, if that's the case, look at me more. [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerBecause you have not been looking at me the entire time. You've been looking down. [Desk thumping] [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou've been looking down the entire time. Look at me. Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. See— [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: It is . . . it is important for the Members from the other side to understand that the actions of which we take on this side …
You've been looking down the entire time. Look at me.
Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. See—
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: It is . . . it is important for the Members from the other side to understand that the actions of which we take on this side of the aisle are deliberate actions to bring fairness to the people of this country.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: And see, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to remind the Honourable Members from the other side of all of the things that we have done previous to this point to bring affordability back to Bermudians. And I can tell you because I don't know how much canvassing the Honourable Member from
Bermuda House of Assembly constituency 22 needed to do come February and if he would have spent some time canvassing with more of his colleagues, they may have more than the 10 that they have. However —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER
Mr. Scott PearmanAgain, we are indulging in personalities. And for the benefit of the Honourable Member speaking, I believe I did increase my vote to 74 per cent. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue, Member. Hon. Owen Darrell: See, as I was saying, Mr. Speaker, that if the H onourable Member from the other side, constituency 22, would have actually hit the doorstep and taken some time to talk to the people that vote in this country ,—
Mr. Scott PearmanPoint of order. Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, he would — POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motive]
Mr. Scott PearmanPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. And now I'm afraid the H onourable Member is impu ting improper motive, suggesting that I didn't canvass to achieve that 74 per cent, which I did. And I was, in fact, commended by one of his honourable colleagues because I managed to raise the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Member, don't get sidetracked. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: No, no. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the advice. And I just remember that . . . I will remind the Honourable Member that I am a history teacher by trade. And history will show that he never has …
Thank you. Member, don't get sidetracked.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: No, no. Mr. Speaker, thank you for the advice. And I just remember that . . . I will remind the Honourable Member that I am a history teacher by trade. And history will show that he never has gotten the number of votes that the H onourable Grant Gibbons got when he ran in that seat. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Scott PearmanPoint of order. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: Never! POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Scott PearmanPoint of order. I'm afraid the H onourable Member is, again, misleading the House. I greatly respect the H onourable Member, Grant Gibbons, who held the seat before I did. But in fact, I did top his percentage on this occasion. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister, Minister, I am suggest ing you don't get caught in that sidetrack. Hon. Owen Darrell: No, no, no. Mr. Speaker, thank you. Thank you. [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDon’t get caught up in it. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: And see . . . see, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDon’t get caught up. Hon. Owen Darrell: Yeah, yeah. Mr. Speaker, see, while we fail to realise that too often when we talk about the benefits of recovery, they get stuck at the top. We get stuck at the top and, you know, the Honourable Member and his friends on …
Don’t get caught up. Hon. Owen Darrell: Yeah, yeah. Mr. Speaker, see, while we fail to realise that too often when we talk about the benefits of recovery, they get stuck at the top. We get stuck at the top and, you know, the Honourable Member and his friends on the other side may be complaining about the millions that they would like to save and earn more of. But what we fail to realise is the compression that happens, Mr. Speaker, at the bottom. And I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker, but when I walk the hills of Glebe Road and when I walk the hills of Long Ridge Pass , I can tell you that those individuals are happy. Those individuals are proud to support a G overnment that looks out for their interests at the bottom and not just the people walking and flying at the top. So, when the H onourable Shadow Minister got up this morning, Mr. Speaker —and I hope I'm looking at you enough —
[Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Hon. Owen Darrell: —but I hope when the H onourable Member got up this morning earlier today and he decided to flaunt and talk about Dunkley's eggs and talk about what is $6 going to be, Mr. Speaker, I hope he can go out into his constituency this Saturday and look those voters in the eye and say, I am sorry for 1018 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly disrespecting the savings that this G overnment is trying to bring on the table.
[Inaudible interjections and desk thumping]
Hon. Owen Darrell: So, Mr. Honourable Speaker, I would say this, that this Government cannot solve the cost-of-living crisis alone . And this G overnment will continue to do all that it can to help the people of this country. While if they want to sit over, the Honourable Members on the other side and poke shots about what we're not doing enough and what we're doing, I can tell you when they sat in this place as the G overnment, they were increasing taxes.
Several Hon. Members: Yes!
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: They were telling people what they could not do and what I'm going to tell you is $6, as I said the other day, is a lot more than zero. So, as the H onourable Member from the other side, constituency 8, will remind him that dark clouds, Mr. Speaker, cannot rain on my parade and while they want to sit over there and continue to talk about the doom and gloom and what the PLP should be doing more, I would ask them that they should have done something, anything to help the people of this country. So, while I got that out of the way, Mr. Speaker, and I hope that I addressed you directly and appropri-ately for the H onourable Member from constituency 22, I will remind this H ouse that this G overnment stands today undaunted by the global headwinds, unshaken by— [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: —unshaken by the criticism and unafraid to make the bold decisions —I hope they're listening— the bold decisions in the interest of the people of this country. So, Mr. Speaker, I think what I did hear quietly amongst all the chirping here and there was that the One Bermuda Alliance led by the Shadow Minister of Finance —yes, you heard me, led by the Shadow Minister of Finance —came to this H ouse and I think he whispered that he is in support of this Bill. So, I say thank you, sir. Thank you for understanding that this P rogressive Labour G overnment has continued to help the people of this country — [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: —and we will continue to do so. So, as I started , as I started, Mr. Speaker, $6 is not just $6 . Six dollars goes into multiple dollars when you count up families, multiple families, and you've got the parents who have multiple children who are worried about the whereabouts of their children and if they're going to get home in time or if they're waiting somewhere, waiting to get picked up. So, that $6, Mr. Speaker, for families who are struggling, families that the Honourable Shadow Minister may not know anything about because he's never met them, Mr. Speaker —
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: —but I will tell you this, that that $6 goes a long way.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Owen Darrell: I'm sure if the H onourable Member from the other side would p oll his friends in international business and the amount of money that they have floating around with cell phone costs and they add up all those $6— [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: I'm …
Yes. Hon. Owen Darrell: I'm sure if the H onourable Member from the other side would p oll his friends in international business and the amount of money that they have floating around with cell phone costs and they add up all those $6— [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: I'm sure, Mr. Speaker, that he will see that this savings is significant.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt is $6. Hon. Owen Darrell: It is $6. Absolutely. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: See, this is where, Mr. Speaker, I hate to say it, but some Members of the other side are disconnected. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: And let me just finish here, Mr. Speaker, and this …
It is $6.
Hon. Owen Darrell: It is $6. Absolutely.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: See, this is where, Mr. Speaker, I hate to say it, but some Members of the other side are disconnected.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: And let me just finish here, Mr. Speaker, and this will be very serious and very heart-felt. You will note that every time I get on my feet in this House, it is for one reason and one reason only, and it is because I remember the people of whom I serve. Okay ? And although the H onourable Member from constituency 10 over there has a very nonchalant attitude towards what service may look like.
Mr. Scott PearmanPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Owen Darrell: Service may — POINT OF ORDER
Mr. Scott PearmanPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. I'm afraid that that is, again, diving into personalities. It is diving into personalities. Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Scott PearmanContrary to the Standing Order I cited last time, we heard comments from the bench. Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJust remember, we all come here to serve. Some of us have different approaches on how we serve. Hon. Owen Darrell: Let me make this a little clearer.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll have the best interests of their service. Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope I'm on the right side of the line on this comment. And I do apologise that I singled out the Honourable Member from constituency 10. I do apologise. So, …
All have the best interests of their service.
Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I hope I'm on the right side of the line on this comment. And I do apologise that I singled out the Honourable Member from constituency 10. I do apologise. So, I'll make it a blanket statement. The Honourable Members, the collective M embers of the O pposition, in my opinion, Mr. Speaker, do not value as much as the Progressive Labour Party —
POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motives]
Mr. Scott PearmanPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. We are now imput ing improper motives.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI was trying to let him finish. He hadn't finished. That didn't value what? [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, you didn't value what? I want to hear you finish [your] words. What's your finish? [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Owen Darrell: In my opinion, Mr. Speaker, and the opinion of the voters that went to the polls in February of 2025— [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou are on a good line. You are on a good line. Finish up. Hon. Owen Darrell: By the way . . . through the mandate that they have given this party, the Progressive Labour Party — [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDon’t get distracted. Stay on the line. Hon. Owen Darrell: I am confident, Mr. Speaker, that the voters of this country —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThe ones that are left. Hon. Owen Darrell: —are supportive and will continue to be supportive of this G overnment, of the Minister of Finance, supported by the Junior Minister of Finance, and all of the G overnment, the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, that we will stop at nothing …
The ones that are left.
Hon. Owen Darrell: —are supportive and will continue to be supportive of this G overnment, of the Minister of Finance, supported by the Junior Minister of Finance, and all of the G overnment, the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, that we will stop at nothing when it comes to making this country more affordable for those who live in it. And I would go as far as to say that this $6 reduction—yes, I said it, $6 reduction —will help those whom I serve more than it hurts. And I would remind the O pposition that the reason we come to this place, and the reason why we walk those h ills, and the reason why we touch the community, is so that we can hear directly from the voters who put their trust in us. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Does any other M ember want to . . . MP Swan?
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanYes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank our Government for bringing forward something that would separate us from them. And I say that in that in this budget, which today we come with some legislation that is reducing the burden on persons, and we have heard my colleagues …
Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank our Government for bringing forward something that would separate us from them. And I say that in that in this budget, which today we come with some legislation that is reducing the burden on persons, and we have heard my colleagues on this side articulate the difference in representing working- class persons and being a representative that might not knock on that many doors just by design of the country. And that's a fact. This country's origin still has, and I'm on the Boundaries Commission with others, been geographically divided up, where if you're representing someone in Pembroke, in the densely populated areas of Pembroke, you're more likely to find someone when you knock on a door that appreciates a $6 savings far greater than if you went on the other side of the railroad track. And I say that respectfully. And that's the reality of this country. But I just want to point out, ever so briefly if I can, Mr. Speaker, the difference in the ethos of $6, the difference in the mind -set of $6. We have an Opposition with a track record that came in decrying the debt in 2012 —decrying the debt . But raised the debt by over a billion dollars in their tenure. We had an O pposition that when they were Government cut scholarships for persons who were dependent on those scholarships from the Education Ministry’s prior to be able to further educate themselves. That speaks to a difference in ethos. And I heard an interpolation from someone that there was no money. That was said to many people: Money doesn't grow on 1020 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly trees . But we found money to build Cross Island . Right? They found money to have America's Cup. On the eve of not being G overnment anymore for a long, long time, they left us with a quarter of a billion-dollar responsibility at Morgan's Point.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanAnd when we talk about the difference of an ethos, this ethos, yes, thank you for that, I appreciate that. We have a significant difference because when they had the opportunity to represent the people of this country, they did not think it necessary to increase seniors’ pensions incrementally each …
And when we talk about the difference of an ethos, this ethos, yes, thank you for that, I appreciate that. We have a significant difference because when they had the opportunity to represent the people of this country, they did not think it necessary to increase seniors’ pensions incrementally each year.
They told persons that money . . . and what happened, and I declare my interest, Mr. Speaker . I'm a senior today and I understand what an incremental increase means. I understand what $6 means and I understand why . . . while their mind- set will keep them in Opposition for a long, long, long time.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberLong time!
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanBecause the cost -of-living increases that get afforded to seniors, they have said the same thing about that, what we have done since we've been the Government since 2017, and did it incrementally every year, thanks to the F inance Ministers past and present, that they didn't do. And when …
Because the cost -of-living increases that get afforded to seniors, they have said the same thing about that, what we have done since we've been the Government since 2017, and did it incrementally every year, thanks to the F inance Ministers past and present, that they didn't do. And when they didn't do it, the pensions regressed, and it's significant. Six dollars means a lot, not so much of the total sum. It means a lot in the difference in the way they see life and the way we see life. The way they see life would see nothing wrong with sacri-ficing —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe Member is misleading the House because he's implying that there is this group of people, “they” . . . perhaps he could explain, b ut I'm going to read into what I think he's saying, who all think the same.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoAnd in fact, that is not correct. So, he is wrong. [Inaudible interjections]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoWe have a diversity of views over here, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanWe have a diversity of views, and I agree on that 100 per cent. But we have a debt and poverty line of people who make it very difficult for many persons to afford Bermuda. We understand that. And that's the difference between point of ordering when a person really …
We have a diversity of views, and I agree on that 100 per cent. But we have a debt and poverty line of people who make it very difficult for many persons to afford Bermuda. We understand that. And that's the difference between point of ordering when a person really is on a good wicket, just to maybe take up some of that time. And I'm here to say, Mr. Speaker, that Morgan's Point, cutting scholarships, not raising pensions, having Cross Island as a burden to a future government, and many other things that they did separate them, which makes them, you want to use anything to belittle us. But you know, we're a caring Government, and the good Lord doesn't sleep. Because if the good Lord knew that a pandemic was coming on this Island . . . and thank God, he put the PLP in power. Because the Government prior that said money doesn't go on trees would have let people suffer. But our F inance Minister —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motive]
Mr. Scott PearmanThat's imput ing improper motive if I have ever heard.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou heard me responding to him beforehand . Member, I've guided other Members this evening to try and keep on the line where we stay above certain levels. I'm going to suggest you do the same.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanOkay, Mr. Speaker, I'll say this much. And I appreciate the sensitivities that would force the M ember to come there. And I accept the point of order. And I appreciate your guidance. But I'll just say, let the record speak for itself. I got that from David Gibbons. You …
Okay, Mr. Speaker, I'll say this much. And I appreciate the sensitivities that would force the M ember to come there. And I accept the point of order. And I appreciate your guidance. But I'll just say, let the record speak for itself. I got that from David Gibbons. You don't have to point to . . . said let the record speak for themselves. The PLP have done a lot to help working- class people. The Government prior to 2017 did a lot that caused working- class people to live with great angst. And as a consequence, we have a mind- set that will come here and make a big hay about $6 against $6 but not represent the fact that this Government incrementally is going out of its way to try to reduce the burden on working families. And that's significant. And that's why they are there, and we are here. Because we care. Not to say they don't care. But their actions in Government have caused them to be where t hey are today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Does any other M ember wish to make a contribution? MP Robinson.
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonThank you, Mr. Speaker. And good evening to the listening audience. And I just wanted to jump up and give a bit of a juxtaposition to the amount of rhetoric that we're currently being buried under. I'd like to cut to the chase here and say this : to translate, …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And good evening to the listening audience. And I just wanted to jump up and give a bit of a juxtaposition to the amount of rhetoric that we're currently being buried under. I'd like to cut to the chase here and say this : to translate, first of all, the One Bermuda Alliance, as stated by my colleague previously, is in support of this cut. And I would like to repeat that. In support of this cut. And after listening to the speeches from Members opposite, you would think that the One Bermuda Alliance advocated for a cut only to go to insurance or the most wealthy. In fact, that Member, my colleague, stood up and advocated for more targeted cuts to those who need it.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHear, hear!
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonAnd the thing that I wanted to push back on, because I don't want to — [Desk thumping]
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonThank you. I don't want to let the night go away with some things that I've heard as far as challenging the validity of voters on this side and voters who have voted for Members on this side. And I find that that assertion, that members of the public and …
Thank you. I don't want to let the night go away with some things that I've heard as far as challenging the validity of voters on this side and voters who have voted for Members on this side. And I find that that assertion, that members of the public and the electorate who are equal when they cast their one vote, that's something we all agree on, for some reason would not understand or ap-preciate a $6 cut because they voted for the One Bermuda Alliance. And I reject that. I reject it completely. And I think that a lot of M embers opposite forget that my colleague represents Warwick . I think that folks forget that . They are speaking like he represents a constituency that is very affluent. And I think that at the end of the day, you know, at the end of the day, Mr. Speaker, I am sitting here as a newly elected Member. And I know that there are m embers in our community who are listening in, who would like to hear debate about this particular thing. And the fac t that their elected M embers are here to represent their best interests and not to chastise and do personal attacks, especially when it comes to somebody who's only offering up a difference of opinion. When it comes to how the taxes should be applied, not necessarily what the tax is . Right? And I just wanted to really get specific on that because I feel like a lot of these speeches that we prob-ably will hear continuing on will go down a vein that portrayed it as th ough One Bermuda Alliance has not supported this tax cut and that we made a mockery of it, because that's not the truth. I will say that my colleague, the Shadow Minister of Finance, likes to be a bit jovial with his approach. And I think that a lot of people would have heard that.
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonNo, no. But at the end of the day there’s — [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonA lot of folks understand, right? The message that was being said was that a lot of our constituents and the constituents of those opposite are in need of a lot more relief than $6 .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHear, hear!
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonNow, this is not to diminish it. As I said, another Member said, you know, $6 is better than zero. I agree. I absolutely agree. But what I don't want it to be is a political tool used in a way in which tries to divide the electorate, divide those …
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonAnd it's . . . and the thing is, what we have to remember is that when we come into this Chamber we are not the OBA representative of constituency 25. We are just representatives of each constituency.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTrue.
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonAnd at the end of the day, that is what the electorate said to us loud and clear during the election. And usually after the PLP — [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Dwayne Robinson—usually after the PLP wins an election, they tend to forget the messages that the electorate have said to them. But one of the main messages that I will remind the Progressive Labour Party is collaboration. C ollaboration and the respect and decorum within this House. And as soon as …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. 1022 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Dwayne Robinson: It was about where that particular Honourable Member came from and nothing to do with his comments that were made. And I find that level of debate to be disingenuous because there are Members on …
Yes.
1022 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Dwayne Robinson: It was about where that particular Honourable Member came from and nothing to do with his comments that were made. And I find that level of debate to be disingenuous because there are Members on the Progressive Labour Party side that make a lot more than me, Mr. Speaker.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonThere are M embers in this House that have varying levels of earning and that shouldn't be . . . I don't . . . I don't need that. I don’t even want to— [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonBecause if I . . . if I turn around, Mr. Speaker, if I turn around, Mr. Speaker — [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTalk to the Chair. Talk to the Chair.
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonMr. Speaker, if I turn around, I have to remind a M ember that they are senior and should show some sort of decorum in this H ouse. Personally, Mr. Speaker, and I would love to see that because I know a lot of the electorate would like to see …
Mr. Speaker, if I turn around, I have to remind a M ember that they are senior and should show some sort of decorum in this H ouse. Personally, Mr. Speaker, and I would love to see that because I know a lot of the electorate would like to see that. But as we go along, I'd like to reiterate. We support the cut. O kay? And, Mr. Speaker, I want to also reiterate that I respect the opinion of every M ember of this House, regardless of their background, their earning or where they represent, because somebody elected them to be here. Right ?
[Desk thumping]
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonSo, if we're going to have a debate, let's just debate ideology, right? Both parties support the cut. Hon. E. David Burt: No, they don’t.
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonSo, well, the Honourable Premier says they don't. I heard and maybe . . . we were talking about the Hansard and digital innovation earlier. I think the Premier needs to check the Hansard because our Shadow Finance [Minister] said succinctly, We agree with the cut .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHere we go.
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonSo, with that, I would like to just caution H onourable Members, as I am new in this House and I respect the seniority of many , that if we're going to have a debate on this, let's keep on the wicket of comments made in the House and not …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Does any other member wish to speak? Minister Furbert. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand to my feet today because . . . first, I want to say that I do support this tax cut because that's what it is. And that's …
Thank you, Member. Does any other member wish to speak? Minister Furbert.
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I stand to my feet today because . . . first, I want to say that I do support this tax cut because that's what it is. And that's what we do as Government officials. There are things that we can control and there are some things that we cannot control . And one of those things, Mr. Speaker, is cuts, tax cuts . Right? Or tax increases. And so, this is an example of a reduction in tax. Whether it's described as small or not so big, Mr. Speaker, it does make a difference for many peo-ple. And I have the opportunity to speak to seniors every month. And I spoke to them recently about the changes with the budget and how it will impact them. And one of the impacts was this cut, Mr. Speaker. And they were happy about this cut, Mr. Speaker, whether somebody wants to describe it as small or not. They were definitely happy to receive this tax cut from their cell phones or their I nternet service providers . . . their cell phones, sorry. And so, it is important that we recognise that no cut is too small, Mr. Speaker. I want to also take the opportunity because if we evaluated all of the cost -savings, because what we will see over the next couple of months is Government bringing forth legislation to encourage some more areas of cuts in . . . or putting money back into the pockets of our people. So, we want to say watch this space. Right? Because we will be bringing more legislation for more opportunities to put money back into the pockets of our people. If anyone is in the finance area, they would know about a snowball effect. And a snowball effect means that your small savings, right, if you put it all together, can be huge savings, Mr. Speaker. Little becomes much. I want to talk about what this G overnment has done over the past three years, Mr. Speaker. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: The Government has reduced payroll taxes for 86 per cent of the workforce, Mr. Speaker. The Government has increased pensions at the rate of inflation every year for our seniors, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this Government has eliminated customs duty on the essential goods.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTalk about it. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker, this G overnment has 60 per cent reduction on our energy taxes, as well as 40 per cent reduction in our payroll taxes for taxi operators. We've reduced private car licensing fees by 10 per cent . [Inaudible …
Talk about it.
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker, this G overnment has 60 per cent reduction on our energy taxes, as well as 40 per cent reduction in our payroll taxes for taxi operators. We've reduced private car licensing fees by 10 per cent .
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: We eliminated land tax for registered charities and nursing homes.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTalk about it. Hon. Tinee Furbert: We eliminated customs duties on materials for capital projects for community clubs, Mr. Speaker.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOoh! Hon. Tinee Furbert: We froze local fuel prices at the pumps.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes! Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Premier, I think what we have not done, Mr. Premier, is probably shared what these snowball cost effects look like. Hon. E. David Burt: I’m coming. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Okay, you're coming. Because we cannot talk about — [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Tinee Furbert: We cannot …
Yes!
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Premier, I think what we have not done, Mr. Premier, is probably shared what these snowball cost effects look like.
Hon. E. David Burt: I’m coming. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Okay, you're coming. Because we cannot talk about — [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: We cannot not acknowledge, Mr. Speaker, the cost -savings that we have provided for our people. And I think we have to be deliberate in sharing this information to our people. Because if we continue to allow narratives like what is being said from the other side, Mr. Speaker, then our people will not know . And so, it is our duty, Mr. Speaker, to inform our people of the cuts and the cost -savings that we are providing for them. Now, it is up to them to decide how they're going to use those cost -savings. And I encourage them to use it wisely. But no amount, Mr. Speaker, is small. There is something that this Government does every year, Mr. Speaker, and that is the Pre-Budget Report. There are no secrets really in regard to what we are looking to progress. This tax was put as a sugges-tion in our Pre-Budget Report. And I want to go even so much f urther as to say that many of the suggestions that we put in our P reBudget Report, Mr. Speaker, come from our people. They come from our people as suggestions. And so, if the other side is going to say that there is dis -appreciation for a $6 cut, people, we want you to know that there is an example of some people who are not appreciating their thoughts, their ideas, that are being put forward. Mr. Speaker, I . . . You know this is just one measure I spoke about . The fact [is] that we will be bringing more. I want to also remind . . . I am going to end here, Mr. Speaker, because the $6 will have a whopping effect in my household every month—
[Desk thumping] Hon. Tinee Furbert: —and many women’s households, particularly women of childbearing age who have to buy pads every month.
[Inaudible interjections and desk thumping] Hon. Tinee Furbert: No, that may. That is not a small gesture, Mr. Speaker. There are people out there who cannot afford to have sanitary napkins —cannot afford. I have seen people do fundraising to assist charities for that particular aspect. So , we cannot minimise . We cannot minimise the reduction of our taxes particularly on our cell phone bills, Mr. Speaker. I am glad it was minimised because it was talked about. [It was] said, Oh, a whopping amount! Mr. Speaker. Yes. It will have an impact in many households if people use that savings correctly, Mr. Speaker. Right? And so, I just want to acknowledge again that I support this Bill. All right? I support this Bill. The whole country should support this Bill (I am sure) because it came from the people. And it is a huge benefit, Mr. Speaker . And we are a g overnment —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCorrect! Hon. Tinee Furbert: We are a g overnment that is encouraged in wanting to support our people no matter how big or how small, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? None? Minister, . . . Junior —Oh. Premier? Hon. E. David Burt: I see, Mr. Speaker, they are getting ready to point -of-order, but they had better get ready because there will be a whole …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier, I am going to take the assumption that you are just using that for statistics that you want to relate to and not a speech.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Yes. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, let me start by saying that I am actually surprised that we are still here. 1024 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Well, I agree. I agree with you. [Laughter and inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David …
Yes. Yes.
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, let me start by saying that I am actually surprised that we are still here. 1024 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Well, I agree. I agree with you.
[Laughter and inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: I am surprised that we are still here because of the thought . . . the thought , the thought that the Government would bring the first Bill today of a significant amount of tax cuts in this budget that will benefit people across this country —first Bill, first out of many. There will be more on Friday —doing more in the future. But the first B ill, Mr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. E. David Burt: And then to hear the Shadow Minister of Finance get up and say , Oh, we support it, but.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberBut! [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: So, here we go. Now, Mr. Speaker, the last Member from that side to speak, you know, tried to play kumbaya— [Inaudible interjection and laughter] Hon. E. David Burt: —and everything else, saying he is a new Member and he cannot believe— POINT …
Mr. L. Craig CannonierPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Member is misleading the House, and he should be sitting down right now.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: He is the Premier. He knows the rules. He is misleading the House . And the intent . . . it was a very sincere message that the Honourable Member gave. And for him to shed light on that Hon-ourable Member in that aspect is …
Yes. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: He is the Premier. He knows the rules. He is misleading the House . And the intent . . . it was a very sincere message that the Honourable Member gave. And for him to shed light on that Hon-ourable Member in that aspect is certainly not premier-ship, not at all, not leadership at all.
[Crosstalk]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierHe was very . . . He was very . . . He was very earnest about what he had to say.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHear, hear! Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And here we go again. We just talked about the DNA of certain people. Right —
Mr. L. Craig Cannonier—in this Honourable House. He needs to apply the take that he talks about. So, you know, everyone is keeping quiet here, letting the Premier say what he has to say, but to go down that vein of road is misguided. [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier, I know things have got a little heated today, so you need not . . . This evening. I should not even say today . Just this evening. So, we do not need to turn the flame up a little up. Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, Mr. Speaker, I …
Premier, I know things have got a little heated today, so you need not . . . This evening. I should not even say today . Just this evening. So, we do not need to turn the flame up a little up.
Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, Mr. Speaker, I did not turn the flame up. That Honourable Member took it the wrong way because the reality is, Mr. Speaker, you and I —
Mr. L. Craig CannonierPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Hon. E. David Burt: What is the point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierHe is misleading the House again. I was earnest about what I said. How could I be misleading the House? [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. We can move forward. [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMove forward. Hon. E. David Burt: And Mr. Speaker, as we speak about the rights and privileges of Parliament —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. E. David Burt: —I do believe that the last Honourable Member from that side said that everyone in this House was elected to represent and serve, and I am going to speak on behalf of my M embers in this House. And he can point -of-order me for …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. E. David Burt: —I do believe that the last Honourable Member from that side said that everyone in this House was elected to represent and serve, and I am going to speak on behalf of my M embers in this House. And he can point -of-order me for the next 30 minutes if he wants, but I promise you, Mr. Speaker, I will make my point. I will make my point. Now, Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Member for constituency 30 got up and tried to play kumbaya and said, Oh my goodness —
POINT OF ORDER
Mr. L. Craig CannonierPoint of order, Mr. Speaker . We just went through that. I am sure that AI is not helping him out well at all right now. We already made the point. For him to get up again is disrespectful Bermuda House of Assembly to this House after we established the …
Point of order, Mr. Speaker . We just went through that. I am sure that AI is not helping him out well at all right now. We already made the point. For him to get up again is disrespectful
Bermuda House of Assembly to this House after we established the fact that the Honourable Member was not trying . . . He was earnest in what he had to say.
[Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe wording or the attempt at wording what the Member is trying to do is to bring some peace back to the conversation. My words. My words. Hon. E. David Burt: I am fine—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWhat the Member was saying was trying to bring some peace back to the conversation. Hon. E. David Burt: And that is perfectly fine. And guess what my definition of peace is, Mr. Speaker — kumbaya. All right? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: There you go. There you go. …
What the Member was saying was trying to bring some peace back to the conversation.
Hon. E. David Burt: And that is perfectly fine. And guess what my definition of peace is, Mr. Speaker — kumbaya. All right? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: There you go. There you go.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: So, now Mr. Speaker . . . So, the Honourable—
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: —So, the Honourable Member, the last Member who spoke on that side, Mr. Speaker, tried to get up and, you know , play kumbaya and say , I cannot believe. I cannot believe that we are having all this excitement from the other side. And it is incredible that he does not even understand the base of this be-cause as I started my comments, Mr. Speaker —
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. The Premier is misleading the House again. For him to suggest that the Honourable Member did not understand is way out in left field. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: You don’t understand the rules of the House. Sit down! [Crosstalk] Hon. Zane J. S. …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, Members, wait a minute. [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWait a minute. Members, Members. Members! [Gavel] The Speaker: Deputy! Deputy! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Did you hear what I said?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDeputy . Deputy. I am trying to get quiet so your Member can finish talking. Thank you. Members, this matter when it started, I think we all expected that it would not be going this long. I mean, no one here expected we would be here all this time because …
Deputy . Deputy. I am trying to get quiet so your Member can finish talking. Thank you. Members, this matter when it started, I think we all expected that it would not be going this long. I mean, no one here expected we would be here all this time because I believe there is still another matter to be done.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, there is.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd we would all like to get on with the night so we can get all matters done. So let us tone down the tone that is unfortunately raised and let us get this matter done so we can move on to the next matter . Because I think everyone …
And we would all like to get on with the night so we can get all matters done. So let us tone down the tone that is unfortunately raised and let us get this matter done so we can move on to the next matter . Because I think everyone —both sides of this House — and everyone is agreed that [they are] in favour of the matter, in favour of the cut being . . . that is on the table. They are supportive of it . So we are fighting . . . no, wrong word. We are encouraging an argument to go on and on over a matter that everybody agrees on. Can we wrap this up? Thank you.
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate your exhortations to wrap this up, but Mr. Speaker, I must apologise because I am going to take my time today.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI meant let us wrap it up in a way that would bring it back to— Hon. E. David Burt: —Oh, Mr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe Speaker—and do not turn the heat up any higher. I didn’t intend for you to cut yourself short — Hon. E. David Burt: —Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, just so we are clear —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet’s keep it so that tone stays level. Hon. E. David Burt: That is clear. The only voices that have been raised in my time speaking are the Honourable Members over there who before I even stood up said, Point -of-order him the entire way through—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet’s move on— Hon. E. David Burt: That is fine. Let’s trust and believe I will make it through my remarks —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJust continue through. Hon. E. David Burt: And so here we go, Mr. Speaker. Back to it again. The Honourable Member who, you know , took his seat from the other side, the last one to speak on 1026 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly that …
Just continue through. Hon. E. David Burt: And so here we go, Mr. Speaker. Back to it again. The Honourable Member who, you know , took his seat from the other side, the last one to speak on 1026 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly that side, you know, tried to come with the peace- making and surprise at the reaction of which was coming from the Honourable Member who said he supported this Bill but. Now here is the thing, Mr. Speaker . Let’s be clear and remember what the Honourable Member Shadow Minister said. [He] talked about demeaning the impact of this cut and what it would mean. I want that to sink in for the persons listening because it is important —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motives and misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoHe is imput ing improper motive and misleading the House because I did not demean anything, Mr. Speaker. I provided facts. I provided al-ternate ideas. I provided a policy that the Government could have spoken to, but no one on that side has spoken to any of the factual points …
He is imput ing improper motive and misleading the House because I did not demean anything, Mr. Speaker. I provided facts. I provided al-ternate ideas. I provided a policy that the Government could have spoken to, but no one on that side has spoken to any of the factual points that I raised. They have gone off on a history lesson, which is not even 100 per cent correct. And I would love to hear if the Premier could address some of the actual ideas that we have given them in a spirit of collaboration. Thank you. [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJust . . . Just . . . Just try to keep this balanced here. The points that were raised were that , one, you agreed with the cut ; and two, that you just could have gone further. [Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd so, I think that is what is being addressed, responded to. Did I miss any point? Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, if I may. Number one, we all know that was not a point of order. That is the first thing because you have not asked me to …
And so, I think that is what is being addressed, responded to. Did I miss any point?
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, if I may. Number one, we all know that was not a point of order. That is the first thing because you have not asked me to withdraw any words. So that is the first thing. And that is their tactic : point of order, point of order, point of order. I am there. But number two, I will help the Honourable Member from constituency 25 if he will remain in his seat and listen like we did when he spoke. T hen you might actually hear a few things.
[General uproar ]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNow you are really mistaken. Hon. E. David Burt: Now you might hear a few things. But, Mr. Speaker, I will go back to my remarks because I want the people who are listening to hear and understand. The Honourable Member from that side got up and sa id, We …
Now you are really mistaken.
Hon. E. David Burt: Now you might hear a few things. But, Mr. Speaker, I will go back to my remarks because I want the people who are listening to hear and understand. The Honourable Member from that side got up and sa id, We agree, but , and made the implication that this cut will not mean much to people, s tarted rattling off prices of this and prices of that , and saying that it is $6.00, and saying that does not mean this , and all the rest, Mr. Speaker. That is what he said. Now here is the reality. That of course would — as he well knew —get a reaction from those persons who have continuously been fighting to make sure that we can make this country more affordable. And here is the reality. Every single bit counts. One of my colleagues said gaslighting . That is it. But here is the thing, when we are talking about gaslighting —because I am going back to the Honourable Member from constituency 30. It is as though, Mr. Speaker, he did not see his colleague come into the room, just throw the fire in the middle, the flame erupted. And then being surprised and trying to take out their budget replies and fan the flame and say, Oh, we did not mean that. We did not mean that. We did not mean that. A nonsense, Mr. Speaker. A nonsense.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThat is right! [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: So now, let me go because here is the thing. There are . . . We talk about the personal attack s, that is what was said, and all the rest. This goes back to philosophy. And here is the reality, …
That is right! [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: So now, let me go because here is the thing. There are . . . We talk about the personal attack s, that is what was said, and all the rest. This goes back to philosophy. And here is the reality, Mr. Speaker. The reality is that they have not changed. And we heard the message from the Member from constituency 30. It was incredible. He said, The Government has not learned the lessons from the election. And he went on to say that if there was anything, the people wanted collaboration. I would ask that Honourable Member who took his seat what part of collaboration did he find from the method and delivery and the message that came from his Honourable Shadow Minister who led from that side, Mr. Speaker ? Because I will tell you what I heard. I will tell you wh at I heard. I will tell you that I heard —coded things and dog whistles that were basically saying that this ain’t going to help you much. And we heard Members from this side speak and discuss, discuss, speak and discuss around, around (key point now ) the impact of which that will have. But remember, I said, I said (important, important, important ) they said that this would not mean anything. Remember when I said that they have not changed, Mr. Speaker. Let me, if you will allow me, Mr. Speaker, go back to the 2021 Budget Reply. Because you know what that side said? Same as today. [They] criticised the Progressive Labour Party tax cuts as being minimal. And they stated, as I quote: “Bermudians will note that the Premier’s tax breaks are miniscule.
Bermuda House of Assembly These cuts are not even drops in the bucket for most Bermudians.” T hat is what they said in 2021. Let’s go on to 2022. “ These tax cuts will do little to ease the hardship faced by Bermudians.” And here is the important point, Mr. Speaker. In 2022, they voted against those tax cuts. But here is what is important to note, Mr. Speaker, because we heard Members from this side say that every little thing adds up. Let me give the combined results of the tax cuts that they called minimal, Mr. Speaker. Important, important, important .
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: For persons who are on the average (important point ) [making] the median income in the country, the miniscule tax cuts of which they spoke have saved persons $5,280 a year. I want to say that again. So, let’s remember this, Mr. Speaker. These add up. This package of tax cuts announced in this budget will save the average family $1,000 a year. This is the first B ill of many B ills that are going to come. But here is the thing, Mr. Speaker. It is important for us to remember. And it is important for the public to hear and understand that the One Bermuda Alliance has not changed because when the Progressive Labour Party brings forward relief, the only response that they have is that it is not enough. However, Mr. Speaker, the people of this country remember that it was them who raised taxes on workers to the highest level in history. It was that party. It was that party, Mr. Speaker, that cut benefits, cut s cholarships, cut investments in education. It was that party, Mr. Speaker. So, when they get up and say we need to do more where they do more for persons who need help and assistance, t here is only one Government, one party —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoHe is misleading. It was the One Bermuda Alliance that put in place for the first time ever the progressive payroll tax system. [In] years and years of the Progressive Labour Party government, they did not see fit to create the system whereby the higher earners paid a higher percent-age. …
He is misleading. It was the One Bermuda Alliance that put in place for the first time ever the progressive payroll tax system. [In] years and years of the Progressive Labour Party government, they did not see fit to create the system whereby the higher earners paid a higher percent-age. That was put in place by the One Bermuda Alliance Government. And the Progressive Labour Party has had very few new ideas since then. All they have continued is to tweak that structure put in place by the One Bermuda Alliance Government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Crosstalk] The Speaker: All right. Go ahead.
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, that is not a point of order. He had his opportunity to debate, but he does not like the response that is coming because he under-stands the fire of which he has lit, and now he is there trying to clean it up.
[Inaudible interjections ] Hon. E. David Burt: But let me go back to the history. It was that One Bermuda Alliance that raised taxes on workers to the highest level in history. I remember when I was a Shadow Minister, I even pointed it out. And I remember the Minister of that time looking at that [other] Minister and all the rest and saying: Is that true? Is that true? Is that true? And they had to look back. Those are the facts.
[Inaudible interjections ] Hon. E. David Burt: Those are the facts. Now here we go, Mr. Speaker, see? Because they do not like the fact that we point out the record. They do not like the fact that when we put relief upon relief upon relief upon relief upon relief —it adds up. Every single budget session we have come here, we have reduced taxes for wor kers in this country. And the one time that we said, Those who earn more should pay more, they oppose it. So, it is interesting to see the Honourable Member get up and say that the One Bermuda Alliance put the progressive tax system in place, and when we went ahead and increased taxes on the highest earners in this country, they said No. They opposed the tax cut for 86 per cent of workers in this country that are saving money. They opposed the changes of which we have made. And guess what, Mr. Speaker. The voters rendered their verdict at the polls. Here is the reality, Mr. Speaker. This is the first Bill of many, and we will continue to cut taxes. I sin-cerely hope that the Shadow Minister will find a different way to support. Because it is interesting, Mr. Speaker —interesting, interesting, interesting —that they go back to the same playbook every time. The same playbook every single time. We have seen what they said in 2021. We saw what they said in 2022. We passed those tax cuts any-ways over their objections, over their comments of, It’s not big enough, because we take the responsibility of the finances of this country seriously. It is this Government, Mr. Speaker, that has delivered a balanced budget. It is this Government, Mr. Speaker, that is cutting taxes for workers. It is this Government, Mr. Speaker, that is going to bring the largest package of tax cuts that we have seen in this Honourable House since any of us can remember. The only person in Parliament who might remember is you, Mr. Speaker. And that is just the reality. 1028 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly And so, Mr. Speaker, this is the first of many. But I will go back to what was said in the Budget Statement, a total of $46 million of tax reductions. Can more be done? Absolutely. But here is the thing. Will more be done? Absolutely! And who will be doing the more? This Progressive Labour Party Government. Thank you. [Inaudible interjections and desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Premier. Junior Minister. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe enough has been said. The Government has clearly — [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, go on and leave it on that. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —defended its position. And we all know that at the end of the day, the public will support what we are doing. So, Mr. Speaker, I move that the said draft Regulation be approved, that a suitable message …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections to it being approved? There are none. The matter has been approved, and the appropriate letter will be sent. [Motion carried: The Government Fees Amendment Regulations 2025 were approved.]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Members, for your participation. Now I understand that there is another matter for us to move on to. And I would like to move on to the next item on the Order Paper And MP Lawrence Scott, you have the motion that you would like to do this …
The SpeakerThe Speakeryes. So put your motion. MOTION CYBERATTACK ON GOVERNMENT IT SYSTEMS IN SEPTEMBER 2023 , ESTABLISHMENT OF A PARLIAMENTARY JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottMr. Speaker, I move that the House do now take under consideration the following motion, notice of which was given on the 28 March 2025: WHEREAS the Government had previously established “a Joint Select Committee of both Houses to inquire into and make recommendations arising from September’s cyberattack”, prior to …
Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now take under consideration the following motion, notice of which was given on the 28 March 2025: WHEREAS the Government had previously established “a Joint Select Committee of both Houses to inquire into and make recommendations arising from September’s cyberattack”, prior to the dissolution of the Legislature in January; AND WHEREAS the Government now desires to establish a new Joint Select Committee to resume the inquiry into this September 2023 cyberattack: BE IT RESOVED, pursuant to [the provisions of] Part IV of the Parliamentary Act 1957, that this Honourable House approves the establishment of a Parlia-mentary Joint Select Committee to examine and review matters surrounding the cyberattack on Government IT systems in September 2023, and to report to this House its findings and recommendations in due course.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections to the matter proceeding at this time? There are none. MP?
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottYes, Mr. Speaker Basically this . . . I am not going to talk long. Basically that this is just what I am suggesting is that we reintroduce the Joint Select Committee. We know that in September 2023 Bermuda was one of many nations that was the receiver of a …
Yes, Mr. Speaker Basically this . . . I am not going to talk long. Basically that this is just what I am suggesting is that we reintroduce the Joint Select Committee. We know that in September 2023 Bermuda was one of many nations that was the receiver of a cyberattack. The other nations would be the United States, the UK, Australia, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, [and] Barbados that also were attacked in similar fashion in the similar time frame. In response to those attacks, those jurisdictions have taken steps such as strengthening their de-fence, establishing cybersecurity agencies and en-hancing legislation. This Motion is our response, meaning that the creation of a Joint Select Committee, is one of our responses to that attack to be able to mitigate the liability of future attacks and to learn what happened with the original one. And this was only dissolved because of the election that was called.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Correct. The House was in agreement with it beforehand, and you just want to reintro-duce it.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottCorrect. Correct, Mr. Speaker , that since the House was in favour of it beforehand, I just wanted to bring that back so we can start back up and get swinging on that again.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any other Members who would like to make a contribution at this time?
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonGood afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: MP Robinson, you have the floor. [Crosstalk and laughter]
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonYes. Thank you. Yes. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the Member who just took his seat that I want to assure [the Honourable Member], Mr. Speaker, that my comments are not in any disrespect towards that Member as I believe that he led the Joint Select Committee with …
Yes. Thank you. Yes. Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the Member who just took his seat that I want to assure [the Honourable Member], Mr. Speaker, that my comments are not in any disrespect towards that Member as I believe that he led the Joint Select Committee with bipartisanship and transparency. And this not to speak out against any Members who sat on that Committee—
[Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. Dwayne RobinsonI associate my colleague from constituency 10. And I just wanted to rise today to offer maybe an alternative because I feel as though when we . . . I did not want to oppose because I want something to happen, but when we first constituted this, it was a …
I associate my colleague from constituency 10. And I just wanted to rise today to offer maybe an alternative because I feel as though when we . . . I did not want to oppose because I want something to happen, but when we first constituted this, it was a w hile after the actual cyberattack, and now that we have had an election and we are reconstituting, I wonder if this method may be too slow to get the answers to the Bermudian public when they need it. Right? And so far, a lot of our constituents have come up and said that they are concerned whether their data was compromised. I feel as though the Joint Select Committee before December of 2024 was a suitable method, but I do wonder now if it may be well to take advantage of the Government’s touted stronger fiscal position and potentially pay to have an expedited and independent overlook of this particular attack and get it to the people as quickly as possible. Because the issue is that when we get together, we have had it carried over a few times. I think that now, at the end of the day, the people want to know whether or not a ransom was paid, whether or not their data has been compromised, and I think we need to go to a method that is a lot quicker and expert -led. And so, I put that to the Chairman to consider — not to stall any movement on it. I would rather have movement than none. But I do want to raise the fact that we are going into almost two years now. And the people are questioning the [desire] to be transparent, to bring forth the answers necessary. So, [I] just want to say if we want the people who put us here to be, you know, safe, secure, and feel as though we are putting forth something that is transparent, I think it is time now that we pick a method that picks up the pace a bit. So, with that, I just wanted to put that suggestion forward,
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThank you. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? None? MP DeCouto.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Inaudible interjections ]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYou know, my colleague put it quite well. I think he was talking about the time frame and what I would classify as a sense of urgency. And, Mr. Speaker, to be honest, the ship has sailed in my personal view. [Inaudible interjection]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoI am going to give an example—the British Library. Some of you may have been there. I do not know. They had a hack at around the same time, the same time period. Probably I think it was within a few weeks. And you know, here we are (what are …
I am going to give an example—the British Library. Some of you may have been there. I do not know. They had a hack at around the same time, the same time period. Probably I think it was within a few weeks. And you know, here we are (what are we?) 18 months, 20 months since the original hack happened, Mr. Speaker —so quite a long period of time. And to basic . . . I am supporting my colleague to say, Look just publish the reports that we have got. Get it out there. And I referred to the B ritish Library hack happening at the same time frame. Its report was published in March 2024. It is easy to find online. Just g oogle it. It is 18 pages. It is very comprehensive and provides a lot of recommendations. I would hope that we . . . I mean , we understand we are in possession of a report, and I hope that our report also would have a lot of recommendations that we should just put to the public. I did a little extra research, Mr. Speaker, with respect to responding to cyberattacks. It is a tricky thing, but it is relatively well understood. And there are a lot of good resources that you can go to, for example, the UK National Cyber Security Centre. And if you do not mind, I might just provide a few points that I learned from there that I think would be instrumental for the Government to consider with respect to this area. The first point is they say it is important that you communicate clearly, Mr. Speaker, and that you are transparent because transparency builds trust and credibility. And I think that my colleague was alluding to that perhaps in different words. It is also important, Mr. Speaker, that you provide accurate information, that you avoid saying anything that might have to be retracted, and that you provide regular updates especially on the impact assessment. It is important to maintain open communication with the media to counter negative publicity and misin-formation. And again, I think my colleague was referring to the fact that , within the public’s mind, there are more questions than answers. And they would probably benefit from getting the report that exists out there today. And importantly , to s hare insights and lessons learned because transparency will improve collective resilience. So, we can think to the resilience of the Government but also of many other organisations on the 1030 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Island. So, I would refer the Government to that report and just give you a quick outline of headings in that report: • How It Happened; • What Was the I mpact of the A ttack? • What Were the R esponse and R ecover Efforts? • An Overview of the T echnology Infrastructure, (for example of our Government and the impacts on the hack ); • A Future Risk Assessment ; • Lessons Learned
And I would imagine, Mr. Speaker, that the report that the Government has in its hands today, which we know they do, which I understand was prepared by professionals, would in fact have some kind of similar coverage. And that is why I think really this J oint Select Committee . . . With the greatest respect of this institution and the p ower and importance of these committees, we could get to where we need to get simply by the Government releasing the report that it already has. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? MP Cannonier.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes, I would like to sing kumbaya — [Laughter] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: —especially to my half - blooded colleague sitting next to you. [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes. Yes. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Mr. Speaker, at first let me just say that when I read the M otion, I was not in support of it. And the reason I was not in support of it at the time when I read it was because I …
Yes. Yes. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Mr. Speaker, at first let me just say that when I read the M otion, I was not in support of it. And the reason I was not in support of it at the time when I read it was because I was trying to understand really what we are attempting to do. If I read out, if you will, this Motion, it says at the end of it “the parliamentary Joint Select Committee to examine, review matters surrounding the cyberattack on government IT systems in September of 2023 and to report to the House its findings and recommendations in due course.” I could understand if Government at the time, even a year after, was unwilling to do that, but I do understand that the Government also brought in expertise to help them also understand the complexity of what took place. (M aybe even how. I am not sure. ) But really fulfilling what it said here, to review matters surrounding the attack so that we could be better prepared. S o, I am trying to . . . And as colleagues were asking me about it, I was saying, Well, listen, we are two years down the road now. Just put the report out , as my honourable colleague just before me spoke. So let me say this. I gave it some thought, and as of yesterday, speaking to my colleagues, I am in support of it. What I would like to see for this [Joint] S elect Committee is to have a time frame. Two years have gone by now. We have had expert s come in to speak to us about the matter —and probably several different types of expert s coming in to give us things that we should be doing. We have already seen from the Budget Book that a lot more money has been put into establishing new protocols and the like. And we heard answers even earlier today about how that is going to be affected. My concern . . . And I am hoping that . . . so that it does not sound negative here. I am hoping that the Committee has a time frame through which it can come back. Certainly, a year is too long. The report has already been done, Lord knows how long ago. Maybe the honourable colleague could tell us how long ago the report has been done, but it has been done for a while now.
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierAnd so, I am in support if it means that we . . . It does not seem like we are going to get the report if we do not have the [Joint] S elect Committee based on the Government’s direction and pathway that it has taken. S o, if …
And so, I am in support if it means that we . . . It does not seem like we are going to get the report if we do not have the [Joint] S elect Committee based on the Government’s direction and pathway that it has taken. S o, if that is not possible, we need to hear about a time frame that is realistic that the committee can sit down . . . these are smart people. I was not sure if this committee is going to be reappointed by different individuals or not , as well , based on the M otion here. So, I am hoping we get some clarity on that. Are we going to be looking for a new establishment of people, or is it going to be the same that were there before prior to Christmas . . . December time? But we do need to get to [it] and put this to rest. So, if it is going to help put it to rest, let’s give it a time frame. I think that three months is certainly enough time for a group to sit down [and] go through the report if it is not 1,000 pages. I understand that it is not. It is a fairly short report that we can go through. So hopefully we can come to some conclusion very quickly. I do not feel like it is fair to the public for us to continue to go on and speculat e as to was did [or] did not happen and the like. We feel for the Government in this particular instance of a cyberattack. I think there has been back and forth about it as to whether or not enough information was forthcoming. I know that some of those were security protocols that we were putting in place, but as my honourable colleague said, we can take a look at other similar
Bermuda House of Assembly situations where the cyberattacks took place and far more transparency was added to it. We know exactly. The public from another jurisdiction outside of Ber-muda, we know all about what took place. And so , I am hoping that the committee can get going on with its business and we can come to some conclusion. And I am hoping to hear a time frame. In my opinion, a year is well too late. Three months , maybe even stretch around a month from there, but we should be going into our break for Cup Match, potentially, having had this committee meet and get it out there, certainly not going into a new parliamentary session for this. So, I want to thank the Honourable Member for bringing this forward. It has caused some thought, a lot of thought , as to whether or not this is good. So, I am happy to say that y es, Premier, I am supporting this here. And it is important that if we do not see any progress soon, if this committee takes too long to get going, we will be saying something about it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution. None other? [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Robert King—and Members of this Honourable House. Regarding the J oint Select Committee, I do not believe that there is going to be any merit in having it reconvened. We already have the subject matter experts’ information digital technology, an audit. The persons who are currently working within that area know …
—and Members of this Honourable House. Regarding the J oint Select Committee, I do not believe that there is going to be any merit in having it reconvened. We already have the subject matter experts’ information digital technology, an audit. The persons who are currently working within that area know what happened. They have all the information, and ba-sically what they are going to be doing is informing the persons who would be sitting on that committee who are not subject -matter experts of what happened and what measures are being put in place. So—
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Robert KingYes, I was, but I am not going to do it again. But the point is, the mechanisms are already in place to have a report written by the person who are already doing the work and protecting this Island. So, we do not need to waste time; we can …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDoes any other Member wish to make a contribution? Premier? Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, sir, Speaker. It clearly goes without saying that the Government supports the establishment of this committee and the re- establishment. The only reason why this committee was not able to complete its work is because …
Does any other Member wish to make a contribution? Premier? Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, sir, Speaker. It clearly goes without saying that the Government supports the establishment of this committee and the re- establishment. The only reason why this committee was not able to complete its work is because we had a general election and the L egislature was dissolved. And therefore, when the L egislature is dissolved, committees are dissolved. And then once you go back into P arliament —
[Crosstalk] Hon. E. David Burt: —if there were things that were not done before, you have to go ahead and do it and continue it, which I think you explained. But, Mr. Speaker, it is a challenge. And I am going to explain why it is a challenge. Because hearing Members opposite (my opinion) . . . I know they will give a point of order, but I am going to say it. And they will point of order, and I will get them up — [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: —and keep saying it again. Hearing Members opposite, you would think that the only time that Members of the House of Assem-bly are supposed to work is when we show up on Fridays. The reality is that as I have stated on many and numerous occasions (and we have had those conversations before), we need to make sure that we have more committees of Parliament, that they are active committees in Parliament, and that they can go through the work that is being done. But here is what is also important, Mr. Speaker, and especially for the Honourable Member who just took his seat —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOkay. I apologise. [Crosstalk ] POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] 1032 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Jarion Richardson: Yes, earlier we were debating the relevant heads and the E stimates of R evenue and Expenditure where we made it quite clear that we believe in …
Okay. I apologise. [Crosstalk ]
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] 1032 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Jarion Richardson: Yes, earlier we were debating the relevant heads and the E stimates of R evenue and Expenditure where we made it quite clear that we believe in the work of the . . . The Honourable Premier is misleading the House. We made it quite clear that we believe that this work should take place not just during a sitting of the House but in fact duri ng numerous committee events including espousing increasing in funding and resources for those committees. Thank you. [Desk thumping]
Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, Mr. Speaker. So, we go back to it again —
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: The Opposition Leader says one thing, and his Members say something else. So, the Opposition Leader believes we should have more com-mittees and active committees, and their Members believe that we should not have a committee to look into this.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. What is the point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThe Premier is misleading the House. Nothing of the sort was said as to the Premier’s last comment. Nothing. Everyone who spoke has said they— [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. L. Craig Cannonier—support it. Every single Member that spoke to this Bill from the OBA supported it. [Crosstalk] Hon. E. David Burt: That is false!
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay ? Hon. E. David Burt: I shall continue, Mr. Speaker. So, the Opposition Leader says that we should have more active committees and more should be done by committees. The Honourable Opposition Whip says he supports this. The Honourable Members who spoke before —unequivocal. The first one said the …
Okay ?
Hon. E. David Burt: I shall continue, Mr. Speaker. So, the Opposition Leader says that we should have more active committees and more should be done by committees. The Honourable Opposition Whip says he supports this. The Honourable Members who spoke before —unequivocal. The first one said the support is there. Another one said no we do not support. The other one said, I am not trying to have anything negative—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER
Mr. Jarion RichardsonI believe the Honourable Member was referring to this specific committee. I did not say I support every possible committee under the sun that could ever exist.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Scott PearmanThe Honourable Premier is misleading the House. The statement he made to this House was that we over on this side do not support working in this Parliament other than on Fridays. That statement was not only rude, it is wrong, a nd it is misleading. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. …
The Honourable Premier is misleading the House. The statement he made to this House was that we over on this side do not support working in this Parliament other than on Fridays. That statement was not only rude, it is wrong, a nd it is misleading.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, the last —
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Keep it to where we are—
Hon. E. David Burt: That is fine, Mr. Speaker. But I will continue to say it because I find it laughable that this side wants to throw but the minute that they get a little bit of , you know , return they are like , Oh my gosh! Don’t! Don’t! Don’t! Don’t! But here is the thing. Here is the thing.
[Laughter and inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: That is all right. You can point -oforder again. But here is the thing, Mr. Speaker. Here is the thing. The reason why it is important is because . . . and t he Honourable Member who just took his seat may be upset about what I said, but that is what I took from their statements. I f you do not like what I took, then that is fine , but that is what I took from their statements. Here is why committees are important, Mr. Speaker. Yes, absolutely, Mr. Speaker, someone can do a report. Sure! Absolutely. Here is the reality. We in this House scrutinise the work of the executive. We in this House need to find ways to learn, to improve, to understand more deeply. We in this House, I believe Honourable Members , especially when going into a space where cyber issues are going to be more preva-lent, need to have an understanding, need to have the opportunity to sit, to question, to ask, to understand so they can deepen their responsibilities. Because a Member on this side who is on the committee or a Member on that side who is on the committee may be in a posi-tion at one point in time— whether the Minister is responsible, the policy officer is responsible —and the lessons that have been learned from the interactions will benefit the country and our democracy. That, Mr. Speaker, is the reason why we have a committee. It is not just to publish the report because the Motion says to learn lessons and make recommendations going forward. And the persons who are part of that will have a deeper and better understanding of the work that takes place around it. That, Mr. Speaker, is why this Government put forward. That is the same rational when this M otion was originally passed, a nd it is the same rational today. So yes , I understand that certain Members may not want to be on a committee and have told you, Mr. Speaker, and I understand the Opposition Whip is saying, We are looking for a timeline, and Who is going to be appointed? [and] all the rest . Those are things which are underneath your gift, Mr. Speaker. But what I will say is that it is important to remember and recognise that work in committees that takes place benefits the Members of the committees to enhance their knowledge, their understanding, and to be able to serve the country better especially in something that is going to be more and more important as we go forward. So that, Mr. Speaker, is my contribution. And I sincerely hope that Members on that side will follow their Whip and support this M otion.
[Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDoes any other Member wish to make a contribution? Does any other Member? None. Member.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottThank you, Mr. Speaker. I find it interesting some of the comments from the other side, and I feel as though I should share some data on this topic. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottIn 2023, multiple nations were the victim of cyberattacks. And the cyberattacks I am talking about now are the government -focused cyberattacks. The Honourable Members on the other side have spoken to one report that has come out. And, Mr. Speaker, as you notice, I am not using my tablet …
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottBut what I want to say is from the notes that I have done and the time that I have spent —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottIn 2023, around the same time that Bermuda suffered a cyberattack, how many other countries and how many other attacks (let’s put it that way) do you think happened? It is estimated hundreds of thousands of cyberattacks were either at-tempted or successful on government systems in 2023. How many of …
In 2023, around the same time that Bermuda suffered a cyberattack, how many other countries and how many other attacks (let’s put it that way) do you think happened? It is estimated hundreds of thousands of cyberattacks were either at-tempted or successful on government systems in 2023. How many of them have transitioned into concrete resolutions? Dozens to hundreds. So, that suggests that the majority of the cyberattacks that have happened to the United States, to the United Kingdom, to Australia, to Jamaica, to Barbados, to Trinidad and Tobago have gone unresolved. And Mr. Speaker, if you look at how long it takes for full implementation of a re-port to be done, an investigation to be done, and the mitigating factors, it takes one to three years. And this is from nations that arguably hav e more resources and more capabilities than we do here in Bermuda.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWe could be on schedule.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottAnd so, Mr. Speaker, I would love to caution this House that we can either do this quickly or we could do this correctly. 1034 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly An Hon. Member: Yes! Another Hon. Member: That is right!
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottMr. Speaker, I was raised in a household that said, Haste makes waste.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThere you go. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottI understand because I came into politics when we were the Opposition. It is easy on the other side to say what sounds good— [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. W. Lawrence Scott—and not have to back it up. On this side, when we say we are going to do something, we have to do it —and not just do it to do it but do it to do it correctly. And so, Mr. Speaker, we already have or at least the …
—and not have to back it up. On this side, when we say we are going to do something, we have to do it —and not just do it to do it but do it to do it correctly. And so, Mr. Speaker, we already have or at least the Secretary for the committee has multiple reports from multiple jurisdictions that we can look into. This is not about pointing the finger. This is not about a singular event. This is about looking into . . . And it is not just about the Government. This about looking into our infrastructure for electricity, our health care, our international business, other jurisdictions internationally , how they have done it because what the world has learned is that cybersecurity is not an individual’s responsibility; it is a global one.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTrue. True.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottTherefore , we must be working together with others. And the best place that I be-lieve and the Government believes to start is with the House of Representatives leading the way and having those conversations on your behalf, Mr. Speaker . Because this is a J oint Select Committee, y …
Therefore , we must be working together with others. And the best place that I be-lieve and the Government believes to start is with the House of Representatives leading the way and having those conversations on your behalf, Mr. Speaker . Because this is a J oint Select Committee, y ou are the one that would determine who sits on the committee. And Mr. Speaker, from what I am hearing, it seems as though we have to have a very stringent vetting process so that those who already have an opinion on the matter do not bring an opinion already created to the committee. And allow the committee to go through the data and let the data lead them to a conclusion. And so, Mr. Speaker, I understand that there are those in this community , as there are those in this Chamber , that feel as though we have taken too long. I understand that there are those in society , as are those in this House who feel as though we should do more. But Mr. Speaker, I do not agree that we should put this into the private sector’s hands because, Mr. Speaker, the one thing that we all share in this Chamber is the trust of the people who elected us. Therefore , when a Joint Select Committee of this House comes out with a report and recommendations, it is one that the people and the country can trust and stand behind.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottAnd, Mr. Speaker, even Members on the other side said that as we were making progress the J oint Select Committee was moving forward with transparenc y and that everybody was treated equally . And I will now go and embellish a bit that this was more parliamentary than it …
And, Mr. Speaker, even Members on the other side said that as we were making progress the J oint Select Committee was moving forward with transparenc y and that everybody was treated equally . And I will now go and embellish a bit that this was more parliamentary than it was party. We represent you, Mr. Speaker, when we reach out for evidence. We represent you, Mr. Speaker, when we call wit-nesses to help explain to us what the data means and what the terminology is in the reports that we are reading—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAnd it is good governance.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottAnd, Mr. Speaker, as my colleague to my left that is lucky enough to share one of my names — [Laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence Scott—has said, it is good governance. [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo one is spared.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottAnd so, Mr. Speaker, on that note, I move that we do move forward with the Motion, and be it resolved.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections to the M otion?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo objections. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. I was just asking is there were any objections at this time . If there are no objections, are we going to need to take a vote on it. No? Okay, t hat is where the ayes and the nays would have come in— [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe Speaker—but it seems there were no objections and they were in favour. So, I would accept that it has been done. Just for . . . And I am doing this piece for the edification of those in the listening audience. The Bermuda House of Assembly committees that are formed …
—but it seems there were no objections and they were in favour. So, I would accept that it has been done. Just for . . . And I am doing this piece for the edification of those in the listening audience. The
Bermuda House of Assembly committees that are formed by this House are formed as a nonpartisan committee to look at issues that are important to not just this House but to the country. I recently just came back , as you know , from being overseas and [in] meetings , and the cyber issue was in both the sets of meetings that I sat in. W e had experts come in and talk to us about the cyberattacks on our countries and how our Parliaments need to be concerned about those things. So, it is fitting that we have this discussion. Yes, time has passed us because of an election. But because an election came does not mean we do not come to a conclusion. And the committee is be-ing reinstituted so we can come to a conclusion. My desire would have been seeing the Members who served on it prior serve again because they already have some information —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberContinuity.
The SpeakerThe Speaker—and [for] the continuity of it. Thank you. We had expected the continuity to have carried forward so that we can bring it to a conclusion without having to back and start over at the beginning with fresh Members. So, with that said, the matter has been approved this evening, …
—and [for] the continuity of it. Thank you. We had expected the continuity to have carried forward so that we can bring it to a conclusion without having to back and start over at the beginning with fresh Members. So, with that said, the matter has been approved this evening, and it now brings us to . . . There are no third readings tonight , so it now brings us to a conclusion, Mr. Premier, for the evening.
ADJOURNMENT Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that this Honourable House now adjourn until Friday , 30 May. I am informed that one of my Members wishes to speak to the motion.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDoes any Member wish to speak to that?
Mr. Christopher FamousYour Deputy handled the Budget Debates, the briefs , just the way you would, Mr. Speaker. And you know it is unfortunate that today was , you know , kind of your welcome back , [and it] kind of got, you know —
Mr. Christopher FamousI will be very brief, Mr. Speaker, because the Deputy Speaker is giving me a look that — [Crosstalk] TRUE LEADERSHIP MEANS YOU HAVE TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY NEED TO HEAR VERSUS WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR
Mr. Christopher FamousMr. Speaker, I think she would appreciate what I am going to say. Mr. Speaker, some seven years ago you sent me on a CPA course, and that course spoke abou t the need for more women in political leadership. Earlier to-day we heard statistics that there were eight women …
Mr. Speaker, I think she would appreciate what I am going to say. Mr. Speaker, some seven years ago you sent me on a CPA course, and that course spoke abou t the need for more women in political leadership. Earlier to-day we heard statistics that there were eight women in the Lower House and seven women in the Upper House—s till not where we should be, 72 per cent male. And we see when alpha males get at it, it just goes crazy, right? So, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to say that in the last few months, there have been some movements in our sister islands. At a recent conference, the Honourable Mia Mot tley . . . [Is there] a nybody that does not know who she is? The Honourable Mia Motley said she felt very lonely as the only female leader in the Carib-bean at the time. And subsequent to that, there have been some elections in some of our sister islands , as you would know, Mr. Speaker, and I would just like to read off some names if you would allow, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Cora Richardson Hodge has been elected as the Premier of Anguilla—first female leader in Anguilla. The Honourable Kamla Persad- Bissessar has been re- elected as the L eader of Trinidad and Tobago —first time they had a woman re- elected. Additionally, the Honourable Pennelope Beckles[ -Robinson] has been selected as the Opposition Leader in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago—the first female Opposition Leader. So, [in] Trinidad and Tobago, because it is a Republic, the President is Kangal oo ( not 1036 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly kangaroo. Kangal oo.) is a female. The Prime Minister is female, and the Opposition Leader is female. And yesterday, Mr. Speaker, this week in the Republic of Suriname there was an election and the Honourable [Dr.] Jennifer Geerlings -Simons (might be part Bermudian) has been elected as the President of the Republic of Suriname. So, I say that in the sense that we as men have to accept that we need more women in politics in general. Right? And even if we do not make way, they are going to make their own way. So, gentlemen, I suggest you be on your P ’s and Q ’s. Mr. Speaker, moving on—
Mr. Scott PearmanI have been listening to the Honourable Member speak positively about strides women politicians have been making south of us, and I would merely remind the Honourable Member that the first ju-risdiction in the world to have both a leader who was a woman and the leader of the Opposition …
Mr. Christopher FamousWell, the first party that had an elected female leader was the PLP.
Mr. Christopher FamousMr. Speaker, to the west of us is a country that is called United States of America, and the present leader is, well, you know the name. [Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. Christopher FamousThat leader is Donal d Trump. Trump 1.0 made a statement, and I will not say some words because I know the Sergeant -at-Arms will take me out .
Mr. Christopher FamousWell, e scort me out, I mean. He said he did not want people from certain blank -blank -blank countries. He did not want people from Central and South America. And he did not want people from Africa. He wanted people from Norway. So, you can read into that what …
Well, e scort me out, I mean. He said he did not want people from certain blank -blank -blank countries. He did not want people from Central and South America. And he did not want people from Africa. He wanted people from Norway. So, you can read into that what he wanted. Trump 2.0 has (I do not know ) gone all out in trying to deport, escort, people of colour out of his country. But funnily enough, he gave refugee status to some folks from another country and that happens to be in Africa. So, he said, Well, did n’t you say you did not want Africans in this country? Then you look and you say , Oh, you only want certain types of Africans here.
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Christopher FamousRight. What is the relevance, Mr. Speaker? We have someone . . . I am not going to call any names, but you all can figure it out. We have someone who has for years been advocating in this country that we have population increase. Now some of their argument …
Right. What is the relevance, Mr. Speaker? We have someone . . . I am not going to call any names, but you all can figure it out. We have someone who has for years been advocating in this country that we have population increase. Now some of their argument has merit. We have a growing greying population. We have a decli ning birthrate. S o yeah, okay it makes sense somewhere. And every time they get a chance, they keep saying : We need more population. We need more population. They have gone so far as to say population increase would decrease the cost of living. Actually, it will not because you are going to increase the cost of housing, and so even if you decrease the cost of groceries, your housing price is going up. But anyway, Mr. Speaker . . . Anyway, Mr. Speaker, that same individual in a Trump- like manner has gone on record numerous times inferring negatively that this Government is attempting to open the floodgates for people from a certain region. So, on one hand he is advocating for population increase , but on the other hand, he is say ing, Oh my God. Look at what they are doing. They are trying to sneak in people from this region. kind of Trumplike. It sounds as if he —
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoHe is both a . . . the Member — [Inaudible interjections ] POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoI am pretty . . . The Member I believe is alluding to another Member, and he is both mischaracterising and misrepresenting the Member’s remarks. So, he is misleading the House of Assembly, and he is also imputing improper motive. Thank you,
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI am not sure who he is leading to. That one has going past me. And I have been making sure Bermuda House of Assembly that he did not go personal in any direct way because I did not know who he was leading to.
Mr. Christopher FamousMr. Speaker, thank you very much for your ruling. And I will say again, if the fish did not open their mouth, they would not get caught. [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Okay, Member. [Crosstalk ]
Mr. Christopher FamousMr. Speaker, my point being, one cannot advocate for population increase, rightfully or wrongfully, and then always take an opportunity to slyly disparage people from a certain region. It is Trump- like. Trump wants people out of his country, but he wants to bring in c ertain people. It is …
Mr. Speaker, my point being, one cannot advocate for population increase, rightfully or wrongfully, and then always take an opportunity to slyly disparage people from a certain region. It is Trump- like. Trump wants people out of his country, but he wants to bring in c ertain people. It is Trump- like, Mr. Speaker. But let me move on before another attempt at a point of order. Mr. Speaker, housing. I will not go into a debate that was had earlier this week. All I would say, Mr. Speaker, [is] the facts are there is no simple way to get more housing in this country. The price of land is con-stantly going up. The cost of materials is going up (due to Trump). And the cost of labour is going up. So, it is somewhat like a moving goalpost for ma ny Bermudians who did not get a start. The reality is, Mr. Speaker, true leadership means you have to tell people what they need to hear versus what they want to hear. True leadership tells people that the odds of the percentage of your downpayment going down or you qualifying for a certain bank, hmm, maybe not. It’s a possibility but maybe not. The reality is, Mr. Speaker, that the percentage we pay on our mortgage maybe one thing today [and] could be something else tomorrow. [It] all depends on what goes on in someplace else. We do not contro l our mortgage rates. All right? Mr. Speaker, again, not speaking to a specific debate, but it is easy for any government anywhere in the world to say, Hey, we are cutting the taxes. But if other things are going up, the tax cuts are kind of negated. That is the word I want to use. But as leaders, what we have to tell our people, Mr. Speaker, is, Save your money. You want to own a house? Save your money for a downpayment. You want to have a good retirement? Save your money. Put it in a decent pension fund. Mr. Speaker, we have a holiday just gone by. We have a holiday that is coming up. National Heroes Day, Heroes Weekend, whatever they call it. There are going to be a lot of parties going on, and we are going to find a lot of our fellow Bermudians wearing wristbands showing that they went to this party or that party. And we are going to find of those same people getting on social media complaining about the price of bread. Well, how did you afford to go to all these parties, and you complain about the price of bread or the price of watermelon?
[Crosstalk ]
Mr. Christopher FamousSo, I say this, Mr. Speaker : leadership. Yes, it is nice in here to come in and crack jokes between each other, you know, trade little barbs here and there—barb, b- a-r-b-s. But true leadership, Mr. Speaker, is telling people what they need to hear. And we are at …
So, I say this, Mr. Speaker : leadership. Yes, it is nice in here to come in and crack jokes between each other, you know, trade little barbs here and there—barb, b- a-r-b-s. But true leadership, Mr. Speaker, is telling people what they need to hear. And we are at a point in this country where no matter which government it is, the cost of living is not going down significantly. I am not saying it is not going down, but not significant enough. If people want housing, they have to save. Stop spending frivolously. [If] people want to have a retirement, a decent retirement, save their money. So, I will end on that note, Mr. Speaker. And welcome back. And I see that King Charles finally met royalty. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Laughter and desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOn that note, I take it that we are closing out for the evening. There are no further speakers? No further speakers. Thank you, Members, for your contribution today and throughout this Budget Debate. I am sure all Members are pleased that we finally finished the Budget Debate. With that …
On that note, I take it that we are closing out for the evening. There are no further speakers? No further speakers. Thank you, Members, for your contribution today and throughout this Budget Debate. I am sure all Members are pleased that we finally finished the Budget Debate. With that said, Premier, we are out until Friday at 10:00 am. Members, enjoy your, well, one day between. I almost said weekend. Enjoy your day in between and we will see you again on Friday morning at 10:00 am. [Gavel]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe House stands adjourned. [At 9:08 pm, the House stood adjourned until 10:00 am, Friday, 30 May 2025. ] 1038 28 May 2025 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly [This p age intentionally le ft blank.]