This was a routine parliamentary session focused on government updates rather than debates. Ministers presented reports on various programs, including the Bermuda Housing Trust's financial results and plans for 110 new senior homes. The Health Minister raised concerns about Allshores' new pharmacy network policy, requesting a 60-day delay to review its impact on patient choice and competition. Several ministers announced new programs, including expanded scholarships worth $2.2 million and enhanced youth employment initiatives that helped over 320 young Bermudians in 2025.
Housing updates for seniors and Bermuda Housing Trust operationsEducation scholarships and financial assistance programs for 2026New pharmacy network policies and competition concerns in healthcareYouth employment programs and new parental leave for adoptive parentsMarine enforcement strategy to better protect Bermuda's waters
Bills & Motions
Employment Amendment Act 2026 - tabled (would provide parental leave for adoptive parents and legal guardians of children under 24 months)
Marine Resources Enforcement Strategy - tabled for information
Notable Moments
Health Minister directed a 60-day pause on Allshores' pharmacy network changes, citing monopoly concerns and promising new anti-trust legislation
Tribute paid to John Barritt for 33 years of public service, including 15 years chairing the Housing Trust
Marine enforcement strategy introduced to better protect Bermuda's 180,000 square miles of ocean territory
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI trust that everyone had a good week. Nice rainy day today —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThat’s right.
The SpeakerThe Speaker—to get us started. Good. Thank you, Sergeant. Members, Mr. Somner, the Clerk, will now lead us in prayer. PRAYERS [ Prayers read by Mr. Clark Somner, Clerk ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Mr. Clerk. [ Gavel]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, the House is now in session. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES [Minutes of 20 February 2026]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerConfirmation of Minutes of the 20th of February have been circulated. Are there any amendments required? There are none. The Minutes will be confirmed as printed. [ Minutes of 20 February 2026 confirmed] MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING APOLOGIES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe following M embers have indicated their absence today : Minister Lightbourne, MP Famous, MP Dwayne Robinson. And I should acknowledge also that the Premier will be in later this afternoon. He i s in transit today, trying to get back before the session ends. I am not certain what …
The following M embers have indicated their absence today : Minister Lightbourne, MP Famous, MP Dwayne Robinson. And I should acknowledge also that the Premier will be in later this afternoon. He i s in transit today, trying to get back before the session ends. I am not certain what time, but he will be back later on today. Okay? MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere is one, one paper from the Minister of Public Works. Yes. Minister. MARINE RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY Hon. Jache Adams: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of this Honourable House of Assembly the Marine Resources Enforce-ment Strategy.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Petitions. There are two p etitions this morning . [ Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe are going to move on. [ Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe are moving on. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are Statements by Ministers and Junior Ministers. Members, you will see on the O rder Paper that there is quite a large list of Statements this morning, but through conversations that have taken place today, we have shortened that list because of [there] being a Reply today. So, the …
There are Statements by Ministers and Junior Ministers. Members, you will see on the O rder Paper that there is quite a large list of Statements this morning, but through conversations that have taken place today, we have shortened that list because of [there] being a Reply today. So, the first Statement this morning will be in the name of the Minister of Housing and Muni . . . Munici . . . Municipalities. Boy, I'm struggling this morning. [ Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister, it's yours. Okay. Bermuda House of A ssembly 1874 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Ber muda House of Assembly BERMUDA HOUSING TRUST —AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024/25 AND OUTLOOK FOR 2026/27 Ho n. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let's see if I can get that tongue- twister sorted myself, …
Minister, it's yours. Okay. Bermuda House of A ssembly 1874 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Ber muda House of Assembly BERMUDA HOUSING TRUST —AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024/25 AND OUTLOOK FOR 2026/27 Ho n. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let's see if I can get that tongue- twister sorted myself, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide this Honourable House and the p ublic with an update on the Bermuda Housing Trust [BHT] . I am pleased to inform this Honourable House that the Trust has achieved yet another successive, clean and unqualified audit for the financial year 2024/25. The audit was once again conducted by the Office of the Auditor General, and the Trustees are justifiably proud of this outcome. It is all the more impressive , Mr. Speaker , when Members take into account the challenges the Trust has had to face and is continuing to face. One of those challenges is readily apparent by a close review of the financial statements, and that is, Mr. Speaker, the growing gap between income and expenses. This is chiefly the result of the Trust’s longstanding commitment not to raise rents on sitting ten-ants, which has been maintained in the face of increased and increasing costs of maintenance of the five properties the Trust manages for seniors. I pause here, Mr. Speaker, to remind Members that the Trust was established by legislation, now some 60 years ago, namely , the Bermuda Housing Trust Act 1965, with a statutory remit, or statutory mission, if you prefer, of providing homes for seniors in need at the most affordable rents possible. Here is what the Act states: “ The function of the Trust shall be to initiate and administer one or more schemes for the relief of pov-erty, suffering and misfortune among elderly persons in Bermuda by the provision of accommodation for such persons on favourable terms. ” Over the years, this has seen the Trust grow to the point where it manages five properties spread throughout the Island: Elizabeth Hills , next to Fort Hamilton; Purvis Park , off Middle Road in Paget; Heydon Trust , in Somerset, opposite Willowbank; Dr. Cann Park, not far from the Rockaway ferry stop; and Ferguson Park , at Southside. These properties total 185 rental units, which provide homes for the same number of seniors. While commendable, Mr. Speaker, this number is not enough to meet a growing demand in Bermuda. As Members will know and appreciate, seniors in Ber-muda are living longer and the number is growing rap-idly to the point that it is projected that by 2035, one i n three Bermudians will be aged 65 years or older. The Trust therefore has a key and important role to play as the Government develops a housing strategy that meets the needs of all Bermudians, par-ticularly our seniors. To this end, the Trust has already shared its views and proposals regarding the draft Ber-muda Affordable Housing Strategy 2025– 2035, including support for the construction of new BHC [Bermuda Housing Corporation] senior housing adjacent to Cann Park, identified in the draft Strategy as a critical priority. That will produce another 110 homes, Mr. Speaker. And I repeat, 110 new homes. Mr. Speaker, it is fair to say that the trustees are acutely aware of the challenges we face in meeting the housing needs of our seniors and that they are determined to meet those needs. This may well necessitate an overhaul of the Trust’s statutory mission in the future. With that in mind, the Trustees will this year seek to broaden their fundraising capacity by pursuing regis-tration under the Charities Act. This has not previously been necessary, as the Trust was granted charitable status upon its establishment under the 1965 Act of incorporation. Registration would create an opportunity for the private sector to participate while enabling the Government to deliver more homes . But, and in the meantime, Mr. Speaker, the Trust is actively looking at ways by which they can deliver the most effective service possible. Here I am pleased to report that the trustees are working actively with the Ministry to see what can be achieved through collaboration and cooperation with the Bermuda Hous-ing Corporation. The two organisations are, after all , in the same business, providing seniors in need. More im-portantly though, Mr. Speaker, for the Housing Trust, working more closely together may w ell result in operational efficiencies that will lead to a reduction in ex-penses, particularly when and where issues of mainte-nance arise. This is especially true for the Housing Trust and its ageing housing stock, along with the type of construction that was employed at Dr. Cann Park. As Members may know, Dr. Cann Park is currently under-going extensive much- needed renovations which were unfortunately set back when the Trust had to end its contract with one contractor and reemploy another after once again soliciting bids through the RFP [Request for Proposal] process. The Trust is pleased to report, Mr. Speaker, through me, that substantial progress towards completion has been made. This is important as Dr. Cann Park provides accommodation for up to 100 seniors and rep-resents a significant revenue stream for the Trust. I am also pleased to note that this is a project on which the Trust availed itself of the supervisory assistance of the Bermuda Housing Corporation and is showing the value of the two organisations working together. In 2026/27, the Bermuda Housing Trust will undertake the complete renovation of 16 units at Dr. Cann Park, utilising the Bermuda Housing Corporation’s Pri-vate Sector Refurbishment Programme. This repre-sents an investment of $125,000 per unit. Delivered in partnership, the initiative will dire ctly benefit eight BHC tenants aged 65 and over, as well as eight Bermuda Housing Trust clients. Another 16 units available to our people. For the Trust, trimming expenses and keeping down costs is the first goal. The Trustees would prefer it if they could maintain their policy of not raising rents
B ermuda House of Assembly on sitting tenants. Here, Mr. Speaker, it is worth noting that rents on the five properties, for what are mostly one-bedroom units, range from a low of $875 to a high of $1,100, depending on when the senior entered a property. Of course, the median rent is around $1, 000 per unit . I am certain , Mr. Speaker , that Members do not need me to point out how favourably these rents com-pare to market rents and thus what a help they are to seniors on fixed incomes. So it is that we in the Ministry of Housing and Municipalities commit to doing all we can to assist the Bermuda Housing Trust and its trustees in continuing to provide our seniors with rental accommodation at the most affordable rents possible. Before I close, Mr. Speaker , I would like to acknowledge and thank those who served as trustees for the past year: The Hon. John Barritt, who is the Chairman; Rochelle Simons, who is the D eputy Chair; Anthony Mouchette; Daniel Robinson; Juan Smith; Marco Bortoli; Alexander Abbott; Robert Trew; and Craig Simmons. Mr. Smith will be stepping down after 12 years of service as a trustee and I would like to warmly thank him for his dedication and service. At this time, I would also, Mr. Speaker, like to welcome Mr. David Green and Charlene Webb to the Trust Board. [ Desk thumping] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And I understand they had their first meeting yesterday. I must also take this opportunity to acknowledge and express my deepest gratitude to Mr. Barritt, Mr. Speaker , as you know, a former Member of this Honourable House, who has served the Trust as Chairman since leaving Parliament 15 years ago and who has decided to step down at the end of this year. [ Desk thumping] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker, John Barritt’s service has been nothing short of phenomenal. After 18 years as a Member of Parliament, during which he held several ministerial portfolios, he transitioned directly into the chairmanship of the Bermuda Housing Trust. I hope he is listening from the comfort of his rocking chair in the UK, where he is enjoying some well-earned time with his family , Mr. Speaker. I would also like to thank his wife for her steadfast support, which has enabled him to serve Bermuda so faithfully over the past 33 years. Thank you, John Barritt! [ Desk thumping] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Alexander Abbott has graciously agreed to assume the role of Chairman, and we warmly welcome him to this position of leadership. We look forward to his stewardship and wish him every success as he guides the Trust into its next chapter. I am also pleased to note that Mr. Barritt has kindly agreed to remain on as a Trustee for his final year, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition. We extend our sincere appreciation to him for his continued support and dedication during this period and offer our very best wishes to both gentlemen in their respective roles. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER HOUSE VISITORS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, before I acknowledge the next Statement, I would just like to acknowledge in the Gallery the two former Senators who are visiting us this morning, [Mr.] [Maurice] Foley and [Mr.] [Marcus] Jones. [ Desk thumping] [ Statements by Ministers an d Junior Ministers, continuing]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe next S tatement this morning is in the name of the Acting Minister of Education, Minister Furbert. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Good morning, Mr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning. Hon. Tinee Furbert: —a nd colleagues. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 2026 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS PROGRAMME Hon. Tinee Furbert: I rise this morning to inform Honourable Members and the listening public that the ap-plication period for the 2026 Ministry of Education Scholarships and Awards Programme is now officially open. Mr. …
Good morning. Hon. Tinee Furbert: —a nd colleagues. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 2026 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS PROGRAMME Hon. Tinee Furbert: I rise this morning to inform Honourable Members and the listening public that the ap-plication period for the 2026 Ministry of Education Scholarships and Awards Programme is now officially open. Mr. Speaker, e ach year, the Ministry of Education provides scholarships and awards to Bermudian students pursuing post -secondary education. These awards reflect this Government’s continued commit-ment to expanding access to higher education, promoting equity, and strategically investing in Bermuda’s national workforce priorities. The Government of Bermuda firmly believes that post -secondary education funding must be allocated thoughtfully and in alignment with our core val-ues. Since 2018, this Government has increased funding for scholarships and awards, recognising that access to higher education must remain a cornerstone of 1876 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Bermuda’s social and economic resilience. This year’s budget reflects an increase over the previous year of $420,125 bringing the total to $2.2 million for post -secondary education, allowing greater access to financial support and opportunities to pursue tertiary education and training. Mr. Speaker, in 2025, over 70 Bermudian students benefited from the Ministry scholarships and awards. In 2026, through this comprehensive suite of scholarships and awards, we aim to ensure that Bermudian students —regardless of background, pathway, or stage of life— have access to the financial support necessary to pursue their academic and professional aspirations, whether locally or overseas. The 2026 Ministry of Education Scholarships and Awards are as follows: The Minister’s Achievement Scholarship, which supports high- achieving graduating students from a Bermuda public senior school who plan to attend overseas post -secondary institutions. The Minister’s Exceptional Student Award, designed for graduating students or school leavers with disabilities who are pursuing local or overseas post - secondary study. Persons with disabilities up to the age of 25 who may be working, volunteering, or already at-tending college or university are also eligible to apply. The Minister’s Technical and Vocational Award, which provides funding for public school gradu-ates pursuing post -secondary study in technical or vocational fields, either locally or overseas. The Minister’s Applied Science Scholarship, available to graduating public senior school students who participated in the Applied Technology Dual Enrolment Diploma Programme with Bermuda College and who plan to continue toward an associate’s degree or certificate. The Further Education Award, which supports students who have completed at least one year at an accredited college or university and are continuing their studies. This award also extends to those pursuing or currently enrolled in post -graduate programmes. The Non- Traditional Student Award, for persons aged 25 and over who are pursuing post -secondary education. The Teacher Education Scholarship, offered to current college or university students studying selected subjects and/or teaching areas that are identified as priorities within the Bermuda public school system. Recipients must graduate from a recogni sed institution, complete their teaching practicum, and obtain a BEC licence [Bermuda Educator s Council] within three years of receiving the award. The Teacher Sabbatical Award, which provides support to experienced educators within the Ber-muda Public School System who wish to pursue approved study to gain additional qualifications or develop new skills that will enhance classroom instruction and student outcomes. The Bermuda Government Scholarship, awarded to well -rounded graduating senior school, college, or university students up to the age of 25 who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. The Caribbean Schools Award, which provides funding for up to three years for undergraduate or post - graduate students attending accredited institutions in the Caribbean region. The College Promise Programme, which provides public high school graduates with a GPA of 2.5 or higher the opportunity to attend Bermuda College tui-tion free. And finally, the Bermuda College Book Award, which provides funding for textbooks for Bermuda Col-lege students who demonstrate financial need. Mr. Speaker, t ogether, these awards represent a strategic investment in Bermuda’s future. They sup-port academic excellence, technical and vocational training, teacher development, and lifelong learning. They also reflect our understanding that education is not limited t o one pathway or one stage of life. The Ministry continues to engage in outreach to ensure that students and families are fully informed of these opportunities. We strongly encourage recent graduates, current college and university students, postgraduate students, and mature learners to revi ew the eligibility criteria carefully and begin the application process early. Submitting a complete and thorough application before the deadline is critical. Mr. Speaker, the 2026 Scholarships and Awards Programme reflects our unwavering belief that education transforms lives. These awards are not simply financial instruments; they are an investment in our people, our workforce, and our national development. In closing, I encourage all [ eligible ] Bermudians to take advantage of these opportunities and to pursue their academic and professional goals with confidence. For further information, applicants may email scholarships@moed.bm or visit www.bermudascholarships.com to begin the application process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Members, the next S tatement is also in the name of the Minister, but it's not in her acting role but in her substantial role. Minister, would you like to present your next Statement? Hon. Tinee Furbert: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 2024- …
Thank you, Minister. Members, the next S tatement is also in the name of the Minister, but it's not in her acting role but in her substantial role. Minister, would you like to present your next Statement?
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 2024- 2025 ANNUAL REPORT
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present the Department of Financial Assistance’s (DFA) Annual Report for 2024- 2025 to this Honourable House. In compliance with section 3(4) of the Financial
Bermuda House of Assembly Assistance Act 2001, the report has been made publicly accessible for viewing. Mr. Speaker, t he Annual Report highlights several meaningful results achieved during this reporting period, which include: 1. A decrease of 1 per cent in the number of persons receiving financial assistance. 2. An increase in the number of child day care al-lowance recipients as a result of financial assistance reform measures enacted in prior years. 3. The introduction of the Short -Term Relief Benefit Programme, specifically designed to provide temporary assistance to eligible individuals facing sudden and unforeseen financial hardships. 4. Enhanced monitoring and control of Department of Financial Assistance’s expenditure. 5. Improved governance and client case management practices. 6. Continued advancement of financial assistance reform initiatives including provision of a personal care allowance for clients residing in licensed nursing and residential care homes. Mr. Speaker, t he report illustrates a one- year performance trend for the Department of Financial Assistance . Consistent with prior years, the categories of recipients from the highest to the lowest participants, remain pensioners, persons with disabilities, persons with low earnings, and abled- bodied unemployed persons. For the fiscal year 2024/25 the average n umber of recipients of financial assistance services was 1,977. This represent s a decrease from the average of 1,991 recipients registered in the prior fiscal year . The recipient categories are: 1,043 pensioners and seniors; 728 persons with disabilities; 132 persons with low earnings; and 74 abled- bodied unemployed persons. Mr. Speaker, t he monthly average number of children eligible for the Child Day Care Allowance Pro-gramme in 2024/25 was 260, compared to 158 in the prior reporting period. This represents an increase of 65 per cent and is attributable to the financial assistance reform measures enacted in prior periods. Mr. Speaker, a ctual programme expenditure for grants directly supporting financial assistance and child day care allowance recipients totalled $51.74 million. The highest financial [assistance ] expenditures were rent, nursing and rest home fees, food, and health insurance for HIP and FutureCare. Mr. Speaker, work continues in earnest to improve governance and oversight. The Department of Financial Assistance conducts monthly compliance activities, with specific focus on the use of data analytics to ensure compliance with Financial Instructions, the Financial Assistance Act 2001, Financial Assistance Regulations 2004, the Child Day [Care] Allowance Regulations 2008, and the Financial Assistance (Short - Term Relief Benefit) Act 2024. These [measures ] enable the Department of Financial Assistance to demonstrate compliance with legislation, improve service delivery to meet client needs and minimi se financial and operational risks. During the period 2024/25, transaction monitoring was performed on 78,023 clients, line transactions with no non- compliance issues identified. Mr. Speaker, the Department of Financial Assistance team continues to make strides on transforming service delivery to ensure that clients experience professional and high- quality assistance. During this reporting period the team continued to apply the Government of Bermuda’s “Service Standards ” to further improve service delivery to clients. Mr. Speaker, the report provides information that demonstrates ongoing work being performed to maintain fiscal responsibility by strengthening expenditure monitoring and reducing the risk of fraud. Stringent procedures are constantly being reviewed to ensure that the investigative officers utili se and apply the established compliance guidelines. Addi-tionally, the Department of Financial Assistance works closely with the Attorney General’s Chambers to recover overpayments made to clients as a result of fraud and abuse of the financial assistance system. Mr. Speaker, t he Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors extends sincere appreciation to the staff of the Department of Financial Assistance and to all partners who collaborated to support the work that is being carried out. These efforts ensure that Bermudians in need are able to access essential services that support a respectable minimum standard of living. Mr. Speaker, i t remains the goal of this Ministry to not only provide assistance, but also to position Ber-mudians for gainful, and sustainable employment opportunities. The Ministry will continue to work closely with the Department of Workforce Development to ensure ind ividuals are better equipped with the skills, training and support necessary to access employment opportunities within the labour market and to increase their participation in Bermuda’s workforce. This benefits the clients as well as Bermuda. The Financial Assistance Annual Report is online at gov.bm now , and hard copies are available next week at the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors Headquarters located at Veritas Place, 6th Floor, 65 Court Street, Hamilton, and the Department of Financial Assistance, Global House, 1st Floor, 43 Church Street, Hamilton. Mr. Speaker, I believe we have made some copies available for the House here today if Members are interested. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Health. Minister . Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. 1878 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Good morning. ENSURING FAIR COMPETITION AND PREVENTING MARKET CONCENTRATION …
Thank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Health. Minister .
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. 1878 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Good morning.
ENSURING FAIR COMPETITION AND PREVENTING MARKET CONCENTRATION IN BERMUDA
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, t his Government has made clear, both in the 2025 Throne Speech and in our 2025 Election Platform, that we intend to introduce modern anti -trust and competition legislation in Bermuda. The purpose of this legislation is straightforward and principled: T o ensure that no commercial arrangement in health care or in any sector of our economy results in a de facto monopoly, restricts fair com-petition, or disadvantages smaller providers who play a vital role in serving our community. In a small -island economy such as Bermuda’s, markets are naturally concentrated. Without appropriate legislative safeguards, consolidation can occur quickly and with system- wide consequences. Competition law is not about punishing success; it is about protecting the public interest. It ensures that innovation thrives, that consumer choice is preserved, and that market power is not exercised in ways that undermine affordability, fairness, or access. Mr. Speaker, t his proposed legislation will not target any single entity. Rather, it will establish clear, fair, and transparent rules that promote a level playing field across all sectors. Its purpose is to protect Bermudian consumers, preserve innovation, support smal l and medium- sized enterprises, and ensure that economic efficiency does not come at the expense of fairness or access. Mr. Speaker, i t is within this broader policy framework that we consider the recent public discussion surrounding Allshores’ proposed preferred pharmacy network , which has brought into sharp focus serious concerns raised by Bermudians and policymakers alike about patient choice, affordability, safety, and the long-term structure of Bermuda’s pharmaceutical market. Mr. Speaker, t hese concerns are neither abstract nor theoretical. They speak directly to how our people access essential medicines, how care is coordinated, and how we can ensure that no single entity can dominate a market as small and interconnected as ours. Mr. Speaker, i n jurisdictions like Bermuda, where our health care ecosystem is compact and highly interdependent, even one corporate decision can have system -wide consequences. The creation of Allshores through the merger of BF&M Limited and Argus Group, a transaction widely reported in the press as a significant consolidation of market share, has fundamentally reshaped the insurance landscape. That merger, and the vertical integration now extending into pharmacy networks, underscores why Bermuda must moder nise its competition framework. Mr. Speaker, while the establishment of a preferred pharmacy network may be presented as an internal business decision, pharmacies are not simply retail outlets. They are an integral part of the health care continuum. They ensure continuity of care, provide patient counselling, support medication adherence, and serve as accessible points of contact, particularly for seniors and vulnerable residents. Any change that materially alters how patients access t heir medications must therefore be examined not only t hrough a commercial lens, but through a public interest lens. Mr. Speaker, t hat is why, as the Minister of Health, on Tuesday , February 24, I directed the Bermuda Health Council to formally request that Allshores implement a 60- day deferral of its pharmacy network policy to 1 May. This pause is essential to allow comprehensive review, data analysis, and structured dia-logue. Decisions of this magnitude must be guided by evidence and public accountability . Mr. Speaker, t he Health Council has previously warned of the structural implications of vertical and horizontal integration in Bermuda’s health system. Our pharmaceutical sector is characteri sed by a small and saturated domestic market, limited upstream competi-tion, reliance on high- cost importation channels, and escalating pressures from specialty and advanced therapeutics. In such an environment, further concentration of market power —whether through mergers or contracting prices —can reduce competition, li mit consumer choice, and create conditions for price escala-tion. Bermuda currently lacks modern, dedicated anti-trust legislation governing business combinations and market dominance. This legislative gap leaves our economy vulnerable to excessive concentration and anti-competitive practices. Consistent with the priorities laid out in the PLP 2025 Platform and reinforced by the commitments made in the 2025 Throne Speech, the Government is moving forward with the introduction of strong anti -monopoly and competition laws. The focus is on prevent-ing any business arrangement from creating an effective monopoly, stifling competition, or placing smaller health care providers at a disadvantage within the community. Strengthening competition requires proactive oversight of mergers and acquisitions, scrutiny of dominant market positions, and the authority to prevent anti-competitive conduct before harm occurs. We must have legislative tools to investigate and, where necessary, prevent mergers or contracting structures that consolidate excessive market power. Fair markets are not self -executing in small jurisdictions; they require thoughtful regulation to protect consumers and innova-tion alike. Mr. Speaker, competition reform must also work hand in hand with pharmaceutical pricing reform. That is why the Government has been advancing solutions such as pricing reforms and policies such as the implementation of the national drug formulary in collaboration with i mporters and retai lers.
Bermuda House of Assembly The formulary , Mr. Speaker, introduces clearer pricing discipline, strengthens transparency and reduces unnecessary price variation across pharmacies. It supports evidence- based prescribing, protects consumers from inflated costs, and ensures that Bermudians are not paying more than necessary for essential medications, no matter which pharmacy they purchase from. This service reform builds on Phase 1 of health system reform that was launched in January of this year, which expanded prescription drug coverage, and on the forthcoming rollout of core benefits designed to guarantee universal access to necessary care. A strengthened formulary, combined with more accessible essential benefits, combined with a fairer system with modern anti -trust legislation, will ensure that affordability is achieved through fair competition and smart regulation, not through market dominance. Mr. Speaker, h ealth reform in Bermuda must be transparent, balanced, and sustainable. We cannot allow excessive consolidation to undermine patient ac-cess or erode public confidence. Nor can we ignore the economic realities facing families who struggle with the high cost of living and high medication prices. This Government is therefore committed to two parallel and complementary actions 1. introducing strong anti -monopoly legislation to safeguard competition and prevent harmful market concentration; and 2. advancing pharmaceutical pricing reform through enhancing the existing national drug formulary to both reduce and expand transparency in cost and improve transparency. Together, these measures will ensure that Bermuda’s pharmaceutical market remains competitive, fair, and centered on patients, not dominance. The Government remains , Mr. Speaker, committed to its duty to protect consumers, support health care professionals, and ensure that every component of our health system operates in the best interests of the people of Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Economy and Labour. Minister. Hon. Jason Hayward: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY UPDATE Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to provide this Honourable House with a comprehensive update on the implementation and advancement of Bermuda’s Youth Employment Strategy. This strategy remains a central pillar of the Government’s commitment to building a resilient, future-ready workforce …
Good morning.
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY UPDATE
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to provide this Honourable House with a comprehensive update on the implementation and advancement of Bermuda’s Youth Employment Strategy. This strategy remains a central pillar of the Government’s commitment to building a resilient, future-ready workforce by ensuring that young Bermudians are equipped with the skills, experience, and sup-port necessary to transition successfully into meaning-ful emp loyment. The Youth Employment Strategy is designed to expand access to training, strengthen career readi-ness, increase internship and apprenticeship pathways, and provide [ structured] support for vulnerable youth. In 2025, the Department of Workforce Development continued to advance these objectives through measurable and coordinated action. Mr. Speaker, during 2025, more than 320 young Bermudians engaged in Youth Employment Strategy programming, including internships, apprenticeships, job readiness training, and individuali sed career services. Through the Summer Internship Programme [SIP] and the Summer Employment Programme [SEP] , a total of 172 students were placed across both public and private sector employers. • [There were] 72 high school students [who] participated in the Summer Internship Programme. • [Additionally,] 100 college and university students participated in the Summer Employment Programme. These placements were secured through partnerships with 32 employers across a diverse range of sectors such as international business, hospitality, retail, and aviation, as well as government departments. Employers consistently report [ed] strong performance, professionalism, and initiative among student participants. Student feedback was equally positive. • Ninety -six per cent of respondents indicated satisfaction with the programme. • One hundred per cent reported a better understanding of how to present themselves professionally in the workplace. Mr. Speaker, t hese outcomes demonstrate that the Youth Employment Strategy is not merely facilitat-ing temporary placements, it is strengthening professional identity, workplace readiness, and career direction.
Bridge to Work
Hon. Jason Hayward: In 2025, the d epartment launched the Bridge to Work Programme, a pilot initiative designed to support young people transitioning from training into employment. Fourteen participants engaged in structured, paid short -term placements with twelve local employers; 75 per cent of participants met or exceeded employer expectations; and e ight participants received job offers following completion of their placement. Bridge to Work was specifically designed to close the gap between certification and full -time 1880 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly employment, offering mentorship, soft skills development, and structured exposure to [workplace] standards. This initiative represents an important evolution of the Youth Employment Strategy, moving from access to opportunity, toward structured transition into sustainable employment.
Learning Through Experience and Sector -Specific Pathways
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, the strategy also expanded sector -specific programming through the Learning Through Experience (LTE) –Hospitality Programme. Seven participants engaged in structured hospitality placements, with three securing full -time employment as a direct result of their participation. Additionally, collaboration with the Gang Violence Reduction Team supported at -risk youth through individualis ed employment planning and trauma- informed coaching. One participant secured employment, while another is progressing toward certification in the HVAC sector. These targeted interventions reflect the s trategy’s commitment to inclusive access and wraparound support for vulnerable youth.
[Strengthening Governance and Programme Integrity ]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, w hile progress has been significant, responsible stewardship requires [continuous ] improvement. During the 2025 cycle, the department undertook a comprehensive review of programme administration and compliance processes. As a result, the following enhancements have been implemented: • introduction of a structured three- tiered documentation timeline to improve onboarding effi-ciency ; • strengthened enforcement of academic eligibil-ity requirements for college placements ; • enhanced digital application and timesheet systems to improve processing and accountability; • earlier employer engagement and interview cycles to reduce onboarding delays ; • clearer communication of programme expecta-tions to students and parents. These refinements ensure that programme delivery remains compliant, equitable, and aligned with best practice.
Alignment with Strategic Goals Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, the Youth Employment Strategy continues to advance its core objectives: • increasing local training opportunities and promoting pathways to employment; • expanding career support services from high school through early employment; • strengthening apprenticeships and internship opportunities; • improving access to the labour market information; and • promoting structured support for vulnerable youth. Career Development Officers embedded labour market trends into coaching sessions, and 182 youth completed structured job readiness workshops in resume development, mock interviews, and profes-sional communication. Importantly, 67 per cent of participants were employed within three months of programme comple-tion. These are tangible, outcome- driven results.
Looking Ahead[ —2026 Priorities ]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, b uilding on the momentum of 2025, the department will prioriti se • expanding Bridge to Work into a year -round programme with tiered placements; • strengthening pathways into trades, hospitality, and digital literacy; • expanding graduate apprenticeship opportunities; and • deepening employer onboarding and mentorship frameworks to improve retention and longterm hiring outcomes. The Youth Employment Strategy will continue to evolve to meet the needs of both young Bermudians and the industries that power our economy. Mr. Speaker, t he work of the Department of Workforce Development under the Youth Employment Strategy reflects strategic partnerships, disciplined policy implementation, and measurable outcomes. This Government remains committed to ensuring that every young Bermudian has access to opportunity, preparation, and structured pathways into meaningful employment. I commend the staff of the Department of Workforce Development for their commitment and dedication, and I thank our employer partners who have demonstrated confidence in Bermuda’s youth. Together, we are not only preparing young people for work, but we are also building a workforce prepared for the future. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement is also in the name of the same Minister. Minister , would like to do your second S tatement ? Bermuda House of Assembly EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2026 , TABLING OF Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker [and] honourable colleagues, I am pleased to …
Thank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement is also in the name of the same Minister. Minister , would like to do your second S tatement ?
Bermuda House of Assembly EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2026 , TABLING OF
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker [and] honourable colleagues, I am pleased to table in this Honourable House the Employment Amendment Act 2026, a Bill that recognises the important truth: parenthood does not begin only at birth. This legislation introduces parental leave for employees who welcome a child into their household through adoption or legal guardianship, where th e child is under the age of twenty -four months. Mr. Speaker, t he Employment Act 2000 already provides for maternity and paternity leave, and rightly so. But the Government of Bermuda also understands that families are formed in many ways. There are parents who open their hearts and homes through adoption or guardians hip, often after long, uncertain journeys. These parents shoulder the same responsibilities, make the same sacrifices, and offer the same unconditional love as any other parent —[and] they deserve the same protections and support. Mr. Speaker, in the 2025 Throne Speech, this Government made a clear commitment to strengthen our leave framework so that it better reflects the reali-ties of modern families. This Bill honours that commitment. It ensures that adoptive parents and legal guardians are give n the flexibility and support they need during one of the most important periods in a child’s life. The first two years of a child’s life are [foundational ]. Science tells us that this is when brains develop quickly, bonds are formed, and a sense of safety and belonging takes root. What matters most is not biology, but the steady presence of a caring adult; someone who is there day after day to nurture, protect, and love. Mr. Speaker, a doption and guardianship processes can be complex, long, and unpredictable. A twenty -four-month window for parental leave recognises these realities. It is compassionate, practical, and responsive to the lived experiences of families who are simply trying to do what is best for their children. This Bill also provides something every working family needs: security. Eligible adoptive parents and legal guardians will benefit from job protection and financial support. This allows them to focus on settling their child into a stable and loving home wi thout fear or uncertainty. At its heart, Mr. Speaker, this legislation is grounded in fairness, child welfare, and respect for family life. It strengthens employee protections, pro-motes healthy family units, and ensures that adoptive parents and legal guardians are treated equitably when it comes to leave entitlements. Mr. Speaker, t he Bill mirrors the existing provisions in the principal Act. Mothers will be entitled to thirteen weeks of leave —paid , where they have been employed for more than one year at the time of placement, and unpaid otherwise. Fathers will be entitled to five consecutive days of leave, paid or unpaid on the same basis. In doing so, we are extending existing rights in a way that is balanced, consistent, and just. Mr. Speaker, p arental leave is not simply a workplace benefit. It is a statement about the kind of society we want to be. And we are a society that values families, supports [ caregivers ], and puts the well -being of children at the centre of our decisions. By investing in families today, we are investing in stronger communities and a more resilient Bermuda tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER HOUSE VISITORS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, before I acknowledge the next Statement, while it's getting set up I would just like to acknowledge in the Gallery we have two members to acknowledge. The current Senator Smith from the current Senate and former Senator and Attorney General , Mr. Phil Perin chief. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe w elcome you this morning. Mr. Dion Smith, I was struggling on your first name that time, Senator . Good. [Statements from Ministers and Junior Ministers, continuing]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd the next Statement now is in the name of the Minister of Works. Minister . Hon. Jache Adams: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. MARINE RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT STRATEGY, INTRODUCTION Hon. Jache Adams: Mr. Speaker, earlier today I tabled the Marine Resources Enforcement Strategy, a docu-ment that represents a major step forward …
And the next Statement now is in the name of the Minister of Works. Minister .
Hon. Jache Adams: Mr. Speaker, earlier today I tabled the Marine Resources Enforcement Strategy, a docu-ment that represents a major step forward in how Bermuda protects one of our greatest national assets: our ocean. Mr. Speaker, Bermuda may be just 21 square miles of land, but our maritime domain stretches nearly 180,000 square miles. This means that over 99 per cent of Bermuda is ocean. Our waters feed us. They protect us from storms. They support our tourism industry. They provide recreation, livelihoods, and opportunity. And they are central to our identity as a people. But, Mr. Speaker, protecting 180,000 square miles of ocean is no small task. And for too long, marine enforcement has been constrained by outdated legislation, limited tools, and fragmented coordination. This Strategy changes that. 1882 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, the vast majority of Bermudians who use the ocean, such as our commercial fishermen, weekend anglers, divers, and boaters follow the rules. They respect closed seasons. They respect size limits. They respect protected areas. But when illegal activity goes unchecked, when fish are sold without licenc es, when protected areas are ignored, when penalties are inconsistent, it undermines fairness. It hurts those who play by the rules. And it damages public confidence in enforcement. This Strategy is about restoring that balance. It is about fairness. It is about credibility. And it is about protecting the long- term value of our marine resources. Mr. Speaker, this Strategy moves Bermuda from a reactive and sometimes fragmented enforcement model to one that is modern, coordinated, and intelligence led. So, what does that mean in simple terms? It means using better data to identify high- risk areas, improving coordination between agencies, moderni sing laws so officers are not required to “catch someone in the act” in order to prosecute, investing in the right tools and training, ensuring that when violations occur, they are followed through properly. In short, it means making sure that enforcement l eads to real consequences when necessary, and real deterrence overall. Because enforcement that is inconsistent is enforcement that is ineffective. Mr. Speaker, the Strategy is built around five clear priorities: First, strengthening the legal and policy framework as some of our marine legislation dates back decades and does not reflect modern realities. That will change. Second, building a capable and professional workforce as our enforcement officers must have the training, tools, and legal backing to do their jobs confi-dently and effectively. Third, moderni sing surveillance and technology. From better vessel tracking systems to improved data analysis, enforcement must be informed by intelligence, not guesswork. Fourth, strengthening partnerships. No single agency can manage Bermuda’s maritime space alone. This Strategy enhances coordination across g overnment and with regional partners like the United States Coast Guard and CARICOM. And fifth, promoting voluntary compliance through education and engagement. Because, Mr. Speaker, the best enforcement system is one where most people comply because they understand the rules and believe in them. Mr. Speaker, the Strategy also addresses something that has been acknowledged openly, and that is the fact that historically, marine violations have not always resulted in meaningful follow -through. Too often, cases did not reach what experts call “legal finish.” This Strategy supports a cultural shift. When serious violations occur, there must be credible consequences. Not to punish for punishment’s sake but to maintain deterrence and protect fairness. At the same time, proportional tools, including administrative penalties where appropriate, will allow enforcement to be efficient and practical. This is about balance. Mr. Speaker, our Blue Economy depends on healthy ecosystems and strong governance. Tourism depends on clean water and thriving reefs. Fishing livelihoods depend on sustainable fish stocks. Future economic opportunities, from marine research to emerging ocean industries, depend on credible regulation. Mr. Speaker, the Strategy also acknowledges emerging threats, such as illegal, unreported, and un-regulated fishing, transnational maritime crime, pollution, climate change, and cybersecurity risks to our maritime systems. These are modern realities, and enforcement must evolve accordingly. This document adopts an adaptive approach, meaning it can respond to changing risks and new information over time. Mr. Speaker, this Strategy was not developed in isolation. Fishers, enforcement officers, environmental groups, and members of the public contributed through consultation last fall. Their feedback strengthened the document. Transparency and accountability are core principles of this Strategy. We will monitor performance. We will evaluate outcomes. And we will adjust where necessary. Because good governance requires both action and accountability. Mr. Speaker, to those who follow the rules, this Strategy supports you. To those who rely on marine re-sources responsibly , this Strategy protects your livelihoods. To those who care about Bermuda’s environmental legacy , this Strategy strengthens it . And to those who choose to ignore the rules, enforcement will be coordinated, more informed, and more consistent. Mr. Speaker, this Strategy does not promise overnight transformation. Implementation will be phased and practical. Some measures can begin immediately, such as improved coordination, legal review, and enhanced training, while more resource- intensive initiatives will follow as funding and capacity allow. But the direction is clear. Bermuda will employ the right tools, in the right place, at the right time. We will protect our waters not only for today, but for future generations. Because our ocean is not just a resource. It is our heritage. It is our shiel d. It is our opportunity . And it deserves modern, credible, and effective protection. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Tourism and Transport, Culture and Sport. Minister. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. MOTOR CAR ACT 1951 MODERNI SATION Hon. Owen Darrell: It is with both purpose and …
Thank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement this morning is in the name of the Minister of Tourism and Transport, Culture and Sport. Minister.
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
MOTOR CAR ACT 1951 MODERNI SATION
Hon. Owen Darrell: It is with both purpose and responsibility that I rise today to table in this Honourable House the Motor Car (Ridesharing) Amendment Act 2026. This legislation provides for the introduction of a regulated ridesharing service [designed] to augment and complement Bermuda’s existing taxi industry. It seeks to improve I sland -wide accessibility, reduce passenger waiting times, and strengthen the reliability of our transportation network across 21 square miles. This measured moderni sation is not disruption. Bermuda must continue evolving its transportation framework to meet the expectations of today’s residents and today’s visitors. One of the commitments outlined in the 2022 Throne Speech was the modernisation and harmonisation of the public service vehicle industry. That commitment was not aspirational; it was responsive. Transportation availability and reliability remain the single greatest area of concern within our visitor experience. Mr. Speaker, the evidence is clear. The 2019 Transport Green Paper represented one of the most extensive consultation exercises ever undertaken in this sector. Between November 2017 and December 2018, Mr. Speaker, 21,567 participants contributed to the process. This included 2,402 residents who com-pleted the Public [ Transport ] Survey, generating over 533 pages of written feedback; 2,705 middle and senior school students; 15,468 air visitors; and 837 cruise passengers who provided transport -specific input through the Bermuda Tourism Authority survey s. The Ministry also conducted interviews with 137 key man-agers representing 76 organisations, including public authorities, business stakeholders, and members of the taxi and broader p ublic service vehicle industry. The feedback was consistent ; the feedback was clear . And it included the following, Mr. Speaker: • unreliable bus service due to an ageing fleet; • taxi availability challenges, particularly outside of Hamilton during peak periods; • outdated cash- based fare systems vulnerable to fraud; and • limited evening and weekend service. The 2019 Green Paper was unequivocal . It stated that for visitors, transportation service was a primary area of concern in terms of reliability, and it went so far , Mr. Speaker, as to describe Bermuda as having a crisis in transportation availability and reliability. This, Mr. Speaker, was data. Gap analysis data from 2024 and 2025 confirms that the transportation reliability and availability remain the largest [service ] gap in our tourism product. In 2024, the availability and reliability gap measured 26.6 per cent , and in 2025 it remained elevated at 25.2 per cent . Quarterly figures show that the gap has consistently hovered between 21.0 per cent and 30.0 per cent , rising during peak summer months. For clarity, a “gap score” reflects the percentage of visitors who consider a factor critically important but are not completely satisfied with it. The higher the gap, the more we are not meeting their expectations. Mr. Speaker, 48 per cent of visitors identify transportation re liability and availability as critically important. Mr. Speaker, 25 per cent of visitors said variety of transportation options is critically important. Of the 31 factors measured in Bermuda’s visitor experience, transporta-tion relia bility and availability ranks as the highest gap by a significant margin, with a variety of transportation options ranking third. While 86 per cent of visitors report ed being satisfied overall in 2025, transportation remains the most persistent friction point in an otherwise exceptional vis-itor experience. Mr. Speaker, i f we are serious about protecting Bermuda’s brand, strengthening repeat visitation, and safeguarding the livelihoods that depend on tourism, we must act where the gap is greatest. Mr. Speaker, taxi service continues to be the most widely used mode of transport, utili sed by 83 per cent of visitors in 2021, [by] 87 per cent in 2022, [by] 84 per cent in 2023, [by] 89 per cent in 2024, and [by] 87 per cent again in 2025. Year after year, taxis “touch” nearly nine out of ten air visitors. That reality , Mr. Speaker, is not changing. However, complete satisfaction levels hover around the 50.0 per cent mark, sitting at 51 per cent in 2025. Visitors consistently report difficulty securing transportation outside Hamilton and major hotel zones, particularly during peak demand and cruise ship arri-vals. Introducing ridesharing, Mr. Speaker, provides complementary lift during high- demand periods and in underserved areas. I will say that again. It provides complementary lift during high- demand periods and in underserved areas. It strengthens capacity without dismantling the existing taxi framework. Mr. Speaker, transformation is already underway. The Department of Marine and Ports [Services] delivered two new 550- passenger fast ferries ; the JL Cecil Smith and Warbaby Fox, on schedule and on budget. Phase II of the Shorelink programme intro-duced real -time passenger information for buses and ferries. Twenty new buses are being procured to replace ageing diesel units that contributed to cancellations and are expected to arriv e in 2026. We are strengthening the existing system, Mr. Speaker . Now we must responsibly expand the options within it. This Act introduces a regulated, cashless ridesharing model through approved digital dispatch platforms. It is important to clarify that: • Taxis will receive first preference within the approved dispatching application when a ridesharing service is requested. • Only those licensed to operate a p ublic service vehicle may apply . 1884 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly • There will be no street hailing, and all trips must be digitally dispatched . • Vehicles must undergo enhanced inspections by the Transport Control Department . • Approved vehicles must display identification plates and decals . • Operators must have a public service vehicle badge which is to be displayed in a prominent location within the vehicle. • Operators must connect to an approved digital dispatch network . • The Public Service Vehicles Licensing Board will serve as the oversight authority. Passenger safety, accountability, and traceability remain paramount. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not about replacing taxis. It is about reducing waiting times, improving reliability, strengthening economic competitiveness, and responding to sustained, measurable data. The Ministry of Tourism and Transport, Culture and Sport is acting not on anecdote, but on evidence collected over years of consultation and analysis. Bermuda cannot , Mr. Speaker, afford stagnation. We must evolve in step with the global standards while protecting the integrity of our local industries. The data is clear , Mr. Speaker. The need is clear , Mr. Speaker . This Government will continue to listen and it will act accordingly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement, which is the final Statement for this morning, is also in the name of Minister . . . Yes. The final Statement for this morning is [by] Minister Darrell, your second S tatement. You have no S tatements ? Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank …
Thank you, Minister. Members, the next Statement, which is the final Statement for this morning, is also in the name of Minister . . . Yes. The final Statement for this morning is [by] Minister Darrell, your second S tatement. You have no S tatements ? Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
CARIBBEAN TOURISM ORGANIZATION (CTO) EVENT IN BERMUDA, UPDATE Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to rise in this Honourable House to report on the successful hosting of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation Board Meeting, Minister's Council Meeting, and the 2026 CTO Air Connectivity Summit held here in Bermuda from February 23 to 24, 2026. Ninety persons from the following 24 countries flew to our shores to attend the event : Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Canada, the Cayman Islands, Chile, Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, Panama, St. Lucia, St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the US Virgin Islands. The countries represented 19 CTO members and 9 non- CTO members. Mr. Speaker, on February 23, Bermuda proudly hosted the CTO Board and Ministers Council Meeting, followed by a Ministers’ Dinner that evening. That dinner was more than a formal engagement , it created meaningful space for visiting Ministers and CEOs to connect directly with the Bermuda Cabinet Ministers, local tourism stakeholders, and senior airline and airport executives. It was an evening of strategic relationship-building, positioning Bermuda not only as a host, but as a regional leader in tourism and air connectivity dialogue. On February 24, Bermuda welcomed regional leaders to the 2026 [CTO ] Air Connectivity Summit, a critical forum focused on one of the Caribbean’s most pressing issues: airlift. In simple terms, if we cannot move people efficiently and affordably throughout our region, we cannot grow tourism [ sustainably ]. The summit centred on expanding international and intra- regional routes, positioning aviation strategy with tourism growth, and using data to drive smarter decisions about connectivity. Discussions were dynamic and solutions were focused. Leaders spoke candidly about the need to strengthen regional air links, reduce travel costs, and pursue bold partnerships that improve access across the Caribbean. A key highlight was the presentation of a comprehensive air connectivity study conducted by ASM, [Airport Strategy & Marketing] providing datadriven insights to guide route development and longterm planning. Importantly, the summit brought together governments and major airlines: including JetBlue, American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, BermudAir, and several regional carriers to discuss practical pathways for expanding routes and improving infrastructure. Panels explored the theme “From Runway to Resort,” emphasi sing that aviation and tourism cannot operate in silos. Air access is the gateway to economic opportunity connecting visitors not only to airports, but to hotels, restaurants, attractions, and small businesses. Conversations also addressed strengthening intra-Caribbean travel, moderni sing digital identity systems, and navigating high operating costs that affect both airlines and travellers. These were practical discussions about improving the visitor experience and boosting local economies. Mr. Speaker, the summit achieved tangible outcomes. A significant milestone was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Airports Council International —Latin America and the Caribbean [ ACI-LAC], formali sing strategic cooperation to strengthen regional air access. Under the MOU, the CTO and ACI -LAC may collaborate in the following non- exclusive areas: 1. Joint events including conferences, summits, roundtables, workshops, and forums related to air connectivity. 2. Training and capacity -building initiatives, such as education, technical training, webinars,
Bermuda House of Assembly certification programmes, and professional development opportunities for tourism and airport stakeholders. 3. Thought leadership activities, including co- authored White Papers, policy briefs, research reports, keynote sessions, panels, and other knowledge products. 4. Joint research and studies on air connectivity, airport development, tourism impacts, and regional competitiveness. 5. Collaboration on advocacy and policy engagement at regional and international forums. 6. Exchange of non- confidential data, insights, and industry intelligence, subject to applicable laws and internal policies. 7. Development of pilot projects or demonstration initiatives aligned with shared strategic priori-ties. 8. Mutual promotion of relevant initiatives, events, and programs undertaken by either organi sation. Mr. Speaker, the event also served as a powerful platform for collaboration, bringing together senior airline executives, airport authorities, and government Ministers [to] advance workable solutions. The dialogue helped shape the regional tourism policy . In terms of participation, the event welcomed visiting Ministers , senior airline executives , airport representatives , local stakeholders , and six Tourism Signature School students . The total number of attendees was 166. Mr. Speaker, I must also share that throughout the events Bermuda consistently received glowing feedback from attendees. Delegates spoke highly of the warmth of our people, the professionalism of our teams, and the seamless organi sation of the events. Many commented on the beauty of our I sland from the cleanliness [to] the charm of our surroundings. Those remarks , Mr. Speaker, were not taken lightly. They reflect the pride, dedication, and hospitality that define Bermuda. As Minister, hearing those comments firsthand made me immensely proud: proud of our team, proud of our partners, and proud of Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, this summit reinforced Bermuda’s role as a serious voice in regional aviation and tourism strategy. We did not simply host a meeting, we hosted momentum. Air connectivity is economic connectivity. When we strengthen our [ air] routes, we strengthen jobs, we strengthen investment, and we strengthen opportunity for our people. Mr. Speaker, before I take my seat, it would be remiss of me if I did not extend sincere and heartfelt thanks to those who made this summit possible —not only possible, but exceptional. I wish to acknowledge the Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization and her dedi-cated team. Their professionalism, coordination, and commitment to regional advancement ensured that every session, every engagement, and every detail reflected the highest standard of excellence. I also extend my sincere gratitude to the Bermuda Tourism Authority for their tremendous organi sation effects and for proudly showcasing our I sland’s rich heritage through the curated historical tours, that remind ed our regional partners that Bermuda offers not only strategy and infrastructure but culture, a story, and soul. Good job to the BTA! To the Hamilton Princess Hotel and Beach Club, thank you for delivering world- class hospitality. The service, presentation, and attention to detail reinforced why Bermuda continues to stand confidently among premier destinations. Finally, I must recognise the outstanding efforts of the Ministry team, the Department of Communications, and the Cabinet Office’s Protocol Team. From logistics to media coordination to diplomatic protocol, your tireless work behind the scenes ensured that Bermuda was presented with precision, dignity, and excellence. Mr. Speaker, events of this magnitude do not happen by chance. They happen because of collaboration, and they happen because of pride in country. To everyone who played a role, thank you for helping Bermuda shine. Bermuda continues to lead not only with hospitality, but with vision. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. [We now continue with] t he next item on the Order Paper. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. Members, before I go to the Q uestion Period, I am going to seek your indulgence in that earlier we skipped over the Petitions. The Member is here in the chair now, and Member, would you like to seek the proper indulgence?
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoMr. Speaker, I move to suspend Standing Order 14 to allow me to present two petitions.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny objections? There are none. Continue, Member [Motion carried: Standing Order 14 suspended.] PETITIONS ANTHEA INSURANCE LIMITED 1886 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo: Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I move to leave to introduce the following petition. The petition by …
Any objections? There are none. Continue, Member
[Motion carried: Standing Order 14 suspended.]
PETITIONS
ANTHEA INSURANCE LIMITED
1886 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo: Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I move to leave to introduce the following petition. The petition by Appleby Bermuda Limited, presenting the draft Bill to provide flexibility in certain respects when structuring Anthea Insurance Limited's long -term insurance policies, as set out in the [draft ] Bill entitled the Anthea Insurance Limited Act 2026, which accompanies this Petition. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the said Petition be referred to the Joint Select Committee on Private Bills for consideration and report.
HODLIFE INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoMr. Speaker, I move for leave to introduce the following Petition. The Petition by Appleby Bermuda Limited, presenting the draft Bill to provide flexibility in certain respects when structuring HODLife Insurance Company Limited's long- term insurance policies, as set out in the Bill entitled t he HODLife Insurance Company Act …
Mr. Speaker, I move for leave to introduce the following Petition. The Petition by Appleby Bermuda Limited, presenting the draft Bill to provide flexibility in certain respects when structuring HODLife Insurance Company Limited's long- term insurance policies, as set out in the Bill entitled t he HODLife Insurance Company Act 2026, which accompanies this P etition. Mr. Speaker, I ask that the said P etition be referred to the J oint Select Committee on Private Bills for consideration and report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Members, [we now] move on this morning. QUESTION PERIOD
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet me note at the beginning there are some written questions [for which] the Members responsible for responding to are off Island at the moment, and we are having them carried over until the next sitting, which will be on Monday. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Sorry, Mr. Speaker, with your …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSure, go ahead. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: The Honourable Members are not here, and the questions are written questions. I do not understand why they could not have been provided. There is no opportunity to ask questions. We are not looking to ask questions . And the answers are supplied …
Sure, go ahead.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: The Honourable Members are not here, and the questions are written questions. I do not understand why they could not have been provided. There is no opportunity to ask questions. We are not looking to ask questions . And the answers are supplied by the civil servants so the work could have been done.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYour point is noted, and there is a conversation that I have had with the C lerk that we will follow up on. As the Member has just indicated, written questions do not require a response . . . a written answer does not require a response as far as …
Your point is noted, and there is a conversation that I have had with the C lerk that we will follow up on. As the Member has just indicated, written questions do not require a response . . . a written answer does not require a response as far as a debate under the Question Period this morning. So, a written [answer] could have been forwarded today, even if a Member is off the I sland. Questions that require an oral response, naturally we would expect those to be carried until the Member is present . I am stating that so that in the future we can have a different process on how this is handled so that the written [answers] are forwarded either way b ecause there is no opportunity for it to be dealt with in the absence of the Minister. It's different if the M inister was . . . if there was an opportunity to be spoken to, you will want the Minister in the room. But the Minister not being in t he room does not delay or hamper the M inister in any way because there is not an opportunity to be spoken to at this moment. So, we trust in the future that written responses will still be submitted. With that said, we will move on. We will start the Question Period, and one of the written questions can be addressed today because the Minister is in the chair . And the questions are from MP Linda Smith to the Minister of Works and they require oral response . There are three questions. MP Smith, would you like to put your question?
QUESTION 1: ASPHALT PLANT, STATUS UPDATE OF NEW PLANT
Ms. Linda SmithThank you, Mr. Speaker. Will the Honourable Minister please provide this Honourable House with a comprehensive update on the status of the new asphalt plant at the government quarry, including the current stage of installation, total capital cost to date, and whether commissioning has commenced?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Hon. Jache Adams: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Honourable Member for her question. The Government approved the acquisition of a new asphalt plant at a total capital cost of $5.2 million, covering both the plant and shipping. The plant has already been paid for in …
Thank you, Minister. Hon. Jache Adams: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Honourable Member for her question. The Government approved the acquisition of a new asphalt plant at a total capital cost of $5.2 million, covering both the plant and shipping. The plant has already been paid for in full. It is currently locat ed in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and is expected to be shipped to Bermuda shortly. Installation will begin upon arrival. Commissioning has not yet commenced, as this can only occur following installation. The remaining costs relate solely to the installation and the decommissioning of the existing plant. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary? QUESTION 2: ASPHALT PLANT, ANTICIPATED START OF PRODUCTION
Ms. Linda SmithYes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. When is it anticipated . . . Well, it's a second question, actually. When is it anticipated that the new Bermuda House of Assembly plant at the government quarry (and it will be at the government quarry) will begin production?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right, question two. Hon. Jache Adams: Again, I thank the Honourable Member for her question. Mr. Speaker, while we are hopeful that the plant will be operational at some point this year, I cannot provide a precise production date at this time. Shipping timelines, installation logistics, and commissioning requirements …
All right, question two. Hon. Jache Adams: Again, I thank the Honourable Member for her question. Mr. Speaker, while we are hopeful that the plant will be operational at some point this year, I cannot provide a precise production date at this time. Shipping timelines, installation logistics, and commissioning requirements must first be completed. And once those processes are finalised, the H ouse will be updated accordingly. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary or your third question?
Ms. Linda SmithIt was originally anticipated that the plant would be up and running by the first quarter of this year. We have a few weeks left in that. What specifically has caused the delay?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Jache Adams: Mr. Speaker, I said in my statements there are shipping timelines, installation logis-tics, and commissioning requirements that first must be completed before we begin the process of shipping.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary or third question?
Ms. Linda SmithYes, I do have a supplementary. Thank you very much. Can the Minister confirm that the new asphalt plant will be installed at the government quarry property as planned?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Jache Adams: Mr. Speaker, details of where and when have already been published in the public domain.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo change to schedule, basically. Okay. Your third question? QUESTION 3: ASPHALT PLANT, EXPECTED MEASURABLE ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Ms. Linda SmithYes, thank you. Once it is installed, what is the expectation in terms of the results of the plant becoming operational and the measurable improvements that we can expect with respect to the road restructuring, and over what period of time?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd just one minute. Hon. Jache Adams: Sure.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat's the third question? Okay. In future, just read it as it is printed. Thank you. Hon. Jache Adams: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once operational we intend to begin production at approximately 100 tonnes of asphalt per day ( which is roughly what we are doing currently ), …
That's the third question? Okay. In future, just read it as it is printed. Thank you.
Hon. Jache Adams: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, once operational we intend to begin production at approximately 100 tonnes of asphalt per day ( which is roughly what we are doing currently ), with the capacity to triple that output over time as efficiencies are realised. The key improvement in the first 12 months will be greater consistency and increased output. You see, the existing plant is prone to breakdowns, which disrupt paving schedules. The new plant will significantly reduce downtime and allow us to accurately . . . or, sorry, allow us to accelerate resurfacing in a sustained way. This means more reliable paving schedules, faster rehabilitation of major corridors, and smoother, more durable roads for the public. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Members, that brings us to the end of responses to written questions. We will now move on to the Statements that were given this morning. There are questions this morning on the first Statement given by the Minister of Housing. MP King would like to put a question …
Thank you. Members, that brings us to the end of responses to written questions. We will now move on to the Statements that were given this morning. There are questions this morning on the first Statement given by the Minister of Housing. MP King would like to put a question to you. MP [King].
QUESTION 1: BERMUDA HOUSING TRUST — AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024/25 AND OUTLOOK FOR 2026/27
Mr. Robert KingGood morning, Mr. Speaker , Members of this Honourable House, and the listening public. This question relates to the Bermuda Housing Trust. Regarding the 16 units that are going to be ren-ovated at Dr. Cann Park, what is the scheduled date for completion of those units?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister . 1888 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Not soon enough for me, Mr. Speaker. But certainly, within the next few months they will be . . . and I will be glad to bring that information to the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSecond supplementary or a new question? I mean, supplementary , your first supplementary, or a second question?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSecond question, okay. QUESTION 2: BERMUDA HOUSING TRUST — AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024/25 AND OUTLOOK FOR 2026/27
Mr. Robert KingDo you have a list of the numbers of how many seniors are currently on the waiting list for housing?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister . Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well, he said housing, Mr. Speaker. If he means H ousing Trust, that list is 30.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And that's what the Statement was on, H ousing Trust.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Statement was on the H ousing Trust, so your response would be related to the H ousing Trust. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes. They are currently at 30, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThirty , all right. Okay. Supplementary or third question? QUESTION 3: BERMUDA HOUSING TRUST — AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2024/25 AND OUTLOOK FOR 2026/27
Mr. Robert KingThird question and final, sir. Understanding that the senior population by 2035 is anticipated to be roughly 30 per cent of the population , has the Bermuda Housing Trust taken that into consideration in its modelling as it relates to projections for housing needs? And what number will be required …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister . Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The answer to the first question is yes. The answer to the second question is . . . I'm good, Mr. Speaker, but I'm not that good. I can't predict how many seniors we will have in 2035. But— [Laughter and crosstalk …
Minister .
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The answer to the first question is yes. The answer to the second question is . . . I'm good, Mr. Speaker, but I'm not that good. I can't predict how many seniors we will have in 2035. But— [Laughter and crosstalk ]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —we will do our best based on the experience that we currently have in our pocket, and we will make plans accordingly.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary? SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. Robert KingYes, Mr. Speaker. Understanding that the projections for population growth are from government statistics, it would suggest that the government has numbers projected, and would take that into consideration when making housing stock available for seniors, understanding that it's a critical need.
Mr. Robert KingYes. So, the question is, How many are you going to build per year to make sure that you can meet the need as of this year and beyond to meet the target for 2035? Thank you. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Again, the Honourable Member's talking about housing …
Yes. So, the question is, How many are you going to build per year to make sure that you can meet the need as of this year and beyond to meet the target for 2035? Thank you.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Again, the Honourable Member's talking about housing in general, Mr. Speaker. Housing Trust [and housing] are two different —
Mr. Robert KingHousing Trust, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Housing Trust do not plan to build any units in the foreseeable future. But we know what we are going to do with housing in general.
Mr. Robert KingSecond supplementary . Understanding that the Housing Trust will not, as the M inister has thoughtfully clarified, does not build, how are they going . . . what is the plan for the Ministry to make units available, current units, remodelling or otherwise, so that the seniors, currently 30, projected …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI appreciate your question. However, it is outside of the S tatement because the Statement was directed to the Housing Trust. So, he would not be able to respond outside of that. Okay? Thank you. Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Member. The next Statement that a Member wishes to [ask] …
I appreciate your question. However, it is outside of the S tatement because the Statement was directed to the Housing Trust. So, he would not be able to respond outside of that. Okay? Thank you. Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Member. The next Statement that a Member wishes to [ask] questions on is the Statement by the Minister of Health. Minister, MP Cannonier would like to put a question to you.
Bermuda House of Assembly MP.
QUESTION 1: ENSURING FAIR COMPETITION AND PREVENTING MARKET CONCENTRATION IN BERMUDA
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker . And to all colleagues , good morning. Just two questions. The first one is , When was the Ministry informed of this change that All shores was putting in place to high- cost prescriptions?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Minister . Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, I believe it was on Tuesday of this week when we were advised about that, and I immediately, as I said in the Statement, wrote to the Health Council to ask for the 60- day stay. If not Monday night, it …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Supplementary or new question? Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, I am going to have to do a supplemental now.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplemental . SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, considering that, is that the normal behaviour for insurance companies when making major changes that affect I sland -wide to announce something basically a day before they are actually going to implement something? I mean, it's rather odd. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: …
Supplemental .
SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, considering that, is that the normal behaviour for insurance companies when making major changes that affect I sland -wide to announce something basically a day before they are actually going to implement something? I mean, it's rather odd.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, I don't want to speak specifically to the rules insofar as that, because that is somewhat of a tangential question to what I spoke about. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am obviously not in a position to speak to the commercial arrangements or how insurance companies operate with respect to that. I can't answer that.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: That's fine.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary or second— Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: No, second question.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. QUESTION 2: ENSURING FAIR COMPETITION AND PREVENTING MARKET CONCENTRATION IN BERMUDA Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: On page four [of the Statement] , the Minister says , “the Health Council has previously warned of the structural implications of vertical and horizontal integration in Bermuda’s health system.” Can the Minister recall …
Okay. QUESTION 2: ENSURING FAIR COMPETITION AND PREVENTING MARKET CONCENTRATION IN BERMUDA Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: On page four [of the Statement] , the Minister says , “the Health Council has previously warned of the structural implications of vertical and horizontal integration in Bermuda’s health system.” Can the Minister recall exactly how long ago the Government actually made such type of statement? If she wants me to clarify . . . Okay, so let me . . . the Health Council has previously warned of the structural implications of vertical and horizontal integration in Bermuda's health system. In other words, the consolidation of insurance companies and its implications . The Government already recognised that this was happening. They could see it. They warned of this. When was the warning by the Health Council given of this?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerBasically, the statement is that . . . the Statement referred that there was a warning given previously. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd you are asking, When was it given? Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister . Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Speaker . I do not remember the exact date, but there were discussions that took place maybe over a year ago when there were announcements as it related to preferred networks as it relates to the medical facilities. I think that was …
Minister . Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Speaker . I do not remember the exact date, but there were discussions that took place maybe over a year ago when there were announcements as it related to preferred networks as it relates to the medical facilities. I think that was around 2020. I stand to be corrected. But if I can just answer that insofar as that the merger, obviously between Argus Group of c ompanies and BF&M, was reviewed under the Bermuda established laws, which include the review of the Bermuda Monetary Authority, and that is an independent quango who are charged with applying the statutory tests that are set here by the Parliament. It is not the role of the Government to arbitrarily block a private transaction that appears on clear legal grounds. And, in fact, to have acted outside of the legal framework would have been absent of clear statutory grounds which could have exposed this country to legal challenges, undermined investor confidence, and compromised the very rule of law which underpins Ber muda's international reputation. With that said, Mr. Speaker, as I had indicated in the Ministerial Statement, and in particular as is in the Throne Speech, the Government remains committed to ensuring that the community's concerns that have been expressed are addressed, and the Throne Speech does indicate what G overnment's next steps 1890 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly are as it relates to legislation to ensure that we are having better oversight with respect to competition and the laws associated thereto. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Supplementary or third question? SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: No. Supplemental, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if the Minister is assuming that we feel like they would be breaking the law and doing something. We weren't intimating that at all . And that was not my question …
Thank you. Supplementary or third question? SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: No. Supplemental, Mr. Speaker. I am not sure if the Minister is assuming that we feel like they would be breaking the law and doing something. We weren't intimating that at all . And that was not my question at all. She is making another statement. We all know that these companies can do and merge as they wish. That is a known fact. But what I would like to ask is, Is the Minister aware that in the 2024 Throne Speech by this G overnment, that they addressed this issue and said the very things that she i s sayin g [that] t he Health Council said ? I have [a] quote here . . . and the Premier said 1I sincerely hope that Members will be supporting the legislation that is coming in 2024, to this very matter that we are talking about. So, imagine the shock for me to hear that the Health Council just said something a year ago, but yet the P remier said this three years ago. Is she aware?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI was trying to find a question there. The questions is — Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, but I said that first. I said, is she aware that the Premier made this statement in 2024 in the Throne Speech? [ Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIs she aware of the statement that was made by the Premier to address this matter? Is that what you're asking? Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, if the Honourable Member has the Throne Speech comments in his possession from 2024, then I can only presume that he's quoting the statement of the P remier and that those were comments that were said. I cannot remember what happened. I cannot …
Okay. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, if the Honourable Member has the Throne Speech comments in his possession from 2024, then I can only presume that he's quoting the statement of the P remier and that those were comments that were said. I cannot remember what happened. I cannot remember what happened last week. [ Laughter] 1 See the Official Hansard Report, 6 December 2024, on the motion to adjourn, p age 293. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: But in any event, if he has the comments . . . if the H onourable Member says it was said, and he i s reading the Throne Speech, I have to accept that as truth. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. All right. Okay. No further questions? Okay. Members, the next Statement that has questions this morning wa s the S tatement by the Minister of Economy and Labour on the Y outh Employment Strategy. And MP King would like to put questions to you. QUESTION 1: YOUTH EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY …
Mr. Robert KingAgain, regarding the Youth Employment Strategy, is there consideration for combining that with the Department of Corrections, Department of Child and Family Services [DCFS ]? Understanding that youth between the age of . . . I guess youth would be 15 to 25, 30. That's the age group for youth? …
Again, regarding the Youth Employment Strategy, is there consideration for combining that with the Department of Corrections, Department of Child and Family Services [DCFS ]? Understanding that youth between the age of . . . I guess youth would be 15 to 25, 30. That's the age group for youth? So, I am wondering, are you going to have a programme in the Department of Corrections and [Department of Child and] Family Services to ensure that that at -risk group receives the necessary education and vocational support services? Thank you. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, am I first clarifying age of youth?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. I was trying to see how that was broken down. Your question . . . the way you stated your question sort of left two areas of conversation. Did you want him to clarify the age, or do you just want him to respond to the amalgamation that you …
Mr. Robert KingActually, let's just go with youth, the youth programme. In terms of the age . . . that will naturally come out anyway, right? So, thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSo, I think the question is, based on your Strategy, does the S trategy look to combine the youth employment under any other of youth services? Hon. Jason Hayward: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a goal in the Strategy that talks about vulnerable youth, and the youth that we …
So, I think the question is, based on your Strategy, does the S trategy look to combine the youth employment under any other of youth services? Hon. Jason Hayward: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is a goal in the Strategy that talks about vulnerable youth, and the youth that we deal with are those individuals over the age of 16 years old. What we have done specifically for this programme, though, is, number one, we have been into the schools to deal with high school students.
Bermuda House of Assembly We have also partnered with the Gang [Violence] R eduction Team for individuals who they flagged to be at risk. There are also individuals in the prison who are seeking probation, and they need employment in order to obtain that probation. So we also work with those individuals as well. And those would be the three groups we work with. I am not clear that we have had any direct conversation with DCFS regarding any of their programmes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Supplementary? SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. Robert KingUnderstanding that currently at the Department of Corrections there are no vocational programmes, and we understand that when persons are being released into the community having access to risk reduction programmes , specifically , and vocational programmes that provide them with the necessary skills to secure employment as a requirement …
Understanding that currently at the Department of Corrections there are no vocational programmes, and we understand that when persons are being released into the community having access to risk reduction programmes , specifically , and vocational programmes that provide them with the necessary skills to secure employment as a requirement of parole, under current conditions it is three months. Probation. Is there going to be a systematic approach to providing a curriculum for persons at Westgate, youth and others , to be able to take advantage of W orkforce Development courses , and also Bermuda College courses , in a seamless curriculum? Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister . Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, first , I would like to go back to the previous question. The M inister responsible for DCFS has informed me that there are programmes that happen with the transitional learning, individuals in those programmes, and so Workforce Development does work with those …
Minister .
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, first , I would like to go back to the previous question. The M inister responsible for DCFS has informed me that there are programmes that happen with the transitional learning, individuals in those programmes, and so Workforce Development does work with those individuals. Number two, the education specific to prisoners falls under the Department of Corrections , and not the Department of Workforce Development, notwithstanding we are happy to create a bridge so that people can take advantage of greater levels of employment opportunities moving forward.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary or new question?
Mr. Robert KingSo, understanding that there is no bridge currently for that , for vocational services and classes for that group, will the Department of Workforce Development inform this Honourable House in the next month or so in terms of what progress has been made towards building that bridge? Because it's definitely …
So, understanding that there is no bridge currently for that , for vocational services and classes for that group, will the Department of Workforce Development inform this Honourable House in the next month or so in terms of what progress has been made towards building that bridge? Because it's definitely an area of need. If you have read the reports in the newspaper, if you have heard what persons have said who have been recently released, they are all saying the same thing. There is a crisis at the Department of Corrections for those persons requiring those services. Thank you. That's the end. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I am not sure if the Honourable Member just gave me a directive or asked a question. And so, I am really unsure where to go with it. I understand that he would desire something to take place, but I cannot report on something that simply does not exist at this moment.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerBasically . . . I'm trying to put it in a different context. [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIt's not in the ir framework to do right now. And so, he cannot report on it if it is not in his framework to do right now, basically. Okay? All right. Any further questions? None ? Okay. Thank you, Member s. Thank you for participating in the question- and-answer …
It's not in the ir framework to do right now. And so, he cannot report on it if it is not in his framework to do right now, basically. Okay? All right. Any further questions? None ? Okay. Thank you, Member s. Thank you for participating in the question- and-answer period. That brings us to an end of that. We will move on. The next item on the O rder Paper this morning is the congratulatory and obituary —
Hon. Michael Fahy: Sorry, Mr. Speaker. I believe I had questions . . . Well, I do have questions on Minister Darrell's Statement, I believe—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister Darrell's Statement ? Hon. Michael Fahy: —the Whip had advised you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Yes, he was . . . I overlooked that one. Sorry. Minister Darrell, MP Fahy did have a question for you ( my oversight , sorry ) in reference to your Statement on the taxi . . . Yes. You know what? It's on the other page. There it …
Okay. Yes, he was . . . I overlooked that one. Sorry. Minister Darrell, MP Fahy did have a question for you ( my oversight , sorry ) in reference to your Statement on the taxi . . . Yes. You know what? It's on the other page. There it is. Okay. MP, you can put your question.
QUESTION 1: MOTOR CAR ACT 1951 MODERN ISATI ON OF Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister made clear in his Statement that much data had been received from 2017 to 2018, which appears to be the data that is being used for the purposes of creating this new Bill that will come before the House. Does the Minister believe that that data has changed significantly and it is appropriate to rely on data that is now eight years old when presenting a Bill? 1892 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Minister.
Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, I would reply that absolutely that data is useful data because what the Hon-ourable Member from the other side may not realise is that many of the issues that we have had regarding not being able to get transportation, especially with locals, goes back far longer than eight years, Mr. Speaker. And finally, many people, I am sure the individuals that he may represent, are very excited that they are going to be able to get transportation. I know the individuals that I represent cannot get from areas like Glebe Road into Hamilton to work, Mr. Speaker. And that has been a problem that has been going on long past eight years. So absolutely, data that we have from eight years and more recent ly will be very helpful and has been very helpful for us designing this rideshare plan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Supplementary? SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has said that that data is very helpful, but he has also said that in terms of obtaining transportation with this new rideshare programme, that it will enhance the ability for people to get transportation. How will …
Thank you. Supplementary?
SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister has said that that data is very helpful, but he has also said that in terms of obtaining transportation with this new rideshare programme, that it will enhance the ability for people to get transportation. How will the Minister ensure that thi s rideshare availability will, in fact, make sure that those underserviced areas are serviced? If we canno t get the taxis to do it, how is the Minister going to make sure that these other vehicles do serve those underserviced areas?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister . Hon. Owen Darrell: And going back, and I will tie a little bit of where I answered last time to this one as well. You know, what we are counting on with this rideshare is that it will increase the supply. And when it increases the supply, Mr. …
Minister .
Hon. Owen Darrell: And going back, and I will tie a little bit of where I answered last time to this one as well. You know, what we are counting on with this rideshare is that it will increase the supply. And when it increases the supply, Mr. Speaker, the supply will go where the demand is. Currently, if you go to certain areas on Front Street, there's not much demand. There's plenty of supply there and everyone is taken care of. But if you go in proverbial Back o’ Town areas, Mr. Speaker, there is not much supply there. So, the data that we have shown, and speaking to stakeholders and getting out into the community, you will realise that there may be some illegal operations that are servicing that part of the public now . And what we are trying to do is regulate that so that we have effective ways to transport our people, especially the ones that I serve, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary? Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, it's one thing to say supply and demand, but how —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary or— Hon. Michael Fahy: This is supplementary, Mr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Hon. Michael Fahy: —in relation to the answer that was given.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Michael Fahy: How, again, will it be ensured that those underserviced areas are serviced? You can not just say it is supply and demand. That is the issue we have right now. So how will it happen in practi ce?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister . Hon. Owen Darrell: It will simply happen by the individual who signs up to be a rideshare provider will go where the work is. That is how it will happen. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSecond question or . . . You had your two supplementaries on the first one. Second question? Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you. Second question.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. QUESTION 2: MOTOR CAR ACT 1951 MODERN ISATI ON OF Hon. Michael Fahy: Has the Minister considered putting proper enforcement of the current regulations for taxis, that taxis should be on the road for 16 hours a day? That would help surely . . . make sure that there …
Mm-hmm.
QUESTION 2: MOTOR CAR ACT 1951 MODERN ISATI ON OF Hon. Michael Fahy: Has the Minister considered putting proper enforcement of the current regulations for taxis, that taxis should be on the road for 16 hours a day? That would help surely . . . make sure that there is proper supply for the demand. Has the M inister considered doing that prior to introducing the rideshare programme?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister . Hon. Owen Darrell: Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. I have been in this position for about a year . And in that year , we have made significant efforts to enforce many of the laws that are on the books in the Motor Car Act. One example that I would …
Minister .
Hon. Owen Darrell: Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. I have been in this position for about a year . And in that year , we have made significant efforts to enforce many of the laws that are on the books in the Motor Car Act. One example that I would give you is that on October 1, Mr. Speaker, I asked for checks to be done as to how many vehicles were not registered on the road after the deadline of September 30. And it was significantly over 100. So, we have enforced that . Traffic officers have gone out. They have culled individuals . They have brought them in and asked them the reasons why. Some were
Bermuda House of Assembly parts, some were financial reasons, and that number to where we are now has been significantly reduced . Significantly reduced. So, we are increasing our enforcement efforts. There are renewed efforts with the Public Service Vehicle Licens ing [Board] , and you will hear, and you will see that there will be individuals who will be brought in before the Public Service Vehicle Licens ing Board if it is found that they are not operating their taxi or their public service vehicle standards to the level that is expected in legislation, and that includes the hours of which the Honourable Member on the other side is speaking of.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Supplementary to that question or third question? Hon. Michael Fahy: Supplementary.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary. Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael Fahy: So, what I have heard then, and I think the rest of this House has heard, is that the 16hour rule will be enforced. And if that is the case and there are some 400 taxis that will all be …
Supplementary.
Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you.
SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael Fahy: So, what I have heard then, and I think the rest of this House has heard, is that the 16hour rule will be enforced. And if that is the case and there are some 400 taxis that will all be operating at 16 hours a day in accordance with the legislation that is to be enforced pursuant to what the Minister just said, then surely the rideshare programme will not necessarily b e required because there will be enough supply to meet the very demand that the Minister is making reference to. Isn't that correct? The Speaker: Your question is, I s it correct? Hon. Michael Fahy: My question is, If the Minister is going to ensure that there is enforcement of the 16- hour rule, then would he not accept there will be enough supply to meet the demand?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Minister . Hon. Owen Darrell: Well, Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Member would also know that there are 24 hours in a day, and if he looked at the rideshare legislation, it will cover those times that most of the taxis are not working after their 16 hours. So, …
All right. Minister . Hon. Owen Darrell: Well, Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Member would also know that there are 24 hours in a day, and if he looked at the rideshare legislation, it will cover those times that most of the taxis are not working after their 16 hours. So, that's just a simple math problem, Mr. Speaker. So, I will answer the first question that way. And as I answered in my previous question, Mr. Speaker, we are increasing the enforcement. And once the enforcement gets to the levels where it can be, and that includes additional staffing, that includes additional education and the like, Mr. Speaker, if we do get to that point where we are trying to get to, then, Mr. Speaker, we would have gotten to a successful place with transportation in this country. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary or new question? Hon. Michael Fahy: Supplementary.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay, your second supplementary . Go ahead. Hon. Michael Fahy: So, I am now not really understanding what is trying to be achieved. It would certainly, I would submit, make sense, and I hope the Minister will agree, that you try every option available in your current legislative package before …
Okay, your second supplementary . Go ahead.
Hon. Michael Fahy: So, I am now not really understanding what is trying to be achieved. It would certainly, I would submit, make sense, and I hope the Minister will agree, that you try every option available in your current legislative package before you add yet an-other layer of bureaucracy, et cetera, and potential enforcements against the rideshare participants first. Would the Minister not accept that it would be sensible to do the enforcement pursuant to current legislation before introducing the rideshare programme so we can then see if there is enough supply to meet demand?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, I know that a majority, and everyone . . . I would say everyone in this House was elected to serve. And, Mr. Speaker, in serving, and I read out many stats, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to tourists coming to this Island and …
Minister.
Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, I know that a majority, and everyone . . . I would say everyone in this House was elected to serve. And, Mr. Speaker, in serving, and I read out many stats, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to tourists coming to this Island and not being able to get transportation. I have spoken of individuals in areas that I serve that cannot even get to work in the morning, Mr. Speaker, and make an honest living. So, Mr. Speaker, what I would like to say is if the Honourable Member and his team would like to wait another 40 years to fix transportation in this country, that is not service, Mr. Speaker, and that is not leadership, in my opinion. So, Mr. Speaker, whil e I have acknowledged that there may be some gaps in enforce-ment, and I also have acknowledged, Mr. Speaker, that we are taking specific steps to increase that enforcement, what I also heard from the other side, Mr. Speaker, is that the Honourable Member i s willing to allow the transportation industry to stay where it is without trying to take necessary steps to fix it. That's what I heard, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Michael Fahy: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Michael Fahy: The Member is misleading the House. Not in any way did I — 1894 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly An Hon. Member: Honourable Member. Hon. Michael Fahy: The Honourable Member, I accept that. —in any …
Point of order.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Michael Fahy: The Member is misleading the House. Not in any way did I —
1894 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly An Hon. Member: Honourable Member.
Hon. Michael Fahy: The Honourable Member, I accept that. —in any way made any inference to that whatsoever. I have simply asked questions, Mr. Speaker, in respect of time and supply and demand, based on the Minister's own s tatements in this House. Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My answer to the question remains. This G overnment will continue to listen to the people. This Government will continue to increase service possibilities and options so that people, whether it be working- class individuals or visitors who are coming to experience our beautiful Island, can move around this I sland effectively and timely. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny further questions? Hon. Michael Fahy: I think it's the third question now,
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThird question. QUESTION 3: MOTOR CAR ACT 1951 MODERN ISATI ON OF Hon. Michael Fahy: Mr. Speaker, the Minister did make reference to the two new ferries servicing Dockyard- Hamilton route. Can he advise this Honourable House when, in fact, they will be put into service? Be-cause, as yet, I …
Third question.
QUESTION 3: MOTOR CAR ACT 1951 MODERN ISATI ON OF
Hon. Michael Fahy: Mr. Speaker, the Minister did make reference to the two new ferries servicing Dockyard- Hamilton route. Can he advise this Honourable House when, in fact, they will be put into service? Be-cause, as yet, I believe they are not in service.
Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, the ferries are in service, but they are not carrying passengers at this time.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: Listen to me. Listen —
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, I will get . . . Mr. Speaker, may I answer the question?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGo ahead. Speak to the C hair. Speak to the Chair. I’m listening. Hon. Owen Darrell: May I answer the question?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI'm listening. Go right ahead. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSpeak to me. Ignore that and speak to me. Hon. Owen Darrell: When you have ferries that have come from Singapore to Bermuda, it is prudent of the Government, as well as everyone who operates those ferries, to make sure that they are properly up to speed with their operating …
Speak to me. Ignore that and speak to me. Hon. Owen Darrell: When you have ferries that have come from Singapore to Bermuda, it is prudent of the Government, as well as everyone who operates those ferries, to make sure that they are properly up to speed with their operating capabilities. So, what you will see is those ferries are up and down, and they have the workers on them, and they are going through all of their safety protocols. They will enter carrying passengers on April 6. There is a draft schedule that is out that we are going to make sure that the levels of lift are sufficient for members of the eastern end of the I sland. When there are cruise ships in . . . I think there are more cruise ships coming on the weekend. So, April 6, you will see that these ferries will start carrying passengers. However, the H onourable Member would know that they have been in service since I christened them in November. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Supplementary? Hon. Michael Fahy: No, thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The Minister was putting up his hand like he was anticipating another run. [Inaudible interjectio ns and laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Members, that now brings us to a close of the Question Period on the Statements that were given this morning. And we will now move on. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet me just readjust. Does any Member wish to speak to that? One adjustment required; h ere we go. Any Member? MP Lister, are you standing up for that? Okay, MP Lister, you have got your three minutes.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIGood morning, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, fellow colleagues, listening audience. As I stand today, Mr. Speaker, to give condolences to a number of names , some I was made aware of as I read The Royal Gazette, and I was shocked and surprised to see that these persons have passed, …
Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, fellow colleagues, listening audience. As I stand today, Mr. Speaker, to give condolences to a number of names , some I was made aware of as I read The Royal Gazette, and I was shocked and surprised to see that these persons have passed, Mr. Speaker. And some I knew more than others, but it's always sad to hear of someone that has passed and gone and understand the loss that those families have. So, Mr. Speaker, I would first like to give condolences to the family of Mr. Ellsworth Smith, a
Bermuda House of Assembly constituent of mine from 9 Allspice Gardens . And I will associate Minister Rabain. I would say that he and his wife have been one of my most ardent supporters in my time. And I was shocked he had passed when I was off I sland, and I was shocked to have found out that he had passed. So that one really struck me, Mr. Speaker. So , I'd like to send condolences to the Smith family. Also next to another constituent of mine that passed was Mr. Douglas Gibbons of 1 Warwickshire Road. I would also like to send condolences to his family. And Mr. Kenneth Pitcher, who you would know so well, Mr. Speaker, as he attended War wick Seventhday Adventist Church with us. And again, I was shocked to see that he had passed. And his son, who I know very well .
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIHis son is Mr. Troy Pitcher. I'd like to associate MP Scott Simmons. So, I would like to send condolences to the family of Mr. Kenny Pitcher. And lastly, to the family of Mr. D anvers Seymour. I would know him more affectionately as Coach Seymour. I would like to …
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIThe whole House. As I said, more affectionately as Coach Seymour during my time playing with Somerset Trojans. He was one of the coaches that came around now and then, but I always remember him for his stern leadership and [as a] disciplinarian. One day you knew that when Coach …
The whole House. As I said, more affectionately as Coach Seymour during my time playing with Somerset Trojans. He was one of the coaches that came around now and then, but I always remember him for his stern leadership and [as a] disciplinarian. One day you knew that when Coach Seymour came, he was going to put you through your paces. And so, you had to do what he said or, you know, feel the consequence. So , I'd like to send condolences to his family, his son, Coach Seymour, and his daughter, and the rest of the family. On a lighter note, Mr. Speaker, I'd like to send congratulations. This one I will declare my interest. A young cousin of mine, T ’syi Showers, who this week, he won the Panther Scholar Award from Sand ys [Secondary] Middle School. To qualify, you have to have five or more classes with an 80 per cent grade or higher. And he had seven classes with that grade or higher. So, I'd like to send congratulations to my cousin. And as always, Mr. Speaker, I would like to try and recognise some of the athletic achievements of Bermudians. And while my time is short, I will race. Mr. Jonathan Trott and Aaron Lugo finished first and second in the Brooklyn Grappling Industries event this recently. [Timer chimes]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Minister, would you like your three minutes? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And t hank you, MP Lister , I do want to be associated with the condolences for Ellsworth Smith. [He] is a relative of mine from the Smith clan from …
Thank you, Member. Minister, would you like your three minutes? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And t hank you, MP Lister , I do want to be associated with the condolences for Ellsworth Smith. [He] is a relative of mine from the Smith clan from Devil's Hole. Mr. Speaker, I do get to my feet with a very sad announcement. And that is condolences to the family of a young man that I grew up with, very good friends with my brother, one of, you would say, Devil's Hole royalty , and that is Mr. Wilton [Woolridge] Jr., who unfortunately died from a motorcycle accident that actually happened on January [31], one late night. And he succumbed to his injuries . I believe it was just last week. Mr. Speaker, it's always difficult when you lose childhood friends and persons that you did grow up with. Wilton was only two years younger than me. As I said, he was friends with my brother. And their birthdays were only one day apart. So, they were really very close. I have definitely been moved by some of the emotional condolences that have been posted in social media and the like, especially from the Devil's Hole family. For those who follow the dance hall genre, Wilton was one of the founding members of the Rude Boy International that did start in Devil's Hole with David Cunningham, Andre Smith, myself a little bit before I went off to school, of course my brother, and various others. Wilton leaves behind his one son, and he certainly will be sorely missed, especially amongst the Devil's Hole crew, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Does any other Member . . . Minister Furbert. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's been a while since we have been in the House, and I would just like to acknowledge condolences for a couple of my constituents. I would also just like …
Thank you. Does any other Member . . . Minister Furbert.
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it's been a while since we have been in the House, and I would just like to acknowledge condolences for a couple of my constituents. I would also just like to be associated with the comments for Wilton as well. But I would like to send condolences to the family of the late Ms . Cathy Bassett.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAssociate. Hon. Tinee Furbert: [I] associate Members of this House with tho se condolences . 1896 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly We would know Ms . Bassett, former educator, Girl Guide, her involvement with the Brownies, KBB, the Rotary, very involved in the community, and …
Associate.
Hon. Tinee Furbert: [I] associate Members of this House with tho se condolences . 1896 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly We would know Ms . Bassett, former educator, Girl Guide, her involvement with the Brownies, KBB, the Rotary, very involved in the community, and it was very sad to hear that we lost such a soldier and community person lately, and just condolences to her fam-ily, Eric, her husband, her son Malik, and Erica, her daughter. [I] also wanted to share condolences to the family, the Dill family, for the loss of their son, Ruby and Stephen Dill, for the loss of their son, Jahmel Mallory. And I would also like to acknowledge, of course, our very favourite and well -known drummer of the H&H G ombey crew, Mr. Z aniko Hendrickson, sending condolences to the Hendrickson family for the loss— [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: —[I] associate Minister Owen Darrell with these condolences. We would be very familiar with Z aniko and the joy and artistic talent that he brought to the G ombey drumming world. He will be a huge miss. I would like to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to acknowledge the schools, Paget Primary, as well as Elliott [Primary] . . . associating Minister Diallo [Rabain] . . . the whole House, in regard to the Black History Exhibits that were put on for —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Yes, I said Elliott —put on for viewing to our community and our public. If you have the opportunity to visit, or you had the opportunity to visit the work that was put in into the acknowledgement of our Black Bermudians and honourees , it was very exciting to see . Particularly exciting to see how much our children were consumed and were excited to share the information that they have learned. And so, Elliott had its first inaugural Legacy of Excellence: A Black Bermudian Gallery . I just want to acknowledge the Social Studies Team—
[Timer chimes]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Hon. Tinee Furbert: —and educators who helped to put these exhibits on. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to make a . . . MP Swan ? Would you like your three minutes?
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanMr. Speaker, I would like condolences sent to the family of Mr. Kenneth Fr ay from Wellington Back Road in St. George's. Mr. Kenny Fray, as a young fellow growing up, for me, was one of those iconic wicket keepers who . . . there were so many good cricketers …
Mr. Speaker, I would like condolences sent to the family of Mr. Kenneth Fr ay from Wellington Back Road in St. George's. Mr. Kenny Fray, as a young fellow growing up, for me, was one of those iconic wicket keepers who . . . there were so many good cricketers in Bermuda that not everybody got the opportunity to play Cup Match. He was one of those persons who was a stalwart with a great Southampton Rangers team. He was good friends with my uncle, the late “ Squab” Anderson, and they played a lot together. And he also played for the Pond Hill Stars, and he was very proud. As a young teenager, he toured with Pond Hill Stars. My father also played for Pond HIll Stars. And Mr. Fra y was a proud member and supporter of the Progressive Labour Party. And when I got elected in 2017, he presented me with a model car that he had made commemorating the Progressive Labour Party's ascension to Government, and I was very proud to have that model car in my possession. A great St. Georgian, Mr. [Sidney] “ Bernie” Oatley . . . and I would associate MP Ming in her absence, has gone on to his reward. A family man from St. George ’s, and I have known his family for all my St. George's life, and condolences to the Oatley family. And also, the family of Ms. Agatha Thomas from the Jamaican Grill family. I spent a lot of time in [the] Jamaican Grill over the years and always marvelled at Ms. Thomas' work ethic and how she got her children involved in their family business. And on a happier note, I would like congratulations to [be sent to] young Oliver Bets chart and J evon Roberts, a cousin of mine from that Anderson clan. I'm sure Minister Jache Adams will be associated with that, and MP T yrrell, and Minister Zane De Silva, and also Minister , and golfer , Michael Weeks.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanYes, yes. With those congratulations to Oliver and J evon winning the Bermuda 4-Ball Championship, having been many times runner - up, they finally ascended to that. And Oliver repre-sented Bermuda well and was the top Bermudian in the Butterfield Bermuda Junior Championship, finishing third on the podium as he …
Yes, yes. With those congratulations to Oliver and J evon winning the Bermuda 4-Ball Championship, having been many times runner - up, they finally ascended to that. And Oliver repre-sented Bermuda well and was the top Bermudian in the Butterfield Bermuda Junior Championship, finishing third on the podium as he goes to serve as a freshman at Colorado State University this summer. Thank you.
[Timer chimes]
The SpeakerThe Speaker[Microphone off ] Hon. Ben Smith: Thank you, and good morning, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give congratulations to the [Bermuda] Lawn Tennis Association for the historic result by our Davis Cup team beating Georgia. I think I will associate the entire House with that result. Bermuda …
[Microphone off ]
Hon. Ben Smith: Thank you, and good morning, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to give congratulations to the [Bermuda] Lawn Tennis Association for the historic result by our Davis Cup team beating Georgia. I think I will associate the entire House with that result.
Bermuda House of Assembly It continues to show the level that sports in Bermuda as they continue to elevate. I know that Mike Wolfe is my next -door neighbour, and he's the president of the [Bermuda] Lawn Tennis Association. And I know that they are really proud of the progress that they have made, and we are looking forward to seeing what the Tennis Association will continue to do. Thank you.
Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning, everyone. I would like to offer condolences, first of all, to the family of the venerable Archdeacon Arnold Hollis. As we all know, and I will associate all of the MPs in—
Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillBut Archdeacon Hollis, he will be a deep miss. He wa s indeed a trail blazer . He was the first Bermudian to be educated for the priest-hood. And even though it took many years before he was assigned a parish here in Bermuda because of the racial climate at …
But Archdeacon Hollis, he will be a deep miss. He wa s indeed a trail blazer . He was the first Bermudian to be educated for the priest-hood. And even though it took many years before he was assigned a parish here in Bermuda because of the racial climate at that time, he served for many years, and he will be deeply missed. He was a social activist in his day, and he has contributed much to this community. And we certainly offer our sincere condolences to his family. We would also like to offer condolences to the family of Hut son Eugene Carter from Sandy s Parish. He was an entrepreneur, a gardener, a very, very positive gentleman who brought much to our community, and he will be deeply, deeply missed. On a lighter note, I would like to, first of all, offer congratulations to our Premier, the Honourable David Burt, who was awarded in February . . . He was awarded by the First Episcopal District of the AME Church the inaugural Bishop Richard Allen Leadership Award, which was extended to outstanding laypersons from throughout the First Episcopal District. So, we congratulate our Premier on this accomplishment. I would also like to congratulate the men of Allen Temple AME Church for their 100 Men’s Breakfast, which they held in January, which was outstanding. They had over 100 men in attendance, and it was re-ally, really great to see their numbers come back up again and to see men coming together positively in an environment where they were able to share together and positively inspire one another. I would also like to congratulate Allen Temple and the other AME churches for their Men's S eason, which is in process —
The SpeakerThe Speaker[Microphone off ] [Laughter]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThank you, Mr. Speaker. Much appreciated. First of all, many people may know that one of Bermuda's international cyclists, Kaden Hopkins, suffered an accident overseas where he is based and competes, so I want to send him a speedy recovery so that he may get back — [Inaudible interjections]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYes, and associate the whole House with, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to congratulate Dr. Shangri -La Durham- Thompson on the release of her new book. Renowned author and educator, Dr. Durham- Thompson, on the release of her new book, Live to Make a Difference, about Reverend Lloyd E. …
Yes, and associate the whole House with, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to congratulate Dr. Shangri -La Durham- Thompson on the release of her new book. Renowned author and educator, Dr. Durham- Thompson, on the release of her new book, Live to Make a Difference, about Reverend Lloyd E. Dees . And I'm sure the previous speaker could probably provide us a lot of education about his role in the AME C hurch here in Bermuda, so you can find information about that book online. I also want to send condolences to the family of John Nichol ls, especially to his sister , Liz. John was a well -known fixture in Bermuda's sailing community. He has sailed around the world. He is a long- time skipper of the Bermuda fitted dinghy , Elizabeth. He is a staunch, staunch participant in the Bermuda fitted dinghy scene, and he is the immediate past commodore of the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club. So, I send my condolences to him, to the club, and to his family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe Speaker[Microphone off ] [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoNo, you are getting on my nerves. [Laughter] 1898 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Jamahl S. Simmons: Congratulations to my workout plan, right? [Laughter]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsThat’s it. I rise today to join in the condolences for Archdeacon Arnold Hollis, a trail blazer , a champion for social justice, and a person who overcame a lot just to be able to serve his God. And so, I'm thankful to him and his family, long -term residents …
That’s it. I rise today to join in the condolences for Archdeacon Arnold Hollis, a trail blazer , a champion for social justice, and a person who overcame a lot just to be able to serve his God. And so, I'm thankful to him and his family, long -term residents of c onstituency 33. I would also like to pay tribute to another constituent of mine, but also a former educator of mine, Mr. Danvers Seymour and former PLP candidate. Now, everyone has talked about Mr. Seymour, and I would like everybody from the House who would like to be associated, be associated. M any have talked about his football prowess. Many have talked about his accom-plishments on the field and his coaching expertise. My experience was different because I was probably the worst football player he had ever seen.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsAnd he was . . . No, I was terrible. I was worse he had ever seen. Right ? But despite that, he instilled in me and many others the mind- set of winning, sportsmanship, of never giving up. And so , I will always be grateful and thankful to …
And he was . . . No, I was terrible. I was worse he had ever seen. Right ? But despite that, he instilled in me and many others the mind- set of winning, sportsmanship, of never giving up. And so , I will always be grateful and thankful to him because it took something that was an unpleas-ant period for me . Playing football every day. I hate d it because I just wasn't good at it. And he made it something to actually strive for, to get better at. And so, I will always be thankful to him. And I pray that his family is comforted during this time. And finally, a person very near and dear to me and to many in the community has passed. C eola Wilson.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsAnd I am sure the whole House would like to be associated with her. I first met C eola when I returned to Bermuda as a journalist and I worked alongside her. And C eola had a great way of mentoring, which involved, I guess I could say, unparliamentary language. …
And I am sure the whole House would like to be associated with her. I first met C eola when I returned to Bermuda as a journalist and I worked alongside her. And C eola had a great way of mentoring, which involved, I guess I could say, unparliamentary language. But she was always straight. She was always firm. If you were doing a bad job, she would tell you. If you were doing a good job, she would tell you. She was somebody who shaped a lot of the way I operate as a journalist and even in life going on, because she nagged me to give up smoking cigarettes and I gave up because I just did not want to hear her mouth anymore. But I think that we all we all respected her because of her insightful mind and the very tough questions. And she showed no fear or favour to anyone. And I am particularly thankful because the last time I talked to her . . . somebody had said something attacking me on the radio or something. And C eola called up and yelled at the host for about 20 minutes defending us. Right ? And I said, Ceola, you don't have to do that. And she said, No, I'm not going to let the lie stand. And so, the last conversation I had with her was months ago. But I was so grateful because she never, ever hesitated to speak up for others and to take care of things when right was right. So, with that, Mr. Speaker, I take my seat.
The SpeakerThe Speaker[Microphone off ] [Crosstalk and laughter ]
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoThank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Minister, for being a gentleman. Yes . Mr. Speaker, I would like condolences to go out to the family of Cathy Bassett, a well -known educator from— [Inaudible interjection]
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoAssociate. I associate myself . . . around an educator for many, many years. And I . . . and I guess one who always lent herself freely in terms of volunteering her services and the like. Mr. Speaker, I would like to be associated with the remarks for Burton …
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoYes, Bernard Oatley, who is my neighbour. And his wife was my Sunday School teacher. Yes. And for those who are going to say something, yes, I used to have to go to Sunday S chool. I did. [Inaudible interjection and laughter ]
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoYes. I would like to associate [Member] Scott Simmons as well. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make condolences remarks for Mr. Burton Cox, who is a long- time employee in the aviation industry , his whole life. I do this on behalf of the Bermuda Airport Authority [BAA] and …
Yes. I would like to associate [Member] Scott Simmons as well. Mr. Speaker, I would like to make condolences remarks for Mr. Burton Cox, who is a long- time employee in the aviation industry , his whole life. I do this on behalf of the Bermuda Airport Authority [BAA] and its members. So , [Members] Scott Simmons, Lawrence Scott, [and] the Minister. I also want to associate Minister Weeks, who probably came from the same area, and Minister Tinee Furbert . Burton dedicated his whole life in that industry. He is the husband to Terry Cox, who I think many peo-ple know , who has been in education for many, many years as well. And he, in many ways, was the bedrock
Bermuda House of Assembly to his family. And he is going to be a great loss in that family. And he is . . . he was not able to work at the BAA for some time because of his illness. But he is a great loss to that entity because very seldom do you see someone who dedicates their whole life to a career. And brought excellence to his work. So, his work ethic was quite outstanding. And so, we . . . I would like to call ourselves his second family, mourn his loss as well. And finally, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to give brief congratulations to Ms. Dal ey, who once again has acquitted herself extremely well in the sport of swimming. And I want to associate the O pposition Leader —
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoYes, I want to associate the O pposition Leader with those comments. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Minister Weeks, being you are such a gentleman to give it to your classmate, I'll call on you now. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. You are so kind. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start off with associating myself with remarks for Burton …
Thank you. Minister Weeks, being you are such a gentleman to give it to your classmate, I'll call on you now.
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. You are so kind. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start off with associating myself with remarks for Burton Cox. He was known in the neighbourhood to be coming up as “Keechy.” He was a member of Dandy Town’s “ Youth Explosion. ” And my heart goes out to his family and his friends on [this] loss. I also would like to associate myself with the loss of Ms. Cathy Bassett.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: You know, she was a Howard [University] A lumni, so I have known her for quite some time. You know, she went to the Mecca and that set her on the path of being a great educator. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Michael A. Weeks: I would …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOn the Daily Talk [Show], Dalton Tucker. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Yes, yes, yes, yes. But okay. Moving on, Mr. Speaker. [Laughter] Hon. Michael A. Weeks: I would also like to associate the remarks for Mr. Z aniko Hendrickson. He was a young man gone too soon, Mr. Speaker. The …
On the Daily Talk [Show], Dalton Tucker.
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Yes, yes, yes, yes. But okay. Moving on, Mr. Speaker. [Laughter]
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: I would also like to associate the remarks for Mr. Z aniko Hendrickson. He was a young man gone too soon, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Yes. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: And he was definitely a cultural force as a youngster in the Gombey community. So, my heart and condolences go out to his family. I would also like to associate the remarks for Ceola Wilson, Bermuda Real , you know, from the time I set foot in this House, and I got to know her. I didn't know her before.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe have done that. We have done that already Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Yes. Okay, yes. The House has been associated.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: And I say Bermuda Real because, like I said, I only met her when I came here. And my memory of her, Mr. Speaker, is that she was sharp. She was fearless. She was authentic. You know, when I first met her, I said, W …
Yes. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: And I say Bermuda Real because, like I said, I only met her when I came here. And my memory of her, Mr. Speaker, is that she was sharp. She was fearless. She was authentic. You know, when I first met her, I said, W ho is this woman talking to me like this? But she was really, you know, she was really something. She asked questions that others were sometimes afraid to ask. And she did so with intelligence and wit and integrity. So, she most definitely kept it real, Mr. Speaker. So , I send my condolences to her family. I would also like to be associated with the remarks for Ms. Siena Frankson, a young lady who lost her life down at —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberKindley Field Road. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Kindley Field Road. Mr. Speaker, I knew her family well and I have been to visit them and you never know what to say in those kinds of instances.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: So, my heart goes out to her mom, her brother, and the rest of her family. And before my time is up, Mr. Speaker, I want to end on a positive note. I just returned from Jamaica seeing our young soldiers down in Jamaica helping …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: So, my heart goes out to her mom, her brother, and the rest of her family. And before my time is up, Mr. Speaker, I want to end on a positive note. I just returned from Jamaica seeing our young soldiers down in Jamaica helping with the hurricane effort. These young men did not have to go, but they did go and they are acquitting themselves well. And all of us as Bermudians —
[Timer chimes] Hon. Michael A. Weeks: —should be proud of them, Mr. Speaker. 1900 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd we will associate the entire House with that. Deputy [Premier] , are you on your feet for condolences ? Go right ahead. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise and ask the House to send congratulations to Equitable Holdings Limited, …
And we will associate the entire House with that. Deputy [Premier] , are you on your feet for condolences ? Go right ahead.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise and ask the House to send congratulations to Equitable Holdings Limited, a nd also Equitable Financial Bermuda Re Limited. Mr. Speaker, these companies are headed up by Mr. Mark Pearson, who is the President and CEO. And Equitable Holdings manage $1 trillion of assets under their management and administration, Mr. Speaker, and have recently set up an office in Bermuda. And I had the luxury and honour of meeting the CEO, Mark Pearson, Mr. Speaker, and I would just like to thank them for having the confidence in Bermuda to come here and set up shop. You will know that we have had over 385 foreign companies register in Bermuda in the last year, and this company in particular, I just thought that they deserved a mention. They are a big company. They have a ton of confidence in Bermuda, and when I met with him and his team, they stressed to me how friendly Bermuda is and how professional the financial state of the country is in. Their interaction with the Bermuda Monetary Authority, they said, was second to none, and they had nothing but praise for Bermuda and the way in which we deal with our financial companies around the world. So, I thought that I would give them a special mention, Mr. Speaker, and welcome them to Bermuda, and long may they stay, and long may they continue to talk good about Bermuda and encourage other businesses to join them. Now, Mr. Speaker, before I take my seat, I would like to also associate myself with the condolences for the great Ceola Wilson. Just a couple of weeks before passing, Mr. Speaker, she called me and said, Now, Zane, look, it's that time again for a little sponsorship. Mr. Speaker, she was one of those that . . . and she and I have traded blows over the years and certainly had our differences over that period. But I remained a supporter of her and what she continued to do. And as Honourable Member stated, she was fearless. She did not care, you know, who you were, what you were, what political affiliation you were. If she had a question, she would fire it, and that's just how she was. So , she will be sorely missed, and my prayers go out to the family.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMr. Whip, would you like your three minutes now?
Mr. Neville S. TyrrellGood afternoon, colleagues, and thank you, Mr. Speaker, for recognising me at the back here. Mr. Speaker, I would like for condolences to be sent to a couple of families in my constituency. The first one, the family of the late Ervin Grant of Pearman's Hill. Some people may remember …
Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell—where he provided finery for the well -dressed men and sometimes women as well, I believe. A nd I would certainly like condolences to go to his wife, Deborah, his sons Irvin and Evan. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Neville S. TyrrellLondon Town [Boutique] , yes, you are correct. You are old too. Mr. Speaker, I also ask that condolences be sent to the family of Brent Burgess, his family lives in Pearman’s Hill as well, certainly to his sister, Wanda, and her husband, H einz, and his brother, Butch, a …
London Town [Boutique] , yes, you are correct. You are old too. Mr. Speaker, I also ask that condolences be sent to the family of Brent Burgess, his family lives in Pearman’s Hill as well, certainly to his sister, Wanda, and her husband, H einz, and his brother, Butch, a long family from the Point area, Spanish Point area, but moved into Warwick. He certainly will be missed. He was a very, very nice young man he was, and in fact, I should also say that he is a cousin to my wife, so by marriage anyway. Mr. Speaker, I would need to get up. I know it was already expressed, included to H ouse, the association, but for Cathy Bassett . I need to say something. Cathy is , like myself . . . was, like myself , a former president of the Hamilton Rotary Club. We got on quite well together. She was the teacher -type person when I was president as well . But she will be sadly missed, and I ask that condolences be sent to her husband and fam-ily as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Members, I am looking at the clock, and I think . . . that is what I'm trying to gauge now. How many more Members wish to give condolences? We’ve got — [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWell, I was going to say we have got lunchtime. We are at that moment where we could break. I would like to break and get us back to start, if you don't mind. And is that all right with everyone, rather than just continue on? Okay . And we …
Well, I was going to say we have got lunchtime. We are at that moment where we could break. I would like to break and get us back to start, if you don't mind. And is that all right with everyone, rather than just continue on? Okay . And we will come back, and we can go right on with the other business so we can get into the debate. Thank you. And with that, I will just say that there are many condolences and comments that were given this morning that I would have associated myself with, but in light of what I have just said —
Bermuda House of Assembly [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe Speaker—I will not speak to them at this point. We will break at this time, Member s, so that we can come back on time to continue. [Timer chimes] [Crosstalk and laughter ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDeputy, would you like to move us to . . . Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Hey, Mr. Speaker, I was taking your lead. I just . . . we wouldn't want to interfere, but I ask that we now do adjourn for lunch and return at two o'clock.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny objections to that? There are none. Members, the House now stands adjourned until 2 :00 pm. [Gavel] Proceedings suspended at 12:3 0 pm Proceedings resumed at 2:01 PM [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Sarge. Good afternoon, M embers. I trust everyone enjoyed their moment away from here. Now we are about to do the afternoon session and lead us into the main purpose that we are here for today. I will just take care of the preliminaries before we get to …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe House is now in session. Members, when we broke for lunch, we had just concluded the congratulatory and/or obituary speeches. 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 GOVERNMENT BILLS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are three Bi lls to be introduced this morning. And the . . . [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe first [Bill] is to be introduced is in the name of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Housing [and Municipalities] . Minister of Cabinet [Office and Digital Innovation], will you introduce it for him? BILLS FIRST READING MUNICIPALITIES REFORM ACT 2026 Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Sure. Mr. Speaker, I …
The first [Bill] is to be introduced is in the name of the Deputy Premier, Minister of Housing [and Municipalities] . Minister of Cabinet [Office and Digital Innovation], will you introduce it for him?
BILLS
FIRST READING
MUNICIPALITIES REFORM ACT 2026
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Sure. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for its first reading so that it may be placed on the Order Paper for the next day of meeting : the Municipalities Reform Act 2026. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The next item is in the name of the Minister of Tourism and Transport , Culture [and Sport] . Minister. BILL FIRST READING MOTOR CAR (RIDESHARING) AMENDMENT ACT 2026 Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for the first reading so that it may …
Thank you. The next item is in the name of the Minister of Tourism and Transport , Culture [and Sport] . Minister.
BILL
FIRST READING
MOTOR CAR (RIDESHARING) AMENDMENT ACT 2026
Hon. Owen Darrell: Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for the first reading so that it may be placed on the O rder Paper for the next day of meeting: the Motor Car ( Ridesharing ) Amendment Act 2026.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The third item is in the name of the Minister of Economy and Labour. Minister. BILL 1902 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly FIRST READING EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2026 Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for its first reading …
Thank you. The third item is in the name of the Minister of Economy and Labour. Minister.
BILL
1902 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly FIRST READING
EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2026
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for its first reading so that it may be placed on the O rder Paper for the next day of meeting: the Employment Amendment Act 2026.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BILLS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. NOTICE OF MOTIONS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. ORDERS OF THE DAY
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe item for today is the R eply to the Budget Speech from the O pposition. And we are going to be led into that by the Junior Minister of Finance. Junior Minister. MOTION ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 2026/27 BE APPROVED Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank …
The item for today is the R eply to the Budget Speech from the O pposition. And we are going to be led into that by the Junior Minister of Finance. Junior Minister.
MOTION
ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 2026/27 BE APPROVED Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that the E stimates of R evenue and Expenditure for the year 2026/ 2027 be approved.
The SpeakerThe Speaker[Are there] a ny objections? There are none. We will call on the Shadow Minister of Finance to begin his presentation. Member. OPPOSITION’S REPLY TO THE BUDGET STATEMENT 202 6/27 THE NUMBERS TELL THE REAL STORY
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoGood afternoon, listening audience. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to address the Budget, Bermuda’s economy, and dollars and cents. But we cannot forget that behind every dollar are Bermudians, and this Budget must answer one question: What does it mean for them? Consider the challenges of the middle- class …
Good afternoon, listening audience. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to address the Budget, Bermuda’s economy, and dollars and cents. But we cannot forget that behind every dollar are Bermudians, and this Budget must answer one question: What does it mean for them? Consider the challenges of the middle- class Smith family , Mr. Speaker. They have two children in a public primary school, and an ag eing parent with a chronic illness. They are the sandwich generation, stretched in every direction. The Smiths face tough choices. They want the best possible future for their children, but they no longer trust public schools. They are thinking about a private school. Grandpa Smith needs regular care and is forgetful, but the Smiths can’t afford full -time care for him after paying the mortgage and are considering moving him in with them. When the kids are older, they will likely want to stop sharing a room. Should they try to add a room or an apartment? Find a bigger house? How to pay for it? Maybe they should move to the UK, like some of the families they’ve heard of. After all, it would cost them less, with access to good schools and better and more affordable care for Grandpa. But their children will grow up outside of Bermuda and may never return. How do we ensure the Smith family can stay in Bermuda and enjoy the quality of life they deserve? Then there’s Ms. Jones, who lives alone in a small cottage she owns, but with little to no income. She can’t work due to a leg injury. She has no health insurance to cover the doctor’s visits and physiotherapy, since the retail shop she worked at closed down. There is also no money to keep the roof painted and fix leaks after a hurricane. Ms. Jones takes care of her young granddaughter while her daughter is at work. At times, there isn’t enough money for the phone or internet, so simple things like paying bills regularly are difficult. Unable to walk far distances, and without a car, Ms. Jones relies on her daughter to bring groceries and supplies. But her daughter works demanding hours in a restaurant. How can Ms. Jones and her daughter receive the support they need to live with dignity and a quality of life they deserve? Mr. Speaker, the individuals named are avatars of the many Bermudians who share similar struggles. They represent the challenges of countless Bermudian families from Sandys to St. David’s and every parish in between. During this Budget debate, we will hold the PLP Government accountable to answer the following questions: How does their Budget help these Bermudians, not just for today, but tomorrow, and the day after? Is the PLP Government giving them handouts that will run out ? Is the Government meaningfull y improving their lives by addressing the underlying causes of their issues? Mr. Speaker, today Bermuda stands at a critical crossroads, a narrow window to confront our challenges honestly. After years of financial strain under the
Bermuda House of Assembly PLP Government, years marked by rising debt, mounting pressures on families, and declining trust, the introduction of the Corporate Income Tax (CIT) allows Bermuda to course- correct, to stabili se Bermuda’s financial foundations, and support Bermudians in need. The CIT presents the chance to stimulate real growth in our economy, and to finally create new opportunities for Bermudians to enjoy the quality of life they desire and deserve. But, Mr. Speaker, opportunity does not equal execution. The success of the PLP Government Budget must be measured by results delivered for our people, not just abstract numbers. Because for many Bermudians, their struggles have not eased, despite the years of headlines and promises. Payroll tax reductions, electricity relief, and other measures provide tem-porary relief but do not create a sustainable economy. This means having an honest assessment of where Bermuda is today, including the realities of the CIT. While canvassing across the Island, we hear the same refrain: Bermudians are overwhelmed by the rising costs of housing and energy. They are desperate for their children to receive the education they need to compete locally and globally. They are scrambling to receive affordable health care, and they are sharpening their pencils to see if they can afford to retire in Ber-muda. Bermudian businesses and entrepreneurs are also struggling in a stalled economy, which is jammed up by government red tape. Mr. Speaker, t he One Bermuda Alliance recognises what Bermuda is going through because we live here too, and many of us share those same challenges. Today, I will outline the OBA’s plan to improve the qual-ity of life for Bermuda and Bermudians. We have heard repeatedly from the G overnment about the success of their policies, the progress they claim to have made, and how they have improved “fairness” for Bermudians. But as noted, this PLP rhetoric rings hollow for many Bermudians. Government claims do not match the lived reality of many. Mr. Speaker, the facts indicate that Bermudians are suffering from the Government’s failure to deliver meaningful education reform, from their failure to address health care costs, and from their failure to develop our local economy. While the G overnment continues to pat itself on the back, Bermudians continue to struggle. They feel unheard, overburdened, and disrespected. They have lost trust in the G overnment. In the meantime, the Government pretends that the success of International Business is its own. Yes, this PLP Government has adopted IB’s good economic performance to mask its own lack of progress for the lacklustre local economy. Mr. Speaker, the Progressive Labour Party Government has developed an unprecedented reliance on international business to fund our country. And based on their track record, without the arrival of the Corporate Income Tax, the PLP Government’s performance would have driven us into a massive fiscal crisis, once again. So yes, we are fortunate that the CIT is now in place, due to the action of the OECD, other countries, and from the i nternational businesses here in Bermuda. It has now been widely acknowledged, including by this Government, that the CIT is no magic cure- all, and that it comes with many risks. At a high level, we know the CIT revenue may fluctuate from year to year. Global tax rules may evolve, and there are legitimate questions about how long this revenue stream may last. The One Bermuda Alliance believes that the CIT must be carefully and thoughtfully managed, so that Bermuda and Bermudians get the most benefit from it in the medium and the long term. If we are prudent in how we handle CIT today, the upside will be that Bermuda will have more money to work with, for the long-term benefit of Bermudians. If we are reckless with the CIT money and it falls short, Bermuda will once again face a fiscal crisis. And next time, Mr. Speaker, there will be no lifeline. History has shown us that there will always be some sort of crisis. In the past 20 years alone, Bermuda has faced the Great Recession, a global pandemic, and a severe cost -of-living crisis. Therefore, the main question before us today is this: Has this Government demonstrated the discipline, foresight, and execution required to manage this unique opportunity, so that Bermuda will be ready for the next crisis? Because improved revenue does not automatically mean improved governance and results from this Government. While this Budget benefits from new revenue, it cannot erase years of underperformance in educa-tion, health care, economic development, and public trust. Budgets are not judged by promises; they are judged by the results delivered for Bermudians. This is Premier David Burt’s swan song Budget, but after his nine years in the seat, Bermudians must ask themselves, does this fairy tale reflect my reality?
Economic Review
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, a review of the latest economic statistics shows that Bermudians continue to face economic pressures, despite the successes of the international business sector. Regrettably, this story remains the same year after year. The revenue increase in the Premier’s budget come from CIT windfalls, inflation- driven gains, and IB …
Mr. Speaker, a review of the latest economic statistics shows that Bermudians continue to face economic pressures, despite the successes of the international business sector. Regrettably, this story remains the same year after year. The revenue increase in the Premier’s budget come from CIT windfalls, inflation- driven gains, and IB payroll contributions, not real G overnment -led reform. Under the PLP Government, the economy shrank and then flatlined. It gives me no pleasure to say, Mr. Speaker, that since the last Budget, very little progress has been made. In fact, most Bermudians have heard very little of what the Premier has referred to as “quiet , but meaningful progress .” Whatever progress that may be, it is too little, too late. Bermudians need real change, and real progress. 1904 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Gross Domestic Product
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoWe have seven years of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data to measure the perfor-mance of Bermuda’s local economy under the PLP Government from 2017 to 2024. Focusing on the lived experiences of Bermudians, setting aside the results of international business, and looking at “real” GDP adjusted for inflation, the numbers …
We have seven years of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data to measure the perfor-mance of Bermuda’s local economy under the PLP Government from 2017 to 2024. Focusing on the lived experiences of Bermudians, setting aside the results of international business, and looking at “real” GDP adjusted for inflation, the numbers are stark. Mr. Speaker, under the PLP, local GDP remained flat until C OVID in 2019 and has barely recovered since. Local GDP has grown only 4.1 per cent since 2017, an average of 0.6 per cent per year. Payroll tax reductions, electricity relief, and other measures provide temporary relief but do not create a sustainable economy. In contrast, Mr. Speaker, international business has grown 30 per cent over the same period, or 3.8 per cent per year —over six and a half times as much! That means, since 2017 Bermuda’s total GDP growth has been almost entirely driven by international business, at 9.9 per cent since 2017, or 1.4 per cent per year. Blanket payroll tax reductions, B ELCO tax reductions, and vehicle tax reductions are not equitable. Relief should be strategic, to help those who need it most, like seniors, caregivers, low and middle- income workers, and families. Mr. Speaker, digging into more detail, the GDP from electricity, water, and waste management has grown a whopping 41 per cent since 2017. This pocket of growth, unfortunately, reflects the increasing cost of energy for Bermudians today. Alarmingly, according to the Caribbean Energy Price Index, Bermuda has the highest electricity prices in the Caribbean. Bermuda’s electricity pr ices are 89 per cent above the regional average and more than three times the global average. Let me repeat that: Bermudians pay more for power than anywhere in the Caribbean. This is not the kind of reputation we want, nor the kind of growth we should celebrate. This is not economic strength. This is economic strain. Later in this Budget Reply, we will outline practical steps to reduce these costs and relieve pressures on Bermudian households. Mr. Speaker, agriculture , forestry, and f ishing have fallen 28 per cent since 2017. This is alarming, especially at a time when Bermuda should be producing more food locally. Yet the Government recently indicated it will continue to pour money into overseas companies for pie- in-the-sky vertical farming projects. Wholesale and retail trade GDP are down 12 per cent , while the accommodation and food service GDP ha s fallen 13 per cent since 2017. These shrinking statistics come as no surprise to Bermudians who see the empty lots and vacant storefronts in Hamilton every day. They reflect the ongoing decline in retail sales and local jobs. Finally, GDP from real estate sales has grown 17 per cent since 2017, a statistic which the Government often highlights. However, this growth is a double- edged sword, as it is largely driven by rising property prices, which squeeze Bermudians out of the local housing market as overseas buyers purchase homes. Mr. Speaker, this is what stagnation looks like.
Retail Sales
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoTurning to r etail sales, despite occasional small shoots of growth, the Retail Sales Index [RSI] has been essentially flat following the steep drop after COVID -19. After stabili sing in 2023, the Retail Sales Index has seen no material growth over the two years to 2025. Bermudians already see …
Turning to r etail sales, despite occasional small shoots of growth, the Retail Sales Index [RSI] has been essentially flat following the steep drop after COVID -19. After stabili sing in 2023, the Retail Sales Index has seen no material growth over the two years to 2025. Bermudians already see this in empty storefronts in Hamilton. They see it in reduced hours, fewer hires, and limited opportunities. The food component of the R etail Sales Index fell nearly 8 per cent from 2022 to 2023 and has yet to recover. This reflects an economy where Bermudians have not regained their purchasing power since the pandemic. Rising food prices, flat wages outside of IB and public service jobs, and the impact of residents leaving continue to weigh heavily on households. Other disturbing trends include a pparel and other store types declining over the past three years, while liquor sales have fallen 13 per cent from 2022 to 2025. While some lifestyle changes are natural, the magnitude of these decreases points to fewer people living and spending in Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, the shrinking population is the true legacy of the PLP Government.
Shipping
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoShipping volumes remain one of the clearest real -time indicators of domestic economic activity. In real terms, you can’t sell what you don’t import. According to data from Stevedoring Services Limited, container volumes remain significantly below pre-COVID -19 levels. The five -year average of container volumes from 2021 to 2025 …
Shipping volumes remain one of the clearest real -time indicators of domestic economic activity. In real terms, you can’t sell what you don’t import. According to data from Stevedoring Services Limited, container volumes remain significantly below pre-COVID -19 levels. The five -year average of container volumes from 2021 to 2025 is 7.5 per cent lower than the three- year pre- COVID -19 average from 2018 to 2020. Break -bulk, or loose cargo and construction materials, is down an even more concerning 20 per cent over the same comparison period. Mr. Speaker, as previously stated, fewer people with less disposable income are purchasing less. This is the true economic reality behind the numbers and the quantifiable impact of this PLP Government.
Salaries and Cost of Living
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoInflation has stabili sed and is hovering around 2 per cent post-COVID -19, which is welcome, but stabili sation does not mean affordability. Prices remain elevated and continue to rise from a much higher base. Bermuda House of Assembly Since 2018, cumulative inflation has reached 14.1 per cent . Median …
Inflation has stabili sed and is hovering around 2 per cent post-COVID -19, which is welcome, but stabili sation does not mean affordability. Prices remain elevated and continue to rise from a much higher base.
Bermuda House of Assembly Since 2018, cumulative inflation has reached 14.1 per cent . Median incomes have increased only 10.8 per cent since 2017, largely in managerial and professional roles. Yet many other kinds of jobs have seen far lower growth over that time: • Service workers only 7.7 per cent. • Agriculture and fishery workers , an incredibly low 1.4 per cent. • Craft and trade workers, including construction workers, only 2.8 per cent. • Elementary occupations, including cleaners, only at 4.9 per cent . For most working- class Bermudians, wage growth has been far lower than inflation, sharply reducing purchasing power, especially for those already struggling at the lower end of the income scale. Mr. Speaker, according to the Numbeo Global Cost of Living Index, Bermuda is the most expensive country to live in, with an index of 135.8. This compares to New York and Honolulu at 100, and London at 91.2. This is why Bermudians cannot and do not experience what the Premier calls “quiet progress.”
Jobs, Population, and Structural Decline
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoEconomic performance cannot be measured solely by revenue. It must be measured by whether people are staying, working, and building their futures here. More people living and working in Bermuda means more economic activity, creating higher demand for goods and services. This in turn leads to greater consumer demand, s …
Economic performance cannot be measured solely by revenue. It must be measured by whether people are staying, working, and building their futures here. More people living and working in Bermuda means more economic activity, creating higher demand for goods and services. This in turn leads to greater consumer demand, s tronger local business activity and a broader tax base. This creates an economic flywheel, generating opportunities for Bermuda and fuelling sustainable growth. A larger, healthier, younger working population provides critical income to support health insurance and public pension systems, spreading costs more widely and reducing the per -person burden. But when the population declines, the opposite happens. Mr. Speaker, fewer workers mean higher costs, fewer opportunities, and a shrinking economy. Many Bermudians leave for better jobs, lower living costs, and access to affordable health care. Even worse, too many young Bermudians do not return after their education. This brain drain of our local talent further reduces the attractiveness of our Island as a destination —not just for newcomers, but for our own people too! Youth employment is being ignored. Blanket tax breaks do little to help. The OBA has long advo-cated for targeted youth support and hiring incentives to give young Bermudians real opportunities in the workforce. Unfortunately, this PLP Government has stood by in denial while Bermuda has entered an accelerating demographic and economic decline. The Government has avoided any meaningful discussion on the issue despite its own report on our ageing population released over three years ago. Instead, the Government points to low unemployment figures as proof of success. But that statistic is misleading. Unemployment is low because there are fewer people here to fill the jobs! When the workforce is shrinking because people are leaving, that is not an economic strength; that is an economic decline. According to the latest Employment Briefs data, through the end of 2024: • There are 208 fewer jobs than in 2017. • There are 1,436 fewer jobs for Bermudians and their spouses than in 2017, a decline of 5.67 per cent . • And, while jobs in international business have grown by 1,040 since 2017, there has been a loss of 1,248 non- IB jobs. Mr. Speaker, what does that mean for Bermudians who aren’t on the IB train? Fewer opportunities, fewer pathways, and a diminishing role in their own economy. The pattern is unmistakable. The PLP Government is b etting big on international business. Mr. Speaker, the One Bermuda Alliance applauds and welcomes IB’s success, but Bermuda cannot be sustained by one sector alone. The G overnment must no longer sit by as spectators to the IB economy, content to skim the cream off the top, while the rest of the economy stagnates. What about the rest of Bermuda? What about the children in our public education system, where re-form has bitten the dust? How will these Bermudian children be prepared to access these high- skilled IB jobs? What about Bermudians whose skills lie outside of an office building? Don’t all Bermudians deserve opportunities to put their skills to work? This Government has failed to protect or create Bermudian jobs. Failed, Mr. Speaker . With limited opportunities, many have stopped looking for work, or they leave the Island. The Government points to projects such as the Fairmont Southampton as proof of progress. But when the immigration rules were adjusted, and hundreds of Cuban workers were flown in to work on that project, how did that help Bermudians in the long term? We need structural solutions, not showcase projects.
Tourism
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoGiven our over -reliance on international business, we must diversify where we can, including regrowing tourism. Mr. Speaker, the tourism data raises serious concerns. In 2025: • Total vacation and business visitors remain 17 per cent below 2019 levels and 11 per cent below 2024 —last year . 1906 27 …
Given our over -reliance on international business, we must diversify where we can, including regrowing tourism. Mr. Speaker, the tourism data raises serious concerns. In 2025: • Total vacation and business visitors remain 17 per cent below 2019 levels and 11 per cent below 2024 —last year . 1906 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly • Total air arrivals remain 30 per cent below 2019 and 3.4 per cent below 2024. • Airline load factors, or the number of seats filled is only at 68 per cent of 535,400 seats, versus 75 per cent of 580,000 seats in 2019. We used to have more planes with more passengers. Mr. Speaker, hotel bed nights for the first three quarters are slightly up from last year, 511,000 v erses 502,000 or plus 1.8 per cent . However, they remain 230,000, or 31 per cent, short of 2019. And less than half of this shortage , or about 45 per cent, can be attributed to the closure of the Fairmont Southampton. Even removing that, Bermuda’s hotel recovery since COVID -19 is way off the pace. We hope that this is not the new normal. Mr. Speaker, when we compare these statistics to our regional competitors, Turks and Caicos has grown air visitors 50 per cent since 2019. The Tourism Analytics industry news site reports 12 new developments in TCI over the next two years, and another six between 2028 and 2030. The Cayman Islands has in-creased its air arrivals from 2024 to 2025, and The Bahamas is only down 2 per cent from its pre- COVID -19 levels. Why is Bermuda down 30 per cent ? Under this PLP Government, tourism has flatlined with far lower numbers than before COVID -19. We are hopeful that the Fairmont Southampton will eventually reopen and look forward to the new Loren at Elbow Beach. But these projects are largely driven by investors already in Bermuda, some of whom came here under the OBA. What is the PLP doing to br ing new investors to our shores? In over eight years, this PLP Government has failed to bring any new hotel in-vestors to our shores. This is not diversification. This is stagnation,
Mr. Speaker .
Review Summary
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, if that preceding list of facts and statistics seems repetitive and relentless, that is because the pattern is consistent. This is not an isolated weakness. It’s not just one cherry -picked statistic to make a point . It’s a wide range of economic, demographic, fiscal, and sectoral government …
Mr. Speaker, if that preceding list of facts and statistics seems repetitive and relentless, that is because the pattern is consistent. This is not an isolated weakness. It’s not just one cherry -picked statistic to make a point . It’s a wide range of economic, demographic, fiscal, and sectoral government indicators that together graphically illustrate Bermuda’s decline under this Government and the PLP leadership. Mr. Speaker, when multiple indicators point in the same direction, that is not “ doom and gloom.” That is a diagnosis. Don’t blame the doctor. If we fail to diagnose honestly, Bermuda may never course correct. That is why this Budget must be examined not as a celebration of new revenue, but as a test of whether this Government has demonstrated the competence, discipline, and transparency to manage it. Government Performance
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe PLP Government’s failure to make meaningful progress in many critical areas has externali sed and pushed the costs and consequences onto Bermudians. Government failures have squeezed Bermudians’ wallets and disturbed their peace of mind. This is not a question of funding; i t is a question of execution and …
The PLP Government’s failure to make meaningful progress in many critical areas has externali sed and pushed the costs and consequences onto Bermudians. Government failures have squeezed Bermudians’ wallets and disturbed their peace of mind. This is not a question of funding; i t is a question of execution and delivery. Simply put, this Government has not, and cannot, get it done.
Education
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, t he Government’s failed education reform, unfortunately and sadly , stands out as a glaring example of failure. Funding is not the primary issue. Bermuda’s public education system already spends more per student than private schools. The underlying problems are leadership, execution, and accountability. Who will be held …
Mr. Speaker, t he Government’s failed education reform, unfortunately and sadly , stands out as a glaring example of failure. Funding is not the primary issue. Bermuda’s public education system already spends more per student than private schools. The underlying problems are leadership, execution, and accountability. Who will be held responsible for these failures? Corporate Income Tax revenue cannot fix the lack of accountability. Bermudian parents are voting with their dollars. Parents are scrimping, saving, and spending their hard- earned money to send their children to private schools, after already paying taxes f or public education! That’s why the Smith family previ-ously mentioned is considering private schools or moving abroad. The education failures have a knock -on effect on the economy. Locals underprepared for jobs means more overseas hiring. Young Bermudians who are left out of our economy leave and don’t return, and social service costs rise while income inequity widens. Thi s PLP Government is exporting its failures. Mr. Speaker, as you know, the OBA proposes an independent, accountable Education Authority , professionally governed, performance- driven, and insulated from political interference. Its mandate would be clear: Raise literacy and numeracy, improve attendance, reduce disciplinary disruptions, and prepare our students for their future, whether in ski lled trades or university. This Education Authority would be accountable to the public at every stage. We agree that youth and students also need increased mental health and social support, so we were glad to hear the Government’s plans to reinstate counselling and mental health services, which never should have been removed.
Health Care
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, health care reform is stalled. The promised Universal Health Care is always “advancing,” but never appears closer on the horizon, while digital health care progress means nothing to Bermudians stuck in hospital corridors. The PLP Government’s failures means many Bermudians still struggle with preventable health Bermuda House of …
Mr. Speaker, health care reform is stalled. The promised Universal Health Care is always “advancing,” but never appears closer on the horizon, while digital health care progress means nothing to Bermudians stuck in hospital corridors. The PLP Government’s failures means many Bermudians still struggle with preventable health
Bermuda House of Assembly issues. Thousands still lack adequate health insurance. For those who are underinsured, costs remain, because preventable issues turn into long- term, chronic, and expensive problems. The Budget Statement promises that all residents will have access to health care by October, but without details of what that really means, we will reserve our judgment. Expanding benefits for those who already have HIP and FutureCare is useful, but it doesn’t help those without health insurance today. Mr. Speaker, how would this Budget help the Smith family take care of Grandpa? They’re not looking for senior day care. They already struggle to shuffle their children around every day. How can they get more help in their home? And as for Ms. Jones, will she get access to a family doctor, and how will she get there? The Government’s promises of more hospital beds, step- down facilities, and expanded community care echo what the OBA has been recommending for some years. We hope the PLP Government finally delivers. So far, little has been done to address the underlying drivers of health care costs. Instead, the Government will be increasing the underlying premiums paid by everyone. While short -term relief is necessary, we echo the Tax Reform Commission’s call for fun damental reforms to reduce the actual cost base of the health care system. Mr. Speaker, the three main drivers for health care costs are • hospital overutili sation, • a population with chronic health issues, and • overseas health care that could have been avoided. The hospital is the most expensive place to provide care. That’s why the OBA has long advocated step- down facilities, to move seniors and others with less acute conditions out of the hospital into more efficient and comfortable care. We would give all Bermudians regular access to a primary care provider , or family doctor, so they don’t need to go to the emergency room for basic care. Regular primary care visits will also prevent chronic conditions from escalating. Mr. Speaker, overseas health care which could have been avoided increases everyone’s insurance premiums. The PLP’s hospital block grant operating model forces the hospital to keep operating rooms and other facilities closed, as the hospital cannot recover those costs. As a result, Bermudians are forced to go overseas for procedures that could have been performed locally, more affordably, and with greater convenience. The new hospital wing was built in partnership with private investors, who benefit from a Government guarantee. As of this year, the hospital owes these investors $446 million, $21 million of which must be paid this year. The hospital will continue to pay these private investors up to 2044, using money that comes from every Bermudian’s health insurance premium. In addition, the PLP Government holds a $664 million guarantee for these payments. That structural burden, embedded in the system by the PLP, will weigh on Bermuda’s health care system for two more decades.
Infrastructure
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, all vehicle owners understand in their bones, literally, the costs of vehicle ownership. This is due to the G overnment’s neglect of the roads and the potholes. This ongoing neglect also makes us less attractive to visitors, reducing Bermudians’ income from Tourism. The G overnment has once again …
Mr. Speaker, all vehicle owners understand in their bones, literally, the costs of vehicle ownership. This is due to the G overnment’s neglect of the roads and the potholes. This ongoing neglect also makes us less attractive to visitors, reducing Bermudians’ income from Tourism. The G overnment has once again only allocated $5 million for road replacement this year, calling it an “aggressive” repaving program. We call it too slow. Promises to replace bridges sound good, but we want to see shovels in the ground.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt’s coming.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker —yes, it is coming. It is always coming, Mr. Speaker . It is always on the horizon. Let us see it come a little closer. [Inaudible interjections ] Seniors
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, perhaps most tragically, there is the impact on seniors due to decades of financial mismanagement by successive PLP Gov-ernments. The debts accumulated over the years left inadequate resources for senior health care. Our seniors have lost decades of support they deserve. We are surprised that the Government did …
Mr. Speaker, perhaps most tragically, there is the impact on seniors due to decades of financial mismanagement by successive PLP Gov-ernments. The debts accumulated over the years left inadequate resources for senior health care. Our seniors have lost decades of support they deserve. We are surprised that the Government did not mention a specific resource for the 2024 National Seniors Strategy. Is this strategy really being truly implemented, or has it been sidelined? While the Corporate Income Tax has been effectively mandated by the OECD and implemented under pressure from international business, let’s not pretend that this G overnment would have done this without pressure from the OECD. Right now, the Government is playing catch- up on their social obligations. This care should have been provided years ago. And still, part of the Government’s solution for seniors is to raise the retirement age, so seniors may be forced to keep working just to support themselves.
Pensions
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, the One Bermuda Alliance supported the G overnment’s Public Service pension reform. However, reform of the Contributory Pension Fund, or Social Insurance, seriously lags behind. According to the 2023 actuarial review, by 2042, Social Insurance will run out of money to support its full 1908 27 February 2026 …
Mr. Speaker, the One Bermuda Alliance supported the G overnment’s Public Service pension reform. However, reform of the Contributory Pension Fund, or Social Insurance, seriously lags behind. According to the 2023 actuarial review, by 2042, Social Insurance will run out of money to support its full 1908 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly payment commitments, unless the Government chips in more cash. And because we know more people will receive social insurance payments over time, and there will be fewer working people paying into the fund, the structural imbalance is accelerating. Social Insurance will run out even before 2042 without serious reform. Plainly stated, if the G overnment does not act, many people working today should not count on Social Insur-ance being there when they retire. Mr. Speaker, on a strict legal basis, the Government is not directly liable for a shortfall of Social Insurance funds. But on a moral, social, and economic basis, it is the responsible and right thing to do for the Government to support Social Insurance. Based on the actuarial report, there is approximately a $2 billion un-funded liability that effectively belongs to this Government. The One Bermuda Alliance would prioritise using CIT income to pay down Bermuda’s debt, which in-cludes this Social Insurance liability. We would support a one- time payment of CIT funds into Social Insurance to soften the impact of any changes on Bermudians, such as increasing contributions or raising the retire-ment age, ensuring that Bermudians are protected while the system is stabilised.
Safety
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, Bermudians are increasingly concerned for their safety and worried about crime. The Police Service is woefully understaffed, and there are critical safety and security issues in our prison. These are long- standing problems, yet the Government has failed to make progress. Safety is not optional. We need safety …
Mr. Speaker, Bermudians are increasingly concerned for their safety and worried about crime. The Police Service is woefully understaffed, and there are critical safety and security issues in our prison. These are long- standing problems, yet the Government has failed to make progress. Safety is not optional. We need safety for investors and business confidence; we need safety for tourism; and we need safety for the quality of life for all Bermudians. We welcome increased funding for the Ministry of National Security for staffing and hope that the PLP Government can indeed fill the vacant posts. But safety is not just about enforcement and incarceration; it’s about rehabilitation. How are we equipping our young men leaving prison to rejoin society when they are released from prison? Where are the Government plans for training and reintegration?
International Business
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, Bermuda’s dependence on IB and the Corporate Income Tax requires transparency and conservative planning. We must understand the dynamics of IB and the details of the Corporate Income Tax. Yet, despite repeated requests for information, the PLP Government h as refused to provide even the most basic information …
Mr. Speaker, Bermuda’s dependence on IB and the Corporate Income Tax requires transparency and conservative planning. We must understand the dynamics of IB and the details of the Corporate Income Tax. Yet, despite repeated requests for information, the PLP Government h as refused to provide even the most basic information about who will be paying CIT. Will revenue come from a large number of payers, or just a handful? Which industries are paying? These details matter if we are to create the right policies that sustain growth and protect Bermudians. Mr. Speaker, the One Bermuda Alliance believes that most of the CIT revenue will come from a relatively small number of companies, concentrated in the insurance and reinsurance industries. When combined with payroll tax contributions from IB, primarily insurance companies, it’s clear that the G overnment’s revenue and ability to carry out its plans are highly sen-sitive to the conditions of the international insurance market. Recent years have been favou rable for international insurance companies in Bermuda, thanks to relatively low natural catastrophe losses (that’s hurricanes, earthquakes, and so forth) producing high profits. The Government has enjoyed rising tax revenues. High industry profits produced good initial CIT revenue, and employee bonuses and raises have flowed into the payroll tax coffers. But now, Mr. Speaker, according to BMA data and industry reports, insurers are just coming off a year or two of peak profitability. Already, the January renewals have shown double- digit rate decreases in lines of business such as property catastrophe reinsurance , a core Bermuda specialty. These lower insurance rates, plus anticipated reductions in interest rates, mean both the underwriting and investment drivers of industry profit are reducing at the same time. Additionally, insurance industry losses from natural catastrophes in 2025 were at their lowest level in six years and second- lowest level in nine years, according to industry reports. Put another way, Mr. Speaker, since the industry is at a peak of its cycle, we should expect lower profits and results going forward, along with less payroll tax from smaller IB bonuses. In addition, we should also plan for higher natural catastrophe losses than we have experienced for most of the past decade. Combined with CI T payers getting more tax credits over the next few years, we must plan conservatively and expect less CIT revenue in the near term, the medium term, and the long term.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoSome things are worth repeating, Mr. Speaker . We must plan conservatively and expect less CIT revenue in the near term, the medium term, and the long term. Hopefully that message is getting through. Corporate Income Tax and Fiscal Management
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, the Government’s Budget and the success of its plans depend solely on the Corporate Income Tax. The $600 million CIT revenue pencilled in for 2026/27 represents one - third of total revenue. Bermuda House of Assembly We must plan realistically and conservatively so that any surprises become good …
Mr. Speaker, the Government’s Budget and the success of its plans depend solely on the Corporate Income Tax. The $600 million CIT revenue pencilled in for 2026/27 represents one - third of total revenue.
Bermuda House of Assembly We must plan realistically and conservatively so that any surprises become good surprises, not bad ones. The key questions are: • What are realistic plans for handling the Corporate Income Tax revenue ? • How can we ensure accountability so that it is spent in Bermuda’s best interest? Mr. Speaker, Bermuda faces $1.7 billion of debt repayments over the next four years, which means putting away $432 million per year. Yet the G overnment’s three- year plan already falls short by almost a quarter of a billion dollars. Meanwhile, expenses before interest are 24 per cent higher than two years ago, and spending on consultants has almost doubled, to $99 million. We have seen how this plays out before, Mr. Speaker .
Risks
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoIn addition to the risks to i nternational business profits that will reduce the CIT income from IB, there are also risks arising from the evolving Global Minimum Tax framework, and from Bermuda companies’ responses to the CIT and Bermuda Government policies. Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the world …
In addition to the risks to i nternational business profits that will reduce the CIT income from IB, there are also risks arising from the evolving Global Minimum Tax framework, and from Bermuda companies’ responses to the CIT and Bermuda Government policies. Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the world is just beginning the Global Minimum Tax regime, or GMT, which caused Bermuda to create the CIT. The OECD rules are under regular revision, as countries ado pt their own tax policies in response to the OECD. There has already been one major adjustment, the new “side by side” rules that mean the United States gets to keep its own tax rules, which are separate from the OECD rules. Will we see large countries lik e China or India push for their own special treatment, and what opportunities or challenges will this create for Bermuda? And, Mr. Speaker, the cold truth is that the OECD rules are less fixed regulations and more evolving interpretations, designed to limit our options. The GMT regime aims to remove the ability of countries like Bermuda to compete on tax policy, placing small, re-source- limited jurisdictions like ours in the same boat as much larger economies. We cannot expect favoura-ble treatment under GMT going forward. Mr. Speaker, locally, we should expect that companies will minimise their tax payments, as all cor-porations do in all tax jurisdictions. The CIT taxpayers will inevitably have access to the best tax advice money can buy. Bermuda’s Corporate Income Tax Authority will hav e far fewer resources. Companies will adjust their structures, where they place functions and staff, and otherwise identify all opportunities to reduce their tax bills. Some companies may even leave Bermuda. Without a tax advantage, our Island risks losing its ap-peal. The challenge for Bermuda’s next Government is to ensure that Bermuda remains an attractive jurisdiction in which to do business. Mr. Speaker, the good news is that many of IB’s concerns are the same as ours. IB employers want to attract and retain good professionals in Bermuda. In today’s globally competitive hiring environment, where companies can hire in New York or London, Bermud a or Dubai, this means they want good schools for their employees’ children, quality housing at a reasonable price for their families , access to health care, safety and security , a reasonable cost of living, and a good quality of life. And, Mr. Speaker, like local businesses, IB employers are looking for a reasonable and fair immigra-tion policy that employers can navigate with certainty. Long turnaround times and arbitrary decision- making that make it difficult for IB companies to bring the talent they need to the Island must be eliminated. Otherwise, these companies may leave, taking the well -paying Bermudian jobs with them. Mr. Speaker, the bad news is that, given the PLP Government’s poor track record, we should not take for granted that the PLP will deliver what companies are looking for. How many companies will stay in Bermuda? How many people will they hire here? If companies pay the s ame tax, but everything else costs more, why will they stay? Bermuda must offer a compelling value to these essential taxpayers. Next year, Corporate Income Tax is projected to make up 59 per cent of all other government revenue combined. This is a stark r eminder of how reliant Bermuda has become on a single source of income. We cannot afford IB departures.
Fiscal Rules and Guardrails
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe scale and complexity of CIT revenue places Bermuda into a new phase of managing our country’s finances. This is especially true given the country’s constrained fiscal position prior to the CIT, and the PLP Government’s poor track record of accountabili ty. The OBA recommends that the country implement a …
The scale and complexity of CIT revenue places Bermuda into a new phase of managing our country’s finances. This is especially true given the country’s constrained fiscal position prior to the CIT, and the PLP Government’s poor track record of accountabili ty. The OBA recommends that the country implement a set of strong and binding guardrails into law. Mr. Speaker, our first recommendation is that the Premier should not also be allowed to be the Minister of Finance. This is for both practical and political reasons.
[Inaudible interjections and desk thumping]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou have support across the aisle.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoYes, perhaps we have some agreement, Mr. Speaker . Once, sharing these roles may have been feasible, but this is no longer true. Bermuda’s more com-plicated fiscal landscape, the dominance of sophisticated international business in our economy, and the complexity of the new global tax regimes need and 1910 27 …
Yes, perhaps we have some agreement, Mr. Speaker . Once, sharing these roles may have been feasible, but this is no longer true. Bermuda’s more com-plicated fiscal landscape, the dominance of sophisticated international business in our economy, and the complexity of the new global tax regimes need and 1910 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly deserve a full -time Finance Minister to take care of Bermuda’s intricate f inance portfolio. Institutional separation strengthens accountability. A dedicated Finance Minister must be empowered to challenge assumptions, enforce fiscal account-ability, and provide Cabinet -level scrutiny. Mr. Speaker, this is exactly why the Constitution does not allow the Premier to appoint a finance minister from the Senate. This is sound governance —not politics.
Stability Fund
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, t he One Bermuda Alliance originally proposed an amendment to the orig-inal CIT Bill to guarantee that the funds are used for debt repayment and critical infrastructure—to guarantee, Mr. Speaker . The PLP Government rejected it.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCorrect.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoWe are generally supportive of most of the Fiscal Responsibility Panel’s (FRP) recommendations, but with some critical caveats. The intro-duction of a stability fund to manage volatility in CIT re-ceipts is a good idea. We would create legislation to adequately fill this fund from CIT, before other uses of CIT …
We are generally supportive of most of the Fiscal Responsibility Panel’s (FRP) recommendations, but with some critical caveats. The intro-duction of a stability fund to manage volatility in CIT re-ceipts is a good idea. We would create legislation to adequately fill this fund from CIT, before other uses of CIT revenue. We would also ensure tight legislation that prevents off - balance sheet spending. Recognising the $605 million of debt due in 2027, we support delaying this fund until that tranche is paid.
Debt and Assets Rule
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, we also support the Fiscal Responsibility Panel’s (FRP) recommenda-tion, adopted by the Government, that 70 per cent of net CIT revenues are used to pay debt interest, reduce net debt, or accumulate net financial assets. The G overnment continues to mention a Sovereign Wealth Fund but should not …
Mr. Speaker, we also support the Fiscal Responsibility Panel’s (FRP) recommenda-tion, adopted by the Government, that 70 per cent of net CIT revenues are used to pay debt interest, reduce net debt, or accumulate net financial assets. The G overnment continues to mention a Sovereign Wealth Fund but should not become distracted. With $600 million of debt due next year and then another $1.1 billion due in four years, the PLP Government must keep its eye on the ball.
Deficit Rule
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe FRP proposed, and the Government says they are adopting, a rule that the current budget remains in balance or surplus, excluding net CIT revenues, capital spending, and interest payments. The OBA proposes a tighter version of this rule where interest payments should not be funde d by the CIT …
The FRP proposed, and the Government says they are adopting, a rule that the current budget remains in balance or surplus, excluding net CIT revenues, capital spending, and interest payments. The OBA proposes a tighter version of this rule where interest payments should not be funde d by the CIT over the medium and long term. In fact, the version of the rule in the previous year’s FRP report did not in-clude interest payments. But Bermuda’s multi -billion - dollar debt requires $128 million of the taxpayers’ money to be spent on interest right now. We propose a transitional version of the rule, Mr. Speaker, that would allow interest spending to be funded by CIT for three to five y ears, but not after that. This rule would provide a natural brake on overborrowing, which is how prior PLP Governments got Bermuda into its fiscal dead- end in the first place. This rule also prevents Bermuda’s national budget from relying too much on the CIT. [Inaudible interjections ]
Spending Rules
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, it’s almost a scientific law that politicians like to spend money, particu-larly taxpayers’ money. The Premier has floated the trial balloon of implementing an income tax in Bermuda. This reflects the reality that, given our debt and spending pressures, even with the CIT, this Budget only works over …
Mr. Speaker, it’s almost a scientific law that politicians like to spend money, particu-larly taxpayers’ money. The Premier has floated the trial balloon of implementing an income tax in Bermuda. This reflects the reality that, given our debt and spending pressures, even with the CIT, this Budget only works over the next few years. The Premier is already looking for more ways to raise taxes. The $124 million of so- called “strategic investment” in the Budget is really mostly current spending: $107 million of health and benefit payments, and payments to the hospital. Considering that, this Government has increased current spending by $182 millio n since last year, or over 17 per cent , and total expenses before interest have grown 24 per cent over two years.
[Inaudible interjection]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe PLP Government has almost doubled spending on consultants over the past two years to $99 million , as we have mentioned. Perhaps that is what they mean when they say taking care of their people, Mr. Speaker . [Inaudible interjection]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, $99 million on consultants —doubled, Mr. Speaker . To control overspending and limit tax increases on Bermudians, the OBA would strongly consider a spending rule. This rule would cap increases in current spending based on a combination of GDP growth and year-on-year expense and revenue growth, over a …
Mr. Speaker, $99 million on consultants —doubled, Mr. Speaker . To control overspending and limit tax increases on Bermudians, the OBA would strongly consider a spending rule. This rule would cap increases in current spending based on a combination of GDP growth and year-on-year expense and revenue growth, over a multi -year period. The OBA would also implement a rule for maintenance funds connected to capital spending. Any new capital projects or major refurbishments must have adequate maintenance to avoid the PLP’s legacy of a dilapidated incinerator and bridges in critical disrepai r.
Accountability
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, Bermudians want and deserve accountability in how their money is spent, particularly the CIT funds. This means laws and transparent reporting. The PLP has provided too many Bermuda House of Assembly examples of poor decision- making on spending, veiled financial reporting, and avoiding accountability, particularly to this Parliament. …
Mr. Speaker, Bermudians want and deserve accountability in how their money is spent, particularly the CIT funds. This means laws and transparent reporting. The PLP has provided too many
Bermuda House of Assembly examples of poor decision- making on spending, veiled financial reporting, and avoiding accountability, particularly to this Parliament. Mr. Speaker, the OBA would prevent moving money between funds without parliamentary approval, except for specific uses named in law. Experience has shown that moving money from the Sinking Fund has been abused by the current G overnment who spend without accountability. For example, in the 2023/24 budget year, the Government spent $58 million of borrowed money from the Sinking Fund, resulting in a real deficit of almost $88 million. And in 2024/25, they spent $50 million of borrowed money from the Sinking Fund, for a real deficit of approximately $21 million. That’s $109 million of deficit spending over two years, without accountability to Parliament or the people. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Half of Morgan’s Point.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMeanwhile, the G overnment continues to mislead the public with incorrect claims of a surplus in 2024/25.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe current budget already includes a $14 million slush fund, with no specific projects allocated to it. Bermudians need to know who will decide where those dollars go. We also note a $14.5 million increase in consultants’ costs for the Ministry of Finance. The One Bermuda Alliance will hold this …
The current budget already includes a $14 million slush fund, with no specific projects allocated to it. Bermudians need to know who will decide where those dollars go. We also note a $14.5 million increase in consultants’ costs for the Ministry of Finance. The One Bermuda Alliance will hold this Government accountable to answer these questions. Mr. Speaker, here are some other examples of poor decision- making by this Government that have resulted in poor outcomes for the taxpayers’ money: • Premier David Burt and his cabinet provided an $800,000 loan to the Savvy Entertainment scammer, which ultimately entailed PLP Deputy Leader Zane DeSilva having to return funds. • Premier David Burt provided a $2.5 million guarantee to InnoFund and BPMS for work with the G overnment, which duplicated existing contracts, and never came to fruition. This has left taxpayers to pay the $2.5 million guarantee. • Granting the $3.2 million [National Sports Centre] (NSC ) solar contract to a prior PLP Party Chair’s firm, despite the NSC Board’s reserva-tions, and then the G overnment having to ultimately secure financing for the project. • The secret contract for the new Hospital wing, which pays a private firm $20 million a year for 30 years —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHow much?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoTwenty million dollars a year — but still leaves Bermudians waiting in the hallways for a lack of beds. Mr. Speaker, I could go on, but the point is clear: With all the new CIT money in the system, will this Government deliver for the people of Bermuda? I believe …
Twenty million dollars a year — but still leaves Bermudians waiting in the hallways for a lack of beds. Mr. Speaker, I could go on, but the point is clear: With all the new CIT money in the system, will this Government deliver for the people of Bermuda? I believe it was Einstein who said, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting di fferent results .” That’s why Bermudians need a change in how this Government manages the public purse, especially the CIT funds, and that’s why Bermuda needs a change in Government.
[Laughter]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThey had that opportunity a year ago. Plans For the Future
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, the OBA plans address Bermuda’s changing demographics. We would support seniors while creating opportunity and hope for our youth, acknowledging their distinct issues and priorities. The current Government has focused mainly on our seniors, and where those G overnment plans make sense, the OBA has supported them. But …
Mr. Speaker, the OBA plans address Bermuda’s changing demographics. We would support seniors while creating opportunity and hope for our youth, acknowledging their distinct issues and priorities. The current Government has focused mainly on our seniors, and where those G overnment plans make sense, the OBA has supported them. But our young Bermudians have been left out by this Government. The PLP has stalled absentee voting for students. The PLP has failed to attract Bermudians back home or create conditions for young Ber mudians to be successful in their own home. The OBA’s plans focus on concrete items to deliver meaningful improvement in realistic timeframes. We contrast that with the Government’s empty promises, no accountability, and lack of results.
Housing
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, Bermuda’s housing crisis requires immediate action to get people off the streets, to provide emergency shelter, and to create the supply across a range of housing types. We would immediately build and run emergency housing using existing government land and properties, such as unused school buildings. While not …
Mr. Speaker, Bermuda’s housing crisis requires immediate action to get people off the streets, to provide emergency shelter, and to create the supply across a range of housing types. We would immediately build and run emergency housing using existing government land and properties, such as unused school buildings. While not attractive to some, it is important to note that these units would be for short - term use until residents can move to a more long- term and stable solution. We are disappointed that the government did not mention any support for critical third- sector programs such as the Plan to End Homelessness. These programs provide foundational support to help Bermudians step up into more stable lives. Mr. Speaker, the G overnment’s plans to seize land and derelict properties from Bermudians are fraught with practical and moral difficulties. And given that the Government hasn’t even maintained its own 1912 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly properties, their plans seem hypocritical. This Government must use its own land and properties before taking property away from Bermudians. However, we are glad that the G overnment followed our advice and is now looking at using the Ber-mudiana Beach Resort to house Bermudians. Mr. Speaker, we would also subsidise private social housing development. The OBA would do this with construction incentives similar to those granted to tourism development, like duty and payroll tax breaks, and rent support. The reality is that housing in Bermuda is expensive to bui ld and maintain. Private investors can’t create projects that are affordable for those who earn below median pay, while also making a return on investment. These projects and subsidies would fall under the critical infrastructure investments use we proposed for the CIT, alongside debt repayment. Mr. Speaker, we would work with the construction and design industries to identify innovative and modern ways to reduce construction costs in Bermuda, retaining the comfort and safety we have today. We love our traditional Bermuda building techniques, but recognise that techniques have also evolved, from stone walls to reinforced concrete, from slate roofs to SKB. Cuts to f oreign currency purchase tax will also help reduce the cost of construction supplies. Mr. Speaker, we would create P lanning rules to enable more efficient use of existing buildings and land. Fast -track planning processes with looser setback and site coverage requirements, among others, can enable owners to add small cottages or apartments to existing houses. This is similar to what other jurisdictions call Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou know that already exists, right?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, the OBA would reform landlord- tenant laws to work for everyday Bermudians, not lawyers, providing more certainty over outcomes and timelines. While the G overnment has started this process, current proposals are too complex and confusing. The Government’s proposed rental registry seems like bureaucratic overreach, and we doubt …
Mr. Speaker, the OBA would reform landlord- tenant laws to work for everyday Bermudians, not lawyers, providing more certainty over outcomes and timelines. While the G overnment has started this process, current proposals are too complex and confusing. The Government’s proposed rental registry seems like bureaucratic overreach, and we doubt Ber-mudians would welcome the PLP Government nosing into their affairs. Pending the Government’s consultation, we recommend looking to successful models like those in New Zealand, with a tenancy tribunal independent from government, transparent appointments, and mandatory, but free structured mediation. Ultimately, landlord- tenant relations require accountability from both sides. Bermudians deserve to earn a fair return on their investments, and rental properties can provide critical income for Bermudian families. Every renter deserves to live in dignity in a safe, clean, and well-functioning home. Finally, Mr. Speaker, we would introduce a Housing Incentive Act to encourage new apartments in the City of Hamilton. We must build higher and encourage development that offers a mix of housing for various income levels. The G overnment’s current incentives are a start, but more needs to be done. Mr. Speaker, the Budget statement referred to a 2025 draft housing strategy, but it has not yet been released. This will make it difficult to assess the Government’s performance with $33 million of budgeted capital spending, plus an additional $90 million of off - balance sheet spending guaranteed by the G overnment.
Health Care
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, Bermudians struggle with health care due to our shrinking and age-ing population and the costs of health insurance. Some don’t even have access to health care. Serious opera-tional issues at the hospital only make it worse. While improving health care in Bermuda is a difficult problem, the OBA’s …
Mr. Speaker, Bermudians struggle with health care due to our shrinking and age-ing population and the costs of health insurance. Some don’t even have access to health care. Serious opera-tional issues at the hospital only make it worse. While improving health care in Bermuda is a difficult problem, the OBA’s diagnosis points to two main issues: receiving care in the wrong place, including overseas, or not getting the right care at all. We’ve discussed the OBA’s solutions, including step- down facilities, community care, and access to primary care for all without using the hospital. To reduce the need for expensive overseas treatments and improve the hospital’s operating position, we would eliminate the block grant and consider moving back to a fee- for-service model. The original thinking was that the block grant would incentivise the hospital to control costs. But harsh experience has shown that the unintended consequences are worse than the original problem. We need a blended model so that the hospital can charge for additional services and make the best use of its resources for the community. This would be coupled with accountability and control for those costs, such as a negotiated fee schedule. Importantly, Mr. Speaker, we would partner constructively with the private sector on these reforms, including medical professionals, pharmacists, insurers, and other health providers. Despite its issues, our system can and does provide good care to many (if not all) , and we should not throw the baby out with the bath-water.
Energy
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, as we know, Bermudians face some of the highest energy prices globally. The One Bermuda Alliance Plan for energy costs has three main parts. First, give the regulator more teeth to ensure costs passed to consumers are fairly considered and accurately tracked. For example, the regulator should ensure …
Mr. Speaker, as we know, Bermudians face some of the highest energy prices globally. The One Bermuda Alliance Plan for energy costs has three main parts. First, give the regulator more teeth to ensure costs passed to consumers are fairly considered and accurately tracked. For example, the regulator should ensure that all tax breaks and discounts directly benefit customers, while shareholders, not customers, bear the risk for bad management and capital investment decisions. We are encouraged to see the G overnment
Bermuda House of Assembly taking steps to strengthen the regulator, a move the OBA proposed long ago. Second, we would provide B ELCO fuel tax breaks, but quite differently from the Government. We do not support the blanket tax breaks, which are essentially regressive. Under the PLP proposals well -off people with large houses who consume a lot of energy will get the biggest benefit. Yet families who earn the least and are already scrimping and saving to reduce their electricity usage will see the smallest benefit. The OBA would provide a progressive approach linked to payroll tax bands or usage. Remember, B ELCO already manages tiered usage rates and multiple kinds of billing. Third, Mr. Speaker, we would expand efforts to make it easier for consumers to install and benefit from solar, such as solar [ installer ] self-certifications. Currently, renters can’t easily install their own systems. But portable systems, unfolded in a backyard during hot summer months or during the day, could be a good idea. Mr. Speaker, Bermudians currently pay through the nose to buy and ship overseas fuel to Ber-muda to generate electricity. Like other island nations, we must expand our use of renewables to reduce our reliance on these expensive imported fuels. Yes, there are valid concerns about fairness around the use of shared resources such as transmission, distribution, and standby capacity at B ELCO . We are confident these can be resolved alongside renewables. Some claim Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is a cheaper source of energy for Bermuda. The question for the regulator is what will provide Bermudians with the most cost -effective energy over the short and medium term right now, including the costs of new infrastructure like tanks and pipelines, which ultimately Bermudian customers will pay for.
Small Business
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, small businesses might not be the headline drivers of Bermuda’s eco-nomic statistics, yet they are critical to our community and the day -to-day economy of most Bermudians. Small businesses create a variety of jobs for Bermudians, providing a vibrant backdrop for our Island. Retail and restaurants are a …
Mr. Speaker, small businesses might not be the headline drivers of Bermuda’s eco-nomic statistics, yet they are critical to our community and the day -to-day economy of most Bermudians. Small businesses create a variety of jobs for Bermudians, providing a vibrant backdrop for our Island. Retail and restaurants are a vital part of our tourism product. Statistics show they are struggling. The G overnment likes to talk about “new business registrations ,” but what the PLP does not mention is businesses that are closing, or barely limping along. Small businesses live and die on cash flow , Mr. Speaker, and their ability to hire and retain staff. The OBA would support small businesses by reducing the burden of customs duty, making payroll tax adjustments, and removing red tape. We would consider moving customs duty payments to the point of sale, so that businesses need less cash up front to import goods. This would also reduce the cost burden of unsold and returned goods. We would remove the foreign currency purchase tax for imported goods, as this is another cost burden on everything imported and sold in Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, the OBA would continue the new - hire relief set to expire this year for companies not oth-erwise eligible for the new tax credits. We want our local businesses to be encouraged [ to hire ], putting them on an equal footing with companies eligible for the new tax credits for hiring. We would also encourage youth employment by waiving payroll tax for Bermudians un-der the age of 30.
Payroll Tax
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, we do not support the Government’s blanket payroll tax break for employers. The reality is that many large firms and interna-tional businesses can support the higher tax rates, and those payments provide critical revenue that Bermuda needs right now. Plus, many large taxpayers, i ncluding IB and local …
Mr. Speaker, we do not support the Government’s blanket payroll tax break for employers. The reality is that many large firms and interna-tional businesses can support the higher tax rates, and those payments provide critical revenue that Bermuda needs right now. Plus, many large taxpayers, i ncluding IB and local insurers, will be getting tax credits already based on employment. The OBA would change the employer payroll tax to a tiered marginal system, as is the case for employee portion of the payroll tax. This will make it easier to give smaller companies payroll tax breaks. It will also remove the artificial barriers that prevent companies from hiring or giving raises to avoid falling into the next, higher payroll tax bracket. This tiered syst em should also adjust with inflation, along with employee payroll tax bands. Cost -of-living increases shouldn’t penalise employers and employees with higher tax rates. Mr. Speaker, the OBA would also treat seasonal businesses fairly. At times, busy quarters can produce payroll that gets taxed at a higher rate, even though the overall annual pay should get a lower rate. We would update legislation and guidance so that employers (and employees) can get credits or rebates when they have overpaid tax in prior busy quarters. We’d streamline interactions with government departments, cutting red tape and paperwork that unfairly burden small businesses. A one- stop shop for payroll tax, social insurance, HIP , FutureCare and government departments, like Works and Engineering, is essential. While the Government has announced vari-ous digital projects to help small businesses, we would go further by providing an in -person concierge for those needing extra support. Afterall, it is in everyone’s interest that all paperwork and payments are correct.
Families
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, Bermudian families, especially young families , continue to struggle with health care, energy, housing, child care, and education; they all stretch family budgets. Despite giving some blanket tax giveaways, the Government Budget statement did not mention any specific uplifts for hardship 1914 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report …
Mr. Speaker, Bermudian families, especially young families , continue to struggle with health care, energy, housing, child care, and education; they all stretch family budgets. Despite giving some blanket tax giveaways, the Government Budget statement did not mention any specific uplifts for hardship 1914 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly support, rental assistance, or food aid to match the reality of Bermudians’ day-to-day struggles. Mr. Speaker, remember that it was the One Bermuda Alliance that first put in place the progressive payroll tax system. And if you call that making things more complicated, I say think harder . As evidenced by this Reply we continue to identify ways to help Bermudians. While addressing food prices is difficult, axing the PLP’s failed s ugar tax is easy, and the Government would do it right away —the OBA would do it right away , excuse me. We wish the Government would do it right away!
[Inaudible interjections ]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoExperience has shown that the sugar tax was not implemented correctly, was never targeted at making people healthier, and has been a widespread extra cost on many grocery store items. For example, Mr. Speaker, does it make sense that a sugar -free soda costs the same as one with sugar? …
Experience has shown that the sugar tax was not implemented correctly, was never targeted at making people healthier, and has been a widespread extra cost on many grocery store items. For example, Mr. Speaker, does it make sense that a sugar -free soda costs the same as one with sugar? The PLP Government ought to correct this obvious mistake. Mr. Speaker, there have been interesting ideas in the public recently about setting aside funds for new-borns or young Bermudians for use in the future. The OBA thinks these ideas are worthy of consideration. However, families need help today, and we believe re-sources sh ould be focused on immediate needs. This kind of ‘future fund’ can be considered once the coun-try’s multi- billion -dollar debt is paid down to a manageable level. Mr. Speaker, the OBA would supply free breakfasts in all public schools. Free school breakfasts have improved educational outcomes in other jurisdictions and ease the stress on busy families. Local efforts by charities such as Bermuda is Love, the Coalition for the Protection of Children, and the Salvation Army have demonstrated the need exists. This important support should be made available to all of our students. Mr. Speaker, reliable and affordable care for young children is harder and harder for families to find. Many nursery operators are struggling under the weight of rising costs. Staff- to-child ratio regulations were well - intentioned, but day care providers have been clear that most parents cannot handle the financial burden of meeting these requirements. Child safety must always come first, but it can be protected with a more flexible, cost-effective regulatory framework that reduces unnecessary red tape and streamlines Health Department requirements for operating a day care facility. By modernising the rules and introducing targeted tax relief for nursery school businesses, we can ease the financial pressure on nursery operators, help stabilise rising operational costs, and ensure that high- quality early childhood care r emains accessible and affordable for Bermuda’s families. And, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to children, education can be the biggest stressor for families. The Government’s widely -acknowledged failed education reform is unfair to all Bermudian families. Parents have voted with their feet and their wallets to put their children in private school. As mentioned, the OBA would create an independent Education Authority, with perfor-mance- based accountability. This A uthority would be tasked to deliver the quality education that every Bermudian family deserves and is already paying for.
Insurance
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, we would tackle home and vehicle insurance costs, which are high and growing. Bermudians pay a 3.5 per cent financial services tax on their insurance policies. The OBA would make this a progressive tax so that it has less impact on those with smaller vehicles and properties. Bermudians …
Mr. Speaker, we would tackle home and vehicle insurance costs, which are high and growing. Bermudians pay a 3.5 per cent financial services tax on their insurance policies. The OBA would make this a progressive tax so that it has less impact on those with smaller vehicles and properties. Bermudians are keenly aware that our local insurance market is now less competitive. The OBA would ensure that local insurance rate changes are reviewed and approved by an independent regulator, such as the BMA. Regulation prevents insurers from increasing premiums without transparency and accountability, and is common in many jurisdictions, including the United States. Although regulating rates doesn’t always mean insurance costs go down, it does mean customers can be confident that they are being treated fairly by insurers. This regulation should also consider if it is appropriate for insurers to own medical practices and mandate pharmacy suppliers. Is that in the best interest of consumers? So, while we were glad to hear some initial progress by the Government today, we are not sure why it has taken them so long to get started.
Tourism, Transport, and Culture
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, tourism needs more investment. It supports many jobs and small busi-nesses, provides amenities for business visitors, and diversifies our economy. The Bermuda Tourism Authority was a good idea. Yet under this current G overnment, it succumbed to political influence, leaving most Bermudians disappointed and feeling like their money …
Mr. Speaker, tourism needs more investment. It supports many jobs and small busi-nesses, provides amenities for business visitors, and diversifies our economy. The Bermuda Tourism Authority was a good idea. Yet under this current G overnment, it succumbed to political influence, leaving most Bermudians disappointed and feeling like their money was wasted. The OBA would reboot the BTA as a truly non-political, independent agency. Its staff and leadership would be given clear objectives, wi th compensation tied to concrete, measurable results. Results , such as the number of tourists, their length of stay, and visi-tor spending. The OBA would bring in new investors to develop additional venues for meetings and conferences, using existing brownfield sites. Even after the Fairmont Southampton opens, Bermuda must diversify its options to create resiliency in the tourism sector and cr eate additional visitor traffic. Although this Government has not attracted any new investors, the prior OBA Government showed that it is possible, with successes like The Loren, St. Regis, and Azura.
Bermuda House of Assembly [Desk thumping and inaudible interjection ]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe OBA will support our local artists and culture in a non- political way. Both because it’s the right thing to do, and also because it supports our tourism industry. This could entail a stipend for local artists and performers, such as Ireland’s Basic Inc ome for the Arts. Key …
The OBA will support our local artists and culture in a non- political way. Both because it’s the right thing to do, and also because it supports our tourism industry. This could entail a stipend for local artists and performers, such as Ireland’s Basic Inc ome for the Arts. Key aspects of this scheme are that it is for up to three years, providing stability for recipients, but also based on an anonymous random selection process, acknowledging that not every qualified applicant can receive funding right away. In addition, the OBA would create new dedicated performance venues to support events for visi-tors and locals alike. Perhaps an outside amphitheatre in Hamilton or St. George’s, so artists aren’t competing with sports teams for venues. For transport, we would increase TCD’s enforcement capabilities and fund more traffic officers. Bermuda’s roads have been unsafe for too long. We must reset road users’ expectations for acceptable be-haviour. Mr. Speaker, we would also ensure a robust and adequate ferry service across Bermuda— and by service, Mr. Speaker, I mean a service that actually has passengers running on it. [Inaudible interjections ]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThis service, Mr. Speaker — with passengers running on it —should cover both the East and West ends, as well as the central Paget and Warwick routes. These ferries serve as critical transport links for a wide range of residents, busi-ness es, and tourism visitors alike. This means funding new …
This service, Mr. Speaker — with passengers running on it —should cover both the East and West ends, as well as the central Paget and Warwick routes. These ferries serve as critical transport links for a wide range of residents, busi-ness es, and tourism visitors alike. This means funding new boats where required and ensuring they are properly maintained over time. The Government’s continued lack of support for one of Bermuda’s iconic modes of transport is inexplicable, with no new ferries funded in the Budget.
Increasing Accountability
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoOf course, Mr. Speaker, with the increase in revenue and spending under the Government’s Budget, as well as our own OBA plans, there must be strong accountability. We have seen how this and previous PLP Governments have spent lavishly, with a lack of transparency and accountabilit y. They have produced …
Of course, Mr. Speaker, with the increase in revenue and spending under the Government’s Budget, as well as our own OBA plans, there must be strong accountability. We have seen how this and previous PLP Governments have spent lavishly, with a lack of transparency and accountabilit y. They have produced bad results and have left Bermuda with massive deficits and a debt hangover. Mr. Speaker, the OBA would ensure that all government departments, quangos, and affiliated organisations have transparent, up- to-date accounts. We would work closely with these groups and the Auditor General to provide resources so that all accounts are prepared, submitted, and audited on time. In that way, we would deliver a truly consolidated and transparent view of how the people’s money is being spent. We would ensure the Department of Statistics was properly funded, so economic data can be reported consistently and on schedule—an essential in-put for decision- making. Beyond funding the legally required census, this Government’s plans show little commitment to include any other increased support for this function. Mr. Speaker, we would ensure the judicial system is properly funded, with independent control of spending. A fair and efficient judiciary is an important part of society. We would also introduce scaled fees for commercial cases, to enable revenue from our commercial courts to support our family courts as well as much- needed attention to probate applications. Mr. Speaker, good courts are an asset for a business jurisdiction, and businesses are willing to pay for them. Finally, Mr. Speaker, we support a more independent Parliament. This includes giving Parliament control over funds to provide appropriate working spaces for staff and legislators, and support for scrutiny committees such as the Public Accounts Committee and the Oversight Committee. Ultimately Bermuda’s historical Parliament ought to be restored to its proper place on the hill, fully equipped to carry out the business of the people. The PLP Government has starved Parliament for resources, with only a $1.7 million allocation towards restoring the people’s House.
How to Get It Done
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, how to get it done. Bermuda’s people have many needs right now, and we’ve presented a wide range of initiatives to meet those needs. We have outlined why the CIT revenue is not the magic bullet the current Government hopes for, and explained why we must provide targeted …
Mr. Speaker, how to get it done. Bermuda’s people have many needs right now, and we’ve presented a wide range of initiatives to meet those needs. We have outlined why the CIT revenue is not the magic bullet the current Government hopes for, and explained why we must provide targeted support, while maintaining a focus on paying down our debt. A natural question then is, how will an OBA Government fund its proposals?
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoMr. Speaker, the short answer is: By not wasting money . By targeting tax breaks for those who need them most . By being more efficient and effective, and above all by paying attention to Bermudi-ans. And many of our commonsense proposals don’t need much, if any, spending. Fixing education …
Mr. Speaker, the short answer is: By not wasting money . By targeting tax breaks for those who need them most . By being more efficient and effective, and above all by paying attention to Bermudi-ans. And many of our commonsense proposals don’t need much, if any, spending. Fixing education is not a cost issue— it is a performance issue. Our proposals to improve health outcomes will require some initial spending, but ultimately, it will cost less. Bringing investors to Bermuda for new projects does not cost money, and giving tax breaks on projects that would not otherwise happen also costs nothing. 1916 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, it’s not hard to identify PLP spending that never should have happened. Everyone is familiar with the money given away to Savvy, the vertical farming boondoggle, and the millions wasted on the Gaming Commission. And we’ve already men-tioned the $2.5 million failed guarantee for BPMS and InnoFund. A look through the contracts list will identify things like $300,000 on “research” for IDT. And the Government is still paying through the nose for a Middle East consultant. Mr. Speaker, while we are discussing the Middle East, I challenge the PLP Government to explain to Bermudians what concrete benefits have come from all these Ministerial visits and conferences. How many new jobs will they create for Bermudians? How much new investment? Remember, money isn’t the only resource that can be wasted. Our leaders are accounta-ble to the people for how they spend the public purse and for how they spend their time. If they do not produce tangible results for Bermuda, they are wasting both. Mr. Speaker, the Premier is passionate about FinTech, but in reality, it is at best likely to be a niche business in Bermuda’s portfolio. In fact, the crypto markets have recently taken a huge fall, and it is unclear if they will return to the previous hype- driven heights. Mr. Speaker, FinTech and c rypto will not fix education, they will not reduce health care costs, and they will not build more housing. So, while the Premier makes numerous visits to the Middle East and crypto conferences to “make connections”, he is neglecting what’s important for Bermuda and Bermudians and the everyday challenges they face. A similar argument could be made about Caricom. The G overnment has yet to identify concrete benefits to Bermudians commensurate with the time and energy being spent. Bermudians have real prob-lems that need to be solved today, and overseas Ministerial photo -ops are not cutting it. Finally, Mr. Speaker, we have given specific examples on how the OBA will differ from the current PLP Government in how to provide much needed relief to Bermudians. As another example, further percentage cuts for vehicle licen ces make no sense. Why should well - off people with big cars get a larger benefit than families already struggling to afford a little car? The OBA would connect tax relief to things like the size of the car or the owner’s payroll tax band. Again, it is not about grabbing the headlines and another photo- op. It’s about giving more to those who actually need it most.
Conclusion
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoTo conclude, Mr. Speaker, this budget debate is not about spreadsheets or political talking points. It’s about leadership, about choices, and the future of Bermuda. We have laid out the facts and have taken a detailed look at the poor performance of this PLP Government and the risks in their …
To conclude, Mr. Speaker, this budget debate is not about spreadsheets or political talking points. It’s about leadership, about choices, and the future of Bermuda. We have laid out the facts and have taken a detailed look at the poor performance of this PLP Government and the risks in their fiscal approach— performance that has, unfortunately for the people of Ber-muda, fallen short by multiple measures and statistics. We’ve dug deep into the opportunities and risks of the Corporate Income Tax. We have put forward practical steps to manage these funds responsibly to secure Bermuda’s future, while improving the lives of everyday Bermudians. Mr. Speaker, the difference is clear. The One Bermuda Alliance focuses on fixing the underlying issues facing Bermuda, not on tempo-rary band- aids for short -term political wins. We would target support where it is most needed, protect our revenue base, create growth and opportunities, and build long- term stability instead of chasing short -term political applause. As we began our r esponse to this Budget with the stories of the Smith family and Ms. Jones, let us remember what t hose stories represent —the quiet pressures facing working families. The anxiety of sen-iors living on the edge, and the very real questions about whether opportunities exist for our young people. Their experiences reflect the lived reality of Bermudians who work hard, play by the rules, and still wonder whether this country is working for them. Mr. Speaker, budgets are about more than numbers. They are about whether families can build a life here, whether seniors can age with dignity. Whether young Bermudians see real opportunity, or more empty promises. It is time for transparency. It is time for responsibility, and it’s time for this PLP Government to be ac-countable to all Bermudians. On this 21- square- mile Island, we need an economy that finally works for our people— one that is stable enough to inspire confidence, fair enough to protect the vulnerable, and strong enough to secure our future. This is the Bermuda that the One Bermuda Alliance is committed to creating —not just for today, but for generations to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Shadow Minister. We will just give the . . . oh, give him a moment to adjust the camera, fix the recording. He is done? Okay. The first speaker up on behalf of the Government is Minister Hayward. You have the floor and the clock will start when …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood afternoon. Bermuda House of Assembly DEBATE ON THE BUDGET STATEMENT AND REPLY TO THE BUDGET Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, thank you for providing me an opportunity to give intervention in today's economic debate. As we have transitioned from the Budget Reply, we now enter the economic debate. But …
Good afternoon.
Bermuda House of Assembly DEBATE ON THE BUDGET STATEMENT AND REPLY TO THE BUDGET
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, thank you for providing me an opportunity to give intervention in today's economic debate. As we have transitioned from the Budget Reply, we now enter the economic debate. But there is one thing I did this morning before I got into this H ouse and listened to the B udget Debate, I said I am going to do a different approach. And so, what I did is I adjusted my expectations. Oftentimes I have expectations that they are going to provide something that is meaningful, something exciting, something that we can grasp. And they fell short. So, what I have done is adjusted my expectations to not expect much —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThere you go. Hon. Jason Hayward: And they have still failed .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Jason Hayward: —still failed to provide a Budget Reply that is meaningful. They have provided a Budget Reply with everything that they were going to do and not discuss how much those items would actually cost and how they would actually be funded.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAh! Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, there is one other thing that is important. How can you talk about the plight of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of our seniors, of our young people, of workers in this country, and then consider when the Government is providing funding to these groups …
Ah! Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, there is one other thing that is important. How can you talk about the plight of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, of our seniors, of our young people, of workers in this country, and then consider when the Government is providing funding to these groups , coin it, “handouts ”? See, there is a disconnect between the two.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Jason Hayward: How can you tell persons who are in need of assistance and receiving assistance, that they are actually receiving handouts? Why wouldn't words [such as] “ support, ” “social protections, ” “investment, ” “empowerment, ” “opportunity ” be used ? See, you cannot come across empathetic …
Yes.
Hon. Jason Hayward: How can you tell persons who are in need of assistance and receiving assistance, that they are actually receiving handouts? Why wouldn't words [such as] “ support, ” “social protections, ” “investment, ” “empowerment, ” “opportunity ” be used ? See, you cannot come across empathetic and then use words like “ handouts ” for persons in our community who may need assistance. And so, Mr. Speaker, I am not going to go and dissect what was articulated from the Honourable Member DeCouto. It is clear he shares a different perspective from that of the Progressive Labour Party. You see, it is very difficult for him to view the world from the lens of the Government because he has never been in Government.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNever been. Hon. Jason Hayward: See, it is hard for him to view from the lens of the labour movement because he has never been part of the labour movement. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Jason Hayward: It is hard for him to view from the lens of marginalised, oppressed, or …
Never been.
Hon. Jason Hayward: See, it is hard for him to view from the lens of the labour movement because he has never been part of the labour movement.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Jason Hayward: It is hard for him to view from the lens of marginalised, oppressed, or the working - class people because he is not from that ilk.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet me just remind folks not to go down the road that is going to start personal comments back and forth, please. Okay? Thank you. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I am simply painting a picture here that the words which were used that lack empathy are because one cannot …
Let me just remind folks not to go down the road that is going to start personal comments back and forth, please. Okay? Thank you.
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I am simply painting a picture here that the words which were used that lack empathy are because one cannot relate to the world from the lens of those individuals. You see, even when we talked about giving tax cuts Members from his side of the H ouse joked, What ? You're going to give Doug a tax cut? And this is important because what it does . . . on one hand we are providing relief to people across the entire Island. We are told that everybody is suffering from the high cost of living. But when you refer to a Member on that side receiving a tax cut , and one can laugh, it ultimately means that there are ones in our society that are not feeling the pain the same way others are. But those persons are never talked about in his Reply. The persons that are doing well in our society , the businesses that are doing well in our society . . . it is fine for them to joke about . But it is not fine for them to speak about.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOh! [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Jason Hayward: You know what? It is almost like they speak with horse blinders on.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Jason Hayward: Maybe it is because individuals are blinded by their own ambition. You see, when one wants to become Government . . . when one wants to become Government the only thing they can do is bring down the people who are in power. …
Yes.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Maybe it is because individuals are blinded by their own ambition. You see, when one wants to become Government . . . when one wants to become Government the only thing they can do is bring down the people who are in power. They canno t give credit where credit is due. Mr. Speaker , when one desires to be the Minister of Finance, he is blinded by his ambition so he cannot give credit to the hard work and the excellent execution of fiscal policy in Bermuda.
1918 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Jason Hayward: You see, you heard coin words thrown out in what is actually being articulated—“ structured and strategic relief ,” rather than “ universal relief. ” But what is being missed is we are in position to provide relief to everyone. We are actually in position to provide relief to everyone. Everyone lives in Bermuda. Everyone is impacted by the cost of living. Everyone is impacted by the cost of housing. And so, it is fair when the taxpayers of this country require relief and the Government is providing it , that it should not be criticised. They talk about the Government as spending, spending, spending, spending, spending. How many times was the word “investment ” used? Investment in education ; investment in health care; investment in infrastructure; investment in housing. Why were those words never used? You see, everything is looked at as a balance sheet item. But you must invest in your economy and then let us collectively reap the benefit of those investments. I heard a lot of numbers thrown out and it paints an economic reality of doom and gloom. The words actually used were a “ stalled economy .” By what measure Mr. Speaker? A “lacklustre economy .” By what measure? Mr. Speaker one can have a perception; one can have an opinion . But it is important that we discuss the facts. And the facts actually are that in the third quarter of 2025 our economy exp anded by 9.9 per cent. That is the largest level of expansion since 2021. Our economy is expanding . Our economy is growing. We have greater levels of economic development . There are increased jobs in our economy. Mr. Speaker , those facts are not open for debate. You know in high school there was a basic equation. GDP equals C + I + G + (X - M). And when we look at those components C equals consumption, G equals government spending, I is investment and X minus M is our net imports. Mr. Speaker when I last checked, consumer spending was up. Government spending was up. In-vestment in construction was up. Investment in machinery and equipment was up. Exports are up, and we have a strong trade balance. Thus, our GDP is up. Those are the facts. The components and the factors of GDP are moving in the right direction and our economy is progressing. Where does this notion of stalled economy come from? Our last annual GDP figures (which would have been in 2024) showed that our economy increased by 1.9 per cent in real terms. We had growth in 11 out of 19 of our industrial sectors. Not one— 11 out of 19 of our industrial sectors. Construction and quarrying increased. Transport and storage increased. Accommodations and food service increased. Information and communication increased. Real estate activities grew. Professional, scientific and technical activities increased. Administrative and support services i ncreased. Human health and social work increased. Arts, recreation and entertainment grew. Other service activities grew. International business activity grew. And activities of households as employers grew. Mr. Speaker , diversified growth. The Ministry of Finance is projecting that in 2025 our economy will expand between 2.5 per cent and 3.0 per cent . This will be outpacing the majority of our peers worldwide. Our total GDP , now at a nominal level, sits at $9.2 billion. This is substantially above the $6.9 billion recorded in 2020. I think it is important to know that the level of growth in our economy is actually real. And the numbers actually prove that it is real. It is real economic expansion. It is real economic growth. It is reflective of sound economic strategy. It is reflective of consumer confidence. It is reflective of business confidence. Mr. Speaker , someone, or the OBA in particular, will want the public to believe that economic growth has nothing to do with the Government. They want the public to believe that Government does not make laws that support economic activity in Bermuda , that Government does not implement a taxation system that supports economic growth , that there is no support given to our entrepreneurs , that we provide no investment in workforce development , that we do not provide scholarships to our young people. They want the public to believe that we do nothing to attract foreign direct investment. They want the public to believe that our B usiness Development Agency does not work. They want the public to believe—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Jarion RichardsonYes, I believe the speaker is misleading the House. I would appreciate it if he could refer to, or cite where the OBA has made those statements , because it certainly was not in our Budget Reply. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, the statement was that the only sector in …
Yes, I believe the speaker is misleading the House. I would appreciate it if he could refer to, or cite where the OBA has made those statements , because it certainly was not in our Budget Reply. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, the statement was that the only sector in the economy that is growing is international business and Government has nothing to do with the international business sector. It would imply that the Government does nothing to support economic activi ty in Bermuda. And I am making it abundantly clear that , notwithstanding what they want the public to believe, the facts are that we are actively involved in economic growth and development in Bermuda. The Government plays a critical role. Without a functioning Government, we do not have laws that support economic growth and development. We do not . . .
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, the Government prides itself with having a strong relationship with industry, a strong relationship with our regulator. We have that relationship to ensure we have a thriving economy, that we have a business ecosystem that allows businesses to thrive. You cannot remove Government from the equation of economic growth and development . And it needs to stop being said. We invest in local infrastructure. That local infrastructure supports local business. Those are facts. Somehow individuals will want the world to believe that the progress in Bermuda is a matter of luck. That we have done nothing since 1998 to contribute to the positive economic performance in Bermuda. And this is why I am saying we have to have honest dialogue. We have to give credit where credit is actually due. The OBA often says that if IB was not successful, we would not have a successful Bermuda and that our economy would be stagnant. But when you look at the numbers from 2020 to 2024, we have had significant growth. But the growth of what we will consider to be our domestic economy grew by $ 1.6 billion , while IB grew by $700 million. Where do you get this fallacy that IB is solely growing the economy? The number s simply do not support it. And we have to stop going down that road because we have many Bermudian businesses that work extremely hard. We have local entrepreneurs who work extremely hard. We do have local businesses opening up on a monthly basis. We have expansion of local businesses. I give an economic update every quarter. I speak to the progress that we are making. When we look at the GDP numbers, it is clear that other sectors are actually improving in our economy. And these strong economic numbers then support job growth. We have had job growth year over year for the last four years. So much so that our unemployment rate is now at 1.4 per cent . After the pandemic our unemployment rate was just under 10.0 per cent . Now it is down to 1.4 per cent . That is statistical full employment. Our youth unemployment rate was at 33.0 per cent. That is down now under 4.0 per cent . Why is that not coined “ progress ”? Even if the OBA were the Government, one of the metrics they would like to see is a low unemployment rate. Why is that simply not celebrated? We put out the job numbers year after year. We know our demographic challenges. We know that we have an ageing population. We put a report out. But it is false to say that nothing has been done since that report has been put out. We put out our entire second [Position] P aper titled Retaining Our Local Workforce. And we have been working through those items in that [Position] P aper. So much so, in this Budget you see tax relief for seniors over the age of 65. We were removing the employer's portion of payroll tax. Mr. Speaker, I ask you, where did that come from? It came from a [Position] Paper that sought to address the problem that we identified. But yet , they would tell us we have done nothing. That we saw a problem, we have sat back and we have done absolutely nothing. That is incorrect. Mr. Speaker, the preliminary data from the 2025 Employment Survey indicates that the total number of jobs increased by 279 jobs. Year over year we have seen job growth. Our economy continues to expand. This marks the fourth consecutive year of strong job performance. Mr. Speaker, the public administration sector added 134 jobs. International business jobs grew by 72. Construction jobs grew by 50. Other sectors that experienced job growth include electricity, water supply and waste management, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and storage, accommodation and food services, professional, scientific and technical activities, administrative and support services, education, human health and social work, and other activities. Each one of those areas experienced an expansion of jobs. The expansion of jobs translates into an expansion of workers. The expansion of workers then translates into more payers into our tax system. It also translates into more indirect and induced economic activity in Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, we can all have our opinions on how well the economy is doing, but when we analyse the data, when we look at the numbers, when we look at the reports, they reflect that our economy is growing, that we are increasing opportunities, we are increasing jobs. We continuously revise our budget numbers because the economic performance provides for greater tax revenue. That is why we are able to come mid- year and provide greater levels of investment , support , and relief to the people of Bermuda. When we look at the realities of this budget, I thought that there would have been some level of acknowledgement regarding Bermuda's strong fiscal position. I thought there would have been some level of acknowledgement for a historic budget surplus of $472.7 million. I thought that there would have been some acknowledgement that for the first time in history, the government revenues will exceed $2 billion. I thought there would have been some public acknowledgement that this Government was able to successfully implement a Corporate Income Tax regime. None of that came today. The question must be asked, why? If you are doing an honest assessment of the budget, you must acknowledge record revenue. You must acknowledge a record budget surplus. You must acknowledge that this G overnment has done extremely well with the execution of the administrative du-ties to collect C orporate Income Tax. See, Mr. Speaker, they talk about C orporate Income Tax like , somehow , we just tripped over a bag of money on the side of the road.
[Laughter] 1920 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Jason Hayward: Like it came from a stroke of luck. Like we did not have to consult. As if we did not have to create a legal framework to collect the taxes. We get criticised for taking trips . But this required us to go to Europe and have conversations as to what this means for Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, we had to establish an A uthority to administer the programme. Then fund the Authority. Then staff the Authority. We had to consult more. We came back to this H ouse and brought more legislation and made amendments to the legislation that we put on the floor of the House. And now, Mr. Speaker, we are set up where we are receiving the revenue. Kudos must be given to all those individuals who were part of this process. They said that we were not going to be ready to collect the funds. They said that they could not trust us with setting up the regime. But now the country is collectively reap-ing the benefit. Not the Government. The country now sees a record surplus. Record revenues. So that we can do what with it? Eradicate our debt. Provide greater levels of social relief. And invest in our infrastructure. That is what the people of Bermuda expect. They see more money. They want us to be responsible with it. And they say, Hey , we want to see debt reduction. We want to see more support to Mr. and Mrs. Smith , as were mentioned in the Opposition's Budget Reply.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAnd the Jones’. Hon. Jason Hayward: And the Jones’ as well. Even though for most of our li ves we have been trying to keep up with them. [Laughter and inaudible interjection] Hon. Jason Hayward: And they want to see investment in our infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, we are in a …
And the Jones’. Hon. Jason Hayward: And the Jones’ as well. Even though for most of our li ves we have been trying to keep up with them. [Laughter and inaudible interjection] Hon. Jason Hayward: And they want to see investment in our infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, we are in a position where we will repay $605 million of debt in January 2025 [sic].
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWow. Another Hon. Member: Whoa. Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, we are in a position where we will pay down $605 million of debt in 2025 [sic]. [Desk thumping]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIn 2027. Hon. Jason Hayward: In 2027. Mr. Speaker, for some reason “25” was in my head. But that's the $25 million of savings we will save our taxpayers on an annual ba-sis year after year. [Desk thumping] Hon. Jason Hayward: That's where that 25 comes from. But then people …
In 2027.
Hon. Jason Hayward: In 2027. Mr. Speaker, for some reason “25” was in my head. But that's the $25 million of savings we will save our taxpayers on an annual ba-sis year after year.
[Desk thumping] Hon. Jason Hayward: That's where that 25 comes from. But then people say, What does that mean? It means we are reducing the debt burden on our seniors. It means we are reducing the debt burden on our workers. It means we are reducing the debt burden on our youth. We will reduce that burden by $25 million annually but make a significant dent in our debt. And then you hear thoughts come from the other side to say, Why would you pay all $605 million, so much money, at one point in time?
[Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Jason Hayward: But, Mr. Speaker, while $605 million is deemed to be a lot of money, it pales in com-parison to the $800 million that the OBA borrowed and increased our debt by in 2013.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberUh-oh! [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Jason Hayward: And so, we are being responsible on backs of individuals that took a gamble and lost. The former Minister of Finance took a gamble with the markets and he lost. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, the relief we are providing …
Uh-oh! [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Jason Hayward: And so, we are being responsible on backs of individuals that took a gamble and lost. The former Minister of Finance took a gamble with the markets and he lost.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, the relief we are providing to the working- class persons in Bermuda will be well received. Workers making $48,000 or less will now pay 95 per cent less in payroll tax than they did under the previous administration.
[Desk thumping] Hon. Jason Hayward: That's a fact. But don't let me just single out one income band , because those making $36,000 have seen their taxes reduced by $9,900 over that same period. Those making $48,000 have seen their taxes reduced by $13,200 over that same period. Those making $60,000 have seen their taxes reduced by $10,470. Those mak-ing $72,000 have seen their taxes reduced by $7,748. And those making $84,000 have seen their taxes reduced by $2,280. This reflects commitment to the people of Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, this is not a handout. This is relief. This is support. This is an increase in one's purchasing power. This is us saying that we care. This is us creating economic dignity. This is real and practical relief. You ask people what they want and they will tell you, more money in their pockets. And these tax cuts are doing just that. Placing more money in per-sons' pockets. And the relief does not stop there, Mr. Speaker. We have eliminated the remaining 20 per cent of
Bermuda House of Assembly customs duty on fuel and electricity. Every household, every business will feel that. We are also decreasing vehicle licensing fees. Everyone on our roads with a vehicle will feel that. And we have targeted support for our seniors to encourage individuals continuing in the workplace after [the age of] 65. We have made the bold and responsible decision to remove the employer's portion of payroll tax for Bermudian employees aged 65 -plus for the first $96,000 of their earnings. This goes hand in hand with a policy pa-per that the Ministry of Economy and Labour has put out to support seniors remaining in the workplace after [the age of] 65. Mr. Speaker, this Government simply does not support the notion that once one turns the age of 65, they simply expire from the workplace. We want to see more options for our more mature individuals within the workplace. They bring value to the workplace. T hey have institutional knowledge. Young employees can learn from more mature employees. They are deemed to be reliable within the workplace. And their skill sets simply do not expire at the age of 65. And so , coupled with age discrimination work that the H uman Rights Commission is doing, with the work that we see the Ministry of Economy and Labour doing, this will create a better environment for the continuation of work for our more mature workers. We are also increasing public sector pensions by 10 per cent and expanding FutureCare subsidies by $15 million. Mr. Speaker, this is us telling our seniors we care. The same Mr. and Mrs. Smith that were referred to will benefit from what we are doing today. So, when they ask, What is the Government doing for me?, we can clearly highlight that we are providing more support and more relief on top of the support and relief that we have been providing for years. Because every year since we have been in Government, we have been able to say how we support our youth, how we support our workers, how we support our seniors. A nd time does not permit me to go down that long list , but oftentimes we have to remind persons of the work that has been done. Mr. Speaker, when we have relief for our seniors, this is us telling our seniors that we care. This is us telling our seniors thank you for your hard work and contribution to our labour force. This is actually part of the social contract we signed with our seniors when we won the election. They have an expectation that we will provide additional benefits for them. And we will con-tinue to do so. And [for] our seniors on Financial Assistance, we have reformed Financial Assistance so they receive additional benefits. We continue to subsidise the public health insurance plans. We are providing more benefits , and the oldest amongst us in society will actually see cuts in the rates in which they pay. I wonder sometimes, Mr. Speaker, why are those efforts not applauded or acknowledged? Why do we see [Budget] Replies that simply act like the hard work, the relief , does not exist ; telling us we need to do more without acknowledging what we have done ? Telling us we need to do more without acknowledging what we have done. We are rebuilding the foundation of Bermuda through increased investment. We have $182 million set aside for capital investment, Mr. Speaker. That goes back into the infrastructure of Bermuda that supports the people of Bermuda. That is no handout. That is no hand up. That is an investment into our community. We all benefit from that capital investment. Mr. Speaker, $26.9 million to the Bermuda Housing Corporation to build and renovate affordable units. Almost $27 million set aside in this Budget to go to housing , and that is not even the total allocated funds towards housing. That is an increase. Mr. Speaker, we often hear that there is a housing shortage. It is accepted. We know that housing is not as accessible and affordable as we would like. We know it is causing hardship on families. But you cannot stand there and paint the picture as if we are doing nothing about it. The Premier made a deliberate action after the election. He appointed a Minister responsible for Housing. That is how much we have prioritised it. Now we have put capital in place to assist, on top of initiatives that we have already had in place to encourage private sector development in housing. We also put up a $90 million guarantee—
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Ninety —nine- zero.
Hon. Jason Hayward: —to support housing initiatives.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Nine-zero.
Hon. Jason Hayward: We have programmes in place to support young homeowners.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Another Hon. Member: That is right. Hon. Jason Hayward: We want to assist persons with renovating their units and getting them back on the market. We have to all work collectively together: the public and private sector. We understand some of the conditions that prevent persons from renting out …
Yes.
Another Hon. Member: That is right.
Hon. Jason Hayward: We want to assist persons with renovating their units and getting them back on the market. We have to all work collectively together: the public and private sector. We understand some of the conditions that prevent persons from renting out their houses. And through legislation we will try to make it better. We understand the problem. We are actively working on the solution. But there is no acknowledge-ment of the work that is actually being done, Mr. Speaker. And I wonder why. There is not one line in the Budget Reply that says they have allocated $182 million in capital and that is not enough.
[Inaudible interjections]
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Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Jason Hayward: I don't know if they want to see more or less. It wasn't mentioned.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo. Hon. Jason Hayward: Is the money we are spending and investing in our community too much or too little, Honourable Member DeCouto? Mr. Speaker, $14 million for public school upgrades and the Bermuda College seems like investment in education to me. Do we accept and acknowledge that much more …
No.
Hon. Jason Hayward: Is the money we are spending and investing in our community too much or too little, Honourable Member DeCouto? Mr. Speaker, $14 million for public school upgrades and the Bermuda College seems like investment in education to me. Do we accept and acknowledge that much more needs to be done? Yes. Do we have a collective desire that we have the best outcomes for our kids? The answer is yes. But do the numbers reflect a mass exodus of kids leaving public school for private school?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo. Another Hon. Member: Yes. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Jason Hayward: No, because private school s have a maximum capacity.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCorrect. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Jason Hayward: And so, I put out the Digest of Statistics and I took interest. There is declining enrolment in public schools. An Hon. Member: Mm-hmm. Hon. Jason Hayward: It has more to do with demographics —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCorrect. Hon. Jason Hayward: —our low birth rates , than with anything else. Persons currently chirp about people leaving with no numbers. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Jason Hayward: As in no numbers — [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Jason Hayward: —as to how many have left. And so, I am interested in individuals …
Correct. Hon. Jason Hayward: —our low birth rates , than with anything else. Persons currently chirp about people leaving with no numbers.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Jason Hayward: As in no numbers — [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Jason Hayward: —as to how many have left. And so, I am interested in individuals saying, Well, how will you collect it? Because May 20, 2026, is Census Day. And on that day, we will collect the population and housing data that we require. And I hope every single one participates so we can get the accurate numbers and close the gaps , so, we have to no longer listen to false assumptions made— [Inaudible interjections and laughter]
Hon. Jason Hayward: —by those that sit on that side of the House.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberI associate the whole House on that. [Inaudible interjections and laughter] Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, at some point we have to accept from a fiscal standpoint that the Government has done a good job. The way in which we have been able to turn around the fiscal position of …
I associate the whole House on that.
[Inaudible interjections and laughter] Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, at some point we have to accept from a fiscal standpoint that the Government has done a good job. The way in which we have been able to turn around the fiscal position of the Ber-muda Government is something that should actually be applauded. The way in which we have put ourselves on a trajectory to succeed should be acknowledged. The hard work of the Minister of Finance and his Ministry team should actually be applauded.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Jason Hayward: There was no acknowledgement regarding the capability, the competency, and the hard work that has put us in such a good position. But because I understand people are blinded by their own ambitions, when we look at independent verification, the Fiscal Responsibility Panel has stated Bermuda's …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCIT. Hon. Jason Hayward: Let me repeat that. Independently, Mr. Speaker, somebody has looked at the work that the Bermuda Government has done, and they have come to an independent conclusion that Bermuda's finances are at their strongest point in decades.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberDecades! Hon. Jason Hayward: This is the Fiscal Responsibility Panel that was set up by the One Bermuda Alliance Government.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCorrect. Hon. Jason Hayward: This is not our hand- picked group of individuals. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Jason Hayward: And so, I wonder how somebody can come from overseas and tell us that Bermuda's finances are at their strongest point in decades, but those here who will benefit from the relief …
Correct.
Hon. Jason Hayward: This is not our hand- picked group of individuals. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Jason Hayward: And so, I wonder how somebody can come from overseas and tell us that Bermuda's finances are at their strongest point in decades, but those here who will benefit from the relief that we are providing simply cannot say so.
[Crosstalk and laughter]
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, the S&P ratings have affirmed our position. If you looked at any of the analysis done by the accounting firms, we got glowing remarks for our Budget.
[Inaudible interjection and laughter]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Interesting. [Desk thumping]
Hon. Jason Hayward: We went to the Chamber of Commerce Budget Breakfast, and there was a different mood and atmosphere.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Jason Hayward: The President of the Chamber spoke how much he actually appreciated this budget.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberUh-oh! Hon. Jason Hayward: We are not just providing relief to well -off Members of Parliament, Mr. Speaker, we are also providing relief to businesses. We are providing relief to businesses to create a better business ecosys-tem, a better environment to help them to grow as well. This should be …
Uh-oh!
Hon. Jason Hayward: We are not just providing relief to well -off Members of Parliament, Mr. Speaker, we are also providing relief to businesses. We are providing relief to businesses to create a better business ecosys-tem, a better environment to help them to grow as well. This should be coined as “broad- based relief.” We are in a position where everybody benefits. There are people who are our people— everybody benefits, Mr. Speaker. [Laughter]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, I have a responsibility in this Government, that is being the Minister of Economy and Labour. My responsibility is to ensure there is economic growth, economic development, and the expansion of jobs. When I look into the numbers, we have been achieving economic growth, economic development, and the expansion of jobs. That is through the hard work of all in the business ecosystem to get us to a place where we need to be. But the budget , in particular for the Ministry of Economy and Labour , advances our mandate across six strategic pillars : • Investment attraction and economic diversification . • Local business growth and entrepreneurship. • Workforce development and labour market stability. • Data- driven policy and national statistics . • Regulatory moderni sation . • Institutional strengthening and immigration services. Mr. Speaker, I spoke about the work we are doing with our youth this morning. Notwithstanding that, a Member can rise o n the floor and state that we are doing nothing towards supporting youth employment. It is absolutely bizarre when one can speak to the initia-tives, when one can see a decline in youth unemployment but will not give acknowledgement to the work that is actually being done. So, we will, in this B udget, increase support for training, increase support for scholarships. We will target specific industries like health services, skills trades as well as digital technology. We will do further promotion of our apprenticeship schemes. We will ensure that we focus on skills trades. Mr. Speaker, AI will have an impact on the world of work in the future. To what extent it would have an impact on the jobs in Bermuda, we do not know. But what we do know is that AI will not be able to displace workers in the skills trades. We will still need plumbers, electricians, carpenters, tilers. And that is where we will focus our energy. You see, Mr. Speaker, when we transferred the National Training Board to the National Certification and Apprenticeship Board, it was with the vision that we expand the work that we are doing in those vocational areas. We will also be looking to implement a digital economy strategy. We want to have better private sector enablement. We want to ensure that we have a digital government, one that can provide services in a more efficient and effective manner. We need to make sure that we have the appropriate digital infrastructure. And then also we need to ensure that we invest in the human capital , that we have individuals that are able to cope in the current and future world of work , but also integrate with the technological advances that will take place within our society as well. And so, the Department of Workforce Development will also be increasing digital literacy training. Mr. Speaker, the B EDC and the Ministry of Economy and Labour are working on a National Entrepreneurship Strategy. We will continue to focus on our small and medium- sized enterprises. Those businesses that make Bermuda uniquely Bermudian. Those businesses where we see typical Bermudian ownership. We will ensure that we work to close funding gaps. We will increase incubator and accelerator programmes because we understand that the more support you provide a business in the early years of its startup, the bett er outcomes we actually receive in the long run. And so, the O pposition spoke about what they think that we should be doing. But we would have a full robust strategy in place and execute on that strategy. Mr. Speaker, in the Registry General Department . We will be bringing intellectual property (IP) legislation to the floor of this H ouse. We want to increase our intellectual property capabilities. We already have new systems that we are putting in place for trade marks and patents. We want to ensure that when we welcome businesses to innovate and start up in Bermuda, that we have a system that actually protects the ir intellectual capital. We also want to attract more luxury retail back to our shores. In order for us to do that, we need to ensure that we are protecting the Island against 1924 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly counterfeit goods. All of these things we are doing to battle support our business ecosystem in Bermuda. But there is one thing that I am proud that we are moving forward with to support the people of Bermuda, and that is pay transparency legislation that w e will be bringing to the floor of this H ouse. First, we will do public consultation. But for far too long we have seen inequalities in pay between men and women, Black and White, Bermudian and non- Bermudian. Mr. Speaker, I spoke to a group of females in IB, and they acknowledged that their male counterparts made significantly more than they did , working in the same positions. And I was asking the females why they believed that is the case. And they indicated to me that they had resigned to the fact that men are prepared to push the envelope in a job negotiation farther than they would actually push it . And, as a result , they get better outcomes. Mr. Speaker, that is not fair. It should be equal value for equal work. Now that is built within our Human Rights Act . But the challenge with it place d in our Human Rights Act is that now those women have to prove that they were discriminated against because they were Black, because they were women, or because they were Bermudian. We want to change that. Often times one goes on a job interview and the interviewer asks, What was your previous salary? Mr. Speaker, you tell me. What is the relevance of my previous salary ? [How] do you value that job in your establishment that I am actually coming for? What do you pay everybody else who works in the same job in your workplace? And so, job ads would have to have bands . And one can request the data pertaining to salaries within the workplace. Mr. Speaker, we seek to leg-islate that. We also seek to put enforcement mechanisms in place similar to the minimum wage legislation so that a labour inspector , once [they have] received a complaint , can go into the workplace and actually investigate it. When we talk about reducing inequalities, these are the things that matter. We can talk about providing relief as it pertains to payroll tax, but real relief will come when we have parity in the workplace.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberMm-hmm. Hon. Jason Hayward: Real relief will come when men and women make the same in the workplace. Real relief will come when Blacks and Whites make the same in the workplace. Real relief will come when Bermudians and non- Bermudians make the same in the workplace, Mr. Speaker.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Jason Hayward: That is the work that we are doing on behalf of the people of Bermuda. This budget funds a D epartment of L abour that we created in law that then funds positions and has resources so that we can put such legislation in place, and …
Yes. Hon. Jason Hayward: That is the work that we are doing on behalf of the people of Bermuda. This budget funds a D epartment of L abour that we created in law that then funds positions and has resources so that we can put such legislation in place, and not just put it in place, but actually enforce it. You see, this will not just impact the current generation of Bermudians. This would impact every generation of Bermudians thereafter. This would impact every woman that comes in the workplace thereafter. This will support every Black person that comes in the workplace thereafter. And I named those three categories, Bermudians, women, and Black, because when we look at the numbers, those are the marginal-ised groups. We would have hope d by now, through diversity and inclusion campaigns, the culture within the workplace w ould shift on its own. But that is not the case.
[Inaudible interjection]
[Desk thumping]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberGive it teeth. Hon. Jason Hayward: You see, when we make these serious matters, the only thing one can do is look and try to pat one’s self on the back, rather than realising that this is a serious situation, and be proud that it is actually being addressed.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWe brought legislation about eight years ago— Hon. Jason Hayward: You see who is talking? The most privileged in our society, based off of demographics, is now trying to empathise with the marginalised. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, these are the things that would have real impact …
We brought legislation about eight years ago— Hon. Jason Hayward: You see who is talking? The most privileged in our society, based off of demographics, is now trying to empathise with the marginalised.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Jason Hayward: Mr. Speaker, these are the things that would have real impact on the lives of the people of Bermuda. When the story is told, it needs to be told that the Progressive Labour Party G overnment has worked extremely hard for the people of Bermuda. And when we look at this b udget, let everybody know that it achieves three things : Debt eradication, social relief, and infrastructure investment, all for the benefit of the people of Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER HOUSE VISITORS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerBefore I recognise the next speaker, I note in the Gallery we have Senator Simmons, Senator Smith, and I saw former Senator H odgson. She may Bermuda House of Assembly have just stepped out. Just acknowledging your presence. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd now the remaining speakers will have 30 minutes on the clock.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSo, we are just adjusting the clock for that. Opposition Member Richardson, you have the floor now.
Mr. Jarion RichardsonThank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the h onourable previous speakers for their contributions this evening. Yes, indeed, this is a topic of seriousness, and as such we should be treated. Now the previous Honourable Member who spoke started his contribution with an opening salvo, and I probably . …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the h onourable previous speakers for their contributions this evening. Yes, indeed, this is a topic of seriousness, and as such we should be treated. Now the previous Honourable Member who spoke started his contribution with an opening salvo, and I probably . . . I don't think I'll reply to it. I think what I'll do is try something a little different. I think that I will remind the honourable speaker and the G overnment that I went out for dinner the other night, Mr. Speaker, and I got a nice meal, and I quite enjoyed it . And then the check came and I paid it. But you know what the waitress did not do was pat me on the back for paying my bill. But I will also add that this Government seems to be constantly pining for the approval of the O pposition. So let me pass on my thanks for doing your job. And another reason why we might not always be running to pat the Government on the back so much is because they are pretty good at doing it themselves . And that doesn't leave a lot of space for us. So, I will start with that. No , I will leave it . And I am actually quite looking forward to the reply to that from the Honourable Member for constituency . . . where are you from? Constituency —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHere he comes. [Laughter]
Mr. Jarion RichardsonNo, but , Mr. Speaker, I think that what we have to deal with in this b udget debate or in this b udget is this once -in-a-lifetime opportunity to deal with the areas of reform that are needed in Ber-muda. And because this is an opportunity that, like others, …
No, but , Mr. Speaker, I think that what we have to deal with in this b udget debate or in this b udget is this once -in-a-lifetime opportunity to deal with the areas of reform that are needed in Ber-muda. And because this is an opportunity that, like others, can be wasted, I would thank the Government to take the opportunity to correct the structural issues in Bermuda rather than the surface- level issues. In fact, attack the disease instead of the symptoms. I would also thank the G overnment to . . . I have right here, Mr. Speaker, the O pposition’s Reply delivered by the Honourable Member , Dr. DeCouto . And it has got some 38 pages of text. There is no need for the G overnment to infer anything about Dr. DeCouto’s contribution to this debate. It is more than enough words . And I would encourage the G overnment to stop repeating their inferences and start repeating our words , because our words are accurate, timely, and informed. Speaking of accurate, timely, and informed, Mr. Speaker, this is a year of some fiscal strength. And there are a number of people who are excited about that. The Government is visibly excited about this surge in cash. And why? Well, it is quite obvious . I do not think we need to repeat it, but I will do so for the purposes of this debate so that we at least get on the record that the Opposition did say what is obvious to everybody. Revenue is high. CIT is large. The debt repayment is welcomed, and the surpl us is projected. So yes, two and two do make four. There, we said it. Now, I am not here to talk about arithmetic with the Government, though, Mr. Speaker. I am here to measure outcomes. Because there is still the Two Ber-mudas . And even though it has been put forward that, for some reason I am not allowed to be empathetic to one or the other, or perhaps I do not belong to one or the other, or whatever variations of lowbrow commentary has taken place, the simple fact is there are Two Bermudas. There is the balance- sheet Bermuda versus the bus -stop Bermuda, the conference- room Bermuda versus the hallway -medicine Bermuda, the insuranceprofits Bermuda, and the lack -of-housing Bermuda. And there are those who read the Budget Statement, and then there are those who live with it. And right away, what we need to address isn't the situation that we find ourselves in, but what we can do with that. You see, Mr. Speaker, we now face a crucial test as this Parliament. Because even the Government itself admits that macro progress does not always reach the kitchen table. And the kitchen table is where it matters. Mr. Speaker, I am always quite interested to hear how we keep hearing more and more about the lack of reform. And there is always an explanation. In the police we call it an excuse; but I will call it an explanation here. I had this wonderful supervisor when I was in the police who used to broker no excuses . . . I'm sorry, explanations. He would make it quite intentional. I was assigned to a group of static positions, and there were no computers at those static positions. You cannot interview witnesses, et cetera. You are really just standing there in the cold rain and just guarding whoever. I think I was guarding the Premier at the time, Dame Jennifer. And I went back to the station, and my police supervisor said to me, Where is the criminal investigation relating to blah blah and blah matters? I said, Well Sarge, you assigned me to statics, and I can't interview witnesses while I'm guarding the 1926 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Premier. I can't fill in the paperwork. I can't have access to a computer. And he looked at me so deadpan and calm and he just said, PC Richardson that sounds personal. He did not care about the explanation. He did not care about the circumstances. He did not care that I had a good intention. He only cared about the outcome. And I carried that with me into the rest of my career. You see, Bermuda is reliant on outcomes. We are in fact entirely dependent on outcomes ; not on intentions. We need good outcomes in our health reform. We need good outcomes in our education reform. We need good outcomes in our housing reform and our crime strategies. But perhaps most importantly to this Honourable House in this particular moment we need good outcomes to our parliamentary reform. Because this is actually the people's H ouse, and it is in this House that the Government comes and asks for the people's money. And it is this House, and this House alone, that can grant them the permission to spend that money , and on what . And it would be good if we could return to our proper place in the Sessions House. A place where we have the space and resources to do our work. Now, Mr. Speaker, why is the reform a priority now? Because the current revenue, as the Government has admitted, is not going to be consistent. It is going to be brief, howsoever significant . But like the tide, it will eventually go out. And when the tide goes out, you can see who is not wearing swim shorts. Mr. Speaker, before the tide goes out on this opportunity it would be good if we got our H ouse in order. Let me reiterate something that the Honourable Dr. DeCouto has made clear. The CIT is an OEC Ddriven reform that was brought to our shores. We did not go out and seek it. And we had to deal with the consequences of it. Now, I am pretty sure I heard Dr. DeCouto mention the good work of the T ax . . . what's that group called?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTax Reform.
Mr. Jarion RichardsonTax Reform , the ones who put in the CIT. Yes, t hat working group has obviously done a good job. And I think that during the CIT debate, we mentioned how much we appreciate their work and the work of anyone who contributed, including members of this Government. That …
Tax Reform , the ones who put in the CIT. Yes, t hat working group has obviously done a good job. And I think that during the CIT debate, we mentioned how much we appreciate their work and the work of anyone who contributed, including members of this Government. That was undoubtedly not easy. And it required a degree of professionalism, informed ap-proach and discernment that has allowed the circumstances that we live in today , the ones that we are debating today. Now, what also has been made clear is that insurance profitability will vary. The OECD may change the rules , as they are well known to do. And if it is not them, it is going to be the UK. Somebody , somewhere, is going to rock up to our shores and try to have a go at us. So, whilst the tide is in, let's get our H ouse in order. Mr. Speaker, I would just add that we have further to go on the tax credit negotiations and that will also impact our revenue. So, it is important that we act with some degree of not only urgency but permanence. Mr. Speaker, what we are seeing right now in this Budget Statement and in these E stimates is a broad increase of an expenditure across multiple ministries. We are seeing an increase in base operating expenditures and we are seeing the beginnings of political temptations in unallocated funds in , as yet unnamed projects , such as strategic interest projects and constituency -based projects. Now, my concern, Mr. Speaker, is that we have to optimise this opportunity before it leaves our shores. I note, Mr. Speaker . . . in fact, I actually bought a [copy of The] Royal Gazette, a rare occasion for me these days because . . . [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Jarion RichardsonYes, maybe I'll wait for the motion to adjourn to talk about The Royal Gazette. [Laughter]
Mr. Jarion RichardsonBut on the bottom of the front page, Mr. Speaker, if I beg your indulgence, Plans afoot to dislodge bed blockers in hospitals . And I thought I had gone back in time because I'm pretty sure I read that story before. In fact, every year that I have been …
But on the bottom of the front page, Mr. Speaker, if I beg your indulgence, Plans afoot to dislodge bed blockers in hospitals . And I thought I had gone back in time because I'm pretty sure I read that story before. In fact, every year that I have been in Parliament, I have heard some version of a plan to stop all the beds from blocking the corridors in the hospital. I was recently in the hospital myself and I made a point to actually walk around and look. I saw a good friend of mine sitting in a chair because he couldn't get a bed , and then he also couldn't go home so he sat in that chair for six hours. I saw an older cousin, a cousin of my father , lying in a bed. I saw numerous elderly in vulnerable positions. It broke my heart, Mr. Speaker, because it's the same reason it would break anybody's heart. We hold ourselves out to be sophisticated, wealthy -ish as a country. We hold ourselves out to be organised. We hold ourselves out to prioritise one another. We hold ourselves out to be loving and considerate to one another. I did not see evidence of that. And so, I see increased spending in health, an additional 23 per cent in fact . And I am extremely interested in hearing the health debate because if we spend another year on the merry -go-round that is hospital beds in the hallways and lack of beds in the rooms, we will definitely have lost this once- in-a-lifetime opportunity. Mr. Speaker, what I am going to do now is speak to our housing situation , because our housing situation is yet another once- in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, our problem seems to be getting addressed with standalone projects that are not interconnected or related. We seem to be able to identify the core issues relating, but we do not seem to be able to address them structurally. Housing is a great example of multiple factors over time adding up into a crisis, not just in terms of local workforce growth, not just from overseas. We have another law, again that was impressed upon us from overseas, the Economic Substance [Act]. And that means that certain aspects of businesses must be co- located in Bermuda. That means that we are typically bringing in key and core people who are competing for housing, blocking the housing ladder, as it were. We have more single- parent households . We have reduced intergenerational family housing. We have less shared rentals. We have more smaller households looking for more space, really a hangover from COVID -19, because once you get locked inside your house for the better part of a couple months, you all of a sudden realise that maybe a gar-den would be a nice thing. And certainly, for those of us who are lucky enough to be sent home to work from home, that maybe we need to sit somewhere where our kids can't get to us . Now, Mr. Speaker, I find the housing issue to be quite, quite, quite mystifying, because we are all well aware that our population has decreased. And I know that the H onourable Member mentioned that we will be having a census. Again, I feel like déjà vu, because we have been talking about this every year I have been in the House. So maybe this year we will get around to it , And if we do, yay. So, we know anecdotally that our population is going down, because the family barbecues are getting smaller, and one doesn't need to take attendance. So, my question was, Well, if the population is going down, and the housing crisis is increasing, are they taking the buildings with them? I couldn't quite figure that out. I mean, did they pack up the buildings? And what it comes down to is a number of issues that relate to the structure of Bermuda's housing environment . And I am welcoming the work of the housing minister, because these core issues need to be resolved. Housing reform needs to be undertaken; not housing problem- solving, not housing Band- Aids, but housing reform. [We are] talking about zoning rigidity . We are talking about the Planning delays . And we have heard again, year on year, Oh, we're going to improve Planning. Yet again, deja vu. I have heard that every year that I have been in this H ouse, that we are going to improve Planning. So yay, here we go again. Maybe it will happen this time. Rent control disincentives. The simple fact of the matter is the price of construction is so much that a person does not want to put that kind of money back into the house if they can not get it back out. And that, by the way, also relates to conflict resolutions, which in a housing context is both complicated, lengthy, and expensive. A person's house and that rental property that they have is typically the only vehicle they have for wealth preservation . And we are asking for them, rightly so, to house our p opulation. Well, then we should provide the mechanisms for them to protect their assets. The simple fact of the matter is right now a housing conflict goes through a lengthy, arduous and expensive court process that disincentivizes the persons from putting their houses on the market at the very time we need them on the market. We have a struct ural problem and no more Band- Aids. Okay? This is not about . . . we keep talking about housing stock, housing stock, housing stock. What about housing permission? We need to give people the right and the ability and the permission to offer their houses to house our population. Dr. DeCouto, or the Honourable Dr. DeCouto, has spoken to some solutions on fast -track Planning, incentives, landlord- tenant reform tribunal, and there are other ideas such as changing laws around corporate investments into housing and things like that . And that is outlined in our plan. Mr. Speaker, I note that we have the exact same problem in terms of structural issues on our cost of living. The G overnment has gone through some tremendous effort to pat itself on the back for the payroll tax changes and the electricity duty reduction, essential goods reductions and rebates . So much so that public messaging is now a self -congratulatory exercise. So again, thank you for doing your jobs , if it is needed from us in the O pposition. The household reality is different than that, though. You see, Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Dr. DeCouto has already pointed out that electricity remains amongst the highest in the region. Our food imports are still vulnerable to as much as a bad winter gale, [to] mortgage pressure through banking fees , and rent escalation. And even though we are reporting on wage growth, that wage growth is entirely uneven, which means that the benefits are not being shared across equally. Mr. Speaker, we are looking at structural weaknesses in our housing, our cost-of-living environment. The regulator, which we have spoken about before, the RA [Regulatory Authority], needs new powers. The energy market structure remains unchanged. And this, Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak to because I did not know this until I joined politics . And then having learned this, it is actually quite shocking and shows just how dangerously . . . how vulnerable our energy situation is. Mr. Speaker, we obviously have a baseload that [is] legislated and has to be maintained on our grid. Mr. Speaker, every time someone comes off the grid because of renewable energy, that increases the price for those who remain on the grid. And the only people who can come off the grid are those who can afford it. So now we are driving up the cost of those who remain on the grid. 1928 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Well, if we keep doing this, at some point we are going to break that. This model is going to break, and we have got to figure this out. That is why the RA needs to be empowered to do some very hard and deep thinking about our energy markets . As we encourage more renewable energy we are effectively [making] our energy grid that much more vulnerable and that much more expensive. Mr. Speaker, I will just take this opportunity or break to remind ourselves of the T wo Bermudas that we have been talking about. The Bermuda of capital is doing very well, but the Bermuda of households is under increasing pressure. The Bermuda of global confidence is stable, but the Bermuda of local confidence is fragile. The Bermuda of macro indicators is strong, but the Bermuda of lived experience is strained. And I object to anyone who says I do not have permission to empathise with my people whom I have served twice in the uniformed service. [Desk thumping]
Mr. Jarion RichardsonThe budget sounds stronger than Bermuda feels. Mr. Speaker, we are going to move on to education. Again, a structural opportunity here. We have the funding increase coming in, and again, deja vu . We have seen this before. We are talking about capital works expansion. I am not sure …
The budget sounds stronger than Bermuda feels. Mr. Speaker, we are going to move on to education. Again, a structural opportunity here. We have the funding increase coming in, and again, deja vu . We have seen this before. We are talking about capital works expansion. I am not sure which one we are talking about because I just heard the cost - of-living Minister , or the Minister of Home Affairs, speaking about a number that was astronomical. It sounded like she said $20 million per school needs to be put in. And I . . . I canno t imagine $10 [million] to $20 million per school. And I think we still have to figure out which school that is becaus e we have closed some and others are —
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Jarion RichardsonYes. I'm not sure which one we're closing anymore. The simple fact of the matter is that we are having a crisis of confidence in our education system. Parents are uncertain. Teachers are getting frustrated. Every teacher I speak to. Execution matters. Administration confusion matters. As it stands, Dr. DeCouto …
Yes. I'm not sure which one we're closing anymore. The simple fact of the matter is that we are having a crisis of confidence in our education system. Parents are uncertain. Teachers are getting frustrated. Every teacher I speak to. Execution matters. Administration confusion matters. As it stands, Dr. DeCouto , the Honourable Dr. DeCouto, emphasised our position that an independent Education Authority, which the previous E ducation Minister did speak to in another debate ([which] I can't remember, so I look forward to hearing that again) reinstating counselling services . But really what we are talking about is accountability. We are talking about accountability across multiple spectrums in our reform, in the reform that is needed in Bermuda. And we are looking forward to seeing how that is navigated because, again, we have a once- in-a-lifetime opportunity. The tide will go out. What will we have done with this money? Mr. Speaker, I want to talk to security in the courts, most especially security. Because without it, there is simply no Bermuda. There is no version of Bermuda where anarchy reigns, where gangs can be allowed to openly assassinate civilians. There is no version of Bermuda that can tolerate such blatant disregard for human life, and I have no tolerance for it whatsoever. Our courts are backlogged. Traffic offences are openly visible. I could walk downstairs right now and count. Witnesses are reluctant to come forward. We have repeat offenders coming in and out of Corrections in a cyclical nature. Our social . . . we literally have anti - social conduct on the streets so frequent that you do not have to look for it. You can just walk a block. The timeliness of justice is not an option. Our people will only have faith in the criminal justice system if we give it the resources to do its job. And its job must be the enforcement of our laws and bringing to justice those who breach them. Our recruitment challenges have to be dealt with, not as a matter of social engineering but as reality. We need police officers . So, let's get on top of getting police officers . And I have to stop there because what I do not want to do is ignore the work that is being done in that space right now. We need police officers , and this Opposition will support the Ministry in getting more cops on our streets. [Desk thumping]
Mr. Jarion RichardsonWe need to [come] to grips with the security of our c ountry. This is no time . . . and so what I would definitely say is that what we need now is increased criminal intelligence, increased criminal interdiction. The internal mechanisms of policing themselves need to be reformed. …
We need to [come] to grips with the security of our c ountry. This is no time . . . and so what I would definitely say is that what we need now is increased criminal intelligence, increased criminal interdiction. The internal mechanisms of policing themselves need to be reformed. We are spending so much time finding new ways of blaming police officers for every possible infraction that we can conceive of that we are running out of cops —cops with experience, cops who know how this works. We need to make sure that our police officers are properly equipped. They are still issuing tickets by handwriting in triplicate, and inputting it into the computer by hand. I mean, come on. Is it 2026 or 1985? It's time to equip our cops ! My brothers and sisters —our brothers and sisters—are out there protecting us . And they deserve our protection in return. We need to equip them with computerised technologies that are sufficient for the job. And that is not an easy thing. It will require some work . But let's get on with it, because the tide will go out. Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about the accountability of this G overnment. This G overnment is accountable to this Honourable House, full stop. And this Honourable House needs to return to our home in Sessions House. Not as a point of curiosity, not as a
Bermuda House of Assembly point of he mming and hawing and planning, [but] as a point of priority . And I mean now, Mr. Speaker. We need . . . I am glad . . . I see right now, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, look at page 29 of the Budget Statement. With your permission, may I read? “Capital Projects Over $1 million FY 2026/ 27.” There are 24 projects before the Parliament Building. The home of accountability and transparency is 26th on the list and has the same priority as “ Park Improvement. ”
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt starts next month.
Mr. Jarion RichardsonWell, thank God it starts next month. [It] should have started two years ago. Mr. Speaker, this G overnment is now going to be in possession of $2 billion in revenue. This Honour-able House, this Parliament, this instrument of our Constitution, and our constitutional officers must be equipped to oversee …
Well, thank God it starts next month. [It] should have started two years ago. Mr. Speaker, this G overnment is now going to be in possession of $2 billion in revenue. This Honour-able House, this Parliament, this instrument of our Constitution, and our constitutional officers must be equipped to oversee $2 billion. That means we have to ensure that our Auditor General is properly equipped. We have to make sure that our o versight committees are properly equipped. We have to make sure that our s ecretariat in this building is properly equipped. We are going to need researchers. We are going to need people with legal expertise. This Honourable House is not an appendage to the Government. This Honourable House stands on its own. It always has. It always will . And thank God for it. Thank God for Bermuda, and I pray that this Government uses the opportunity and does not waste it while the tide is in. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. MP Simmons, I see you on your feet. Are you looking to participate at this stage?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMP Simmons, you have the clock.
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsI would like to begin by thanking God for all the blessings that H e has given me and my family. I want to thank my family for all the ir support, and I want to thank the people of constituency 33 for giving me the honour to speak on …
I would like to begin by thanking God for all the blessings that H e has given me and my family. I want to thank my family for all the ir support, and I want to thank the people of constituency 33 for giving me the honour to speak on their behalf in this Chamber. Now, today is of some historical importance as the last Friday in Black History Month. And when we look around our history, a person like me was not supposed to be sitting in this Chamber. A person like me was not supposed to be f inance minister . And so, I want to take a moment to give thanks to all of the Black finance ministers throughout our history, beginning with Dr. Clarence James , of the United Bermuda Party, moving on to [Mr.] C. Eugene Cox, [Ms.] Paula Cox, then we go to [Mr.] E. T. (Bob) Richards, [MP] Curtis Dickinson, and the Honourable Premier . I think it is important because they helped to break down the notion that Black people cannot be trusted with money. They helped to break down the notion that Black people are corrupt when it comes to money. And every time a Black finance minister stands up and puts up a budget that does what this budget does, it gives lie to the liars who say that Black people cannot manage money. Let's be clear.
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsOh, well, you know . I know the story of what they did to Clarence. Am I being used? Now, Mr. Speaker, reviewing and listening to the Opposition 's Reply , I was reminded of an experience I had a number of years ago working on a doomed election campaign. …
Oh, well, you know . I know the story of what they did to Clarence. Am I being used? Now, Mr. Speaker, reviewing and listening to the Opposition 's Reply , I was reminded of an experience I had a number of years ago working on a doomed election campaign. Everybody on the campaign knew the election was doomed. And the night before the election the party leader of this party said to me, You know, when we win . . . you have done a great job. I am going to make sure that we put you in a nice position because you have done a good job. And I thought to myself : You might as well have promised you are going to make me the next lead singer of New Edition because it ain't happening. And you are either deluded, or you feel that, you know : ‘I’ll make a promise. I t won’t matter because I won’t get to keep it. ’ And Mr. Speaker, as I listened to the Opposition's Reply , I ha d to ask : Are they deluded or making promises that they know that they will never have to fulfil? There has been an odd approach, almost like this Reply was jigsaw -puzzled together by a bunch of different voices , and it created almost a sort of schizophrenic approach. And what I mean by that, Mr. Speaker, [is] on the one hand you say that you want to spend all this money in housing, but we should put more money towards the debt. You say we should put more towards our seniors, but we should spend more money on the debt. You say we should build more schools and put more money in education, but we should put money on the debt. And we can run through all the lists of things that they think fit in this mystical fantasy world of an OBA Government that they would do. And the question arises : How will you pay for this as you speed up the decrease of the debt? And the answers were fascinating. I mean, to me as a layman, it sounded a lot like: Trust me, bro. Trust me, bro. No, no, seriously because look, look, I get it, right? Opposition has to—particularly Oppositions that are fiscally conservative have to—play the game of being socially conscious. Every budget , they have to come and they have to pretend that their heart has 1930 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly grown four sizes bigger like the Grinch. And they have suddenly learned the meaning of Christmas and that : Oh, no, the seniors ! And oh, no, the housing! And oh, no, this and that. But listen to what else is said. Listen to what else is said . Okay? The most passionate response that we heard, one of the most passionate responses was for us MPs to get back into our building. That was one of the most passionate responses. We felt the fire then, getting them in a building or getting us back in a building. Okay? Now, this budget . . . I believe, the budget —
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsI’m sorry, Honourable Member. Dr. D oom wants to say something? [Laughter]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsUnderstood, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, look, this budget delineates the clear difference between those who will make promises they do not believe they will ever have to keep and those who have to live with the consequences — [Crosstalk]
Mr. Jamahl S. Simmons—live with the consequences. I am sorry. I am sorry, Dr. D eCouto, I cannot hear you.
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsWell, well, Dr. D eCouto, you say the Premier will not be here. But I have no confidence that you will be there the way you change leaders. I have zero confidence in that. It could be the Honourable Member, um . . . Honourable Member King, are you ready …
Well, well, Dr. D eCouto, you say the Premier will not be here. But I have no confidence that you will be there the way you change leaders. I have zero confidence in that. It could be the Honourable Member, um . . . Honourable Member King, are you ready to be the Shadow Finance Minister ? Because you could be up. So please, I would encourage you. Y ou guys understand I got 30 minutes. The more you talk, the more I talk. Now —
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsOh no, no, no. I would rather bleed from every pore in my body than be the leader of any political party . Thank you. Others are better suited to that. But let us say this . This budget . . . Returning to my point , this budget delineates …
Oh no, no, no. I would rather bleed from every pore in my body than be the leader of any political party . Thank you. Others are better suited to that. But let us say this . This budget . . . Returning to my point , this budget delineates some of the clear difference between us and them. We slashed the debt ; they doubled it. They criticised us for foreign invest-ment but never mentioned the airport and their shenanigans with foreign investment. [Crosstalk]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsI will tell you I will not be distracted, Mr. Speaker, because they are not my audience. It is the people that I represent that are my audience because I am going to disagree with something the Honourable Member who just took his seat said. You do not hold us …
I will tell you I will not be distracted, Mr. Speaker, because they are not my audience. It is the people that I represent that are my audience because I am going to disagree with something the Honourable Member who just took his seat said. You do not hold us accountable; the people do. You do not hold us accountable; the people do. So, understand. Y ou criticise and you talk about [how] we should spend more on education, but you cut it when you had the chance. You complain about youth unemployment, which is something that was factually inaccurate in your response, but you slashed the programmes to benefit our youth.
[Crosstalk]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsRun through the list . We built houses . How many did you build? Less than one by a bunch. So, let's . . . Let's be clear here . There is a reason why . . . There is a reason why there continues to be a lack of …
Run through the list . We built houses . How many did you build? Less than one by a bunch. So, let's . . . Let's be clear here . There is a reason why . . . There is a reason why there continues to be a lack of faith and lack of trust in the Opposition because you cannot have it both ways. You cannot be pro reducing the debt when you doubled it. You cannot be pro our youth.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Scott PearmanPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. I am afraid the Honourable Member , perhaps unintentionally, has twice stated, incorrectly and falsely, as you can see from the Budget Book , that the OBA doubled the debt. They did not. I believe he has probably picked that up from MP De Silva, …
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsI am sorry . I do not . . . I have no idea what . . . I do not understand that point of order. [Crosstalk]
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsBut let us continue, Mr. Speaker. You will note, Mr. Speaker, they did not cor-rect me on the housing. They did not correct me on youth. They cannot correct me on seniors because while we increased pensions every year and invested in our seniors more this year . They said, …
But let us continue, Mr. Speaker. You will note, Mr. Speaker, they did not cor-rect me on the housing. They did not correct me on youth. They cannot correct me on seniors because while we increased pensions every year and invested in our seniors more this year . They said, Money does not grow on trees. So, understand there is a difference. And you cannot have it both ways. You cannot make these promises that you will not keep, and at the same time claim that you want to reduce the debt. It is insane. It is utterly insane.
Bermuda House of Assembly Now, Mr. Speaker, [regarding] the approach. We understand something very simple. When we go into our constituencies the people do not ask us, What [are] you all doing about the debt? They ask us : What [are] you going to do about our light bills? What [are] you going to do about our finding an apartment? What are we going to do about that? And that is why we could not, because being . . . You coming here and telling stories about people's pain . . . They are not stories to us. They are not political points t o score for us. We live it and deal with it every day. And we deal with it with family members. Some of us in this Chamber have dealt with it personally. So, we have a higher commitment — a higher commitment —to make sure that our seniors are taken care of, our youth are taken care of, that we get it right. And we have not gotten everything right. Nobody can possibly stand here and say that every single Member of this Chamber has gotten everything right in life. And we have not gotten everything right. But I will tell you this . When we have made mistakes, we have adjusted. We do not attack anybody about mistakes — [Laughter]
Mr. Jamahl S. Simmons—about mistakes that we have made. So, I find it funny when you have an Opposition who wants to talk about foreign investment and has never apologised, never acknowledged, or never dealt with the fallout of their investment shenanigans. That is the problem, and that is why people do not …
—about mistakes that we have made. So, I find it funny when you have an Opposition who wants to talk about foreign investment and has never apologised, never acknowledged, or never dealt with the fallout of their investment shenanigans. That is the problem, and that is why people do not trust them. You cannot have it both ways. Mr. Speaker, w hen I look at the investments we are making, I say that ( you know ) I am very glad at this moment in time the Premier is Minister of Finance because me, frankly, I would have given him more money . Okay? The debt would have been paid a little slower. So, we are lucky we have a responsible person who is actually balancing the needs of our people with the needs of our debt management . And it is important because we have seen what happens when you do not balance the needs of our people with the bal ance sheet. Now, I am going to differ from my colleague, the Honourable Mr. Hayw ard, and I will say that I do not expect praise from the One Bermuda Alliance. I do not expect it. I would be shocked to hear it . And the day I hear it, I will assume we have done something terrible, and we need to change course immediately. But what we have to look at as we talk ed in our Budget Book about nation building . . . And that really spurred my interest because nation building may have a different context for me as someone who grew up believing in independence. But the point of trying to address the structural issues that allow us to say we can house our people, we can f eed our people, we can educate our people, that is a fundamental underpinning. And it is a change of mindset that I think is long overdue. The capacity to begin thinking about how we can progress beyond problems of the moment and to address them permanently, that is big. That is big. And when the Minister talks about the reforms in labour laws, I get excited because those are things that people like me have been fighting for for 20 years. And to see that this is on the horizon . . . Equality -pay legislation is huge. And these are the types of things that happen when you have a Government that is connected with the people—not to get a story for a talking point , but to actually transform and improve people's lives. That is something that will transform and improve people's lives. And I am very grateful that w e are looking at how we can even further transform and improve our people's lives. Now, Mr. Speaker, the Premier has indicated— and I believe him —that this will be his final budget and his final year as the Premier of Bermuda. The Premier and I have been through four elections together . More than anybody else. We have battled. W e have debated . We have agreed. W e have worked together . And I am glad to stand and say that I wish him well in his career outside of the Premier 's office and the Finance Ministry's office. We have been served more well than badly by him, and I appreciate his sacrif ice for the office. And finally, Mr. Speaker, the budget would not be complete without my appeal as a backbencher for my constituency. Over almost a decade or so ago, Somerset Bridge Recreation Club was demolished. We as a Government at that time promised that we would restore it and rebuild it , and we have yet to fulfil that promise. I recognise the reasons why . But we have to find a way to fulfil the promise that we made. Mr. Speaker, I conclude by saying this . We have a budget that I am very proud to take to my constituents. When they ask me, What are you doing for me? I am able to say to my seniors, We are investing in you and making life better for you. I am able to say to our youth, Y ou should begin to have some hope because we are investing in you and making sure that you have an opportunity in your own country. When we talk to our people in the professional sector, we are able to say, The concerns you have raised with us, we are addressing and looking to move forward. And we also can say that we know that as good as the economy is doing on paper, it must do better for you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, MP. Is there any other Member ? MP Campbell, you have the floor.
Mr. Vance CampbellThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to, as I normally do, try and find the positives when I stand up and speak about the work of the Government . And I learned that from a former S enator that I had the privilege of serving under. He …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to, as I normally do, try and find the positives when I stand up and speak about the work of the Government . And I learned that from a former S enator that I had the privilege of serving under. He was an independent S enator. He would start 1932 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly from the position of, I do not support this , and find a reason to support it. But again, there are positives in this budget presented by the Government , and I will talk about some of those positives , as I have, whenever I have gotten up and spoken about a piece of legislation that the Government has presented.
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Vance CampbellI live in Devonshire. Repayment in full of the $605 million Senior Notes maturing in January 2027 —that is an extreme positive. I will not dwell on it too much because it has already been spoken about. And I really did not hear anybody mention this one, but I really …
I live in Devonshire. Repayment in full of the $605 million Senior Notes maturing in January 2027 —that is an extreme positive. I will not dwell on it too much because it has already been spoken about. And I really did not hear anybody mention this one, but I really believe it is a positive —the plan for the Ministry of Finance to re- empanel the Debt Management Committee this year to guide the next phase of debt reduction. I think that is very positive . They will be advising the best way to ensure continued reduction of Bermuda's debt. That is a very crippling commitment that the Government , any Government, would have, a debt the size that we have. [There are] positives that have been spoken about already —reductions in employer payroll tax rates. That will help . As someone who . . . I do not own a business, but I run a business . And those quarterly payroll tax bills are hefty. So that will be appreciated by all businesses, all businesses in Bermuda, local and international business [ IB].
Mr. Vance CampbellYou know, it could always be a little more. No. Given the fact that our workforce is ageing, and having just become a senior myself ( so I am going to declare my interests ), I was pleased to see that the employer portion of payroll tax rates is to …
You know, it could always be a little more. No. Given the fact that our workforce is ageing, and having just become a senior myself ( so I am going to declare my interests ), I was pleased to see that the employer portion of payroll tax rates is to be exempted on the first $ 96,000 of remuneration for Bermudian employees age 65 and over who want to remain in the workforce—a gain, on the payroll tax reduction in the employee payroll tax rates for bands one and two. Lower electricity rates , or overall costs with the elimination of the final four cents per litre, e ssential goods reduction designed to reduce the cost of grocery products —these are positives, Mr. Speaker . I cannot stand to my feet and not say they are. Ten per cent reduction in private car licen sing fees. [In] Bermuda, if you have travelled our roads, a lot of vehicles on our roads. So, a lot of people will benefit from that. [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Vance CampbellWell, you know there is always a hook, right? There is a hook, and that hook is coming. Further customs duty changes to plug the gaps in some of the parts for motor vehicles and also con-struction. And I declare my interest . The company I work for is in …
Mr. Vance CampbellAnd, yes, I was consulted. Fourteen million dollars for [the] H ealth Insurance Department to fund the expansion of health services under Health Insurance Plan [HIP] and FutureC are—that is really great , because that , again, benefits our seniors to a large extent , and others. And that is …
And, yes, I was consulted. Fourteen million dollars for [the] H ealth Insurance Department to fund the expansion of health services under Health Insurance Plan [HIP] and FutureC are—that is really great , because that , again, benefits our seniors to a large extent , and others. And that is the expansion. We will see free annual health examinations, expanded prescription drug coverage, expanded preventative access , and $15 million toward FutureCare premium subsidies. Again, one of the biggest cost s facing seniors is that health insurance premium that they have to pay. And sometimes they are making decisions : Do I use my health coverage and buy medicine, or do I buy food? If I pay for the medicine, I might be stuck having a peanut butter sandwich, no jam. [I] cannot afford the jam. And again, government employees, they deserve an improvement in their health plan as well. And $12 million has been allocated to that to ensure its sustainability. [There is] n othing like going to the doctor. You receive the service and then you are told you have got to come up with the cash because it did not go through your plan or your plan does not cover it . And [with] this one I am really pleased. And I hope there was not much detail , or I may have missed it—reinstating and phased integration of counselling services, including youth counselling. And I hope that the plan is to insert that counselling right into the schools because that is where I think it is most needed. And that touches . . . that hits home for me. Mr. Speaker, I will reserve comments on any investment in progressing universal health care. Gov-ernment has been at this for many years. We are still working towards bringing it to a reality , and I am a little bit sceptical as to whether it will be affordable. But I will be gladly proven wrong on that, Mr. Speaker. Now to my friend, the Deputy Premier. He has a very, very ambitious and aggressive plan for the development of new affordable housing. Our time will tell if you are able to deliver. But because it is something for the people of Bermuda, if I can assist, whether it is through my knowledge, a gain as the general manager of the Bermuda Housing Corporation, or in my current position as one of the premier suppliers to the industry of construction on the Island, then I am prepared to help. But as we know, execution . . . I think my colleague who spoke before me on this side talked about execution. Execution is critical. I know about execution.
Bermuda House of Assembly So, the housing situation is not only affecting Bermudians. It is also affecting the ability of businesses to recruit from overseas as well. If you do not have anywhere for your overseas recruit to stay, they are going to go to another jurisdiction, accept a job somewhere else. So, it is two-fold, that housing. Now, I am not a big fan of the plans for derelict housing, and I am going to tell you why. This is where my experience as GM of the Bermuda Housing Corporation comes into play. We had a similar programme when I was there, and it just did not prove to be cost effective. The payback periods were extremely long, and most people in the family who owned the property would not see the return of that property to them before the payback period. So, I am a little sceptical, and I do not really support that. And as s omeone said, Government has so many of its own buildings that can be repurposed and money put into that for the very same reason. Now, I want to talk about what I call superlatives. There are a few superlatives in the budget, and here is where the hook comes, Mr. Speaker.
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Vance CampbellStill am, still am. I am just bowling the googly now. “This Budget delivers the largest reduction in national debt in Bermuda's history . . .” In 1998, if I am correct, the budget deficit . . . or, not the deficit, the debt, national debt, was somewhere between $130 …
Still am, still am. I am just bowling the googly now. “This Budget delivers the largest reduction in national debt in Bermuda's history . . .” In 1998, if I am correct, the budget deficit . . . or, not the deficit, the debt, national debt, was somewhere between $130 million and $140 million. And there is no way that the PLP Government can excuse itself from the role that it played in reaching the massive debt that we have to-day. [The] m ajority of the share went with the PLP.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. Vance CampbellNow, Mr. Speaker, they want to claim credit for paying back the debt that they incurred. I want to call it the largest payment, but , yes, relative to what the payments had to be before, it is the largest. [Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. Vance CampbellIt is called drunken sailors and spending money like— [Crosstalk]
Mr. Vance CampbellTwo. Unemployment is at . . . Unemployment is at historic rates. [Crosstalk]
Mr. Vance CampbellUnemployment is at historic rates. “One of the clearest signs that our economic policies are working is what we see in the labour market with unemployment at record lows. ” Now, I am not going to stand here and say jobs were not created. But I also am not going …
Unemployment is at historic rates. “One of the clearest signs that our economic policies are working is what we see in the labour market with unemployment at record lows. ” Now, I am not going to stand here and say jobs were not created. But I also am not going to stand here and not mention the fact that through emigration large numbers of unemployed or under employed people left this country and thereby helped the Government reflect a much better unemployment rate because they did not factor into the equation anymore. R ecord emigration under the PLP. In a way, I guess it was their economic policies that led to those people leaving and therefore lower unemploy-ment rates. Another superlative, “This Budget therefore provides for the largest capital programme since 2008/2009 . . .” Hopefully we still are friends . It is not personal . It is not personal. How can you claim the largest capital programme when you have not properly maintained your buildings, you have not properly maintained the roads, the bridges, the plant and equipment such as T ynes Bay? And you are now forced to replace those things because you did not maintain them. And now you want to get a superlative in and pat yourself on the back for the largest capital programme since 2008/ 2009?
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Vance CampbellIt is a fact, yes, because of your delinquent maintenance programmes. You failed to maintain anything to the extent that it was required, thereby shortening the lifespan of the asset. Now, with your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, I will take a look at the theme. The theme of this Budget [Statement] …
It is a fact, yes, because of your delinquent maintenance programmes. You failed to maintain anything to the extent that it was required, thereby shortening the lifespan of the asset. Now, with your indulgence, Mr. Speaker, I will take a look at the theme. The theme of this Budget [Statement] is: “Responsible choices —Lasting benefits for Bermudians. ” I think the previous phrase that the PLP used was to make Bermuda fairer and better for Bermudians. Mr. Speaker, on July 18th last year, during the motion to adjourn, I gave my reflection on the widening gap between the story that this Government tells and the reality that Bermudians live every single day. And during my reflection, I made reference to the then recently tabled factors driving e migration in Bermuda. I believe that was a January 2025 document. That report lays bare, Mr. Speaker, the truth that Bermudians are leaving because they cannot afford to live here. They are leaving because they canno t afford to retire here. They are leaving because they do not see a future here for them. And we are talking about record numbers of people emigrating. The study interviewed 20 Bermudians who have emigrated. They were interviewed in depth. The ir reasons for emigrating [were] the high cost of living, lack of affordability, ability to live beyond retirement, how seniors are cared for, more employment opportunities where they were heading, and for educational reasons. The same 20 were more satisfied with their life overseas because of the lower cost of living, t he 1934 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly better health care, better employment opportunities, better education opportunities, and better quality of life. In that same study, 105 Bermudians who have emigrated were surveyed. Their reasons for emigrating [were] cost of food and groceries, cost of housing and utilities, cost of health care and insurance, lack of career opportunities, difficulty of retiring in Bermuda and mismanagement of the economy. That is their reality — the widening gap between the story that this Government is telling and the realities that Bermudians are experiencing. They are our friends. They are our families. They were, they were . . . they were our neighbours. I have a question, Mr. Speaker. It is rhetorical : With the positives in the budget that I highlighted earlier, does this budget that we are debating here today do enough to cause those who have emigrated to return or at least think about returning ? Another question [is]: Does this budget do enough to change the lives and circumstances of Bermudians who remain here? And Mr. Speaker, although there are positives, I do not think they do enough to materially change the lives of Bermudians that are here or to encourage those who have emigrated to want to return. The Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers [ABIR], after the budget was delivered last week, [was] quoted as saying more needs to be done to reduce the cost of doing business. Health care was specifically mentioned. And they indicated that it was critical to the retention and creation of Bermudian jobs. ABIR may have mentioned it, but the same is true for small - and medium- sized local business. Although it is a recommendation of the Tax Reform Commission [ TRC], when it comes to income tax, A BIR, in spite of the fact that the Premier and Minister of Fi-nance has said no decision has been made, AB IR is warning against this . . . or the Association of Bermuda International Companies [ ABIC ] is warning against this. And I trust and hope that this Government will take heed. I do want to commend the Minister of Economy and Labour for swiftly addressing the concerns as it re-lated to closed categories and restricted categories as it relates to the hospitality industry. [Crosstalk]
Mr. Vance CampbellNo, you just had one of your guys stand up and say that we did not talk about anything good in the budget. So, we are talking about something that is good in the budget and complimenting a Minister for doing his job— [Crosstalk]
Mr. Vance CampbellAnd complimenting a Minister for doing his job in a swift manner , something . . . something — [General uproar] [Gavel ]
Mr. Vance Campbell—something that you would need, Minister Hayward, to teach your colleagues about —speed and response. [Crosstalk]
Mr. Vance CampbellThere w ere recent concerns, and this is just a warning. That’s all. This is something that we need to pay attention to as a country. Everyone in this Chamber . There was a recent downgrading of Bermuda's reinsurance industry outlook from positive to stable. And this hints towards the …
There w ere recent concerns, and this is just a warning. That’s all. This is something that we need to pay attention to as a country. Everyone in this Chamber . There was a recent downgrading of Bermuda's reinsurance industry outlook from positive to stable. And this hints towards the volatility, the potential volatility in corporate income tax receipts. I am going to take a pause, if I can, Mr. Speaker, right now. And I pause, Mr. Speaker, because of the state of education in this country. We normally take a pause —a moment of silence, if you [will] —for something or someone that has passed. But today, that moment of silence was for the death of public education in this country .
[Crosstalk , desk thumping]
Mr. Vance CampbellFailed education reform. I do give the current Minister kudos for pulling the handbrake up and parking the reform bus while they decided what to do . . . $8.4 million spent on failed education reform. A moment of silence for the death of the dreams of a generation of …
Failed education reform. I do give the current Minister kudos for pulling the handbrake up and parking the reform bus while they decided what to do . . . $8.4 million spent on failed education reform. A moment of silence for the death of the dreams of a generation of kids and their parents because the mess called education in Bermuda is failing them, is failing to prepare them for the job market. [There has been] u ntold damage to these individuals, and two of them are my kids ! Not likely to be able to get that good paying job in a 21st century economy. The Government does not know what to do with education. It is making it up as it goes. Eight million four hundred thousand dollars tells me you do not know what you are doing with education. The Minister of Education thought it would be a good thing to put it to international business or to the business community about adopting a school. Not too long ago we asked the private sector to help us look after and fix up botanical gardens . Adopt a school . Maybe next [it] will be adopt a ministry . And then perhaps adopt the Government .
[Laughter]
Mr. Vance CampbellDoes this budget improve the lives and the well -being of the people who are struggling to live day to day , the people who are struggling to enjoy a quality of life after years of working ? They cannot afford to retire. They cannot afford to enjoy life, cannot …
Does this budget improve the lives and the well -being of the people who are struggling to live day to day , the people who are struggling to enjoy a quality of life after years of working ? They cannot afford to retire. They cannot afford to enjoy life, cannot afford the basics. Ratings do not buy groceries . They do not buy medicine. Statistics do not pay for rent . They do not pay the mortgage. Ratings do not improve the lives of
Bermuda House of Assembly Bermudians. Does this budget improve the lives of Bermudians to the extent required to change their trajectory from where it is now in a Bermuda that is not fairer, not better, in spite of what the Government would tell you; i n a Bermuda that is not creating lasting benefits for Bermudians ? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member . Does any other Honourable Member . . . Minister Wilson, I see you on your feet. Would you like your 30 minutes? Go right ahead, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker — [Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe Speaker[Microphone off ] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: —and I certainly will not take 30 minutes. Pardon me?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo, you are fine. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Okay. Ye s. Mr. Speaker, sometimes the clearest way to understand a national budget is to compare it to some-thing that every Bermudian household also can relate to and understand, and that is managing their own family finances. So, let's take, for …
No, you are fine.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Okay. Ye s. Mr. Speaker, sometimes the clearest way to understand a national budget is to compare it to some-thing that every Bermudian household also can relate to and understand, and that is managing their own family finances. So, let's take, for example, a family of four, and I will call them the Simmons family. We have two parents that are both gainfully employed. We have two children who are young adults who make no financial contributions to the household because they are both overseas in school. So, with those incomes, our family must balance tuition fees, daily living expenses, longterm savings, and other goals that we may have for our retirement. We must carefully track what is earned versus what is spent, ensuring that t here is enough for essentials such as food, housing, the occasional trip, transportation, whilst also planning ahead for the unexpected cost s, such as medical emergencies or home repairs. Mr. Speaker, responsible financial planning means prioritising needs, discussing wants, and mak-ing joint decisions to secure our family's future. And if you did not know, the Simmons family is my family.
[Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, Deputy Speaker, in the Chair]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: So Mr. Speaker, just as our family would set aside money for our children's education (excuse me, Madam Deputy Speaker), home repairs, our retirement, and other savings for emergency matters that may come up, a nation, too, must also budget for growth, stability, and the well -being of its people. Madam Deputy Speaker , a responsible household looks at five key things. One, how much money is coming in, and that could be through income stream, salary, rental income, bonuses, interest, et cetera. Second, they look at how much debt they carry, and that could be loans, credit card bills, mortgages, et cetera. Third, they look at what they must invest in to maintain their major asset, which could be a property, a house. And four, they also look at how are they going to manage rising day -to-day cost of living expenses. And fiv e, how they will protect their family's health and their elders’ and their future . Madam Deputy, the 2026 /2027 national budget reflects the same disciplined approach. Number one, how much money is coming in? Madam Deputy Speaker, as a household works to increase its salary as well as earn bonuses, the country also works to grow revenue, as well as to foster economic expansion and fair taxation. Now the Honourable Member , the Minister of Economy and Labour , has already highlighted a number of the initiatives that are contained in this budget, Madam Deputy Speaker , that speak specifically t o the economic expansion. And they were not repetition. We have seen local businesses have grown, which creates further job growth. We are at —
[Laughter]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Are you serious? Are you real ly serious? My biggest fan. [Laughter]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you. Goodness, now I have completely lost my . . . Okay, so, yes, okay. We have seen, Madam Deputy Speaker , the unemployment rate is 1.4 per cent , which , as the Honourable Member indicated, statistically represents full employment. And we have a GDP for 2025 between 2.5 per cent and 3 .0 per cent . So, I submit that those are perfect examples of the economic expansion that this Government has created and the atmosphere that it has created to help with that item number one that I spoke about insofar as growing your revenue. Number two, debt reduction. A gain, when a family earns more, the first sign of maturity is paying down its debt. Reducing the high interest obligation strengthens long- term financial stability and frees up future income. And again, like I said, using my example, like many families who are blessed enough to own a home, the bank owns it because we have a mortgage. And what my husband regularly does is he looks at the mortgage, the information on the screen, and he looks at how it is amortised. And he knows that if we make a lump sum ball oon payment here, then we are going to be able to have a reduction in the interest over there. So, he spends a lot of time studying this . And I am glad he does because I am not actually the one that is doing that. But what I am seeing is that our principal is coming 1936 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly down, and our interest is going down, which allows us to use that extra interest savings on other things like educating my children, paying for food and other expenses. But likewise, this budget also continues the responsible reduction of Bermuda's national debt. And we have heard about that with the repayment of $605 million in the Senior Notes, which are due to mature in January of 2027. And that represents the single largest debt reduction in the history of Bermuda. And lower debt today means lowering interest payments tomor-row, similar to what I spoke about insofar as the example of our mortgage. And it frees up resources for things like healthcare, education, social i nvestments for social network processes and benefits, as well as servicing past borrowing. And number three, as I mentioned, Madam Deputy Speaker, is infrastructure. Again, [for] many persons that have the benefit of owning a home, that is probably their primary asset that needs to be maintained. My husband and I live in a property that is over 200 years old. So, we know what it is like to have to put into the property, whether it is rewiring, repairs to the roof, painting it, et cetera, et cetera. We have to continue to maintain it because, of course, of its age. If the roof starts to leak then we have to fix it or , alternatively, it is going to cause bigger problems down the line. So, as a family, in maintaining our property we are investing in improving our home because we know [with] neglect [what] will happen. And if we do not deal with it now it is going to be a higher expense later. And likewise, this budget also invests in infrastructure, strengthening public facilities. We see $9.4 million is going towards the Swing Bridge, $18.8 million towards Tynes Bay expansion, $26.9 million for the Bermuda Housing Corporation, and $14 million for public school upgrades in the Bermuda Col lege. Monies will also be used for other infrastructure upgrades and needs and development that are seeking to be modernised, like health care spaces, which I will speak about in a few moments, improving long- term care capacity (again, I will come back to that ), as well as maintaining roads, wall repairs, and purchases of buses. So, infrastructure spen ding is not reckless spending. It is preventative maintenance for the country. Turning to number four, Madam Deputy Speaker , managing the rising day -to-day living cost. Families carefully adjust their budgets when food prices rise and utilities increase. And they look for ways to re-duce the pressures of our household expenses. We may not go out to eat as much. We may shop for sales. We may buy in bulk . Things like this to help to stretch the dollar, so to speak. And this budget also includes a lot of cost -ofliving relief for Mr. and Mrs. Simmons. Tax adjustments, such as payroll tax, which affect all workers, lower electricity cost . We are reducing the duty on essential goods and [providing] a further 10 per cent cut in [the] vehicle licen sing fee. All of these are designed to ease the burden and reduce the cost of living that each and every one of us faces. And these are targeted relief measures that provide cost of living support to Bermudians. Lowering the burden on working families and seniors protects the purchasing power and subsidises household finances across the country. And fifth, Madam Deputy Speaker , how do we protect our families' health and our elders? In every responsible household budget there is a priority placed on health, medical care, and caring for elderly parents and grandparents. And we all know about the sandwich generation where we have individuals that are caring for young children as well as their older relatives. And families know that ignoring health care costs leads to greater hardships later. This budget reflects that same principle, Madam Deputy Speaker . Eighty -seven million dollars has been allocated to the Bermuda Hospitals Board [BHB] , to the Health Insurance Department [ HID], and the expansion of universal health coverage [ UHC] phase one, as well as the continuation of the UHC implementation. And I am going to just break that down if you can bear with me. An additional $15 million has been provided in health care support for low -income seniors, particularly through enhanced FutureCare subsi dies. And this will provide meaningful financial relief to those living on fixed incomes. That support is not only compassionate; it is economically responsible. Seniors who are not overwhelmed by health care pre-miums are better able to maintain financial independence and stability, reducing the downstream social and fiscal pressures. Madam Deputy Speaker, this budget also provides additional initiatives that are aimed at enhancing access and supporting our seniors —Health Insurance Plan [ HIP] expansion and phase one of UHC [Universal Health Coverage] . We have removed the 12- month waiting period for personal home care benefits for persons that are on HIP and FutureCare so that they can have their loved ones age in place. This reform will al-low eligible individuals to access the personal home care services immediately when the need arises. This also supports ageing in place, Madam Deputy Speaker, and it allows seniors to remain in their homes surrounded by their community, their family, and things that are familiar to them, which also obviously will help with their recovery and recuperation. Ageing in place is not only aligned with patient preference. It is economically sound . Homebased care reduces institutionalisation. It lowers hospital utilisation, which we know is a challenge, which I will speak about in a few moments. And it supports the family caregivers who might otherwise leave the workforce to provide fulltime care at home. Madam Deputy Speaker, another initiative supporting ageing in place that has been announced in the budget is the remote home monitoring. So, we will be utilising technological systems to provide for remote
Bermuda House of Assembly home monitoring. T hat, of course, supports ageing in place. We have increased prescription drug benefits, Madam Deputy Speaker, for HIP patients from $1,000 to $3,000 per year , and for FutureCare from $3,000 to $5,000 a year. We have also introduced a preventative measure by the provision of an annual physical exam free for HIP and FutureCare clients. We know that prevention is cheaper than a cure. And if diagnosed early because of a preventative medical examination, then that can save in the long term insofar as expenses, medical expenses, loss of any type of disab ility or the like simply because they have been able to be diagnosed early. So, we are providing free annual physicals for HIP and FutureCare to tie in with this Government 's commitment of prevention. Madam Deputy Speaker , this budget also will provide additional financial support to the BHB as it relates to the challenge that we are all very familiar with, which is the medically -fit-for-discharge patients. Madam Deputy Speaker, we know that all of us have been aware or have observed for ourselves the chal-lenges that we see in the emergency department with respect to extended admissions. That has a knock -on effect because if persons cannot get admitted to the Acute Care Wing [ ACW ], which is upstairs, bec ause those beds are being blocked, then the emergency room is what we have seen. We also recognise that sometimes persons have elective surgeries that have had to be cancelled because there is no place in the ACW for them to recover. Madam Speaker, this by no means is a simple fix. It is a very complicated, complex issue. It involves financial, social, and familia l factors. We know that there are, on average, persons that are in the ACW for 46 days. This is meant to be an acute care hospital. You get your treatment and you leave. But we understand there are other circumstances that are creating this bed blocking. And again, it is a very complex situation. I will not stand here and try to minimise it. We know that we require more long- term care facility beds in the community, which I will speak about in a moment. We also have to recognise that family members need to also be responsible as well, insofar as taking their loved ones home when they are medically fit for discharge. They cannot continue to allow the hospital, particularly the ACW, to just be ( I have to watch my words ) a place because they are tired and they do not want . . . It is not a hospice. They do not want to deal with their families. They do not want to deal with the responsibility. So, they say, Well, I will just leave them at the hospital. I mean, I have heard we have episodes of individuals that when they are ready to be discharged the family members are saying: Well, you know what? I’ve got other things I have to do. I’m travelling, et cetera. And they leave the loved one there. That person is occupying a bed that otherwise someone in the emergency department could be utilising, or alternatively someone that is scheduled for elective surgery can be utilising it so that they can have their surgery to eradicate that — [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: —issue. Exactly. Thank you. So again, it is complex. I am not going to stand here and pretend that it is not. However, I do want to implore family members who are able to take their medically -fit-for-discharge patients home— loved ones home —to please do so because the knock -on effect of the bed blocking and what we have seen in the emergency department should not be occurring in 2026 in a country such as Bermuda. On that note, though, Madam Deputy Speaker , we have . . . Due to this budget, like I said, the Bermuda Hospitals Board will be receiving further monies. And one of the primary initiatives with respect to that money is the ability to renovate two of the floors in the MidAtlantic Wellness Institute [ MWI] so that 30 beds will be renovated and available for persons that are currently in the acute care ward. They will be transferred over to the MWI, which will, of course, free up space so that those persons that are in emergency that need to go upstairs for admission can do so. So that is something that I am extremely pleased about that the budget will allow. The expansion of long- term care beds will help to relieve pressures in the hospital services, Madam Deputy Speaker . This is a strategic system reform. By strengthening the long- term care capacity, patients who no longer require acute hospital treatment can move to the appropriate level of care. Again, those are the persons that are medically fit for discharge. And the acute care beds will be freed up for those persons who genuinely require hospitalisation. It will remove the pressures on the emergency department, the clinical flow will improve, and the system cost will decline because longterm care beds are les s resourc e intensive than acute care beds. Other examples, Madam Deputy Speaker , on how the budget will strengthen the long- term care capacity are as follows. We will have investment in the Lefroy House. You recognise that we had a competi-tion, so we have already got the drawings, the location, et cetera. And we will continue to invest and progress the redevelopment of a brand- new Lefroy House. We are also looking . . . And this is something that you would probably be pleased [about] with respect to your end of the Island. T he Sylvia Richardson Care Facility will also be strengthened with respect to residential care infrastructure, a nd we will be adding more beds to that facility as well. T hese investments in the redevelopment of Lefroy House and the expansion of the Sylvia Richardson Care Facility will reinforce our national long- term care infrastructure. Madam Deputy Speaker, these facilities will ensure that seniors who require residential support will receive the care in a dignified, appropriate 1938 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly environment, rather than occupying hospital beds that are designed for acute treatment. The budget will also provide for . . . We will boost public health services in the community so that people can seek non- emergency treatment in the appropriate setting, a nd by that, I mean offering further services. And perhaps we are exploring extension of opening times for the u rgent care centre, the Hamilton clinic, and of course the Mangrove Bay Health Clinic, which will be due to be open in May. You heard it from the Public Works Minister. It is coming, it is coming.
[Crosstalk]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Soon come. So, we will also continue our advancement towards Universal Health Coverage, which will ensure access without financial hardship. And I am very, very eager to be able in the coming months to provide further details to this Honourable House insofar as the progress that we are making, and we are still on target for our Q3- 26 implementation date. Madam Deputy Speaker, just as a household plans for parents to age with dignity, this budget plans for Bermudian seniors with foresight and compassion. Madam Speaker, a reckless household spends its bonuses immediately and ignores its debt. But a prudent household reduces debt, invests in its home, protects its elders, manages daily expenses, and saves for the future. And Madam Deputy Speaker, this budget follows the prudent path. It reduces national debt. It invests in infrastructure. It provides cost -of-living relief. It strengthens health care. It protects seniors. It balances immediate needs with long -term sustainability, just as any responsible family would do. Economic policy does not have to feel abstract. It is, at its core, about managing the nation's household wisely. And this budget demonstrates careful planning, strategic allocation, and a clear understanding that national prosperity, like household stabil ity, depends on discipline, compassion, and forward thinking. Thank you, Madam Speaker. [Desk thumping]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Member . Are there any other persons who wish to speak in the economic debate? I recognise the Member from constituency 20.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMember, you have 30 minutes. Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. You know, the Minister of Finance and Premier had a tough time, I would imagine, with such a bonanza of monies coming in and the decisions that he would have had to make to allocate those monies …
Member, you have 30 minutes.
Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. You know, the Minister of Finance and Premier had a tough time, I would imagine, with such a bonanza of monies coming in and the decisions that he would have had to make to allocate those monies with so many competing interests. Especially is he going to want to make sure that it is very impressive because , the way that I understood it , this is likely to be his last Budget Statement in addition to stepping down from being Premier. So, it is his swan- song budget. The theme, as we already know, but I will repeat it, is on the front , “Responsible Choices —Lasting benefits for Bermudians. " But is that actually accurate, Madam Deputy Speaker? There are lots of promises, some of which, of course, cannot be kept. Some will be kept, some of which we can support. And of course, we have already heard today some of which we certainly cannot. The question that I had, given the changes on the other side, is : Will these promises be kept by the next Minister of Finance? And it seems to me, certainly in my understanding and listening as a keen observer over many years without being in the House or the Sen-ate, I think this is one of the first times that we are aware that about halfway through the budget which the Premier and Minister of Finance has produced, he will not be the Premier or Minister of Finance. So, he will not be overseeing the very budget that he has, in fact, put together. So, again, I am sure that perhaps maybe the incoming Premier . . . We have heard from him already today . Right? Maybe he will give us an undertaking that come November there will not be any supplementals or any changes or reallocation of funds. But maybe we do not know who that Minister of Finance will be because, after all, if the recommendations are followed, they should be different people. Again, I am sad because I do not see [Junior Minister] Furbert here, but he was given great thanks . Again, I hope that he can be relied on, again, to give the support that the Premier gave, or certainly gave recognition for, the amount of time that he has put in. Now, I made mention of competing interests . And Madam Deputy Speaker, it seems to me . . . And we have heard from some Member s of this side already about education. And before the Minister of Finance's breath was even cold, we heard that we needed $10 million to $20 million per school to get things up to scratch. So, I thought, Well, it does not sound like the Minister of Education is very pleased, despite what we have heard about investment and all of these things. That investment has just not happened for so long. We are now so far behind the eight ball that it is very difficult to catch up. It was not lost on me either that from what I understand, at the budget breakfast ( and I was not in attendance), before attendees had even finished their breakfast, the Minister of Education was making men-tion of this adopt -a-school programme, almost going cap in hand to the very entities that are paying, as we have heard, up to three quarter of a billion dollars in due course. Again, that does not seem like a very good idea and, in fact, is actually a recycled programme from years ago, which from my recoll ection was not particularly successful —as successful, one might say —as
Bermuda House of Assembly Bermuda's recycling programme. A nd maybe Minister Adams can opine on that when he gives his further statements during the H eads of debate. But Madam Deputy Speaker, I am the Shadow Minister of Housing and Municipalities, so I am going to touch a bit more on housing. And I am glad to see that—
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPUTY SPEAKER
HOUSE VISITOR
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerI am going to take two seconds to recognise our current Attorney General and Senator for the Ministry of Justice, I believe it is. [Desk thumping] [Debate on the Budget Statement and Opposition’s Reply continuing] Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you. So, the Deputy Premier , and I suppose the incoming …
I am going to take two seconds to recognise our current Attorney General and Senator for the Ministry of Justice, I believe it is. [Desk thumping]
[Debate on the Budget Statement and Opposition’s Reply continuing]
Hon. Michael Fahy: Thank you. So, the Deputy Premier , and I suppose the incoming Deputy Premier, from what we have seen has been . . . His Ministry has been a major beneficiary under this budget. So, I commend him for his advocacy because he is out-advocated others for quite a significant injection of funds for housing, which I do not think that anybody is going to be dissatisfied about in terms of what is necessary to make sure that we get people housed. Now, the Minister has said publicly that he wants his feet held to the fire. I think that is what I heard in one of his press conferences . Now, he said that to the public and the media. He has not invited us to do that, but I will take the opportunity anyway. Okay ? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I confirm you can hold the feet.
Hon. Michael Fahy: Excellent. Excellent. To the fire— Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: To the fire.
Hon. Michael Fahy: To the fire. Not just hold the feet . To the fire. Okay. But let's . . . But let's . . . Let's have a discussion, though, today —
[Crosstalk]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberDo you guys need a moment? [Laughter] Hon. Michael Fahy: But let’s have a discussion today about what is disappointing about this housing. It seems to me that things are being done backwards. And why do I say that? What we have been promised on a number of occasions in …
Do you guys need a moment?
[Laughter]
Hon. Michael Fahy: But let’s have a discussion today about what is disappointing about this housing. It seems to me that things are being done backwards. And why do I say that? What we have been promised on a number of occasions in both the press and this place is a national housing plan from 2025 to 2035. It is now the end of February 2026. And I have not seen the plan. It has not been tabled in this place. Now we understand it is in draft , and it is circulating around the country . And it is circulating to different agencies within government . But let's think about this for a moment. What we have is a bud get for tens of millions of dollars for housing based on drip- fed information that we are aware of simply because maybe we happen to catch the BBC news or we listen to a self - indulgent podcast about what is coming. Right ?
[Crosstalk]
Hon. Michael Fahy: That is all I know because the thing is the plan itself, the plan has not been presented . Now before Christmas, before we were here before Christmas , I did say and ask the Minister if he would table that report prior to Christmas. He said: Oh, I will think. It may come. It may come. [It is the] e nd of February and we still have not seen it.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael Fahy: So . . . No. So, we are waiting to see that report. And again, we are being asked to approve a budget essentially without understanding exactly how that money is to be spent. Now this is a bonanza of money that is coming after years of neglect and underinvestment by this very Government . So, we are being asked to say, Okay, this is fantastic . But if they had actually spent the money and done the investment, it would not be such a problem now. But who actually approves plans or approves a budget without a plan? If I was taking a plan to [a] board of directors , or if I was presenting something to the shareholders of a company and saying, I want to do this, they would say, Well, where is the plan? We do not have it. And the shareholders , who are the people of Bermuda , do not know what the plan is. We have been left guessing again from various statements. So, when we think about the housing, I am going to guess what is in that plan. We figured at one point we knew that there w ere going to be some precast homes because that was originally drip fed to us by the chairman of the BHC in a ZBM interview. And I was asked about it by the reporter, Mr. Gary Foster Skelton—whether we would agree with modular homes. Again, we believe it is coming because that is what we have been told without the plan. So again, we can give support to these things if they are done in an efficient, cost-effective manner. But again, we do not know. We are told, and I quote this from the Budget Book , that these homes are high quality homes built to Bermuda’s 1940 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly standards and designed, quote, “t o stand the test of time. ” That is on page 17. Okay. So, then you have the questions that come with that, Madam Deputy Speaker : Have Planning applications been drafted before submission? Have they been put forward? Has Planning given some indication that these homes will be approved prior to purchase? Have the contractors already been preselected? These are the things, again, that enquiring minds have the right to know given the amount of money that we are being asked to approve as a Parliament. Now, we do not have the numbers, but equally, this budget is being presented for approval for the peo-ple of Bermuda. Now, it may be that these are fantastic homes. And I welcome . . . Again, the Minister has sent invites before to press conferences. I am happy to come if I get the mic rophone at the end.
[Laughter]
Hon. Michael Fahy: But the point is that it may just be a simple matter of helping speed up processes for new builds and the like. But we cannot ignore the processes that are in place for these new builds. Now, no one likes process. I know the Minister does not like to be held up by process, and for that matter, neither do I. But processes can be sped up for the sake of making sure that Bermudians are housed in a responsible manner. I do note—and this is what I have understood in talking to various M embers in different agencies — that the plan will not include a bonanza of container homes. Now, that was the original phraseology that was used by the Minister .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo, it was not. Hon. Michael Fahy: It was . It was actually . I have it . I have it in a written response document. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order. I am stopping him. Point of order. Hon. Michael Fahy: I have it in a …
No, it was not. Hon. Michael Fahy: It was . It was actually . I have it . I have it in a written response document.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order. I am stopping him. Point of order.
Hon. Michael Fahy: I have it in a question . . . Yes.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order. I never said such a thing.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYour point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member i s . . . I am going to say he is —I am going to give him a break —unintentionally misleading the House.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I never , ever said that in this honourable place or anywhere else for that matter. Get it right, Mike.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Hon. Michael Fahy: I will happily —
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerContinue. Hon. Michael Fahy: I will happily — [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Michael Fahy: I will happily produce again the very written responses that came from the Minister 's Ministry when I asked questions about those container homes and those answers were done. O kay? [Crosstalk] Hon. Michael Fahy: He did …
Continue. Hon. Michael Fahy: I will happily —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael Fahy: I will happily produce again the very written responses that came from the Minister 's Ministry when I asked questions about those container homes and those answers were done. O kay?
[Crosstalk] Hon. Michael Fahy: He did not say no to it. Either way, it is. E ither way, it does not appear that those . . . Okay. We will not call them container homes. What can we call them?
[Inaudible interjection]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCapsule homes. Hon. Michael Fahy: The capsule homes are not going to form the whole point. But what I will say is this. I . . . I do think the Minister is prepared to listen from time to time. And I say that because I look in this Budget …
Capsule homes.
Hon. Michael Fahy: The capsule homes are not going to form the whole point. But what I will say is this. I . . . I do think the Minister is prepared to listen from time to time. And I say that because I look in this Budget Book and it would appear . . . And again , I am sure the Minister will take every opportunity to explain exactly what this means later when he gets to his feet . Is— [Crosstalk]
Hon. Michael Fahy: That is not true. It says that they have “ begun structured exploration of options for the future of the Bermudiana Beach Resort and Gran d Atlantic site , with the clear objective of returning this public asset to productive use for Bermudians over time. ” Great. That is what we have been saying for the whole time. We have said it many, many times. So maybe we will see that appear again in terms of making sure that Bermudians are housed in that particular development. In terms of some of the other ideas that we put forward repeatedly . . . And again , I have mentioned it to the Minister. A nd again, we had some debate across the floor about whether it would be appropriate. A nd that is using disused school buildings. Now maybe this changes because we know that school kind of reform has been put on pause. So maybe there will not be as many schools empty as we
Bermuda House of Assembly thought. But it seems to me that if you have 1,100 plus people that are homeless or facing homelessness —I accept from numbers from last year that have never been disputed by the Government —that people would be very pleased to have somewhere safe to rest their head. And I suspect that the amount of money that would have to be invested for programmes like that would be equally as inexpensive as the Minister seems to believe that his modular homes will be. The Shadow Minister of Finance has already made mention, I believe, of the compulsory acquisition powers that are in the A ct. Now I have talked about this myself from time to time. Is it possible to find some way to bring these derelict homes into the housing stock for the use of Bermudians? The difficulty here, of course— and it has been said, and I have to repeat it —[is] that I find it very difficult to accept that that is something that is going to end up being cost effective in any way. It would take time to bring in legislation, compulsor ily acquire homes . One has to assume it would be done at a reasonable market rate. And perhaps when we hear the budget Head debate, we will get an understanding if money has been put aside for these compulsory acquisitions, which presumably would be Bermudian homes. So, we are taking potential Bermudian homes to give to someone else. Let's get some more details. But it will have to be at a fair market value. We know the cost of land itself in Bermuda; forget the building that may already be on it. We have heard my friend, MP Campbell, already talk about his experience in whether these types of arrangements are cost effective. How will they be funded, et cetera. A nd how will the price be measured on these types of acquisitions? I personally do not see that it can be done, especially when we talk about probate, for example, and the length of time on probate matters. [It takes] a few years in many instances to get money out that is rightfully yours, never mind doing compulsory purchase or actions on private property. So again, before we go and run off and potentially acquire Bermudian land to give to another Bermudian, again, it seems sensible to concentrate on buildings that are already owned by government that are derelict or falling into disrepair to convert for housing. There are ways in which perhaps we could explore and incentivise in the private sector. It may be helpful to explore a tourism incentive- style Act in which we can give major discounts and opportunities for builders to build higher in Hamilton. When we had the debate on the [City of] Hamilton Plan last year, there was great cross -party support for the removal of the floor limit on buildings in Hamilton with the right parameters that would be put in place by Planning. And we also talked about the use of derel ict lots. Well, I seem to remember in last year's debate I spoke about just at least doing something to beautify the city in terms of some of the empty lots . And I see that nothing has been done. In fact, in the last lot I looked at there is now a washing machine that has been thrown into that lot in prime real estate in Bermuda. So, I encourage the Minister , especially since he will have a lot more power given the Act that was tabled (without trying to stifle that debate) , that if that Act passes the Government will have full authority over the Corporation of Hamilton. So, he has the power to do it because he will appoint no doubt the people that he wishes to have in the mayoral seats. So, it is not so pie in the sky. There is opportunity. The Shadow Minister of Finance has also spoken about giving tax breaks by ending (well, not a tax break ) the foreign currency purchase tax, which I believe was recommended by the F iscal Responsibility Panel. And that , too, would help reduce the importation of costs for building. So, there are ways in which we can incentivise the private sector. It never works when it is Government doing the building. It really comes down to incentivising the private sector, which in turn creates Bermudian jobs, et cetera. It also means, Madam Deputy Speaker, that we have to get on with the Landlord and Tenant Act 2025 , which is stalled. We have not heard anything more about it since it was really put out there for public discussion. It seems to have been lost somewhere out there. And I would hope that that will be put back out for consultation, taking into account the many changes that have been proposed. Now, as part of the shadow portfolio of Home Affairs, Madam Deputy Speaker, is the issue of the cost of living. And I do not believe that the Government has achieved its goal of reducing the cost of living for every day Bermudians on a grand scale. It is all well and good. And we have heard the Minister of Economy and Labour say how wonderful it is that everybody has gotten a break. Yes , it is. I am happy for the break. Okay. But I will accept that there are people out there that need these breaks a lot more than I . And I do not see why that should be something anyone would dispute and can be concerned about. You say: How can we use the funds that we have? Instead of giving a break to everybody, give it to those who need it the most. And when my colleague [MP] Pearman makes mention of it, he is accused of false empathy or whatever phraseology was used, when these are actually tangible and good ideas , because you are then taking the monies that you have used to give it to the people who need it the most. How could anybody actually argue that legitimately? That is what I do not understand. These are good ideas, not to be dismissed. I do not think either that this basket of goods that the Minister brought great fanfare about in concert with many of the grocery stores . . . And look . Great! It is better than nothing. We did 10 per cent on Wednesdays. That was better, right? And again, you go in these grocery stores . Let's be fair . Let's be absolutely real about it. It is actually sometimes very difficult to find all the goods that are actually in that basket of goods that 1942 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly week. Now, I accept people will have to do the work to lower their costs, but it just does not seem like we are doing enough. And I will remind this Honourable House yet again that it was the OBA Government that introduced progressive payroll tax . And the Shadow Minister of Finance has already indicated that. Now, Madam Deputy Speaker, page 19 of the Budget Statement says this : “The Government has built the conditions for local production, competition, and supply resilience. ” I do not buy that because they just have not. We have seen a consolidation of the food industry, which inherently reduces competition. We have seen a practical monopoly now in the pharmaceutical world in concert with the consolidation of insurance companies, and practical monopolies are coming as a result with doctors' offices and other hea lth care providers. That is not in any way helping Bermuda small business or medium- sized businesses be successful. Now, we heard a statement today ( grateful for that) about competition law, but the Member to my right has already pointed out that that was brought forward and discussed—or at least mentioned, I should say — by the Premier two years ago. And here we are talking about fairness and responsible choices. The choices have not been responsible. That is why we are struggling today, and that is why suddenly money is being poured into construction of things because the investment has not been made when it should have been made. So, when I look at the section on making food and shipping more affordable, it says this word that is just . . . It is a weasel word. It says we are going to explore additional shipping and logistical pathways. That tells me nothing. I can explore it. I can do that. I will throw in the word CARICOM, and maybe that gives something about CARICOM to make it sound legiti-mate. It is nothing. It is an absolutely nothing statement . And when we get down to the H eads we are challenging the Minister and others on these statements that sound good but deliver nothing. A nd that is the problem with this. I was going to talk about minister ial reform, but we have seen already a Bill [has] been laid. A nd it is not reform; it is a takeover. I will leave that there. Okay? In terms of CARICOM, I do not see anything in the budget about money for a Green Paper or a White Paper. I do not see anything in there about fees in terms of full membership, and again, we will get into that debate. B ut again, I am not seeing the information that should be forthcoming from the Government in respect of that and the benefits to Bermudians in joining CARICOM. That is what we are looking for, and how it is going to benefit Bermudians in the long term. And again, I will make this statement as clearly as I can because I do not want there to be any doubt. If the case can be made that CARICOM will benefit Bermudians in the long term and short term, and it is a true beneficial relationship, I do not think it can be disputed . But to date, that has not happened. We have had lots of little discussions. We have heard that, you know, there are potential opportunities, and again, the word explore —it gets us nowhere. So, what does this budget do? I will tell you . There are short . . . Before I tell you what it has done, I will tell you what it has not done. There are still roads that are a mess. Seniors, as we have heard, are being left to their own devices at the hospital. Now we hear that we have to open up beds at MWI [Mid- Atlantic Wellness Institute]. Crime continues to plague us. Parks are in need of work. Let's rename the park from Botanical Gardens, by the way, to Paget Park because it is not Botanical Gardens anymore. I can tell you that. There are broken ferries . And we have also heard today [about] ferries that have been purchased and yet unused , but they are in service ; crumbling prisons ; underfunded pensions ; and debt obligations that will continue, notwithstanding where we are. Now— [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael Fahy: You are more than welcome. You are absolutely more than welcome. Now look, it is absolutely difficult to fix your own mistakes. It is not impossible. But what is saving this Minister of Finance is not the alleged brilliance of the Minister, it is absolutely pure luck.
[Crosstalk and laughter ] Hon. Michael Fahy: Okay? It is happenstance—
[Crosstalk]
Hon. Michael Fahy: It is happenstance, as we well know . It is happenstance, as we well know , that CIT was imposed on us by the OECD [Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development] . And i f we did nothing about it, we would not have this. Now I am not going to take away . . . I am not going to take away from the good work that has been done to try and implement it as effectively and as fairly as possible. But it is a luck and stroke of luck in timing. Nothing more.
[Crosstalk]
Hon. Michael Fahy: Now . . . Well, if we are relying on luck, then that is a problem in itself. Okay? It is absolutely unacceptable that it is just pure luck because that is exactly what it is.
[Crosstalk] Hon. Michael Fahy: So, this does not mean that businesses will suddenly thrive. It does not mean that tourism is all of a sudden going to increase. It does not mean that there will be lots more jobs for Bermudians.
Bermuda House of Assembly In fact, we have seen that it doubles consultancy spending. We know that to grow the economy we need thousands more workers . And the Minister of Economy and Labour has to come to grips with that , and all of the attendant issues that arise from that, from housing, et cetera, given what we have already talked about. It still means an economy that is sluggish. It still means monopolies. It still means a sugar tax that does not work. It still means overgrown roads. It still means a Landlord and Tenant Act [2025] that is unworkable. And as I said, it continues to cover f or poor decision- making and that continued celebration of mediocrity of which I have spoken before. So, in conclusion, what I will say is this. The Premier and Minister of Finance, in my opinion, has been playing Russian roulette for far too long, and the only reason that he has come up trumps is by pure luck. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Member . Are there any other Member s who wish to speak in the economic debate?
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerI recognise the Member from constituency two. Member, you have the floor.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanMadam Deputy Speaker, I listened with great interest to the final segment of that Honourable Member Fah y's speech when he said, “Pure luck, pure luck. ” And in my trade, in my field—we all come to this place in trades and fields —the benchmark of my trade was a …
Madam Deputy Speaker, I listened with great interest to the final segment of that Honourable Member Fah y's speech when he said, “Pure luck, pure luck. ” And in my trade, in my field—we all come to this place in trades and fields —the benchmark of my trade was a man named Ben Hogan. Many people copied his saying. Ben Hogan said, The harder I work, the luckier I get , because it is what people perceive of you when you put in work, when nobody else is seeing you out there working. When the J unior Minister who I am going to single out, the Honourable Wayne Furb ert, and the Premier and the team from Finance were working diligently over many years, ( right? ) you see the results . And persons will come here and be so disingenuous and disrespectful by calling the hard work of this Government luck. But I am going to just . . . And you know . . . And they had in their Budget Reply , what w ere the numbers? The numbers , what? What is it? The numbers do not . . .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberLet me find it, Madam Deputy Speaker.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanThe numbers tell the real story. Well, I am going to go back to some numbers, and I am going to declare my interest. This is my 21st budget over a 28- year period. And I declare my interest that in another life, I represented the United Bermuda Party. And …
The numbers tell the real story. Well, I am going to go back to some numbers, and I am going to declare my interest. This is my 21st budget over a 28- year period. And I declare my interest that in another life, I represented the United Bermuda Party. And I want to tell you that there were persons . There were persons who were United Bermuda Party that always said when they left Government , it was a balanced budget . (yes?) a nd no debt (yes? ). Well, let me just go back and give you the numbers. Here is my Budget Book from 2000. And the actual . . . everything . . . Everything is in the context. It is easy for people to get up and espouse things and be disingenuous and impugn im proper motives on a Government . But I am going to put it in context. In 1998/1999, the actual budget for 19 98/1999 had a $355,165,000 deficit by the United Bermuda Party.
[Crosstalk]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou were part of it.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanOh, I accept that I was a part of the United Bermuda Party. And I can tell you why. But I am not going to use up my time talking about how they broke every constitution to become the OBA . [They] did the same thing that they did to …
Oh, I accept that I was a part of the United Bermuda Party. And I can tell you why. But I am not going to use up my time talking about how they broke every constitution to become the OBA . [They] did the same thing that they did to my good man, Mr. King. They do not know how to follow rules. They did not follow rules to form.
[General uproar]
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanNow, so this is the Budget Book . And I will table this to say that in 1998/19 99 . . . actually, it was a $355 million deficit. Why? Because it was an election. And they went into deficit spending. [Crosstalk]
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanWell, billion with a B. Well, I actually went to AI. I said, AI, tell me, what does $355 million in 1998 equate to in 2026?
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersOoh! [Gavel ]
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanAnd the amount is so close to a billion dollars, you would shake your stick. It is right there. Google it for yourself. Okay. [General uproar ]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerExcuse me! I need to have better decorum in the H ouse. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerI am not talking to you, Member . 1944 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan: Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerI am talking to the entire H ouse, not to use—
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanThe numbers are not lying. And now they are squawking at the truth. The truth is in front of them in the context. They would have everybody in Bermuda believing that the Government that I represented in 1998/1999 came to this House with a balanced budget, which they did. They …
The numbers are not lying. And now they are squawking at the truth. The truth is in front of them in the context. They would have everybody in Bermuda believing that the Government that I represented in 1998/1999 came to this House with a balanced budget, which they did. They had [a] $15,000 surplus, right? But guess what? The Government today has something similar.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanThe Government today has a bottom line in the top eight categories of the Budget Book . The PLP Government is operating where revenue is exceeding expenditure. Now, why did that happen? Because the PLP Government set a course from when we became . . . And I ran for …
The Government today has a bottom line in the top eight categories of the Budget Book . The PLP Government is operating where revenue is exceeding expenditure. Now, why did that happen? Because the PLP Government set a course from when we became . . . And I ran for the PLP and was successful in 2017. T he mindset . . . And the Honourable Member, Mr. Dick inson, was t he Financ e [Minister], had us on course for balanced budgets. And a Member said earlier . . . I think a Member interpolated the budget . . . the OBA did not increase the debt. They did! It is here. I will table this too. I am not going to waste my time refuting.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYour point of order, Member? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Scott PearmanThe Honourable Member is misleading the House in two respects. First of all, he says that AI translates $300 million in debt in 1998 to a billion dollars today. I just tried it. It is actually just $500 [million]. There ! Nice try. Secondly, I did not say that we …
The Honourable Member is misleading the House in two respects. First of all, he says that AI translates $300 million in debt in 1998 to a billion dollars today. I just tried it. It is actually just $500 [million]. There ! Nice try. Secondly, I did not say that we did not increase the debt. I denied the consistent assertion that comes from the Honourable Member across the way that we somehow doubled the debt. We did not. It is untrue.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerJust a minute. Mr. Scott Pearman: And if one would like to look at the debt since 2017, if one would like to see the debt that has [been] incurred by this Government since 2017, it is $800 million. It is in the Budget Book .
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanMember, f or transparency, I will be happy to table every number I am talking about . But I am not going to waste my time trying to quibble over things because in the context, they will have you think that there was no debt incurred prior to 2000. So, …
Member, f or transparency, I will be happy to table every number I am talking about . But I am not going to waste my time trying to quibble over things because in the context, they will have you think that there was no debt incurred prior to 2000. So, the PLP Government had to come in with a budget that was operating in deficit spending. But let me just go forward with these numbers because in 2017, with a budget that had gone to over $2 billion in debt —in debt, right?—the PLP set a course. And it has been stated many times . I will encourage anybody who wants to know to corroborate it , to go back and look that we would be fiscally prudent and operate towards a balanced budget . To do what? Reduce the debt. That was established. So, you cannot do it in one fell swoop, right? You cannot do it like that. You have to set a course. We could have gone and spent all the money on a boat race for over $100 million , which benefited . . . We could have gone and built Cross Island, like somebody else did, right? We could have invested in Morgan's Point and left the incoming Government with a quarter of a billion dollars . . . not a quarter of a billion dollars in debt, but a quarter of . . . no, a quarter of a billion [dollars] in debt. The same Government that had to come to the rescue of the Bank of Butterfield for a quarter of a billion [dollars] during the recession.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanAnd let me say this in the context , because I heard the Shadow Finance Minister talk a lot today about . . . he mentioned, conservative a lot. And I think there is fiscal prudence that the PLP Government has demonstrated because when the debt was incurred (right?), persons …
And let me say this in the context , because I heard the Shadow Finance Minister talk a lot today about . . . he mentioned, conservative a lot. And I think there is fiscal prudence that the PLP Government has demonstrated because when the debt was incurred (right?), persons were humming and hollering about all this debt. But in the context —every thing is in context —what caused the debt? Well, that is still there. Between 2003 and 2007 —this is fact —Bermuda enjoyed the greatest economic boom period in its history. Now, Mr. C. Eugene Cox did have a fund in place. And if I was to be critical of then, [it] is that that fund should have been fully funded for during that boom period, which it was not . It was starting to be built up for what took place in 2008, the recession. Now, I have lived long enough. Times like this, I remember the late Mr. Robert True, Sr. and our many talks by Padgett Stop Lights up there when he was building in the early 1990s during that recession. Mindset. Context. What did . . . What happened with the
Bermuda House of Assembly Government , the United Bermuda Party Government ? And most people say, I ain't proud of United Bermuda Party , but you are happy to inherit what the United Bermuda Party did. There are many children and grandchildren of UBP right across the way. And so, what I want to say is, the mindset during the 1990 to 19 95 period when the recession came was to send who home and packing? The same group of people who looked towards the PLP in 1998. Portuguese workers were sent home in masses during that period. M assive. It was criminal. In fact, there was an organisation that was founded out of that through the Portuguese community. I declare my interest there. I have lived and grown up in many Portuguese households in Southampton where I come from. And I am very grateful for the first Portuguese man elected to this House, [the] Honourable Ralph Owen Marshall in 1963, along with Dame Lo is [Browne -Evans] and Jack [Sir John] Sharp e, who I also knew —all three of them now. Okay?
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanNo, but up in Southampton, we are all intertwined. We grew up in the homes of the Morris’ and Marshall’s and the like in Southampton. And I am here to say . . . But when it came . . . And Scalac hi up there, you know, grew up …
No, but up in Southampton, we are all intertwined. We grew up in the homes of the Morris’ and Marshall’s and the like in Southampton. And I am here to say . . . But when it came . . . And Scalac hi up there, you know, grew up with the byes . But what I am here to say is that in the concept, in the mindset to be able to go there, they did it by sending people home. When the Progressive Labour Party became Government , came [the] Permanent Resident’s Certificate [ PRC ], some caring legislation that gave protections for persons that people are benefiting from today. When the boom period came, and business people . . . And I will never forget Dame Pamela [Gordon] saying to me . . . We were in London with that petition of 8,500 people that I had taken over to London. She said to me: Let me tell you this much. Businesses do not support parties; they support Governments. [Do not] forget that. Businesses support Governments. Right? So, you know, some of those folk there, they will go and curry favour over there. But let's look what contributed to that debt that took place between 2008 and 2012 when the PLP invested in people. W e had fast ferries purchased. The country had the controversial docks. And where would we be without those controversial docks today? Oh, the fodder that was made over the building of those docks. People were called names over those docks. Yes. Ye s. And then . . . and then . . . But look where we are today as a consequence. And look at what happened when the Honourable Member who was our first ( in 2017) Finance Minister was on course for balanced budgets. It is right here. I will go and I will just quote from the Budget Book of 2020/ 2021. When you hang around long enough and you keep these books you can go back and look at the ac-tuals. But when you are doing a budget today, you are doing [it] all by estimates. I always go back and look at what the actuals actually are. And during that time period we had gotten it down to projecting a $77 million deficit. That is a far cry. That is inching away. That is inching away. That was what was projected in 2018/ 19, right? With estimates . . . with estimates for it to be down to $19 million by 2020/ 2021. But what happened in 2020? We had COVID - 19. And no one . . . Like in the recession, when people blamed the recession of 2008 on the PLP , and got away with it, no one could deny that there was COVID. That was global. And as a consequence, a responsible Finance Minister invested in our people, once again holding true to Progressive Labour Party origins. Look after your people, all of your people.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAll of them!
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanLook after your people. And you know, our people are caring people. In the context, during the 2008 recession there were many naysayers that a recession even exist ed when the PLP had to go into deficit spending during that time and were caught with some significant capital projects that …
Look after your people. And you know, our people are caring people. In the context, during the 2008 recession there were many naysayers that a recession even exist ed when the PLP had to go into deficit spending during that time and were caught with some significant capital projects that have proved beneficial to the country. And 10 years later, or five years later, no arguing that now , people are complaining, Why don’ t you have enough . . . more ferries ? Right? We invested in people once again. And yes, circumstances be ing what they were , after that we had the closure of Princess , and we had a new Finance Minister thereabouts. But guess what? The continuance of fiscal prudence continued. I heard persons get up today and say, you know, We don ’t think that the Premier should be the Finance Minister. The Premier is only going to be the Finance Minister if he is capable. And this Finance Premier has proven capable. Love him or not, he has proven capable. And let me share this. It was okay. Nobody is going back and say ing . . . Listen, when Sir David Gibbons became Premier , in somewhat similar fashion that my good cousin from Southampton be-came Premier , . . . [It was] similar. You know, they went there in a smoke- filled room, and they came out [the] Premier. He continued into his Finance Minister during the five- year tenure that he was Premier. And what happened during that time , in context? In context , in the early 1980s, you saw Bermuda shift from a tourism economy to one that introduced . . . So, as a young bye then when the Condominium Act came, in 1981, right? The Condominium Act was introduced right around that time, and persons felt that , Listen, we need to go more toward international company business. And the same people complaining, Why don ’t you have enough hotel beds ? now are living in properties that were hotels once. I listened to them , and I 1946 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly smile d. And I said: Yes, yes, you know what? I remember where you are now, right there, that was the Harbour Lounge. Oh yes, up and down this country we saw hotel beds shift. That is the context. Why? Because people with money moved to where they could make more money. But in all credit to international business, international business has a very significant hospitality com-ponent. And I remember in the early 2000s when the argument was : Oh, those are not leisure visitors. They are business visitors. But I remember when business was starting to grow . I often talked fondly about my good friend Jack Mos eley, the Chairman and CEO of USF&G, the largest insurance company in the world, the precursor of reinsurance. You can Google him too if you want. I ain't going to waste my ti me telling you about Jack, but I remember the influence of people like Jack Mos eley. They were turned to people in my profession to service their persons . But in today's world, what do underwriters do? They go around doing work that persons in the hospitality industry do. They are showing their people hospitality in Bermuda. I had a CEO tell me. H e said: Listen Swan. You want to start bringing 2022. You want to bring more people over here. Make sure you take them on the wa-ter. Make sure you take them and let them see Bermuda. Why? Because that is how they close deals. So, you know, a lot of times we ge t up here, and we make arguments to make sure we can walk in our constituencies and look good. And I have always said, there is not a person in this House that does not love Bermuda like I do. Everybody in this House comes up here loving Bermuda. But it comes a time when you have to be responsible. And I am here to tell you . . . I am here looking at the numbers. And for a Member to get up here and call the corporate income tax windfall (I will give it that name) lu ck . . . No! And as one of my Christian friends would say, No, Tudor . No. H-E-something- something no. It ain't so. Because had this Government just sat on its hands . . . It did not. W e rolled up our sleeves, not too dissimilar to former Government s of this country, going back a long way. Where is the opportunity in the difficulty? Why do you think since 1998 the Bermuda Monetary Authority is looked at with great reverence around the world? It is not looked at [with] any less reverence during a PLP Administration. It has been supported, respected, encouraged. I have often said that we have opportunities to promote Bermuda, that we do not even capitalise on. I would, if I had the discretion, and I do not. But I do have the mic rophone s o I will say it. Stanley Lowe used to say, You are on the bully pulpit . I got nine minutes and ten seconds to continue on. I would make Bermuda educational tourism and involve the youngest of Bermudians in it. In my constituency, I have said it more than once. The greatest example of educational tourism had been in our midst for over half a century . Byers was a golf resort back in the 1920s and 1930s. During the war, it [transitioned] to a hospital. Now, it is educational tourism associated with Arizona State University. It is the largest employer in the parish. Byers —great example. Not too dissimil ar to what St. George's Unive rsity represents to Grenada. Great opportunity. Great opportunity to create next generation scientists from overseas that have been coming here for years to allow young, budding scientists to be cultivated from a young age— from a young age. If you got trouble . . . if you got trouble with children in your country . . . Right? If you got problems with children, you do not wait until they are 14 to try to reach them. You get them when they are five and make them into a doctor when they are young. You make them. And you know what? You tell them like Sam Mabu ry's mama used to tell me, man. She used to pick me up at Granaway Heights and drive me to B erkeley . She sa id: Kim, let me tell you something. If you decide you’re going to be a garbage collector, you make up your mind to be the best one that ever stood in Bermuda. That is what we taught our children! So, I am here to say that if we are the tops in regulatory, if we are the tops in captive, if we are the tops in reinsurance, why is it that we are not . . . and people . . . And the same people that were telling me five years ago, You need to bring more people in the Island . . . and Why doesn’t the Minister, the Minister of Finance and [of] Economy and Labour, work with Princess? And guess what? The same people are saying, What are you going to do? And what I am saying is come with more solutions that are more than just things that resonate and wind people up. And just like for 35, for almost 30 plus years, people have been under the illusion that the PLP came in with a clean slate. The facts are right here. It is not so. If we had a library we would be able to go there and find them like I used to find them back in 19 98— all those particular speeches that relate to that. You know, we had a situation that occurred during the 2008 recession that had [a] far reaching impact on Bermuda. And to put it in a single word, it is called predatory l ending. It is called bad decisions in boardrooms. And it is called , what narrative are you going to paint the Government with that will cause people to look at them with the greatest amount of suspicion? Because when you hire consultants to advise you, they look at the situation and say : Listen. If you can go here, you can cause these peopl e to be looking at them with suspicion. And that has been a tactic that takes place globally. And in a small jurisdiction like Bermuda, it has a devastating effect because people can believe that with photoshopping and all the like you can cause people to believe whatever you want them to believe. And so, you know, when you can say all the bad things about Government and not say that . . . But you know, the same Government . . .
Bermuda House of Assembly And I am going to mention this private business again. Because it is, you know, he who feels it knows it. But when a business can rely on a Government that it rarely supported— Butterfield Bank —and the Opposition of the day supported what the Government did to come to the rescue of I think $ 200 million to Butterfield Bank . But you know, I listened to Butterfield celebrating hundreds of millions in profits. But I know workers who work ed for Butterfield for over 25 years of their li ves, and the only thing that . . . they are now in their 90s [and] have pensions that do not even cover the ir health insurance. Somewhere, somehow, you should employ some of the compassion that this Government holds on to. B ecause whether or not it is a PLP Government of 2026 or a PLP Government of 1998, i t has to answer to some grassroots people, sensible grassroots people up and down this country who care for Bermuda, just like you do. And when you come here and try to ridicule things in just simplistic ways, I cannot accept it. I will not accept it. People should apologise for saying things like that that simply just are not true. And I am saying the numbers are here. And yes, the corporate income tax has come up at a time. Hard work after a devastating period of COVID -19 . . . Staying true to the principles that we followed . . . You know, there is a saying that I am living by in later years. Incremental is monumental. Today is day 150 for me walking five miles every day. And after walking that, I thought it was going to be old. Now I [have] got to incorporate some stretching and some turning to work on the midsection. But you have to do it incrementally. It is not going to happen. And that is what this Government has done. That is what it has done incrementally. Because had you got the windfall, without that type of discipline over the years, it would not have had the same beneficial effect. It would not have had the same beneficial impact. Now my final thing.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTake your time.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanI do not have much time now. I have got two minutes and three seconds. I just want to say something with regard . . . I make no apologies. I grew up on the water before I went to golf. I love sailing. My family are fishermen and sailors. …
I do not have much time now. I have got two minutes and three seconds. I just want to say something with regard . . . I make no apologies. I grew up on the water before I went to golf. I love sailing. My family are fishermen and sailors. And I am concerned about the amount of deaths on the road. The answer is in the water. I heard people hollering for a pink ferry. I will declare my interest. I am connected with Newstead Belmont. A pink ferry would not work unless you could convince the people of Old Ro ad, K hyber Pass, and more populated [areas] to buy into that concept. And maybe some minibuses ferrying people, maybe a dock at Spithead might encourage more people to use [it]. But the answer is , while I am talking about the pink ferry, more commuter service from St. George's right along through. Make it beneficial even tax-wise for people to get on the water and get off the roads. And finally, let me just use my final minute for this. BermudA ir is doing what we need to do wholesale in this country. Believe in yourselves enough to just go out there and connect with the marketplace. And if you start a new business, it is not without challenges. But they have stepped out. And I think in their venture, I see something in them that I would like to see wholesale in our country. Believe in our country enough to do it ourselves. And I will save the rest of that for another speech. Thank you, Madam.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak in the e conomic debate? I recognise the Member from c onstituency 12. Member, you have the floor. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I actually enjoyed facets of the previous Member, the Honourable Member from …
Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members who wish to speak in the e conomic debate? I recognise the Member from c onstituency 12. Member, you have the floor. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Deputy Speaker. I actually enjoyed facets of the previous Member, the Honourable Member from c onstituency 2, and some of what he had to say that progress is not always as swift as we would like it to be. But I will say this . . . I will say that we were lucky to have CIT.
[Crosstalk]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes. We were fortunate, lucky, whatever word you want to use. Okay? No one is talking about the work that PLP did , because the timing had nothing to do with them. But it happened. And we are happy that it happened because it helps to benefit Bermudians. But if the Government is going to get sidetracked because one of our Members called it luck, well, one of the best Finance Ministers they have had said the same thing—t he exact same thing. He should still be Finance Minister, in my opinion. He said it. But he was told, Deputy Speaker, he cannot get the job done. Y es. He was told that he cannot get the job done. And the PLP can interpolate all they want. The fact is this: While they have had this money . . . you can interpolate all you want. I can say a whol e lot about a bunch of you. Okay? That you would be very upset for. But you go, nah. There's no need for me to attack you and your family. No need to do it whatsoever at all. We don't do that. But I can tell you, PLP does it. Okay? I had to experience it myself. So, we are not going to get sidetracked here. What we are going to do is talk about what's going on. And I have said it over and over and over from these B udget moments that the PLP G overnment, yes, they are doing some good work.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHey! 1948 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: But they are doing it at — [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I want to make sure that everybody hears this. I am not going to give you any more accolades. But …
Hey!
1948 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: But they are doing it at —
[Inaudible interjections ] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I want to make sure that everybody hears this. I am not going to give you any more accolades. But you are moving at a snail's pace while the rest of the world and the economy is flying past you. [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: We are going to talk about that. We are going to talk about that. I am going to try and stick to health. First time I have ever done this. I am not going to go to a general debate, but I am going to say this here. If you want to understand what has happened over the last few years, all you have got to do is look at the chart that they put out, page 28, and you will understand why Bermuda and the local economy is where it is today. They will understand because in 2016/ 17, which of course was a budget time that they inherited from us, capital spending was $76,000 [sic]. Okay? Let's go forward for the next six years —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberMillion. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Million, sorry. $ 76 million. Yes, yes, yes. I'm getting excited here. $ 76 million. I'm glad you corrected me. I want to make sure that they know —$76 million. Let's see, PLP Government the next year, $56,000 [sic] . . . I mean, $56 …
Million.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Million, sorry. $ 76 million. Yes, yes, yes. I'm getting excited here. $ 76 million. I'm glad you corrected me. I want to make sure that they know —$76 million. Let's see, PLP Government the next year, $56,000 [sic] . . . I mean, $56 million. PLP G overnment the next, $ 58 million. They still haven't reached 2016 /17. Oh, they went up to $ 67 million. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Point of order, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMember, your point of order. POINT OF ORDER Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: If the Member is going to quote from our book, he needs to start at the 2017/ 18 Budget because that's the last B udget of the OBA, not the 2016/ 17 budget. And he will note …
Member, your point of order.
POINT OF ORDER
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: If the Member is going to quote from our book, he needs to start at the 2017/ 18 Budget because that's the last B udget of the OBA, not the 2016/ 17 budget. And he will note that the budget for capital has gone up every year since the last year of the OBA.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Member. Continue. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Obviously, he can't read because if you look at the chart, under their G overnment in 2020/ 21, $55 million. So, I'm not sure what he's talking about, but if he wants to squabble over the year that we split in 2017/ …
Thank you, Member. Continue. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Obviously, he can't read because if you look at the chart, under their G overnment in 2020/ 21, $55 million. So, I'm not sure what he's talking about, but if he wants to squabble over the year that we split in 2017/ 18, which . . . they became Government in 2017. Okay? So, if they want to s quabble over that, that's fine. But they had responsibility for part of that budget as well. So, I am going back to when it was our budget in 2016/ 17. And it does not change until 2023/ 24 where they then start putting some more money back into capital spending. And if you want to know why our roads are the way they are, if you want to know why people are complaining about the conditions of infrastructure and the likes, it is because they starved the country through austerity measures for six years. Six years ! And that's why things are in the condition that they are. Now, we are fortunate. Do you want me to use “fortunate” ? [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: We got CIT now.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWe’ve been lucky. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: We got CIT . . . Lucky ! [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Lucky. Yes, I am joining with the Honourable Member here, and I am joining with your former F inance Minister who was told he could not get the …
We’ve been lucky. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: We got CIT . . . Lucky !
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Lucky. Yes, I am joining with the Honourable Member here, and I am joining with your former F inance Minister who was told he could not get the job done, that we were lucky to get the CIT. Oh, yes . And I wish we had more Members like that Honourable Member, so we can get some stuff done. We can get some stuff done. Because when we start going back to what is going on just with health, and I am going to go back to health. [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: In the front. Nah, boss . [Laughter]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Nah, boss . I've gotten older and wiser. And that is why I am telling you what I am telling you.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Responsible choices. Certainly, you're a little older than me, and you just stepped down from wanting to run for it. So, I am not sure what's going on there. But hopefully, the new wannabe Premier who has just come out. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, he wants to be the Premier. That's what I'm saying.
[Inaudible interjection]
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Well, you know, let's see. Let's see what happens. But he said, quite frankly, another F inance Minister could not get the job done and t old people and Members I don't need your vote. So, I am not sure where we are going with this here, but i t will be interesting. I am going to leave them to what they are getting on with, because we got our own issues as well. Right?
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: So, we will move on. But the Budget [Statement] says, “Responsible Choices . . . Lasting Benefits for Bermudians. ” Now, I am going to speak specifically from now on to health. In my opinion, this budget concerning health, talking about the Health Ministry, is nothing but a smokescreen, because horrors are still going to come. And we can spend all the money that we want in health and add more benefits and the likes, but horrors are still coming, because we have not fixed the infrastructure of the Health Ministry and what it is attempting to do. And if you talk to any actuary, he is going to say to you, with the numbers in Bermuda that we do have, guess what? It is a big problem. A big, big problem here in Bermuda. One of the things that I have learned over these years is that our Government is good at incremental moving, slowly moving along with things . And then when things blow up they go into high gear. Now, we are talking about the H ealth Ministry. I am just talking about the H ealth Ministry. When things blow up, they go into high gear. We are living at a time right now where the ground is literally shifting under the people who work in the Health Ministry . . . sorry, people who work in the health industry . And they do not know what to expect from one minute to the next. And I am talking about middle- class Bermudians , and, if you will, middle -class Black Bermudians , who have invested their time, invested their family, and invested their money to build something substantial. And when those families are screaming in the health industry that [they] a re not able to make it we have a serious problem, because these are the very people who are taking care of their friends who are at a low income and shopping with some of the monopolies that are on this Island. They are keeping it afloat. And what I am seeing in this industry is this, Madam Deputy Speaker. We are putting them at jeopardy. We are putting them at jeopardy. The wealthy continue to receive tax breaks. The wealthy continue to become monopolies, something that we walked away from in 1998, where w e were all excited. And I am going to qualify that statement later on. Yet locals continue to suffer. They continue to lose their businesses . [Just] like the sugar tax killed off businesses in the East End, West End, and in the middle of the Island. Not just B lack businesses, but White businesses too. [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: The sugar tax did. Go talk to Kamilah . Bakery gone. Bakery is —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberShe still bakes. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: She bakes on the side.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberShe still bakes. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: She bakes on the side. Unbelievable that Ministers have the nerve to say she still bakes . She had to leave because of the sugar tax. Missing the point completely. She's entrepreneurial. That's what Cannoniers are. They are entrepreneurial. And when things got …
She still bakes.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: She bakes on the side. Unbelievable that Ministers have the nerve to say she still bakes . She had to leave because of the sugar tax. Missing the point completely. She's entrepreneurial. That's what Cannoniers are. They are entrepreneurial. And when things got worse . . . she was wise enough to get out.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I tell you, you better tell her.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: She does. You know, you think you're closer to her than family. Well, go ahead. You keep thinking that. What I am saying is this.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: The local businesses are dying off, and they are leaving Bermuda. They are leaving Bermuda.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberGive me three. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, well, you did the study. You got the answers . And I am sure the next report coming out is going to say more people are leaving Ber-muda. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, let me declare my interest. Let me declare my interest. …
Give me three. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Yes, well, you did the study. You got the answers . And I am sure the next report coming out is going to say more people are leaving Ber-muda. So, Madam Deputy Speaker, let me declare my interest. Let me declare my interest.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Let me . . . no, no, no, let me . . . listen. Let me declare my interest. They got a lot to say. They ha d their time to talk. Keep quiet and just listen up to facts. Listen up to facts. I have declared my interest before. General Manager of People's Pharmacy for about 13 years. My wife is a pharmacist —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberA good one, too. 1950 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: —and my daughter is a corporate counsel for the hospital. So, I am working for having . . . I understand the complexities of what is going on. It is the …
A good one, too. 1950 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: —and my daughter is a corporate counsel for the hospital. So, I am working for having . . . I understand the complexities of what is going on. It is the first time I have had the H ealth Ministry . But let me just say this here. Under the current climate right now in the health industry, doctors continue to war with the Government. We have seen it over , and over , and over. They were trying to lock them up. Pharmacies continue to war with the Government over policies that have been implemented. Nurses continue to fight with the Government. When are we going to get paid? Look at the conditions that we are working in. All while the Health Counci l attacks prescription fees, while the big insurance compa-nies are making 70 per cent profit and the likes. And I gave those quotes three years ago in 2024, and I spoke about where we are going with the insurance compa-nies. And for the life of me, in 2024, I pleaded with this Government, You've got to talk to these insurance companies, because look at where they are going . Read the tea leaves . And even after CG opened up a pharmacy, which is unethical in my opinion, because if a doctor ’s office ca nnot own a pharmacy, why in the world can an insurance company own a pharmacy? And everybody agreed with that. Now, insurance companies can have . . . my goodness, they can have a whole host —clinics, labs . . . And let me give you a statistic. Interesting. There are 56 GPs on the Island. Fifty -six. How many of those do you think fall under an insurance company —one particular insurance company? Twenty -two. That's almost half. So, you are telling me that these big insurance companies can own a pharmacy, own a lab, own diagnostic testing, own doctors ’ offices, own the insurance company, feeding themselves, and it's okay. Because in 2024, I warned that this was happening, and that more was going to come. And I even pleaded with the insurance companies to have a heart when [they] can turn 70 per cent profit, and [they] a re not turning some of that back into helping out Bermudians. And I even gave the G overnment accolades for the DHI programme. They are making a sacrifice. We are getting benefits for $500, when the cost of it is probably $800, because it is an investment in the people. But we are not putting legislation in place to deal with what we see now. And that is, we are going back to monopolies now. That's where we are going. Look at the food. Market Place is buying up everything. Going back to monopolies. In 1998 . . . I am going to tell you this story. In 1998, People's Pharmacy, we were trying to figure out what was going on. In 1998, every pharmacy on the Island had to purchase their pharmaceuticals from where? The Phoenix. Yes. And so , we realised . . . and I will say, the owner of the pharmacy, People's Pharmacy, went and sat down with the Government at that time. It was a new day, and things were going to change. And so , we embarked on a journey that led to many of the independent pharmacies at that time, and even now, buying their own pharmaceutical s. Why? For independence from a monopoly. We have gone full circle. All shores not only owns doctors ’ offices, labs, and you name it, but now they are partnering with the same monopoly that we walked away from. And I pleaded with the Government to step in to watch this. Our Government . And I am putting this solely on the P remier right now because of some of the quotes that he made, and I'm going to go to those quotes. The Premier said this . . . sorry, I am going to go back. Before that, I begged: Do something. CG goes and opens up his own pharmacies. Guys, you got to do something here. You got to do something. These independent pharmacies are at risk. Then we put regulation on the same industry that we said we want to help entrepreneurs in Bermuda. They are being burdened with so much regulation and tape work, and guess what? BF&M and Argus decide, You know what? We're going to join forces. They own about approximately 70 per cent of the market. They got 22 GPs under their belt out of the 52. Pharmacists and pharmacies are trying to get pharmacists in the Island. We would like to have more locals. We need to promote that. I t has taken them more than six months to get pharmacists here and doctors. Fifty-two hardly seems like enough GPs on the Island. Hardly seems enough. There are maybe approximately 52, 53, give or take one or two, but to have one single industry player, 22 of the doctor ’s offices, that's incredible. Sorry, not doctor's offices . . . doctors, GPs. That's incredible. Where else can you go and one entity owns that much of the market? They are feeding themselves . And now the earth is shaking underneath the health industry and those independent people who came into play . It is literally moving beneath them because I said, and I warned, and I begged, please intervene. What did we get today? We wait until things blow up, and now All-shores is telling you where you are going to get your drugs now. You cannot go over here to whatever independent pharmacy. You have to come to us for the GLP-1 drugs. You got to come to us. We are going back to monopolies. Now, let me just say this here. I recognise that consolidation has to happen because we ain't got enough people on the Island. And so, they are consolidating. They are reading the tea leaves like nobody else's business . and I said they are moving quickly, so we have to move quickly. We are not moving quickly. We got our pants caught down again. Allshores comes along and tells us what to do. This is how it's going to happen. And then the poor M inister has to rush to put a letter out to say, Well , can you stay it for a couple of days? I know you gave the industry, the pharmacies, one month. And this Allshores has the nerve to not even notify the H ealth Ministry that they
Bermuda House of Assembly are doing this until they already told all the pharmacies and whatnot a week ago before the Minister. So, I credit the Minister for responding. And she responded swiftly, but it's already blown up. In 2024, December 6 of 2024, this was the second plea I made to the Government to do something about this here because it was going to happen. We are three years later now, almost three years later, not quite three years, and things blow up. The doctors blow up. The pharmacies blow up. Citizens are blowing up because now we are telling the very same people who had the liberty in 1998 to go where they wanted to go and to own the businesses that they wanted to own, and it is all in jeopardy. There ain't a pharmacy on this Island that's making 70 per cent profits. Not one ! Not even close to that. But we have allowed this to happen. May I read from the Hansard from December 6, 2024 ? [No audible response.]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I will go straight to what the Premier had to say after I made all these pleas. I have already said what I said, and I will table it and give it to the House of Assembly. After I said what I said, the Premier said this, “And I did say that during this legislative session,” 2024, “the Government will commence consultations on amendments to the legislation . . .” and to address “local mergers and acquisitions” that continue to “concentrate significant power.” No legislation in 2024, no legislation in 2025, and we are now in 2026, when we were warned. You do not have to take what I have to say to heart . But at least listen. And now our Ministry . . . they didn't even know that the Premier said that. I asked a question today, well, when . . . Did you know that the Premier made this announcement in 2024, right after his Throne Speech, December the 6th? He said, yes . And then he continued on. Yes, the Honourable Member is right. I accept that we must move faster in the health insurance sector . But two - and-a-half years later, we get the announcement by Allshores that they are going to continue to be a bully . And I am calling them a bully for two reasons. Number one, they had the nerve not to let the Health Minister know what was going on and what was coming, despite the fact that I did say to the H ealth Ministry, you need to sit down with these guys and talk to them. It's coming. Number two, and I am going to say his name, Peter Lozier.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberUh-oh! Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Oh, yeah. Back in 2024, I called this man. I called his office, spoke to the secretary. She was guarded. Who are you? [I said] I'm just an MP. I just want to get some clarity on some of the things that, you know, you're …
Uh-oh! Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Oh, yeah. Back in 2024, I called this man. I called his office, spoke to the secretary. She was guarded. Who are you? [I said] I'm just an MP. I just want to get some clarity on some of the things that, you know, you're do-ing. Because the Government hadn't come back to say that they had talked to him. I'm taking it upon myself. I am going to call him. I sent messages to him. I ain't heard from him since. And he has the disrespect to not let the M inister know what's going on. Hmm. That kind of contempt for any government should not be accepted, and I hope that this G overnment doesn't accept it and does something about it, but it has already blown up. The M inister told us, what can we do? Well, ye s, it has blown up. And you can ask them to give you a stay of 60 days, because this is how unfair they have been. They are telling the pharmacies and some doctor's offices, I'm giving you a month. Well, you know how much supplies you have to have in order to take care as a pharmacy, to have in stock . And then some of these doctors, pharmaceuticals, $2,000, $3,000, more—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberMore than that. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And if that m ember, citizen, unfortunately passes away, guess who has to eat up the money . And that is why I have been saying, Guys, you got to move. You got to move. So, I am saying, yes, it was lucky …
More than that. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: And if that m ember, citizen, unfortunately passes away, guess who has to eat up the money . And that is why I have been saying, Guys, you got to move. You got to move. So, I am saying, yes, it was lucky that we got the CIT. Now, let's really do something. Let's really do something. But the reality of today is, these businesses are about to close. And I can guarantee you this, one or two are going to close real soon. They will not survive this at all. They will not survive it . But yet, the Premier had the nerve in this H onourable House, after I spoke, get up and say, Yes, we got this covered. I got it in the Throne Speech. I'm going to do something about it. Yeah, we're go ing to get this done. Nothing! Nothing. How dare he put local businesses that support him in jeopardy . How do you think they feel right now? The amount of money that they have invested in this economy, the amount of time that they have put in, sweat and tears, making sure they hire Bermudians. To come to this . I am just looking at my notes here. Universal Health Care is going to cure everything. But I will tell you this here, consultation ain't happened. But yet, we are going to get this done or some parts of it by October. Members who are on the consultative team are still waiting to hear from this Government. Unintended consequences are, out of all of the money that we have, businesses are closing their doors with an unemployment rate that we have not seen before. People are leaving Bermuda. So, you can have all the money in the world, but if you do not deal with the critical issues in this 1952 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly country . . . and let me say this here. Health premiums are the new mortgage. They are the new mortgage because our seniors, who the Government is helping in different ways, our seniors are suffering. And you can give them a little more here and a little bit more here. We can not keep up. There needs to be a massive systemic change in how we do things , because if we say we care then make the systemic change that is necessary to get people above water now . So, we are creeping, but guess what, Madam Deputy Speaker? We are still trying to fight to get to pre- pandemic numbers in tourism. We got some hard decisions to make. And we need to make them swiftly. And with everybody using this ChatGPT , and I still ain't learned how to use the doggone thing.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt’s easy! Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: We can get . . . my Honourable Member who is older than me from constituenc y 2, he was ChatGP Ting. He's got it done. He might have got some of the numbers —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAI. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: AI, well AI, whatever you want to call it. Whatever you want to call it. The fact is —
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYour point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanI definitely believe the H onourable Member is misleading the House in that I was quoting from the B udget Books, and I had about five of them here. I only refer red to ChatGP T because I just, or whatever, Google, just to equate $355 million to $800 million …
I definitely believe the H onourable Member is misleading the House in that I was quoting from the B udget Books, and I had about five of them here. I only refer red to ChatGP T because I just, or whatever, Google, just to equate $355 million to $800 million in today. But I was using the Budget Book for my facts.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I didn't say that. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: This is the kind of thing that vexes me, right? What an unnecessary point of order. Completely unnecessary. And this is what's going on in this House. Completely unnecessary. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. …
Thank you.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I didn't say that. [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: This is the kind of thing that vexes me, right? What an unnecessary point of order. Completely unnecessary. And this is what's going on in this House. Completely unnecessary. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: So, let me remind Bermuda, since 2024 they were warned, this G overnment, no legislation ; 2025, no legislation. And here we are in 2026, no legislation until things blow up. It's a harsh reality. We learned some hard lessons when we were Government, that in four years you cannot fix everything. We were trying to. And this, when this Government who was Opposition at that time, Oh the OBA is going to fix everything. I got to fix it. You got to fix it. The scrutiny was there. All kinds of scrutiny. From everything to name calling, you name it. Yes, I’m going to fix everything. But guess what? Here we are in 2026 and the monopolies are coming back during Black History Month— Several Hon. Members: Ooh!
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: —when we should have fixed this a long time ago. Now that is no pun on the Government , per se, or the O pposition , or any which way you want to look at it. The facts are we walked away from those monopolies. We were smart enough to say look we are going to be enterprising and allow Bermuda to get there. And here we are now back to monopolies. There are only two insurance companies now. Two. CG got the pharmacies and Allshores is feeding itself now . Got a perfect circle just recycling, feeding into themselves. And we are doing nothing about it. And the goal of the Minister , after everything blows up, to come into this H ouse to talk about , Well we're going to deal with this consolidation, when they were warned about it years ago. So, what we going to do about it? We got a Budget that does some things for Bermudians and gets along. But even to their own admittance with the T ax Reform Commission (TRC) they said now you got to give $30 million to get the seniors where they needed to be. That's right there in the [Budget Statement] . They recommended $30 million. What do we do? Rather than restructure and give them the $ 30 million , we give them $15 million. And that's why the suffering continues. Because in order to get out of debt, we're going the slow route when we need to restructure and put money where our mouth is and seriously make the change that is needed. For me [humph], to say Responsible Choices , Lasting Benefits . . . the only lasting benefits that are coming right now is a horror story. Because these middle-class people who own these businesses are dying off and there's nothing to stop it !
[Timer chimes]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other M embers who wish to speak in the economic debate? Bermuda House of Assembly I recognise the Minister for Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. Minister , you have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you , Madam Deputy Speaker. Madam Deputy …
Thank you, Member. Are there any other M embers who wish to speak in the economic debate?
Bermuda House of Assembly I recognise the Minister for Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation. Minister , you have the floor.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you , Madam Deputy Speaker. Madam Deputy Speaker, we started quite a while ago and when you look at page 3, the Shadow Minister started off by creating . . . talking about fictional characters , the Smith family and Mr. Jones , and tried to paint a picture of despair. He asked how is this PLP budget helping them? Well, Madam D eputy Speaker , I will be happy to answer that. Under this PLP G overnment , Mrs. Jones will pay less in payroll taxes. Mr. Jones will get free annual health exams to catch medical issues early. The Smith family will save on licens ing their car and land tax for their home. They also will save up to $375 a year because we eliminated the fuel customs duty. That $375 will go even further at the grocery store due to further reductions on essential item duties. And then when it comes to Grandpa Smith, he needs care. His family does not have to now wait 12 months for the personal home care benefit under HIP or FutureC are because we have now removed that waiting period and we have also increased the medical allowance on the HIP and FutureC are. Madam Deputy Speaker , Grandpa Smith might also be a retired public servant. So, what does that mean? He will benefit from the 10 per cent increase that the S uperannuation Pension will get for the first time since they were frozen in 2014 by the One Ber-muda Alliance. So, Madam Deputy Speaker , the Opposition invents characters to complain about. We pass policies for people who actually exist —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAh! Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: —and that is not something that is done by luck or creation of fantasy families. [Desk thumping and inaudible interjections ] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Deputy Speaker , as politician s there is one trait that most of us in these Chambers …
Ah! Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: —and that is not something that is done by luck or creation of fantasy families.
[Desk thumping and inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Deputy Speaker , as politician s there is one trait that most of us in these Chambers can readily recognise. And that is the ability to read the crowd and adjust our prepared remarks to suit. I say most of us because what I heard today reminds me of listening to pre- written remarks and a failure to read the room. Listening to this B udget Reply felt like it was typed up last year , and at a minimum failed to take into account what our Honourable Premier spoke to last week. I lost count of the number of times I heard the Honourable Member speak about things the OBA will do that are already being done or that are already in train. [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: For this I thank the Honourable Member for co- signing on all of the wonderful things that this G overnment is actually doing for the people of Bermuda. However , Madam Deputy Speaker , we have been subjected to this Honourable Member's speeches before, so nothing was said that is a surprise to anyone that is listening. The Shadow Minister cannot bring himself to admit a simple truth. And I thank the Honourable Member from [constituency] 33 for pointing this out. He cannot admit to himself that people who look like me can run a country and they can run it well.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYour point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motive]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe Honourable Member is imputing improper motive, and I would ask him to withdraw that comment. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMember. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I will not withdraw that .
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOkay. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: It is my opinion.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerOkay . Once it is established that it's an opinion, I cannot. In his opinion —perhaps he should have said that and then it would have been clear er to you . Yes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you. In my opinion that Honourable Member cannot admit that people …
Okay . Once it is established that it's an opinion, I cannot. In his opinion —perhaps he should have said that and then it would have been clear er to you . Yes.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you. In my opinion that Honourable Member cannot admit that people who look like me can run a country and run it well. The Budget Reply, Madam Deputy Speaker , says Bermuda needs a change in Government , one year after the One Bermuda Alliance lost an election for the third time in a row. Again, another example —my opinion—of a t one-deaf politician who cannot read the room.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhoa! 1954 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The people of Bermuda were asked in 2017. They were asked in 2020, and they were asked in 2025.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYour point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Standing Order [19](11)(d)]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoTo Standing Order [19](11)(d): no member shall be insulting other members . Now he may speak with all his opinions, but he is making allusions and allegations having to do that my thinking, my thought process and my views have something to do with the colour of people's skin or …
To Standing Order [19](11)(d): no member shall be insulting other members . Now he may speak with all his opinions, but he is making allusions and allegations having to do that my thinking, my thought process and my views have something to do with the colour of people's skin or how they look. And I asked him to withdraw because everything in that Budget Book . . . sorry , everything in that Budget Reply is based on facts and it is based on the experiences and it is based on this Government's continued failures to deliver for the people and it does not matter what colour . . . what c olour the Book is , what colour the people's skin is , Madam Deputy Speaker , this Government has not delivered! Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Member. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Speaker —
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerI know that you definitely have great command of the English language. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAnd so, I would like for you in, in your phrasing— Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I will move forward, but—
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: To quote the famous . . . to quote the famous saying , the Member doth protest too much.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYour point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Standing Order 19(11)(f)]
Mr. Scott PearmanThe p oint of order is that the Honourable Minister is in breach of S tanding Order 19(11)(f) which says this —and he knows or should know : “(f) No Member shall impute improper motives to any Member of the House or indulge in personalities, except on a substantive motion …
Mr. Scott PearmanTherefore, comments as to the motivation of Dr. D eCouto , the Honourable Member , should be withdrawn.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Member. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerWe will abide by S tanding Orders. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Seems like I have struck a nerve. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: But as I carry on, Madam Deputy Speaker , the people of Bermuda have been asked in 2017, in 2020 and 2026 [sic], and …
We will abide by S tanding Orders. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Seems like I have struck a nerve. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: But as I carry on, Madam Deputy Speaker , the people of Bermuda have been asked in 2017, in 2020 and 2026 [sic], and the O ne Bermuda Alliance have been weighed , they have been measured and they have been found wanting. Yet the solution to everything that's wrong with Bermuda is they should be elected to the Government.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes! Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: What a lack of respect for the electorate of this people and the last three times that they have been called to cast their ballots. But we cannot expect much more. Madam Deputy Speaker , a debate over billions of dollars can easily lose …
Yes!
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: What a lack of respect for the electorate of this people and the last three times that they have been called to cast their ballots. But we cannot expect much more. Madam Deputy Speaker , a debate over billions of dollars can easily lose the attention of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The everyday man does not live by financial spreadsheets. Think about the man driving a taxi , pulling into the service station at the end of a long night. Think about the mother standing at the checkout check-ing her phone to see if her cheque has been deposited so she can buy groceries. These are the people we answer to, not fictional characters. They do not care about fancy political talk. They care about whether their lights are on. They care about whether they afford they can afford groceries , whether their children have a fair shot. In fact , an 83- year-old Bermudian has recently stated that this budget is going in the right direction. It stressed the urgent need to fight debt reduction , the
Bermuda House of Assembly need for debt reduction and we have heard it. We are delivering exactly that. Not making statements that fail to read the room and sound like out of touch elitists. Madam Deputy Speaker, when the OBA was voted out in 2017, they left this country in a deep hole. They took our national debt from $ 1.55 billion dollars to $2.68 billion dollars. Notice I did not say double it. They left a projected . . . they left a budget with a projected deficit of $ 135 million dollars.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberI remember that. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: They saddled the taxpayers with a $ 200 million dollar guarantee for Morgan's Point. A project that had been in default a year before they were voted out.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberA debt we are still paying for. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: A $40 million loan for Cross Island and in excess of $40 million having to be paid to Aecon for guaranteed profits for an airport deal.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAward winning. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: That is their record. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: That is their record, Madam Deputy Speaker. I recall them hearing about all the perceived missteps of the Progressive Labour Party in their Budget Reply, but nary a word of the …
Award winning.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: That is their record. [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: That is their record, Madam Deputy Speaker. I recall them hearing about all the perceived missteps of the Progressive Labour Party in their Budget Reply, but nary a word of the fiscal burdens that they left us to navigate from 2017. Now let's take a look at 2026. Under the Progressive Labour Party, despite a once- in-a-century pandemic and the aforementioned fiscal burdens left by the OBA , we are standing o n the strongest financial footing in a generation. Let's look at some of the facts. We project a budget surplus of $472 millio n. For the first time in history government revenues will exceed a billion dollars. We're making the largest single—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTwo— Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Two billion dollars. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: We are making the largest single debt repayment in our country's history. We will be paying off $605 million in January 2027 which will end up being an additional $25 million in interest …
Two—
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Two billion dollars. [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: We are making the largest single debt repayment in our country's history. We will be paying off $605 million in January 2027 which will end up being an additional $25 million in interest savings every single year. We are delivering the largest tax cut for workers in this country. We have eliminated the 20 per cent customs duty for fuel generation and we are cutting private licencing fees another 10 per cent. Madam Deputy Speaker , the Shadow Finance Minister stands here and says this budget is short on vision. He looks at our historic revenues and calls it a windfall. He claims we are only balancing the budgets because of c orporate income tax. But, Madam Deputy Speaker, that is pure foolishness. The CIT did not happen by accident or by luck. It took years of hard work strict fiscal discipline and tough choices. The Opposition claims we are using this windfall money carelessly . But, Madam Deputy S peaker , this is also completely false. We have made it clear that the fiscal rules that we put in place will prevent us from using these receipts to fund everyday costs of running government. The Shadow Minister also claims that the gross domestic product has barely grown, and only international business is succeeding. He tries to separate the success of international business from the success of Bermuda. But who works in those offices? Bermudians. Who benefits when we freeze fuel duties and cut pay-roll taxes for local businesses? Bermudians. The One Bermuda Alliance complains about empty storefronts but yet criticises $ 182 million in capital investment. This plan funds roadworks, builds affordable housing, upgrades our schools and fixes the S wing Bridge and Tynes B ay. That is real money going into the local economy and creating local jobs. Madam Deputy S peaker , the narrative on this budget is unified across the Island. The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce commends this b udget and welcomes the full repayment in 2027 of the debt. International business such as organisations like ABIC, AB IR and B ILTIR support our efforts to reduce the cost of living and the cost of doing business in Bermuda. When the corporate boardroom and the man on the street agree, we know our policies are resonating. Madam Deputy S peaker , as I spoke about , paying off this $605 million in January 2027 will reduce Bermuda's gross debt by 18 per cent permanently saving the taxpayers $ 25 million a year. We are taking those savings and we are putting them directly into the pockets of our people. We are eliminating the remaining 20 per cent on fuel duty. This specific action will save our people an average of $375 per year in energy costs. When you combine the base rate reduction from BELCO, households will see a significant savings per month. The Shadow Minister called the BELCO tax regressive. He claims it gives the biggest benefit to people with large houses. Madam Deputy S peaker , this shows exactly who the OBA actually does talk to. A $375 savings might be pocket change to a millionaire , but to a mother checking her bank account to ensure that she can buy groceries , that money can feed her children. It is not regressive to keep the lights on for the working people.
1956 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: The Shadow Minister also claims the economy is stagnant and we are leaning en-tirely on international business. We do not apologise for the success of our international business.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo, we do not. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: We are using that success to fund the working class. While the OBA talks down the local economy, the hard data shows that [un employment ] is down to 1.4 per cent, the lowest level since 1970. The real GDP growth …
No, we do not. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: We are using that success to fund the working class. While the OBA talks down the local economy, the hard data shows that [un employment ] is down to 1.4 per cent, the lowest level since 1970. The real GDP growth is averaging between 2.5 and 3 per cent. Employment income has climbed to $3.75 billion. The everyday man is working. The Shadow Minister also claims the OBA created the progressive payroll tax, but we must remind the taxpayers and the people of this country of the facts. In 2016 under the leadership of the One Bermuda Alliance, the working Bermudian paid the highest payroll tax they have ever paid in the history of this country. They shifted the burden of tax from the employers to the employees. They believed wealthy own-ers should profit without paying taxes , while everyday employees carry that weight. Over the past seven years the P rogressive Labour Party has reduced payroll tax .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberReduced! Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Reduced payroll tax to the absolute lowest levels in the history of this country. Today a worker earning $48,000 a year pays 95 per cent less than they paid under the OBA. We execute real reductions. The OBA favours the elite. We favour the …
Reduced!
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Reduced payroll tax to the absolute lowest levels in the history of this country. Today a worker earning $48,000 a year pays 95 per cent less than they paid under the OBA. We execute real reductions. The OBA favours the elite. We favour the everyday worker. Madam Deputy Speaker , the S hadow Minister talks about red tape. He says the One Bermuda Alliance will build a one- stop shop. I actually love that idea . Because the funny thing is it is amazing how he is speaking about things that are already happening. We are rolling out the one-stop shop portal as we speak. Bermudians and small businesses will be able to apply for their licences, renew permits, and access public records in one place. We are not just talking about red tape, we are actually doing it.
[Inaudible interjection and laughter ]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Deputy Speaker, I have sat in the chair of the Minister of E ducation and I know the heavy weight that that office has. Reforming a system that has been entrenched in decades requires hard work. It personal to every parent. It is personal to every teacher. We may debate the specifics along . . . the specific steps for their journey, but we are united in the destination. Our children deserve the best. The Shadow Finance Minister stood here today and said the One Bermuda Alliance would fix public education by creating an E ducation Authority. Now, I have to shake my head again because I work ed to lay the groundwork for the Education Authority and the current Minister is advancing that work as we speak. And again, as I have said numerous times in the past, when that legislation comes to here, I fully expect every single one of them on that side to stand up and applaud and talk about how wonderful we are when moving forward with the E ducation Authority. I do not expect any complaints when we get to that part. The OBA also complain about how much money we spend per student. They tell us that money will not solve the problem. Madam Deputy Speaker, I will never apologise for investing in Bermuda's children. Our students are not just numbers on a corporate spreadsheet. The b udget provides and proves that we are committed to ensuring that our children have a quality education. We are funding upgrades to school buildings. We are funding scholarships. We are giving our young people the modern environment they need to survive and thrive. The Opposition just complains, but we will continue to do the work. When it comes to housing, the Opposition claims a lack of vision, suggests we should subsidise private developers instead. Sorry, Shadow Minister, we are not handing taxpayer money over to wealthy developers.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: We are building real, permanent homes for Bermudians. The Ministry of Housing is looking to advance more than 200 homes in the next 18 months. It’s 18 months, right?
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, sir.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: We have active construction right now that will deliver 37 new affordable housing units by mid- 2026. We are also responding to emergency needs by the nine modular units up at Boaz Island for rapid transitional housing whose planning permit is being considered by the Department of Planning as we speak.
[Desk thumping] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Madam Deputy Speaker, in health care we are taking massive steps towards universal health coverage. We have completely removed the 12- month waiting period for the personal home care under HIP and under FutureCare. Policy owners now have immediate access to this critical support. Further-more, we have introduced one free annual health exam for all HIP and FutureCare policy owners. Catching
Bermuda House of Assembly conditions early, Madam Deputy Speaker, we can prevent severe complications and lower system costs. Madam Deputy Speaker, the Shadow Minister is stuck in the past and it just stops him from admitting the simple truth that we are good stewards of this coun-try's finances. Governing a country requires hard decisions. The One Bermuda Alliance chose to gamble on the taxpayers' money with a luxury hotel that just did not work. They chose to place the heaviest burdens on the backs of the working class. And contrary to the F iscal Responsibility Panel's recommendations that are very explicit, protect CIT through discipline, rules, and carefully prioritised capital , the OBA is treating the CIT as if it's just a pot for subsidies and incentives and other supports. The Progressive Labour Party has chosen a totally different path, Madam Deputy Speaker. We choose to navigate the global corporate tax and use these funds to secure the future of our Island. We choose to wipe out $605 million of debt. We choose to keep $25 million in Bermuda every single year. The choices made today are responsible. The benefits delivered tomorrow will be lasting. This budget is for the ultimate benefit of the people we serve. Madam Deputy Speaker, the Shadow Minister, as I said before, says Bermuda needs a change in Government. And as I said before, they have been weighed, they have been measured, and found wanting in 2017, in 2020, and 2025. That's not my opinion. That's the opinion of the voters of Bermuda. But when you are tone deaf and fail to recognise the room, you will continue to be subjected to what we have heard from the Shadow Minister today. And it will continue to fail the One Bermuda Alliance aspirations to become the Government. Madam Deputy Speaker, the difference between 2017 and 20 26 is clear. The O pposition managed for a few. The Progressive Labour Party is building for the many. We are clearing the massive debt our children would have had to pay. We are putting real money in the hands of everyday citizens to keep this Island running. We are upgrading how government serves the people. This b udget is not about empty promises with vague price tags attached to it. It is about sustainable growth. It is about a safer, smarter, fairer Bermuda. This budget is for the benefit of every Bermudian. And from the back of the taxi to the front of the classroom, we have stayed the course, and we will continue to put people first. Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you, Member. Are there any other M embers who wish to speak in the economic debate? I recognise the O pposition Leader from constituency 8, I believe it is. Hon. Ben Smith: Yes, thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes, you have the floor. Hon. Ben Smith: Madam Deputy Speaker, I think that one of the issues that we have in Bermuda is that the change in our economy has created this separation in Bermuda. And the separation is based off of . . . as we have moved …
Yes, you have the floor.
Hon. Ben Smith: Madam Deputy Speaker, I think that one of the issues that we have in Bermuda is that the change in our economy has created this separation in Bermuda. And the separation is based off of . . . as we have moved more towards international business being the engine that drives this country, and each step we take towards that being the only engine that seems to be driving this country —
[Crosstalk] Hon. Ben Smith: —there are many within international business that make such a significant amount of wealth that it —
[Gavel]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAll right. Continue. Hon. Ben Smith: —that it creates this real difference between what the everyday Bermudian is living and what the international business people and part of that community, their space is completely different. [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair] Hon. Ben Smith: And that is …
All right. Continue. Hon. Ben Smith: —that it creates this real difference between what the everyday Bermudian is living and what the international business people and part of that community, their space is completely different.
[Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
Hon. Ben Smith: And that is not to be negative to them, but it is just the reality that we live in. A lot of the benefits of having international business here and creating jobs and creating opportunity has also created some of the issues that we are having. Because as those people from that industry have the ability to pay higher rents, to buy houses the second that they get a PRC, it means that you are finding more locals that are not able to be at that level. And as that market continues to squeeze, we are seeing the result of that. So, Mr. Speaker, one of the issues that I think that we as the O pposition have been pointing out is that it seems that the Cabinet of the Government, not all, but many, seem to be wearing a set of glasses that lets them see Bermuda differently from the everyday man. And I did not see anywhere in the budget where they were going to give those same glasses to everybody else so that they could see that same reality. Because the Minister who just took his seat wanted to argue that the Honourable Shadow Finance [Minister] wasn't allowed to talk about the Smiths and the Joneses. But then he gave examples of a taxi driver and examples of other people. He was literally doing the exact same thing. There was no detail to it. It was not a specific person. Because we are here to talk about all the different parts of our community that we interact with. That 1958 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Budget Reply had information that came from all parts of our community. Because we walk in the same community as everybody else in this C hamber. So, the question is, are those M embers continuing to wear those Cabinet glasses when they are walking around this community so they do not see the boarded up shops ; so they don't see the going out of business advertisements? Please come and get whatever we have left on the shelf for 50 per cent and 80 per cent. They are not seeing those same things . Because people are struggling in the country. They know it. That is why they keep talking about all of these supports that they are giving to the people in this country. But as fast as we can give the supports, people are falling further behind. Rental units —$3,000 for a studio. Nobody can afford these unless they are making that kind of money. I said it before that the amount of people that are deciding to put their children in private school means that, once again, you are creating this us and them. Some people can make it and thrive and others cannot. So many parents are sacrificing. The phone calls I am getting is [we] have an education reform that's closed certain schools and people are panicked and saying, Well, I'm going to have to go and pay that $25,000 to send my child to private school because I do not know if this system is going to work and I cannot have this be an experiment on my child. And I say experiment because we have seen all the changes that have been happening, but we haven't seen any data that tells us the results. Just over a year ago, I said that if I was in that position, I would pause the reform and I would audit it to find out what progress has been made up until this point, what is working, what's not working, why we are making the decisions that we're making. And I have said it here because mistakes that were made in the 1990s , we are still paying for today in education. And when I say political interference, it is not because I am picking out one particular person. I am saying over and over again, that mistake continues to happen. But almost nine years of working towards a reform that was supposed to be how we were going to change public education. Mr. Speaker, the reform has paused. We have had very little information whether an audit happened. If it did happen, what was learned? What has changed? Instead, messages to parents and teachers and administrators that cause confusion. And then this week, after almost a billion dollars has been spent on public edu-cation over the nine- year period, we are pausing the reform. Are we having three -tier or having two- tier? Are we having signature schools? What is the plan? But not only do we not know what the plan is, do we not know what the progress has been and whether it's working, whether it's not working? The Minister then says, Well, maybe we're going to need the sector to adopt schools, to pay for it. The question would be to pay for what? Because no one is going to invest in something that they have no idea what it is supposed to be. You have to first identify what is the problem that we are trying to fix. And then you got to put the experts in place because the teach-ers are frustrated. The parents are frustrated. And what I do not want us to do is stand here and be negative to our students. That is not w hat this is . This is . . . everybody here wants the end result to be what is best for our young people, because the future of this country depends on it. A more complicated future [than] we had. Everywhere we look, we are having to bring in people from overseas for expertise. And now we are bringing them in for things that Bermudians were really good at. We built this country . But now [at] most job sites we are the minority. And it is not as simple as saying we are just going to build a technical institute. We have to actually start to build the enthusiasm for our young people to know that those jobs are going to be worthy. We cannot keep making this mistake over and over again. Eight -years -plus reform, messaging that says we have to get rid of middle schools. First question, Why? Because we actually have some private schools [where] our parents are spending $27,000 [for their children] to go to that are actually running a three- tier system. So, they are paying taxes for a public education system that is telling them that the system that they are paying extra money for is broken. Do you see why you actually have to identify what the real problem is? And then you have to put a plan in place, and then you have to be transparent with what the plan is, and step by step take the country along to know why you are making the changes and what the end result should be. But that has not happened. Clos[ing] schools cause s chaos. Now we have stopped closing schools. Can we have an explanation of whether we closed the schools for the right reason? Why [are we] not going to close the new schools? What is that process? There needs to be information that is given to the country so they can start to rebuild trust in the public education. Before you ask the private sector to invest in that, you better have trust in the community. Because I am pretty sure at this point, Mr. Speaker, the statistics will tell you that there are probably more students in private school s than in public school s. And we must be one of the only countries in the world [where] that is the situation. We had a world- class free education that was being given to our students . And almost everybody that is in this Chamber was a result of that. Thirty -plus years of making promises, coming up with new ideas, spend-ing millions of dollars on consultants to actually make the political statement turn into a reality. And we stand here today, after getting more consultants from way over the other side of the world, while we had people travelling to talk about our great reform. [We] went to the other side of the worl d to tell other people how great
Bermuda House of Assembly our reform was going, and the new Minister comes in and pauses it. And then says, we are probably going to need the private sector to adopt our schools. Yes, we continue to put more of our faith in the one engine that is running this country. International business. I am not going to call it luck, because there was a lot of work that would have to go into making this CIT happen. But let's remember something. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Ben Smith: No, no. But let's remember something here. One more time, I am going to say [that] for all of the positives , we have to acknowledge what this means for us. The more that we rely on one engine . . . In this country we all know, because in BELCO, if one of the engines goes everybody here is going, Wait a minute, I want my lights on. And they have a backup. So maybe the backup is supposed to be tourism. But the rest of the world has been booming since COVID -19. Remember, that's the message that we are going to hear today. It has been nine years, but within that period we had COVID -19. So did the rest of the islands to the south. And they are booming and building hotels. And more airlift. We have not even reached prepandemic. And we were not very good pre- pandemic. Those are the numbers we are actually comparing to. That's the actual problem. Think about it. We are comparing ourselves to a time that was not actually spectacular. And yes, we have a lot more cruise boat visitors. But without air arrivals, the real number is not growing the way it needs to grow. But as our Shadow Finance Minister said, if you remove the IB portion from our budget, from our economy, what it is , is the rest of the economy actually doing very much? And that is the part where Bermudians are entrepreneurs. That is that group that has built houses off of that entrepreneur ial spirit. And the question becomes, is that group really performing? Or are they surviving? Because that is the real answer. Even in our local insurance companies, they are consolidating and merging, as you have heard my honourable colleague talking about today. These are not good things for the country. And he spent a lot of time talking about the health insurance. But there is another monopoly that's been growing. And that is in the grocery industry. Because if we stay on this trajectory and we do not have any interventions, within the next five years we have got one company running how we get food, and one company deciding how we get health. There used to be a lot of arguments about the 40 thieves in Bermuda, and how there was a small group of people that was controlling the country. But Mr. Speaker, the question is, have we just returned to the same thing? Have we just moved those chairs around, and the same people are still running it? Is that the situation that we are in right now? Because, as they consolidate, who is going to be able to run the food and health care in our country? Where does it come from? Once again, if you do not have any money, just remember, that is the cupboard you guys left bare. That is what happened.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNow, I can talk about the airport this year. Hon. Ben Smith: And the truth is, I do not actually like to spend that much time talking about all those things. Because they have been in power for almost nine years. Why don't you talk about your record, what you've …
Now, I can talk about the airport this year.
Hon. Ben Smith: And the truth is, I do not actually like to spend that much time talking about all those things. Because they have been in power for almost nine years. Why don't you talk about your record, what you've been doing? Because guess what? The issue is this.
[Inaudible interjection and general uproar]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberI’m proud of the record! Hon. Ben Smith: It's not just the money. It's the accountability. It's the transparency. It's actually getting the things done. Because guess what, Mr. Speaker?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat is he saying? Hon. Ben Smith: If you buy a house, you actually have to make sure that you are painting your house, painting your roof, and doing the maintenance on an ongoing basis. It's not just the purchase of the house. Bermudians have always known that. You have …
What is he saying?
Hon. Ben Smith: If you buy a house, you actually have to make sure that you are painting your house, painting your roof, and doing the maintenance on an ongoing basis. It's not just the purchase of the house. Bermudians have always known that. You have to take care of what it is you have put there. It is the maintenance that's important. But if you go year after year and you do not put that maintenance in, when you need to fix it, it's big. It's a bigger issue to deal with. And that is what we are sitting on. Crumbling roads, crumbling bridges, House of Assembly, Govern-ment House. The list goes on. Look how many things that now need to be fixed because they were not being addressed. It has been 30 plus years, but we are only going to talk about the nine. Because it is very interesting that the Cabinet likes to point out the four plus years. But I am pretty sure an airport was built; multiple hotels were built in a very short amount of time. The question becomes , in the nine years what are the things that they can hang their hat on that they actually did?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberLook at the Budget Book. Hon. Ben Smith: Because trust me, in that Budget Book, it talks about a bunch of things. And we have heard announcements and we have seen hard hats with photo- ops over and over again. But the truth is in what actually happened . Is …
Look at the Budget Book. Hon. Ben Smith: Because trust me, in that Budget Book, it talks about a bunch of things. And we have heard announcements and we have seen hard hats with photo- ops over and over again. But the truth is in what actually happened . Is it an arbitration centre? Or is it a fenced- in junkyard? Because that's what is actually over there. Because the truth of the matter is, this isn't about the money part. It is what are you going to 1960 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly do to make sure that that money is being spent the right way? This is not saying that certain people cannot do the job. I reject that. I reject that idea. What I am saying is, make sure that you are holding the people accountable for the job that is supposed to be done. If you put the money in the budget and the thing doesn't happen, then that was a waste. For many years it was in the budget that we were going to give psychological and social services to the prisoners. And those roles were never actually filled in the budget, year after year. See? That's the problem. The numbers tell you one thing; but the reality . . . that's the part that we actually have to deal with. And that's the problem that we have in Bermuda right now. Because the everyday person is not feeling these numbers. You can have over $2 billion in revenue. But if the money that you are making does not allow you to pay for the $3,000 studio, the $300 BELCO bill, the $25,000 fee to send your kid to private school ( because you don't want them to be in the experiment ), that is the life that they are actually living. And we all know it because we knock on doors. So don't put on the glasses that you must get when you walk into Cabinet that show you a completely different reality to what people in Bermuda are going through. B ecause the middle class in this country is eroding. Families are stretched past their limit. It is interesting, because several from my side have talked about the housing. And yes, we agree. There's an emergency part of the housing. And that seems to be what we have heard about. But we had a recommendation that potentially the same way that we have given all these tax concessions and incentives to overseas billionaires so that they can build what I am going to say is housing for more rich people, why would we not try to do that exact same thing to incentivise construction companies in Bermuda to bu ild for Bermudians? That seems like trying to actually help the same people that both sides continue to talk about. Because the more those houses go off the market, understand that the rental units attached to those houses are now no longer being rented out. So, it is not something that can be easily solved, which means you are going to have to build more. That is why our suggestion is to try to incentivise having that industry get involved to try to build housing at the different levels that are needed in this country. And we talked about it cannot be that the Government is going to be the only one spending this money because the Government does not have the money. We cannot put ourselves further in debt. We agree. But as you look at balancing a budget and talking about surplus . . . I remember in my first years in the House of Assembly I heard about all the things that the OBA Government had not put money in, had not invested in. That was according to the new Government. But here we are, nearly nine years later . The poli ce were underfunded. The prisons were falling apart. The roads, the bridges, the House of Assembly. It might almost be that the majority of the people who are now in this Chamber have never actually even been in the real House of Assembly. So, when you look at the investment you can celebrate what you have done over that period of time. But understand that every one of those choices is going to have an impact somewhere. So, the accountability bit. This is the part that I think is really important for us to understand. It is not the numbers ; it is the accountability of how it is. We heard today about in transport you are going to new legislation. But you actually have not been enforcing the rules and policies that are in place already. So, you do not know how much you are going to need to enforce the rules and policies for the new legislation. Take that across multiple ministries , if you are not going to give the services and then make sure those services are actually happening and getting the data, which is important for you to make the decisions. We talk about it because the Honourable Minister of Labour is a statistician. So, he knows that data is really how you are going to make the right decisions. And I have asked for it before. You close categories, you restrict categories. I have no issue with that. But give us the data that says there were 100 people who applied for those jobs that now have jobs because you had those categories restricted and closed. And now nobody has an issue. Give the data. Give the information.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHow is it collected? Hon. Ben Smith: That's for the Minister to figure out how to collect it , because he's the statistician. He's the one. [Laughter]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo solution! Hon. Ben Smith: See? The problem we have is . That seems to be the answer to everything. We have to give the solution. We have to give the details of the solution. We have to tell them how to do it. We are the ones who told …
No solution!
Hon. Ben Smith: See? The problem we have is . That seems to be the answer to everything. We have to give the solution. We have to give the details of the solution. We have to tell them how to do it. We are the ones who told them that they needed to put the money aside for the CIT. Thank goodness they listened to us.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersAah! [Laughter] [Gavel] Hon. Ben Smith: That's the issue. They never . . . because we have heard it multiple [times ]. You have to give us credit. You have to give us credit. But they do Bermuda House of Assembly not want to give anybody else credit. That is …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Ben Smith: One thing, the Cabinet . . . their arms must be tired from patting themselves on the back all day.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes, yes, yes. Hon. Ben Smith: Multiple videos and propaganda. They are really good at it. But the more they put that out , they have to remember something. The people. The people they are supposed to serve. Just remember, every time you say, Well, we're going to lower this …
Yes, yes, yes.
Hon. Ben Smith: Multiple videos and propaganda. They are really good at it. But the more they put that out , they have to remember something. The people. The people they are supposed to serve. Just remember, every time you say, Well, we're going to lower this tax and we're going to lower this because this is how it's going to help you, understand that the money these people in our country . . . and it's a lot of them . The money that the people in this country make does not meet the demand of living in this country. How do we know that? Because people are making the decision to leave. This Government likes to say, you know, it's quiet progress. Guess what else has happened quietly? People are booking those tickets to get on the plane and never come back. And parents are spending their hard- earned money to send their children to school and then send ing them to university for them to [say], I'm not coming back , and I won't be the one that's going to help you to survive in your later years. And they are also the ones that will not be paying into this tax that allows this machine to continue to work. And that is what we have to remember. Because the more that these businesses in our small city continue to close, that is more taxes that are not coming. And that money is actually how we keep our country moving. Retail has not been thriving under this PLP Government. No. Because guess what? They like to give more money to people to fly in through the airport instead of thinking of ways to incentivise the retailer to actually be able to compete with the international busi-ness , like Amazon. Because all of the money that you spend on Amazon leaves the country. It does not come here and get paid to the retailer and to the insurance company , or for the electric light bill and all the things that happen in this country , because that's what that retail owner is having to pay. And the payroll tax. Remember, all of that happens in our country. And most importantly, they can only hire Bermudians. So as long as you continue to look at them as the enemy instead of figuring out a way to boost retail, to support retail . . . if you started to do that you would realise how connected that is to our country and the jobs that it creates. But, Mr. Speaker, as long as the Cabinet continues to wear the glasses [where] they do not see the reality of this country, Bermuda will continue to suffer. So, make the decision to either put it in your budget so that everybody can have those same glasses as you , or take them off.
[Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Minister Adams, would you like to . . . okay. Minister Adams, you have the floor. Hon. Jache Adams: Mr. Speaker, that was about as doom- and-gloom as I can imagine. Even …
Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? Minister Adams, would you like to . . . okay. Minister Adams, you have the floor.
Hon. Jache Adams: Mr. Speaker, that was about as doom- and-gloom as I can imagine. Even for a moment there, I even felt I saw the grey cloud that was coming in this room. But nonetheless . . . nonetheless. Mr. Speaker, to say that I am disappointed in the Opposition's Reply today would be an understate-ment. It is as if the One Bermuda Alliance still does not understand why they have lost three elections in a row. It is as if they still have not realised that these rehearsed and well -prepared talking points just are not working. It is actually as if they believe that the people of this country have forgotten who they are, that they have forgotten about Morgan's Point, forgotten about the bad airport deal, forgot about the pathways to status. Mr. Speaker, I came here today energised. I came here expecting a new direction, a new angle. I was hoping that after all of the shenanigans they pulled to get their new Leader, we would at least have some elevated standards. But once again, the OBA has failed to meet the mark. But you know what? That is enough about them. Because, you see, the reality is we are not even worried about them. Because the reality is we are here today to have a general economic debate. And so , with that, again, I believe it is imperative that at the very least we begin with the facts. And so , let's start with GDP, short for gross domestic product. It is the total value of the goods and services produced in any country, and it is widely accepted as the measure of economic growth. So typically, where GDP is declining, we say the economy is shrinking. And when GDP is increasing, we say the economy is growing. And so, the natural question is, what is Bermuda's GDP doing? Well, in 2021, in real terms our GDP was $6.3 billion. And as of 2024, which is the most recent annual result that we have, our GDP increased by 12.7 per cent to $7.1 billion. The point I am making is simple. Our economy is absolutely growing and has been steadily doing so since the pandemic. Now, we heard that the OBA will likely play politics with this. I heard. You see, they will infer that this is all because of IB. The narrative that I believe they wish to push is that this would all be a downward spiral 1962 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly if it wasn't for IB. But the facts will show that local business activity contributed to two- thirds of that growth. International business contributed to one- third of that growth. Okay? Now, Mr. Speaker, I am not in any way trying to diminish the value of IB to our economy. I fully recognise the value that they bring. In fact, for any one sector to be responsible for a third of the economic growth is significant. But I am simply highlighting that our local sector is growing as well. And it would be wrong for the Opposition to simply cast that aside.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberSlow, like this House of Assembly. Hon. Jache Adams: Next month. So now, Mr. Speaker, let us now shift gears slightly.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberStay focused. Hon. Jache Adams: And let's focus on our fiscal position. In other words, how are we performing when we measure income versus expenditure, when we are talking deficits and surplus? See, in the fiscal year ending in 2021 —during the peak of the pandemic —our deficit was $ …
Stay focused. Hon. Jache Adams: And let's focus on our fiscal position. In other words, how are we performing when we measure income versus expenditure, when we are talking deficits and surplus? See, in the fiscal year ending in 2021 —during the peak of the pandemic —our deficit was $ 184 million dollars. Just four years later, we delivered the first surplus in over 21 years. So that the people understand context, Mr. Speaker , so that the people understand the difference, so that they understand why their vote matters , I will remind the public that the two worst fiscal performances in Bermuda's history happened under the OBA. The two worst fiscal performances in Bermuda's history happened under the OBA. Now, one of the things that I often hear on the doorsteps and when I am out and about , one of the things that I often hear is, How can the Government talk about balanced budgets and surpluses when they owe so much debt? I get that question. And so, my response is to imagine we are on a boat. And the boat has a hole in it. And as a result of that hole the boat is taking on water. Now, in this scenario the hole represents our deficit. And the water represents our debt. Now, what we are saying to the country is that after 21 years of travel, we can proudly say that the hole is now officially closed. The days of deficits are over. Yes, there is still water in the boat. But I believe most will agree that before you can start to address the water, you must first address the hole.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAah! Another Hon. Member: Yes! Hon. Jache Adams: Now, Mr. Speaker, something tells me that the word “ legacy ” will be thrown around quite often over the next few months. And so, I will say that to lead this country from a once- in-a-lifetime pandemic and just four years …
Aah!
Another Hon. Member: Yes!
Hon. Jache Adams: Now, Mr. Speaker, something tells me that the word “ legacy ” will be thrown around quite often over the next few months. And so, I will say that to lead this country from a once- in-a-lifetime pandemic and just four years later then get us to a surplus is incredibly high on my list.
[Desk thumping]
Hon. Jache Adams: You see, there are a lot of people from now until then who run, talk , and say a lot of things. But there is one leader that actually executed. There is one leader that guided us to a surplus. Follow me now. Mr. Speaker, we are also seeing sustained job growth. Yet another clear sign of a strengthening econ-omy. In 2021, we had 31,300 jobs. And I want everybody to listen to this now. In 2021, we had 31,300 jobs. And in the latest National Economic Report in 2025, we had over 33,700 jobs. This is an increase of over 2,000 jobs. Two thousand jobs. Two thousand jobs. Now, isn't it ironic that it was the OBA that promised this country 2,000 jobs? And long before there was any pandemic they actually managed to successfully lose 2,000 jobs. [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Jache Adams: Follow me now. But again, I digress. And so, I just spoke about economic growth. I just spoke about a confirmed surplus. The data reflects escalating and continued job growth, Mr. Speaker. This is not my opinion. This is not what I believe. This is not how I feel. These are the facts that the Opposition cannot deny. Mr. Speaker, to help validate these facts, I think it is important that we look to independent, internationally recognised bodies and ask ourselves, what do they have to say about the performance of this Government? You see, in their most recent assessment , the ratings agency Moody's noted Bermuda's strengthening fiscal position and said that as a result, it enhances our capacity to absorb future shocks and support longterm growth. S&P said that they expect the local economy will remain healthy. Understand the emphasis. It will remain healthy and support solid government finances. The Fiscal Responsibility Panel said Bermuda's fiscal position looks better now than at any point in the past two decades. Mr. Speaker, none of this was mentioned in today's Reply. And so, it feels as though if it does not agree with the OBA's narrative somehow it is conveniently left out. And when facts are selectively acknowledged or ignored, it inevitably distorts the public conversation. You see, Mr. Speaker, when I think of it further, it reminds me of a story. And it seems fitting. It seems apropos for today's debate. I will spare you the lengthy details, but ultimately, it was a story about a scale. Where one side was weighed down by criticism, by
Bermuda House of Assembly censure, by negativity. And the other side by acknowledgement, by praise and optimism all in the pursuit of trying to find the appropriate balance. You see, the story seems fitting because unfortunately, too often in politics, too often in this Honourable House, we see scales tipped too far in one direction. They are heavy on the criticism, heavy on the negativity. And rather light on the recognition, rather light on the optimism. And I believe it is this imbalance that distorts one’s perspective. Mr. Speak er, allow me to now give an example. I have a constituent of mine who I have come to adore. And she loves to debate politics. Now , in particular, she frequently criticises the Government. In fact, the extent of our relationship is her criticising the Government and me defending it. She asks, What about this? And what about that? Why would he do this? Why would she say that? Mr. Speaker, she would bring up every possible negative thing you could imagine about the Govern-ment until one day I asked her a very simple question. I said, since the pandemic, can you give me one positive thing that the Government has done? I said, I am not asking for much. I just want to know if you can say anything positive about the Government. Now to my surprise, she could not . Not because there weren't any positives, but because she was so fixated on the shortcomings, she was so fo-cused on poking holes , she was so determined to find fault that she could not see the progress. She could not see the opportunities. Her perspective was skewed. Her scale, Mr. Speaker, was imbalanced. And so, Mr. Speaker, I ask the listening public. I ask them, how many people do you know who are similar to my constituent? [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Jache Adams: She did. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, it is also apparent to me that if you really look at it, the issue is not about the message at all. They just do not like the messenger. You see, because if Bob Richards or Jack Sharp e or David Gibbons stood in this House today and spoke about a growing GDP, spoke about lowering unemployment, spoke about reducing taxes, spoke about achieving a surplus, many of our now naysayers would have been showering them with praise. Come on, cousin.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersYes, yes, yes. Hon. Jache Adams: We are seeing how this is repeating itself . Now, Mr. Speaker, if we are going to discuss balance, and I think it is only right that we practise what we preach. So, over the last few years, the Progressive Labour Party has recognised …
Yes, yes, yes.
Hon. Jache Adams: We are seeing how this is repeating itself . Now, Mr. Speaker, if we are going to discuss balance, and I think it is only right that we practise what we preach. So, over the last few years, the Progressive Labour Party has recognised two key points. Number one, that despite our economic recovery, we recognise it is still not being felt by everyone. And number two, that without question, we recognise there is still more to be done. The cost of living and the impact it is having on our people still needs to be further addressed. Our peo-ple have had to endure the poor conditions of our roads for too long. We understand the frustrations that the people have regarding the Savvy loan and the Bermudiana Beach Resort. And I am sure that MP King is going to mention the Gaming Commission because that's his little pet peeve.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Jache Adams: Yes. Our underfunded pension liability, in my opinion, is something that we still do not talk enough about. Again, Mr. Speaker, when you look around our socio -economic climate it is clear that there are areas that we could have done better. And it is clear that more must be done. But , Mr. Speaker, balance requires that we tell the full story. And the full story includes the sig-nificant progress we have made. Since the pandemic we have one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Tourism spending is steadily increasing. The Fairmont Southampton is on its way. Our international business sector is thriving so much so that they are employing more Bermudians now than ever before. Dozens and dozens and dozens of Bermudians now earn their first home as a result of the Governmen t's mortgage guarantee programme. We, the Progressive Labour Party, have done the work. We have engaged with stakeholders. We have met the criteria and now have a tax structure that positions us to see additional revenue and begin repaying down significant levels of debt. So , when we discuss balance, these successes and so many others deserve to be acknowledged as well. So, Mr. Speaker, I extend an invitation to the Opposition Leader for the next time he speaks. I give him an invitation, because he did a fantastic job of highlighting all of the challenges we face as a country. But can he demonstrate better balance? Can he rise above the fray and actually acknowledge some of the positive things that are going on as well? Now Mr. Speaker, let's now talk about the upcoming budget. I want to first congratulate the Premier, the Junior Minister , and the entire team in the Ministry of Finance for their hard work. You see, having worked in the Ministry for years, I am quite familiar with how challenging this time of year can be. And once again, they have answered the call. Now, as Minister of Public Works and Environment, I want to highlight and focus particularly on capi-tal spending. So, first of all what is capital spending? It is the money that the Government invests or plans to invest in assets that the country expects to use in the years to come. Now this includes money for repairing buildings and schools and roads and our water 1964 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly and sewage systems, purchasing major equipment and machinery and so forth. Now see, what often happens during difficult periods, difficult financial periods . . . I will remove the partisan in this. What often happens is that the Government of the day typically invests less in buildings and roads to ensure that they can pay salaries, electricity and insurance and so forth. Again, I am taking the partisan out of it. Yes? Now, you can get away with it for some time, but eventually if you are not properly investing in the critical infrastructure, we then face fundamental issues that become harder, more expensive and take longer to fix. So , I say all of this, Mr. Speaker, because that is precisely why this Government has prioritised strengthening our fiscal position. With years of declining deficits and now surpluses, the Minister of Finance is in a position to allo-cate more funding for capital spending. One hundred and eighty -two million dollars. This is a significant amount of money allocated for capital. So, to put it into perspective, this is more than double the average amount we have been spending over the last nine years. A significant amount is budgeted for capital spending. As Minister, I will say that this year's capital budget reflects our Government's serious commitment to investing in Bermuda's future. So, I will say we will have a new asphalt plant on Island this year. We will be making continued investments in Tynes Bay to prolong its shelf life. Significant investments. In fact, a full refurbishment we will be starting this year. We will be making continued investments in water tanks and our agricultural services centre be-cause sustainability is one of the buzzwords of the day. And it is critical and important. We will be purchasing new and modern equipment and machinery. We will be progressing forward with the transformation of the for-mer Gilbert Institute site to a senior's daycare facility. The deputy premier will have more capacity to produce and provide more affordable housing. This is the kind of bold and tangible inv estments that the public deserves. One that our infrastructure supports and proves that we support our working families. Now, Mr. Speaker, I would like to ever so briefly touch on CIT. But perhaps from a different angle because I often hear comments referring to the Government is banking on or depending on CIT. And it frustrates me because it is simply not true. To some degree, this regime was forced upon us by the OECD. And I think the Opposition recognises and they have said that earlier. And as a country, we had a decision to make. You see, there are other countries that chose to go and respond differently. But we did the work. We built the regime from scratch. We worked with industry. In fact, industry has been on rec-ord publicly commending the Government for its collab-orative approach. On record. So, Mr. Speaker, we are not dependent upon CIT. You see, I will remind the public that we successfully achieved a surplus before a single dollar of CIT was received. But now that the regime is here and we are beginning to receive this additional reve-nue, it is then prudent upon the Government to be transparent with the public and speak to how we plan to move forward. Paying down debt. Establishing a sovereign wealth fund. Investing in infrastructure. Healthcare reform. Reducing the cost of living. Mr. Speaker, we even established a bipartisan Tax Reform Commission to advise and put forth suggestions as to how to proceed forward with CIT. This is not a Government overly dependent on anything. This is just simply good governance.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberLet’s see when you add your supplementaries in the— Hon. Jache Adams: There are days, Mr. Speaker, where I wish I had more than 30 minutes. [Laughter] Hon. Jache Adams: I've only got five left. I've got my whole career.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberGod willing. Hon. Jache Adams: God willing. God willing. God willing. So, with my final four minutes, I will finish with this. Mr. Speaker, this country has faced extraordinary challenges over the past several years. And this Government has met them head on. Not with panic. Not with gimmicks. But …
God willing.
Hon. Jache Adams: God willing. God willing. God willing. So, with my final four minutes, I will finish with this. Mr. Speaker, this country has faced extraordinary challenges over the past several years. And this Government has met them head on. Not with panic. Not with gimmicks. But with discipline, sound judgment, and a clear sense of responsibility. This budget represents the payoff of that approach. It reflects a country that has stabilised its fi-nances, strengthened its economy, and positioned itself for sustained progress. We made decisions with the long term in mind. Decisions that protected jobs, restored confidence, and rebuilt fiscal credibility. And now, Mr. Speaker, we are entering a new phase. A new phase. One defined not by recovery, but by opportunity. One where we begin to invest more, deliver more relief, and expand opportunities for more Bermudians. So, yes, we accept that there is more to do. But I am here confident that every Member of the Progressive Labour Party that sits in this House is ready to do it. The course is now set and the direction is forward. And the people of this country can be confident that better is not just coming, it is currently being built. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Honourable Member . . . No, no. You can stay. I was acknowledging you. Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo, no, no. We have been going back and forth all night. We'll be going back and forth. All right. So, MP Pearman.
Mr. Scott PearmanGood evening. I have got the last slot there. Mr. Speaker, I do not know if you are a betting man, but it sounds as if the odds on the next PLP Finance Minister just got a little shorter. The speaker before me spoke of balance, and I will try …
Good evening. I have got the last slot there. Mr. Speaker, I do not know if you are a betting man, but it sounds as if the odds on the next PLP Finance Minister just got a little shorter. The speaker before me spoke of balance, and I will try and give this speech with balance. I am also going to try and take a slightly different approach. Rather than talk about budgets and getting deep and lost in the numbers, I intend this evening to be a little more philosophical and speak at a higher level , or a more philosophical level. And I will start with this question. Whose money is it? Because I very much hope that all 36 Members of this Chamber know the answer to that question. Whose money is it? The answer, the obvious answer is , it is the people's money. It's not our money. Governments, Mr. Speaker, have no money. The money that governments get is given to them. It's given to them by the taxpayer. Now, one or two countries have had the foresight to put in a sovereign fund, a sovereign wealth fund generated perhaps by North Sea oil or assets like that. Or if you are in the Middle East, there is a sovereign wealth fund over there. But by and large, the only money governments have is the money that the people give to them. And we should never forget that. With your leave, Mr. Speaker, I am going to quote from the great Dr. Douglas DeCouto , the Honourable Shadow Finance Minister, who spoke earlier today. And right on page one, right in his opening, and whoever said it on the other side of the aisle, yes, he did write every word. He said this : “But we cannot forget that behind every dollar are Bermudians. ” Now, he meant that in one way, but I'll interpret slightly different. Quite literally, behind every dollar are Bermudians because it is their dollar, or your dollar, or my dollar, our dollar. Because the government money is your money. Again, quoting from the Budget Reply, this time at page 25, if I may, with your leave, Mr. Speaker, where Dr. DeCouto said this, “Mr. Speaker, it's almost a scientific law that politicians like to spend money, particularly taxpayers' money. ” Well, it's not for me to differ with Dr. DeCouto, but I would say all money that governments are spend-ing is taxpayers' money. But as to his premise that politicians like to spend money, he is right. Because what better thing to be able to give away money and benefit our people through the allocation of resources? It makes sense. But again, it's not our money. It is not parliament's money. It is not the government's money. It is not the future Premier's money. And I just pointed in that direction. Maybe I should point that direction. And so, with that, what does that place on our shoulders? What is it that we, the 36 in this Chamber, need to remind ourselves? It is, quite simply, that we are stewards of the people's money. And that is a great responsibility indeed. It is not ours ; it is theirs. Still with the same theme, whose money is the corporate income tax? Well, it will not surprise you to learn that I would suggest the corporate income tax is not the government's either. Although you might be forgiven for thinking so from some of the speeches earlier today. It is paid by successful businesses and corporate taxpayers. Well, I am told by the future Premier, the Honourable Minister Hayward, that I am losing him. Well, hopefully I won't lose you with this. Again, taking a slightly different attack to this debate, I want to say thank you. And on behalf of all of those in this Chamber who wish to be associated with my thank you, I want to express sincere and heartfelt gratitude to international business.
[Desk thumping]
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersHear, hear.
Mr. Scott PearmanBecause without them, we would not have this revenue. And yes, for those who say, Oh, the Opposition are doom and gloom, the Opposition can't pay a compliment. I'll pay a compliment. I'll remind the Government that everyone in this Chamber, both sides of this House, all voted for the …
Because without them, we would not have this revenue. And yes, for those who say, Oh, the Opposition are doom and gloom, the Opposition can't pay a compliment. I'll pay a compliment. I'll remind the Government that everyone in this Chamber, both sides of this House, all voted for the corporate income tax in December 2023. Including the Opposition. And when we did so, we recognised, and I hate the cliché “at a crossroads, ” but Bermuda really was at a crossroads. And we were going one way . And a certain jurisdiction to our south, competitor jurisdiction to our south, went another. And so, yes, the decision to implement corporate income tax was a bold decision taken by Bermuda. But it was not without risk then. If we are being honest, it was not without risk then. And if we are being honest, it is not without risk now. Because the danger of getting this huge amount of money, whether it's luck or whether it's hard work on the part of the Government, or whether it's due to the support of the Opposition, who knows? We can argue about that. But the fact is, we have it now. It's still their corporate income tax that they have placed with us, and of which we are stewards. What are we going to do about it? How are we going to use that money? How are we going to deploy it? Because that's the really relevant argument. No one really cares about who should have credit for the CIT. What Bermudians who are not in this room tonight, and not part of this debate, care about is how will this money be spent? And what this Opposition 1966 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly is saying, and I think it is slightly different to what the Government is saying, is that it should be spent in a way that ensures that it carries through for the longest possible period, and benefits those who need it most. And so, when we stand up and we do criticise the Government on their across -the-board tax cuts, we do it for a philosophical reason, which is this. If you don't give a tax cut to everybody, your tax cut to those who need it most is so much more. And so, wh en an MP from the other side (and I think it was the Minister Rabain) talked about how important that $375 was, he was not wrong. He was right. But wouldn't $700 have been more important too? That's the point. That is the point we are making. You got here. And just a little bit further you are there. And so, that is the number one difference between us. So, again, back to the thank you. Back to the thank you. And I note for the record, Mr. Speaker, that when I invited the Members of this Chamber to join with me in thanking international business, MPs on both sides of the aisle did so . And I am grateful. Because it is gratitude, because we should be grateful. And I do not know why people on the other side, or certain individuals in this Chamber, are taking exception to the word luck. It's good to be lucky. We shouldn't shun luck. Luck's great. And if we are fortunate enough, as we are today as an Island nation to have this opportunity, we should all be grateful. And we shouldn't squabble about who deserves credit or who deserves blame. Now, the other problem with budgets and debates between politicians is we are always pressing at fault lines, right? We're pressing at fault lines. And one of those on the other side of the aisle likes to praise labour in Bermuda but often does so with a little quick swipe at business. And I don't think that is necessary, because it is entirely true that there is no business without labour. That is entirely true. But let's also remember that business creates labour by creating jobs. And so this whole argument between labour, which I know is in the name of your political party, and business, which is the entity that is giving us $750 million in CIT income, let's maybe think about a more holistic approach where it is not business versus labour, labour versus business, but it is all Bermudians. Now, it was said that we were being doom and gloom. Not by everyone. And indeed, I very much enjoyed the Honourable Member Jache Adams' speech earlier about balance. But I do think, with the greatest respect to my honourable friend, that he took a little bit of a liberty. Because, let's be real . If we took the CIT income out of this picture and put it over here, this picture doesn't look great. And I think we need to be honest about that. Now, I hear my honourable friend, Minister Hayward, saying “ if, if.” Well, we don't have to. Fair point. We don't have to. But I think it's better to be real.
2 2026/2027 Budget Statement And the reason I think you need to be real is because if or when this gets spent, it does not follow that it will still be there. Right? That is the key point. That is the second of the two key points that Opposition is trying to make tonight. The first key point out is if you do not give across -the-board tax cuts, you can give more to those who need it most. That's our first point. And our second point is, let's realise that this wonderful opportunity —luck, skill, hard work, PLP, genius, whatever —may not last. And the reason why . . . and I am so grateful to the Honourable Deputy Premier . . . And do you know what? I said I would be— [Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. Scott PearmanYou too, Deputy Premier. And I said I would be fair and balanced. So here we are. This is the 2green one. I put the 3red one down. Here's the green one. And again, with your leave, Mr. Speaker. There are two points that I will completely endorse from this …
You too, Deputy Premier. And I said I would be fair and balanced. So here we are. This is the 2green one. I put the 3red one down. Here's the green one. And again, with your leave, Mr. Speaker. There are two points that I will completely endorse from this green book here. Page 14. “Mr. Speaker, it would be irresponsible to use volatile Corporate Income Tax receipts to fund the everyday costs of running Government. ” I could not agree more. But I wonder and hope how much you mean it. So that's where I am.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersOoh! [Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. Scott PearmanNo, I am all for it. And let me also read from that same page. Again, this is the green book. And balance; I am giving my support here. “These receipts will not be the same every year. ” Entirely true. I am reading from your book. Of course, you …
No, I am all for it. And let me also read from that same page. Again, this is the green book. And balance; I am giving my support here. “These receipts will not be the same every year. ” Entirely true. I am reading from your book. Of course, you already said it. I'm quoting you. I hope you said it if I'm quoting you. I mean, I appreciate this is the former finance minister -to-be, but nonetheless. So, Mr. Speaker.
[Laughter]
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Scott PearmanI don't think so. I don't think so, sir. That was a nice question from the Honourable Deputy Premier. Page 7, Mr. Speaker. My last point. [Inaudible interjection and laughter ]
Mr. Scott PearmanThat's the best one all night. Page 7. And again, this is the PLP book. 3 Opposition’s Reply to the 2026/2027 Budget Statement Bermuda House of Assembly “But Mr. Speaker, we also have to be honest about what comes with success. ” And here, success is the CIT. “ A …
That's the best one all night. Page 7. And again, this is the PLP book. 3 Opposition’s Reply to the 2026/2027 Budget Statement
Bermuda House of Assembly “But Mr. Speaker, we also have to be honest about what comes with success. ” And here, success is the CIT. “ A growing economy creates demand for more jobs, and one constraint on our continued growth is a lack of available labour. ” And again, I completely agree. And that will be the challenge for this Government, whether it is the current incarnation or some other incarnation come October, which we understand is an eventuality because the Premier is no longer going to be the Premier or the Minister of Finance, we're told. This is his last budget , and someone new will have to take the reins. And perhaps we heard that speaker (one before me), I don't know, of the Finance Ministry anyway. But I think it's important just to emphasise those three points and let you know that the reason we are saying what would the economy look like without the CIT is actually not just political gamesmanship. It is a relevant question because you have to ask, what are we going to do with that? And that is why, by the way, the OBA tends to bang on about the debt. The reason we want to pay the debt down or pay off the debt at some future point is because each and every year it costs $127 million to service that debt. And think about how that money could be applied if we were able to use that instead for Bermudians. And again, this isn't doom and gloom, Mr. Speaker. This is just reality. And the reality is of all the other taxes com-bined on this side, and the CIT on this side, this is 60 per cent (59 per cent , but 60 per cent) of that. That's huge. It's huge. So pleas e tread carefully. Now, what was very interesting, Mr. Speaker, is when the Honourable Minister of Economy and La-bour gave his speech today . He identified three key things that he wants to achieve with the CIT. And they were debt, infrastructure, and relief. Now, that is rather odd, or funny , or ironic , or hopefully important and valuable, because in December 2023 those were exactly the three things that the OBA was trying to encourage by way of an amendment to the CITA, which I like to call the D eCouto Amendment, where we said we should ringfence to pay down our stifling debt, where we said we should ringfence to reduce and restore our crumbling infrastructure, and where we said we should provide targeted relief. And the word “targeted” is very important with targeted relief. That's not relief across the board. Again, if you are going to give tax cuts, please do not give them to Dr. DeCouto. Give more to those who really, really need it. And unfortunately, the DeCouto Amendment did not make it very far in this Honourable House because it was not needed. But now, those very three same points identified by Dr. DeCouto in December 2023 are the three same touchstones that have been identified by the Minister for Economy and Labour in 2026. Now, whose debt is it? Well, we have had lots of arguments about whose debt it is. I think the fact is that most of it was borrowed by the PLP. I think that is self-evident from the debt list in the Book. About $2.3 million. About $850 million was borrowed by the OBA. And the balance, is $3.35 billion at the minute.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou’re all over the place.
Mr. Scott PearmanI'm all over the place? I'm not going to answer the questions. It is in the Budget Book should the Minister care to look. But that's not the point. I do not want to look backwards. I want to look forwards. And I do want to touch on this $605 …
I'm all over the place? I'm not going to answer the questions. It is in the Budget Book should the Minister care to look. But that's not the point. I do not want to look backwards. I want to look forwards. And I do want to touch on this $605 million of loan notes that are due in January 2026. And I want to touch on them because only a few weeks ago, the Honourable Premier and Finance Minister was only going to be paying down $500 million. Now, in the last week or so, at the budget breakfast and in the budget, we see it is going to be $605 million. So, it has gone up. And I see the Junior Minister of Finance is looking at me. Originally, it was $500 million. We have now gone up to $605 million. And that is great. I am really pleased about that. And the reason we say that is great, is not because . . . well, a) it is because we are paying off the debt or paying down the debt. But also, let's be real. Again, this is a legal obligation. And we, as a political party, the Opposition over here, believe that Ber-muda should honour its international legal obligations, including l egal obligations to lenders in other countries who have loaned us this money. And so, when $605 million is falling due in loan notes in January 2026, it is a good thing we are repaying them.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIn 2027.
Mr. Scott PearmanIn 2027, thank you. I am corrected by the Honourable Minister of Works and Engineering. And it is 2027 ; January 2027. January 2026 had already passed us two months ago, or a month ago. Because we want to meet our international legal obligations as an Island. And so, it …
In 2027, thank you. I am corrected by the Honourable Minister of Works and Engineering. And it is 2027 ; January 2027. January 2026 had already passed us two months ago, or a month ago. Because we want to meet our international legal obligations as an Island. And so, it is a good thing. But given that it is Bermuda's legal obligation, I am not sure we should stand up and crow about it. Because we are just doing what we have to do. We are just doing our job. And I am very pleased to see that the Honourable Minister is nodding his head. Mr. Speaker, with your leave, I will just read another sentence. Again, from the Reply by Dr. DeCouto. This is page 21. “Mr. Speaker, Bermuda faces a $1.7 billion in debt repayments over the next four years, which means putting away $432 million per year. Yet the Government's three- year plan already falls short by almost a quarter of a billion dollars. ” So, I am just going to point out what he said. And again, we are looking backwards. Unfortunately, MP De Silva likes to look backwards. I am looking forwards.
1968 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Scott PearmanAll I am going to say is, unless Dr. DeCouto’s numbers are wrong, and that's a fair argument . . . it is possible ; everything's possible. What he is identifying is that in the first two years of this opportunity we need to find $432 million to set aside …
All I am going to say is, unless Dr. DeCouto’s numbers are wrong, and that's a fair argument . . . it is possible ; everything's possible. What he is identifying is that in the first two years of this opportunity we need to find $432 million to set aside per year in order to meet our debt obligations. So, really what we should be looking for is an 860 and not a 605. [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Scott PearmanI got a “ ha” from over there. I am not going to answer that one. [Laughter]
Mr. Scott PearmanMr. Speaker, infrastructure. Great. Fix it. The OBA is very supportive. You know, I know we like to joke about who canvasses more around here, and I know the ministers are very busy . But I think that anyone who has knocked on a doorstep (as all of us have, …
Mr. Speaker, infrastructure. Great. Fix it. The OBA is very supportive. You know, I know we like to joke about who canvasses more around here, and I know the ministers are very busy . But I think that anyone who has knocked on a doorstep (as all of us have, because we just had an election) will know that when you knock on the door, there are certain things that are more important to the voter than others, right? And my experience, generally, is that rats is number one. I don't know if you find that or not, but it's rats. Extermination of rats.
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Scott PearmanThank you. If you look at my victory numbers on the last election, you see I might have knocked on a hell of a lot of doors. [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Scott PearmanOh, well, well, well. You know, most of them are Azorean Bermudians , MP De Silva.
Mr. Scott PearmanAnyway . So, I can be cheap and say why not fix it sooner, but you know what? Let's leave that one alone. I will. I will. Because we do not want to look backwards. We want to look forwards. And so, we are quite with you. Indeed, we suggested …
Anyway . So, I can be cheap and say why not fix it sooner, but you know what? Let's leave that one alone. I will. I will. Because we do not want to look backwards. We want to look forwards. And so, we are quite with you. Indeed, we suggested it in December 2023, the DeCouto Amendment. Let's fix the infrastructure. The third point that Minister Hayward identified was support for those most in need. And again, the word I would add is “ targeted. ” And again, I am not going to look backwards. You have said what you said. You have done what you have done in this budget. But maybe when the Cabinet gets together, with or without the glasses identified by MP Smith, on the next occasion let's ask ourselves, Do we really need to cut car tax across the board for everybody driving a nice car, particularly ones who might have two and might have bought both of them this year? It's a fair point. You can always give more to those who need it most if you don't give cuts to everybody across the board. And it is not that hard. It is just a further step. So, the point is that, yes, okay, as a headlinegrabbing idea, everyone will feel it. Okay. But let's help those who need it most. I am now going to go back, again, with your leave, Mr. Speaker, to the Reply.
Mr. Scott PearmanAnd this one is at [page] 37. In fact, he makes the point here that I just made. “It's about giving more to those who actually need it most. ” And I would respectfully suggest that that is a principle that none of us should argue with. Mr. Speaker, I …
And this one is at [page] 37. In fact, he makes the point here that I just made. “It's about giving more to those who actually need it most. ” And I would respectfully suggest that that is a principle that none of us should argue with. Mr. Speaker, I have already copied my friend, MP Campbell, and given some balance and offered some things in the green book that I thought were pos-itive. There is one last one that I want to touch on, just because I do feel quite strongly on this one. And so, I will commend and give kudos to the Government at page 22 for the proposal that self -employed caregivers would have their payroll taxes eliminated. I think that is a very, very good thing, particularly when you look at the demographics of our Island and the ageing population, and particularly for those of us in this Chamber . And I am sure there are many , who have had to care for ageing parents and know how difficult that is and know how grateful we are where there are potentially caregivers in the picture. Not everyone can do that. But where they are, I am very grateful for that decision, and I think it is a good one. Mr. Speaker, in the limited time available to me, I just want to drill down now briefly into my Ministry, Le-gal Affairs. And obviously on Monday we are going to have a much longer debate about it, so I will keep it short. But again, I will quote from the Shadow Minister of Finance who spoke earlier, and this is page 35. “ We would ensure a judicial system is properly funded, with independent control of spending. A fair and efficient judiciary is an important part of society. We would also introduce scaled fees for commercial cases , to enable revenue from our commercial courts to support our family courts as well as much- needed attention to probate applications. Good courts are an asset for a business jurisdiction, and businesses are willing to pay for them. ” Mr. Speaker, a few short weeks ago, you and others arranged for a gathering at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, and I know that almost every MP in this room took the opportunity to attend for some or indeed all days . And I thought it was incredibly helpful. And I think that it reminds us, or it should remind us, why we are in this. Because I think most of us come to politics because we really want to try and make a difference. We want to make our lives better for our
Bermuda House of Assembly fellow Bermudian people, where we can. And we may differ about how to get there, but ultimately that is the goal in the beating heart of each of us that motivates us. And what I thought was very interesting about the conference, if I may just give two quick observations. One is that there were a number of other small jurisdictions that to my perspective seem to have parliaments that function with a much higher degree of collaboration and success than perhaps ours has functioned of late. Now that's my opinion. Not everyone will agree, I appreciate that. And the second one was how interesting it was to me that members of parliament s in those jurisdictions in some cases fight to get on a ballot to move the particular Bill that's important to them as a private member's Bill, as a backbench MP moving their Bill. And I very much hope that the backbench of any government, whether it be the current Government or the future Government, remind themselves why they got in politics . What's the one point they really want to push for? And can I bring forward a private member's Bill as a backbench MP and see that become law and poten-tially solve a problem that's important to me? And I say that in the context of the comments that I just read aloud about the courts. I think it would be a deeply good thing for this Island if we could have a court system where their fi-nancial integrity is protected by independence. And so that we could indeed liberate our courts from any ( small “g”) government control , or at the very least make sure our courts have independent funding so as to fend off any pressures. And secondly, again just with my shadow portfolio of Legal Affairs, we have litigation conducted in Bermuda of some of the highest quality and calibre and value anywhere in the world. One of the largest cases in the entire world is being conducted here on our shores. And so there is an opportunity for tiered fees, for filing affidavits, filing summonses, tiered fees, depending on the value of the case, where that section of the court can make a profit, can make a revenue and that revenue can support our family courts which are struggling for funding and resources and indeed our probate court which I think for everyone who knocks on doors, that along with rats, it's probate. All right? So, with those two points on the courts, I would make the same and further point , Mr. Speaker, about our Parliament. And I think it is important that just as our courts should have independent financial account-ability, so too should Parliament have independent financial accountability. And so perhaps that's something that those who are on the backbench across the aisle or indeed those who are sitting behind me might want to give further thought. Mr. Speaker, with a few minutes left, I have a few brief closing remarks. We are a small Island, but we do, like anywhere, have big problems. And what we must be about each and every day is solutions. We must be about solutions. We must be about delivery. And as my colleague Jarion Richardson, MP, said earlier today, execution matters. And, again with your leave, Mr. Speaker, Dr. DeCouto, at page 4, said this, “ But opportunity does not equal execution. ” We all have recognised that the CIT has brought opportunity , and considerable opportunity. And we can debate about who should get credit for that, about whether it is lucky or whether it is not, but I think it would be far better time spent if we looked to execution, if we looked to delivery, if we looked to solutions. One of the themes that ran through the Opposition's Reply to the Budget is that we as a Parliament, as a Government, as MPs who are elected to serve, should be more about diagnosis and cure rather than treating the symptoms. To finish, Mr. Speaker, I thank International Business and I am grateful for the contribution that they make to this Island, not only in employing Bermudians, but also in the CIT for which we should be thankful , and I think we are thankful. I thank the good doctor for his roadmap to future economic success. I think that today he has painted an OBA vision of how we hope that all Bermudians can improve their quality of life. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, MP. MP Dick inson, would you like to take the floor?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI should note that we are now past that magical time- spot of seven hours on a single debate, which means the individual time of 30 minutes now goes down to 20 minutes. You didn't hear that, Minister?
Mr. Curtis L. DickinsonI don't need that. Mr. Speaker, I am not one who believes that the impact of what I have to say is correlated to the amount of time that I take to say it. So, I am going to be brief because I am not feeling well and I thought …
I don't need that. Mr. Speaker, I am not one who believes that the impact of what I have to say is correlated to the amount of time that I take to say it. So, I am going to be brief because I am not feeling well and I thought it was important that I be here this evening and make a contribution. So let me start with my personal observations on the Government's 2026 /2027 budget. My assessment is that this is a responsible budget and it seeks to balance the oftentimes competing demands of fiscal prudence and delivering for the people that we all serve. There is no such thing as a perfect budget . But we all can work towards that ideal. 1970 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly A reasonable assessment would suggest that this budget represents the realisation of a significant milestone, and also strengthens the Government's fiscal position. The accomplishment does not mean that the work is all done. We all know that there is much, much more to do and we all have to be focused on doing that work. Mr. Speaker, being one of only two persons in this Chamber who served as a Minister of Finance, I am fully aware of the responsibilities, the awesomeness of those responsibilities in getting this job done. And it is with that background that I feel comfortable making comments previously or now about that budget. As I said earlier, I'm not feeling well, so I'm not in the mood to be anybody's piñata. I am the son of Sheila Dickinson and Everard Simmons Sr., and for that I am lucky. I am also the young man who was walking up Black Forest Drive just outside of Atlanta going to school when a neighbour offered me a ride. That ride resulted in me becoming an investment banker in New York and being successful and being able to do the work that I do today. For that, I am lucky. And being lucky does not diminish all the work that went into doing what was required to make me who I am. So hopefully, we have put the lucky comment to rest. I am not going to cover off -and-on things that have been spoken to previously by my colleagues, but I do want to touch on a couple of things that I think are very important, especially to Bermudians who may not always understand the full impact of the things that we discuss here. I first want to talk about the debt. One of the first things that I did back in 2018 upon becoming Min-ister of Finance was to refinance some maturing debt. That exercise resulted in a very successful transaction and the Government achieving at that point i n time the best execution in its history in terms of rate and spread. We set out a strategy back then that we were committed to improving the quality of the government's fiscal house. That strategy involved four pillars. The first one was to reduce deficits. The second was to balance the budget. The third was to generate surpluses. And the fourth was to repay the debt. So, the work and the strategy around where we find ourselves today has been in place for a while. And what has been happening over that while is we have been executing. And for that we need to commend all of those folks who were involved in doing that work. This is no fluke. This is work. And I have seen in the back and forth that happens in this Chamber folks use the word “ prudent ,” and then people get upset about the use of the word “prudent. ” Let me say this. The proof is in the pudding. We have been prudent. And so, when they say you should be prudent , my response is , we have been . Mr. Speaker there was a comment made earlier I believe talking about how ratings do not affect people's lives. I would strenuously disagree with that statement because in my view it is absolutely incorrect. I had the occasion back in 2020 of addressing public officers when we were discussing with them taking pay cuts to help the Government navigate its way through the pandemic. And I was asked about ratings and why ratings are important. And most folks in the rooms did not understand what a rating was or why it mattered to their life. Ratings are important because it directly impacts the cost of capital for the Government and many participants in our international business sector. If their cost of capital goes up your mortgage rates go up. Your credit card rates go up. And for international business their costs go up, and Bermuda becomes increasingly less attractive. And if we are less attractive then people don't want to be here anymore. So, I would argue that ratings are very important . And while people may not understand how it impact s their lives on a day -to-day basis, they should know that they do. Now I am going to shift to the budget. Budgets are not just about numbers. If done correctly, they should reflect the values and the priorities of a Government. A balanced budget and no debt is a destination. It's a stop along the way of a journey for a responsible Government to deliver for its people in ways that are tangible while ensuring the future sustainability of our country for future generations. I have always resisted the temptation to question the decisions of my predecessors because they say he who feels it knows it. And it is very easy to Monday-morning- quarterback , with the benefit of hindsight , people's decisions. I approach my work this way. When I am in charge, I get 30 days to blame the other guy and then it is on me. So, I would ask everyone to take a critical assessment of the occurrence of debt over the course of the last eight to nine years. And I can assure you that in every instance in which debt was incurred it was to meet a need that the country had to address. In the first instance it was a $200-plus million around Morgan's Point that , [had] the Government chose not to honour its obligations , the impacts on the broader Bermuda would have been significant. And I would suspect that no one would challenge the Government's borrowing to fund itself during the course of the pandemic. And so, I sit here and I challenge myself to kind of understand why , when most of us who are here were not here when most of the debt was incurred, yet we feel very comfortable slinging ar rows back and forth about the debt. What is happening now is we are fixing the problem. We are addressing the issue. We're moving the ball up the field. The recommendations made by the Fiscal Responsibility Panel and the Tax Reform Commission in my view are politically agnostic. They would have been made whether it was an OBA -led administration or PLP administration. They are soundly rooted in good finance, good governance, best practise. And the fact that this Government has embraced those recommendations speaks to its understanding of the responsibility
Bermuda House of Assembly it has to manage this country financially in a way that is consistent and certainly for the best interest of our people. So, I am hopeful now that we are on the other side of budget deficits in the land of surpluses , that our conversations can be more focused on how do we go about executing for the people of Bermuda. Because I think we spend a lot of time playing the blame game when none of us were actually here to take on ownership of the things that happened in the past before us. So, I don't have many recommendations on how the budget can be improved other than a couple of things that I think touch the lives of ordinary people, the people in constituency 21, who I serve. I would like for greater trash collection for people who live in densely populated areas. We've got more money. Let's spend a little bit more ensuring that people's neighbourhoods are clean and safe and free of vermin, the rats. I would like for more money to be spent on roads because, notwithstanding the work being done, more needs to be done . And it is my hope that folks who aren't getting a tax cut or fee rebate, or fee reduction for their licences , do not have to spend that money fixing tyres or axles on their cars. And I would also like to see, and this is an across -the-board kind of tax cut that I think we haven't talked about yet , is a repeal of the sugar tax. [Desk thumping]
Mr. Curtis L. DickinsonAnd it is my view . . . I have heard anecdotally that the single item that has been impacted the most by the sugar tax is none other than bottled water. Last time I checked there is no sugar in this. That certainly will impact our people positively and …
And it is my view . . . I have heard anecdotally that the single item that has been impacted the most by the sugar tax is none other than bottled water. Last time I checked there is no sugar in this. That certainly will impact our people positively and it is a way that we can show them that we understand that perhaps good policy did not result in the outcome that we would have liked.
Mr. Curtis L. DickinsonI have spoken many times Mr. Speaker about you know how these debates take on a certain sameness every year. A Statement is delivered, then there is a Reply, and then there is this back and forth that goes on, pointing fingers. I think it is a little less of …
I have spoken many times Mr. Speaker about you know how these debates take on a certain sameness every year. A Statement is delivered, then there is a Reply, and then there is this back and forth that goes on, pointing fingers. I think it is a little less of that this year than there was last year, and my hope is that next year we can spend more time challenging each other on ideas as opposed to regurgitating who did what before any of us were here. So, with that Mr. Speaker, I am going to start where I began: I think this is a very responsible budget. There is not much more that I would have done differently. I would say that if you poll five or six Finance Ministers none of them will say that this is a perfect budget, or that they would do the exact same thing. But I think the central tenets here are rooted in good policy, good financial practise. And overall, good job. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, MP Dickerson. MP L ister, looks like you ha ve the fl oor to yourself. [Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo one else challenged it. Okay. Twenty minutes .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOh, you yield to the Minister. Being a gentleman this evening. Minister — [Inaudible interjections and laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWell, you know where he comes from. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker , I appreciate the courtesy . [Inaudible interjections and laughter] Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker , I do want to just start by . . . just letting my husband know that I expect more flowers , since …
Well, you know where he comes from. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker , I appreciate the courtesy .
[Inaudible interjections and laughter]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker , I do want to just start by . . . just letting my husband know that I expect more flowers , since the duty will be reduced from 25 per cent to 5 per cent. I am going to start off this debate like many others in regard to the title of our Budget Statement, “Responsible Choices . . . Lasting Benefits for Bermudians.” For Bermuda. Well, I will say for Bermudians , because we have made some very responsible choices as it relates to this budget . We just heard MP Dickinson speak about the Fiscal Responsibility Panel and what they had advised us to do and how we did listen to their advice, particularly as it related to how we were spending the funds from the corporate income tax . But we have heard this evening, Mr. Speaker — and I was really insulted by it —that we did not have the insight , the foresight , the preparation and the intelligence to push forward with the income tax . We called it “luck.” What Premier David B urt and the CIT will go down in history [for] is the legacy of the corporate income tax . Whether it is high some years , whether it is low some years . It was the vision, and we have heard tonight , particularly in the Opposition's Budget Reply about execution and delivery . We as a Government have demonstrated execution and delivery . We have demonstrated core performance, Mr. Speaker . We are not blind to the fact , Mr. Speaker , that our people still experience struggles . We are not blind to the fact that our people need health care, they need quality education , they need quality jobs and quality social supports . I just want to take up this opportunity at this moment to speak about the misinformation that was spread this evening about businesses closing due 1972 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly to the sugar tax . Because it was this G overnment , Mr. Speaker , who actually provided a rebate for businesses with increases to their costs as it relates to sugar tax .
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: But—
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Yes, they did.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Actually , I even looked up, Mr. Speaker , how many bakeries still exist in Bermuda .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHow many? [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Tinee Furbert: It is many . It is many.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberLook it up.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberSay if it is more or less. Hon. Tinee Furbert: You look it up. There are many there. There are more. It is more. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Tinee Furbert: It is more.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberSay it for a fact. Hon. Tinee Furbert: I am saying it for a fact . [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Tinee Furbert: It was not . . . well, the one that you named today , which I will not name again because we should not have put names and businesses …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThat is absolutely correct. Hon. Tinee Furbert: —told me this evening that that was not the reason why their business closed . [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Tinee Furbert: It is on my phone. It is on my phone. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMember s, Member s, just direct your comment s here. No need to go back and forth with each other . Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker , I just want to touch on the issue particularly . . . well, I want to touch on some of the areas of …
Member s, Member s, just direct your comment s here. No need to go back and forth with each other . Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker , I just want to touch on the issue particularly . . . well, I want to touch on some of the areas of the Budget Statement that we touch on in education. There was a report from the C oalition on the Protection of C hildren making a request in regard to what they would like to see this Government doing as it relates to education. And one of those requests was that we would put more funds towards support services for our students in school. That being OT, PT, SLP, behavioural therapists. And the Ministry of Education has actually done that. They have received funds to be able to put more services of those sorts into our schools. Education, Mr. Speaker, is a hot topic. It is a very emotional one. Our children are very important to us. And there is nothing more that we all want in this room than for our children to have access to quality education. If you study education reform around different countries, Mr. Speaker, it does not happen overnight. It does not happen in nine years, eight years, seven years. Actually, in some countries it takes three decades, four decades .
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Right?
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Tinee Furbert: Well, including all of government, right? So, we understand the complexities because education is so complex. Education development is so complex because we have to think about diversity. We have to think about the size. We have to think about perspectives and how children learn. It is constantly evolving, Mr. Speaker. But we are committed, we are committed, Mr. Speaker, to putting education on the right track and to continue with the education reform to get it right for our children. Mr. Speaker, I want to just speak to housing at this moment. And we have heard already the increase in budget allowance that we have gotten under capital investments , under housing. Because we take housing very seriously. Minister Zane [De Silva] will tell you the amount of calls that he gets, I get, we all get, I am sure, in regard to housing and the need for it. And we understand this , which is why we can say that, you know, we are shooting towards a goal of 200 houses in 18 months. I want to speak to a programme that this G overnment put in place. It is a rental support programme. Because the other day I was walking down the street and a lady stopped me and we were chatting and I said
Bermuda House of Assembly to her, you know, Oh, you know, how's everything going? And she said, Oh, Ms. Furbert, everything's going good. You know, we were able to start our own business washing cars and, you know, and I heard about this programme through HOME where they are helping people with first month's rent and the deposit, you know . That is real good, that is going to help me out a lot. And I said, Well, you know, that is what this Government is supporting. And then she went on to say, Yeah, I knew, I knew it, I knew this Government would do something like that . So, we are putting real programmes in place, Mr. Speaker, that are actually helping people. I want to take a moment to also clear up how loosely we are using the term “ homelessness. ” Because it is easy to just spit off, you know, Oh, I believe 2021, there was a statistic of 650. In 2022, there was a statistic of over 800. And then in this statistic of 2024, there was approximately 1100 persons that HOME had identified as homeless. I want to clear it up, Mr. Speaker, because the Homelessness Advisory Panel has worked very hard in defining the language around homelessness. Because people describe i t, or when they say it loosely it appears as though we are just talk-ing about people who are sleeping rough, or they are roofless. But I want people to understand that there is an ethos around homelessness. There are people who are roofless or sleeping rough. There are people who are houseless, who are maybe couch surfing. There are people who have insecure housing options, where maybe they are staying somewhere without a lease. And there are people who are living in inadequate housing situations, where the housing situation or the infrastructure may be poor, or many people living in a particular place. And we have to be very careful about how we are describing homelessness, because each ethos will have a plan on how to address each ethos, right? Because there are some people who are out there who are rough sleeping, and they do not want shelter. We go out [during] hurricanes asking people to come in, and some people say no. They want to sleep in the bush. So , this Government is intentional about how we will put affordable housing units back into our inventory, how we plan on addressing the root causes of homelessness , recognising that there are many reasons why people find themselves in homelessness situations. Mr. Speaker, we have to be very sensitive to that. I want to take the moment to speak to initiatives that this Government is doing for our youth. Let’s first start with the Child Daycare Allowance, Mr. Speaker. The Child Daycare Allowance, Mr. Speaker, has now been taken up with families to the tune of 260 children who we are supporting as a subsidy for child daycare. That number has jumped tremendously with the uptake because our people know that it is a supportive struc-ture, not only to provide opportunities for early intervention education for our children, but also it helps the cost of living and the cost for families who have children. And so more families are taking up the opportunity , should they qualify for the Child Daycare Allowance. And it is helpful, Mr. Speaker. Helpful enough that we now have 260 children utilising that service. The Ministry of Youth, Social Development and Seniors also has something called a Youth Investment Grant, where our young people can apply to the M inistry if they want to participate in an extracurricular activity, maybe locally or overseas in the areas of STEM, in the areas of oration, the areas of really any skill or area in which they are interested in and they want to be able to improve upon their skill , or have a particular experience. And they can apply and we will provide grant funding for that. And I am only speaking of this, I am reintroducing, talking about it, because we want our people to know that this exists. The community centres, Mr. Speaker, with funding from this budget will continue with their after-school programmes. We have had the opportunity to increase those services to different primary schools, as well as we have added some before- school programmes. And we have opened up our community centres to allow parents who work shift work or into late evenings to have somewhere f or their children to go during the evening that is safe and secure. And the programme is being utilised. With the Mirrors programme, I cannot . . . the Mirrors programme, Mr. Speaker, I believe, has so much impact that we do not talk about enough. The Peer Forward programme within the Mirrors, the midterm summer camps where our children have the op-portunity to participate locally and off Island. They run a programme called Keys to Parenting, Mr. Speaker . One thing about Mirrors is they do collect data. And the impact of this particular programme is astounding, particularly the Peer Forward programme, which is really set up for students to influence their peers to have post - education experience. And this programme is doing really well. We have introduced the I ndependent Living Programme, Mr. Speaker —and we have spoken about this before—where children who age out of the services of the Department of Child and Family Services now have the opportunity to participate in a programme where there is accommodation, where there are life skills . Someone brought up earlier whether or not we have a relationship with W orkforce Development in ensuring that our 16- and 17- year-olds, and older , in that particular programme (DCFS programme) have opportunities for job placement. And actually, the majority of the young persons who are in the Independent Living [Programme] are actually working, or are at Bermuda College. I want to take this opportunity to speak about our seniors, Mr. Speaker , and w hat this Ministry is 1974 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly supporting for our seniors . We provide hardship support, particularly for seniors who are having difficulty with their BELCO , their electricity, medical bills, having to navigate cleaning services, Mr. Speaker. There is a hardship support for our seniors. We piloted a dementia care pilot programme , where no senior or person who is living with dementia has to go through this experience alone. And we provide this service at no cost to anyone who is living with dementia. Under the FA [Financial Assistance] , we recently introduced a personal care allowance , where we are providing a subsidy of $100 to our seniors who are in rest homes and nursing homes so that they can have access to personal care goods or services. And a big one, Mr. Speaker, because one of the Ministry staff called me the other day and said, Minister, I got a call again. I am getting lots of calls from my seniors who are saying thank you, thank you for changing the excluded income amount , which we changed from $500 to $ 800, which puts money back into the pockets, particularly of our most vulnerable seniors who are on financial assis-tance, Mr. Speaker, so that they have access to more. Maybe groceries, maybe more to their electricity, maybe more to their rent, Mr. Speaker. But they are definitely sharing their thanks for those additions. Mr. Speaker, I want to take the opportunity to reiterate that Financial Assistance has a budget of $51 million, Mr. Speaker. Fifty-one million dollars that this Government is supporting, financing for our social protection systems. It is not a little amount, Mr. Speaker.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Tinee Furbert: Mr. Speaker, I want to say the benefits . . . we have to talk about leadership and forecasting because this G overnment definitely demonstrates leadership is not just about responding to today. It is about preparing for our future, Mr. Speaker. Forecasting strengthens our decision- making. We rely on our data, our economic trends, our demographic projections. Responsible leadership requires vision, Mr. Speaker. Vision requires information, and information, when properly analysed, Mr. Speaker, becomes fore-sight. We are not just a Government, Mr. Speaker, who is simply managing the present. We are anticipating the future. We are political leaders with clarity, managing crisis with strategy instead of scrambling. [Gavel]
Hon. Tinee Furbert: Instead of scrambling, without panic, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Hon. Tinee Furbert: Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny other Member ? [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMP L ister, you would like your 20 minutes now?
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIGood evening to the listening audience. While the hour is late, Mr. Speaker, I will try and keep my contribution brief . But I will preface my comments tonight, Mr. Speaker, by quoting Nelson Man-dela. “A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its …
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIMr. Speaker, we heard earlier from the Minister of Economy and Immigration earlier that this year had record revenue, record profits, which equal more support for those that need it most. Over the past, Mr. Speaker, we have heard a term, trickledown economics. But what does that mean? That means …
Mr. Speaker, we heard earlier from the Minister of Economy and Immigration earlier that this year had record revenue, record profits, which equal more support for those that need it most. Over the past, Mr. Speaker, we have heard a term, trickledown economics. But what does that mean? That means that the top gets the most and as it trickles down those at the bottom get what is left over. Well, Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce a new term, “ripple - effects economics. ” Let us just picture for a minute, Mr. Speaker, we are on the South Shore, North Shore, Front Street, near the water, and you pick up a rock, and you throw it in the water. What happens? Splash . But then you see the ripples . And they go on as far as they can go. Well, Mr. Speaker, let us say this budget, this 2026 /27 budget, is that stone. And we throw this budget into the Bermuda economy, and you hear, “ splash. ” And then you see the ripples. Well, Mr. Speaker, let’s just look at these ripples, let us visualise it. Ripple number one, this is how it impacts, the ripples are going on. We are here in this budget, and I am going to start off, as I said, we have to be judged by how we treat the lowest in our society, and those that are often overlooked or forgotten. Well, Mr. Speaker, I am going to start with the seniors. In this budget, we see relief measures for seniors. Let us start off with senior employment support. Employer payroll tax exemptions on the first $96,000 of remuneration for employees age 65 and over. What does this do, Mr. Speaker? One, this encourages or incentivises employers to keep seniors employed longer. And it also benefits the employer, because they have less to pay on the payroll. But Mr. Speaker, I worked in the private sector for 20 years, and there have many times where I have seen some of my senior colleagues reach that age of 65. And yesterday, they were fit, doing their jobs, they are competent, they had the experience. But yo u hit that age, and your employer tries to usher you out the door. Well, Mr. Speaker, what does that do? That
Bermuda House of Assembly means we have fit, able, competent seniors that still have bills to pay, still have other expenses to take care of, but they do not have an income. So, Mr. Speaker, what is this G overnment doing? We are putting relief in, not only just for seniors, but as I said, it benefits the employers. So, Mr. Speaker, that is one ripple. Let us look at another ripple, again for seniors. Future Care and HIP, $15 million allocated for Future Care premium subsidies. And Mr. Speaker, while there was commentary from the Opposition saying we are giving half, 15 per cent of what could be 30, I think what was overlooked is that this is phase one of the “w aterfall” recommendation from the Tax Reform Commission. So, we will look forward to phase two, and so on. So, Mr. Speaker, these are some ripples that this stone, the budget , was thrown to the ec onomy. These are some ripples. We have heard earlier with seniors , we want seniors to age with dignity. Well, this helps seniors be able to age with dignity, being given the c are and the assistance that they need. Mr. Speaker, there was also mention in regard to exams. Seniors can get yearly exams now for free. Again, this goes to helping seniors to age with dignity.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIMr. Speaker, that is the seniors. Let us look at another ripple. We are watching the ripples , you throw the stone, watching the ripples. Community improvement projects . And I want to thank the Minister of Public Works who sits in front of me.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAnd Environment.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIAnd Environment, cannot forget that. [Inaudible interjection] [Laughter]
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIWe have been allotted $3 million to address smaller projects at community level. Mr. Speaker, why does this seem so important? Because, yes, while we have a capital budget , which takes care of big projects, Mr. Speaker, all 36 of us in here as MPs know that when we …
We have been allotted $3 million to address smaller projects at community level. Mr. Speaker, why does this seem so important? Because, yes, while we have a capital budget , which takes care of big projects, Mr. Speaker, all 36 of us in here as MPs know that when we are out canvassing— or not even canvassing, we get calls, people see you, MP, I have an issue in my neighbourhood, or something. I need a mirror put up at my gate. I have had instances where you have some neighbourhoods where there is overgrowth, the hedges are overgrown, but when you go and speak to the landowner, it could be a senior, it could be someone on a fixed budget that does not have the funding to go and get their hedges maintained and cut, and they turn to their MP. Or Mr. Speaker, with this $3 million allocation to address smaller projects, while the capital projects impact the Island, these are small projects that could impact constituents and residents personally. So, Mr. Speaker, not just installing mirrors and hed ge and grass cutting, but it could also be for , maybe , a beautification project. The MP might want to do something to beautify something in their constituency. Well, this can go a long way to help and assist in that. So, Mr. Speaker, that is another ripple effect. Ripple effect number three. We see the essential goods duty relief where these funds . . . I do apologise while I try to find my page, Mr. Speaker. These funds will be used to reduce or eliminate duty rates on a wide range of essential goods. And Mr. Speaker, earlier, MP Richardson on the Opposition side stated that macro does not reach the kitchen table. Well, I beg to differ with Mr. Speaker, because if we look at some of the items that are going to get duty relief, we have core dairy products, bakery and grains, pantry staples, selected meats and fresh produce. I think that goes directly to the table, Mr. Speaker. So, I think MP Richardson would have to recant his comments because that directly hits the table. And not even just the kitchen table, Mr. Speaker . We are looking to reduce on hygiene, cleaning products, infant nutrition and care products. So, it is not only the kitchen table that is going to feel this relief, but also your bathroom cabinets, you know, your supply cabinets, Mr. Speaker. So, that is, again, another ripple effect. These ripples will just keep going up. Why? Ripples do not stop. They go as far as they can go and they touch. If you are on a boat, Mr. Speaker, and you see these ripples coming, or if you are on the shoreline, you can watch your ripples hit a buoy. You can watch the . . . if you are close enough, watch your ripples hit the other shoreline. Ripples will go on till everyone is touched, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIISo, Mr. Speaker, as I said, I am just going to keep my comments short. The hour is late. But, Mr. Speaker, I do want to touch on the Ministry that I am the Junior Minister of, Mr. Speaker. And we have seen an increase in the allotted budget for …
So, Mr. Speaker, as I said, I am just going to keep my comments short. The hour is late. But, Mr. Speaker, I do want to touch on the Ministry that I am the Junior Minister of, Mr. Speaker. And we have seen an increase in the allotted budget for this year, Mr. Speaker. And while we will get into more detail in Monday's debate, just as a highlight, Mr. Speaker, increase in funding to recruit additional staff to strengthen fro ntline capacity and support the safe and effective management of Bermuda's correctional facilities. As I said, Mr. Speaker, in quoting Nelson Mandela, we must look at how we look at not just the lowest, but the often overlooked and forgotten. Well, those that are incarcerated are sometimes overlooked and forgotten, but we should not, because a person that is 1976 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly incarcerated in Westgate, the majority of those there will, at some point, have to return back into society after they serve their time up in Westgate, Mr. Speaker. But we want people to return to society to reintegrate, be rehabilitated, reformed. So, Mr. Speaker, what does that look like? Offering more programmes, vocational training, so that when they come out they can have a skill. So, this increase in funding will go to that, Mr. Speaker. Also, justice. It is expanding the access to justice in Bermuda. We heard MP Pearman speak, and I would say MP Pearman, between civil, corporate, and criminal law, the access to justice, we are expanding it so everyone can get their fair bite of justice. So, as I said, I will not go too deep into it, Mr. Speaker, as we will delve more into it on Monday's debate. But I do want to include in conclusion, Mr. Speaker, that if we better support and treat the lowest — and sometimes forgotten, overlooked —sections of our community , we will see a rise in the community as a whole. As they say, a rising tide floats all boats. And my final comment, Mr. Speaker, is while this budget is not perfect, it is good. And we must not let perfect be the enemy of good. So let’s support this budget, and let’s watch the ripple effects impact our economy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right, thank you. Is there any other Member ? No other Member ? Minister Darrell. I was reaching for the gavel that time. Hon. Owen Darrell: Good evening, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, as has become a theme of mine of recent times, you know I like to put …
All right, thank you. Is there any other Member ? No other Member ? Minister Darrell. I was reaching for the gavel that time. Hon. Owen Darrell: Good evening, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, as has become a theme of mine of recent times, you know I like to put a little theme on my speech. And luckily, as has become tradition, with the Budget Statement that has been put out by the Progressive Labour Party —and in this case, the Honourable E. David Burt, the Minister of Finance as well as our Premier —that work has been done for me. Because as has been customary, these S tatements have a theme already built into them. And I know we are deep into the night, Mr. Speaker, but as they say in education (as you know I am a former educator ), there is no shortage of learning that gets done through repetition. So, I would like to remind everyone, the listeners, especially those from constituency 15 in Pembroke East, of the theme of this budget and how it affects them, Mr. Speaker. Again, “Responsible Choices . . . Lasting Benefits For Ber mudians.” And when you hear that term, Bermudians, you know it has become a staple of this P rogressive Label Party Government since returning to Government in 2017. First, it was about “Putting Bermudians First .” And then it was , “Fairer for all Bermudians. ” So, it is no slight that we go back to that theme for this budget, which is “’L asting Benefits for Bermudians. ” And again, as I always do, when we get to the Reply of the One Bermuda Alliance, which we heard earlier . . . I will break a little joke here. And the Opposition Leader is gone, but I will never forget one year when they produced their Opposition Reply in a green booklet. So, it seems like they have got their colour coding ri ght, now. But still, I do this every year . And they have not got it right. That is turquoise blue water, but we will get to tourism in a minute. But Mr. Speaker, I tell you, they still have not got it right because although this booklet , put out by the Progressive Labour Party , always speaks about Bermudians and how the budget benefits and affects them . The One Bermuda Alliance . . . I think, if you go back the last eight years, still do not put a theme on their book that touches people, it talks about people, or even acknowledges people. Look at their topic. They are telling stories. I used to tell my son when he was little, Please do not tell stories. Because if you keep telling stories, people may not believe you. So, while they take and tell stories, Mr. Speaker, we will speak on the responsible choices and the lasting benefits for Bermudians. Always when I was an educator, Mr. Speaker, I used to remind my students —and I got this from my father —life is about choices. Some choices we always talk about —and I know you have probably said it to your sons, Mr. Speaker —choices have consequences. You also say that you have the option to make choices. But here we talk about, in this one, we take a positive spin on it. And these choices, if they are responsible, will have lasting benefits for Bermudians. So, I want to go and start my presentation, Mr. Speaker, by talking about how these benefits —and one in particular —help the individuals of Pembroke East, of which I serve. As you would have known, the Progressive Labour Party has a very robust way of selecting their candidates. So even before we started canvassing for the 2025 election, I was forced to go up into the hills, I call them, to talk to the people directly. In this case, it was the member s. And as I started to learn the streets of Pembroke East and go by, I noticed that there are a lot of houses in this area that are abandoned. They are derelict. And when you start talking to neighbours, they say, you know, these derelict houses lead to a lot of illegal activities. Or they lead to unsightly, you know, eyesores. And you talk to them and they say, well, it is not that the family wants it to stay like that, but it is because of some circumstances. So, it really did take my eye, Mr. Speaker, on the top of page 18 in the PLP's Budget Statement . And if I may, Mr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGo ahead. Hon. Owen Darrell: —it talks about “ The Government , acting through the Minister” (who sits next to me ) Bermuda House of Assembly “responsible for Public Works, to address the growing number of derelict or abandoned properties across the island. ” It really does hit home when …
Go ahead.
Hon. Owen Darrell: —it talks about “ The Government , acting through the Minister” (who sits next to me )
Bermuda House of Assembly “responsible for Public Works, to address the growing number of derelict or abandoned properties across the island. ” It really does hit home when you walk up into the hills because people say, You know, it has been forever. We talked to the last representative about this and nothing has been done. And this policy, as we say, is going to ensure that these vacant properties can be returned to produc-tive uses. So that is something that is going to directly impact the individuals I serve. And there’s all sorts of stuff that touches on the lives of individuals and bring some benefits. But I am going to switch a little bit, Mr. Speaker, and talk directly to what this means in the Ministry of which I lead, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, Culture and Sport. It is not about just services and programmes . But again, as I tell the staff down at TCD over and over again, the reason I come to work every day is because of the people of which I serve. Again, something that the One Bermuda Alliance on the other side seem to keep forgetting. See, in my Ministry —and shown by the Government and their budget —it is about opportunity . It is about affordability, community well -being and a stronger Bermuda for future generations. Let us go to transport. Our focus is about reliability, which I talked about in a ministerial statement earlier. Sustainability and access. Few ministers before me get the credit of introducing electric buses to this I sland . But it does not stop there, Mr. Speaker. We have to continue to invest in this capital so that this f leet will remain fresh. That brings dependable service to the people of which we represent. And who are those people, Mr. Speaker? What are the benefits to those people, Mr. Speaker? See, these responsible choices, as I started with, will see those benefits last for years and years to come. And those people, Mr. Speaker, are workers. Those people are students, and those people are seniors. See, these investments can reduce fuel costs, cleaner environment . And this responsible planning that this G overnment has put in place—check it, Mr. Speaker —brings us to modernisation. It brings us to efficiency, and it brings us to something that serves Bermudians long- term. Mr. Speaker, again, that is a lasting benefit for Bermudians. Our airport investments in workforce development infrastructure, strengthens safety, resilienc e and career pathways for Bermudians. The Honourable Min-ister Responsible for Economy and Labour is doing an excellent job in making sure that these career pathways are kept on the cutting edge of what is necessary in our community. Success ion planning ensures that the knowledge stays here, in this I sland, and that the skills are transferred for future generations. Mr. Speaker, I will go back to where I started, that is , examples of lasting benefits for Bermudians. In tourism, Mr. Speaker, our focus is not just simply on visitor numbers. Remember, the Opposition on the other side likes to tell stories, and those stories, a lot of times, is numbers all mixed up. But we are going to talk about tourism focusing on Bermudian benefits. Strate-gic investment to grow the demand beyond the summer months , that brings year -round employment. That is Bermudians who are benefiting . Greater stability for small businesses. Stronger income for our taxi drivers, restaurant staff, entertainers and tour operators. With new hotel capacity coming online, this approach ensures that that growth, Mr. Speaker, translates into real opportunity, real benefits for our people. Let us go to culture. The Ministry continues to support community -led events, local vendors, of which I just went to, Mr. Speaker, a massive Black vendors market hosted by Bacardi today. Artists, entrepreneurs . Through these grants, these continued grants, we are supporting the livelihoods, preserving our identity , and keeping Bermudian creativity at the centre of our economy. Let us talk about maker space. That was something I sat in a room years ago, Mr. Speaker, and watched these creatives come and sit at the head of the table and say, Mr. Premier, help us . And he said, Yes, please, I will . And here we are, continuing to invest in maker space, where Bermudians can access spaces that are needed to support creatives and get their small business growing. Sport and recreation, the benefits, reach directly into the Bermudian homes. Every April, when registration opens for these summer day camps, we have increased the funding so more than 4,000 young people can have a space in summer day camp. What does this do for Bermudians , long lasting? It gives parents reliable childcare. It keeps our young people safe, and it enriches our environments. We continue to support our cherished national sport governing bodies. There is almost 30 of them, Mr. Speaker. Our elit e athletes are continuing to compete, as we see with the Davis Cup win, on the world stage, while the investment in the National Sports Centre that Bermudians use. How do I know? Because I am there every morning , at 6:15 a.m. , working out and watching the lasting benefit that Bermudians get from using that facility.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Owen Darrell: Absolutely. The National Sports Centre ensures that our Bermudians remain safe, it is accessible, and this is fit for purpose. These are not headlines, and they are not decisions that are made just for applause, Mr. Speaker. These are not just there just to tell , you know, a fancy story. They are there because it demonstrates responsible choices that this G overnment has made, this G overnment continues to make, and it will make going for-ward. That is not a story, Mr. Speaker. It is responsible action at work. It is service, Mr. Speaker. 1978 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly And this is where the difference in approach becomes clear. It is easy to criticise. It is easy to call for cuts without explaining the consequences. It is easy to oppose investment in public services, community programmes, and national facilities when the responsibility for delivery does not rest on your shoulders. But governing, Mr. Speaker, going back to where we started, requires choices. It requires bal ance. It requires the discipline to invest where the long- term benefit to Bermuda is clear. Even, Mr . Speaker, when the results are not immediate. Everybody wants immediate success. One of my sayings sometimes is, just trust me. It is coming. And then they come back, they say, Darrell, he told me. And I said, it is coming. Every electric bus in this country means a more reliable journey for a worker. You heard that? A worker, Mr. Speaker. Stronger investment in the Airport Authority means Bermudians are trained, employed, ready to step into critical technical and operational roles like you would have seen just the other day with the new set of Bermudian air traffic controllers. Every tourism initiative, Mr. Speaker, helps to keep someone employed during the slower months. Every camp space for sports programmes gives young people structure, support, and ( here it is ) opportunity. The people of Bermuda expect more than just criticisms. They expect solutions, they expect stability and they expect the leadership that focuses on what will strengthen this country over time. This budget, Mr. Speaker, reflects that responsibility. It refl ects careful stewardship, long- term thinking and commitment to ensuring that growth is felt not only in our economy, but in the communities and in our households. Because strong public transport supports working families. A steady tourism industry support s stable incomes. Investment in culture, Mr. Speaker, strengthens commu-nity—and, check it —it strengthens our identity. Access to sport and recreational facilities, I know the Minister of Health would agree to this, supports healthier, more resilient young people. Got that one. So, Mr. Speaker, going back to where I started, this is how we build a stronger Bermuda. Like, if I was still an educator, I would say to my students, here are the examples. This is what it looks like in action. See, Mr. Speaker, I will finish where I started. Other than telling stories, I am happy to be part of a P rogressive Labour Party Government who gets it right. They speak directly to their people. They listen to their people. And then they take their policy and clearly show that respon-sible choices bring lasting benefits for Bermudians. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Is there any other Member wishing to make a contribution? Minister Weeks. [Inaudible interjection] The Speaker: Mm-hmm. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: I have not started yet. Mr. Speaker, I am going to take a little different tack, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk about what national security …
Thank you, Minister. Is there any other Member wishing to make a contribution? Minister Weeks.
[Inaudible interjection] The Speaker: Mm-hmm.
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: I have not started yet. Mr. Speaker, I am going to take a little different tack, Mr. Speaker. I want to talk about what national security means to the economic well -being of Bermuda. So, when we talk about the economy in this house, we talk about GDP, we talk about revenue, we talk about deficits, we talk about what CIT is going to mean to the country. Talk about employment, Mr. Speaker. But today, I want to talk about something that underpins all of those numbers, all of those conversations, and that is national security. Because the truth is simple, Mr. Speaker. If people do not feel safe, the economy does not function as it should. And that is not just a theory, Mr. Speaker. That is a hard, cruel reality. And I know every Minister can get up and say how their Ministry affects the overall picture. But tonight, I am talking about the fact of national security , or lack of. So, let us put this into context, Mr. Speaker. Let us start with some facts. According to the most recent data from the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda recorded just over 3,000 total offences in 2025. 3,239 to be exact. Now, that is just a modest increase of the year before, but we should never ignore increases, Mr. Speaker. But here is what matters : That figure remains one of the lowest overall crime totals we have seen in over two decades. In over 20 years, this figure from last year—and actually the year before . . . these figures are some of the lowest figures that we have had totally over crime.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: I will do just that. This last year we had seven murders in 2025. Three of those murders involved firearms. Each one, Mr. Speaker, is a tragedy. So, we are not minimising any of it. I am just giving some facts in the background as we talk about the relevance of national security and our economic stability. So, each one, Mr. Speaker, represents a family that has been changed forever. But, Mr. Speaker, I stress that we must resist the temptation to define Bermuda by isolated incidents instead of by the broader trajectory. Because the broader trajectory shows that sustained investment in prevention, intelligence, layer policing and commu nity engagement is actually making a difference. And from an economic standpoint, that kind of stability matters. So, Mr. Speaker, with that preamble, security is actually economic policy . We learn and we understand that investors do not just read our B udget Book. They do more than that, Mr. Speaker. They look at our risk assessments. They look at the rule of law. They look at our homicide rates and other violent crime af-fecting our country. They look at whether our jurisdiction can manage crises.
Bermuda House of Assembly Bermuda's GDP per capita now stands at roughly about $143,000, one of the highest in the world, as we always so proudly say. But that does not happen by accident, Mr. Speaker. It happens because Bermuda is viewed globally as stable, predictable, and well governed. So, it is not only hats off to our Premier and Finance Minister but hats off to the Government and what we are doing collectively to make sure that those investors and those people looking on see a stable, not only economy, but a stable environme nt, stable country. And security is a part of that equation, Mr. Speaker, when investors are looking to come here, when people are looking to make Bermuda a choice. Our international business sector depends on that reputation. Our tourism sector depends on that perception. Tourism contributes roughly 45 per cent of our economy directly, and much more indirectly , through our jobs, through our restaurants, our transportation and our retail. Visitors come here because Bermuda is beautiful. But we must stress that they return because they feel safe in Bermuda. That feeling is not automatic. It is something that is maintained. It is not only maintained by our uniformed ser vices. A lot of time, we go back and forth about what the police are doing and what they are not doing, and the like. Do we have enough resources and what not? Is Customs doing their job? Is Corrections adequately serving those that are incarcerated? Collectively, they are making Bermuda feel safe, and as a result, they play an integral part in the economic stability of our country. So let us go to the hidden economic cause of insecurity, Mr. Speaker. Sometimes people ask, Why spend so much on national security? We hear that from time to time. But let me turn the question around. What is the cost of not spending it? The cost of one major violent incident goes far beyond the courtroom, Mr. Speaker. It affects our insurance premiums. It affects our neighbourhood property values. It affects young people's psychology. It affects investor confidence. Prevention, I have learned, is always cheaper than reaction. And small prevention— not just enforcement, but intervention— is an economic strategy. It goes beyond a policing strategy. It is an economic strategy for the overall security of our country. So let us talk about our youth, Mr. Speaker. And our long- term growth. If a young person chooses a job instead of a gang life, that is just not a social win. That is actually a part of our economic growth. If a young Bermudian sees a future for themselves inside the law, that is a future taxpayer, a future homeowner, and a future entrepreneur. And this is what we are doing in the Ministry , Mr. Speaker. We have the GVRT, the Gang Violence Reduction Team, that focus primarily on prevention. And what they are doing is going into our elementary schools, mediating in disputes , and the like. All this here is helping to create a stable environment. Unfortunately, a lot of times, those kinds of actions that the GVRT and others in the Ministry undertake, are not seen. A lot of that is done behind the scenes every day . But all of that, collectively , is helping to keep our Island safe. Security, Mr. Speaker, is about giving young people a reason to believe their best option is within the system, not outside the system. That is not just policing. That is actually nation building. When we walk around our country and we talk about what the budget, what the economy means to us , the part that we play in making sure our country is secure is a very intricate part of that.
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: But let us also be clear. That national security in 2026 and beyond is not just about crime. It is about hurricane preparedness , you know, and people do not recognise those kind of things until such time as a hurricane happens. And when it happens, they expect everything to fall in place. That is a part of security that we must always prepare for, and that is what we do in our Ministry . So that contributes to the overall security of our country. It is cybersecurity. Cybersecurity now, Mr. Speaker, is real. It is real not only in Bermuda, but globally. So, us focus ing on cybersecurity —as a matter of fact, we have just created a Cybersecurity Unit within the Ministry . Again, this is not a front and centre thing, but this is a contribution to economic stability here in Bermuda. That C ybersecurity Unit now looks into every aspect of our security, public service and our private entities. There is border control, Mr. Speaker. When we talk about security and economic stability, border control is important. We have the Customs Department do-ing what they have to do, on our borders , to make sure that we are able to keep our country safe. We have just instituted, or are in the process of instituting, the Coast Guard, and expanding the Coast Guard to work closely with Customs so that they, together, can help to man our waters , patrol our waters , and do their part to help keep Bermuda safe. And there is also financial crime enforcement, Mr. Speaker. So, when a storm approaches Bermuda, businesses do not just ask about the weather. They ask, is our country prepared to deal with any eventuality? They want to know if our emergency services are coordi-nated. And they also want to know that after the storm has passed, will our services resume quickly? These are not the sexy conversations that we normally have when it comes to the budget and talking about stability, but they are very, very important. And I take the role that I have been blessed with— given by the Honourable Premier —I take it very seriously , because this Ministry goes a long way, and they have a major role to play in keeping the country safe. A nd as an indirect result, economically stable. So, business continuity is actually economic stability. And that is national security, Mr. Speaker. The work of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, alongside our police and emergency services , they 1980 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly directly protect economic recovery timelines after any crisis. It may not matter to the average Joe Bl ow, but I tell you what, Mr. Speaker, that matters to our insurers. That matters to the rating agencies. We heard one of our colleagues talk about the rating agencies earlier. And that matters to our employers. So now, I have heard some comments over this last seven, eight hours that you told us that we have been up . . . debating this. We have had some arguments from the Opposition that resources should be shifted in different places. But it is always easier , when you do not have the purse strings , to be able to tell people what they should be doing with the purse strings. But we cannot pretend that safety is optional. We can-not diversify an economy if investors question our stability. We cannot expand tourism i f investors question that security. If visitors question the security of our country. We cannot grow opportunity in neighbourhoods gripped by fear, Mr. Speaker. Security is not in competition with economic growth. It actually enables it. So, each day when the uniformed services are out doing their job, we all should take time when we see somebody in their uniform doing their part to keep our country safe, just recognise that they are playing their part in keeping us economically stable. When we see them, just stop every now and then and just say, T hank you for doing that job. Some people fe el because they are getting paid for it, you do not have to thank them, but when we see the overall scheme of things, the uniformed service is doing their part to keep our country safe, to keep tourists coming back, to keep people thinking overseas that they could invest here in our economy, in our country. So, the broader vision, national wellness and national security are deeply connected. Communities under stress, research shows, experience more crime. Communities with opportunity experience less crime. So, our approach must remain balanced. Firm where we must be firm, compassionate where we must be compassionate, Mr. Speaker. And where threats are modern, i.e., I spoke earlier about the C ybersecurity Unit that has been instituted by this Government over the last few years. We are not funding tradition for tradition's sake. We are strengthening institutions that protect Bermuda's global reputation and our local peace of mind. So, at the end of the day, budgets are about choices. And depending on what we feel as a government, that is where the monie s go. If it was up to me, I would have gotten a few more dollars, but hey, everybody feels that , because there are things to be done, you know?
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: You fought, you fought hard for it. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: And I fought hard, and I will continue to fight. And every time the Premier says that there is a little extra money he found, my hand is one of the first hands to go up. [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Yes.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Well, h im and I battle. See, we all battle, because even the roads are important . But that is a whole other issue in our national security. We are losing too many of our youngsters on the roads. And some people are not so young.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThat’s right. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: You know, this is just February, what, 27. We have had four .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberFour, yes. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Four. And in that four , are two teenagers , and two people over 50.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: So, the stereotype that , it is only young people who are dying on our roads , is not accurate at all. You know? So, we have to do our part. And this Government is choosing stability. So even though I do not always get …
Yes.
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: So, the stereotype that , it is only young people who are dying on our roads , is not accurate at all. You know? So, we have to do our part. And this Government is choosing stability. So even though I do not always get what I want, but nobody always gets what they want. But the Premier knows the importance of what it is when it comes to national security and the overall stability of our country. So, if we are going to choose a Bermuda where economic growth is built on a secure foundation, we have to recognise the role of national security. And having said that, others can help me when I talk to the Premier about more money. Yes? [Inaudible interjections and laughter] Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Yes. Because really, as I close, prosperity built on— oh, even, and the Regiment. While I am here, I would be remiss if I do not speak on the role of the R egiment. What I did say, Honourable Members, was that I wanted an extra 10 minutes. [Laughter]
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: But on a serious note, the Regiment right now is part of our fabric of stability. They have put their hand up because they are all volunteers who have gone down to Jamaica. And they have gone down there representing our country proudly. And they are helping Jamaica get back up, up on their feet. That shows brotherhood because, a friend in need, —a lot of
Bermuda House of Assembly people say , that is the way we came up —is a friend indeed. So, when we ask the R egiment to volunteer, that is a part of our security. Because at any time, our brothers and sisters from Jamaica may have to come to our aid. So, they were down there, not only us, but we have the Cayman [Islands] , we had Turks and Caicos, we had Grenada, we had Ghana. All kinds of people down there, together , trying to help Jamaica back up on their feet. All that is economic security too when you help those that need it when th ey are in need. Because we never know when we are going to be in need. So, security is not separate from prosperity. It is the soil, Mr. Speaker, on which any kind of prosperity grows. So, with this, Mr. Speaker, I take my seat. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Does any other Member . . . MP King, would you like your 20 minutes?
Mr. Robert King—but let us get cracking. We are here for some serious business. [Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. Robert KingYes. So anyhow, when we are looking at the budget, the Budget Book is basically the driver's manual for how we are going to be operating for the year. And it struck me that when I was looking at . . . did a deep dive into this Budget Book …
Yes. So anyhow, when we are looking at the budget, the Budget Book is basically the driver's manual for how we are going to be operating for the year. And it struck me that when I was looking at . . . did a deep dive into this Budget Book , I noticed a couple of things that were in there that did not make sense, and things that ought to have been there were not. And then, when you are looking at us in this Honourable House, I think we can all agree that everybody here wants a fairer Bermuda [and a] cost of living that makes sense. We are in agreement with all of those fundamental things. What I realise is , looking at the Budget Book and the way it is put together, there are numbers that are on there, budget allocations, there are performance measures for some ministries that do not make any sense at all. It is a fact. The other thing too is I recall from my time working in another place, Department of Court Services, whenever it would come around to budget time, it was a mad scramble to go ahead and come up with some objectives. Do not pick anything, you know, that is going to be too difficult to talk about. Do not really pick something that is relevant , so that you will not be . . . my experience. So, you are putting down performance measures that will be easily achieved. The other thing that I noticed in the Budget Book were performance measures.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOne second. We cannot actually talk about the Budget Book —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerToday is just an open debate, you can speak to— [Crosstalk]
Mr. Robert KingYes, yes, no problem. [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Robert KingHow do we determine whether or not what we are doing is working in this community? Well, the other side says that we should have a balanced ap-proach, and that is the correct approach. It means that we are taking a look at the whole picture, with all available evidence …
How do we determine whether or not what we are doing is working in this community? Well, the other side says that we should have a balanced ap-proach, and that is the correct approach. It means that we are taking a look at the whole picture, with all available evidence from both sides , not what we want to hear. Because fundamentally we both want the same thing. As the Minister said, you know, this I sland will not operate properly unless people feel safe, one, and are actually safe. The Minister is correct that overall crime rates have gone down. But what was not stated is, serious crime rates have risen drastically . Gun and knife violence, incidents of gun and knife violence, and serious injuries as a result of gun and knife violence disproportionately for young , black Bermudian males. It is a fact. In terms of the arrest records, if you look at the arrest records, who is getting arrested? Nine to one, Black Bermudians are. If you are looking at the persons who are receiving government services, it is Black Bermudians. So, if you are talking about what a fairer Bermuda looks like, please explain to me and those who are receiving services , and those who are continuing to receive services generationally , how they feel that things are actually getting better. It is good that the G overnment is providing services, but we should not be investing in support. We should be able to provide these people with the 1982 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly necessary opportunities to exit the system. There is something fundamentally wrong when we have generations of people on financial assistance. Fundamentally wrong. Nobody wants to be on financial assistance. It is meant to be a crutch. It is not supposed to be, you are on life support like a coma patient. Why is it that families who are on the poverty line, living in government housing, are subjected to some of the worst childhood experiences? We are responsible for that. We are. Our mission statements for each of the Ministry heads speak to what we are going to do in the execution of our duties for the public . And yet , we are not doing that , because the way the Book is written, it does not make sure that we stay on course. So, what I am suggesting is that we need to do things differently. Forget about whether or not we need a different G overnment. What we need is G overnment to operate differently. We all want the same things , and we believe that we are doing well, but how do we measure that? Current measures and current processes are not getting the results that we need. How is it possible that within a week we have got, you know, two metal , you know, turtles turned over on Front Street ? Cars on their roofs on Front Street? You see what I mean? How can that be normal? How many of you in this past week were driving down the road and then had to, you know, pull over because there was almost an accident? It is becoming commonplace. It is ridiculous. Why is it that in spite of all that, we are not seeing a police presence on the road? N ot blaming the police. W hat I am talking about is what we are seeing: A deterioration in the behaviour , and a lack of presence of the police force. Those are the facts. How do we explain that on September 20, 2023, there was a cyberattack? We say we are serious about safety and security, and yet to date there is no report. We do not know what recommendations were made, what information of ours was compromised. What happened? Did we pay a ransom? We know absolutely nothing going on three years later , and we say that we are serious about national security. How do we explain that we are relying on the Coast Guard for the Yacht Reporting Centre in St. George's , when we knew from April 2024 that the dock was not fit for purpose? In October 2024, the Minister became aware from correspondence from the Permanent Secretary that , oh, the dock is in a state of disrepair. We know that less than 10 per cent of boats are checked. We also know that the boats bring in firearms, drugs, bulletproof vests and other things, and yet we are not taking it seriously. How do we explain that we are investing in other projects in the community —which we ought to do—but when we are talking about a prioritisation of budget allocations, as the Minister said, national security needs to be number one. And it is not. And apparently it is okay . And we say that people are dying on the roads, that traffic accident incidents are rising, serious injuries are rising. Four deaths in February. You should expect that we will have about 18 people this year from traffic accidents . But we have not hit the magic number yet, and we know that because when you go on the road, nothing has changed.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingThis is a fact. This is a fact. If you have not seen the number of accidents —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat is the number?
Mr. Robert KingThe number of accidents per year? [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingYes, I can give you that . [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Robert KingBut the problem is . . . no, no, no . Do not worry . I am going to get to you. The problem is that the police have not produced the statistics upon which we need to rely , accurate information, for whatever reason. We have to work with …
But the problem is . . . no, no, no . Do not worry . I am going to get to you. The problem is that the police have not produced the statistics upon which we need to rely , accurate information, for whatever reason. We have to work with provisional data. This is unacceptable. We are talking about people's lives. How can this possibly be acceptable? I have not talked about budget allocations. I am talking about people's lives and doing the right thing. It is not about money. We have had a surplus , the first in 21 years.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAll right.
Mr. Robert KingSo, it is not about the money. It is how we use the resources at our disposal to meet the needs of the community . And all of us can agree that our future rests in the hands of the young people who are going to need to go ahead …
So, it is not about the money. It is how we use the resources at our disposal to meet the needs of the community . And all of us can agree that our future rests in the hands of the young people who are going to need to go ahead and take care of the 30 per cent of us old geezers in, you know, 2040 or something like that.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThe lasting benefits.
Mr. Robert KingYes, that will be the lasting benefits if they live to become old. We need to do things mate-rially different. We also know that at Westgate the incidents of assault against officers, assault against inmates, inmates on inmates, drug use, [and] cell phone use is a problem. And we also …
Yes, that will be the lasting benefits if they live to become old. We need to do things mate-rially different. We also know that at Westgate the incidents of assault against officers, assault against inmates, inmates on inmates, drug use, [and] cell phone use is a problem. And we also know that the only programme that is operating at Westgate—I used to be an officer turning keys there. I used to be a caseworker before I went to probation services, and I still have contacts with persons in there. T he only programme that is
Bermuda House of Assembly operational on a consistent basis is the sexual offender programme. So, what must it be like . And I think young Member Lister was talking about this earlier . What must it be like for somebody who is doing a stretch, when the median age of somebody who is doing life is 40 and under? When there is no programme for that person, no vocational programmes to get the skills . I was talking to Minister Hayward about that before, and he basically said —and rightly so—that that is under the prison's remit. There is a problem when we have got bureaucracy that gets in the way of progress for the people who need the services the most. Why is it that the Treatment of Offenders Board and the Parole Board is under a different heading? It is under the Ministry of Justice . . . No, it is under the Ministry of National Security . However, Corrections and Court Services are under the Ministry of Justice. How does that make sense?
Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Mr. Speaker, a point of order, if I may .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order? Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Or, actually , a point of information.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWould you like to take a point of —you do not have to —a point of order, you have to. A point of information—
Mr. Robert KingNo, I’ll give it . Hon. Michael A. Weeks: But he is misleading t he country, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Robert KingNo, no, no, I am not. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Yes, okay, well, it is a point of order, then.
Mr. Robert KingLet me clarify. Hon. Michael A. Weeks: It is a point of o rder, Mr. Speaker. It is a point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay, what is your point of order then? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Michael A. Weeks: Right, and my p oint of o rder is that the Treatment of Offenders Board and the Parole Board are under the Attorney General's C hambers and under Justice, not under N ational Security. …
Mr. Robert KingWhen did it go? Okay, never mind. I will move right along. So, what we are measuring is not making sense. We need to measure performance for the areas that we are trying to improve. We need to take seriously and make it a priority for areas, life, u npreventable …
When did it go? Okay, never mind. I will move right along. So, what we are measuring is not making sense. We need to measure performance for the areas that we are trying to improve. We need to take seriously and make it a priority for areas, life, u npreventable deaths on our roads . It works out to every 10 years, about 173 people , with current stats, and the trend is going up. So, it is not about budget allocation. It is about the strategic plan that we have, using accurate, available data , and operating from that basis. I would suggest that this is an opportunity for all of us to do things differently, that we ought to audit our departments and see what needs to be improved, making sure that all departments have performance measures that make sense, especially for critical areas of need. We know that housing is an issue. Mr. Speaker, 71 persons were in need of critical housing as of the end of 2025. Homeless, rough sleeping: 1,100, according to the HOME report on 2024. Well, at that time. But the point is, we need to operate in accordance with best practise, taking responsibility for our community, making sure that we are trending in the right direction. We know that, like I said, serious crime is increasing, d espite the fact that we have got more money. So, we need to do things differently. We understand that there is a staffing issue. We understand that programmes are not being offered as they should be. We ought to make sure that that happens. It should not be optional whether or not we offer the programmes necessary to safeguard our community. When it comes to the dock in St. George's, why are we talking about it a year and a half later? We are talking about national security , and we recognise that there is a serious problem with gun and knife violence, and we are acting as though it is the same as paving a pothole. It is not. The number of traffic accidents on the road that we are experiencing right now , and the serious injuries are overwhelming an already overwhelmed hospital system. 1984 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Talking about insurance rates, the insurance rates are already too high, and this makes it worse. We must do better for the community , and this budget gives us an opportunity to do that. However, we need to take responsibility for the things that we can change and we need to find a way to go and work together for the sake of the community that we serve. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, MP King. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDoes any other Member wish to make a contribution at this time? MP Tucker .
Ms. Robin TuckerThere has been a lot that has already been covered here this evening, and obviously in the lateness of the hour. And in the lateness of the hour, my comments are going to be very broad. But as I begin my contribution, I just wanted to address something that has …
There has been a lot that has already been covered here this evening, and obviously in the lateness of the hour. And in the lateness of the hour, my comments are going to be very broad. But as I begin my contribution, I just wanted to address something that has come up a few times in our conversations to-day. It would appear —this is my perception, before anybody [raises a] p oint of order or jumps up —it is my perception that the G overnment seems to think that they have cornered the market on Black experience. [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Robin Tucker—and what I have perceived to be the case. And I , just . . . because there appears a B lack Labour party cornered the market , and White, old UBP is all for business. And so, I just want to say, as I begin my comments now, that …
—and what I have perceived to be the case. And I , just . . . because there appears a B lack Labour party cornered the market , and White, old UBP is all for business. And so, I just want to say, as I begin my comments now, that I would appreciate— I would be grateful actually —if we could kill that. Because this group looks more like Bermuda. It is representative of what our Bermuda looks like. And with that, also, I would like to say , that as a B lack, female Bermudian — [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Robin Tucker—as a B lack female Bermudian, I fully understand the challenges of being a part of a fam-ily who has not come from anything. So, you have . . . so, on this side there are people like me who understand what it is like not to have a pot …
—as a B lack female Bermudian, I fully understand the challenges of being a part of a fam-ily who has not come from anything. So, you have . . . so, on this side there are people like me who understand what it is like not to have a pot or a window. Okay ? So, I want to say that. And I also want to say that we are a group, on this side —I cannot speak to that side —but we are a group, on this side that actually have open conversations. We are learning from the people who have been born in a position of privilege, as they are also learning from us, from those of us who have not . So, I would be grateful, again, if we could kill that narrative tonight. Okay? So, I would also like to say — [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Robin Tucker—I would also like to say that it was good to hear Minister Furbert say that she is not blind to the fact that people need more social support. There were some things in the budget that we have spoken about frequently that were some good things that have come …
—I would also like to say that it was good to hear Minister Furbert say that she is not blind to the fact that people need more social support. There were some things in the budget that we have spoken about frequently that were some good things that have come out. I am a real fan of the debt being paid down. And certainly, Minister Furbert talked about some things, child care allowances and community contributions and all of that . Right? No need for me to keep going through that. What I will say, though, is that it is my perspective that the budget does not keep pace with the needs of everyday Bermudians. A phrase that has been quoted countless times and countless spaces is , He [who] feels it knows it . Right? And so, I don't believe that the allocations are reflective of the gravity of the needs of the I sland.
Ms. Robin TuckerIB is taking care of itself, we know that. So, I focus my comments on everyday Bermudians. And when I mean everyday Bermudians, I mean low-income Bermudians. I mean what used to be the middle- class Bermudia ns. I mean the Bermudians who are struggling day -to-day to get through …
IB is taking care of itself, we know that. So, I focus my comments on everyday Bermudians. And when I mean everyday Bermudians, I mean low-income Bermudians. I mean what used to be the middle- class Bermudia ns. I mean the Bermudians who are struggling day -to-day to get through their daily existence. Now, one of the things that I would . . . one group that I would like to also address is people with disabilities. The last time we were here, I believe I had raised the questions to the Minister about accessibility for people with disabilities. I would have liked to have seen some funding specifically for that. There are people, as we all know, people with disabilities [who] are unable to access a lot of our buildings and our transportation. So, I am hopeful that the Transport Minister, when his new buses come, that a couple of those buses will at least have wheelchair access. That would go a very long way. Because interestingly enough, Mr. Speaker, our Executive Director of the Hu man Rights Commission, who is in a wheelchair, cannot access a lot of the buildings and certainly could not access public transport if she needed to. Mr. Speaker, Bermudians are squeezed on every side by the high cost of everything—f ood, shelter, electricity , everything— and with really little hope of
Bermuda House of Assembly there being immediate significant changes on the horizon as our population is expanding and ageing. And as I mentioned already, I don't think that this budget suffi-ciently addresses the needs of everyday Bermudians who are struggling to keep their heads above water. People liv ing pay cheque to pay cheque, pension cheque to pension cheque. Some have half a cheque. Others have no cheque at all. When there is an opportunity to maximise assistance for our seniors, why didn't the Government take it? And by that, I am referring to the FutureCare seniors funding that the Tax Reform Commission had recommended. So, Government chose to ignore the Tax Reform Commission's recommendation to provide base level FutureC are. Even though it would have been a cost at $30 million, that would have, as the Pre-Budget Report indicates, that would have represented a significant savings for our seniors. It was a lost opportunity as far as I was concerned. Because there are, by the time we get to a phase two, some of those seniors who would have benefited now may not even be around by then. One thing that I am disappointed with, Mr. Speaker, is that the OBA had repeatedly, when educa-tion reform was first being spoken of as becoming . . . taking effect, taking legs, we had repeatedly asked, I could speak for myself, I could speak for my OBA colleagues, we had asked, How is this going to be paid for? And here is a bugbear that I have, because unsurprisingly, we didn't really get any answers. But yet, $8.5 million later, having spent that money on consultants, it is unbelievable that our students were upended before the most basic of considerations, like having school in-frastructures prepared to receive our students, Mr. Speaker. That's a basic thing. Purvis wasn't ready. Francis Patton wasn't ready. Some of our students have had to have their lessons at the A quarium ! Simply unacceptable. Adequate funding not provided to prepare school infrastructure, but yet $8- plus million later for education consultants. Now, unbelievably, we are floating the idea of asking private businesses to adopt a school to help Government fix this mess in our public school system. How many children have been . . . this is something that is really bothersome to me, because here's the thing . Our students have just come from and come through a pandemic a few short years ago. And then on top of that, now we have had in somebody's infinite wisdom, and I am not suggesting it is solely the Minister. I am saying . . . because he is not a law unto his own, and neither is the current Education Minister. But what I am saying is that we have had children upended during the pandemic, took them a while to get settled, if all of them are even settled five years, six years later. And then, Mr. Speaker, now we have had their education disrupted again. How many parents and teachers have spent countless days and nights bearing the weight of the decisions of those who have made poor decisions that is affecting their children? We will like . . . we won't likely see the effects that this has had on our children for years to come. We cannot afford this, because . . . and I will tell you, and I have probably mentioned it before, that I have received applications across my desk for jobs, an d some of our children can't even . . . some of our high school graduates can't even spell their addresses. It's disgraceful. Shifting to the Ministry of Youth, Seniors, and Social Development, the M inistry will receive $97.2 million. The M inistry budget increased.
[Inaudible interjection]
Ms. Robin TuckerOh, I beg your pardon. I beg your pardon. Yes, I beg your pardon. Sorry. I thought . . . it was in the B udget Statement, so I thought it was okay for me to mention. The original Budget Statement, the Government's Budget Statement, it was there. [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Robin TuckerOkay, so I'll move on. B ecause I wasn't going to go any further. I was just mentioning it. [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Robin TuckerYes, yes. So, the Government's budget, as I mentioned earlier, fails to match the scale and keep pace with the challenges facing our young people, our families, and our seniors. At a time when social needs are continuing to rise, this budget . . . the budget largely reflects incremental …
Yes, yes. So, the Government's budget, as I mentioned earlier, fails to match the scale and keep pace with the challenges facing our young people, our families, and our seniors. At a time when social needs are continuing to rise, this budget . . . the budget largely reflects incremental adjustments. What we need is targeted investments to ensure that not only those who . . . sorry , to ensure that those who actually need the assistance receive it. Specifically , as it relates to the youth. It is ironic, Mr. Speaker, that on the walk over to deliver the B udget Statement, the Premier was flanked by several children, and yet there's not much in the actual Budget Statement that addresses our children. Interesting. We know that, again, as it relates to our youth, we know that there have been reports that have gone out that have spoken about our youth experiencing alarming levels of anxiety and depression, along with increased loneliness, stress, tensions, and all of that amongst our young people. Our young people are undergoing major environmental pressures like drugs, gang activity, social stigma, and family insecurities. Funding, it would be lovely to have had more funding to address those types of needs. Not to mention our children are experiencing all kinds of early trauma that can help shape their long- term outcomes. The gap, Mr. Speaker, between identifying the needs and taking action is widening. Families are navigating higher costs, experiencing great er stress, and faced with more complex social pressures. Without considerable investment in social programmes, prevention, early intervention, and community -based support s, and 1986 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly creating an environment of self -reliance, Bermudians will continue to experience greater social challenges. So, Mr. Speaker, the test of a budget is not how it sounds on the day it is delivered, but how the promises in it reflect the lives of our people. For many Bermudians, particularly low income and working- class Bermudians, this budget will not tangibly move the needle in their favour. It will not change the fact that assistance is simply not keeping pace with need. I would have liked to have seen funding to provide support for parents of neurodivergent children, and I declare my in-terest in that. I have a gr andson who is neurodivergent. I would have liked to have seen more about securing a new court system. It has been a couple of years now since I have asked about what is happening with the court system and our unpaid child support sit-uation. It is still . . . it is one year to the next year to the next year. In addition, I would like to see funding that helps the courts address some of the manual pro-cesses in order to make the court systems more effi-cient. Our court records, Mr. Speaker, are still being searched manually. The searchers have to go in and actual ly sit in a room and flick pages, books, probably 50-or-more years old. A nd I declare my interest in that because I work for a law firm. And the other thing, Mr. Speaker, is that I would like to have seen increased overseas benefits, a provision of increased overseas benefits for [ GEH I], for people who are on GEHI insurance. My information is that people who have to go overseas have to pay for their hotels out of pocket up to $140, is the last thing I have heard. A nd there is $100 for transportation and no money at all is provided for food. That is simply unac-ceptable. Some families . . . for some families, Mr. Speaker, this budget wil l not prevent the next eviction, the next crisis, the next cold place to an overstretched social worker. For too many seniors, this budget will not ease the fear of outliving their savings or having to heavily rely on their children or others who are also struggling. And, Mr. Speaker, I will say that this is not doom and gloom, but it is the present reality of many Bermudian families and anyone who denies it is simply disconnected from reality. For quite some time, the Shadow Minister of Finance, [Honourable Member Dr.] Doug D eCouto, has been calling for the G overnment to provide targeted relief for Bermudians so that people who need the help the most receive the benefit. It is crazy to me that what I have been hearing tonight is as if people do not . . . the Government, does not understand what that actually is. Targeted relief helps minimise a scenario whereby people who do not need the money do not get it, or they receive a significantly lower amount. I do not know if you remember the song by Gregory — [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Robin TuckerYou don't want me singing . Gregory Isaac s, where it talks about the rich are getting richer every day, but the little that the poor man’s got is going to be taken away. [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Robin TuckerThis is where we are. This is the reality, Mr. Speaker. So, it makes sense that targeted relief helps to ensure that those who are financially stable do not receive the same benefit as those who are financially unstable. This makes sense and why this Labour G overnment would insist …
This is where we are. This is the reality, Mr. Speaker. So, it makes sense that targeted relief helps to ensure that those who are financially stable do not receive the same benefit as those who are financially unstable. This makes sense and why this Labour G overnment would insist on giving critical relief to people who have millions in the bank rather than redirecting those funds to those who cannot afford it, those who are no income, low income, and struggling middle income earners is bizarre to me. Taxpayers ought to know what their money was spent on and if taxpayer funds move the dial and if it brings about positive and measurable outcomes so that the public knows that their spending, or that the spending, rather , does not go unchecked and that taxpayers get a return on the investment that is made. This is their money loaned to government to be able to utilise it for the benefit of the people. So, Mr. Speaker, I will end with this plea to Bermudians that if you have not already read the Budget Statement and you have not already read the Opposition . . . the One Bermuda Alliance's Reply to the Budget Statement, then please do not rely on the strategic soundbites and clips on social media or even our Statement. But when you are done reading question what you read and heard and ask yourself, Does this budget give me assurance that my quality of life will tangibly improve now as a result of the Government's current funding allocations? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, MP Tucker. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWould any other Member . . . Government Whip , are you taking the floor? [Crosstalk]
Mr. Neville S. TyrrellMr. Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me a brief moment to contribute to the debate today. I will be very, very brief because most of my colleagues have already stated a lot of the salient points that needed to be said. But I just felt compelled to just …
Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for allowing me a brief moment to contribute to the debate today. I will be very, very brief because most of my colleagues have already stated a lot of the salient points that needed to be said. But I just felt compelled to just say something very, very, very briefly about this. But let me first start by thanking the Minister of Finance and his team for this budget. And I can imagine that they must have spent many, many a night, long
Bermuda House of Assembly nights, in trying to put it together and to produce it as well. Now, I was actually off I sland for the delivery of the Budget [Statement] as I indicated to you earlier. And so , I had to get it online and actually read it. And I certainly was very, very impressed with it. There were a couple of things that hit me that I want to basically use in my contribution, Mr. Speaker. And one of the first things that this budget struck me as being positive progress. We are making progress on this side. This Government is actually listening to people. And as you can see from the content of the budget, that we are making positive progress. Certainly, I do recognise, and I will say it, that there is still much to be done. And I'm sure with the guidance of the Minister of Finance and Premier, that these things will certainly be looked into. The second thing that I noted from reading the Budget Statement was the fiscal responsibility that we are showing. I know that our Minister of Finance is very meticulous about things. And I am referring to this because I am going to counter by saying something else that the OBA seemed to have said for the last seven hours , almost, that we are here. So, I am going to, again, compliment him, the Minister, and his team for the fiscal responsibility that I have noticed. Because one of the statements that was referred to tonight is that we, the Government, have been accused of spending like drunken sailors. So again, that statement, I think, diffuses that, certainly. I think, certainly, from my view [as one] who does a lot of canvassing in my constituency, I certainly feel that it is a budget that I can easily talk to my constituents about. If they have questions, I am sure I will be able to get them. If I can't answer them myself, I certainly will refer back to those a lot more knowledgeable than me about it. So, I like the ease of things of the Budget Statement, which I certainly feel will help me in my canvassing as well. What I would like to do is just briefly, if you will allow me, Mr. Speaker, is to just refer to some of the items that will benefit certain of my constituents. If you don't mind, I just want to refer to a document here that I have. And the first thing that strikes me is the reduc-tion in employee payroll tax .
Hon. E. David Burt: Yes.
Mr. Neville S. TyrrellMany of my constituents will benefit from that. And I think they are going to be very, very happy when they realise this reduction that they are going to get, putting more money in their pocket. The other point I want to bring up where I think people are going …
Many of my constituents will benefit from that. And I think they are going to be very, very happy when they realise this reduction that they are going to get, putting more money in their pocket. The other point I want to bring up where I think people are going to benefit from certainly [is] self-employed caregivers . And I am going to declare some interest here, in that I am the chair of the Warwick Parish Council, who has responsibility for Lorraine Rest Home, Nursing Home, my apologies. So, I know the effort that goes into caregiving. And so, I certainly know and feel that that elimination of their payroll tax is going to be something that they are going to look forward to. And again, help to reli eve some of that financial stress that they probably go under in doing this caregiving. I understand that there is going to be a reduction or an elimination of essential goods. Now, if you tell me that my constituents can't benefit from that, they will certainly know when they go to do their shopping weekly or whenever they do their shopping, what they do, they are certainly going to see some benefit there. As much as . . . I know a lot of people who may be able to spend what the car licens ing is, it's still going to be a benefit to those who even can afford it, yes. But at the same time, others who cannot afford it will have the benefit of this reduction in private car licens ing. So again, I see me having some good conversations on the doorsteps of my constituents. So, that was just a brief thing there that I wanted to point out but let me get back to my notes as well. Now, let me also say that I am very excited to know that housing is being looked at. I am sure the new Housing Minister, Minister of Housing and Municipalities (I got you, Municipalities ) is going to be quite happy. Which I know that his plan is, and I understand it's an 18- month plan, yes. But it will give some relief to a lot of people who are families who are actually doubling up. When I go to some of these houses to canvass, I know for a fact , the stress they are under with the number of people who are in the house. And that may . . . what is probably called the residential house, the main house. And families who have come to live with them, some for short term and others for long term. But I certainly feel these are the things that I feel that it shows the responsibility of this G overnment. Mr. Speaker, I think it would be remiss of me if I did not mention some of the things that bothered me about the R eply to the B udget. Which again, has already been addressed by many of my colleagues as well. But if you look at the face, and please allow me to read some of the excerpts if you don't mind, Mr. Speaker . Yes? If you look at the face of the Reply to the Budget, they . . . well, it's just my opinion. That is where it says , “The numbers tell the real story.” What are they trying to say to us, you k now, to people? That's part . . . I think, of the image that the O pposition is trying to put out , that we can't govern, or we can't manage money, and that sort of thing. The numbers tell the real story.
[Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Neville S. TyrrellYes, well, I understand that, but that's fine. But let me also . . . I'm not going to get distracted, don't worry. Allow me to look at the document as I said and just point out some of the pages that came to me. I wrote those numbers down, …
Yes, well, I understand that, but that's fine. But let me also . . . I'm not going to get distracted, don't worry. Allow me to look at the document as I said and just point out some of the pages that came to me. I wrote those numbers down, and I am going to find it, because . . . here we go. Page 3. I am going to read it 1988 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly verbatim. It says, “Mr. Speaker, we are here today to address the Budget, Bermuda’s economy, and dollars and cents. But we cannot forget that behind every dollar are Bermudians .” (So far, so good. ) “[A]nd this budget must answer one question. What does it mean for them?” Well, I have told you what it does. I told you, when I get on the doorsteps, I'm going to point out cer-tain things to my constituents, where they will certainly benefit. Let me move on to the next item that I want to mention on page 4. Yes, page . . . no, I'm not going to do that one. I'll leave that one. Let me go to page 24 of their Budget [Reply] . And it's the top of the paragraph . . . top of the page, headed “Debt and Assets Rule.” I am not going to read the whole paragraph itself, but the last sentence ends, “[T]he PLP Government must keep its eye on the ball .” You don't have to tell us that. We've got our eyes on the ball. We have. That's what we've been doing since we came back in Government in 20 17. So, I'm not really concerned about that. And I think the last point that I want to make and come out of here is page 20—no, I've got two more. Twenty -five, under “A ccountability. ” And all this I am saying is because I think they are trying to paint a picture that this G overnment can't manage or can't . . . or sort of fiscal . . . we have a deficit managing money. And I don't understand why they want to come to that. But I am going to read that part of that S tatement. Okay, in fact, I'll read the whole thing. “ Bermudians want and deserve accountability in how their money is spent, par-ticularly the CIT funds. ” (That was the big bugbear today, about the CIT fund. But they are ending with . . .) “. . . veiled financial reporting.” I couldn’t understand that one, but I think someone will pick that up to find out exactly what this “ veiled financial reporting” is all about. And I think my last point that I want to make about this R eply to the Budget is on page 26. Mr. Speaker, I am going to read the last paragraph where it says, “ That’s why Bermudians need a change in how the Government manages the public purse, especially the CIT funds, and that’s why Bermuda needs a change in government. ” Do they not know what happened the last time they kept asking for a change in G overnment?
Mr. Neville S. TyrrellCall it now. Ye s, right, that was it. Let me end, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I wanted to be brief. [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Neville S. TyrrellI really want to thank the Minister of Finance again, and his team, and his strong team, for a strong and workable budget that I fully support and can certainly stand on the steps of my, or in the dining rooms, or wherever they invite me to speak to this …
I really want to thank the Minister of Finance again, and his team, and his strong team, for a strong and workable budget that I fully support and can certainly stand on the steps of my, or in the dining rooms, or wherever they invite me to speak to this budget, because I think it's a very good budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Mr. Tyrrell. MP De Silva —Minister De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI think you have been biting at the bit for a while to get on your feet. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I’ve been biting . . . man, I could have got up about four hours ago, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, we could have done it about four hours [ago] this afternoon. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, then we could have done that.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat's right. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But let me start where the last speaker, my honourable colleague Neville T yrrell, finished . And he said, what a great, great budget. Premier, you probably don't realise this, but history will only tell, that this has to be one of …
That's right.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But let me start where the last speaker, my honourable colleague Neville T yrrell, finished . And he said, what a great, great budget. Premier, you probably don't realise this, but history will only tell, that this has to be one of the greatest budgets that this country has ever seen.
Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, boy . Look at that.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And I don't say that with any. . . any . . . any . . . I don't say that with tongue- incheek either. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well, he gave me a kiss when he came in tonight, so I figured I had to sweeten him up. I had to sweeten him up. [Inaudible interjections]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCome on! [Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Now, Mr. Speaker, there's a lot of . . . there seemed to be a buzzword around here today called “ luck.” Right? And I was talking to my h onourable colleague, the Rev . Dr. Emily gail [Dill] , and …
Come on!
[Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Now, Mr. Speaker, there's a lot of . . . there seemed to be a buzzword around here today called “ luck.” Right? And I was talking to my h onourable colleague, the Rev . Dr. Emily gail [Dill] , and she
Bermuda House of Assembly said, Why hasn't anybody . . . why are they saying luck? Why don't they use the word blessed? And I said, You know what, Reverend? If you don't mind, I'm go ing to just relay that to the country and let them know that that is the word we should be using, is blessed.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Now, all right, all right. Okay . Now, Mr. Speaker, Honourable Member Jason Hayward said, Let's have some honest dialogue today . And I think we do need to do that. And I have to wonder if the Honourable Shadow Finance Minister lives under a rock. Some of his colleagues too, because if you read the introduction to his Reply, and he talks about Mrs. Smith and Mr. Jones. Mr. Speaker, they talk about things like, Grandpa can't afford this , Mrs. Jones can't afford that, Mrs. Smith can't do this . But what jumped out at me, right?, is when they say things like this : Grandpa Smith needs regular care. When we came into power in 1998, Mr. Speaker, you will remember, we had to shut down two seniors' homes because they were in such bad shape, really bad shape. But yet they had the audacity to come in and say, Mr. Smith needs regular good care. Things like that. Then they go on to say things like, Mr. Jones owns a small cottage with little or no income. Little or no income. Mr. Speaker, let's remind the public that when the OBA were in power for —not a full term, four and a half years . . . and if we want to talk about that story, we can too. Because if we wouldn't have called the election that night, it was going to be a dissolvement of Parliament, because they didn't have support from their own Members. Let me just remind people. R ight?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, Mr. Speaker, and I talk about that because during that time, they did not raise pensions for our seniors, not once, except for in the election year. If it was not an election year, I doubt whether or not they would have even given it a thought. Whereas this G overnment —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGo ahead. POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motive]
Mr. Scott PearmanI am sure the Honourable Member is being inadvertent, but he is imput ing improper motive. And I know that the MP who took that decision is no longer here and no longer Finance Minister , but imputing improper motive he is. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Don't, don't, …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAh! Ah! Member, I'm just going to remind us that we have come to a term, we are turning our pages, but we won't be imput ing improper motives against Members. So, I know you are skilled enough to be able to continue on without having to worry about that. …
Ah! Ah! Member, I'm just going to remind us that we have come to a term, we are turning our pages, but we won't be imput ing improper motives against Members. So, I know you are skilled enough to be able to continue on without having to worry about that.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So let me remind people, let me remind them, since we have been in G overnment — Hon. E. David Burt: Yes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —since 2017, Mr. Speaker . I hope they don't do a point of order on this one. This Government promised and delivered an increase for our seniors' pensions every year since we have been in power. And I don't hear any point of order on that one, Mr. Speaker. So, when you get this thing . . . and then they go on to say, there's also no money to keep the roof painted and leaks fixed after hurricanes . Mrs. Jones takes care of her granddaughter while her daughter is at work. You will know, Mr. Speaker, that this G overnment gives a child day care allowance. And it's at $900, Mr. Speaker. I remember when we brought that Bill to this House for the very first time. The Opposition raised absolute hell with us, saying no way, no way, no way. But then they got the audacit y to say that , you know, . . . and when they say we haven't done anything for anybody and we are not thinking about the people of this country, it's laughable. It's laughable, Mr. Speaker. When they say that , Mrs. Jones has no health insurance to cover. Wait a minute, I remember, you will remember, Mr. Speaker, in the other House when we brought FutureCare to this country. The OBA, UBP . . . can't remember which one it was then. It might have been a mixture. It might have even been BDA at the time.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But look, we brought that to the House, Mr. Speaker. And they, again, they objected to that, I mean, viciously objected to it.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: That was way back.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And that's right, it was way back , Honourable Member Cannonier. I t was way back. But you know, some of us have been around a while, and some of us remember.
Hon. E. David Burt: Yes. Uh -huh.
1990 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: See, some of the people in this House won't remember all that.
Hon. E. David Burt: Absolutely. Tell them now.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But let me tell you something, Mr. Speaker. That was huge. It was a huge debate that night, and it shouldn't have been. We should have laid that B ill, everybody should have said, O kay, we're going take care of the people of this country. You know where people used to go to get health care? Again, maybe some Members of this House don't remember. You will remember, Mr. Speaker. They used to go down to the indigent clinic at the hospital, right next to the emergency room. And everybody in this country knew why they were there . Right? But when we brought in F utureC are, it gave dignity to our people. Because w hen you go sit in a doctor's office now, you don't know what that person's financial situation is, at all. We changed that . And every time we added those kinds of benefits, we caught absolute negative, and sometimes really, really —and you will know, Mr. Speaker, it got down and dirty sometimes in that H ouse. And it shouldn't have been. Now, Mr. Speaker, the other thing, because they do talk about . . . and this is the very first page, right at the bottom, PLP giv ing handouts. “Is the PLP Government giving [ them] handouts that will run out, or are they meaningfully improving their lives by address-ing the underlying causes of their issues?” Really, Mr. Speaker? And I get people on that side slamming the table, when the Shadow Minister read out his speech. How many houses did they build in four and a half years? But I get the Shadow Minister saying, Oh, you made all these announcements, but where's your strategy for 2025 to 2035? Mr. Speaker —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt’s too late. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, he's saying it's too late. Let me just add something, Mr. Speaker. The Honour-able Member Fahy did say we're going backwards, or we are doing it backwards. I think he's a learned M ember, if I remember correctly. I think …
It’s too late. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, he's saying it's too late. Let me just add something, Mr. Speaker. The Honour-able Member Fahy did say we're going backwards, or we are doing it backwards. I think he's a learned M ember, if I remember correctly. I think he went to law school. I wonder, how long did he go to law school for? Maybe . . . how long does that take, three, four years? [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Four years, Mr. Speaker? So, the thing is, I say this. I wonder how many times he came back from school and told people, I'm going be a lawyer. He didn't have his papers yet . I'm going be a lawyer. Well, I'll tell you what, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to build homes in this country. But at the same time, Zane De Silva ain't go ing be here forever. So, I have got that plan ready. It's going out to all the stakeholders at the moment. The Honourable Member keeps asking for it, he'll get it. But whilst that's being done, because we want to do it right . . . how many times do they say in this House, oh, you just rush it through. You guys —No, we are going to take our time, like I did with the National Health Plan years ago. We did a lot of consulting, and the consulting is taking place, Mr. Speaker. Housing is too important. It's a draft strategy that's almost ready. And you know what? I am going to invite Members opposite when we get to a stage . . . and that's not far away. But let me tell you something, Mr. Speaker, whilst that is taking place, because I think when M embers opposite see it, hopefully they'll support it.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Without a shadow of a doubt, support it. But Mr. Speaker, this G overnment is a progressive government. Because we design, or we want to devise a plan for whatever that may be, whether it's Minister Tinee [Furbert] doing Seniors, whether it's Michael Weeks doing security, or N ational Security, or whatever . . . whatever the Ministry is. I tell you what we are doing: we can chew gum and walk. And I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, it is going to give me great pleasure to announce to the people of this country when that decision is made, and it's close. And we are going to build a couple of hundred homes, Mr. Speaker, in 18 months. People said, Zane, you're crazy, you can't do it. We are going to do it, Mr. Speaker. And as I told the Honourable Member, he told me he saw me speaking on TV the other night. I said, You can hold my feet to the fire, because I'm telling you, it's going to happen. When you take the calls that we take from the crying mothers, the crying daughters who are crying for their mothers and their grandmothers. And you hear the stories of 10 and 12 people living in a one- bedroom place, children being abused, women being abused. Trust me, Mr. Speaker, my vision is clear. We are going to build homes in this country. And we are going to build a lot of homes in this country. And if I have my way, if I have my way —I will stick my neck out a little further. We might have 400 homes in 18 months. You think the 100 was crazy? I am going to stick my neck out, because I have got the support from the Finance Minister . I told him I want $90 million. H e knows I want more. I want more than that $ 90 [million]. He knows it. I just have to produce the right model for him, hug him a little b it, and press hard, because we need homes and we need them now. That list of folks who need homes has grown to almost 400 in the last eight weeks. And you know what we are finding, Mr. Speaker? Is that the majority of those recent applications are from middle class folks . Both people have good jobs, can't find places to stay . We have all heard it.
Bermuda House of Assembly So, when I come to this H ouse with that type of request and support for the people of this country, I expect everybody in this House to support it. And when we come with that budget of mine next week, I know that I am going to get support. We can do some debating, but I know I am going to get support. Now, Mr. Speaker, we have heard some talk about the debt tonight. Now, I think Honourable Mem-ber Dick inson said tonight, maybe we should consider stop talking about the debt and who is responsible for it. I would never mention debt again if they didn't —
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —but they continue to bring it up.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOf course. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And you might say, —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt’s a Budget Debate. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That's right, it's a Budget Debate. So, if you are going to bring up the debt, we must bring up all the history . Okay?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhy? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Now, the Honourable Member says , Why? Hon. E. David Burt: Aah! [Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Because they know why. You know why, Mr. Speaker? Let me explain something to you. Hon. E. David Burt: They said why. Wow. [Crosstalk] …
Why?
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Now, the Honourable Member says , Why?
Hon. E. David Burt: Aah!
[Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Because they know why. You know why, Mr. Speaker? Let me explain something to you.
Hon. E. David Burt: They said why. Wow.
[Crosstalk]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker . We had a number thrown out tonight, $355 million deficit in 1998. That's what the OBA had —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThe UBP. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The UBP — [Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —UBP, OBA, same thing. [Laughter and crosstalk ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Right? So, we know that if you took it and you've done the equations , and you can …
The UBP.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The UBP —
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —UBP, OBA, same thing.
[Laughter and crosstalk ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Right? So, we know that if you took it and you've done the equations , and you can argue over a couple of hundred million dollars if you want, but the numbers are closer to $ 800 million, in today's terms. So, the thing is , right?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: See, the thing is, Mr. Speaker . [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The thing is, Mr. Speaker, is that it was easy for them to try and balance the budget or have a small deficit. Because you know why? They didn't do social programmes. They didn't have scholar-ships for our people. They used to . . . we found those two senior citizens home , we had to shut down because they didn't do anything with them, at all. We had to close them. T hey [were] disgusting. It's easy to balance a budget, you know. And they showed it again when they were in power for that four and a half years. W hat did they do? Cut scholarships. They cut at -risk youth programmes. You cut, cut, cut, cut, cut. Mr. Speaker, when they came in in 2017, they told our seniors, dollars don't . . . money don't grow on trees.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: In 2017, in early 2017, Bob Richards, the former Finance Minister , told our seniors that money does not grow on trees.
Hon. E. David Burt: That’s what he said.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That's what he done. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: They told our people to take furlough days. They said we now must share the pain. They were going to shut down Lam b Foggo [Urgent Care Centre] . They said they have no money. You remember they cut out the exhibition. Who goes to the exhibition? All our people. Right? So, they had to tell all our people they want to take a pay cut. Then all of a sudden, all this gloom and doom. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: No, you remember at one stage they said, We can't make payroll for our people.
[Inaudible interjections]
1992 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But all of a sudden, all of a sudden —
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —all of a sudden, Mr. Speaker, they found $70 million for an America's Cup. They found a million dollars for a C ommission of Inquiry that was just a bunch of fluff. They found $40 million for Cross Island, the most expensive real estate in this country's history —for a boat race.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, $70 million for America's— [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Look, I'll state for the record and I'll say it again, and I have said it in this House a hundred times. I support the America's Cup. Any sporting event, I support it. What I did not support, and I would not support, is if we had to pay $100 million to host it. You have got billionaires coming here. Our issue was this . We supported it ; but we did not support the taxpayers' money, $100 million, to host it. That's the difference. If this G overnment would have had anything to do with it, it would have been a co mpletely different story. We would have had no race, or somebody would have paid. It would not have been the taxpayers of this country. And we wouldn't have spent $40 million to build Cross Island, not when you have Morgan's Point out there, which they controlled. And now, did I just say Morgan's Point? Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, you did. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let's remind . . . when you talk about debt that this Government has had to deal with, let's not ever forget Morgan's Point, $ 250 million. Can you imagine, Mr. Speaker, had the P LP Government gave Michael Weeks and Owen Darrell $160 million contract on Morgan's Point , for a private development, and it went belly up and they said, I'll walk away. I'll just keep going and play golf every day, travel the world, it's all right. That $160 [ million ] has now morphed into $250 million and counting.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberLike your hospital. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: We pay $1 million per year at the moment to continue to maintain that property. And let me state again for the record, if you take Bermuda as an example, the map of Bermuda, and let's say the map …
Like your hospital.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: We pay $1 million per year at the moment to continue to maintain that property. And let me state again for the record, if you take Bermuda as an example, the map of Bermuda, and let's say the map of Bermuda is Morgan's Point. For that $160 million, now $250 [million] , you know what we got, Mr. Speaker? We did not get all of Bermuda back, you know. W e got Dockyard. All the rest of Bermuda still belongs to the developer. How about those apples? What does the OBA say about that?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberMaybe you should read the contract. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: How careless is that? Another Hon. Member: Very careless. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: You're telling me to read the contract?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberVery careless. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I'm a lot more familiar with that property now. You want to trade some words about that contract?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou mean the land- swapping PLP contract? Another Hon. Member: Mm-hmm. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I'll tell you what, Mr. Speaker. Now, Mr. Speaker —gee, man, time just goes by so quick. Let's see what we are going do first. Let me say this, Mr. Speaker, I’ve got …
You mean the land- swapping PLP contract? Another Hon. Member: Mm-hmm.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I'll tell you what, Mr. Speaker. Now, Mr. Speaker —gee, man, time just goes by so quick. Let's see what we are going do first. Let me say this, Mr. Speaker, I’ve got a minute left. The Honourable Member Craig Cannonier got on his feet today, and I totally forget the first part . If you look at Hansard, the second part. I totally agree with a lot of what he had to say. I think it's very important. But I think he left out a few things with regard to the phar-macies. It's my knowledge, I stand to be corrected, that a tender went out to many of the pharmacies. A tender went out; one particular pharmacy won the bid for it. So, it wasn’t just a little deal went on between one. The other thing is, when the Honourable Member Cannonier said people were g oing go bankrupt, the amount of drugs we are talking about is about 3 per cent of one's stock, one's business. When you talk about . . . you get up here and you wan t to make a lot of noise, talk about people that go out of business. If you're go ing lose 3 per cent of your business, and you are going have to close your door, something is not right.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou can go straight up to the customer. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: You can see . . . yes. I have several businesses, Mr. Speaker. I can tell you, if I lose 3 per cent of my business, and I got to close my door, Bermuda House of …
You can go straight up to the customer. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: You can see . . . yes. I have several businesses, Mr. Speaker. I can tell you, if I lose 3 per cent of my business, and I got to close my door,
Bermuda House of Assembly something is not right. So , if you are going to talk about the story, you must talk about the whole story. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Premier . Hon. E. David Burt: Good night to you, Mr. Speaker. [Crosstalk]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoWon’t you join us, Mr. Premier. You missed all the fun. Hon. E. David Burt: No, I heard every single word of it, Doug. [Crosstalk ] Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I know the hour is late, and I know that you are tired, so I will have little …
Won’t you join us, Mr. Premier. You missed all the fun.
Hon. E. David Burt: No, I heard every single word of it, Doug.
[Crosstalk ]
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I know the hour is late, and I know that you are tired, so I will have little leeway. So, I better use my 20 minutes wisely before the “was” Acting Minister of Finance closes out this debate as he moved the motion earlier today. Mr. Speaker, certainly today there have been great contributions from M inisters of the G overnment and Backbenchers, all of whom who have done the work. And there's no question that this budget that was presented last week is a budget from this G overnment. It is a budget that is made up of recommendations from Backbenchers as well. It is a budget that takes into account the feedback from the P re-Budget Report. And it is a budget that gives hope, extends opportunity, cuts taxes for everyone, cuts duties, returns money, puts more money back in people's pockets, and makes sig-nificant investment for the future. We hear comments from the other side talking about making sure that we get things right. That is one of the things that was said inside the Budget Statement about fixing the foundations, about ensuring that we deliver making this economy even better and more stronger. Now, Mr. Speaker, that is what the budget had inside of it. Unfortunately, with all the work that was done, I would have expected a little bit better in the R eply. But I need to remember that I have been doing this for so long that I should not have high expectations about what would happen or what would come from the Opposition, —
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: —especially the Honourable Member from constituency 25
The SpeakerThe SpeakerKeep the tone up now. Hon. E. David Burt: But what we were treated to today, Mr. Speaker, seemed to be what I would say (my word and opinion, as I listened to the entire debate) is a tirade in some cases of alternative facts. Not able in any way, …
Keep the tone up now. Hon. E. David Burt: But what we were treated to today, Mr. Speaker, seemed to be what I would say (my word and opinion, as I listened to the entire debate) is a tirade in some cases of alternative facts. Not able in any way, shape, or form to bring themselves to say anything positive. And I'm not even going to devote much time to the things of which was said here, Mr. Speaker. Because the double- speak was incredible. And I think it was covered adequately by the MP from constitu-ency 33, MP Simmons, who spoke about the fact that they said they want more money here, but we should pay more money for debt. Governing is hard. Make a choice, make a decision, and stick with it. Have something. What we have heard today was nothing serious in regard to a governing agenda. Nothing serious in regard to this is the economic policy, the difference. It was a smorgasbord of various things completely unfunded. All these various pledges and no concept of how you make it. So, you cannot say that you want to reduce debt more than we are doing yet say that we are going to increase spending throughout. You have to make the correct and proper decisions, Mr. Speaker. And that, Mr. Speaker —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. E. David Burt: —and that is the reason that election after election, they continue to find themselves in Opposition. But it doesn't stop, because as the Honourable Minister of Public Works and Environment said after hearing the Opposition Leader , he felt the grey clouds coming in, and I just landed at the airport, and I could see all the fog just rolling in, the doom and gloom. But here is the thing, Mr. Speaker. The Shadow Minister paints the economy as all negative, ignores the record low unemployment, ignores the strong GDP growth, ignores the fact the job growth, which has been said, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe Honourable Premier is misleading the House. In fact, all of those topics were explicitly addressed within the R eply. And so I suspect he should have listened a little more closely. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, as I go on, the Shadow Minister talks a lot about corporate income tax. 1994 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly And it was interesting, and I heard this commentary around this thing as though it was given to …
Premier.
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, as I go on, the Shadow Minister talks a lot about corporate income tax. 1994 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly And it was interesting, and I heard this commentary around this thing as though it was given to us as a gift. Now, here's the thing, Mr. Speaker. It is rich coming from an O pposition that we almost had to fight against in order to implement it. And it is my opinion, my opinion, Mr. Speaker, that if the shoe was on the other foot and they were the government, we would not be in this particular position, Mr. Speaker . Because let us be clear, they kept on talking about the fact and warning about the fact that our competitors are not doing it. So, we need to be careful, Mr. Speaker. But here's what happened, Mr. Speaker. We took a different path because we have the confidence that we can execute policies properly and correct ly. And we went through that process of consultation with international business, sat down and worked with. And when we tabled that particular Bill in this House, it had the support of ABIR, BILTER, and ABIC to implement a tax that has fundamentally changed the way and the approach of which we have, Mr. Speaker. So, the whole view and thought that this is luck, the whole view and thought if we were forced into this, it must be reminded, o ther jurisdictions who did not have a corporate income tax took a different path. And I just came from CARICOM and they are all looking at me knowing that I just tabled the budget and saying, Wow, how do we do it? What do we do going ahead? See, Mr. Speaker, that is called boldness, vision, and the ability to execute to get things done, Mr. Speaker. So, let's be clear, that is the record of this particular Government. Other people made different decisions. We made the decision that we could get it done and work with our international business partners to make sure that it happens. It was not luck, Mr. Speaker. It was not luck at all. And it is particularly interesting when we hear the things in which they're speaking about inside of the budget. Let me say, quoting from the Budget Reply of last year , quote— [Inaudible interjection] Hon. E. David Burt: Twenty -five.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo, 35. Hon. E. David Burt: “First, we would craft a budget that works without including the CIT for at least the next two to three years. ” Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Wow, wow. Hon. E. David Burt: One, nine months later, after that statement was given last …
No, 35.
Hon. E. David Burt: “First, we would craft a budget that works without including the CIT for at least the next two to three years. ”
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Wow, wow.
Hon. E. David Burt: One, nine months later, after that statement was given last May, they've given a Budget Reply that goes ahead and tries to spend the money .
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Wow, wow! Hon. E. David Burt: They can't even keep their pledges for nine months, Mr. Speaker. Cannot do so, Mr. Speaker. So, I am not going to go down the rabbit hole of what they proposed, because the facts are that this Government delivered this particular change that has put us in this particular position that enables us to make the investments that was inside of this particular budget, Mr. Speaker. And that, because of that work, what are we doing? We are paying down our debt. We are investing in our country, and we are on the path to eliminate our debt within a decade, while also establishing a sovereign wealth fund for the future, Mr. Speaker. We have laid out a plan of responsible investment for the future. That is what this budget contains, Mr. Speaker. And it is because of the choices and the execution that this G overnment made.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoThe Honourable Premier is inadvertently misleading the House. In fact, his own m edium -term economic f ramework does not even provide enough money to pay down the debt due within the next four years. Never mind the next 10 . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, he is trying hard, trying hard for relevance, but he is not going to make it. Because here is the thing, he can watch from the sidelines, the Shadow Minister , because this Government has delivered and will continue to deliver, Mr. Speaker. …
Premier.
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, he is trying hard, trying hard for relevance, but he is not going to make it. Because here is the thing, he can watch from the sidelines, the Shadow Minister , because this Government has delivered and will continue to deliver, Mr. Speaker. We have a record of delivery. We have a record of delivering budget surplus before CIT was given. We have a record of investing our people. We have a record of cutting tax. We have a record of putting money back in people's pockets, investing in health care, investing in our seniors in this country. That, Mr. Speaker, is the record of this P rogressive Labour Party Government. Reminder, Mr. Speaker, before a single dime of corporate income tax was collected, we delivered a consolidated fund surplus. And last year, Mr. Speaker, a surplus of $153 million, $110 million above the estimate. And here's the thing, Mr. Speaker, we hear all this back and forth about debt. I am very happy that the former Minister of Finance, the MP from constituency 21, cleared it up. Because it is as though if on that side they completely forgot about the $200 million
Bermuda House of Assembly liability of Morgan's Point that they left this G overnment with.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That’s right.
Hon. E. David Burt: Completely forgot. Let it be reminded that when we came into Government in 2017, they all said that we would increase the debt ceiling. And we did not increase the debt ceiling until we had to pay to fund their failed Mor-gan's Point project, Mr. Speaker. That is the record. The Honourable Deputy Leader talks about the fact that we increased the debt by $800 million. I'm very happy that it was cleared up —$200 million for Morgan's Point and $600 million to fund this country during a pandemic. But here's what happened , Mr. Speaker. While other countries are still suffering from deficits after a pandemic, this G overnment has delivered a surplus. That is the record. And we will continue to press ahead. And just for those persons who want to talk about doubling the debt, in 2012 it was $1.2 billion and in 2017 it was $2.4 [ billion ]. That is the doubling of the debt. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That’s right.
Hon. E. David Burt: Their record, Mr. Speaker. Now let's move on to tax cuts , because we hear a whole lot of stuff on that particular side. We hear a whole lot on that side about targeting, Mr. Speaker. I'll get to targeting later. Because it is intellectually dis-honest, if we are in a general economic debate, to talk about how to target taxes, to target taxes , without, without, without the ability to actually do that through our tax code. The reality is, Mr. Speaker, we do not currently have that ability, but I will get there later. Let's talk about the tax cuts in this budget. We talk about the fact that we have completely eliminated the tax on fuel. That they doubled, Mr. Speaker. They doubled it while they were in office. We have gotten rid of it, saving an average person $375 a year. Businesses will save, small persons will save, large persons will save, the money will be saved. They talk about targeting the money, we will get there in a bit, Mr. Speaker. Let's talk about the matters related to food prices. We know the work that the Minister of Home Affairs has done on an A ffordable Bermuda Basket. And we backed it up in this particular budget by making sure that we eliminated customs duty for a wider range of essential goods. Household cleaning items, dairy products, deli meats, all those particular items. That, Mr. Speaker, is how you deliver. And we hear all the things inside this budget. How will this budget help Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Jones? That's how it helps, Mr. Speaker. That is how it helps. And let's talk about Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Because the Shadow Minister created the Smith family to illustrate Bermudian struggle. So, let's use his own example. Under this G overnment, the Smiths would have seen the largest payroll tax cut in Bermuda's history, Mr. Speaker. A family earning $96,000 a year would be saving $840 a year. A family earning $48,000 is paying 95 per cent less taxes, Mr. Speaker, than they did when we came into office. Their car licence is 20 per cent cheaper than it was before, because this is the second time that we have reduced car licencing fees. Cell phone bills and taxes have been reduced. The fuel duty, as we mentioned, on electricity , also gone. The grocery bill, the work of the Affordable Bermuda Basket with an affordable basket that is 20 per cent reduced, Mr. Speaker. If Grandpa Smith is on FutureCare, his prescription drug coverage has been en-hanced. He now has a free annual health care exam. If he has home health care, he can get access to it without a waiting period. And, Mr. Speaker, let's be clear, with the additional money that was put into Future Care, if he qualifies, his F utureC are will be free this year. That is how it helps, Mr. Smith, Mr. Speaker. [Desk thumping]
Hon. E. David Burt: That is how this budget helps the Smiths. But let's go on to Miss Jones. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, yes. Hon. E. David Burt: Because we heard about Mr. Smith, let's go to Miss Jones.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWe already heard about it. Hon. E. David Burt: Let's go and talk about this. We said that Miss Jones has no insurance and can't work. But this is exactly who our health care expansion targets. Exactly who it targets. We know that we have raised the financial assistance threshold. …
We already heard about it.
Hon. E. David Burt: Let's go and talk about this. We said that Miss Jones has no insurance and can't work. But this is exactly who our health care expansion targets. Exactly who it targets. We know that we have raised the financial assistance threshold. We know that we have raised the access for persons to have more access to prescription drugs. We know that we have done the matters related to caregivers. And when we talk about the matters related to Miss Smith and Miss Jones, the one thing that we said for those persons who are suffering inside of this society, Mr. Speaker, the one thing that you will never hear from this Government , is the cold and callous words that came from that side where they tell our people who are in need that money doesn't grow on trees. Because on this Government, our record, we invest in our people, and we have had a consistent record of investing. Let's talk about seniors, Mr. Speaker. Because I heard the Honourable Member from constituency 7 talk about seniors. We did not ignore the Tax Reform Commission recommendations. We funded the first waterfall to half of the amount because it is going to 1996 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly take time for implementation. But next year it will be funded fully. That will fund, just so we are clear, 2,200 seniors —2,200 seniors !
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhy not fund it fully? Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member wants to say, why not fund it fully? Because those are the choices we made. But here is the reality —2,200 more seniors will have access to FutureC are under this G overnment, Mr. Speaker. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. …
Why not fund it fully?
Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member wants to say, why not fund it fully? Because those are the choices we made. But here is the reality —2,200 more seniors will have access to FutureC are under this G overnment, Mr. Speaker. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: That is the reality. That is what we are delivering for the seniors in this country, Mr. Speaker. And while we are on that topic, Mr. Speaker, an $87 million investment in health care in this country, Mr. Speaker. The most significant health care investment to ensure that we deal with the matters of the hospital, to make sure that they have the adequate funding, to ensure that we put capital funding towards a step- down facility to make sure that it happens, while also expanding access, making sure that people have more preven-tative care, while also ensuring that we roll out and deliver universal health care, in addition to the fact of 2,200 seniors getting FutureC are access for free, Mr. Speaker. That is the record of this particular Government, Mr. Speaker. Now, I want to talk about health care a little bit more. Because health care is important. And we heard the former Premier and Honourable Member from constituency 12, MP Cannonier , said a whole lot. Now, let me just make it clear, okay? The first thing is, your math is not math ing. Because if you got up and gave a speech in December 2024, and then you got up today, 14 months later, it is not three years later. It is only 14 months later. Let's start there.
[Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: Number one, 14 months later. December 2024 to today is 14 months. I promise you, I can do that math. Number two, Mr. Speaker .— [Inaudible interjection] Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, it was in the November 2024 Throne Speech. So, I can talk about that, because it was what was part of the government.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOh-oh! Hon. E. David Burt: And, Mr. Speaker, it was in the election platform that this Government won in February of 2025. And, yes, it was in the Throne Speech of March 2025 as well. And the Throne Speech covers a legislative agenda. And it is the G overnment's full …
Oh-oh! Hon. E. David Burt: And, Mr. Speaker, it was in the election platform that this Government won in February of 2025. And, yes, it was in the Throne Speech of March 2025 as well. And the Throne Speech covers a legislative agenda. And it is the G overnment's full intention, as we said in the Throne Speech, to follow through the legislation.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt’s too late. Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member will say it's too late. But here's the thing. We will deal with the particular matters. But here's what I'm not going to do. Right? What I'm not going to do, Mr. Speaker, is recognise . . . the Honourable …
It’s too late.
Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member will say it's too late. But here's the thing. We will deal with the particular matters. But here's what I'm not going to do. Right? What I'm not going to do, Mr. Speaker, is recognise . . . the Honourable Member knows that when you are dealing with matters related to the private sector, you need to make sure that you get the legislation and the policy right, because the lawyers will come after and start trying to sue. And we want to make sure we get it right for Mr. and Mrs. Smith or for Mr. and Mrs. Jones, Mr. Speaker. And so that stands. But here is what happens, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Minister of Health spoke about this particular issue. For us, we must have fairness of access. And the policy that the government will make sure is rolled out will ensure fairness. Because, yes, the private sector can go ahead and make their deals. But what the private sector cannot do or should not be able to do is exclude persons from taking advantage of that same deal. So , if they go to a particular pharmacy and another pharmacy wants to compete on th ose same measures, then that pharmacy should not be precluded for doing so. And that is a policy matter that we will lay out. So, this is the way —
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, he had his time and I have mine, Mr. Speaker. Let me go on because I have three minutes and 30 seconds left.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTalk to the Chair. Talk this way. Talk this way. Hon. E. David Burt: Now let me continue, Mr. Speaker. Because on the issue of tax cuts, our record as a Government is clear. We cut taxes for working people. We cut taxes for working people.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoEverybody, across the board. Everybody. Hon. E. David Burt: Absolutely. And see, the Honourable Member says we cut tax for everyone. He knows and knows full well that when you adjust the marginal rates, if you make some adjustments, you will end up raising tax on certain people. And that …
Everybody, across the board. Everybody. Hon. E. David Burt: Absolutely. And see, the Honourable Member says we cut tax for everyone. He knows and knows full well that when you adjust the marginal rates, if you make some adjustments, you will end up raising tax on certain people. And that is not what we are trying to do. And so therefore, we wanted to make sure that we did not raise tax es on persons unless their policy is to raise taxes, especially. Okay, see, but the policy isn't to raise tax on persons. So, they cannot have their cake and eat it too, Mr. Speaker.
Bermuda House of Assembly We delivered a significant reduction in payroll taxes for middle class and working Bermudians. That is what this record is. And it is a significant tax cut targeted towards those in the middle, Mr. Speaker , also for employers. You cannot be a part of a Tax Reform Commission and not like the results of what they said. The Tax Reform Commission said we must reduce employer taxes, and that is what we are going to do.
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoI'm going to have to say this, Mr. Speaker. The Premier is intentionally misleading the House because the Premier knows that I resigned from the Tax Reform Commission halfway through. And I was not involved in the preparation or the signing of the final report. Hon. E. David Burt: He …
Dr. Douglas DeCoutoSo those recommendations are the recommendations of the C ommission members who created them and wrote their report . That did not include me. Hon. E. David Burt: Okay, so here is what we have, Mr. Speaker. So, what the One Bermuda Alliance is saying, we have a representative, we …
So those recommendations are the recommendations of the C ommission members who created them and wrote their report . That did not include me.
Hon. E. David Burt: Okay, so here is what we have, Mr. Speaker. So, what the One Bermuda Alliance is saying, we have a representative, we had a bipartisan committee, but we reject their advice. That's fine, if that is their position, then let that be their position. But that is not going to be our position, Mr. Speaker. Because we believe that when you put together a body of people, you should accept the recommendations if you ask them to do the work. And that is what we are doing on this side, Mr. Speaker, accepting those recommendations. Let me talk very briefly, before I finish, Mr. Speaker, on the matter related to education. Because I do not recognise the education system that these persons talk about, Mr. Speaker. I do not. Because I have two kids in public education who are having an incredible time. Yes, there are challenges in public education, just like there are challenges in private education. Yes, there are fights in public schools, just like there are fights in privat e schools. Yes, there are. We must care for all persons. But t his budget delivers even more funding towards education in this country. Making sure, yes, we are going to have to spend up to $20 million on each school to renovate them. But we will have the capacity to fund them because the choices that this Government made to give us the capacity to make those investments, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, let me try to close with my 45 seconds. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I have been doing quite a bit of travelling lately. And so, I will close my contributions (before I hand over to Minister Furbert to close out the debate) with a quote which has an inspiration from a place where I recently visited, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Mr. Speaker, the saying goes that , You're only as good as your last performance. The road may be long, but this Government, Mr. Speaker, rest assured, has endurance. This budget is not a dress rehearsal. It is the real thing. It will deliver for the people of this coun-try. And I am proud to ensure that we table this matter on behalf of this Progressive Labour Party G overnment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Desk thumping]
[Timer chimes]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Premier. Junior Minister, would you like to close out this debate that's been a few hours? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I must say that this has been a very interesting day. And I must say that I understand the positions that the …
Thank you, Premier. Junior Minister, would you like to close out this debate that's been a few hours? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I must say that this has been a very interesting day. And I must say that I understand the positions that the O pposition takes, because that is the role that many O ppositions have taken over the years. And so, Mr. Speaker, I'm not going to be long. I believe that the Premier and the Minister of Finance have clearly laid out what we have done over the last season to prepare for the budget. It hasn't been easy. Despite the situation that we find ourselves in as far as revenue. But , Mr. Speaker, the Premier will tell you that Ministers request much more, as you all will recall, or will know that. But it comes down to mak ing decisions from time to time. And the decisions that they came down to, I think, was a balanced decision made by the Premier. He's worked hard. T he team in F inance has worked hard to prepare what you have seen over the last, as far as what you read last week, and what we have debated today. Mr. Speaker, this G overnment has come a long way when it comes to the budget. Hon. E. David Burt: Yes. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: As you all recall, when we took over in 2017, the deficit was huge. The debt was huge, and we had to build from something.
1998 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTalk to the Chair, Junior Minister. Talk to the Chair. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, in 20 . . . let me read this. [Crosstalk] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I have to get my glasses on . And I said I wasn't going to speak long, but since the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou don’t have to speak long, just speak to the Chair, that’s all. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —just brought it to my attention. In 2013, the deficit was $299 million. Hon. E. David Burt: Tell them again. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: In 2013/ 14, under the OBA Government, it was …
You don’t have to speak long, just speak to the Chair, that’s all. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —just brought it to my attention. In 2013, the deficit was $299 million. Hon. E. David Burt: Tell them again.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: In 2013/ 14, under the OBA Government, it was $299 million. In 2014/ 15, it went to $265 million in deficit.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat happened in 2012? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: In 2012? I don't mind telling you what happen ed in 2012. In 2012, it was $225 [million], but it was a mixture of both governments, by the way, at that time. When we took over in 2017, it was a mixture …
What happened in 2012?
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: In 2012? I don't mind telling you what happen ed in 2012. In 2012, it was $225 [million], but it was a mixture of both governments, by the way, at that time. When we took over in 2017, it was a mixture of, could we serve? I think we came in, I can't remember what year —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberJuly. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —what month we came in. In July. So that was pretty well most of the budget that we inherited. We took it to $70 million deficit.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAah! Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: And then in 2019, it was $32 million deficit. But something happened in 2020 . We all know what went wrong in 2020. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: No, we had COVID -19. We had COVID -19. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: We …
Aah! Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: And then in 2019, it was $32 million deficit. But something happened in 2020 . We all know what went wrong in 2020. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: No, we had COVID -19. We had COVID -19.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: We had COVID -19. And so, the Government came to the aid of many people who needed help at that time. And so, the deficit went up to $100 [million] . . . sorry, yes, $ 184 [million] . But then we went back, lower to $ 66 million, lower to $27 million deficit, $29 million deficit. And then in 2024, first surplus of $29 million. And then $153 million. And yes, I agree with [MP, Dr.] Emilygail Dill, we were blessed.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, we were.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: We were blessed. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: We were blessed to have $472 million in this budget. And it is not what you see, it is what you do with it. We made some wise decisions. And, Mr. Speaker, I believe that as time goes on, as the Premier and the Minister of Finance is aware, times change, finances change. And sometimes Ministers receive other supplementaries coming out throughout the year. And we will see how things go. But Mr. Speaker, we have done some great things. And we can say, I heard the Honourable Members say that we haven't done anything for the people in this country.
Hon. E. David Burt: What nonsense! Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: It's clearly . . . It is clearly what we have done. Over from 2017, from 2017—
[Inaudible interjections and crosstalk ]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —to 2018 . . . sorry, 2017 to 2026, those who w ere making under $36,000, they had a cumulative saving of $9.9 thousand.
Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, tell them.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: If you w ere making $48,000, you had a cumulative of $13,000.
Hon. E. David Burt: It’s called “targeted.”
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: And $60,000—$ 10,000 in savings. And as you got up, as you moved up to the bracket of my good friend, Mr. Pearman, you made less. The savings was less. So, we did take care of those who were in the lower bracket. Even in this tax bracket, those who were making, I believe, over $125,000, I think the savings is about $60,000 [sic] . . . sixty dollars . . . $60. But those who were making less it was much higher, $ 60 . . . I can't remember the exact number. But the number was much higher. So those who . . . we did take care of those who were in a much less [fortunate] position.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker —
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Yes, you can just talk to me and wrap it up. It'd be nice.
[Laughter]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTake direction from the Chair. [Laughter] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Let me tell you one thing, Mr. Speaker, and most M embers are not aware of this. That what happens is that because the interest payment and the revenue have risen, when you talk about the interest payment as a …
Take direction from the Chair. [Laughter]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Let me tell you one thing, Mr. Speaker, and most M embers are not aware of this. That what happens is that because the interest payment and the revenue have risen, when you talk about the interest payment as a percentage of revenue, and this is where S&Ps and all those rating agencies look at. We have now gone from roughly 12 per cent interest payment as a percentage of revenue, down to 8 per cent in 2025. This year will be 6 per cent , and next year, if everything goes according to plan, it will be 5 per cent or even 4 per cent .
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Tell them. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: This is [what] the rating agency takes a look at. So , we have improved it. We have made a significant improvement for the country. Mr. Speaker, we have moved from pandemic uncertainty to real fiscal strength. We are not just managing the …
Yes. Tell them.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: This is [what] the rating agency takes a look at. So , we have improved it. We have made a significant improvement for the country. Mr. Speaker, we have moved from pandemic uncertainty to real fiscal strength. We are not just managing the present. We are building the foundation of a fairer, more stable, and affordable Bermuda. Hon. E. David Burt: Just like our platform said.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: That is the direction that this Government will be heading in. And I would like to particularly thank the Premier, and particularly the Minister of Finance, which I have worked with over the many years in that Ministry to make some things happen. And Mr. Speaker, the country is better off because this Premier and Minister of Finance kept us all on our toes. So, Mr. Speaker, in those few words, I will move—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, go ahead and move us. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —because i t is 12:00 am , it's 15 minutes past 12:00 am , and I have got to make church at 11:00 am . I know none of you will be there. [Laughter] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, …
Yes, go ahead and move us.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —because i t is 12:00 am , it's 15 minutes past 12:00 am , and I have got to make church at 11:00 am . I know none of you will be there.
[Laughter]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now resolve into C ommittee of Supply to consider the E stimates of R evenue and E xpenditure for 2026 /27.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. No objections to that? None? Good. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDeputy, can you take the C hair so we can move into C ommittee and then come back and close the H ouse out? Thank you. [Crosstalk and laughter ]
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoAnd I couldn't get down the steps fast enough in my heels. [Crosstalk and laughter]
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoIt was. I know. Well, the public needs to know that we can have a joke sometimes. House in Committee at 12:16 am [Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo, Chairman] COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY ESTIMATES OF REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR 202 6/27
The ChairmanChairmanGood evening . . . good night . . . good morning. Good morning, M embers. [Laughter] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Madam Chair man—
The ChairmanChairmanMembers, yes, we are now in C ommittee of Supply for the year 2026 /27, and I call on the Junior Minister of Finance. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Madam Chair man, I now move Head 87, Ministry of Justice Headquarters ; Head 3, Judicial Department ; Attorney General's Chambers, which …
Members, yes, we are now in C ommittee of Supply for the year 2026 /27, and I call on the Junior Minister of Finance. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Madam Chair man, I now move Head 87, Ministry of Justice Headquarters ; Head 3, Judicial Department ; Attorney General's Chambers, which is Head 4; Head 25, Department of Corrections ; Head 74, Department of Court Services ; and Head 75, Department of Public Prosecutions.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that we consider Heads 87, 3, 4, 25, 74, and 75 under the Ministry of Justice. Are there any objections to that? 2000 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly There are none. Thank you. Go ahead. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Madam Chair …
It has been moved that we consider Heads 87, 3, 4, 25, 74, and 75 under the Ministry of Justice. Are there any objections to that? 2000 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly There are none. Thank you. Go ahead.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Madam Chair man, I move that the C ommittee rise , report progress and ask for leave to sit again Monday, March 2, 2026.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the C ommittee rise and report progress until Monday, March 2, 2026. Are there any objections to that?
The ChairmanChairmanThere are none. So, moved . [Gavel] [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
The ChairmanChairmanYes. [Motion carried: The Committee of Supply agreed to rise and report progress and sought leave to sit again.] House resumed at 12:18 am [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPut it up, put it up. Leave it up. [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections to the House rising and report ing progress? No. Premier . Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that this Honourable House do now adjourn until Monday, March— [Inaudible interjections] Hon. E. David Burt: Do you have a B ill to …
Are there any objections to the House rising and report ing progress? No. Premier .
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that this Honourable House do now adjourn until Monday, March— [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. E. David Burt: Do you have a B ill to introduce?
[Crosstalk]
Hon. E. David Burt: You didn't introduce that already?
[Crosstalk ]
ADJOURNMENT Hon. E. David Burt: Sorry, Mr. Speaker, I move that this Honourable House do now adjourn until Monday, March 2, at 10:00 am.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd I am certain no Member wishes to speak to that, so I am going to rise and close out the House. Some Hon. Member s: Wait a minute!
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI am going to close the House out. Members, the House now . . . as we are all on our feet, I want to thank you for the participation in today's debate. It was a long debate, so I am sure all of you, like me, are anxious to …
I am going to close the House out. Members, the House now . . . as we are all on our feet, I want to thank you for the participation in today's debate. It was a long debate, so I am sure all of you, like me, are anxious to get out of here this evening, so I thank you for your participation. Get some rest, and we will start this all over again at ten o'clock on Monday morning. [Gavel]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe House now stands adjourned. [At 12:19 am (28 February 2026) , the House stood adjourned until 10:00 am, Monday, 2 March 2026.]