The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning, Members. Welcome back. [Gavel]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNow, Members, this morning we are going to have the session begin with the new Members, who were duly elected yesterday, being appointed to their respective seats in the House. And we are going to ask whoever is going to escort the two new Members into the House to do …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning. Now, do you understand this process? You have the choice of an oath or an affirmation. It is your call. You will take the oath? Okay. You will take the oath. Y ou will read out both, and then you will sign the paperwork afterwards. So, both read. …
Good morning. Now, do you understand this process? You have the choice of an oath or an affirmation. It is your call. You will take the oath? Okay. You will take the oath. Y ou will read out both, and then you will sign the paperwork afterwards. So, both read. And the micr ophone is on. So, just clearly . . . speak clearly into the microphone .
OATH OR AFFIRMATION OF NEW ME MBER S
OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN
Mr. Curtis Dickinson
Mr. Curtis DickinsonI, being a Member of this pr esent [Assembly] , do swear by Almighty God to use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without any respect to private interest, gain or advantage, striving to discharge a good conscience i n all equity and integrity during my …
Mr. Curtis Dickinson
Mr. Curtis DickinsonI do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Eliz abeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. For the radio listeners, that was the swearingin of the new Member from constituency 25, Mr. Curtis Dickinson. Welcome. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd, similarly, you will read both.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThis one first, and then you will do your signing as well. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN
Mr. Scott Pearman
Mr. Scott PearmanI, being a Member of this present Assembly, do swear by Almighty God to use and em-ploy my best endeavour therein for the general good without any respect to private interest, gain or advantage, striving to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during my continuance therein. OATH …
Mr. Scott Pearman
Mr. Scott PearmanI do swear that I wil l be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Eliz abeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd again, for the listening radio audience, you just witnessed the swearing- in of the new Member from constituency 22, Mr. Scott Pea rman. Welcome. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNow we will proceed with the normal order of business. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES [Minutes of 1 June 2018]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, the Minutes from the sitting of the 1st of June 2018 have been circulated. Are there any amendments or corrections r equired? 2240 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly No amendments; the Minutes stand approved as printed. [Minutes of 1 June 2018 confirmed] MESSAGES FROM …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING PREMIER’S QUESTION PERIOD
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, I have two sets of announcements this morning. First, to inform the House that the Premier’s Question Period, which was an addition to the Stan ding Orders which was done by the Standing Orders Committee and approved by this House earlier in the session, will now start in July. …
Yes, I have two sets of announcements this morning. First, to inform the House that the Premier’s Question Period, which was an addition to the Stan ding Orders which was done by the Standing Orders Committee and approved by this House earlier in the session, will now start in July. As you know, the Standing Order has approved that at the second si tting of each month, there will be a Premier’s Question Period attached to the Question [Period] . So, that will start th e second Friday in the month of July.
APOLOGIES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAlso, we received notification that two Members are absent today. And those two Members are the Honourable MP Commissiong and the Hon-ourable MP Tyrrell. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI believe we have a communication this morning from the Honourable Premier. Premier, you have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning to you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning. GOVERNMENT FEES AMENDMENT (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 2018 Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, with the Governor’s recommendation and in accordance with section 36(3) of the Bermuda Constitution, I have the honour to attach and submit for t he consideration of the Honour able House of Assembly the Government …
Good morning.
GOVERNMENT FEES AMENDMENT (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 2018
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, with the Governor’s recommendation and in accordance with section 36(3) of the Bermuda Constitution, I have the honour to attach and submit for t he consideration of the Honour able House of Assembly the Government Fees Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2018, proposed to be made by the Minister of Finance under the provisions of section 2 of the Government Fees Act 1965.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Premier. PETITIONS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe have a series of Statements down this morning. The first is in the name of the Honour able Premier. Premier, would you like to read your Stat ement? EUROPEAN UNION LIST OF NON- COOPERATIVE JURISDICTIONS UPDATE Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased …
We have a series of Statements down this morning. The first is in the name of the Honour able Premier. Premier, would you like to read your Stat ement?
EUROPEAN UNION LIST OF NON- COOPERATIVE JURISDICTIONS UPDATE
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to update Honourable Members on the EU list of non- cooperative juri sdictions in taxation matters. Mr. Speaker, subsequent to the 5th of December 2017 European Council’s published conclusions containing an EU list of non- cooperative jurisdictions in taxation matters, the European Council has revised the list several times to date. Countries have been added and deleted from the Eu ropean Union’s list, in most cases based on their commitment letter or a lack thereof. Mr. Speaker, Bermuda’s commitment letter was sufficiently clear, and, therefore, we were not e ntered on the list of non- cooperative jurisdictions by the European Counci l. Honourable Members will recall that, on D ecember 5 th, 2017, based on similar commitment letters from the UK Crown Dependencies and other UK Overseas Territories, no UK Crown Dependencies or UK Overseas Territories were listed and have not been listed t o date. Mr. Speaker, numerous commitment letters, including Bermuda’s, are now posted on the European Council’s website. Ours is one of 40 countries similarly available for review. Mr. Speaker, for the convenience of Honour able Members, a copy of Bermuda’s commitment letter that appears on the European Council’s website will be provided to Honourable Members. Mr. Speaker, Bermuda, along with other low - or no-income tax jurisdictions , are in dialogue with the EU Code of Conduct Group regarding Business Ta xation, and the European Commission, both of whom are assisting the European Council to manage its list of non- cooperative jurisdictions.
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, under the Europ ean Council assessment criteria is crit erion 2.2., which refers to low- and no-income tax jurisdictions. Criterion 2.1 r efers to income tax jurisdictions. The European Council is currently considering finalis ing the detail for criterion 2.2 to then convey to all criterion 2.2 jurisdictions on a level playing field basis. Mr. Speaker, there is no room for negotiation of special treatment, carveouts , or exemptions on a per -jurisdiction basis, as the European Council is adhering to the level playing field approach in finalis ing the detail for criterion 2.2. Mr. Speaker, therefore, Bermuda, similar to the other UK Crown Dependencies and Overseas Territories , in addition to assisting the E uropean Union officials to understand our respective jurisdictions , is also in consultation with Her Majesty’s Government. Additionally, sovereign jurisdictions im pacted by the European Union’s criteria are also engaging in a sim ilar process through the diplomatic avenues they have in place for themselves. Mr. Speaker, it is anticipated that the European Council may provide another update by the end of this month, and we will provide a further update to Honour able Members as necessary. I wish to advise this Honourable House and the public that we keep a regular “watching brief ” on these matters , and Berm uda can be assured that at every turn we are prepared to meet t he issues that may arise. Mr. Speaker, earlier this week I met with the Honourable Opposition Leader and provided a full briefing on this matter. This is the second meeting I have had with the Opposition to ensure that they are fully briefed on this very important subject . Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank members of the Insurance Advisory Committee, and also stakeholders from the local and international business community , who are serving as an ad hoc advisory committee on this important issue. These two committees have provided valued advice and support during these past months and continue to do so. As soon as the European Union has produced the doc uments which our legislative amendments will be r equired to meet by December 31st, 2018, we will e ngage in industry -wide consultation on the next steps for Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Mr. Premier. I believe the next Statement we have on the Order Paper is in the name of the Deputy Premier. Honourable Minister, y ou have the floor. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT AT THE L. F. WADE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, …
Thank you, Mr. Premier. I believe the next Statement we have on the Order Paper is in the name of the Deputy Premier. Honourable Minister, y ou have the floor.
SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT AT THE L. F. WADE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Monday, June the 4th, was a historic day for Bermuda in that it marked the signing of agreements for Bermuda’ s first utility -scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installation, at the peninsula adjacent to the L. F. Wade International Airport known as the Fi nger. It is important at this time to give a bit more detail about the history of the project, the process we have taken, and the benefits to Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, this project was first introduced in 2010, by the previous PLP Administration, when the land was separated from the airport lands to ensure that it would remain in the portfolio of government lands and used as a resource for the benefit of all of Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, it is important to this Gover nment and this Ministry that we make every effort to be transparent, particularly with any project of this nature. As such, we wanted to be clear on the process taken to get us to this point. First and foremost, this project is wholly independent of the airport redevelopment. It will not supply electricity to the airport , but rather to the ratepayers of Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, it is also worth noting that this land i s not being “ signed over ” or “given away .” The process used to identify the successful developer was long and rigorous. Advice was sought from an independent consultant, Castalia Advisors, because this was the first project of its kind in Bermuda and it si mply had to be procured smoothly, transparently , and inclusively. All parts of the project were examined, from connection point , to the grid, to commercial structure, to environmental concerns. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to say that the project governance has been exemplary. Since the inception of the project, a steering committee, which inclu ded the Permanent Secretaries of Public Works, Ec onomic Development , and Tourism and Transport, as well as the Financial Secretary, have overseen the procurement process , underscoring our objective of transparency. It was decided early on, Mr. Speaker , that this project would be a “Build, Own, Operate” model, where the independent developer would build the s olar farm, own the asset , and be responsible for operating it throughout the life of the contract. The developer is, effectively , a tenant on the land and will be paying rent, which has been determined to be $5,000 per acre per annum. This amount will be enough, over the lifespan of the development, to offset the cost of clearing the development area and trimming back veget ation for the developers to begin work. The lifespan of this project is just shy of 20 years. Mr. Speaker, the procurement process itself was in two steps, and we are pleased to note that it attracte d positive international attention. The first stage was the Request for Qualifications, or RFQ. This s tage set the bar for developers and required a healthy balance sheet with experience with projects of this size in the past and a successful track record of operating them. Mr. Speaker, Bermudians who wished to participate were encouraged do so in the form of a consortium with larger overseas firms who had the requisite level of financial capacity and experience. 2242 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly There were 28 responses to the RFQ, and 18 w ere eligible to move on to the next stage of the process. Of those 18, a third were consortia with Bermudian entities. The RFQ criteria were all pass -fail; there was no creativity requested or required, meaning that the final selection in the next stage wo uld be selecting the best of the best. Mr. Speaker, the next stage of the procur ement was the Request for P roposals, for which there were nine bids received . Seven of those were fully compliant, and six were from Bermudian consortia. Rather than have a number of bid factors that can conflict with one another, the deciding elements were kept quite narrow. For instance, the local labour content was set at 40 per cent , and the specifications for design were carefully prescribed, from the installed capacity (6 megawatts) to the wind loading. In the end, once the bids were determined to be compliant with those specifications, the only factor that mattered was price. Mr. Speaker, we were pleased to announce on Monday that Saturn Solar Bermuda 1 was the lowest qualified bidder and co nfirmed as the developer, bringing in energy to the grid at a price of 10.3 [ cents ] per kilowatt hour. Mr. Speaker, this solar project was specified without storage capacity, as it was not, at that point, economically efficient. Without storage, solar energy only offsets fuel use, as BELCO still needs to maintain the ability to make up for intermittency caused by events like momentary cloud cover. Therefore, the price for solar had to be l ess than the avoided fuel cost—and this price w as. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the solar farm will generate clean energy at a savings, and thus it will be proven that renewable energy makes good economic sense for Bermuda. Because of this project, a small part of every ratepayer ’s bill will be stable for the next 20 years and not subject to the volatility that plagues fossil fuels. Some of our energy will be clean and sustainable. Mr. Speaker, the expectation is that the pr oject will begin construction in the late summer or early fall, and it should be opera tional in the first quarter of 2019. This development will provide employment for local contractors, continued employment for the staff required to operate and maintain the plant, a stable pricing for part of our electricity, and the “ proof of concept” for renewable energy in Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, this solar farm will bring about $20 million of inward investment to Bermuda in the actual asset itself. It will also mean that upwards of $20 million will be retained within the Bermudian economy over the lifetim e of the project, which is money that would have been sent off - Island to purchase foreign oil. Mr. Speaker, the Government of Bermuda considers it important that Bermudians should be able to invest in renewable energy projects such as this. Accordingly, I can confirm that the principals of Saturn Solar Bermuda 1 have met with the Ministry of F i-nance and are currently pursuing options to find ways in which Bermudians can invest in this development. We are confident, Mr. Speaker, that this will not be the l ast project of its kind. The Department of Energy has already begun to identify other potential development areas on the government lands and buildings for more opportunities like this to be opened to Bermudian developers. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I am particularly pleased with the fulfilment of a sustainable agenda with this project . It fulfils all of the goals of a sustainable project in providing social, economic, and env ironmental benefit. We are pleased to be working with Saturn Solar Bermuda 1, and w e will work towards more clean, renewable energy for the benefit of all of Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Deputy. I understand that you have a second Stat ement. Would you like to do that Statement at this point? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue. SMART METERS Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, we have heard a great deal about smart meters, so I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to me mbers of the public and thi s House and try to ease some of their concerns by …
Continue.
SMART METERS
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, we have heard a great deal about smart meters, so I wanted to take this opportunity to reach out to me mbers of the public and thi s House and try to ease some of their concerns by providing factual information. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by reaffir ming to the public that we are listening and we do care. One of the words associated with smart meters is “radiation ,” a word that can inspire fear. Radiation brings to mind images of Fukushima, Chernobyl, Three Mile Island. In actual fact, visible light from light fixtures is a kind of radiation, as is heat or radio waves. There are different types of radiation, and that which is dangerous is the radiation that can cause changes in human cells at the molecular level, thus prompting health concerns. That dangerous radiation is called “ionising radiation, ” and some examples are x-rays, gamma rays, and r adiation from nuclear waste. The radiation emitted from smart meters has no ability to alter m olecular structure at all. I want to repeat that sentence: The radiation emitted from smart met ers has no ability to alter m olecular structures at all. It is well within t he range of emissions known as “non-ionising radiation. ” The non- ionising radiation that comes from smart meters is of a much lower [energy ] level when compared with the radiation emitted from our cell phones or Wi - Fi.
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, smart meters were actually co ntemplated as lo ng ago as 2011, with the Energy White Paper.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Section 3.2.1 of that p aper discusses the goals of smart meter ing, one of which is to enable customers to have an improved ability to control their energy consumption by accessing more detailed and timely information. Armed with real -time information, customers are [better …
Yes. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Section 3.2.1 of that p aper discusses the goals of smart meter ing, one of which is to enable customers to have an improved ability to control their energy consumption by accessing more detailed and timely information. Armed with real -time information, customers are [better ] able to understand what behaviours and equipment uses result in higher consumption, thereby allowing them to make different choices, or at least more informed choices, about their energy use. Mr. Speaker, smart meter ing is a technology that will benefit Bermuda, and BELCO will be pub-lishing additional information in the upcoming weeks about the specifics of the smart , or advanced, metering system here on Island. Mr. Speaker, we recognis e the concerns of the public, and so we urge any member of the public with a particular concern to report that matter to the Regulatory Authority (RA) of Bermuda, whose function it is to monitor and survey, when necessar y, equi pment being imported and used in Bermuda in connection with a regulated industry. Mr. Speaker, we will have learned from the RA’s recent press release that the smart meters being used by BELCO comply with strict specifications such as those set by the Federal Communications Commission [FCC] of the United States , and that the RA has approved the use of radio frequency spectrum for the smart meters to transmit data. What the public may not realis e, Mr. Speaker, is that data transmi ssion from these new meters amounts to less than one second in the course of an entire day —one second. Mr. Speaker, although the RA has already spot-checked the smart met ers currently in use, it is carrying out additional “ maximum permissible exposure” testing this month to ensure continued compl iance with approved FCC standards. The RA will r elease its findings t o the public within the next 10 days. We ask that the public await the results of the RA’s further testing. Mr. Speaker, in the meantime, we want the public to know that we are here, we are listening, and we do care about public health and Bermuda’s con-cerns. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. The next Statements we have on the Order Paper this morning are from the Minister of National Securi ty. Minister, would you like to do your first Stat ement? Hon. Wayne Caines: If it pleases you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue. THE BERMUDA CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY Hon. Wayne Caines: Thank you, sir. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise this Honourab le House with reference to Government’s pr ogress in the area of cybersecurity . Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that Bermuda is working hard to solidify its place in …
Continue.
THE BERMUDA CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY
Hon. Wayne Caines: Thank you, sir. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to advise this Honourab le House with reference to Government’s pr ogress in the area of cybersecurity . Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that Bermuda is working hard to solidify its place in the global innov ation space. The Government’s recent announcements have made it clear that Be rmuda is well on its way to being the epicentre for the global FinTech ecosystem. We have also made it clear that, as a leading FinTech jurisdiction, we cannot properly lead without a strong technology education infrastructure. Bermuda has indeed secured commitments to build such an infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, a leading FinTech jurisdiction also cannot properly lead without a robust cybersec urity posture, which underpins all efforts in the technol-ogy and innovation space. And Mr. Speaker, Berm uda, once a gain, is making firm strides toward leveraging industry -leading standards. We are developing the bespoke tools that will help us meet the 2017 Throne Speech, and the pledge was to in clude the development of a national cybersecurity strategy . Cybersec urity is a priority for the G overnment because of Bermuda’s undeniable progress towards achieving this ambition in the FinTech space. Another reason why cybersecurity is so i mportant is simply because the Island is home to the world ’s leading financial and reinsurance sectors, and because its organisations are entrusted with highly valuable information. Safeguarding that information and the systems that hold it, and securing our critical national infrastructure, is vital to Bermuda’s reputation as an internation ally trusted blue-chip jurisdiction. Having a robust cybersecurity strategy not only supports FinTech, but it also supports a key com-ponent of our national strategy in disaster management, ensuring our position as a premier jurisdiction in risk management. Mr. Speaker, to craft a solid cybersecurity strategy, Bermuda is working with the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, or CTO. The CTO has extensive in- depth experience working with numerous countries, and specifically with their gover nments, mi nistries, regulatory authorities, and private sector stakeholders on national cybersecurity strat egies, regulatory frameworks, regulatory and oper ational capacity -building, and much more. The CTO is a valuable partner in the exercise that Bermuda is undertaking and is adding much benefit to the process. The CTO came to Bermuda in March of this year, Mr. Speaker, to assist the Department of ICT Policy and Innovation [IPI] and the Cybersecurity Working Group. They conducted consultation wor kshops with a number of individuals and entities who 2244 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly are active in, and frequently leading, the local sector of information and communications technologies, especially organisations considered to be an integral part of Bermuda’s critical national infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, during that phase, IPI and the stakeholders that I previously mentioned evaluated Bermuda’s current cybersecurity posture and ident ified relevant gaps, challenges, and opportunities rel ative to cybersecurity. This was a critical component of the strategic planning and the facilitation process, which resulted in the production of a cyber maturity assessment report. The cyber maturity assessment report, in combination with the work of the Cybersec urity Working Group, provided the framework for Bermuda’s dr aft cybersecurity strategy. Mr. Speaker, after more extensive consult ation led by IPI and the Cybersecurity Working Group, the draft Bermuda Cybersecurity Strategy has been enhanced to accurately reflect the needs and aspir ations of this jurisdiction. The CTO is now back on Island to conduct a validation exercise of the key components of the Ber-muda strategy. This week, several stakeholder wor kshop sessions have taken place. The process has ensured that the strategy is robust and takes into consideration the Island’s unique strengths and ambitions. Mr. Speaker, this is not the end of the pr ocess. Because of the primordial importance of the exercise, and because a solid cybersecurity strategy is meant to underpin the country’s strides forward, we are worki ng to ensure that all of the stakeholders who wish to be involved in this Island- wide effort have their say. A consultation survey will, therefore, be put out for public consideration. It will be available electronically, and input can be provided via the survey tool. An email can be sent to cybersecurity@gov.bm , or physical submissions can be made to the Department of ICT Policy and Innovation on the third floor in the Government Administration Building. The draft strat egy will be finalised as it takes into consideration the input received. In closing, Mr. Speaker, cybersecurity is an imperative for our jurisdictional reputation and our well-being. We are committed to delivering a compr ehensive plan which addresses the risks in this connected world. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. I understand you have a second Statement. Hon. Wayne Caines: With your leave, I would like to proceed, sir.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue. Yes. HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS Hon. Wayne Caines: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I would like to rise and remind the Honourable Members of this House and the listening public that hurricane season runs each year from June 1st until November 30th. On May 25th, of this year, before …
Continue. Yes.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
Hon. Wayne Caines: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again I would like to rise and remind the Honourable Members of this House and the listening public that hurricane season runs each year from June 1st until November 30th. On May 25th, of this year, before the season had officially started, Mr. Speaker, we saw the first named tropical cyclone of the year, Tropical Storm Alberto. Mr. Speaker, whilst Bermuda was spared the impacts from any tropical storm during the 2017 hurr icane season, the season observed 17 named storms, [10] hurricanes and 6 major hurricanes, which included records that were set for maximum rainfall of 60 inches from Hurricane Harvey; max imum sustained winds from Hurricane Irma, at 180 miles per hour; the longest -lived Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Irma, at 3.25 days; and the first time two Category 4 hurr icanes made landfall in the same year —Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. This yea r, Mr. Speaker, forecasters are pr edicting that storms will be stronger and wetter going forward for the 2018 hurricane season. The first pr edictions have been issued, and all agencies are pr edicting a slightly above- average year, with 13 named storms, 7 of which will become hurricanes and 3 of which are predicted to escalate into major hurricanes. We must always remember that it takes only one hurricane to make it a busy year. The Emergency Measures Organisation will hold an executive meeting at 10:00 am on this coming Thursday, June 14 th, to discuss the Island’s plans for readiness for this hurricane season. Mr. Speaker, as the risk capital of the world, it is important that Bermuda is ready for hurricane se ason. To this end, the Government remains commi tted to establishing a Department of Disaster Management, which will fall under the Ministry of National S ecurity. This new department is being created to ident ify and manage the threats and hazards that Bermuda faces, including, but not limited to, hurric anes and other weather -related events, cybersecurity, air crashes, cruise ship incidents, oil spills, and any other risks that Bermuda might face. Mr. Speaker, new legislation will soon be drafted that will codify the remit, authority, and composition of the Emergency Measures Organisation, and will set the governance framework for Bermuda’s Department of Disaster Management. In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, this Gover nment is being dynamic by utilising existing staff to put a greater focus on disaster risk management and on the development of comprehensive disaster plans across all threats and hazards. Mr. Speaker, I wish to close by reminding the public that it is now the time to get prepared for hurr icane season. As we begin the new summer season, remember to check and restock all of your hurricane supplies so that we will not be caught out, in the event of a hurricane. Bermuda has been blessed in previous hurricane seasons. Mr. Speaker, in the past we have
Bermuda House of Assembly mostly been spared. But Mr. Speaker, we must continue to be prepared. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. The remaining Statements are in the name of the Minister of Education. Minister, would you like to take the floor? STEAM EDUCATION IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning, colleagues. And a special good morning to the new …
Thank you, Minister. The remaining Statements are in the name of the Minister of Education. Minister, would you like to take the floor?
STEAM EDUCATION IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning, colleagues. And a special good morning to the new Members of this Honourable House. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this morning to provide the Honourable House with a high- level plan on the implementation of STEAM education, [also] known as Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics, at the primary level in the Bermuda Public School System. Mr. Speaker, let me first share that STEAM education is defined as an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking. This methodology facilitates a learning environment where students take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem -solving, embrace collab oration, and work through the creative processes. Mr. Speaker, STEAM education is an a pproach that shifts teachers away from the typical teacher -centred classroom learning environment into collaborative project work and creative problem - solving with students. Research shows that engaging children in learning of both novelty and discovery pos itively impacts their behaviour and causes them to ex-ercise self -control and to self -regulate. Mr. Speaker, the implementation of STEAM education aligns with the Education Department’s Strategic Plan for public school education and directly supports four of the five Strategic Priorities in Plan 2022, namely, (1) Increasing Academic Rigour and Student Engagement; (2) Ensuring Career, College, and Workforce Readiness; (3) Enhancing the Quality of Teacher Practice and System Leadership; and f inally, (4) Improving Infrastructure and Instructional Resources. In support of the Government’s mid- term platform promise “to provi de exposure to STEAM educ ation at the primary school level,” the Department of Education undertook research that identified the “ Engineering is Elementary ” (EiE) curriculum, a science component of STEAM education, as the best fit for primary school student s. The Engineering is Elementary curriculum was selected because the curriculum is universally designed to meet the needs of all lear ners. Students move step -by-step through a goal - directed problem -solving process. This curriculum is also aligned with the Cambridge International Science Curriculum. Mr. Speaker, the implementation of STEAM education at the primary school level will add to what has already started at the middle and senior school levels with STEM 101. The STEAM EiE curriculum will enable students to have an exciting hands -on approach to learning. Students’ experiences show that they learn how to blend the mind of a scientist and technology expert with that of an artist or designer. Mr. Speaker, during this, the 2017/18 school term, a pilot of the STEAM Engineering is Elementary , or EiE, curriculum was undertaken in four primary schools —West Pembroke, Paget, Northlands, and Prospect Primary. Implementation is being monitored by education officers, and at the end of the school year, officers wil l report out to principals about the progress with the programme. Mr. Speaker, classroom observations conducted thus far reveal that students are excited to e ngage in the engineering challenges, problem solve, learn about different engineer roles in today ’s world, learn terminology in different languages, and think like an engineer. Mr. Speaker, in the longer term, the impl ementation of the EiE curriculum for all primary schools will be structured in three phases, and operational plans will be developed at each phase for execution. The first phase, which extends the 2018/19 school year, commences in September 2018 and will include the four schools currently participating in the pilot, plus two additional primary schools. These primary schools will receive a dditional differentiated instructional su pport and professional development training in July and again in September. The Education Department’s technical officers —that is, the Gifted and Talented Education Officer, the Acting Director of Curriculum and Ass essment, and the Director of Academics –– will guide and support the primary school teachers during the implementation of the EiE curriculum. They will also monitor and evaluate the EiE programme on a bi-weekly basis. Mr. Speaker, phase 2 of the STEAM impl ementation will begin in September 2019, with six more primary schools receiving differentiated and integrated instructional supports, and professional development and training in June and September 2019. Increased primary school implementation of the EiE curriculum will be applied where schools choose and integrate units of their choice. Lastly, phase 3 will follow the same implementation plan during the 2020/21 school year, with the remaining six primary schools receiving professional development training and the instructio nal resources for implementation. At phase 3, all 18 primary schools will be fully engaged with STEAM curricula, using the EiE application. Mr. Speaker, the annual cost of implementing each phase is estimated at $125,000. This includes the cost of the EiE resource kits for each school, initial 2246 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly training for teachers, and ongoing professional development for teachers during the course of each school year, which will ensure fidelity in delivering the STEAM programme. Professional development se ssions will be facilitated by EiE representatives using a train-the-trainer model. The focus will be the deve lopmental stages of lower and upper primary students and will afford teachers the opportunity to facilitate STEAM pedagogy constructs for Contextual Learning and Problem Solving, Collaborative Learning and Teamwork, and Project -based Learning. Mr. Speaker, the success and sustainability of STEAM education at the primary school level will be supported by a consistent commitment of economic, envir onmental, and social partnerships with stak eholders. This Government has pledged to making education a priority and will ensure the Department of Education has the necessary resources to develop a culture that steers the success of each student. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. You can continue on for your second Stat ement. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: If it pleases you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGo right ahead. TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND FINTECH DEVELOP MENT Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this morning to provide this Honourable House an update on the opportunities to be provided to our fellow Bermudians in the areas of FinTech development and regulatory compliance. …
Go right ahead.
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND FINTECH DEVELOP MENT Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, I am pleased this morning to provide this Honourable House an update on the opportunities to be provided to our fellow Bermudians in the areas of FinTech development and regulatory compliance. By now, my honour able colleagues will be aware of the Government’s mov ements in the FinTech space and the signing of several MOUs with companies that are committed to investing in Bermuda and her people. Mr. Speaker, as Bermuda becomes the first country in the world to have passed regulatory legisl ation aimed at blockchain technologies, it is critically important to have a Bermudian workforce that is trained and certified in FinTech development and regulatory compliance. Hence, you will notice that a core theme in each MOU is the training of Bermudians in blockchain technology and regulatory compliance. Mr. Speaker, as this area of blockchain tec hnology is an emerging one, it is critical that we get the training opportunities right. There is a working group, consisting of representatives from the Department of Workforce Development, Bermuda College, the Mini stry of National Security, and industry partners, that has been charged with establishing training opportun ities for Bermudians wishing to enter this new sector of our economy. Mr. Speaker, discussions have already begun with various companies who have signed MOUs to establish their training needs, and representatives from one of the organisations will be on Island next week for further talks. Other companies will also be visiting the Island to discuss their training needs over the next few weeks. Mr. Speaker, these data will be used to determine what training courses will be offered locally, through face- to-face and online instruction. The idea is to provide training opportunities that will cover a wide cross section of our community, from high school students to professionals looking for potential career changes. Mr. Speaker, discussions are also underway with training providers who offer blockchain and compliance tr aining to develop a clear pathway to jobs and careers in this new industry. Training opportunities under consideration include programming, coding, anti-money laundering (AML), know your customer (KYC), project management, and compliance. In the coming weeks, the public will have the ability to regi ster their interests in these training opportunities via an exclusive link on the Bermuda Job Board. Mr. Speaker, the Government has also reopened discussions with the Regulatory Compliance Association [RCA] ab out its programmes that were stalled in 2017. Two new concentrations —Virtual Cu rrency and Cybersecurity —have been added to the former offerings. Other compliance certifications by other providers are also being considered. Mr. Speaker, we realise that everyone may not be familiar with blockchain or FinTech technology. To ensure that the general public has a better understanding of this technology, last week the Ministry of National Security hosted the first town hall meeting entitled Blockchain for Beginners . Additional meetings will be organised to ensure that the general public has an opportunity to learn more about this disruptive technology and how it could impact all of our lives, just as the Internet has done. Mr. Speaker, as these new and exciting technologies reach our shores, we must do all that we can to ensure that our people are prepared, ready, cert ified, and qualified to enter this industry. This Gover nment has a mandate to deliver jobs to our people and make sure that those who, traditionall y, would have been on the outside looking in are fully engaged with as many opportunities as we can offer them. The future looks bright, and I look forward to providing this Honourable House with further updates as we finalise the restarting of the RCA pr ogram and introduce the new training and certification pr ogrammes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. That brings us to a close of the Statement period. We will now continue on. Bermuda House of Assembly REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. QUESTION PERIOD
The SpeakerThe SpeakerQuestion Period. There are no written questions this morning, so we will deal with questions that have arisen from the Stat ements that have been presented this morning by Mi nisters. And, thus far, we have three Members who have indicated that they have questions for Mini sters. The first …
Question Period. There are no written questions this morning, so we will deal with questions that have arisen from the Stat ements that have been presented this morning by Mi nisters. And, thus far, we have three Members who have indicated that they have questions for Mini sters. The first question comes from the Honourable Member from constituency 12 to the Deputy Premier in reference to your Statement on the solar project at the airport. Honourable Member.
QUESTION 1: SO LAR PHOTOVOLTAIC PROJECT AT THE L. F. WADE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a quick question: On page 8, the Honourable Member mentioned that the development would pr ovide employment for local contractors. I was just wondering if he had an idea of the number of local contractors who, quite possibly, could be hired for this particular …
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a quick question: On page 8, the Honourable Member mentioned that the development would pr ovide employment for local contractors. I was just wondering if he had an idea of the number of local contractors who, quite possibly, could be hired for this particular project and how many people they might, potentially, be look ing to employ . And in addition to that, how many people do we expec t to be employed and in what kind of way for the running of the actual . . . once it is built or put up, for the running of the operation itself?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Minister. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, that was about three different questions, but I will seek to answer them as best as can be done.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Thank you. Hon. Walter H. Roban: It is built into the contract that Bermudian labour will be required to be involved with the building, that a Bermudian operation will maintain, and a Bermudian operation will operate the solar f acility. What that job matrix will look like …
Thank you, Minister. Thank you.
Hon. Walter H. Roban: It is built into the contract that Bermudian labour will be required to be involved with the building, that a Bermudian operation will maintain, and a Bermudian operation will operate the solar f acility. What that job matrix will look like will be up to the developer, and we will consult with them on that. Those numbers are not known at this time, but that will be a part of the process that will go through with the proposed development.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Supplementary? No supplementaries. Further questions? None. The next question is in the name of the Honourable Member from constituency 8. And they are both—he had two questions, but they are on both of your Statements, Minister. So we will do the first Statement first. Honourable Member, you …
Thank you, Minister. Supplementary? No supplementaries. Further questions? None. The next question is in the name of the Honourable Member from constituency 8. And they are both—he had two questions, but they are on both of your Statements, Minister. So we will do the first Statement first. Honourable Member, you can put your questions in reference to the Minister’s Statement on STEAM.
QUESTION 1: STEAM EDUCATION IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Mr. N. H. Cole SimonsThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to acknowledge the fact that I support the STEAM initi ative, and I find that it will be invaluable to our students, going forward. Mr. Speaker, the Mi nister of Education spoke to the various phases, phase 1, …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all I would like to acknowledge the fact that I support the STEAM initi ative, and I find that it will be invaluable to our students, going forward. Mr. Speaker, the Mi nister of Education spoke to the various phases, phase 1, phase 2, phase 3. And he indicated when the phases will begin. Can the Minister tell us how long it will take to complete each phase? And when can he expect for each phase to be completed?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, it is one of those questions I truly do not understand. What each phase does is introduce the curriculum into the school. Once it is introduced, the cur-riculum will be continuous. So there is no …
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, it is one of those questions I truly do not understand. What each phase does is introduce the curriculum into the school. Once it is introduced, the cur-riculum will be continuous. So there is no end to the phase. It is the implementation. They will start . . . we will start this September with the four schools that have been doing the pilot, plus an additional school. They will continue indefinit ely until we come up with something else later [on] in the future. And then, next year we will bring four more schools on board, and the following year we will bring the remaining schools on board. And at the end of three years, all 18 primary schools will have STEAM curriculum integrated within their offerings.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Supplementary or new questions?
Mr. N. H. Cole SimonsI recognise his contribution. My second, follow -up question is, how will the implementation be reviewed for completeness?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. 2248 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, as the Stat ement referred, there will be bi -weekly inspections done by the various officers within the Educati on D epartment. And as they report back those reports will be …
Minister.
2248 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, as the Stat ement referred, there will be bi -weekly inspections done by the various officers within the Educati on D epartment. And as they report back those reports will be used to determine whether the implementation is being done correctly, and , if not, how we can tweak it until we get it right.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Supplementary? New question? No questions. Would you like to move on to your question on the next Statement? Minister, the Member wants to put a question to your second Statement on the trai ning for FinTech.
Mr. N. H. Cole SimonsThank you, Mr. Speaker. Which overseas partners and local partners —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIs your microphone on? QUESTION 1: TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND FINTECH DEVELOPMENT
Mr. N. H. Cole SimonsWhich partners or local par tners are we working with to actually develop the cur-riculum? I know we have spoken about a number of subjects and topics to be covered. But what curric ulum will we use? Who are we working with, and what curric ulum agency or certification agency …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. R abain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in the Statement, we are currently working with the companies who have signed MOUs to provide us the guidance into the types of training that they are looking for in their employees. That …
Thank you, Member. Minister.
Hon. Diallo V. S. R abain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in the Statement, we are currently working with the companies who have signed MOUs to provide us the guidance into the types of training that they are looking for in their employees. That information will be utilised to then look at various curricula to see what is possible to implement in Bermuda—as I said in the Statement, whether it is direc tly face -to-face here in Bermuda or online. So once we complete the consultation period with the companies that are looking to invest in Bermuda, then we will have a better idea of the type of training and the entities that we will bring training with.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Further question or supplementary?
Mr. N. H. Cole SimonsWill the Minister consider looking at the certification program me issued by IBM, Princeton, University of Buffalo, Rutgers University, and could he consider inviting them to Bermuda to help craft our certification and diploma programmes to make sure that they are world- class and that they meet international standards?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary? Further question? Supplementary or new question?
Mr. N. H. Cole SimonsWhen will th e Minister be in a position to put the RFPs out to tender?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker, as stated in the Statement, it is critically important that we get this right. Everything will be done when it is time for it to be done.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary or . . . new question; you used your supplementaries.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Bermuda House of Assembly QUESTION 2: TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND FINTECH DEVELOPMENT
Mr. N. H. C ole SimonsMr. Speaker, throughout this presentation, the Minister speaks to the MOUs and that he would be working with the partners of MOUs. For the edification of this House, is it possible that the Minister can arrange to table these MOUs? Because this House has not seen the MOUs, we cannot …
Mr. Speaker, throughout this presentation, the Minister speaks to the MOUs and that he would be working with the partners of MOUs. For the edification of this House, is it possible that the Minister can arrange to table these MOUs? Because this House has not seen the MOUs, we cannot have details on the partners that he is working with. And I bring it up because, throughout [his presentation], he speaks to each MOU and his working with partners in the MOUs.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Minister. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Although I was absent from the proceedings last week, even I know that the MOUs were tabled in this House of Assembly last week. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. I assume on that basis there is no further question? [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. No supplementaries, no further questions. We will now move on. Yes, we are moving on. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDoes any Member wi sh to speak to that? Honourable Member Swan, you have the floor.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanMr. Speaker, it is on a sad note that I rise this morning, as news reached me through social media just a minute ago, and a friend called to share that one of my —more than a constit uent, one of my friends had passed away, Vernon “Doxie” Fox , …
Mr. Speaker, it is on a sad note that I rise this morning, as news reached me through social media just a minute ago, and a friend called to share that one of my —more than a constit uent, one of my friends had passed away, Vernon “Doxie” Fox , Wellington Lane, right there, someone whom I had grown very close to since I was adopted by the good people of St. George’s, who always encouraged me. Many people would know Doxie wor king at the airport for many years. And, you know, a real salt of the earth St. Georgian, East Ender. To Peggy and all of his family, children and the like, and many fr iends . . . I know I associate the Honourable Member from constituency 1, MP Renee Ming, and Minister Foggo. And anyone who knew Doxie would know what a wonderful person . . . he lived a very full life. Illness had caught up with him, but he was still very energetic and positive. And I am deeply saddened to have learned of his passing. And I would just like a suitable note be sent to his family, Mr. Speaker, if at all possible. And I take the opportunity to welcome my newest colleague, yes, to the House of Assembly through a victory yesterday in Warwick that made me very, very pleased, among many others here, repr esenting the Progressive Labour Party. Also, [welcome] to the newest Member representing the Opposition. I wish them both well in their new journe y here in this House. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? None? I recognise the Honourable Member, Ms. Furbert, from constituency 4. You have the floor.
Mrs. Tinee FurbertGood morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to send my congrat ulation s to the newest Members, Mr. Curtis Dickinson and Mr. Scott Pearman, on their successes in winning their bye-elections. Mr. Speaker, I would like to send congratul ations t o someone who is in the …
Good morning. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would also like to send my congrat ulation s to the newest Members, Mr. Curtis Dickinson and Mr. Scott Pearman, on their successes in winning their bye-elections. Mr. Speaker, I would like to send congratul ations t o someone who is in the House today, and d eclare my interest. He is my godson. His name is Mr. Ahria Simons. And I want to take the time to highlight Bermudian students who go overseas and make such amazing strides. And they represent their country very well. Ahria is a graduate of the Victor Scott Primary and also the T. N. Tatem Middle School. He more r ecently graduated from the Berkshire School in Shef-field, Massachusetts. Ahria in his most recent graduation received two awards, Mr. Speaker. I would jus t like to highlight them. One of the awards was the Morris Trophy, which is awarded annually to the sixth form male who best exemplified proficiency and sportsmanship in interscholastic athletics. At his time at Berkshire, Mr. Speaker, he won 10 New England championships, six individual track and field events, two team tracks and two soccer titles. He also was named the Track and Field MVP [ most valuable player] , and also won the MVP award for his soccer team last fall. He was also crowned the New England C hampion in the Triple 2250 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Jump and Long Jump, and was a member of the 100metre and 400 Championship Relay Team, leading the boys’ track team in the overall class B of the New England titles. Ahria has been one of the most dominant track athletes in New England over the past four years. He also received the trophy called the Robert A. Powers Award, and he was described as “an abs olute gem of a person.” He is a decorated athlete, a hardworking student, and a gifted leader, serving this year as one of Berkshire’s head prefects. Ahria will attend the ivy league school this coming fall, Dartmouth College, majoring in economics and business. Congratulations to Ahria! [Desk thumping]
Mrs. Tinee FurbertI would also like to [acknowledge the passing] one of my cons tituents, Mr. Winslow Llewelyn Smith, of 202 North Shore Road. He was the partner of Paula Simons and the father to Nisa and Raisa Smith. So, wanting to send condolences to the family. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Does any other Honourable Member . . . I recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 36. Honourable Member, you have the floor. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, may I also associate myself with the warm remarks of welcome to the new Members of …
Thank you, Member. Does any other Honourable Member . . . I recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 36. Honourable Member, you have the floor. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, may I also associate myself with the warm remarks of welcome to the new Members of the House, to our Member who established again in Warwick, Mr. Curtis Dickinson; and to the Member who achieved the hold, Mr. Pearman, Mr. Scott Pear-man. The two contenders who were not successful are also in the House, Mr. Speaker. And I want war m congratulations to be extended for their hard work. [ Desk thumping] Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Curtis Richardson, and I saw Mr. Mathias, Justin Mathias, in the House. Their work was the reflection of hard work by many people from their respective part ies. Mr. Speaker, I also want to rise . . . I know that the Minister of Social Affairs and Sports would want to be associated with this. But I had the opportunity to note that the Bermuda High School Select rugby team —I took the opportunity of going down with my niece. Her son was associated with that team. So they won very well in DC. One of their scores was 76 to 12. But these young boys, these young men did us all proud as ambassadors. They ran on the field and won on the field. So, to their coaches, their parents, who support them, to Zaire [Williams], whose grandf ather is in the House, I say congratulations to these young men as we encourage them. I want to assoc i-ate the Honourable Member, Mr. Swan, Kim Swan, and the Minister of Sports. Thanks, Mr. Spe aker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. I now recognise the Honourable Opposition Leader. Honourable Member, you have the floor. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the two newest Members to the House, Mr. Curtis Dicki nson and Mr. Scott Pearman. I also want to …
Thank you, Member. I now recognise the Honourable Opposition Leader. Honourable Member, you have the floor. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the two newest Members to the House, Mr. Curtis Dicki nson and Mr. Scott Pearman. I also want to say congratulations to the two contenders, especially Justin Mathias, who, I believe . . . these four represent what I call the new group. And it is very important to reflect that we have to have the new Members coming into this House, and into other places, to make sure that we start to transition into a new breed that, hopefully, will set the standard in terms of the type of discourse and the type of political rhetoric that will be of a high level and will focus on what is important to Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to have condolences sent to the family of Malcolm Dunbar Smith. Malcolm was the husband of Betty Smith, who was one of those long- term serving members. And if you were ever up in Warwick, you know that Betty was somebody who was always up and around. Mr. Speaker, just before I close, I just want to say that I think by e-elections always are an opportunity for us to see lots of people coming out. But we sometimes forget to applaud and congratulate the Parliamentary Registry staff at those locations, who make sure that it goes along without a hitch and makes sure that it is done in a very efficient manner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 32. Honourable Member Simmons.
Mr. Scott SimmonsGood morning, Mr. Speaker, and thank you. Mr. Speaker, allow me to be, certainly, ass ociated with the thank -yous given so far and also the congratulat ions to our newest Members of this Honourable House. As a furtherance to the Opposition Leader and the statements that she has made, …
Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and thank you. Mr. Speaker, allow me to be, certainly, ass ociated with the thank -yous given so far and also the congratulat ions to our newest Members of this Honourable House. As a furtherance to the Opposition Leader and the statements that she has made, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and to also thank, I believe on both sides of this Honour able House, those Members of our individual parties who put the time in, who knocked on the doors, who serve this country and preserve the democracy that we know and that we absolutely love. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate them, those in this Honourable House. I know all of my honourable friends and also honourable colleagues recognise the significance of those single individuals who work ex-tremely hard to make sure that this country advances and moves forward in the way that it has. The results that we saw are absolutely a mirror on us as a comBermuda House of Assembly munity, on the love that we have for the democracy that we have, but also the love that we have for the party system and the things that we do as a country. So, to the Opposition Leader, to our Premier, and the Progressive Labour Par ty and the OBA, and for the candidates who we produced, and for those who did not necessarily make that mark as being a Member of this House, we appreciate them for the time they put in, and we thank them for their commi tment to this system here that we ha ve in Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 8. Honourable Member Simons.
Mr. N. H. Cole SimonsI would like to associate m yself with the comments made by Mr. Simmons. I think this election demonstrated democracy at its best. And it also demonstrated the commitment for the comm unity to be involved in its own internal affairs. So, again, congratulations to the candidates. Congratulations to the …
I would like to associate m yself with the comments made by Mr. Simmons. I think this election demonstrated democracy at its best. And it also demonstrated the commitment for the comm unity to be involved in its own internal affairs. So, again, congratulations to the candidates. Congratulations to the winners. And congratulations to the organisers and supporters of the event. I would like to also send congratulatory r emarks to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. They hosted their 17 th annual Alpha Beautillion, Mr. Speaker. And I would like to say tha t it was an amazing, amazing experience. We talk about our young males. Well, this showcased our young males at their best. It was showcasing them at their excellence. And, Mr. Speaker, I would like to identify the Beaus. They were Gabriel Smith, of Saltus Grammar School; Jermayne Dears, of Impact Mentoring Aca demy; Rodrigo Lira, leader of Mount Saint Agnes Academy; Tylar Jones, of CedarBridge Academy; Matthew Daniel, of Warwick Academy; Antoine Jones, of Berkeley Institute; and Aaron Ratteray of the Bermuda Institute. Aaron Ratteray won the event.
Mr. N. H. Cole SimonsHe was world- class. He was a well -rounded young man, an outspoken young man, a self -confident young man and a very, very talented young man. I mean, Mr. Speaker, all of the gentlemen who participated in this event were talented, well - rounded. They represented their schools really, …
He was world- class. He was a well -rounded young man, an outspoken young man, a self -confident young man and a very, very talented young man. I mean, Mr. Speaker, all of the gentlemen who participated in this event were talented, well - rounded. They represented their schools really, really well. They represented their families really well, and they represented their colleagues well. I have no doubt in my mind that these y oung men will take a prominent place in our society, going forward. So, to Alpha Phi Alpha organisers and sponsors, I say thank you. Thank you for making the contribution to deve loping young men in Bermuda. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. I now recognise the Honourable Minister in the front here. He caught my eye that time. [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI think he and his other Ministers jumped for the same reason, but one had to catch my eye before the other. Go ahead, Honourable Minister of Education. You have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I think I am going to surprise my fellow Members. First, I would …
I think he and his other Ministers jumped for the same reason, but one had to catch my eye before the other. Go ahead, Honourable Minister of Education. You have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: I think I am going to surprise my fellow Members. First, I would like to have this Honourable House send congratulations to the Child Development Programme, who celebrated their 41 st anniversary this year. Mr. Speaker, the Child Development Pr ogramme is a critical component in ensuring the future education of our children, as they produce the twoyear-old screenings. They have been in operation for 41 years. I see that the Honourable Opposition Leader wants to be associated with that. Her daughter does run the programme now. And over these last 40 years, they have administered over 20,000 children and assisted in their development. Also, Mr. Speaker —now we get to the real meat of it —I would like to congratulate my fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated (say it right; say it right, Cole —Incorporated) for the 17 th annual Alpha Beautillion —the 17th. This particular event has produced some notable persons within our community, and it is a wond erful event, as the Member opposite has spoken to. It is something that we have stood up time and time again and spoken about. And it is something that is much needed in Bermuda, as we do groom the future leaders of this country through this honourable fraternity. Some of the most reverent names who have walked through these halls and sat in these chairs have been members of Alpha Phi A lpha Fraternity Incorporated, including four Members who currently sit, three of them within the Cabinet. Thank you, Mr. S peaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I now recognise your ministerial colleague. Minister Caines. Hon. Wayne Caines: Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Wayne Caines: I would like to, firstly, congrat ulate the two newest Members of Parl iament, Mr. Scott Pearman and Mr. Curtis Dickinson. Mr. Speaker, I have been a friend of Mr. Dic kinson for a number of years. Mr. Speaker, he would be what I would call …
Yes.
Hon. Wayne Caines: I would like to, firstly, congrat ulate the two newest Members of Parl iament, Mr. Scott Pearman and Mr. Curtis Dickinson. Mr. Speaker, I have been a friend of Mr. Dic kinson for a number of years. Mr. Speaker, he would be what I would call a big brother. Very quickly, Mr. Speaker, a number of years ago I was in bar school in the United Kingdom. And my wife and I could not find 2252 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly a place to live. We had a very young daughter, and my wife and I were able to stay with Mr. Dickinson, MP Dickinson, and his wife, for six months. And we were beneficiaries of his largesse and his good f avour. And I believe that he will serve this House in good stead, not only as a man who is principled, but as a man who has significant industry experience in the financial sector. And I believe that the country is blessed to have him sitting in this Hous e, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the House to send congratulations to Mr. Jevon Williams. Mr. Jevon Williams has recently taken over the Coalition for the Protection of Children as the head, the Chairman of the Board. And we have people who would like to as-sociate . . .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDo the whole House. You can assoc iate the whole House. Hon. Wayne Caines: Mr. Williams is a young Berm udian man. He is a lawyer. He is a family man. And he has put his shoulder to the proverbial wheel to take over from the person who should also …
Do the whole House. You can assoc iate the whole House. Hon. Wayne Caines: Mr. Williams is a young Berm udian man. He is a lawyer. He is a family man. And he has put his shoulder to the proverbial wheel to take over from the person who should also receive co ngratulations, Ms. Sheelagh Cooper, who has given yeoman’s service. There is a final [congratulation], Mr. Speaker, to Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and the Beautillion. For 17 years, this organisation has given, for the last 17 years in this particular format, with the Beautillion, has produced leaders. Mr. Speaker, they go off to a leadership trai ning course in the United States. They meet with [leaders of industry], who teach them deportment and teach them how to [improve their] inter viewing skills, help them with r ésumé writing. And we believe that this is the gift of this organisation to the betterment of mankind, more specifically to the bet terment of the people of Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I now recognise the Honourable Minister from the East End. Honourable Minister Foggo, you have the floor. Hon. Lovitta F. Foggo: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I am just standing briefly. I would like to ask this Hous e to recognise a milestone of a Member who …
Thank you, Honourable Member. I now recognise the Honourable Minister from the East End. Honourable Minister Foggo, you have the floor.
Hon. Lovitta F. Foggo: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I am just standing briefly. I would like to ask this Hous e to recognise a milestone of a Member who is, indeed, sitting in this House. That Member just celebrated his 60 th birthday.
[Laughter] Hon. Lovitta F. Foggo: The Member I speak of is the Honourable Speaker! [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerRight. An Ho n. Member: We all know now.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Now, if you had done that earlier, I would have recognised you first. See that? [Laughter and i naudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerDoes any other Member wish to speak? Honourable Member Ming, you have the floor.
Mrs. Renee MingGood morning, Mr. Speaker and listening audience. And the happiest birthday wishes to you.
Mrs. Renee MingI just want to be associated with the comments on Doxie from my colleague who already spoke on it. But just letting his family know that they are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. And I would also like to congratulate our u nder-17 women’s team, who had …
I just want to be associated with the comments on Doxie from my colleague who already spoke on it. But just letting his family know that they are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. And I would also like to congratulate our u nder-17 women’s team, who had a bit of a defeat in Florida. But we see that as progress and a w ay to move forward. And as they have been, we look for-ward to greater and wonderful things happening for them in the future. Also, for the Friends of Hospice for the annual Rubber Duck event that is held every year in St. George’s. And I associate MP Swan and Minister Foggo with that. They have managed to keep the venue going. It is a wonderful event. It was an abs olutely sunny and hot day. But it was great, as usual, with the participation of the actual race and the parti cipants, as well. And I would als o like to just say congratul ations to all of those persons who put their names forward to serve in public service. I congratulate as well Curtis Dickinson and Scott Pearman, and also Curtis Richardson and Justin Mathias. Those of us who sit here know and u nderstand what public service means, and we are serving leaders. And, Mr. Speaker, I just want to congratulate them, even if it was not the result you had hoped for or expected, as you will continue to serve in whatever capacity you can. Mr. Speaker, do I have one more minute?
Mrs. Renee MingThis one is going to be just a shout -out to Nicole Canita Smith, well, now Fitz, and Gino. They got married last week Saturday —big St. George’s, teacher, BTC [Bermuda Telephone ComBermuda House of Assembly pany], BELCO wedding. And I just wanted to let them know that we celebrate …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Good, Member. I recognise the Honourable Member who sits behind you, the Honourable Member from cons tituency 28.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIGood morning, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to the House and to our public gathering. First, I would like to also send congratulations to the Alpha Beautillion, but not only to them, but to the winner, Mr. Aaron Ratteray, whom I had the priv ilege of sponsoring. And I am always …
Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to the House and to our public gathering. First, I would like to also send congratulations to the Alpha Beautillion, but not only to them, but to the winner, Mr. Aaron Ratteray, whom I had the priv ilege of sponsoring. And I am always proud to see fellow Bermuda Institute students succeed and do good.
Some Honourable Members Some Honourable MembersYes, yes.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIBermuda Institute has a history of winning the Alpha Beautillion. So I j ust want to say congratulations not only to Mr. Ratteray, but also to all of the former BI students who have won it. The real BI, Bermuda Institute.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIAlso, Mr. Speaker, like you said, congratulations lately, because they did qualify last week, the Bermuda under -20 team. But also, I would like to specifically thank Ms. Akelah Furbert, who scored the winning goal in the last game, who hap-pens to be a constituent of mine. So, congratulations to …
Also, Mr. Speaker, like you said, congratulations lately, because they did qualify last week, the Bermuda under -20 team. But also, I would like to specifically thank Ms. Akelah Furbert, who scored the winning goal in the last game, who hap-pens to be a constituent of mine. So, congratulations to her. And finally , to reiterate what MP Foggo said, congratulations to you on your 60 th birthday, Mr. Speaker, on Wednesday.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIBut, yes. [Inaudible interjections] Mr. Dennis Lister III: But, yes. On Wednesday, we did have a good cele bration to celebrate your 60 th. And we found out some good things and some bad things about you. But I would like to keep that between us. [Laughter]
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIBut, thank you for your . . . congratulations on your birthday. And, hopefully, the rest of us here can live to see as long and as many years as you have. [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Okay. With that, does anyone else want to take the floor? No other speakers? We will move on. Oh! Mr. Famous, you moved a little slowly this time. You almost lost out.
Mr. Christopher FamousGood morning, colleagues, and good morning, Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, I firstly want to congratulate all four candidates from yesterday. Irrespective of whic hever party they are on, everybody worked hard; I wi tnessed that, myself. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the workers, the workers behind the scene. …
Good morning, colleagues, and good morning, Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, I firstly want to congratulate all four candidates from yesterday. Irrespective of whic hever party they are on, everybody worked hard; I wi tnessed that, myself. Most importantly, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the workers, the workers behind the scene. Because for every one candidate, there are at least 30 workers. Whether they are canvassers, ma king phone calls, or doing driving. So, as my colleague in the Robin Hood corner, Mr. Simmons said, there are people who are dedicated to democracy in th is Island. And irrespective of the results, democracy must always be respected. And I would say, especia lly to future MP Curtis Richardson, continue the hard work, my brother. You will get what you deserve. And to Curtis Dickinson, MP Curtis Dickinson, I consider myself this thing, caveat emptor. Buyer, beware. I realised, after he won, not only was he for Somerset, he is for Green House!
[Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHe could not lose on either one of those. That is right.
Mr. Christopher FamousBut, Mr. Speaker, I am so pleased to see him here today in blue and blue. 2254 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThey are still new. W e will school them up. Mr. Premier, you have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the remarks that were given by Honourable Members. I think the Honourable Member from constituency 28, who …
They are still new. W e will school them up. Mr. Premier, you have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the remarks that were given by Honourable Members. I think the Honourable Member from constituency 28, who now believes that he has the right to refer to you as Old Man, Mr. Speaker —
[Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: —and on the comments which were made in support of the event which took place this week in the Alpha Beautillion. As you know, Mr. Speaker, I am a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fr aternity. I have been a member of the fraternity for 20 years. Yes, I am that old, absolutely. [Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: He can start calling me Old Man soon. But it is an event that is put on. It is an event that showcases seven young men from across the country, and a rite of passage ceremony. It was a wonderful event, once again. And the fraternity itself should be applauded, and especially the winners and those who were recognised should, without question, be applauded. I would also like to associate myself with the remarks given by the Member for constituency 1 in regard to the commendation of our under -17 women’s football team.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. E. David Burt: Sorry? Under -17 women’s football team, Mr. Speaker. Although their latest round was not as successful as they would have hoped or we would have liked, the fact is that they have repr esented Bermuda well. And we must support those of us who represent our country, whether or not they are successful or not, because it does not diminish the amount of hard work for which they have put in, the preparation, the players themselves, the coaches, the families and the parents. So, I want to, without ques-tion, commend them. I would also like to commend the Somerset Bridge Recreation Club for the past weekend’s events, the Round Table Derby, as it is called. I will associate the whole House on that particular matter. The final item , of which I will say, Mr. Speaker, is that I know that I will probably get to speak to it at points in time of our agenda called the motion to adjourn. But it is, without question, a pleasure that there are 25 PLP Members in this House, excluding yourself, Mr. Speaker, of course.
[Desk thumping]
Hon. E. David Burt: And I would like to welcome the Honourable Member for constituency 25, and I would also welcome Mr. Pearman to this House, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. No further speakers? No further speakers. We can now move on. 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 MAT TERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS GOVERNMENT BILL S
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are two Bills to be introduced today. The first is in the name of the Minister of Health. Minister. FIRST READING HEALTH INSURANCE AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2018 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for the first reading so …
There are two Bills to be introduced today. The first is in the name of the Minister of Health. Minister.
FIRST READING
HEALTH INSURANCE AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2018 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for the first reading so that it may be placed on the Order Paper for the next day of meeting, namely, the Health Insurance Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Bermuda House of Assembly The second is in the name of the Honourable Minister of National Security. Minister. FIRST READING DEFENCE AMENDMENT ACT 2018 Hon. Wayne Caines: Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for the first reading so that it may be placed on the …
Thank you, Minister.
Bermuda House of Assembly The second is in the name of the Honourable Minister of National Security. Minister.
FIRST READING
DEFENCE AMENDMENT ACT 2018
Hon. Wayne Caines: Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bill for the first reading so that it may be placed on the Order Paper for the next day of meet-ing: [Defenc e Amendment Act 2018].
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. There are no more Bills to be introduced. NOTICES OF MOTIONS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. ORDERS OF THE DAY
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOrders of the Day. There are two matters on our Order Paper today to be debated. The first Order is the second reading of the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018. And it will be led by the Minister of Health. Minister Wilson, you have the floor. Hon. Kim …
Orders of the Day. There are two matters on our Order Paper today to be debated. The first Order is the second reading of the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018. And it will be led by the Minister of Health. Minister Wilson, you have the floor.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker . . . excuse me, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo problem; get comfortable. [Pause] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, with the Governor’s recommendation, I move that the Bill entitled the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 be now read for the second time. The Speake r: Continue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT (No. 2) ACT …
No problem; get comfortable. [Pause] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, with the Governor’s recommendation, I move that the Bill entitled the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 be now read for the second time.
The Speake r: Continue, Minister.
BILL
SECOND READING
CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT (No. 2) ACT 2018
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, I am extremely pleased to be standing here before you today, getting ready to debate what I anticipate will be a very interesting debate, but a Bill that is 11 months —the initi atives behind this Bill are 11 months in the making. There was quite a lot of discussion internally and externally about this Bill. It raised quite a lot of interes ting debate within the community. However, Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, this Bill represents the Government’s platform promise and Throne Speech commitment to introduce the sugar tax in order to help to tackle Bermuda’s epidemic of obesity. Mr. Speaker, this is a fundamental part of the Government ’s broader commitment to reduce these lifestyle non- communicable diseases which are causing havoc within our community. And, Mr. Speaker, in closing, before I get into my brief, this is yet another example of the PLP’s commitment to health, and it is a promise made and a promise delivered. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to invite the Honourable Members to give consideration to the Bill ent itled the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018. Mr. Speaker, this Bill proposes to amend the Customs Tariff Act 1970, which is the principal Act, with measures that include (1) introducing the sugar tax; and (2) amending the end- use duty relief for goods for electric vehicles. Mr. Speaker, these measures affect the First and Fifth Schedules to the principal Act. As the Mi nister responsible for the policy initiatives pertaining to the major part of this amend-ment, I am pleased to be speaking on the matter to this Honourable House. Mr. Speaker, given the background of the sugar tax, I wish to comment in detail on the various measures of this Bill related to sugary items. Mr. Speaker, I must also highlight that, following further consideration of the consultation feedback, I will be proposing amendments on the floor, which I will out-line to you shortly. Those amendments I have provi ded to my honourable colleague, the Shadow Minister of Health, this morning. Mr. Speaker, in this Bill the Government pr oposes, as promised in the Throne Speech and the Budget Statement, to increase the duty rate on sugary soft drinks (namely, sod as, energy drinks, non100 per cent fruit juices, drink powders and dilut ables), on candies, and on pure sugar imports. These proposals were outlined in detail in the Health Mini stry’s Sugar Tax Consultation document and subs equent reports. This is, Mr. Speaker, the first phase of Bermuda’s new sugar tax. And I say the “first phase,” Mr. Speaker, because the outcome of the consult ation, and the valuable public dialogue that took place consequently, highlighted a number of issues which we could not adopt on a short -term basis, but intend to phase in, in due course. To begin, Mr. Speaker, I can advise my ho nourable colleagues that the increased duty will be phased in gradually. The amendments introduced t oday propose to begin the new duty rates on the said items at 50 per cent duty on the 1 st of October 2018, and increased to 75 per cent in the next fiscal year, from 1 April 2019. This, Mr. Speaker, will allow bus inesses to adjust and prepare for the new tariffs. How-ever, the phased implementation does not detr act from the Government’s determination and commi tment to take this progressive step to tackle Bermuda’s obesity and chronic disease epidemics. 2256 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, it should not need to be restated, but I feel obliged to remind us all that three out of every four adults in Bermuda are overweight or obese. Unhealthy weight is a leading risk factor for health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, h ypertension, stroke, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, sleep apnoea, and asthma. Persons who are overweight or obes e are also more likely to develop ca ncer. There are 13 cancers associated with overweight and obesity, and they include brain, thyroid, oesophagus, blood, breast, liver, kidneys, uterus, ovaries, gallbladder, upper stomach, pancreas, and colon and rectum. Fifty percent of the population drink at least one sugary drink a day. Regular consumption of excess calories leads to obesity, so this added consumption contributes to our growing problems, Mr. Speaker. Health experts around the world have ident ified sugary drinks as the primary source of sugars in Western diets —typically, one quarter of calories consumed. The addition of one sugary drink a day to the normal US or Bermuda- style diet can result in 15 pounds of weight gain over the course of one year. Indeed, Mr. Speaker, one can of soda can exceed the entire daily recommended maximum intake of sugar. For example, a can of cola- like soda can contain 35 grams of sugar, which is equal to 8.75 teaspoons. Mr. Speaker, just for my colleagues’ edification—I know that the members of the audience cannot see this — this is the amount of sugar, Mr. Speaker, 15 packages of sugar , contained in one cola- like soft drink. The World Health Organization, Mr. Speaker, or WHO, has recommended that free sugars should be limited to less than 5 per cent of our daily energy intake, or less than 25 grams of sugar per day. Mr. Speaker, this means that a single soda already exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommendation of daily sugar intake. And, since 50 per cent of adults in Bermuda drink at least one sugary drink a day, we can begin to appreciate how it may contribute to 75 per cent of our population being overweight or obese. But, Mr. Speaker, I know that not everyone believes the obesity statistics, for various reasons. So it is helpful also to use other indices beyond weight, such as waist circumference. As I have noted in this House previously, for women to be in a healthy range, waist measurement should be under 35 inches; and for men, it should be under 40 inches. This is a helpful guideline for each one of us to use at home, to have that honest conversation with ourselves about our l ocal statistics and how we measure up. Mr. Speaker, no matter how we dress it up, Bermuda’s prevalence of obesity and diabetes is one of the highest among developed countries; 12 per cent of adults have type 2 diabetes, which is the highest of all high- income countries. And this high rate of disease is a very costly burden for our community and our economy to carry. Last year, the total health spending for individuals with diabetes was $77.8 mi llion. That is more than 10 per cent of the country’s total health spending, on just one disease. And we also spent $24 million on dialysis due to chronic ki dney disease, adding further preventable costs t o our already strained system. These costs are being paid for by all of us, through our premiums and taxes , which subsidi se health care. Mr. Speaker, I cannot emphasise enough that these preventable lifestyle -induced chronic diseases are crippling our country both physically and financially, and we must take urgent action. Mr. Speaker, the World Health Organization proposes the use of economic tools to improve health outcomes and direct persons towards healthy options. Indeed, a number of other jurisdictions have intr oduced measures in recent years, and studies before and since the introduction of sugar taxes have shown that they help reduce consumption of these products. Finland introduced a soft drink tax in 2011. Hungary has had since 2011 what they refer to as a public health product tax , and that covers all food products with unhealthy levels of sugar, including drinks. France introduced a targeted sugar tax on soft drinks in 2012. Similar measures were also introduced in Mexico in 2013, and in the Unit ed Kingdom in 2016. Closer to home, Mr. Speaker, Berkeley, California, was the first city in the United States to pass a targe ted tax on sugary drinks, in 2014. In the Caribbean, Barbados introduced an excise tax on sugar - sweetened beverages in 2015. And S t. Helena, a Bri tish Overseas Territory, introduced recently an add itional import duty of 75 pence per litre on sugar - sweetened carbonated drinks, to tackle obesity on the island and the resulting high incidences of type 2 di abetes. Mr. Speaker, while sugary drinks have been the focus of the sugar taxes in most other jurisdi ctions, the tax proposed here in Bermuda includes items such as candies and plain sugar. The goal is to curb unwanted consumption of these foods, which contribute no— Mr. Speaker, no—nutr itional value whatsoever to our daily diets. The sugar tax will not fix obesity on its own, Mr. Speaker. It will not eliminate lifestyle- induced chronic diseases, by itself. The sugar tax will not magically reduce health care costs. However, though, Mr. Speaker, it is a fundamental part of the Government’s broader commitment to reduce these conditions, which are costing us so dearly. As part of broader strategies, it is one tool to help us tackle these issues, alongside our other Throne Speech commitment t o introduce a society -wide framework to halt the rise in obesity and diabetes. And, of course, the recent elim ination of duty on some fruits and vegetables also supports healthier nutritional choices, showing that this Government is absolutely committed to leave no stone unturned in order to improve our people’s health.
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, the Department of Health’s full consultation report has been published on our website. In addition, the Department of Health held a meeting with stakeholders on 27th March 2018 to discuss with them the outcome of the consultation and respond to their feedback. Further meetings were held subsequently with stakeholders by the Minister of F inance, the Junior Minister of Finance, and myself. Mr. Speaker, we received 351 responses to the consult ation, which is an excellent response. In summary, Mr. Speaker, the final findings of the consultation were as follows: 1) There was more support for a sugar tax than oppositi on, with 52 per cent in favour. 2) A smaller proportion of respondents were opposed, with 44 per cent against . 3) The majority of persons felt the tax would change consumers’ behav iour. 4) Nearly two- thirds said 100 per cent fruit juice should not be included at this time. 5) Half said milk -based items should not be i ncluded at this time. 6) Nearly half said dilutables should be taxed. 7) A clear majority of 60 per cent said candy should be taxed. Indeed, only 31 per cent opposed. 8) Interestingly enough, Mr. Speaker, we also learned that a quarter of the respondents felt processed food should als o be subject to an increased tax. Logistically, this is more difficult to do, but we have heard the public’s view and it certainly merits consideration in the future. Mr. Speaker, the consultation found that there was the broadest support for the tax to be introduced at 75 per cent duty on the suggested items. However, it is not expected that there will be a 75 per cent mark - up in retail prices, even when the full duty is in place. It is projected that retail prices could increase 20 [per cent] to 50 per c ent for the affected items, though this will depend on individual businesses. Mr. Speaker, locally made foods such as fudge, which is almost 100 per cent sugar, will be i mpacted and may increase 50 per cent at retail. Baked items with lots sugary -based fil lings and icings will be impacted and may increase 15 per cent at retail. Items like bread will be impacted less , because sugar is proportionally a minor ingredient , and may only i ncrease 5 per cent at retail, or less. The bottom line, Mr. Sugar [sic] , is that sugar and sugar -sweetened items will become more expensive at retail —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberMr. Sugar!
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou get sweet when you get 60, see? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Oh, my dear. [Laughter and inaudible interjections]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOh, my dear ! [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue on, Minister. Continue on. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: My apologies.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI will take it as a compliment; how is that? There you go. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I hope your wife is not listening. [Laughter] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is that sugar and sugar -sweetened items will become more expensive at retail and that the …
I will take it as a compliment; how is that? There you go.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I hope your wife is not listening.
[Laughter]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, the bottom line is that sugar and sugar -sweetened items will become more expensive at retail and that the increase will be sufficient to trigger greater awareness and adoption of healthier buying habits. The Department of Health intends to leverage this awareness and opportunity to promote healthier eating. Mr. Speaker, it is estimated that, in a full year of 75 per cent duty rates, an additional amount of $10 million could be raised from the sugar tax, although this is dependent on vol ume of imports, and other items. As the Government has indicated in the Budget Statement, the additional revenue collected from the sugar tax will be earmarked for expanded health pr omotion and disease prevention activities , to encourage healthy lifestyles . Mr. Speaker, the consultation feedback highlighted an inconsistency in including diet sodas and iced teas in the sugar tax. The Bill tabled excluded diet iced teas, but had not accommodated for diet s odas. And this was due to the existing tariff code st ructure. However, since that time, Mr. Speaker, we have been able to work a solution, and we will be proposing an amendment today that will exclude diet sodas from the increased duty of the sugar tax. While the Ministry of Health does not support consumpti on of diet sodas, we do agree with the principle that it does not make sense to apply a sugar tax to an item with no sugar. Mr. Speaker, the consultation process also noted that local businesses are concerned that taxing sugar will make it more expensive for them to do business, as their goods will be more expensive than imported goods. Naturally, we do not want to uninte ntionally disadvantage local businesses. Whilst we hope this can be seen as an opportunity for local businesses to seek alternative business models that will promote healthier food options rather than e ncouraging more of the same unhealthy practices that are making us sick and costing us greatly, we do recognise that local producers of foodstuffs should not be disadvantaged compared to imported products. Accordingly, Mr. Speaker, we propose to amend the Bill to allow for local preparers of foodstuffs to apply for concessionary rates from the Minister of 2258 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly Finance under the existing provisions for commercial manufacturers of goods. Furthermore, Mr. Speaker, we will continue to review the tariff codes to consider if imported baked goods can be subject to the sugar tax in future phases. Mr. Speaker, lastly, the consultation feedback also noted the inconsistency in excluding chocolate from the sugar tax. While we have not been able to accommodate this at this time, we will seek to make further amendments to the tariff code in order to apply the 75 per cent duty to chocolate in due course, in the same manner as other confectionery items. But as we phase in further items to be subjected to the sugar tax, we will also monitor consumption levels through health surveys and imports. And our health surveys, such as STEPS, will continue to monitor overweight and obesity to evaluate whether our interventions are making the difference we need. Just like tobacco use decreased from 22 per cent in 1999, before smoking was banned in public places, to now 13 per cent, so we hope to see improvements in reduced consum ption of sugary drinks, and reduced obesity and li festyle diseases in the long run. Mr. Speaker, I now highlight those measures of the Bill that concern import duty reliefs for electrical vehicles. The Bill amends customs procedure code (CPC) 4227, which is goods for electric vehicles. The scope has been widened to include electric vehicle charging stations, parts , and accessories. This measure supports the use of more environmentally friendly means of transportation in Bermuda. Finally, Mr. Speaker, the Government’s orig inal intention was to consult on the sugar tax this year. However, we were able to progress this at a much faster pace and are proud that we will be able to i mplement the tax much sooner than expected. And on that note, Mr. Speaker, I would like to pause for a moment to thank the civil servants in the Ministry of Finance, as well as the Ministry of Health, the Director of Health, the Policy Analysts. This was a joined- up effort by both the Minister of Finance, as well as the Minister of Health, to get us to this position so quickly, in, as I indicated, 10 months. Mr. Speaker, while the Bill indicates an effective date of June 2018, as stated previously we will propose an amendment for the provision to com-mence on the 1 st of October 2018. Finally, Mr. Speaker, in closing, the Gover nment is serious about reducing chronic disease and lifestyle -related health problems in Bermuda. As my honourable colleagues know, in addition to the sugar tax, duty rate amendments were introduced in this year to eliminate the duty on healthy, essential foods such as some fresh fruits and vegetables. This is all in an effort, Mr. Speaker, to help Bermuda eat a healthier diet to prevent chronic diseases like diabetes. Our intention is to reduce health care costs, and a healthi-er population is one of the essential pillars to help to achieve that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Does any other Member wish to speak to this? I recognise the Honourable Member. Honourable Member Jackson, you have the floor.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonWell, this is a big day, because this is the beginning of a journey. And I am hoping that this is the beginning of a war on sugar in Bermuda. My purpose for standing here, as the Mini ster has alluded to, is that I would like to see a …
Well, this is a big day, because this is the beginning of a journey. And I am hoping that this is the beginning of a war on sugar in Bermuda. My purpose for standing here, as the Mini ster has alluded to, is that I would like to see a healthy Bermuda. If we could just get this right, if we can find a way to become healthier, then we have an oppor-tunity, Mr. Speaker, to reflect to the entire world that we can recover. And we can set an example, f or those who are also trying to become healthier, that it is possible. And with our smaller population, I believe that we can certainly set ourselves up to represent the rest of the world as far as [being] leaders in good health. So, I am going to step back a minute. B ecause it is not enough for me to say that it is all about the sugar content and let us just put in a tax. I would like to build some context around this war on sugar. And, Mr. Speaker, back when we were just coming out of the Second World War, when sugar had actually been rationed because of the war, there became a new movement by manufacturers to create processed food. We were in an industrial era, and it was a time when things were fast, things were fun, things were becoming more manufactur ed rather than homemade. And sugar became a major component to the success of many of the manufacturers around the world. And when we started this journey with our relationship —I am going to call it almost an addiction—to sugar , back in the 1950s, I would suspect , is when it really started to take off. And that was a time when sugar was considered to be good for us. I remember the term, you know, Just a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down. So, it was all about being good for us. And at that time, we were also recei ving sugar in very small amounts. So, we were just getting a spoonful of sugar. The portion sizes? Many manufacturers were producing the sugary drinks, and they were around six ounces per serving size. And to move forward into the 2018 serving sizes, we are of-ten looking at 20- ounce portion sizes. So, we are consuming a considerable amount of sugar on a daily basis, Mr. Speaker. And we have to become conscious of our intake, and we have to go to battle, and we must win this war on sugar. So, the manufacturers have figured it out. It is cheap. Sugar is addictive. And sugar is bad for us. And the manufacturers, realising that at some point someone was going to take offence and was going to
Bermuda House of Assembly stand up to this almost abuse of an ingredient, in order to become productive and profitable they decided that they would change their marketing strategy. And so, Mr. Speaker, we started to see what was termed by manufacturers at the time corporate responsibility, corporate social responsibility [CSR] campaign. And continuing to try and keep this very cheap and addi ctive ingredient, sugar, relative and relevant, the industry decided that they would create these campaigns around healthy lifestyles. And with these campaigns for healthy lif estyles came high- sugar-content sport drinks. So, the message then became, Oh, yes, well, sugary drinks may be bad for us. But that’s the sweets, the candy that we give to our children. But if you can exercise more, then you can drink more sugary drinks. And the manufacturer s continued to market and make a huge profit on our addiction to sugar through sports drinks. And there are a number of people around the world, Mr. Speaker, who are out for a run, doing major exercise, and at the end of all of their efforts are putting al l of the calories back on by gulping down a high- sugar - content sports drink. So, this is the kind of battle that we are up against as a people, as a nation here in Bermuda. And we have got to become, as individuals and as a nation, more aware. We must bec ome educated. And we must understand that somebody is putting a lot of money and effort into keeping us addicted to this sugar. And, in actual fact, Mr. Speaker, many of those CSR, corporate social responsibility campaigns , that these international compani es are executing are, in actual fact, the advertising that they are spending to convince the population and the mark et to continue to consume sugar and is actually a bigger spend than any of the profits that they are making from the sugary drinks. So, ther e is a huge effort to keep us addicted. And before I move on, I just want to say that, in my personal opinion, I believe that the sugar taxes were originally, or there was a huge intent on these sugar taxes to be directed more toward manufacturers. I beli eve, and I have certainly seen —the UK has been quite verbal about this —that the manufacturers being either threatened with a sugar tax or being forced to pay a sugar tax have been given an opportunity to look at the reformulation of the sugary drinks that they are producing and try to keep the taste attractive to the consumer, but reduce the amount of sugar that is included in the beverage. These sugar taxes were also sort of directed to the manufacturers, hoping that the manufacturers would, again, look at portion sizes. And rather than having a can or a bottle of a sugary drink that is two or three serving sizes, that they would reduce the size of the cans or bottles and make those portion sizes more closely matched to the labels on the back of the cans or bottles, which brings me to my next point, Mr. Speaker. And that is that many of the labels that we are reading in the grocery store on the back of the sugary drinks are actually confusing. As the consumer may read the back of that label and say, Okay, w ell, okay. This particular sugary drink only has 10 teaspoons of sugar in it. But they are failing to realise that there are two to three servings in that portion size and that, in actual fact, drinking that one beverage is act ually two to three times. So, they may be actually drinking 20 to 30 teaspoons of sugar in one beverage. So, we have to become more aware of what is happening to us, and not allow manufacturers and marketing and advertising to lead us astray and into unhealthy lifestyles. Now, as t he Minister has mentioned earlier, the support of the tobacco strategy . . . well, yes. At some point in the past, we decided that tobacco was not what the marketers and the manufacturers said tobacco was, because, then again, there was a time when people thought that tobacco was actually good for us. And we have now reached a stage in our lives when, through [widespread] illness and law suits , through lots of legislation, we have been able to come to grips with and reduce the consumption of tobacco. And I would like to see our reduction of consumption of sugar to follow along with those same kinds of r eductions in consumption. But, in order for us to do that, Mr. Speaker, we are going to have to look at the sugar strategy in much broader terms than just a sugar tax. I have certainly experienced, through many of my experiences, just how much sugar is allowed to be circulated within our local community. And if I had a choice, Mr. Speaker, I would like to see us in a similar way that the tobacco industry reduc ed consumption , by making sure that some sugars are not even distributed in cer-tain public places. Now, I understand that Government has r educed the consumption of sugary drinks in gover nment buildings. I know that we have completely elim inated the sugary drinks from our public schools. And these are the kinds of initiatives that need to keep happening. But I can go to a sporting event or charit able event, and the promoters of those events are di stributing sugar. And literally, it is candy to the babies. And if there were any way that we might be able to regulate the distribution of sugary items in—e ven if we started in health- related events, then it certainly would begin to chip away at the sugar consumption, the high sugar consumption in public places. Because that was what, in my opinion, was pivotal in the reduction of the tobacco consumption. And what we need to do is consider the reduction of sugar in public places as a similar initiative. Now, as a mother, one of my other issues with sugar —and this i s a part of the war on sugar that we all need to be aware of if we are going to have a more global approach to this beyond just a simple sugar tax—is also looking at the possibility of removing candy at the checkout counters in our supermarkets. I know that this may be a sensitive issue. Certainly, 2260 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly there is not a mother out there who has, at some point, had to battle with a very young child over the attractiveness of all of the sugar that is available to a child at the checkout counter in a supermarket, and sometimes standing there for five to ten minutes, wai ting for our turn in order to purchase our goods, and having to battle with taking those candies from the baby, f or me it is just inexplicable that we would have to deal with that kind of conflict with our young chi ldren not understanding just how bad the candy is for us, how addictive it is. That once they start at a young age, the chances are they will continue to consume it into their adulthood. If we could find a way, and I know other juri sdictions are doing it, to somehow regulate the prom otion of sugary drinks, the promotion of candy so that we could in some way take away the availability of the sugary products, that too would be a great advantage. In most of the stores where I see promotions, it usually is either the sugary drinks or the sugared candy, high-sugared candy, that is the buy -one-get-one-free, you know, half -off. So if we could, in some way, make sure that these high- sugar items are not subject to promotional offers, I believe that this , too, will help us in our war on sugar. Some other jurisdictions . . . And I am almost done, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou are good. Take your time.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you. They talk about putting on warning labels. Now, again going back to the bigger picture about, We are not manufacturers of sugar, so we cannot change the warning labels as such, because we import so many of our goods. But what we might be able to consider as …
Thank you. They talk about putting on warning labels. Now, again going back to the bigger picture about, We are not manufacturers of sugar, so we cannot change the warning labels as such, because we import so many of our goods. But what we might be able to consider as a government, Mr. Speaker, is having a war ning label on any advertise ment that contains prom otions around sugar. So, if we just have a warning label on the advertisements that make our community more aware of the dangers and the addictions and the health hazards of sugar consumption, I believe that that, too, will assist us in educating the public, and also involve all of the stakeholders in taking respons ibility for this very severe situation that we are in. The Minister did talk a bit about the support, using the funds from the sugar tax to support our health programmes. A nd the Minister is aware that I was concerned. And I would love to have seen an amendment on the floor that included a specific commitment, legislative commitment to making sure that we are going to allocate funds to health programmes around the lower cons umption of sugar and also better, healthy lifestyles. But I guess that what we have to do is extend trust and keep our eye out and, certainly, continue to ask the questions of the Government to make sure that we are continuing to have healthy programmes. One of my issues that I would love to have seen legislated might have been something like the funds, the revenue that is earned from the sugar tax would be used to support those who are uninsured from health, that we would use that money to help pay the premiums for those who are uninsured. I am aware of and certainly commend our health insurance companies like Argus, who have installed water st ations in schools. I certainly commend the youth pr ogrammes, the youth health programmes that are in our schools to make sure that we are continuing to have healthy lifestyles. But again, it would be great if some of this were legislated so that we knew that the funds from the sugar tax were absolutely being used to create programmes within our school system to raise awareness around healthy lifestyles, to pay teachers to extend the physical activity in the schools, et cetera. Because I do believe that there is room for that kind of amendment in any legislation. And in particular, when it comes to support for this wa r on sugar, and my support for the legislation and the amendments to the Customs Tariff Act that have been placed today on sugar would be to conti nue this journey of taxes and consider the possibility of having junk food also added to the list of taxed items, moving forward. Because, certainly, there are a number of what we would consider to be junk food items that have no nutritional value that could also be i ncluded in the legislation. So, with all of this, you know, these are the kinds of initiatives that I would certainly support. I would love to see the Government move in that direction in addition to this simple sugar tax that is being levied on consumers, ultimately, and on distributors and importers. But I would love to see that we would be able to extend our ability as legislators to provide a greater and more comprehensive framework in order to reduce the consumption and create a feeling of aversion towards sugar in the future. It is going to take this kind of legislation for us to be able to make that cultural shift because we, as a people globally, again, are addicted to sugar. We have found a way to co nsume, get that quick -energy high. It feels great. It tastes good. And for us to get to a point where we are able to use those healthy foods and enjoy a different kind of healthy lifestyle, it is going to take a lot of education for us to get there. And, you know, it may mean that we have to look at things like, I do not know, promoting cooking classes, supporting farmers’ markets more. Maybe we are going to have to look at increasing community gardens. We are going to have to come up with all kinds of wellness projects in order to start to shift the behaviour , because this is a tough call. We are trying to actually get people to withdraw from an addiction to sugar. And I just do not feel that adding a few cents or a dollar onto a sugary drink is going to be the silver bullet, Mr. Speaker. Now, what I do not support about this tax is that I do feel as though it is an isolated tax, that peo-ple will find other sugary substitutes, that just because
Bermuda House of Assembly we are going to put additional [costs] on sugary drinks, that somehow people are going to stop co nsuming the other sugar items that are out there and immediately start to lose weight. So, just this tax, in isolation, I believe is probably not going to create the decreases in overweight and obesity that we may think it is going to do. What it may just do is stop the consumption of the sugary drinks, but it may increase the consumption of, you know, chocolate mil k. Or it may increase the consumption of fruit juices. And people might start drinking more than the recom-mended daily allowance of a fruit juice. And so, ther efore, the amount of sugar consumption is still going to be there. And just as an aside, the other day I was in a grocery store. And I picked up something, and it was some natural drink. And it was sweetened with agave. So, all of a sudden, this agave, which is kind of like a honey of sorts, the amount of agave that was in this particular health drink was just as bad as the sugar. It was a huge amount of sweetener that was in this health drink, which I would imagine is going to have the same effect, ultimately. So, I guess I am saying all of that to say that we as a nation have to be vigilant that th e marketers, the manufacturers of these goods are going to be r eally sophisticated, and in many cases smarter and further ahead of the legislators, and are going to find ways to get around this. So, they do not care what price we put on sugary drinks. And they do not really care how much we reduce the consumption, because they are going to find other ways for people to purchase that sugar and, in my personal opinion, stay addicted to it. Because that is what this, in my opinion, is all about. So, Bermuda i s just this little needle in a ha ystack around sugar. And this sugar tax is just one little minute piece of this huge, other, almost, I want to say, like a conspiracy to keep us where we are. And, unfortunately, the manufacturers are going to continue to win, not only by replacing and substituting what is a traditional sugary drink with a natural drink with nat ural sweeteners, which are just as high and just as bad for us, ultimately, by feeding into what, in my opinion, is the emotional state of our population. And I believe that it is very difficult for us to simply say that people will be able to make a choice at the counter about the purchase of a sugary drink and that this is going to be the be- all and end- all. Because it is almost naive and simplistic a solution for us to think that we could just tax a sugary drink and not address some of the emotional, social, and economic reasons why people are consuming drinks in the first place. And if people are not feeling good about themselves, then it does not matter how much that sugary drink costs. If they are sad and they need a pick -me-up, they are going to purchase it. If they are in an economic state and they feel that they do not have any other option, then that is what they are going to purchase. And it does not matter how expensive that is. This becomes their comfort or their go-to or whatever anybody’s particular reason for picking up a sugar drink is. And they are going to pay that price. And I believe that we, as legislators and as a country, need to look at the reasons why we are doing this. And if we are not feeling well, then we need to find a way to feel better. Because it is not until we are feeling better that we are going to be able to co nsciously take control and have the discipline and the willpower to say, I don’t want that bad thing anymore. I don’t want to self -inflict pain on myself anymore. I want to live a healthy lifestyle. And until people are consciously able to say and reject what society is putting on us in order to keep us down, then we are going to be fighting a battle that will not ever be won by a simple sugar tax. When I was listening to the news, Mr. Speaker, I heard a comment that said, You know what? You can implement a sugar tax. What’s another 50 cents? What’s another 75 c ents on a can of soda? I’m going to drink it anyway. And if we are looking at the health implications and trying to find a healthier Bermuda, then we need to stand up and push back on that kind of what I am going to term as a blind compliance. B ecause thes e are healthy people— young. Right now, their weight is fine. They think it is okay to have a s oda here and a soda there, maybe every day, not realising that whether it is . . . It does not have to be affecting their weight; it could just be affecting and p utting a drain on their insulin. Diabetes can show up on anybody or in anyone who has just overwhelmed the system, and the body is no longer able to process that level of sugar. And so, we have to make sure that people are taking this seriously, that peop le are not just saying, Well, I have got to pay all this money for this soda an-yway. I’m going to just drink it. I’m going to just pay the money. It makes no difference to me. Because it does make a difference, Mr. Speaker, and we have to make sure to get that message across. Now, one of my other concerns about the price of the sugar tax is twofold. One is if we are going to raise the price of sugar tax and the people who r eally cannot afford to pay . . . (Let me backtrack.) If people are purchasing sugary drinks because they happen to be the sort of cheaper item on the shelf, and we are going to raise the price of that sugary drink so that it is more expensive than most other items on the shelf, well, if a person could not afford the bottle of water or could not afford the unsweetened iced tea at the price that it was set at, and now the Government is actually going to make the cheap version of the drink more expensive, then people are not going to be able to afford anything. We are just pricing the food ri ght out of the market. Right? So, I do not know whether we are doing an ything to lower the cost of water. I do not know what we 2262 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly are doing to make sure . . . although I did see the amendments, that the Government now is not going to include any drinks that have no sugar in them. But we must be careful that we are not actually pricing our foods to such an extent that nothing is going to be available to the people who could least afford to pay it. And, certainly, at the counter, when I look at the cost of the basic goods, we are paying a fortune for food as it is. So, to add on to the least amount or the cheapest food items in the store a tax that is going to out-price everything, then I just do not know where we go. Fortunately, we have good rainwater. And people can use the tap. And again, I guess in a lot of ways this, again, is a manufacturers’ way of keeping us or keeping them profitable in that they have chosen to put water in a bottle. And we, in a place like Bermuda, are actually paying for water that is probably less tasty and less effective than our natural rainw ater. So, let this be, and it could be, a campaign, an awareness campaign, a reminder to drink the rainw ater, it is beautiful, and not to always have to purchase something that is in a container. When we talk about the price of items in the store and finding that we are no longer able to pur-chase those foods, food items, especially the sugary drinks, then, all right. We are going to then reduce consumption. And if people cannot afford to buy t he sugary drinks, then the consumption goes down. Then I ask the Government, once the consumption goes down, the revenue that we, potentially, are going to earn for any of these sorts of health programmes is also going to go down. Right? So if the consumpt ion goes down, less tax is being collected. Then less money is being brought in to the tax coffers, the government coffers, because fewer people are buying the sodas. There is less tax that is actually being collec ted. So, I have to wonder if the idea of simply co llecting a tax and saying, Okay, well, we’re going to use this revenue for health programmes is actually a way to go, versus just committing to say, We’re going to have in our annual budget funds —to pay teachers and keep schools running , to make s ure that they can have more physical programmes for children or to make sure that we are able to have wellness pr ogrammes and that they are ongoing. We can budget those costs. But we do not know that the cost of those programmes is, ultimately, in the long run, going to be the same as the revenue that we are generating from a sugar tax. If everybody chooses not to consume the sugar drinks anymore and pay the sugar tax, then we are going to receive a much lower revenue from the sugar tax. And I hope that thi s is clear, Mr. Speaker. But it is a valid point, in my opinion. Right? So, the less consumption, the less tax we are going to gener-ate. So, therefore, we should commit to health pr ogrammes outside of the basis of the sugar tax, but just in general that we will use funds to make sure that we have comprehensive programmes in place. And, finally, Mr. Speaker, I had a bit of a co ncern around something that I researched and thought was quite interesting. And that is a sunset clause. So, Mr. Speaker, if we find that we implement this sugar tax and it does not work, if our obesity levels remain high, if people are continuing to gain weight and keep the weight on, which, statistically speaking, by the way, Mr. Speaker, has been proven in other jurisdi ctions that even with a sugar tax, we are finding that people are not losing weight. And it is having very little impact on lowering the obesity rate. It may be d ecreasing the consumption of sugary drinks, but it is actually having no effect on the reduction of people’ s weight, and it is having no effect on improving the health of our community. So, Mr. Speaker, we have to be very aware of the data that we are collecting and make sure that we are having a positive effect on the country, because if we are not, it is unf air, Mr. Speaker, that we would continue to tax people if that tax is having no effect on improving their health. One of the ways in which we might be able to do that, to keep an eye on things, is maybe to come up with a committee or a council that would follow the data. Because one of the pieces that I have noticed in my research is that it seems as though there is actua lly not a whole lot of data available that are actually analysing the reduction of body mass, that are actually following weight loss, that are actually recording and tracking non- communicable diseases. And maybe we could create a sample size of households and we can follow their sugary drink consumption, whether it is reduced. If it is reduced, that is great. If they are paying attention t o any of the comprehensive health pr ogrammes, if they are increasing their exercise, if they are actually losing weight and becoming healthier, then it is that kind of data that may say that, Okay. We started with a sugar tax, and it may be worth it for us to now expand into other taxes because it is having a positive effect. But without collection of the data, without analysing the actual physical health of our community, then it will be, in my opinion, very difficult for us to ever be able to determine w hether we are having a pos itive impact. So, with that, Mr. Speaker, I will take my seat. And I certainly, again, support that we have begun our war on sugar. I believe that a lot more needs to be done than a simple tax on sugary drinks. We need to not onl y tax the sugary drinks, but maybe consider taxing other food items if this proves to be successful. But, most importantly, Mr. Speaker, we must make sure that we have a comprehensive plan that allows people to become more active, to get more exercise, to shift their behaviours and eat in a healthier way, comprehensively, across the board, and also, to find
Bermuda House of Assembly new behaviours in the way that we live our healthy lives. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? We recognise the Honourable Premier. Premier, you have the floor. Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I am due to give comments and speak next for my side on this partic ular matter. But my comments are rather …
Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? We recognise the Honourable Premier. Premier, you have the floor.
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I am due to give comments and speak next for my side on this partic ular matter. But my comments are rather extensive. Would you like me to break, or would you like me to move that we adjourn nine minutes early and come back at two? Or would you wish me to start now and then pick up the rest after lunch?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIt is roughly 10 minutes. Do you want to take 10 minutes now and complete when you come back? Hon. E. David Burt: I do not particularly want to break it up, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou do not particularly want to break it up? Let me ask you this then . . . Does any other Member wish to speak before you? Does any other Member want to speak for a short five minutes, ten minutes?
Ms. Leah K. ScottBut I have more than 10 minutes. Hon. E. David Burt: I will yield. I will yield. Do you want to, Leah? I will yield. I will yield, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. You will yi eld, yes. Good.
Ms. Leah K. ScottThank you, Mr. Premier. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate what the Gover nment is trying to do in bringing this sugar tax. And I would like to know whether there is actually any real evidence that a tax will reduce obesity. And along with imposing the sugar tax, I think that …
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate what the Gover nment is trying to do in bringing this sugar tax. And I would like to know whether there is actually any real evidence that a tax will reduce obesity. And along with imposing the sugar tax, I think that we also need to have a really good education process. One of the challenges I have is that the WHO recommended this 20 per cent, I guess, worldwide increase or tax. And Bermuda is not like the rest of the world in many respects. And while I agree with the imposition of a tax, is 20 per cent the right amount for this jurisdiction? And what impact does that 20 per cent have on our local businesses and our importers of sugar and sugary drinks and things like that? The other thing, Mr. Speaker, is that it is not just sugary drinks that cause obesity. So, say you go to a Bermuda picnic. At that picnic, you are going to have macaroni and cheese, potato salad, peas and rice, fried chicken, barbecued chicken, some beef, topped off with a roll. Now, all of those are carboh y-drates that convert into sugar. Are we going to start taxing those foods, as well? All of those foods also contribute to obesity. And I do not drink sugary drinks. The only drink that I drink is win e, and that is not real sugar.
[Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerBut that has a different effect on you, too. You should be concerned about that effect. [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Leah K. ScottSo, I appreciate that the tax is coming in. But we also have to look at —suppose you have got a 21- year-old mother. She is trying to get her child ready for school. We all know that our youngsters are not as organised as they need to be. So, …
So, I appreciate that the tax is coming in. But we also have to look at —suppose you have got a 21- year-old mother. She is trying to get her child ready for school. We all know that our youngsters are not as organised as they need to be. So, she gets the child ready for school, and on the way out the door she gives him a Pop -Tart or a box of cereal or whatever it is that she can give that child so that he can have it for his breakfast. Imposing a tax is going to increase the cost to the end user. So, if a box of Pop-Tarts is three dollars now, it is going to be six dollars then. Is she going to be able to —
Hon. E. David Burt: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. Yes? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. E. David Burt: The Honourable Member is mi sleading the House. There is nothing inside of this Bi ll that is before us that will increase the price of PopTarts.
Ms. Leah K. ScottThank you, Mr. Premier. At the end of the day . . . well, a breakfast item, okay? [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Leah K. ScottOkay. That is fine. Okay. My thing is t hat we need to educate our young mothers. And whether or not there is going to be a tax on Pop- Tarts, the fact of the matter is that if the kid is getting Pop- Tarts for breakfast, it is not …
Okay. That is fine. Okay. My thing is t hat we need to educate our young mothers. And whether or not there is going to be a tax on Pop- Tarts, the fact of the matter is that if the kid is getting Pop- Tarts for breakfast, it is not going to be good for them. And in the long term, that will contri bute to obesity and other problems. [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Leah K. ScottIs it that they cannot cook or they do not want to take the time? [Inaudible interjection] 2264 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Ms. Leah K. Scott: Yeah? You are right. It is. You know I am short anyway. So, Mr. Speaker, in theory, I …
Is it that they cannot cook or they do not want to take the time? [Inaudible interjection]
2264 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Ms. Leah K. Scott: Yeah? You are right. It is. You know I am short anyway. So, Mr. Speaker, in theory, I support it. I think that, in addition to the tax, there has to be a greater educational process. Are we going to have education in the schools as to what is good for them to eat, what they should be eating? And good eating is a li felong process. I mean, I have been trying to eat right for I - do-not-know -how-many years and going to the gym and trying to not eat the things that I should not eat. So it is an ongoing process. And I hope that we have a good community education process that goes along with this sugar tax. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. We have got about four minutes left. I think we may break early unless somebody has four minutes of comments they want to make. No one has got a brief —all right. Mr. Premier, you are on your feet. Would you like to do the honours …
Thank you, Honourable Member. We have got about four minutes left. I think we may break early unless somebody has four minutes of comments they want to make. No one has got a brief —all right. Mr. Premier, you are on your feet. Would you like to do the honours at this point?
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House now a djourn until 2:00 pm so that we can have some nonsugar nourishment.
[Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI hope everyone has a healthy lunch! We now stand adjourned until 2:00 pm. [Gavel] Proceedings suspended at 12:27 pm Proceedings resumed at 2:01 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood afternoon, Members. [Gavel]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe have still got a good afternoon left ahead of us. For those in the listening audience, we are resuming the debate on the second reading of the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018. And I believe the Premier . . . you wanted to start off at this …
We have still got a good afternoon left ahead of us. For those in the listening audience, we are resuming the debate on the second reading of the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018. And I believe the Premier . . . you wanted to start off at this point?
Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker . I sincerely hope that you had a good and wonderful lunch, and that you did not indulge in soda after your meal.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo, not at all. Hon. E. David Burt: All right, Mr. Speaker . (I know you had tequila.) All right, Mr. Speaker , before I do begin, and as Members are coming back into the House, I would like to just take a moment to recognise two persons in the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. E. David Burt: Their names are Mike and D iane McGroan. And Mike and Diane McGroan are here for the 14 th trip to Bermuda—14th trip to Bermuda—one of those which was their honeymoon. And not only is it their 14th trip to Bermuda, but they are also …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnniversary . . . yes . . . good. Hon. E. David Burt: And the only thing I can say on behalf of this Honourable House and the people of Bermuda is that I hope you will have many more and you will continu e to celebrate them here on …
Anniversary . . . yes . . . good.
Hon. E. David Burt: And the only thing I can say on behalf of this Honourable House and the people of Bermuda is that I hope you will have many more and you will continu e to celebrate them here on our fine shores.
BILL
SECOND READING
CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2018
[Continuation of debate thereon] Hon. E. David Burt: With that, Mr. Speaker , I will move to the substantive matter at hand, because this is some thing that has been discussed a number of times. But the one thing that we are proud of inside this Government is that we make promises to the electorate and we keep the promises which we make. But by background, Mr. Speaker , it should be knowledge for al l that health care expenses and costs are killing us —whether it be crippling our businesses, whether or not they cripple our budget, and the bad health choices that we are making are crippling us as a people. Now, overall, Mr. Speaker , will this sugar ta x solve those problems? No. Will they begin the work which is necessary to reverse the trends which we have? Yes, Mr. Speaker . And it is just a plain and simple fact of economics. But not only is it a fact of economics, it is a fact that has been demonstrated in other jurisdictions that the Minister of Health presented. And the example which I like to give, because people always say, Well, if people want sugar or want a candy they are going to go ahead and buy a candy . . . and, Mr. Speaker , there will be m any people around here that know that when there is candy it is
Bermuda House of Assembly hard for me resist, especially if it is fruit pastilles or sour straw mat s . . . yes, yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, yes, absolutely. That is a different story. That is ho w my wife got me to marry her she sent me a care package of sour straw mats, my favourite thing in the world! And I was like, Oh, yes, this woman loves me! …
Mm-hmm. Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, yes, absolutely. That is a different story. That is ho w my wife got me to marry her she sent me a care package of sour straw mats, my favourite thing in the world! And I was like, Oh, yes, this woman loves me!
[Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: But . . . but . . . but all of that being said, Mr. Speaker , the f act is that if I have $5 in my wallet and the candy costs $1 and I feel like buying five, I am going to buy five! But if the candy costs $2, I am only going to be able to buy two.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTwo and a half. Hon. E. David Burt: Well, they do not sell half ca ndies in the store. Take it easy. [Laughter] Hon. E. David Burt: That much being said, Mr. Speaker , that is the very fundamental basis, and that is the reason why in other jurisdictions this …
Two and a half.
Hon. E. David Burt: Well, they do not sell half ca ndies in the store. Take it easy.
[Laughter]
Hon. E. David Burt: That much being said, Mr. Speaker , that is the very fundamental basis, and that is the reason why in other jurisdictions this has worked. It is a fact of economics that if you tax s omething more the people will consume less of it. That is the very nature of the way things work. That does not mean that the demand will be less, but the ability to meet that demand from the money which you have to expend will be less. But I think it is also important for the listening audience, Mr. Speaker , to understand how this pr ocess works and how we got to this point. Because when the Progressive Labour Party was in Opposition, we had raised the matter and the issue of a sugar tax. And the Progressi ve Labour Party is a bottom -up party, Mr. Speaker . As you would well know we take i nstruction and direction from the supreme body of the Progressive Labour Party, which is our Delegates Conference. In 2015 the Progressive Labour Party’s Delegates Conferenc e had a debate on the sugar tax and it was endorsed by our delegates at the time. That promise made it into our 2017 platform, Mr. Speaker , which I can, if you will allow me, quote. B ecause that platform said that the Progressive Labour Party “will impleme nt a sugar tax, with the revenue derived to be used for health education and early i ntervention.” Now, Mr. Speaker , as you would have heard, the Minister of Health has said that we will ensure that we earmark all of the funds that are generated from the s ugar tax to the promotion of healthy living initi atives. And that, Mr. Speaker , is a promise made and a promise that I would encourage the Opposition to make sure that we are held to account on that partic ular promise. Because the Shadow Minister of Health had said something about how she would like to see certain things inside of this Bill which will actually r eflect that this money is going to be diverted to a specific purpose. However, Mr. Speaker , at the exact same time that she said that she also said that we should probably use some of the funds (from the sugar tax) to pay for those who are uninsured on health care. Well, you cannot have it both ways, Mr. Speaker. You are either going to use the money to pay for initiatives and segregate it or you are going to put it inside of the Consolidated Fund to be used for things that the Consolidated Fund is used for, such as —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. E. David Burt: Well, I said the “Shadow” Mini ster of Health, not the Minister of Health.
[Inaudible int erjection]
Hon. E. David Burt: Oh, I know you did not say that, Minister of Health, I am sorry . . . Shadow Minister of Health.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. E. David Burt: Yes, the Shadow Minister of Health, the Honourable Member for constituency 20, Ms. Susan Jackson. But, Mr. Speaker , I think that it is important to recognise that we have made that pledge. Now, I will go into that pledge in a little bit, Mr. Speaker , but I want to . . . actually, let me touch on that now because I think it is important because one of the number -one complaints that we get from the citizens in this country when we talk about something like the sugar tax is very simple. They say, Well, we can’t afford to eat healthy. And I do not get to go on social media as much as I used to, I think it was actually sent to me in a WhatsApp group where someone had taken a screenshot of what someone had put on Facebook and it spoke about how expensive it was to eat healt hily here in Bermuda. And there are a number of factors that contrib ute to that. Clearly, one of them is customs duties on imports. Well, we have taken a first step into that to eliminate customs duty on many healthy food items. The next thing that contributes to that, of course, is shipping costs and then natural wastage because of how long it takes to get those items here to our shores. Well, one of things which we can do, Mr. Speaker , is to incentivise and to make sure that we have more domestic production of healthy options. Now, as you would understand, Mr. Speaker , I have 2266 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly the responsibility for the Business Development Agency. And one of the projects that the Business Development Agency has and is looking at with an external investor is looking at the conversion of certain buildings at Southside which could be possibl y used for vertical farming. Now, this is something that we have to see where it goes, but the thing is that if we have proceeds from a sugar tax that could be used to promote healthy living and if there is some type of i nvestment that may be needed in order to make this a reality, then these are the ways in which we can use that money. But what the Government will do is to make sure that the funds that are coming from this tax will be used to promote healthy living. And the best way to do that, of course, is to lower the cost of healthy options.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. E. David Burt: And that is what we need to make sure that we are trying to target as well, in add ition to the fact that education. Making sure that we put those educational items in place so that people can realise that sugar and/or other health …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. E. David Burt: And that is what we need to make sure that we are trying to target as well, in add ition to the fact that education. Making sure that we put those educational items in place so that people can realise that sugar and/or other health choices can negatively impact the population. Because, as the Minister for Health had spoken about, the challenge that we have is with diabetes in this country. And the fact that diabetes is consum ing an incredibly large portion of our health care budget for the treatment of those persons who have diabetes and the amount of persons who are at risk for getting . . . to moving on to diabetes where they may have to get dialysis, et cetera. So these are the types of things, Mr. Speaker , that we have to take strong action to fix. Now, Mr. Speaker , we are responsive to the public. And I say that we are responsive to the public because there are a number of persons who, of course, were hesitant about a sudden increase in our duty rates to 75 per cent on certain items. And so, as the Minister of Health has said, we have been respo nsive by delaying the implementation, which was r equested by industry. The implementation was supposed to take place this month, but we are delaying the implementation until the middle of the fiscal year, which is October 1 st. We are going to phase in the rate increases. It will start at 50 per cent and then move to 75 per cent. And we are going to carve out or have provisions for loc al manufacturers of foodstuffs to apply so that they can get concessionary rates on duty. Because, of course, it was recognised it would be unfair if we were charging the 75 per cent duty on raw sugar here in Bermuda for those persons who will use raw sugar to manufacture certain items, whereas if the duty imports on items such as Pop- Tarts is only 10 per cent currently, and if people were making those things here locally that this would create a disparity and put a disadvantage on local manufacturers. Thi s Government listens, we understand those concerns, and that is the reason why we have made these changes to make sure that our policy objectives can be achieved. But for those persons who are local manufacturers . . . they will not be severely negatively impacted. But what is also important, Mr. Speaker , is to recognise that with any tax and any change of tax there will be negative repercussions. And we had . . . last week, Friday, there was a meeting that was attended by myself. It was attended by the Min ister for Health, and it was attended by the Junior Minister of Finance. And during that meeting . . . there were a number of persons that were representing industries or companies that feel affected. And it was a very di fficult meeting because there are s ome persons who believe that this will mean the end to their business. I do not agree with that, Mr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. E. David Burt:—because we have to continue to make sure that we modernise the way in which we do business. And so my response to those persons is that this is a time to reinvent what it is that you do. If you have a retail store that …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. E. David Burt:—because we have to continue to make sure that we modernise the way in which we do business. And so my response to those persons is that this is a time to reinvent what it is that you do. If you have a retail store that is just selling candy, maybe you want to . . . in addition to selling candy, you might want to sell healthier snacks, different options, fr uitbased snacks, et cetera, something that might be di fferent that would not attract a sugar tax and maybe something that is better for your consumers. For those persons who are wholesalers and manufacturers they may want to look at other alternatives, Mr. Speaker , from that particular perspective. And so I know that some people do not want to change the way in which they do business, but in the delaying of the implementation of this tax we are going to give people at least four months so that they can ex amine the different ways in which they would like to do their business and so that they cannot be so negatively impacted by this tax. But the fact is, Mr. Speaker , this was a promise that we made. This is a promise that was e ndorsed by the people when the y voted for the Pr ogressive Labour Party during last year’s election, and it is a promise that we are keeping to the electorate. We must do something about our healthy living choi ces or our choices when it comes to making sure that we eat healthy. And, as I had said many times, the Gover nment will lead by example. So whether that was the recent competition that the Government had between government departments for the [50] Million Steps Challenge, whether those are the things that are continuing in our schools regarding healthy schools, whether or not those are discussions that the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health will be having to how we can promote healthy lifestyles inside of our Public Education System, the work which we have
Bermuda House of Assembly done (I thi nk it was the former Government), as the Shadow Minister of Health had mentioned, insofar as removing sweet drinks from our schools and otherwise and those type of snacks —these are the types of steps which we have to take, Mr. Speaker . I think going forward there will be more educ ation that will provided. The money that is coming from this could allow us to do different things, it can allow us to earmark, we can look at what they are doing in other countries when we are talking about looking at how we do . . . you know, what are the fat contents for certain foods and making sure that those type of things are published so people can actually have a better idea and information about what it is that they are putting into their bodies. So with that, Mr. Speaker , I want to commend the Minister of Health and her Ministry for spearhea ding this initiative. I want to thank the Junior Minister of Finance who has been leading this initiative within the Ministry of Finance to get us to this point. I want to thank all t he stakeholders who responded to the co nsultation. And I also want to thank those persons who have made representations to us and who have engaged in the democratic process to get us to where we believe is a happy medium in fulfilling our policy objectives while minimising the impact to Bermudian entrepreneurs. But Mr. Speaker , we must take action and this Government is committed to keeping its promises to take that action to ensure that we have a healthier society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Mr. Premier. Does any other Honourable Member . . . we recognise the Honourable Opposition Leader. Honourable Member , you have the floor. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , I reflect back to when I was a ppointed the Minister of Health …
Thank you, Mr. Premier. Does any other Honourable Member . . . we recognise the Honourable Opposition Leader. Honourable Member , you have the floor. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , I reflect back to when I was a ppointed the Minister of Health (I guess it was four years ago). And at the time the reporter asked me whether I would implement a sugar tax. And I said to him at that point that my concern with implementing a sugar tax would be . . . unless it resulted in changes in behaviour, then we were not going to achieve the r esult. All we were going to do was to increase revenue. And Mr. Speaker , I still have that concern because having been the Health Minister I understand very clearly the impact that sugar has on us with r espect to diabetes, cardiovascular, obesity . . . and I understand the reasons why we want to do something about them. Because I reflect . . . and if I go back, Mr. Speaker , to looking at the Ministry of Health and Se niors’ Roadmap 2017– 2019, in that we said (as the Government at the time) that we were going to impl ement a comprehensive approach to health promotion which encourages healthy lifestyles and involves health professionals and organisations to ensure the Well Bermuda population goals can be achieved. Not only that, we also indicated there was a goal to halt the rise in obesity [and diabetes] in Bermuda with rates in adults no higher than 34.4 per cent and 12.2 per cent, respectively. So, Mr. Speaker , I understand the need to do this but I also unders tand that part of this process is where we are with respect to levers that we have tried to pull to see whether they have resulted in some of the changes that we wanted to make. So I have to ask the Government —because they are now the Gover nment, but they are also the continuation of some of the programmes that had taken place—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: —I would like to find out from the Government where we are with respect to whether the obesity has been reduced or whether the diabetes rate has been reduced. Because the bottom line is if we all agree that the reason we are doing any …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: —I would like to find out from the Government where we are with respect to whether the obesity has been reduced or whether the diabetes rate has been reduced. Because the bottom line is if we all agree that the reason we are doing any of this is not to create revenue, but to improve the lif estyles, the health results of the people of Bermuda . . . reduce obesity and reduce the rise in di abetes. So I would like to think that the Minister will sometime during her presentation indicate to us where we are with respect to the current level of diabetes and the current level of obesity. I am also mindful of the fact that there was also the STEP S survey which talked about . . . and I know that . . . I think the . . . I do not remember whether it was the Finance Minister or the Health Mi nister who was talking about the circumference, the waist measurement, of women and men, because I remember at t he time thinking, Oh, no, the average waist size of a woman was 35 inches. And I thought, Oh, how terrible that was because you used to always think that women wanted to have this nice lovely body that had 36- 24-36. Well, obviously, that is something different these days. But I am saying that to only say that I remember that the STEPS programme had a number of measures that it recorded and I would like to know where we are with respect to the latest measurements to find out whether there has been any i mprovement. Because the bottom line of anything that we do has got to be measuring something so that you could see whether there is improvement. And if you do not have a measure then you are not going to be able to see whether it resulted in improvement. B ecause the bottom line is that I do not want the Minister of Finance to say that he has put in the budget for $10 million of extra revenue when really he should be tal king about getting down to this reduced level of obesity and this reduced level of diabetes, if that is where we are going. If we are not going there for revenue generation, but we are going there for health, then let us make sure that we put together some health meas-urements that we can look at and periodically reflect on whether it is achieving the goals. 2268 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly I am also mindful of the fact that in this same Roadmap the Premier’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition was also going to provide leadership with particular focus on children. And the reason that was so very important is because we understand that once you start to get on this cycle of liking your sweets, getting addicted to sugar and all sorts of other things, that it is virtually impossible to get off. The same way like once you get addicted to tobacco, that we understand it is virtual ly impossible to get off so you—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNot true . Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: —it was virtually imposs ible to get off so that it was important —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet her speak to the Chair. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: It was important to stop people from smoking and stop people—children — from smoking, and also stopping children from getting addicted to sugar. So I would like to find out whether the Ministry of Health has been reviewing the results …
Let her speak to the Chair.
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: It was important to stop people from smoking and stop people—children — from smoking, and also stopping children from getting addicted to sugar. So I would like to find out whether the Ministry of Health has been reviewing the results of the Council on Fitness to find out whether it has achiev ed the reduction in at -risk children, it has achieved the reduction in children that are either not eating well and as a result are having obesity problems or having fitness problems because that, once again, means that you have a measure by which you can determine whether the programmes are working. That same Health and Seniors’ Roadmap also talked about nutritional risk factors were to be r educed. And the type of nutritional risk factors that one would normally be looking at would be whether people are having a healthy diet, which things they are eating, and therefore understanding that it is important that we get better nutrition. And I say that because I am mindful of the fact that in looking at all of this I took the opportunity, and I am sure the people in the Mini stry of Health will continue to do that because they are very diligent individuals and civil servants. But I r emember that I had the conversation with the grocery stores about a programme called “$aver the Flavour : Eat Well for Less ” (which was an Eat Well [guideline]), and it was designed to have the grocery stores start to make people look at the different types of food, understand the nutrition content, and also look at things that could be on special so that you could start to have people feeling that within their money budget that they could come up with some things that are i mportant to them and be able to live within their budget. So, I say that because all of this is designed for us to talk about whether . . . what we are doing to try and help people live within their budget and also to make sure that it is nutritional. Now, I am going down that path because I too, over the time, have been looking at the whole thing of education, looking at sugar, and looking at whether we should be im plementing a sugar tax because it has always been something out there, and you always look at what is happening in other jurisdi ctions in terms of whether people have implemented, whether they still have it, whether they have impl emented it and taken it of f because it did not work. B ecause we exist in a world where you can see what people have done and you can decide does it work here? As opposed to does it work in other locations ? And I am mindful of something that someone sent to me: “Sweet Nothing: Real -World Evidence of Food and Drink Taxes and their Effect on Obesity.” And I was intrigued by it because what it said was for food and drink taxes. Can I just read this for one moment, Mr. Speaker ? “For food and drink taxes to successfully lo wer national obesity rates, consumers must act exactly as food and drink tax proponents claim they should. In particular, four important and linked conditions must be met. If any one of these linkages is proven to be unreliable the entire concept necessarily fails.” And the first one was: “Food tax condition 1: Taxes on ‘unhealthy’ food and drink must raise prices by an amount similar to the tax.” That was the first condition. The second condition was: “Consumers must respond to higher prices by buying proportionately less of the taxed food and drink.” The third was: “Consumers must not subst itute other, equally -caloric products to replace any decrease in consumption of taxed food and drink.” And the fourth one was: “Any reduction in overall calories consumed as a res ult of food and drink taxes must lead to a noticeable decline in obes ity.” And it made me think about all of these things because we are assuming that all of them are going to occur. And I think that if I did not go back and read and remind myself that by . . . if you do not . . . and I know that the Finance Minister talks about if you had this . . . I think it was something that you bought for $2 or whatever it is and if it went up whether you would then be able to buy $5 worth . . . it was I think it was 2.5—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHis first candy was $1 a candy. So he got— Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Yes, $1 a candy and then—
The SpeakerThe Speaker—five. And then it went up to $2, yes. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Right, right. But what I am saying is that what he did not suggest was that the person might decide that they want still that same amount of calories so they will look for something else that …
—five. And then it went up to $2, yes.
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Right, right. But what I am saying is that what he did not suggest was that the person might decide that they want still that same amount of calories so they will look for something else that gives them the sugar [for which] the tax and the
Bermuda House of Assembly price has not gone up and they will still get the caloric content.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: So I think that we have to recognise that it does not always mean that by i ncreasing the price that people reduce their consum ption. But I am also mindful of the fact that . . . and this is this whole question of …
Mm-hmm. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: So I think that we have to recognise that it does not always mean that by i ncreasing the price that people reduce their consum ption. But I am also mindful of the fact that . . . and this is this whole question of elast icity in the sense that it does not . . . the increase in cost does not automat ically reduce the actual consumption. The other thing that I am mindful of was the fact that there was this whole thing about body mass and talking about what the body mass is of an indivi dual and making sure that you look at food and drink and you look at the impact on it. And that is why I was curious if the Health Minister at some point in time could indicate where we are with respect to the body mass rates because that will help us — [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: The body mass index, sorry. The body mass index, the BMI data, I should have said that. We would then be able to determine whether whatever we are doing is going to result in some changes. But the second thing that was important to me was the fact that we have to understand that it has also been determined that the food and drink taxes do provide a lucrative new source of government rev enues. And so the Minister did indicate . . . I think I wrote something down to the effect . . . somewhere I have $10 million in there, or maybe I am wrong. But I think I did write down $10 million. And so, if it b ecomes something that is put into the Government budget , then one worries that it becomes a source of revenue, and that the Government wants to make sure that it has it as opposed to perhaps putting as much emphasis on the health side, which is the reduction of the obesity and the reduction in diabetes. I know that the Finance Minister alluded to the fact about food and drink taxes arbitrarily punishing businesses and that . . . I see that he has come up with some exemptions and some modifications which are obviously designed to address some of those i ssues. And I think that this is going to be something that will have to be weighed up by the people that are in that industry to find out whether it is sufficient to make sure that they can actually stay in business. B ecause, whether we like it or not , they are the ones that have to look at their profit margi ns. The other point that I wanted to make . . . and this gets back to this whole thing of some of the stud-ies. Some of the studies that have been out there have indicated that the taxes actually disproportionately impact poorer people. And I am only stati ng what the report said. It said that while you could have an average cost of the increase, it meant that people at the lower end of the scale ended up paying a bit more. Now, I do not know whether it is because they found that they did not change their consumption quite as much as some people at the higher end, or whether the people at the higher end of the scale were then able to substitute something else. I also am mindful of the fact that there is a concern that if you say that people get addicted . . . and I am mindful of the fact that whether we like it or not we have to understand that when you like your sugar, after a while it does become an addiction. It gives you a high; it makes you feel good. So it is not just about the candy, as some people all uded to earl ier, it is also about whether you are having the . . . your potatoes, because that turns . . . those type of things, pasta and all sorts of things, turn into sugar. So we have to focus on what we are trying to achieve, which was the reduction i n the diabetes and the reduction in the obesity. I keep saying that because if I look at some of the things that have been produced I would have to remind myself that if people know that sugar gives them a certain feeling and they want to keep exper iencing that feeling and do not want to feel the wit hdrawals . . . because there is a clear indication that if you have a sugar addiction that you have withdrawal - like cravings, anxiety, headaches, muscle pain, [and] insomnia. So we know that this exists. And if they cannot buy their chocolates, if they cannot buy their sugary drinks, then they are going to buy something else. That is why I keep saying that it is most i mportant for us to focus on things that are going to change people’s lifestyle, make them under stand that they should do something differently because there is going to be a combination of a reduction in the cravings, there is also going to be a combination of having to focus on the money that you are spending. But at the same time you want to feel better. So it is very important that we ask the Government what it is going to really do with respect to reducing diabetes and r educing obesity. I think that there were two other things that I think my colleague talked about (sorry, Susan is not here), whi ch I think has been suggested. And some of it we cannot do ourselves because in the States they were talking about voluntary codes of conduct to r estrict food marketing to children. Now, we cannot do anything about what comes in terms of the ads, be-cause m ost of them come already into a lot of the programmes. But we can do something about some of the ads that are produced here in Bermuda. Because if the ads are designed to make children want to have the sugary . . . whether it is the sugary drinks or the candies or whatever, then that is something we should be looking at. 2270 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly But also the other side of it is trying to not have them encouraged to eat the sugary things. We have to then talk about what additional things we are doing with respect to promoting the he althy lifestyles, because the bottom line is if you can promote the healthy lifestyles you have a chance of changing them. I remember when the PAHO [Pan American Health Organization] lady came down, we were talking about lifestyles and we were talking abou t breastfeeding. She was indicating that if someone started off breastfeeding then that meant that it was cheaper be-cause they were not out buying baby food, they act ually were using nature’s . . . the food within their body. That did two things: (1) it me ant that they did not have to be buying baby food and stuff right at the begi nning; and (2) she also indicated that this started to stop the kids from having this sort of craving for sugary things. But it also reminded me that at the time when you are looking at what you give your children that there is a tendency for us as parents to be utilising our own cravings and giving children the sugary . . . the fruit stuff, because we think that they should have fruit stuff as opposed to giving them just the vegetables. So that meant that this caused them to have this sort of change in how they were reacting and what they are having with respect to growing up and then not having this craving for sugar. I am also mindful of the fact that there has been the suggesti on (and I think my colleagues mentioned it) that perhaps we should try and make sure that the things that are very attractive to children are taken away. And I am mindful of the fact that when we did the tobacco we talked about cigarettes and the flavoured cigarettes, and we talked about having them up higher and we talked about having them covered and whatever else. And so that made me think about translating that into something for the candies, because, as you know and remember, when you go in the grocery store the candies are all right there ready for you. And I am guilty. I go in and I am waiting at the checkout and somebody is in front of me and I think, Oh, I’ll just have a Kit Kat or something else. But more importantly, and I do not know whether you have looked recently, the candies are the ones that . . . they have more specials on them than any other food that I can think of. By the time you go in there, you know, it is a buy one, get two. Or it is a . . . everything that you can think of as it rel ates to candy bars, et cetera. There is always something that is on special. And so I am saying that to say that the same way we said that we have to do something to try and discourage our children from having all of this sugar, we have to do something about that. And so, Mr. Speaker , I think that with respect to the comments that I wanted to make . . . I really want to be sure that . . . as I said when I became the Minister four years ago, I wanted to make sure that we needed to do something to reduce obes ity, we needed to do something to reduce diabetes. And I do not want us to do something that does not produce that result, but all it does is produce more revenue in the hands of the Government, and that also means that the chi ldren that we really want to care about, as well as the adults . . . I do not want to find out that the unintended consequence is that they are just spending more money on something and we have not had them change their lifestyle and understand that the sugar produces the . . . not only the diabetes and the obes ity, but also the other things with respect to the cardi ovascular diseases. And you know the thing that we do not even think about, even on a regular basis? Tooth decay and bone density problems. These are things which are a consequence of that. But I do think that in order to do any of this we have to do something about educating our citizens on lifestyles, educating our citizens on what they have to do to take some ownership of the things that they should do —whether it be walk ing more, whether it should be drinking more water, whether it should be going out and just mowing their lawn and doing whatever. And I would like to go back and encourage the Ministry of Health because I know before, as I said, we had a number of initiati ves. Maybe they just have to come and remind us of where they are with some of these initiatives, because if the initiatives are working then maybe we could say to ourselves that they are working, and having to put a tax on some of these things might not be the only course of action. And with that, Mr. Speaker , I think that I u nderstand what the Finance Minister said with respect to Government promises, in terms of health education and early intervention. And I look forward to hearing about that because, as the Finance Minister and Premier said, we would be very pleased to look at what the Government offers, and very pleased to find out from them whether it is producing it and hold them accountable if they are not delivering it in sufficient quantity, and if the results are not there. Because as the Opposition we want to make sure that the pr ogrammes that are put in place work for [the] people of Bermuda. We want to make sure that the things that are out there are going to be working. And I was pleased to hear the Finance Mini ster was indicating that they might be pursuing vertical farming because in my constituency I have a gentl eman that is doing vertical farming and I know that it is possible. And if these things can be implemented in Bermuda where we can lower the cost of food and we can provide alternate business opportunities for people in Bermuda, then that is really what it is all about. So the delay in the implementation . . . well, I guess we will have to keep hoping that the people that are involved in this will keep advocating to the Go vernment and say, Hey, will this go far enough? But I really would like to think that we do not end up having this more as a source of revenue without putting
Bermuda House of Assembly enough emphasis on the fact that you have to do something to have people reduce their choices, r educe their lifestyle, because the bottom line is without that, then it is just another revenue source and we are not going to have the reduction in obesity and the r eduction in diabetes. And I think that covers the things that I wanted to discuss, and if anything else comes up I am sure I can bring it up in the other debate.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Committee. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member . Does any other Honoura ble Member . . . I recognise the Government Whip.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMember Scott, you have the floor.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottThank you, Mr. Speaker . I am actually going to take somewhat of a di fferent tack from what I have heard previously. And I know that some of my constituents say that I am a lot like that one goldfish that is swimming the opposite way on the package …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker . I am actually going to take somewhat of a di fferent tack from what I have heard previously. And I know that some of my constituents say that I am a lot like that one goldfish that is swimming the opposite way on the package of Goldfish. That tends to be me. But the thing is that I . . . in a way I sort of struggle with the sugar tax just because I like my sugary sweets. As an athlete, Mr. Speaker , you know that we have to—
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottNo, as an athlete. I am still an athlete, it is just off -season . . . off-season. But, you know, I like my Gatorade, all right? And that is full of sugar, but it does the trick for me. But the thing is, Mr. Speaker , that I feel …
No, as an athlete. I am still an athlete, it is just off -season . . . off-season. But, you know, I like my Gatorade, all right? And that is full of sugar, but it does the trick for me. But the thing is, Mr. Speaker , that I feel as though . . . it is almost sort of . . . what we are doing here as a Government is almost like that story, The Swor d of Damocles, where you had somebody — Damocles —wanted . . . he saw the King [ Dionysius ] sitting up on his throne and he said, Oh, how wonderful it would be to be sitting on the throne and have all the luxuries and the trappings of being king. And the king said, You want it? Here, have my throne for a day. Be a king for a day. But what I am going to do is I am going to hang a sword—a real large sword —right above your head which is being hung by a single hair from a horse’s tail. And so that was to illustrate that although you have the power, although you have the ability to do whatever you want, if you do not do what is right at any given time, or even if what you are doing is right, at any given time that sword can fall. I believe, Mr. Speaker , that this is what sort of happened in 2017 at the last election, because what we are talking about now with the sugar tax is nothing new, Mr. Speaker . This was brought up before. It could have been brought up before. It could have been tabled before in this Honourable House, and it could have been passed. But the former administr ation chose not to, Mr. Speaker . And now I understand . . . I hear their arguments. I hear their points —and they do make good points. But, Mr. Speaker , I find it interesting that . . . and I am going to use, with your indulgence, if I can quote from the Royal Gazette—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou may have it, being you asked for the indulgence. Go ahead.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottThank you. There is a piece on the front page right under where it says “PLP C aptures Warwick North East.” And it has a picture of our newly elected MP. Underneath there it says 1“Barritt warns drinks prices will increase.” So, when I read through it and just . …
Thank you. There is a piece on the front page right under where it says “PLP C aptures Warwick North East.” And it has a picture of our newly elected MP. Underneath there it says 1“Barritt warns drinks prices will increase.” So, when I read through it and just . . . I will go and I will pick one sentence out of there. And he says that “We view the sugar tax ” (and this is Bruce Barritt speaking) “ as a government revenue- raising Bill [and] not a health initiative.” Mr. Speaker , the thing that I find interesting is that Barritt has looked at this as an expense. Barritt has looked at t his as a cost. When I look at this, Mr. Speaker , this is a job- making initiative; this is a way for the businesses in this country to start using this sugar tax to create jobs. Now, I see Members looking at me like, How? How is that possible? Now, because, as it says in the Bill, there is a concession for food stuffs made here in Bermuda, produced here in Bermuda. Barritt’s no longer cans or bottles its sodas here in Bermuda, Mr. Speaker , so it has to import everything. Therefore, with its importing the sodas, that is where the tax is. Now, if Barritt’s was to now bring these jobs back home, bring the bottling operation back, start that back up, they would then be able to say, W e are act ually producing it here in Bermuda, and if we are pr oducing it here in Bermuda we can add or apply for that tax exemption or that concession. Therefore, now what you are doing is you are reducing the cost of operating or doing business as a soda bottling plant and you are also creating jobs . . . creating jobs for Bermudians , Mr. Speaker . So, ther efore, it is the best of both worlds. Now, my question is, why was that not done under the other administration? It could have been that they were . . . that the lobbyists were so focused on profitability versus the quality of life of Bermudians, and that the lobbyists were a lot louder than anybody else that the former administration heard, Mr. Speaker. And so I go on to bring that because the Member that just took her seat —the Honourable Opposition
1 Royal Gazette , 8 June 2018 2272 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Leader —said that we have to talk about and look at giving something . . . someone . . . that will help them change their lifestyle, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , a job will change your lifestyle.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottI do not know anything other than a job that is going to change your lifestyle, Mr. Speaker . I do not know anything other than a job that is going to help you have a better quality of life, Mr. Speaker , make better decisions because, as a bach …
I do not know anything other than a job that is going to change your lifestyle, Mr. Speaker . I do not know anything other than a job that is going to help you have a better quality of life, Mr. Speaker , make better decisions because, as a bach elor, I have to admit that I do not eat the healthiest.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottYou know, I go to Hunt’s and I buy in bulk. And one thing that I do buy from Hunt’s is—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThe cookies .
Mr. W. Law rence ScottNo, I do not buy the cookies. I buy those big hot dogs, Mr. Speaker . [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottYeah, the hot dogs and I . . . Mr. Speaker , I could live quite a long time just eating those hot dogs . . . all the — [Inaudible interjection s and laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottWell, the Honourable Health Minister says I will not live a long time. But, Mr. Speaker , what I am trying to say is that on my limited income I look at what is cost - effective, what is —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIt sounds like it is time to get somebody into your house who can cook with you—
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottI am looking to bring som ebody into my house that can cook. So any single women out there that can cook — [Laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence Scott—please send in your rés umé to 4 Kings Lane North, with possibly some mac a-roni and cheese or something along the side so I can taste test. But I do digress, Mr. Speaker . But the thing is . . . what I am trying to point out is …
—please send in your rés umé to 4 Kings Lane North, with possibly some mac a-roni and cheese or something along the side so I can taste test. But I do digress, Mr. Speaker . But the thing is . . . what I am trying to point out is that we have sat here . . . or many a Member has stood here and talked about the ill effects of sugar and then how much it is going to cost us to buy these sugary drinks and these sodas and candy bars. But why have we not l ooked at this as a job opportunity, Mr. Speaker ? Because if we start producing more l ocally, from a business point of view, you can get around the increased sugar tax. So now what happens is that now the Government is generating rev enue from those that do not have the ability to start a business and that was, as I said, said to be approx imately $10 million raised. So that is money that is going to go towards . . . earmarked for health promotion and disease prevention, Mr. Speaker , and to encourage healthier lifestyles. But I am hoping and I am speaking to . . . this speech is going to those entrepreneurs, those al-ready -existing business owners, that can see the possibilities, see the opportunities in producing food stuffs here in Bermuda, in making something a little bit more sustainable here in Bermuda, rather than importing everything, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , I go back to that, and I am going to just drive that home because . . . and I will use Barritt’s as an example. I do not know how many jobs that would create. But one thing that this Government did do and did not do . . . we did not promise that we are going to provide “X” number of jobs. However, what we did promise is that we were going to provide an environment in which job creation is favourable. And now providing that environment does not mean that it is going to be that golden brick road, meaning that there is not going to be that golden brick road where it is going to be obvious to everybody. The entrepr eneur, what I have noticed, has a very unique skill in being able to envision the invisible, meaning see opportunities where no one else sees it.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberRight, right.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottAnd what I want to do now is help those members out there in our community, help the big businesses as well, to be able to see this is more of a balanced approach. This is a way, as I said, to generate money for our economy, to generate money …
And what I want to do now is help those members out there in our community, help the big businesses as well, to be able to see this is more of a balanced approach. This is a way, as I said, to generate money for our economy, to generate money for a healthier lifestyle, as it says “earmarked for expanded health promotion and disease preven-tion activi ties, to encourage healthier lifestyles.” One thing I will . . . I am just going to digress and talk about the Minister of Health for a minute, b ecause she is living . . . she is leading by example. The Minister of Health eats healthy. Mr. Speaker , I even tease her about how healthily she eats when . . . at dinner time. I also . . . she is also into yoga, she does CrossFit. I mean, Mr. Speaker , I am actually a little bit
Bermuda House of Assembly jealous, because I have to step my game up because I like to say that I am the most act ive Member in this House. But I do not think so anymore, not with —
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottNo, no, no. I was distracted by the light blue/dark blue on the other side. [Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottBut back to what I was sa ying. Therefore, if you were to mix that healthy lif estyle with more job creation, Mr. Speaker , where we are starting to look at, okay, hey, we have got people that are having more active lifestyles, healthier lif estyles, we are providing …
But back to what I was sa ying. Therefore, if you were to mix that healthy lif estyle with more job creation, Mr. Speaker , where we are starting to look at, okay, hey, we have got people that are having more active lifestyles, healthier lif estyles, we are providing them with additional income or actually just a primary income, now they can actua lly say, Okay, you know what? I don’t have to be like bachelor MP Lawrence S cott who goes for the most economical food stuffs. All right? And I can actually now start looking at . . . you know what? Because, Mr. Speaker , I am going to be honest. The healthy food is the expensive food. I am just being honest. Healthy food is expens ive food. However — [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottIt is. Well, she is saying the stuff that is not good for you. The Honourable Leah Scott is saying the u nhealthy food is also as expensive. But the thing is that if we have a job, we should be able to afford it. And I understand that there …
It is. Well, she is saying the stuff that is not good for you. The Honourable Leah Scott is saying the u nhealthy food is also as expensive. But the thing is that if we have a job, we should be able to afford it. And I understand that there is a Joint Select Committee on a Liveable Wage that is debating. And I declare my interest, I am on that Committee. And we are working towards finding a way to have a minimum wage, liveable wage, coming down the pipeline. But that does not do us any service if there are no jobs to be created, if there are no jobs out there, if people can still not get employed. So this sugar tax is not just about the increasing of the cost of doing business. It is not j ust about the increase in the cost of our sugary drinks and our sweets. It is about the opportunity to create and bring some jobs that are currently overseas back home. It is the opportunity to create jobs here in Bermuda that can help service, not just that one entrepreneur, not just this one segment, but the whole community, Mr. Speaker . So I want to just take time out to address Mr. Barritt and implore him to take a look at the way he is doing bus iness. And if you, Mr. Barritt, can bring these jobs back home . . . because I understand that the bottling of sodas left Bermuda in 2009. So we have gone close to 10 years, almost a decade, without Barritt’s sodas being bottled here. So, in those 10 years the money that was saved, in those 10 years the money that . . . the reduced cost of doing business . . . I think it is time to reinvest it in Bermuda. I think it is time to reinvest that money in Bermudians. And instead of talking about how much you are going to have to sell your sodas for . . . I have a feeling that Bermudians would not mind paying more for a can of soda if they knew it was employing one of their own. I have a feeling that Bermudians would not mind paying more for some ginger beer with their Dark ’n Stormy if they knew that it was helping pay someone’s . . . another Bermudian’s bills, that we were helping each other. We are going back to what we know best which is, Mr. Speaker , as a former Member of this House and former Leader of this country said, Bermuda works best when we work together.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWho was that?
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottAnd that was . . . a Member that is actually older than you, Mr. Speaker , he is in his 70s. [Laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottHe is in his 70s and right now he is probably sitting in his living room watching politics. I do not know how you do politics for 36 years and then watch it on TV after you retire . . . but that is different story. [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottBut, yes, that is what we get from our senior’s corner over here, Mr. Speaker . [Laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottBut, Mr. Speaker , I believe that Bermuda does work best when it works together. 2274 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly So, am I chastising Mr. Barritt and Barritt’s? No, I am not, Mr. Speaker . I want to make that clear because I see …
But, Mr. Speaker , I believe that Bermuda does work best when it works together. 2274 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly So, am I chastising Mr. Barritt and Barritt’s? No, I am not, Mr. Speaker . I want to make that clear because I see the Royal Gazette is here, and I want to make sure that they understand what I am trying to say. But I am trying to implore that instead of . . . because Mr. Barritt is here on the front page, having nothing good to say about this Bill and being actually very inaccurate in what he says about this Bill. So I am correcting his inaccuracies. I am informing him so he can make the best decisions. But also, I am showing him how he and his business can benefit from this sugar tax —
Mr. W. Lawrence Scott—benefit from the clauses that are held within this Act, not just financially, not just through profits, but also through helping [to] cr eate a better quality of life for Bermudians and Berm uda. And I want to know that this Government is serious about its promises. It is s …
—benefit from the clauses that are held within this Act, not just financially, not just through profits, but also through helping [to] cr eate a better quality of life for Bermudians and Berm uda. And I want to know that this Government is serious about its promises. It is s erious. There is a lot of thought that goes in . . . before we as a Gover nment come and say that we are going to promise to do this or promise to do that, a lot of thought, a lot of research, a lot of due diligence has gone into it. And so when we say we promise to create an environment where job creation is favourable, this is the proof in the pudding, because very few members of the public I know saw this as a job creation opportunity. And just from the looks that I was getting when I first brought this u p saying that this was a job creation opportunity . . . the looks that I got then, and the looks that I am getting now, are totally different. The first ones were ones of disbelief and confusion, Mr. Speaker , right?
[Inaudible interjections and laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottMr. Speaker , they say they are still confused. So I guess I have to start from the beginning again and repeat myself.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersNo, no, no, no. [Inaudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWell, this debate does not allow repet itiveness. [Laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottBut Mr. Speaker , I truly and wholeheartedly . . . I hope that the Opposition understands. They might not agree; but I hope they understand where I am coming from in the sense that if you provide . . . the cl ause in the Bill that says if …
But Mr. Speaker , I truly and wholeheartedly . . . I hope that the Opposition understands. They might not agree; but I hope they understand where I am coming from in the sense that if you provide . . . the cl ause in the Bill that says if you pr ovide food stuffs here in Bermuda, but yet you need sugar in order to do that, you can apply for a conces-sion. And when you apply for that concession you are not paying the full 75 per cent. Members in the Gallery are n odding their heads. They understand it. Members on my side are nodding their heads. They understand it. So now it seems to be one segment . . . there is—
[Inaudible interjections and laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottThere seems to be one segment in thi s Honourable House that does not seem to understand the point, or does not understand the premise. Therefore, I am stressing, and I am using Mr. Barritt because he is on the front page of the Royal Gazette, and because he has …
There seems to be one segment in thi s Honourable House that does not seem to understand the point, or does not understand the premise. Therefore, I am stressing, and I am using Mr. Barritt because he is on the front page of the Royal Gazette, and because he has been a very vocal advocate, and because I remember he was on the ZBM evening news one time talking about how —
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottNow this is why I am sort of glad that . . . I mean the stars have all aligned. The PLP won last night, and Mr. Barritt ended up on the front page the same day that I am making this speech. And I want to show that you …
Now this is why I am sort of glad that . . . I mean the stars have all aligned. The PLP won last night, and Mr. Barritt ended up on the front page the same day that I am making this speech. And I want to show that you can actually cr eate jobs, Mr. Barritt, right? You can actually use this to your advantage, Mr. Barrit t. Therefore, once again you can look at bringing the bottling operation back to Bermuda. You can then go to the Government and say, Hold on, I am creating food stuffs, which is using sugar as one of its ingredients, and I would like to apply for that conc ession. Which then means that the full
Bermuda House of Assembly 75 per cent would not necessarily be allocated . . . that he would not have to pay the full 75 per cent. So, therefore . . . and I see other Members and I am anticipating a robust debate on my comments that I am making right now, Mr. Speaker . I see the Opposition writing feverishly and paying attention to me and some have that “Home Alone” look on their face . . . when he slaps his hands to his cheeks.
[Laughter]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottBut the fact is the one thing that I wanted to do (is what I think I have achieved) is have people look at this sugar tax in a different light (all right?), where we all understand the health impl ications. Right? And with the Minister of Health being an …
But the fact is the one thing that I wanted to do (is what I think I have achieved) is have people look at this sugar tax in a different light (all right?), where we all understand the health impl ications. Right? And with the Minister of Health being an infl uence on me, I am going to t ry to be more active than I already am. I do . . . I have to . . . Because my sensei is staring at me right now, Mr. Speaker , I have to talk about the Karate that I do on Tuesdays and Thur sdays. Also, as you all know, I am a goalkeeper. I train on Mondays to Thursdays, so I stay pretty active.
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottNights are a different story, Member. I usually do a lot of devotion. I do a lot of meditation at night. So, the thing is that what I want to do is just make sure that we are now looking at this not in just a single tier or with …
Nights are a different story, Member. I usually do a lot of devotion. I do a lot of meditation at night. So, the thing is that what I want to do is just make sure that we are now looking at this not in just a single tier or with tunnel vision about sugar diabetes, which is very important. But look at the fact that this has wider implications, and this does not have implications but opportunities. And so for all the entrepreneurs out there I encourage you, that all the confectioners, the bakers, all those that create food stuffs, just understand that this Bill can have positive implications for you. You can find workarounds that will help you create a job, help you keep a job, and also the money that is generated from this Bill, generated from this tax, the $10 million, is going to be earmarked to expand health promotion and disease prevention activities and also encourage a healthy lifestyle. And I encourage everybody to get out, even if it is for an hour or so. You know, go support your Somerset Cricket Club. Get out, support your PHC . . . your PHC Zebras for us on a Sunday or so. But, once again—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat is just sitting there watching them though, I thought you were going to say get out and play with them and get a little exercise.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottWell, I mean the thing is that if you are watching the PHC Zebras you are going to be doing a lot of up and down cheering and dancing . . . just as much . . . maybe not as much as if you are supporting Somerset during the …
Well, I mean the thing is that if you are watching the PHC Zebras you are going to be doing a lot of up and down cheering and dancing . . . just as much . . . maybe not as much as if you are supporting Somerset during the Cup Match, especially with the parade afterwards where we parade the cup around and put it back in our trophy case.
Mr. W. Lawrence ScottAnd we parade it around and put it back in our trophy case at the end of day. But once again, I do want to make sure that we understand that this is something that we can all agree on, this is something that we should be all ro wing …
And we parade it around and put it back in our trophy case at the end of day. But once again, I do want to make sure that we understand that this is something that we can all agree on, this is something that we should be all ro wing in the same direction, and I commend the Minister for bringing this Bill and I support it wholeheartedly.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Does any other Member . . . are you still hol ding your tune? [Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou are good now? Okay. We recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 12, is it?
Mr. L. Craig CannonierNo, actually I appreciate the comments from the Honourable Member Scott and his . . . I have come to learn that he is a very optimistic individual, and that he does look for opportunities. Sometimes some of us see it as a stretch of the imagination, but I do …
No, actually I appreciate the comments from the Honourable Member Scott and his . . . I have come to learn that he is a very optimistic individual, and that he does look for opportunities. Sometimes some of us see it as a stretch of the imagination, but I do get the spirit in which he is approac hing this here. So I would not say anything bad about that. I was a bit confused (I must admit), because essentially what he was saying was . . . he was telling, as an example, Mr. Barritt to . . . if he wants to beat the system [with] this sugar tax, to essentially make it here and he can beat the sugar tax when this tax really is a tax on soda. And I am a bit confused about that. But it is an example I think that he is trying to use. And so I understand what he is attempting to say, but maybe the example was not the best of examples. So I get that. 2276 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly So I probably will be looking at making soda at home so I can get that exemption on the sex . . . on the tax.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierThat are a lot of drinks out there. But I want to commend the Minister for where we are today. And I say that because when the initial Bill came o ut, I must say I was quite vexed at the Bill because I knew —and I spoke about it …
That are a lot of drinks out there. But I want to commend the Minister for where we are today. And I say that because when the initial Bill came o ut, I must say I was quite vexed at the Bill because I knew —and I spoke about it vehemently — that it would affect the black and Portuguese comm unities who have many of the bakeries and the likes with the sugar tax. What I see today is an adjustment on that where there have probably been some more talks with the entrepreneurs of Bermuda. And so there is an exemption that has now been included in this tax which says that, okay, some conversations have been had. And so I kind have calmed down over this whole i ssue of a sugar tax. It may take me a little while to get over being able to beat the tax by making soda at home and getting the exemption.
[Laughter]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierBut I will say one of the i ssues . . . having been an entrepreneur pretty much most of my life, one of the issues that the soda companies had in making it here was the labour cost. Okay? And it was very easy for wholesalers to import sodas …
But I will say one of the i ssues . . . having been an entrepreneur pretty much most of my life, one of the issues that the soda companies had in making it here was the labour cost. Okay? And it was very easy for wholesalers to import sodas at a better price than I could buy it as a retailer at the wholesale price. So, if you follow me, that is why the soda companies are having the issues that they are having. This may be the nail in the coffin for them, per se. But it has sparked . . . quite frankly , this entrepreneurship has sparked a lot of companies, because people could bring in sodas for a better price than Barritt’s was selling it at wholesale. And so e ntrepreneurship did thrive. You see a lot of these mom and pop wholesale companies around the Island. And it is because they go to some of these wholesale places away and get it f or dirt cheap, you know? And import it and still be able to retail it —like Hunt’s and the others —for a good price. Even better. I know some retailers who go to Hunt’s to buy their soda because it is cheaper than buying it from Barritt’s. So the labour cos t was one of the major i ssues that the manufacturing of soda . . . which is why it is not here. If you talk to him he will confess it, the labour cost was killing him. And so he finds himself in this particular position. And I . . . you know, he is tr ying to defend his industry, his business. And I guess you cannot knock him for that. But getting back to the actual tax itself, I appreciate the Minister having listened and coming back with these amendments that are on the table. I am still looking for an ans wer as to . . . I think it is in October that it will be implemented. Is that when it . . . ?
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierIn October. Okay. Okay. Maybe you can explain exactly why October, why we are pushing it down the road, but — [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierBut what I do understand is that people are talking, and people are really commi tting to the fact that this is going to happen. What I would like to hear a little more about is how this is going to affect the economy. I am assu ming that this …
But what I do understand is that people are talking, and people are really commi tting to the fact that this is going to happen. What I would like to hear a little more about is how this is going to affect the economy. I am assu ming that this particular tax is being put into place for two reasons: (1) health; and then (2) because our health costs are s o high and because of the financial position that Government is in that this also will help economically for the Island by reducing the cost of health care, which benefits everyone—Government and the likes —and that is important. And so as we go along with this particular tax there are many unintended things that, quite potentia lly, will come out of it. As the Honourable Member said, maybe there are some entrepreneurship oppo rtunities. I do not know; I do not see those right now. But I do know one thing. Bermudians are very entr epreneurial, so they will look for an opportunity where they can. I am still not sure where that is, but maybe . . . maybe there are some opportunities, because I do not see many more bakeries coming up, because if you know anything about the bakers they are suffering as it is right now trying to survive. So I do not see
Bermuda House of Assembly many more bakeries coming up. But there could be some other things that come into place. And so as we move forward with this I will be very interested in . . . the nature of humankind can be seen through the tax on alcohol and through the tax on cigarettes. We will find a way eventually, even if the cost goes up, to consume it. And so what I am hoping will happen out of this is that the information and the education of health care will be ramped up to such a degree that it will match the habits of us as a people. And we are suffering because of our influence because, quite frankly, you know, you go and get a Cadbury . . . a regular Cadbury costs you $5. And I will admit I am a fan of the Cadbury chocolate. And every year . . . I played a lot of sports coming along. And as I go to the doctor every year I noticed that my sugar numbers were going up. And I sat down with my doctor and I said, Listen, help me out here. You know, I am pretty savvy health- wise, but what is it that really is causing Bermuda to have these problems? And I was quite interested in what he had to say. He asked me a question: Well, what is a typical dinner for you guys, especially during summertime? I said, Well, potato salad, peas and rice, and macaroni and cheese ; some coleslaw and barbeque chicken. Well, what I just described to you —
Mr. L. Craig CannonierAnd it is not necessarily the soda, but I am appreciating this. I changed my stance on this Bill. I do support it. So I do not want you to think that I am not suppor ting it. I was against the initial Bill , but now that the amendments …
And it is not necessarily the soda, but I am appreciating this. I changed my stance on this Bill. I do support it. So I do not want you to think that I am not suppor ting it. I was against the initial Bill , but now that the amendments are in it I am okay. But the challenge that we have is that we are consuming so many carbs —huge amounts of carbs. It outweighs the amount of soda that we are drinking. We have got to teach people . . . and why I am going to this education part is that we have got to teach Bermudians how to make better choices and health choices, including myself, because I have got that Cadbury at home in my fridge waiting for me . . . wai ting for me. [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierWhat? That is why they called me Dragon down St. David’s. Dragon, come on bye, let’s go . . . consume me, knowing that it is a problem. Our sugar intake i s a problem. But more so it is the carbs that are our biggest issue, and we have …
What? That is why they called me Dragon down St. David’s. Dragon, come on bye, let’s go . . . consume me, knowing that it is a problem. Our sugar intake i s a problem. But more so it is the carbs that are our biggest issue, and we have got to get this across to our young people, especially, and the cooks of the home because it is the cooks that are producing three starches in a meal. A white bagel . . . a wh ite bagel . . . just a regular white bagel . . . 11 cubes of sugar! And it is carbs. It is not the extra sugar that they use to make it. It is the carbs in it that are producing all of this sugar. It is amazing. And so I am hoping, Minister, that there wi ll be a really massive approach to this educational side of things as opposed to us . . . this tax. Yes, we are going to have this tax, and let us just see how it pans out. I know the Honourable Member sitting across there has been saying . . . he has been after this su gar tax for a long time. He has been talking about it. Do it, do it, do it! I would put 200 per cent! I can reme mber him saying that on the sodas. So we are going to go down this road. But I do believe that the psychological side of it is where we are going fail. The education side is where we are going to fail because habitually . . . cigarettes go up ev ery year, but we are still smoking cigarettes. Alcohol goes up every year, and we are still consuming a massive amount of alcohol, which is also, by the way, adding to the carbs —because we had that meal I just explained to you with a Dark ’n Stormy and maybe . . . like the Honourable Scott we might produce some of our own ginger beer instead. But it is still carbs and sugar.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberI drink mine straight now.
Mr. L. Craig CannonierDrink it straight, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Considering the climate I understand. But Mr. Speaker , I am encouraged that we are moving down this road. I am sure that the entrepr eneurs of the world will be b uying up quite a bit of these sugary goods before the …
Drink it straight, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Considering the climate I understand. But Mr. Speaker , I am encouraged that we are moving down this road. I am sure that the entrepr eneurs of the world will be b uying up quite a bit of these sugary goods before the tax goes up because that will be an instant revenue [stream] overnight because the tax will go up. But that is the nature of business. I know how it works. And every year when cigarettes are going up, w hat do they do? Bring in containers of cigarettes and overnight they make some serious money without even having to do a thing . . . not a thing! So this is a rather interesting Bill. And I will caution us that we cannot legislate behaviour. But what we c an do is educate, educate, educate. And so, again, I encourage the Minister to push as much as possible—her team —to get out there and talk about the issues of the Bermudian diet. I do not want to hear about the States and everybody else. The Bermudian diet is killing us. It is causing amput ations.
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Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. L. Craig CannonierYes, you know it. It is . . . it is hampering our longevity and putting us on more medications and enough just to get another year of life out of ourselves when w e could, by rights, be teaching our kids how to healthily cook meals —which is a …
Yes, you know it. It is . . . it is hampering our longevity and putting us on more medications and enough just to get another year of life out of ourselves when w e could, by rights, be teaching our kids how to healthily cook meals —which is a lost art in and of itself —and to encourage us to back off on these carbs that we are consuming. I go to the issue also of these unintended consequences. So I am hoping that . . . and I know that the Health team (as I look at them sitting over there) that they will continue to look at how this is affecting Bermuda as a whole, and whether or not there will need to be other amendments. Maybe it means we increase it. But I would li ke to see where we ed ucate ourselves a heck of a lot better about our con-sumption. And I will be looking for those opportunities. And I am going to give it some thought because we have been charged by the Honourable Member Scott to look for some of these entrepreneurial opportunities out of it. I am sure the Honourable Member DeSilva is over there thinking, too, about how you know maybe he can make a dollar out of this, because I certainly am . . . in the increasing of the tax. I am not sure where it is y et, but maybe we will find it, buddy. We will see what happens. So, Mr. Speaker , I want to commend the Mi nister for listening, first of all, and taking time after having introduced this Bill to get more information, to back up what I consider to be this a djustment of saving of businesses in Bermuda. And I hide not behind the fact that it is saving black and Portuguese businesses, and I appreciate this move that she has taken. Let us now see as we go forward how this works, and let us hold the Minister to t he fire over the educational part b ecause I really think that is where the difference will be made. Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member . Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? We recognise the Honourable Member close to me who caught my eye first. He jumped pretty quick this time. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHe must have a lot of sugar. Did you have a lot of sugar to drink? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you , Mr. Speaker . The Honourable Member knows I am on the list next. [Laughter] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: At least he should . . . unless he …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberSugar rises to the top, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker , let me applaud the Minister and her staff, and Customs, for taking such a bold move. Is it perfect? No. Is it the right thing to do? Yes. And we talk about when . . . …
Sugar rises to the top, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker , let me applaud the Minister and her staff, and Customs, for taking such a bold move. Is it perfect? No. Is it the right thing to do? Yes. And we talk about when . . . we all can recall when practically everybody was smoking on the corner.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Wayne L. F urbert: Practically everybody. But many . . . I should say “many” people were smoking on the corner. But there were a lot more people smo king than there is today. We accept that. If we have not, then it is something . . . we are either blind, deaf, or dumb. But when I was growing up a lot of people smoked more. And at that time the Government intr oduced a significant tax on cigarettes. And it did help. Of course, it took some time to work it out. But when time went on, people said, I’m smoking less, becaus e of the . . . now, I must admit, when we introduced the Tax Bill some clever individual found a way to get around it. They started bringing in the tobacco, rolling tobacco. And I am sure the Honourable Member s will realise, because they were trying to get the tax i ncreased last year on this rolling . . . and because of that, the gentleman was able to make a huge profit by doing that and having his own production in Berm uda—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCorrect. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —and selling it at $10, $11 per . . . [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Hamilton, you got it. And this Government, this year, increased the tax by, I think it was almost 5,000 per cent, because we recognised that people were getting around …
Correct.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —and selling it at $10, $11 per . . . [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Hamilton, you got it. And this Government, this year, increased the tax by, I think it was almost 5,000 per cent, because we recognised that people were getting around what the intent was . . . to try to discourage people from smoking.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: So there is an impact on— [Inaudible interjection]
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I am not sure what the Honourable Member was saying there.
[Laughter] [Inaudible interj ection s]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Oh, I am not sure, because if there is any ill to . . . and we recognise the significant impact on sugar. And when the Honourable Member put that sugar in that cup . . . I mean that is amazing! How many packages? I believe it was 12 packages . . . 12 packages in one can of . . . that is a lot of packages! That blows . . . if that does not blow an ybody’s mind we should literally just drop that on telev ision—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberFifteen. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Fifteen of those l ittle pac kages that people put in their coffee every morning. Now imagine, normally people put in one or two pac kages, I think, for coffee. My wife, she loves sugar. She just puts in a bunch. But if you put …
Fifteen.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Fifteen of those l ittle pac kages that people put in their coffee every morning. Now imagine, normally people put in one or two pac kages, I think, for coffee. My wife, she loves sugar. She just puts in a bunch. But if you put 15 of those pac kages in your coffee, Mr. Speaker , if people can imagine that . . . that is what we are doing when it comes to . . . I think it was a can of soda. So the decision by the Government to move in this direction was positive. Now, has it had a . . . there has been a significant amount of lobb ying taking place to try to either reverse it . . . and it has been tough. We know. As the Premier said we had a meeting, I think it was last week sometime, last week Friday. And you hear this passion coming out and you say, Wow! Gracious, there are some businesses that are going to have an impact. And then you have to say, Well, hold on, if we do not do certain things then there is going to be a great impact on . . . I believe the Mi nister said, $17 million or more it is costing the taxpa yers and us overal l, for diabetes in particular. And so that is significant. And so I think, as I said, it is the right thing to do. And as a matter of fact, I can see it now. The person that asked the question said, But, Junior Minister, what do you think? I was . . . it was like I was stunned. I did not know what to say. I still do not know what to say, because the question was, How are you going to harm my business ? . . . [That] type [of] thing. But we had to make a decision. And I am glad that the Cabinet finally made the decision to, first of all, delay it. That was the question they asked, to d elay it, and it was delayed. It may not be delayed as long as they want. And then can it be rolled over a period of time? So 50 per cent this year and 25 per cent next year. And what the Government has decided to do is take some of that —
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Did I miss something? Take some of that money that has been raised and put it into healthier programmes. So we recognise, Mr. Speaker , that p rice does have an impact on the purchasing of individuals . . . or people . . . and depending on what the price is. There is a certain price structure that people will be willing to buy forever and ever and ever. The Premier gave an example that if somethi ng was $1 and then eventually $2, you may buy less. But I can guarantee you if that thing went up $5 or $20 I can guarantee that there would be hardly anybody buying a can of soda for $20. So there is an impact. Now, will it have an impact on the revenue of the country? Yes, it does have an impact on the rev enue. And so these things are a balancing act. We have got to get down the . . . and the Government said that based on that we are going to lower certain . . . and we will see it. I believe it is in the Bill, where we lower the price . . . at least it was in the Statement, we will lower the prices on greens and broccolis down to 0.0 per cent. We lowered the carrots and eggs. But what I could not understand was when we lowered the duty on eggs, Mr. Speaker , the next day when I went to the store after April 1 st I saw eggs were higher than the price that we had before. I never could understand that one.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberFree range. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Free range. And so the Government also listened to those individuals and we are aware of individuals. I have a lady in my constituency who bakes these lovely cakes. Very nice cakes, pretty expensive. But they are very nice cakes and my daughter buys …
Free range.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Free range. And so the Government also listened to those individuals and we are aware of individuals. I have a lady in my constituency who bakes these lovely cakes. Very nice cakes, pretty expensive. But they are very nice cakes and my daughter buys them quite often. And people buy them for birthdays or speci al events and she designs them. And her husband called me and said, Furbert, what are you going to do? What are you going to do? So the Government decided that, based on that, they would have some carveouts . . . and I use the word carveouts. Now I am not sure if everybody understands how it works. I will kind of give you a brief overview. And so . . . first of all, if I normally shop at MarketPlace, for an example, let us say I make cakes and go to MarketPlace and buy sugar. I will go to MarketPlace (and someone can correct me in the technical staff if I am wrong) and say I am going to buy five bags of sugar because I am going to make some cakes and everything else. Apparently, when the goods come in, the MarketPlace staff will tell Customs that five of those bags are for . . . because I have a lready put my purchase order out there. Customs will then . . . sorry, the MarketPlace will tell Customs, five of my bags —and prove it, I am assuming—that Wayne Furbert is going to buy five bags for his cakemaking as part of that . . . approved by the Minister (by the way it has to be approved by the Minister). It is 2280 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly approved, my purchase order is put in, and then at that time that is when they will get the duty rate. Okay? So when MarketPlace . . . MarketPlace will buy at the very low rate, whatever it is, 0.0 per cent or whatever it is, they will not pay for those five bags. And so there is a way out. So I was concerned about how this was going to work. How is . . . I saw it was kind of confusing where MarketPlace buys it at 75 per cent and then I have got to go to MarketPlace and prove it . . . so this is the arrangement. And as time goes on it is going to be gazetted and . . . gazetted, not necessarily in the newspaper, but it could be put in the Health Department’ s website or somewhere that this has taken place. So there are methods. And all we have got to do, as time goes on and we refine these things, some teething problems . . . the Ministry of Finance, I am sure, will work it out. So there is a way for small businesses. And like you said . . . as a matter of fact let me make it very clear to you. If you look at the amendment . . . has the amendment gone around? The amendment, I believe, does not talk about sugar. It is products in general that Bermuda’s small business (I am looking at the technical people now) that are doing things homemade in Bermuda. So you may have a business in Bermuda, a small business in Bermuda, that nor-mally pays taxes because they are buying it from a supplier, but they can now get thos e duty released because of that. I am looking over there and no one is nodding their head no. So it is not just based only on sugar. I checked with my Financial Secretary to find out this morning on that particular issue. It is not just for sugar. So [if] a Bermudian is doing some type of . . . making some type of goods, or whatever it is, not only sugar, it could be tentmaking, and they are bringing in some product, then they will get the benefit of that duty relief . . . that exemption, and they will apply for it.
[Inaudible interjection]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberManufacturing. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: That is what I was looking for. If they are manufacturing here in Bermuda, then they get the benefit of that duty relief, not only on just sugar. So it allows that entrepreneur (all right?) to find a way to get into the game . …
Manufacturing. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: That is what I was looking for. If they are manufacturing here in Bermuda, then they get the benefit of that duty relief, not only on just sugar. So it allows that entrepreneur (all right?) to find a way to get into the game . . . something . . . and I think somebody said something about ginger beer . . . and sell it throughout the Island. So, again, Mr. Speaker , the behaviour pattern can be changed based on prices, whatever that price may be. We recognise that the impact of these sugary products, and as time goes on I am sure the Minister will look at other things. One of the biggest concerns that I had when it was brought was that we are all aware that certain st ores bring in breads, or they bring in cookies and things. Well, that is all sugar. But that was not being taxed. But yet the other ones were being taxed. So this is the way the Ministry is getting around it. And next year the Minister and Ministry will look at certain things and how we can move things forward. So, again, I applaud the Minister in this move, and as time goes on there will be some teething prob-lems, but we will get there where we want to go. Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member . Does any other Honourable Member . . . I recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 23. Honourable Member [Gordon- ]Pamplin, you have the floor.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThank you, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , clearly there have been amendments recommended on this Customs Tariff Amendment Act to help to ameliorate the challenges that entrepreneurs —existing entrepreneurs —were going to experience, and the impact to their busines ses when their businesses are heavily centred on sug-ar products …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , clearly there have been amendments recommended on this Customs Tariff Amendment Act to help to ameliorate the challenges that entrepreneurs —existing entrepreneurs —were going to experience, and the impact to their busines ses when their businesses are heavily centred on sug-ar products and sugar consumption. I can remember when the first Bill came out I got a phone call from a particular individual saying, you know, they have a 30year old family business. And based on the initial i ntent of the Government, it was literal ly going to put them out of business and they were hoping that there was going to be some way that we could help to intervene in order to be able to ensure that this family business of 30 years was not going to go completely under. So I believe that the Minister, in coming with amendments, has made an attempt to help to minimise the initial impact, notwithstanding that in the ab-sence of a change in the nature of the business that business may very well still go under. What we also have to look at in that b usiness going under is the i mpact on employment. So we want to make sure that we are considering all aspects of a change in the tax that is going to be implemented. Now, the Minister has indicated that as opposed to it coming into effect . . . I believe t he Bill in itially intended that it was going to come into effect on the 1 st of June, that it would now be delayed until the 1st of October, for the 50 per cent, and then ultimately the 75 per cent will be delayed until the 1st of April, which apparently wi ll provide businesses with an o pportunity to re- jig their business plans and hopefully somehow not find themselves in the position of going completely under. And I have to say that when the Honourable Member from Warwick, [constituency] 24 or 25 initially made mention of his let’s bring the soda production and manufacturing to Bermuda and let’s create some
Bermuda House of Assembly jobs in the process . . . it created a little bit of conf usion in my mind because if, based on the Minister’s presentation, the concern is the health im pact of the consumption of high- sugar goods, then certainly whether it is manufactured abroad and brought into Bermuda or whether it is manufactured locally, the consumption of it is going to cause the same challenge. The consumption, seemingly, is what the issue is. It is the consumption; it is not the place of manufacture. It is the consumption that is causing the health issues to which the Minister has referred. So I think that notwithstanding the laudable attempt to say that we need to look at a method by which we can create more jobs, which obviously that is what we want to do, we want to make sure that our people are working. But what I do not believe the Mi nister is articulating and supporting is the idea that we will create jobs at the expense of the health of our people, because I think that this would defeat the purpose of this Bill in my estimation. Now I can say, Mr. Speaker , that I can r emember . . . certainly I spent a year as the Health Mi nister, during which time there was the Healthy Schools initiative that was promoted and followed and, you know, very carefully by Marie Beach who was working in the department at the time. I am not sure if she is still there. But she did a tremendous job in ensuring that the concept of healthy foods was passe d on to our school children and they were not permitted . . . and this goes back to 2012. It was something that was in effect when I took over the Ministry. But it was continued during that period of time, during which children were not allowed to bring boxes of juice and drinks to school, that they were only allowed to have water in the schools. And she was able to ensure that not just would the consumption be minimised, but that the e ducational component was underscored by our children to understand why i t is that mommy will not pack fizzy drinks, or mommy will not pack sweet drinks in with their lunch. So I think it is more of a mind- set and a change in the . . . which produces a change in the consumption of sweet products that will help to deter-mine whether we as a people are likely to live a little bit more healthily. Now, personally, I have to say, Mr. Speaker , I was not prepared to be the moral monitor of dietary choices. That was not my intent. I heard the Premier’s comment in which he said if he had $5 in his pocket and something cost $1 he could make the choice as to whether to buy five of the $1 product; however, if he had $5 and the cost was now $2 he would only be able to buy two, because nobody is going to sell half of one and, therefore, his $5 will only afford him to buy two. However, it is my belief, and the way that human nature is, if you want five and you only have $5 in your pocket, you are going to bring out your credit card. If you want five you are going to find the method by which you are going to facilitate your purchase and the ability to consume the five that you want. And I can say that, hand on heart, that is me, Mr. Speaker . If I want something . . . and I have a tremendous sweet tooth which is, perhaps, to my detriment. And I wi ll speak a little bit further about that because clearly the health outcomes that are impac ted according to what we consume is where the dow nfall comes in terms of the contribution towards the cost of our health care system. And we are finding, I think the Minister indicated there was something like $17 million that is being expended for the cost of di abetes —
[Inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinOh, I am sorry, $77 [million] . I thought $17 [million] was diabetes and the $77 [mill ion] included other stuff. But $77 mi llion on diabetes that is — [Inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinOh, that is what I— [Inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinOkay, sorry. [Inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Patric ia J. Gordon -PamplinWhat is the number for diabetes? [Inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinTwenty -six million dollars in dialysis, which would be a condition relating to diabetes. So, $26 million in dialysis, and a total of $77 mill ion on obesity. I just wanted to make sure that I did not get that incorrect. So very clearly health outcomes have to be our …
Twenty -six million dollars in dialysis, which would be a condition relating to diabetes. So, $26 million in dialysis, and a total of $77 mill ion on obesity. I just wanted to make sure that I did not get that incorrect. So very clearly health outcomes have to be our concern. So moving the place of manufacturing from foreign to local imports . . . from there to have something being imported locally . . . I mean, sorry, being manufactured locally, I do not think it is going to achieve what it is that the Minister is concerned about. And what I am gathering the concern is [about is] the consumption and the negative health outcome that comes as a result. I do know, also, that according to the legisl ation that diet sodas are likely to be excluded from this additional increase. And I have to say that anybody who drinks diet soda has to start looking at the other impact because there is some negative health ou tcome as a result of a consumption of things with artif icial sweeteners. So it is like on the one hand you are saying, you know, I am going to save the idea of hav2282 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly ing 10 or 12 packets or whatever it is of sugar in my soda, but I am going to have something that is artif icially sweetened and then I am going to have some kind of negative carcinogenic impact as a result of the sweetener. So, however you look at it, we have to consider basically that the only thing that we can consume is water —that prett y much is it. It is kind of diff icult. However, for those of us who look at the o ptions of sugary drinks and the likes which, obviously, are going to be impacted significantly here, sugary drinks can be nasty. I heard the Honourable Member say that he lik es his Gatorade and stuff. I do not think there is anything nastier than Gatorade, truth be told. But that is my personal choice. But am I going to stop drinking Coca- Cola because the cost is going to go up from $1.50 a can to $3.00 a can? No, I will not i f that is what I choose to do. So I think that we have to start to consider that . . . and I said $3.00 —that was being extreme. That may not necessarily be what it will ultimately end up being. But whatever it costs . . . I can remember at one point in ti me I would go to the grocery store and get a six -pack of soda, usually leading up to holidays. They would provide you with a special of some de-scription and you would be able to get a six -pack for $5.69. Now, that same six -pack on special is closer to $7.00. Off special it is $13.00 and change for a six - pack of soda. So you are pretty much paying $2.00 for a can of soda. But if you want it you will buy it . . . you will buy it. The challenge that we have is, am I still going to be so impacted by my desire to have the sugar con-tent of that which I have decided to purchase that it is going to be subjected to this tax, or am I going to say I will be healthy and I will cut back on my sugar content so that there is extra money left for me to be able to buy fruit and vegetables? And the answer is that is going to be a subjective choice, because if the desire for a serious harsh sugar is greater than your love for eating fruits and vegetables, then you are going to buy the sugar. And under normal circumstances I am one who would go into a candy store and spend $20 and buy candy and that may last me two days. It may last me three. But it is something that I am fully aware of having had exposure to the level of the problems and health outcomes that would make me think twice. It has not made me think twice thus far. Yesterday, as I was chatting to one of my co- workers, I was opening a bag of candies. And I was popping one in my mouth and she was saying, You’ve got to do something about this sugar. And over my chewing and chomping I am saying, Yeah, I agree with you, I agree with you. I could hardly even speak because I had a mouthful of candy. But I think that we have to recognise the addictive nature of some of the things that we consume and make the determination that it is going to be in the education process that one is going to be more aware and cognisant of how it is impacting us in the long run. Now the Minister — [Inaudible interjection and laughter ]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinFor the edification of the Minister — [Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin—I bring my own supplies because it is —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerShould we ask everybody to empty their bags when they come here? [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIt seems like you all have stuff back there.
Mrs. Patrici a J. Gordon -PamplinI do not know if I am meant to table my fruit pastilles —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPut it all on the Clerk’s desk, please.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinBut with that said, Mr. Speaker , some of us will go down that path and make sure that we have those things that satisfy us, however negative it might be. I was concerned . . . not concerned, but I was interested in hearing the overview of the Minister …
But with that said, Mr. Speaker , some of us will go down that path and make sure that we have those things that satisfy us, however negative it might be. I was concerned . . . not concerned, but I was interested in hearing the overview of the Minister in breaking down the levels and the types of illnesses that come as a result of additional sugar consumption. And it could be kind of scary if one does not stop to consider when the Honourable Member spoke of, not just diabetes, but heart challenges, cancer that can be manifested by lung and breast and colon and the o esophageal and all the likes. And I was sitting here thinking . . . you know, Mr. Speaker , sometimes almost by serendipity you get information that you may not have had or may not have considered to be a problem historically. I have just gone through . . . and I do not have a problem sharing that I have just gone through major surgery. And following that major surgery some of the treatments that I have had to have as a result of that major surgery manifested . . . or the diagnosis manifested a condition that effectively . . . I do not k now whether it could have been avoided by my lack of consumption or my controlled consumption of significant amounts of sweets . . . it may do, it may not have necessarily have done. But endometriosis had been diagnosed. In fact it was interesting that I was asked a question today by a reporter, because somebody called the press and . . . this is how things work, you know, Oh, Pat Gordon- Pamplin, maybe she is ste pping down from the House because she is sick. And I
Bermuda House of Assembly am like you know. I do not have a problem sharing, because let me say something, Mr. Speaker . When one has negative experiences . . . if we do not take advantage of the opportunity that we have to share with others the impact that we have on our own selves, then our suffering (if you can call it t hat) could conceivably be in vain. But if we take the time to be selfless and to share with others what we are exper iencing, then I think that it may give other people an opportunity to say, Well, maybe there’s something good that will come out of this if I am mindful of my area of consumption. So just to complete the picture, Mr. Speaker , so that we do not have a whole lot of questions in anybody’s mind, I am perfectly fine having gone through a preventative . . . a precautionary, sorry, a precautionary s eries of chemotherapy followed by a bout of radiation. The tests are all behind me. I have come out on the other side of it well. Thank God for that. But we have to be mindful as a people. Not only do we have to watch our consumption, not only do we have to watch our sugar intake (if that is what is going to cause us to have a problem), but we also have an obligation to ensure that we keep on top of our health crises and our health challenges and that we take the time to know our bodies. Because in the abs ence of my knowledge of my body I may not have been able to look at som ething that was able to be diagnosed as a stage 1A, which is probably as early a diagnosis as one could possibly get. And then you find sometimes when somebody knows for the first time or has identified for the first time that something is seriously wrong with their health, that they may find that they are really a lmost ready for the undertaker’s slab. So I believe that, not only as a Member of Parliament am I responsible for ensuring th at proper information is manifested, is made known to people who may be able to make choices based on the r eceiving of that information, but also I believe it is i mportant to not be so selfish, because I do not mind sharing. I wear my heart on my sleeve. I tell people that I have one objective in this life, and that is to make an impact on how other people are able to r espond. And if I have an experience that says that by sharing that experience somebody else will be able to benefit, then I am all for it. And you know some people are a little different. Some people are very private. I am different and I am happy to be different because somebody may stop to think . . . and especially some of the guys, Mr. Speaker , who do not stop to think that their health could be impacted by just going to their doctor and doing the things that you have to do on a six -month basis, or annual basis, when they tell you guys that you have to bend over . . . I have heard all about it and all the things that come with it —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHey! Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: I think that som etimes just because of a macho mind- set that happens, some people may be inclined to not — [Inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinSome people may be inclined to not do the necessary testing and the necessary medical checks that are required in order to ensure wellness. So all of that is predicated upon (and I want to bring it back to the Customs Tariff Amendment Act) how what we consume and the …
Some people may be inclined to not do the necessary testing and the necessary medical checks that are required in order to ensure wellness. So all of that is predicated upon (and I want to bring it back to the Customs Tariff Amendment Act) how what we consume and the impact of what we consume in our bodies. So I would encourage early intervention and health checks and the like. Obviously, as I mentioned, I was a little concerned about . . . when I had the initial call from the individual who was concerned about their family bus iness was concerned that there had been too little consultation. And clearly that situation has been rect ified by the Minister coming with further consultation and the ability to make some amendments to the Bill that is in front of us. So Mr. Speaker , the only thing that I wanted to discount was that the Honourable Member from [constituency ] 25 [sic] (I never know if he is 25 or 24), the Honourable Member Scott, indicated that maybe this sugar tax Bill may not have come to this Honourable House under the previous OBA admini stration because of the impact of lobbying. Let me say that as a Health Minister for a period of a year not one person ever lobbied me to say don’t bring the sugar tax in. That was during a time when the then Opposition — and certainly led, I believe, by the Honourable Member from constituency 29—spoke significantly about having a sugar tax. I never thought that it was important . . . not that it was important, I never thought that it would fly from the perspective that (a) I did not believe that the Governm ent had the right to be the dietary monitor for the entire population; (b) that people will make choi ces that they want to make for themselves; and (c) they will spend their money how they will spend their money. So I looked at it from the perspective that if a sugar tax was going to cause an individual in divvying up how their finances were allocated, that they would be more inclined to say, I will buy what I want to buy, and if there is only a little bit of money left over for things that are healthy, so be it. And I do not know that even having a sugar tax . . . as we have heard earlier today, that some people have had similar i mpacts when it came to tobacco and the like. If som ebody is minded to have cigarettes and to consume tobacco, they are going to do it. So it is only going to be an awareness of the health outcomes that we will suffer as a people that we can actually make choices that will help to benefit us. 2284 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly And so, while I may not like the idea of a sugar tax, because it will probably impact me ma ybe even more than anybody else, that is okay. I look at it from the point of view that can our experiences assist somebody else in making healthy choices and for people to be better informed and better educated such that our health outcomes are not going to be the si gnificant $77 million in the cost of dealing with illnes ses, $26 million of which is related to just dialysis alone. So I would just like to make sure, Mr. Speaker, that the Honourable Member s know that there are some times when things happen . . . you are faced with it and you are dragged kicking and screaming to a point of reality, acceptance, and appreciation. And I think that I certainly have reached that stage in this particular Bill, knowing, as I think my colleagues have indicated, that notwithstanding there are concerns, obviously, we in principle approve and support what it is that we have seen here today. I do not want us, though, to be misled into believing that it is simply, you know, how to reconfigure for job creation, and that it is okay if we still consume as long as we create jobs locally. If something is bad for us, it is bad for us. And we have to make that determination. Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member . I recognise the honourable young lady w ho jumped earlier. I was waiting for her to jump a second time. The young Honourable Member on the other end. Minister, I will take her this time and recognise you next time. Honourable Member Furbert, you have …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI was expecting you to jump before, see?
Mrs. Tinee FurbertAll right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Everyone may know of the famous doctor, Dr. Oz, who we may have come to know through the Oprah Winfrey Show. And Dr. Oz has a book called YOU: On A Diet. And in this book he speaks about picking your poison. And today …
All right. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Everyone may know of the famous doctor, Dr. Oz, who we may have come to know through the Oprah Winfrey Show. And Dr. Oz has a book called YOU: On A Diet. And in this book he speaks about picking your poison. And today one of those poisons, Mr. Speaker , is that of sugar. I remember as a young child, Mr. Speaker , that I used to come home after school and my granny used to always have sugar cookies ready for us.
Mrs. Tinee FurbertOr tea cookies. She also had root beer, sweetened root beer for us as a treat after school.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere you go; that’s the stuff.
Mrs. Tinee FurbertAnd just to bring that up because these are behaviours that are ingrained in our families as we grow, and they become part of our culture as things that we remember and things that we use to socialise. And they become part of our culture and the things that we …
And just to bring that up because these are behaviours that are ingrained in our families as we grow, and they become part of our culture as things that we remember and things that we use to socialise. And they become part of our culture and the things that we remember. But our brains also remember these things, Mr. Speaker . And someone spoke earlier to sugar being an addiction. And you know when we are brought up with these types of foods in our homes as we grow up to be adults they remain with us. And so it is important that when children are growing up that we teach them the importance of more healthy foods and more healthy options other than those ones that are highl y loaded with sugar. I also just wanted to just share a bit of information in regard to sugar. It is out of a book called You Are What You Eat, by Dr. Gillian McKeith, if you will allow me to read just a little bit from that book.
Mrs. Tinee FurbertIt says, “Sugar has no essential nutrients” (which someone has already stated today) “it provides a short -term boost of energy through the body resulting possibly in the exhaustion of the ad-renal glands. This can result in irri tability, poor concentration, and depression. High sugar consumption puts a severe load …
It says, “Sugar has no essential nutrients” (which someone has already stated today) “it provides a short -term boost of energy through the body resulting possibly in the exhaustion of the ad-renal glands. This can result in irri tability, poor concentration, and depression. High sugar consumption puts a severe load on the pancreas. There is increasing possibility of developing diabetes.” [UNVERIFIED QUOTE] And we know that our community runs rampant with diabetes. I just want to give an example, because I am in the healthcare field, Mr. Speaker . The other day I had someone coming to look for a product. They were actually looking for a shoe. And they were looking for a shoe because their foot was so swollen due to their untreated diabetes. And I came to them and asked them what size they needed. And they said, I don’t care, I just need a shoe. So I was trying to help the person to help the medical concern that they had, and they were very confused and very delirious. What some people may not know is that diabetes also can cause confusion. If it goes untreated it can cause confusion. And this gentleman, with his untreated diabetes, was very con-fused to the effect that he was not accepting help, but was saying that we were not trying to help him. And
Bermuda House of Assembly the person who brought him to us ended up leaving him because he became very defiant. He left him and the gentleman was left at my place of business. And he said, I can’t believe you’re gonna leave me here. But anyway, the gentleman coul d not walk . . . he could not walk because his foot was so swollen. And he proceeded to drag himself on his bottom out of our area, block off traffic, and move . . . you know we were trying to get him help. I am saying all of this to say, Mr. Speaker , that the gentleman came for a shoe, and he did want to pay the price of the shoe (I think it was like $40). He wanted a $10 shoe. And so people do make decisions every day when it does come to price.
Mrs. Tinee FurbertAnd he chose not to buy a health shoe for himself. He wanted a $10 shoe. And I am just tying that in with the issue with diabetes and also how people do make decisions when it comes to choosing products and looking at different prices to be able to …
And he chose not to buy a health shoe for himself. He wanted a $10 shoe. And I am just tying that in with the issue with diabetes and also how people do make decisions when it comes to choosing products and looking at different prices to be able to make a decision. Our Minister also explained earlier the costs associated with diabetes and dialysis here on our I sland. And this was a prediction . . . sorry, these were costs that we heard about from last year. And if our Government continues to do [nothing] about this then can you imagine what those health costs will look like 10 years from now, 20 years from now? And while it is not the only solution it is one solution, and one tool, which the Minister did describe early on, to actually do something to try to curb the behavi ours of our unhealthy eating behaviours and patterns. The sugar tax is a hard pill to swallow. But I think this Government has looked at all the information, all the . . . with the surveys we have also spoken to many people in regard to this Bill and it i s a Government that has listened. And you have heard the adjustments that have been made earlier today by the Minister to get more buy -in into this Bill. But that does not go to say that . . . you know, whenever we are introducing new legislation it is a lways a hard . . . you know, it can be always a hard pill to swallow. When we looked at legislation when it came to wearing helmets or wearing seatbelts, people were opposed to that. When we were looking at legi slation as it related to improving our child h ealth care standards, where we said that child care providers could only look after a certain number of children . . . when we make decisions like that, Mr. Speaker , they are not the easiest of decisions because, yes, they could impact business. But when y ou look at future . . . what it would look like for the future? We would have hoped that we would have made the best dec ision for our children that are coming behind us and future generations who are coming up behind us, Mr. Speaker . We have to model for our children if we want them to be consumers of less sugar. And my concern . . . I do have a concern, because the conversations going forward to our children . . . because our children go into the stores and they buy soft drinks, sugary drinks, and they bu y candy. These children will do that. And the conversation to our children should not be, Oh, you’re not gonna get that because it’s too expensive. The conversation should be why those things are not good for you. And we should use that as an opportunity t o be teaching our children healthier options other than the item being just too expensive. Just another point in regard to sugar because . . . I mean I consider myself to be pretty healthy. But I know that once I turned a certain age it was difficult to kind of shed some of the pounds that I would like. But sugar actually lowers your metabolism rate, if you did not know that. And if you are finding it difficult to lose weight you should also evaluate your sugar intake, because that could have a lot to do w ith why people are not experiencing the weight loss that they would like to. Here recently I had the opportunity to speak to someone who made snowballs. And I asked her: How much sugar is in this snowball? And she said, I’m not gonna tell you because the sugar tax is coming.
[Laughter]
Mrs. Tinee FurbertAnd I said, Well, God, there must be a lot sugar in that snowball! But what she said that was very interesting, and I did not expect her to say, but she said, But, you know, it’s okay. She said, I can find other things to use. I can find …
And I said, Well, God, there must be a lot sugar in that snowball! But what she said that was very interesting, and I did not expect her to say, but she said, But, you know, it’s okay. She said, I can find other things to use. I can find other alternatives than sugar. And I thought, Wow! What a great business owner, that she would have a “Plan A” and a “Plan B” should this su gar tax come into fruition. And you know, we just hope that other persons out there who have industries as it relates to sugar, will also come up with other “Plan Bs” so that we are creating other healthy options for people in our community. So, it was very interesting for her to say that she was not worried about this sugar tax. And I am just hoping that other persons are less worried about the sugar tax in knowing that it is going to hopefully make a significant difference with our health care outcomes. Just for your own knowledge, or our own knowledge, in addition to obesity, Mr. Speaker, there are other secondary diagnoses that come with sugar intake. We spoke about diabetes. There are other things such as incontinence and amputations and pressure injuries, or pressure ulcers, with people who have diabetes. And we are spending millions and mi llions of dollars on treating people with pressure inj uries or pressure ulcers because they are . . . you know, if we wait too long to treat them they can som e2286 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly times get to a stage of being untreatable. That is actually a stage that we use t o describe pressure ulcers. And imagine having a pressure ulcer, or wound, that is untreatable and how much money we are actually spending on having to try to treat or to provide comfort to the area where there is a pressure sore or pressure injury. So there are many other sorts of secondary diagnoses that we have to pay attention to as it r elates to diabetes, as well. So I think, you know, again, saying this Bill is hard to swallow . . . because even we over here in the Robin Hood corner, every so often h ave a nice little candy . . .
[Laughter and inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Tinee FurbertWe have to make more conscious choices when it does come to the things that we put into our bodies. And if this is a deterrent for that, Mr. Speaker, it is definitely something to think about, and it is definitely something that we hope will be better for our …
We have to make more conscious choices when it does come to the things that we put into our bodies. And if this is a deterrent for that, Mr. Speaker, it is definitely something to think about, and it is definitely something that we hope will be better for our country and the people in our country going forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I recognise the Honourable Minister of Educ ation. Honourable Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, thanks to the Minister for bringing this legislation. And I thank the Opposition for whol eheartedly supporting it all morning …
Thank you, Honourable Member. I recognise the Honourable Minister of Educ ation. Honourable Minister, you have the floor.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, thanks to the Minister for bringing this legislation. And I thank the Opposition for whol eheartedly supporting it all morning and afternoon. So I think we have reached a point where we are probably ready to just move on to the next step. But before that I just want to add a few comments on there.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerBrief comments. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: Brief, very brief comments, Mr. Speak er,
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood. Thank you. Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And some of the things that I have heard and some of the things I am going to say will resonate with what the speaker before me who just sat down said, and it is about education. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate …
Good. Thank you.
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: And some of the things that I have heard and some of the things I am going to say will resonate with what the speaker before me who just sat down said, and it is about education. Mr. Speaker, it is unfortunate that one of the more vocal Members of the Opposition is not here to express their opinion, because they were quite vocal in social media, in the press, et cetera, talking about the Bill. So when I noted that this Member is not here today I was a bit disappointed because I wanted to hear what they had to say within these halls. But when we are talking about implementing a sugar tax, we are talking about saving lives. I think that is what is being lost here. Some people may not understand t hat. Some people may not wish to embrace that. But when we look at the impact added sugar . . . and I am speaking to what MP Cannonier was taking about when he was talking about carbs within meals, et cetera. And I am sure Mr. Smith as a coach would know t his as well. There are different levels of carbs. You have dietary carbs and you have added sugar carbs. It is those added sugar carbs that are bad for us. Carbs are required to live; but we also have to do them in moderation. And as a person who has type 2 diabetes and has to look after my diet, I understand this fully. And, yes, Opposition Leader, my waist is 33 (you kept tal king about waist), and that is because of a diet that I have adopted and I have actually lost weight in the last year. I have lost quite a bit of weight. So when we talk about this, it has to come with an education campaign. Now, we have heard in social media, in certain social media areas, that this is a tax grab for the PLP to gain money. I have even heard people say so they can fly all over the world, and all sorts of idiotic stat ements that are out there, Mr. Speaker. This is simply a way of us preventing people from harming themselves, and making it harder. So when we talk about doing things like that . . . one of the previous speakers who sits opposite from me talked about monitoring, did not want to know that we had to monitor the behaviour of the people. Well, Mr. Speaker, let me remind the Opposition that when they were in Government, they implemented the new smoking laws which monitored people’s smoking. You could not smoke outside of a building anymore. You could not walk down the sidewalk and smoke. You could not do this while you were smoking. You could not do that while you were smoking. You could not drive while smoking wit h children in the car. That is monitoring people’s behaviour right there. But we did it under the auspices that we are saving lives. Sometimes you have to do something that is unpopular to some for the benefit of all. Unfortunately, it is the sugar tax. S o when we talk about sodas, and the Minister gave an example of utilising a can of soda. A can of soda has very . . . I am not even going to say very little —zero nutritional value. A can of soda has zero nutritional value. A 20- ounce bottle of soda, that i s not diet, contains almost 80 grams of sugar. The recommended intake of added sugar per day is 35 —
[Inaudible interjections]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHow much? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: [It is] 25. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: It can vary. It can vary, I guess. The reports I have read said 30, 35, but 25. One of those 20- ounce bottles is 80 grams. That is three times the amount …
How much? Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: [It is] 25.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: It can vary. It can vary, I guess. The reports I have read said 30, 35, but 25. One of those 20- ounce bottles is 80 grams. That is three times the amount of recommended intake per
Bermuda House of Assembly day of added sugar. We are not even talking about good sugar; we are talking abou t the bad sugar. And there are people out there who drink two and three of these per day. So this is the type of thing that we are looking to battle. So when we sit and talk about this, we need to stop talking about, It’s a tax grab. We need to [stop] tal king about, You’re infrin ging on my rights. We need to start talking about what the health benefits are and educating people on what the health benefits are. The former Minister of Health talked about the healthy school lunches and that programme. I want the public to know that this programme still exists. As a matter of fact, myself and the Minister of Health handed out Healthy School Awards just this week and honouring almost every school, public and private, in the country, and the people there. Our public schools (I cannot speak for private) are water -only schools. So you cannot find vending machines with soda and the like. You will find them with water. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Diallo V. S. Rabain: As my colleague said, it was instituted by t he Progressive Labour Party. So we are doing the things that are necessary. And like MP Furbert said, we need to educate especially our older people to know that we are taking away the things that you like. We are saying that you can still have them, but you can have them in moder ation. I, myself, sneak a little chocolate bar every now and then. But I know that I cannot do that every day. When you start looking at things like that and treating them as “treats” and “rewards” for doing the things you are sup posed to do, then you can start moving forward. But stop looking at this as . . . and unfort unately we have the bad food, the ones that have all the sugar, which seem to cost less. And so if it costs less and it seems to be a quick fix, that is an easier thing to buy. So if we do implement tariffs in place, and also reduce tariff for good foods, we can start to turn this corner. But it takes all of us to be more pos itive about what we trying to do here versus being adversarial about it. So, with that, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to get those few words in because I think we are approac hing this from the wrong direction, as something to raise revenue, where we need to be looking at it from the perspective of we are saving lives by doing this. Unfortunately, it is going to cause some pain for some people. I am so happy that the Minister came with these amendments that she promised. It shows that dialogue is always possible as long as you reach out. Far too often we would have things done, especially in these hal ls where people will complain, but they will not engage in dialogue. All we have to do is talk about, talk about how we feel, and you never know what can happen if we just keep the lines of comm unication open. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank y ou, Honourable Minister. Does any other Member . . . ? No other Member? Up and down there. Okay, Minister. Member from constituency 36, you have the floor.
Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, like many who have begun in this debate we begin by commending the courage of the Minister of Health, the Honourable Kim Wilson, for beginning this very controversial . . . in taking this important but courageous step in bringing this Customs Amendment Bill that begins to attack a num ber of sacred cows in our country. The one that we have been hearing a great deal of sophistry about in this House is profit. And as soon as we attack the sacred cows in our country it generates a great deal of sophistry and comparisons that make no sense. But, really, as the Minister of E ducation has just finished saying, the issue is really about harm, often self -harm, self -auto ingested d egrees and levels of lethal poison. That is what we are talking about. We have been importing it in ships and aircraf ts, historically. I commend the Minister of Health for not only having the courage to just start a conversation about why we should cease harming ourselves, because that is what it is about. And that is the only discussion. The sophistry about whether it is a discussion about . . . as the Honourable Member Ms. Gordon- Pamplin says, we don ’t want to lose jobs and reduce sugar intake, that sophistry, we do not want to, as the former Premier Cannonier spoke about . . . these clever comparisons, Oh, really carbohydrates are as harmful. But, of course, these are obvious. And they are comparisons without a difference. What is clear is that sugar and the culprits . . . sugar is the poison. And the culprits, and I take a legal approach to this, are listed by the Min ister’s Bill in the amendment. Chemically pure sucrose in solid form (Yuck!), sugar confectionary, white chocolate, not containing cocoa. I mean, don’t these things sound foreign to us? As opposed to the time when, you know, when we were growing in our country and living off of the farm. And even when another import, with the i mportation of slaves, we have been importing bad things in our country historically over the years. It started with slaves. Modern conditions have led to this list of culprits, all dr iven by business and the almighty dollar. So, I commend the Minister. And, you know, as I listened I was largely driven to speak by the Shadow Minister’s history, which was a good speech that the Shadow Minister made because it urged me to think about a number of things. She talked about the manufacturer, for example. She talked about the spoonful of sugar in the days when, you know, we had little levels of sugar. But what has happened in our society in modern Bermuda and across the world, this 2288 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly is not . . . I have watched Mayor Bloomberg try to deal with Coca- Cola containers in New York —you know, another attack on the sacred cow of profit that has been promulgated by retailers (and I will come back to the question and the issue of the manufacturer) —of putting in the food chain chemically pure sucrose, and all of these sweeteners and things that are clearly addictive, clearly poisonous, clearly toxic. So I commend the Minister. When the Shadow Minister was speaking, she did cause me get up and she talked about the manu-facturer. You know, today, as opposed to the manufacturer, and I have heard some of the discussion r elate to denials of being lobbied by the country’s bus iness people, the retailers, they have their role to play. In Bermuda, I know that we have been lobbied by r etailers. I know that the Minister has had to both r espond to and in some cases receive the remonstr ations of the retailers in our country. You know, Mr. Bruce Barritt is a retailer of very sweet, sugary carbonated drinks. Dunkley’s constantly roll around the country distributing sweetened drinks that are caught by this legislation.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCannonier’s gas station. [Laughter] Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Cannonier’s gas station is mentioned. Ed Tucker rolls around the country dist ributing these poisons. Butterfield and Vallis, Bermuda Import & Export [Company, Limited] packed with their goods, and chocolate bars that I love, Bounty Choc olate Bar being one. These …
Cannonier’s gas station.
[Laughter] Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Cannonier’s gas station is mentioned. Ed Tucker rolls around the country dist ributing these poisons. Butterfield and Vallis, Bermuda Import & Export [Company, Limited] packed with their goods, and chocolate bars that I love, Bounty Choc olate Bar being one. These things have become int egrated into our food chain and they have become commoditised and legitimated, and the biggest purveyors of the argument for them are the retailers. This question, though, begins to make me think and I . . . again, the courage of the Minister star ting not to just say that this is a discussion about th e dynamics of just sugar. It really is. The Minister is a lawyer. She has started a legitimate action to stop us from self -harm. And I think that it is important to do even more . . . to do even more, frankly , because obviously many of us in this House know that this Bill attacking these particular poisons in the [ Customs Tariff Amendment ] (No. 2) Act 2018 is not intended by the Minister to cure the problem fully and outright. She has begun a war; that is what she has done. And I commend her for it. She may not adopt my analogy, but she has begun a war. Here is what happens. You know, in 1928, Mr. Speaker . . . and it is a war that should be begun l egally against manufacturers. In 1928 a dear lady by the name of Ms. Donoghue arrived at a train station somewhere i n Scotland. She was meeting her friend there at a place called . . . at a café. They stopped into the café, I suppose, on their journeys, the Wellmeadow café (I looked). Her friend ordered a pear ice (this was 1928) and Mrs. Donoghue ordered a Scotsman’s ice cream float. Remember when we used to get ice cream floats when we were kids? And certainly our parents used to live on these things. So the ice cream float involved a bit of ice cream in the tumbler, and the pouring of some ginger beer, Mr. Speaker, onto the float. The items were brought to the table by the owner of the café, who poured the wonderful ginger beer on top of her lovely ice cream, and Ms. Donoghue began to eat her lovely ice cream float in August. It was hot so they were both chilling out. After the continuing consumption of her delicacy, her friend picked up the bottle of ginger beer and poured the remaining ginger beer on top of the ice cream float and out poured with it, and “out floa ted” the story says, a decomposing snail. Now, this —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Michael J. Scott: Donoghue v. Stevenson.
[Laughter] Hon. Michael J. Scott: And so when dear Ms. D onoghue saw this snail she felt immediately sick. She got such a reaction to it that she consulted her doctor. She went to the Scottish infirmary and they . . . her diagnosis was, You know, you suffered gastroenteritis and certainly shock. So she sued, not the café owner, the retailer of this, but the manufacturer, Mr. Stevenson. And so it was a hard, hard attack on the cause of her injury, as opposed to the person who had immediately caused her direct damage, which was the retai ler of this —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSounds like a law case study. Hon. Michael J. Scott: It is a lovely case study —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. All the lawyers knew it, yes. Hon. Michael J. Scott: —and I commend it to the Minister of Health and to the Members of this House. We must start a case, not unlike the case that my colleague, the Minister of Home Affairs, is having to grapple with in …
Yes. All the lawyers knew it, yes.
Hon. Michael J. Scott: —and I commend it to the Minister of Health and to the Members of this House. We must start a case, not unlike the case that my colleague, the Minister of Home Affairs, is having to grapple with in Ferguson. These things make a difference. Bring a case. Go against the manufacturer. So when the Shadow Minister of Health was talking about how the English approach is to go after the manufacturer, it is what prompted me to think about Donoghue v. Stevenson. They are responsible, the manufacturers of this sucrose in solid form, and sugar confectionery, and all of these additives that doctors will tell us, Mr. Speaker, are harmful to our bodies. And they are harmful to our bodies no less so than carbohydrates and macaroni and cheese and cow products. But, you know, once we are schooled, and have been over historic periods, generations, of having our DNA fall prey to, first the sugar, we want to
Bermuda House of Assembly eat other sugar -based things that turn into sugar, like carbs. And so the fault lies acros s the board. No s ophisticated arguments about, You’re only attacking sugar today . We are in a real state, and we are embattled as human beings in dealing with this. And what does it produce? Of course it pr oduces diabetes, which gives rise to hypertension and stroke because of obesity, carrying around all of this weight, being converted from carbohydrates to sugar and stored in our bodies. It is a massive, criminal action that should be brought beyond today’s step of legislating against the culprits. So I commend the Mi nister. I commend the Minister and we need to take it to a level of justice, because all harm of this nature has got to be unjust. And to slow down the commoditis ation and, therefore, the legitimisation of this kind of continued purveying of harmful products to ourselves, to our children and to generations to come . . . it is time for it to stop. And it does work, I have heard Members of this House relate the way that smoking has taken root. I mean, take the New York [City] Subway any day now, or the London subway, and hopefully in Paris and Ontario. Those places used to be, when I was in law school in the 1980s, those places when smoking was allowed in them, were death . . . they were most unfriendly. But today they are just places of transpor t. They are clean. They do not have the smell and stench of cigarettes. So it begins to make a difference, these kinds of initiatives being taken by Minister Wilson today. So I commend you for it and I indicate though that it is a crime. It is a major assault on us. And it needs more, including more legal action. And so, Minister, no wo nder you are having the support that you are having in the House because this cannot be argued against. We all relate to it as a crisis in our midst, and it is time we dealt with it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? I recognise the Honourable Member, Mr. Swan. Honourable Member Swan, you have the floor.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess I will continue on where MP Scott left off. I will start off by also congratulating the Minister and her team for continuing the prosec ution of healthy initiatives. I think if you are going to sit in the responsibility of health, …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I guess I will continue on where MP Scott left off. I will start off by also congratulating the Minister and her team for continuing the prosec ution of healthy initiatives. I think if you are going to sit in the responsibility of health, you have to undertake and appreciate what is of great detriment to Bermuda. I will start off by declaring my interest. My i nterest is that I am one of those persons who fall in the category of being a bit overweight. I also declare an interest as one who was a professional athlete at one time and I have some understanding from a trade point of view of how merchants, particularly, and advertising [companies] target athletes and our profession to be able to convince others who may pay, as my good f riend who was a Cup Match captain, who lost Cup Match in 1979, my good friend had to remind someone when they were teasing his daughters when they went to school. After we lost that Cup, he said, Just remind those children that they pay to come to watch me play cricket, although I lost the Cup. But merchants will attach themselves to athletes. I remember in the 1970s, Mr. Speaker, when I was in the state of Florida, playing competitively at the junior college level before going up to Alabama region and play ing in the Southeast Wiregrass community, and I remember when Gatorade became very popular, and I think of one of those noteworthy athletes who is now in journalism, Mr. Mike Sharpe, could probably speak better to that, because Mike Sharpe was a G ator at t he time that Gatorade gained its prominence. So, persons associated performance with drinks that may have contained a lot of sugar because when you are young, and you are looking for that type of energy level, they will try to convince you. I mean, look at what sporting has had to do to be able to combat the usage of chemicals, and the like, as persons lose their way. But as it relates to Bermuda in the context of the challenges that we are facing, I just want to be mindful that in the platform of the Progr essive Labour Party, and I am thankful for some of our senior Mem-bers, one in particular who always reminds you, Whenever you are speaking, go back to our platform. And if it is a tick, remind them that this is what your agenda is really all about. And as it relates to health, with your permission, Mr. Speaker —
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan—quality of affordable health care for Bermudians, it is noted that the cost of health insurance is causing real hardship for Bermuda families. It is, Mr. Speaker! And Honourable Members have spoken to some of the causes. The Honourable Member, Mr. Scott, took it right back to traditions that we …
—quality of affordable health care for Bermudians, it is noted that the cost of health insurance is causing real hardship for Bermuda families. It is, Mr. Speaker! And Honourable Members have spoken to some of the causes. The Honourable Member, Mr. Scott, took it right back to traditions that we embrace, which may not be the healthiest of traditions, of how we had to find ways to cook for multi ple families. So you know, things that . . . the cheeses that come with the macaroni made in great quantities would feed many of us. Right? And our families are very innov ative, and notwithstanding Bermuda, but we come with other influences, down in the Caribbean, and in my family it goes a little further south, even down to Cen-tral America and right across to Asia. So when those cultures merge you get some very interesting flavouring, which might not have been the right combination to help you get that str eamline figure. Particularly after your playing days have gone. And you have seen them. Athletes, many of them who were in their day, in their teens and 20s, the persons who appeared on the postcards, appeared on 2290 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly the sports cards, and, dare I say, became accustomed to eating. But let us remind us of one thing. And I d igress, because as we look at healthy initiatives, and as I also look at the platform, I am reminded that just before we outlined how we are going to promote healthy living, of which this Bill speaks directly to, it also spoke to mental health and addictions. And addictions being separate. And I would say that these two categories, which are the second and third categories under the Progressive Labour Party platform of 2017, are joined up. Because when you look at the fact that we will work in collaboration with addiction professionals, design a continuum -ofcare service that will increase access to services, i mprove long- term outcomes for people suffering with addictions, dare I say, Mr. Speaker, that someone who admits that when you have that soda, the taste in your mouth encourages you to have another. And there are those of us who do not smoke, because we appreciated it would not help us along the way. So we didn’t. We may have tried it soc ially, b ecause there were those who were very prominent in our profession who used to be the cover persons for tobacco companies. One of my favourite pictures of one of my idols is Ben Hogan with a cigarette in his mouth, looking macho and stuff. And his [INAUDIBLE 02:31:32 ] could make us swing. And we put Hendrix to his swing. And all types of music to his swing. But if he would have come back today, jumped in the time machine and would be with us now, he would say, because he was the performance of excell ence in his day, that that was not, indeed, the best message that he would want to associate his legacy with, if he could come back in that time machine. And like him, the great Arnold [Palmer], and big Jack [Nicklaus], as I talk about my love and passion in my trade, golf. All of them . . . but Jack disassociated himself [as] a public figure in that way. So as we look at sugar and the impact of sugar in our community, we must look at the forces that are driving it. It is a ticklish and slippery slope. It is not easy when you look at, not only from a job perspective, but also from a sponsorship perspective. It is di fficult. But I support that we in this country [are] very appreciative that the Opposition for the most part . . . and I say for the most part, because a very vocal O pposition Member for all ministries is out there on social media on a constant basis saying different than what the Opposition have come here today and said. They must declare their interest. I am sure that they are not afraid of dec laring their interest in that, you know, they would put their signs with regard to unhealthy drinks right there at our greatest sporting event of all time.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCup Match.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanCup Match. Therein lies a significant problem as we look to reverse a mind- set. And what the Ministry of Health is challenged with is finding a way to join -up this mandate right here in our platform. Because I contend that, as I mentioned, the addiction that affects persons …
Cup Match. Therein lies a significant problem as we look to reverse a mind- set. And what the Ministry of Health is challenged with is finding a way to join -up this mandate right here in our platform. Because I contend that, as I mentioned, the addiction that affects persons . . . and I declared my i nterest as being overweight. And I will challenge myself to be better in that department as the months go on. I don’t mind saying that. Because as disciplined as one is to not smoke, to drink in great moderation, it is not that easy to forgo that soda. And water is a very tasty thing when you are thirsty. Not hing quenches your thirst better than water. And when you drink water, and I declare that in another life, about 15 years ago when I also sat in this legislature, I was a marketer of beverages, both alc oholic and nonalcoholic, for one of Bermuda’s largest distributors. No longer, but I enjoyed that involvement. And let me say this: There are brands of water that are sold. But we have great rain here. And I am pleased and don’t mind saying, and I am sure the Mi nister could provide the greater details, that there are great benefits in engaging in your own household some mechanisms that would guarantee purification of your tank water, of which greater consumption of the best of water (I don’t want to use a term and be giving out any type of advertisement) is of great benefit. Case in point: There was a time when I made that personal challenge, Mr. Speaker, and was assis ted by one of Bermuda’s unfortunate tragedies in 2003, which paralleled to when I was inv olved with one of the main liquor companies. And I was the marketer of a brand (I don’t mind saying), SPA water, de-licious water out of Europe. And because of Hurricane Fabian, which was a very tragic occurrence, I was without electricity for six weeks, as were most people without it for some period of time. I had cases of SPA [water] at my disposal. And if anyone would care to look back, they could look at my photos, because there was an election around that time, from 2002, six months following the hurric ane, and that period of 2003, a vast change that I attributed to large consumptions of water. Once a trained mind that is disciplined, and in training people to be disciplined in their trade, gets switched on to a healthier way, you are on the right track . Someone trained in psychology, as I have had to work with them numerously in my trade from time to time, and I can pass it on to my understudies, you know, would appreciate that in order to take someone, and I will use the mathematical term, from plus tw o . . . but for me when I am speaking in terms of being in the obese category, plus four, plus five . . . and there are many of my comrades in this unfortunate situation, that might be plus six, plus seven, plus eight. And I am just using those terms from my calibration, not from any scientific calibration. You have got to go to minus seven, minus six or beyond, to provide the shock treatment to be able to enjoy a balanced lif estyle, at maybe plus one or plus two, which is far betBermuda House of Assembly ter on a consistent basis. You are not going to wake up and be that person enjoying that way of life and that change of lifestyle. So the challenge we have in Bermuda is a great one because our cultural perspective makes it so. And dare I say that anyone in marketing understands th at probably better than we do, because there is a benefit for understanding that. And so the good Lord in his wisdom put a catastrophe in Bermuda, that I wish I could go back in the time machine and change. But it caused me to understand how it would be if one could maintain that type of lifestyle, drinking something on a consistent basis that would be of benefit. As it relates to the execution, Mr. Speaker, of this agenda in which we are embarking upon. Dare I say that I would encourage persons who wish, for whatever reason, to look cynically at what is taking place, to at least sometimes give us, give the Minister, the benefit of the doubt, of actually wanting to help Bermuda? You have to start somewhere. And where do I think the best place to start [is] , Mr. Speaker? With young people, very young. Because in Bermuda if we are to combat a cultural way of putting together some of my favourite . . . my favourite trio is potato salad, macaroni and cheese. Oh man. And since I have rea lly been . . . in the las t 20-odd-years, some rice and beans —not peas and rice, some rice and beans. It’s got coconut water in it, it’s got all this seasoning . . . I’m telling you, how can you deny the big three? I spoke of the “big three” over [Jack] Nicklaus, [Arnold] Palmer and Ben Hogan. But the big three in Bermuda is macaroni and cheese, (right?) potato salad, and, for me, rice and beans. And you know, you move them together. Now maybe the answer is for us to come up with a dish that mixes them all together so that you are only getting one serving of all those three helpings. Maybe that is an entrepreneurial opportunity waiting out there for somebody to meet the taste. Maybe Marcus’ will come up with the significance of that. I am trying to make a little bit light with a ver y serious situation. And it leads me to one more point. As we look . . . and you know, I have taken the opportunity to sort of poke fun, as one of my professors used to say, poke fun at myself to get you to apprec iate the sensitivity of another problem that exists glo bally, that exists right here in Bermuda. And that is weight discrimination. So I buy into the reason that we have to lead our people to a better place. I buy in to that. But in my heart of hearts I have to take the opportunity to say that there are persons who might be out there who fit into this category. But their hearts are pure and their minds are there, and people judge them before they even get an understanding and appreciation for what those other two points are. They look right past them. So I am duty -bound to hold that up as one who has enjoyed life on both sides of that spectrum and realise that in order for us . . . because who are the main persons who are most impacted by this? I mentioned it earlier. The young people. The young people take their cue from those around them. So a young person growing up, not . . . and I declare my interest. I have a young daughter. She is one of the most beautiful young people that I know on the face of this earth. Lovely person, caring, loves all the people. No surprise because she has been raised in a family that believes in that, and will execute that in life. But not afraid to speak up for that of which one knows is not right. She did not know her dad when he was wal king around campus and they wer e writing articles about him. She did not know him then. Maybe she will see some pictures and say, Boy, he looks a little bit like you then, but a little bit thinner. You sure that’s you, Daddy? And it is important, Mr. Speaker, because there are those of us in our communities, in our families, that fit into the category that is being di scussed here today. And tomorrow, irrespective of whether we pass this Bill, when we put forward this tax they are still going to need a job in Hamilton, they are still going to need someone to look at them fairly, they are still going to need some sensitivity, and they are still going to have to be treated equally. And so as one who fits into that category (right?), I feel it my duty to speak up on behalf of that category. And let me tell you, there are areas in the United States far more socially progressive in this area than we are. I would encourage those who are looking at this area of how we are going to deal with our addictions in our community and how we are going to promote healthy living. So I will conclude as I started, Mr. Speaker, and that is that this initiative here today is not popular in all quarters. But the intent of it fits into a larger pi cture. And it fits into a picture which is laid out in our platform of managing an unsustainable cost of health care and that speaks to the need for . . . I see my da rling wife there who has been very instrumental with Project Action that started out by transporting seniors, and in the last twenty years, this 20 th annivers ary of Project Action, they find themselves taking [Ernest] Shuby DeGrilla, the great Shuby DeGrilla —we send a shout -out to him —taking more patients who really cannot afford to pay to go to dialysis at three o’clock in the morning. Shuby DeGrilla is gettin g up and picking up people and taking them for free because there is a charity out there that as it evolved was for seniors and found out that more seniors had to be dialysis treatment. This is all tied into this. But the next generation of Bermudians . . . hopefully those persons sitting here twenty years from now would say that the 20- year-olds and the babies that benefited from this legislation are ones who ride their pedal cycle to school, like we used to. And pr o2292 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly gressive neighbourhoods like in Davis, California [USA] did in 1979, when I was there for the NCAA Championship. Riding their power bikes around like the Honourable Member who always . . . those persons who talk about, you know, him as our advocate for seniors. But he lives it! He rides his pedal bike around the East End.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanAnd if persons want to take a page out of a good role model, those are the type of role models that we need to take and we need to get our young children riding more pedal bikes. And we have role models. We have Flora Duffy, one of the …
And if persons want to take a page out of a good role model, those are the type of role models that we need to take and we need to get our young children riding more pedal bikes. And we have role models. We have Flora Duffy, one of the greatest persons on a pedal bike, but in combination with swimming and running. She is the number -one in the world. We need to encourage all our young chi ldren of the virtues of running more, swimmi ng more, and cycling more.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAnd playing golf.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanAll of that helps you and it is free, once you have just basic equipment. But certainly the running and the cycling part of it, right? The Honourable Member is telling me and golf . No commercials from me today. Golf will help you with the mind. [Laughter]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHow many walk? [Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanAnd we walk. Thank you, Honourable Member. But thank you, Mr. Speaker. I cer tainly feel that anyone looking for where the Minister has been going, will continue to go on this, only needs to read our platform which obviously must be resonating across the Island. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I recognise t he Honourable Member Smith. You have the floor.
Mr. Ben SmithGood afternoon, Mr. Speaker. [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Deputy Speaker, in the Chair]
Mr. Ben SmithI would just like to start out by saying that I come from a family of diabetics, bot h sides of my family. So this subject is important to me, understanding what that disease has done to people in my family, specifically my mother is battling the disease as we …
I would just like to start out by saying that I come from a family of diabetics, bot h sides of my family. So this subject is important to me, understanding what that disease has done to people in my family, specifically my mother is battling the disease as we speak. Knowing what that is, and knowing that the food choices that are made by people in Bermuda have led to that position that she and other members of my family are in, I think it is important that we rea lise that we have to do something. Bermuda is in a crisis when it comes to our health. It is time that we make some choices that are going to try to impact future generations as well as try to save the people who we have now. Hearing the cost of health insurance in Bermuda, and that being impacted by some of the choices that we are making as people with what we are eating and what we are consuming, tells us that we have to make a change. The part that I am nervous about with this . . . and I am glad to hear the education portion of this ini-tiative is going to be the highlight. That is the piece for me that I think is going to be ext remely important, because we already have a tax that deals with alcohol in Bermuda. We educate our people alcohol, but we still see that alcohol is something that is consumed at a high level on a regular basis in this country. What I do not want to have is that we implement a tax with the right idea, we are trying to change this behaviour, and five years down the road the behaviour has not changed because people are still consuming at a high level because in Bermuda we tend to pay for whatever it is that we want. And just because the price has gone up, people are still going to try to get that co nsumption of that item. That is the piece that I do not want to see from this. So I am encouraged by what is being put forward, and I am hoping that it is going to have some of the change and the effect that we are looking for. I know that if this had been implemented prior and this change had happened, potentially members of my family would still be. And that is something that makes this issue important for me. As somebody that coaches young people, I spend a lot of time trying to educate them about drinking water and taking care of their bodies. And I think that that is a message that all of us can continue to go out and do. The more that we can educate our young people about taking care of themselves and thinking about what they consume, I think that the entire country can be better for it. So this is a start in that direction, and I am supporting looking for increasing the education for it, and making sure that we can have a healthier country. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member from St. George’s. The Honourable Renee Ming from constituency 1. Ms. Ming, you have the floor.
Mrs. Renee MingGood afternoon, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and listening audience. I just want to briefly throw my support behind this Bill. I think the Minister knows I am probably one that has struggled. I came kicking and fighting and probably screaming on this particular Bill. I have had Bermuda House of Assembly …
Good afternoon, Mr. Deputy Speaker, and listening audience. I just want to briefly throw my support behind this Bill. I think the Minister knows I am probably one that has struggled. I came kicking and fighting and probably screaming on this particular Bill. I have had
Bermuda House of Assembly conversations with others about it. I had an interesting conversation last evening, and it was probably one that really made me keep things in perspective. My oldest daughter said, Mom, you have that sugar Bill tomorrow? So I said, Yes. And she sai d, You are voting “ no,” right? So my answer was, Why? And she was like, Mom, you like eating your candy and your soda. Now, not that she did not think that it was a good Bill and that the attacks were, you know, why are we doing this? And her understandi ng of it was absolutely correct. But she was talking about some of the lifestyle choices that I make, and she was thinking, You can’t begin to want to paying $5.00 for a can of soda now. So it does, when you have things like this and her just even thinking in her mind that I would definit ely want to take my soda and maybe the wine gums and the chocolates and the other things over the health of . . . over being healthy and maybe even ha ving longevity would definitely be incorrect. So we talked about it a li ttle bit and I explained to her, I said, Yes, I did struggle with this Bill a little bit. And I said, You know, when . . . probably even pushed back hard in certain areas at certain times. But I want to unequivocally state that I do support this Bill. We promised this as a platform item, and it was not just a platform item for the people that we go and visit. That is a platform item for us too as parliamentarians. So when we said that we were going to be looking to implement a sugar tax, that was not just for those doorsteps of the doors we knocked on, that was us as parliamentarians. That was our promise to you, and this is another delivery of our promise. So on that I feel confident that, you know, promise made, promise kept, if I can say it like that. I was happy to hear about the amendments, because I think that that demonstrates that we are a Government who listens and will take the feedback away and then come back with something else. And so that was definitely, for me, one that I was proud of. We sha red lots of feedback and we have some amendments that I think we can work with. I do not think that this is the panacea in the sky and that next year everybody is going to be down to about 200 pounds and we are going to have billions of dollars of revenue, but I do believe that every journey starts with just that step. And if it is one step and it starts us ma king healthier choices, then so be it. I am just going to give you another brief story before I take my seat, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Last year, July, I s tarted doing a walk. And it is usually from the top of the hill down to the bottom of the hill, which is probably as far as I could go at that time. I can com-fortably say now that after 36 weeks of doing this walk every Saturday morning, 7:00 am, I walked in a few of your districts, now we are walking three miles comfortably.
[Desk thumping]
Mrs. Renee MingAll I am saying is, we started with something small. And now we are doing something on a larger scare. So this, to me, is an extension of that and j ust evidence that something so small, because now I even have people that come out and actually walk with …
All I am saying is, we started with something small. And now we are doing something on a larger scare. So this, to me, is an extension of that and j ust evidence that something so small, because now I even have people that come out and actually walk with me, it is a great support system. You know, you see us every Saturday morning, although you have not joined us yet, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy Sp eaker: Well, you have got to walk through the holy land. [Laughter]
Mrs. Renee MingWe are . . . it is just a demonstr ation of something that was small and how it can grow and there can be some healthy benefits even from that. So with that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am going to take my seat. But I believe that this is …
We are . . . it is just a demonstr ation of something that was small and how it can grow and there can be some healthy benefits even from that. So with that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I am going to take my seat. But I believe that this is another demonstration of us heading in the right direction and taking a small step to something that we hope, and what our vision is, that it creates something greater. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Zane De Silva from constituency 29. You have the floor. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, as a former H ealth Mi nister (I think the Honourable Member Cannonier r eminded …
Thank you. Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Zane De Silva from constituency 29. You have the floor.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, as a former H ealth Mi nister (I think the Honourable Member Cannonier r eminded us of earlier), I have been recorded in this House saying that if I had my way I would take the tax up on sweets and other foods over 200 per cent.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And that has not changed. But I would like to start off by reminding . . . and a few of the Members on this side have very proudly reminded the people of the country that this was an initiative in not only …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And that has not changed. But I would like to start off by reminding . . . and a few of the Members on this side have very proudly reminded the people of the country that this was an initiative in not only our platform but our Throne Speech. I would like to read an excerpt from Premier Burt’s February 26, 2016, Reply to the Budget Speech. And if I may, Mr. Deputy Speaker, quote?
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerYes, you may. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: With regard to health care in the country, the now Premier went on to say, “ The 2294 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly next PLP government will promote healthy living and, where necessary, tax habits that …
Yes, you may. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: With regard to health care in the country, the now Premier went on to say, “ The 2294 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly next PLP government will promote healthy living and, where necessary, tax habits that lead to chronic di sease that are too prevalent in Bermuda. ” With that said, Mr. Deputy Speaker, it shows that this has been on our radar for a very long time. Whilst I think Members on this side, and the other side, quite frankly, have very nicely detailed what this tax legislation will hope to achieve, I certainly hope and I feel that it will achieve some of the outcomes that we want, which is t ackling disease, making people think a little bit more healthier about what they eat and how they eat and what exercise we may do and not do. But a couple of things I thought I would point out, because we have heard some stories, some examples about . . . well, I know the Honourable Member Pat Gordon- Pamplin said, Well, no matter what price some of the candies are, some sodas are, you know, those that want will buy. Well, I tell you what. There has been some talk about a can of soda being $5.00. And people that are going to drink soda are going to drink it. Make it $20, and see how many people drink soda. Now, you might remember, Mr. Deputy Speaker, back in the day I talked about mayonnaise. And some of my colleagues today have talked about macaroni and cheese, and peas and rice, and those types of foods that we all love to eat —
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerI don’t. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —and are part of our cu lture. No, I know you don’t . . . I’ll watch you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You are one of the best. I hav e seen you leave some nice hot meals on the countertop. [Inaudible interjections] …
I don’t. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —and are part of our cu lture. No, I know you don’t . . . I’ll watch you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. You are one of the best. I hav e seen you leave some nice hot meals on the countertop. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well, you know what? That is a good point. Maybe those down in the Bible Belt can’t cook as well as us up in Somerset. [Inaudible interjections]
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerNow, be careful — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But I will say this.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy Speaker—you must pastor in . . . Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I will say this. You know, when we, the Progressive Labour Party, decided to ban smoking in public areas (right?), there was a lot of noise about, No, it ain’t gonna happen. It ain’t gonna happen. But …
—you must pastor in . . . Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I will say this. You know, when we, the Progressive Labour Party, decided to ban smoking in public areas (right?), there was a lot of noise about, No, it ain’t gonna happen. It ain’t gonna happen. But it has happened. No only that, but we still are . . . and I stand to be corrected, but certainly back in 2012 I think Bermuda was one of the lowest partic ipants of smokers in the OECD. And I think that that legislation has certainly helped, and I think it has certainly helped with the health of our people.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, exactly. Yes, to smoke and tobacco that is, yes. Thank you, Minister of Education for that clarification.
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But let me say this. I think that this is a great move. I certainly applaud the Mini ster for digging her heels in and getting it done, as our Health Minister. I hope and I think that this Gover nment, if you look at our past history, whether it is a Budget Reply, whether it is the Throne Speech Reply, or whether it is now our Throne Speech or our next budget, I hope that it increases. Because we all know that that mac and cheese, those mayonnaise sand-wiches that I used to eat as a child, and some of us may still eat now —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, mayonnaise sandwiches. Slap it on a piece of bread and eat it. That used to be my favourite.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberJust mayonnaise? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mayonnaise sandwich.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThey didn’t have anything else. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Now, I do not know who eats codfish and potatoes in this House, but I wou ld venture to say almost everybody does. I do not know how many of you put mayonnaise on your codfish and potatoes. I …
They didn’t have anything else.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Now, I do not know who eats codfish and potatoes in this House, but I wou ld venture to say almost everybody does. I do not know how many of you put mayonnaise on your codfish and potatoes. I do not.
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I do not. But I see a few hands up, and there are many people— [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —there are many people — [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —there are many people who put mayonnaise on their codfish and potatoes. Mayonnaise is pure fat. So if you ask me, I think you should take mayonnaise up to $50 a bottle. So our people go and they say, Well look, I’m gonna have to make some changes. And I can tell you, for those of you who know my wife . . . Hey, that girl is changing
Bermuda House of Assembly my eating habits like crazy. I mean, you name it; she buys it. Whether it is getting rid of sugar, whether it is organic . . . organics, she must be the most . . . that girl, if you . . . she goes to organic soap.
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I am serious. She has organic soap.
Ms. Leah K. ScottAnd what you clean your house with. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: There you go. Yes. And the Honourable Member Leah Scott is saying, Look, what you clean your house with, organic, health cleaning product — [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —all these things add up …
And what you clean your house with.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: There you go. Yes. And the Honourable Member Leah Scott is saying, Look, what you clean your house with, organic, health cleaning product — [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —all these things add up to better health. So I do think that this is a great step. It is following along with our agenda that we have repeated year in and year out for many years. Hopefully we can become one of those countries . . . we have one of the highest amputation [rates] in the OECD. I think we still do. The Minister’s nodding her heard. I know we used to be one of the highest countries with amputations in the OECD. And you talk about our health care system. You know, when som eone loses a toe or t hey lose half a foot, what does that cost for the rest of their life? I think that education is going to be key. We have heard that several times tonight. I will tell you what. I certainly think with the taxes, the extra money that we raise, we should be putting into education. Flood the market with it! I can tell you, my grandchildren do not know what soda is all about because my daughter brought them up on nothing but water. Nothing but water! They do not even know what a juice is. Don’t know. Don’t know. They see their Pop- Pop drinking a Diet Coke, and they say, Why are you drinking that? I say, You want to try it? [They say], U h-uh. Uh- uh. So I think education is a key. And I think if we can . . . and like the Honourable Education Minister reminded us, we do not have any of those sugar m achines in any of our public schools , which is another initiative under the Progressive Labour Party Gover nment that is still in place today. So that is great! I think that is the way for us to go. Us elders, I do not thi nk it is too late for us. But I certainly think if we bring our children up and we start flooding this country with i nformation in regard to not eating all those chocolates and candies and all this sugar and the other bad things that we eat, whether that be fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, or mayonnaise on our cod fish and potatoes, the better off we are going to be. Thank you.
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Kim N. Wils on: Thank you, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to start by first acknowledging with gratitude the bipartisan support that this piece of legislation has received from this …
Thank you. Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister, you have the floor.
Hon. Kim N. Wils on: Thank you, Mr. [Deputy] Speaker. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I would like to start by first acknowledging with gratitude the bipartisan support that this piece of legislation has received from this morning until this afternoon, this evening, actually. I have listened attentively to my colleagues on the Government side as well the Opposition, and I am satisfied that it is certainly a step in the right direction. There were a number of questions that were asked, and I will attempt to answer them in a few m oment s. But let me start by saying similarly to the Honourable Member who sits in constituency 2, this is a first step. We are attempting to do something that cer-tain jurisdictions took certainly longer than 10 months to try and unroll, have concerted efforts w ith respect to consultation, develop the initiative, work on the draft, et cetera. And we moved this very, very quickly within a 10- month period. We started on this in the Ministry probably . . . I was sworn in on one day and I suspect within 24 hours we w ere having discussions at the Ministry of Health as to how to progress this because it was certainly a Throne Speech initiative that the PLP have indicated that we would be proceeding with. So, again, I would like to thank Members for their comments and t heir contributions to what has seemed to be a very spirited debate on this sugar tax.
[Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, there were some questions that were asked at the beginning, I guess later on this morning, concerning the body mass index and the data that we collect with respect to surveys and measurements and the like. As my Honourable . . . the Opposition Leader would recall, in 2014 there was the STEPS survey. In fact, that survey did measure bod y mass index. So we do have that data. It is anticipated because it was a 2014 survey that we will be repeating it in 2019, so we will be able to have some more measurable data to compare to. With respect to comparison we cannot . . . there is probably . . . it is unlikely . . . one of the questions was asked, have we seen obesity and diabetes rates decrease since the election? Well, that was only 10 months ago, Mr. Speaker. So that data has not been collected. It is probably very negligible , if at all, but again, when we repeat the STEPS survey in 2019 we will be able to produce more information. 2296 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, can I tell just tell you really quickly about some the initiatives that are actually ongoing now with the Ministry —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGo ahead. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: —that will help to augment this piece of legislation. As I indicated at the beginning of my brief, the Government is committed to ensuring that we take steps to encourage our population to live healthier lifestyles so that we can reduce the instances of …
Go ahead. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: —that will help to augment this piece of legislation. As I indicated at the beginning of my brief, the Government is committed to ensuring that we take steps to encourage our population to live healthier lifestyles so that we can reduce the instances of noncommunicable chronic diseases that are lifestyle r elated. And what do I mean by that? I mean that we can control that. We can control it by what we eat and the degree of exercise that we do, or do not, partic ipate in. Mr. Speaker, the Gover nment has already introduced a policy with respect to vending machines. And that will be anticipated to be completely impl emented by the end of this year where all government vending machines will have water as opposed sugary soft drinks on order. The rest aurants, Mr. Speaker. We are looking at encouraging restaurants to develop information on their menus that have like a nutritional guide. Many people have probably seen at restaurants they may have like one pepper that means it is hot, two peppers means it is spicy, [and] three pe ppers means its off the chain. We are looking at som ething similar to that so that the restaurants themselves will produce nutritional information with respect to the menus, so people can make their choices more wisely as to what t hey consume. Also, we are in discussions at the Ministry level with respect to the supermarkets, hoping to e ncourage the supermarkets to remove the candies. The Honourable Shadow Minister of Health indicated the issue about when you go into a supermarket and you see all the candies right there at the checkout and there is very little of anything that is nutritional. In fact, during the lunch break I ran into a supermarket to get my lunch. And as I stood at the checkout I noticed that it was simply as the O pposition Leader indicated. They had like Kit Kat, two for a dollar. I mean, that is where . . . I mean, you wouldn’t get two for a dollar of an apple, but they have the candy that is there at the checkout, which is quite visible. And what is interesting is that when you get to the checkout, in addition to the candy, they have all the sugary drinks and the water is . . . you have to walk down the hall and to the right to go and get the water. But just as an extension of that, Mr. Speaker . . . and I apprec iate that the Honourable Government Whip, perhaps maybe he is a bachelor. So he may run into the supermarket and grab what he sees and stuff instead of doing like most of us do insofar as looking at items and looking at the cost of them. For example, though he indicated that eating healthy could be very expensive, a Granny Smith apple today is $1.39. A Red Delicious apple is $1.29. A Cadbury chocolate is $1.89. So you could buy an apple—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI bought two. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Two apples?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat’s right. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: An apple a day keeps the doctor—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThis morning, that’s right. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: And, Mr. Speaker, so my point being is that an apple is cheaper than a Cadbury’s chocolate. So it is a matter about choices. Likewise, a 12-ounce soda was $1.45. And a $1.15 was how much the most inexpensive bottled water was. …
This morning, that’s right.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: And, Mr. Speaker, so my point being is that an apple is cheaper than a Cadbury’s chocolate. So it is a matter about choices. Likewise, a 12-ounce soda was $1.45. And a $1.15 was how much the most inexpensive bottled water was. So it is about choices. And I think it is an unfair assessment to say, Oh, it is too expensive to eat healthy, when you can do so. It just may take a little bit more time and more preparation and the like. But those healthy options exist for similar prices, if not less than the options that contain far too much sugar and no nutritional value and the like. Mr. Speaker, there were some issues that were raised concerning if there is any evidence out there that the introduction of a sugar tax will reduce obesity. Well, there is solid evidence in other jurisdi ctions that the intake of free sugars contributes to an unhealthy lif estyle and unhealthy weight, as well as a decrease in intake of free sugar is associated with a decrease of one’s body fat, or body measurements and waistline. It is anticipated that the sugar tax will decrease national sugar purchase and intake. That is the objective. We have heard a lot of debate this morning and this afternoon concerning the actual rationale be-hind this, or what the objectives are. The principal o bjective is to try to encourage people to consume less non-nutritional sugary substances. Sugar tax will also raise awareness of healthy diets. It will allow us, as we have heard previously, that this money will be generated will help to fund health promotion programmes, as well as education will be a major component about that. Mr. Speaker, with respect to some of the questions that were asked, somebody asked about how long it will take us to observe any types of stati stics to confirm whether obesity levels are shifting. In other jurisdictions it takes a minimum of five years for reducing obesity in a population. So a minimum of five years, and for some groups, and a generation, perhaps, for overall, because we have got some people
Bermuda House of Assembly who are probably within our generation or the gener ation above mine who are used to eating the foods that we have heard about today and consuming large amounts of sugar. No, we are not saying that they should . . . we are saying that they should adjust their lifestyle. But, again, we have heard a number of people speak about the fact that we need to try to address it from the children, from our youth. That is why we have got things like the [EatWell] Plate that all of the P5 public school students receive. And when you see it, Mr. Speaker, it has where half of that plate should be vegetables, a quarter of it should be protein, and a quarter of it should be carbohydrates. So we are encouraging our students to look at a plate and think, Right, half of my plate should consumed with the good stuff, or the better stuff, the vegetables and the fruit. So those are initiatives that we are doing with our children so that they can go home . . . similar to what we have heard today. They can go home and say to their parents, Well, I learned in school that we should be not consuming sugary drinks, et cetera, et cetera. So they can help to educate their parents and the like. There was a comment that was made, and I have heard this before actually. It was addressed actually in a consultation document, that low income persons are the ones that will be most highly affected by the intr oduction of a sugar tax. In fact, regrettably, Mr. Speaker, low income persons are the ones that are most negatively impacted by obesity and chronic diseases already, and oftentimes there are greater health disparities for those individuals due to their lo w socio -economic background. Inevitably, Mr. Speaker, they are already being negatively impacted. So the introduction of this sugar tax would actually be a better thing because, again, as we have heard other persons who have spoken, they will think twice about consuming that because of the cost associated with it. Mr. Speaker, I think I have answered pretty much all of the questions that were asked. Again, I would like to end where I started by thanking co lleagues for their spirited contributions to what w e anticipate to be a very successful rollout of this. We have listened. The amendments will be described in a few moments to the population. All right? There were “i ssues” that were addressed with respect to retailers and the mom and pop persons that cook cookies and so forth. We have listened to the bigger businesses who were concerned about the impact that this may have on their business, so we are doing a phased- in approach as it relates to the introduction. One of the Honourable Members that sits on . . . the Member opposite indicated, Why are we wai ting until October? And that is precisely why. We consulted, we listened, and we decided that a phased- in approach would be more beneficial to address some of the concerns that were raised by some of the ret ailers. With that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to move that this Bill entitled the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 now be committed.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Mr. Deputy Speaker. House in Committee at 5 :16 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess , Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2018
The ChairmanChairmanHonourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation on the Bill entitled the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 . Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This Bill seeks to amend the Customs Tariff Act …
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Clause 1 is self -explanatory. Clause 2 provides that headings 17.01, 17.04, 21.06 and 22.02 of the First Schedule to the principal Act (Bermuda nomenclature and import duties) are repealed and replaced, Mr. Chairman. The revised rates relate to sugar and certain sugar products. Note …
Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Clause 1 is self -explanatory. Clause 2 provides that headings 17.01, 17.04, 21.06 and 22.02 of the First Schedule to the principal Act (Bermuda nomenclature and import duties) are repealed and replaced, Mr. Chairman. The revised rates relate to sugar and certain sugar products. Note that the First Schedule is published on the Bermuda Government portal at the following web address: www.gov.bm/schedules -customs -tariff-act-1970 .
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I move that clause 2 be amended as follows: Clause 2, delete and replace heading 17.01, 17.04, 21.06 —
The ChairmanChairmanYou have got to move clause 1 first. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Clause 1 is self -explanatory; I moved that one.
The ChairmanChairmanI mean . . . yes, one second. Any objections to the approval of clause 1? (My apologies, Minister.) There appears to be no objections. Appro ved. Continue. [Motion carried: Clause 1 passed.] 2298 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 2 Hon. Kim …
I mean . . . yes, one second. Any objections to the approval of clause 1? (My apologies, Minister.) There appears to be no objections. Appro ved. Continue. [Motion carried: Clause 1 passed.]
2298 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 2
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, clause 2, I move that clause 2 be amended as follows: Delete and replace heading 17.01, 17.04, 21.06, and 22.02 as incl uded in the [amendment].
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is, and I do not know if I am pushing ahead too much, but in your brief you mentioned that the sole proprietor baker would be able to make application for a concession for the cane sugars and the confection sugars, et cetera. So …
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My question is, and I do not know if I am pushing ahead too much, but in your brief you mentioned that the sole proprietor baker would be able to make application for a concession for the cane sugars and the confection sugars, et cetera. So my concern is that if at the present moment the sole proprietor, the baker, the candymaker, if they are purchasing their sugar locally —
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Any further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move on to clause 3, please, Mr. Chairman?
The ChairmanChairmanYes, do you want to approve clause 2? Move that . . . Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I move that clause 2 be a pproved as amended.
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections to approving clause 2 with the amendments? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clause 2 passed as amended. ]
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now I would like to proceed to clause 3. Clause 3, Mr. Chairman, amends the Fifth Schedule to the principal Act in CPC 4227, — [Inaudible interjection] [Pause] Hon. Kim N. Wilso n: No, 7. It says “7.” —in the description …
Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now I would like to proceed to clause 3. Clause 3, Mr. Chairman, amends the Fifth Schedule to the principal Act in CPC 4227, —
[Inaudible interjection]
[Pause] Hon. Kim N. Wilso n: No, 7. It says “7.” —in the description for “Description” by subst ituting “Batteries” with “Goods” and, in the description for “Qualifying Goods ,” by substituting “1. Electric accumulators of heading 85.07; and 2. Electric vehicle charging stations, parts and accessories .” . . . (That’s not right.)
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes. [Crosstalk]
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Okay. [Crosstalk] [Pause]
The ChairmanChairmanStay with us, listening audience. [Pause] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you for that, Mr. Chai rman, for that pause. Mr. Chairman, with your lead, I believe that the question that my honourable colleague and Shadow Minister had was with respect to clause 2. So with your lead I would …
Stay with us, listening audience.
[Pause]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you for that, Mr. Chai rman, for that pause. Mr. Chairman, with your lead, I believe that the question that my honourable colleague and Shadow Minister had was with respect to clause 2. So with your lead I would like to just sit down for a moment so that she can ask that question.
The ChairmanChairmanWell, clause 2 has been approved. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I appreciate that, but, unfort unately, I was referring to the wrong amendment.
The ChairmanChairmanThis is . . . this is . . . [Crosstalk] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Apologies, Mr. Chairman, I would like to proceed by moving clause 3.
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Any . . . ? Go ahead. Continue. AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 3 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In clause 3 I would like to renumber clause 3 as clause 3(1); and i nsert subsection (2) . It will now read, Mr. Chairman: “(2) In the Fifth …
Continue. Any . . . ? Go ahead. Continue.
AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 3
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In clause 3 I would like to renumber clause 3 as clause 3(1); and i nsert subsection (2) . It will now read, Mr. Chairman: “(2) In the Fifth Schedule to the principal Act, CPC 4229” (I incorrectly referred to it as 7 previously.) “ is amended in the “End -Use Conditions/Restrictions” by deleting “the preparation of foodstuffs . . .” Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers on this? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you, Mr. Chairman. So I am just looking for some clarity from the Minister. My concern is, and I am m aking a guess here, that the local small bakers and candymakers are purchasing their raw sugar once it has arrived on-Island. And I would imagine that they are …
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So I am just looking for some clarity from the Minister. My concern is, and I am m aking a guess here, that the local small bakers and candymakers are purchasing their raw sugar once it has arrived on-Island. And I would imagine that they are purchasing their sugar from wholesale distributors on Island. Now, the wholesale distributors on Island are not exempt, or cannot, in my understanding, make application for exemption from the sugar tax. Therefore, the distributors will be paying the tax on the importation of their sugar, and now these small bakers and candymakers . . . how are they going to get their exemption from a sugar that has already been taxed? My other thought is that what would happen is there is a certificate, a concession that is provided to the sole baker and the candymaker, then that means that that baker or candymaker must now go overseas and import their own sugar. If that is the case, Mr. Chairman, I am concerned that the—
The ChairmanChairmanWell, before you go there, why don’t you get the answer to the question you are speculat-ing on?
Ms. Susan E. JacksonOkay. The Ch airman: Minister, can you answer that? [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Chairman, thank you. I thought I kind of talked about it during the actual . . . at the very beginning. But here is how it works. So the candymaker, the baker, and the …
Okay. The Ch airman: Minister, can you answer that? [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Chairman, thank you. I thought I kind of talked about it during the actual . . . at the very beginning. But here is how it works. So the candymaker, the baker, and the candlestick maker, and anybody who is a manufacturer right now, because inside the Act it kind of says “manufacturer” can get certain concessions. So they would . . . if I am the candymaker, I will produce a purchase order and take the purchase or der to MarketPlace, or if I am taking to Butterfield & Vallis, or Dunkley’s. Then that wholesaler, MarketPlace or whatever, will take that information . . . now, they have to be approved manufacturer. They take that information to Customs. All right? So wh en customers buys that five- pound bag of sugar, Customs will give them that duty rate, the low rate, at that time. That is when you (you are the wholesaler) will give me that rate because you have already received it. You a lready had my purchase order. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Right. Yes. But there is no . . . the manufacturer does not pay it, nor do you, because you already got the . . . the wholesaler will r eceive the benefit from Customs when they take their purchase order to prove that I, as the manufacturer, am asking for the request.
2300 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: I’m . . . I’m . . . I do not know if that is very clear. I think the question was . . . because the Chair needs to get it clear also.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Sure.
The ChairmanChairmanIf Ms. Jones is going to . . . you are saying that she can go to the Piggly Wiggly or Butterfield & Vallis? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes. If they go to Piggly Wiggly, and Piggly Wiggly is buying from Customs —
The ChairmanChairmanBut Piggly Wiggly is retail. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Well, if they are buying . . . well, Piggly Wiggly also is a . . . they purchase sugar. They bring in sugar and they go to Customs and clear it through Customs. All right? So when they clear through …
But Piggly Wiggly is retail.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Well, if they are buying . . . well, Piggly Wiggly also is a . . . they purchase sugar. They bring in sugar and they go to Customs and clear it through Customs. All right? So when they clear through Customs they will have that five- pound bag of sugar from WW Cookery, or cake maker, or whomever, and then Customs will give that break to them for that particular item that they have.
The ChairmanChairmanThat is confusing. The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Ms. Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you. So I am still seeking a bit of clarity here b ecause it seems . . . I cannot wrap my head around an importer who will be bringing in hundreds, maybe thousands of pounds of sugar to the Island, because there are 65,000 of us who are …
Thank you. So I am still seeking a bit of clarity here b ecause it seems . . . I cannot wrap my head around an importer who will be bringing in hundreds, maybe thousands of pounds of sugar to the Island, because there are 65,000 of us who are consuming sugar, and that they are going to have to sort out a tax concession for a 10- pound bag of sugar for the candymaker. I just do not even understand—
The ChairmanChairmanMinister. You have got the floor, Ms. Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonSo that is my concern. I am not sure . . . I am just feeling two things here. One is that, again, eventually, I would suspect that somebody is going to give up because it sounds like an administrative nightmare, and will end up i mporting their own sugar. …
So that is my concern. I am not sure . . . I am just feeling two things here. One is that, again, eventually, I would suspect that somebody is going to give up because it sounds like an administrative nightmare, and will end up i mporting their own sugar. If they import their own sugar my concern, my real concern, is that the sole propri etor baker and candymaker are going to face additional charges of learning how to purchase their own sugar, import their own sugar in order for it to become tax exempt, because the larger distributors may not have an appetite for processing what, on their terms, would be very small supplies of sugar that would be going to these folks who have certificates of concession. The Chairman: The Chair recognises the Honourable Junior Minister, Wayne Furbert.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is not the first time that Customs has manufacturing inside their codes. There are many things that have been manufactured in Bermuda that you get Customs duty relief, concessions, or whatever, for. So, if Piggly Wiggly, as my Chairman says, buys 1,000 pounds of sugar (this is the way I am seeing it as simple, country boy, common sense math) and I take my order off . . . and they are charging based on . . . I think they charge on . . . based on k ilos, I think, kilogrammes. What do they charge?
The ChairmanChairmanWhatever it is. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes, kg.
The ChairmanChairmanMm-hmm. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Right? So let’s use kg i nstead of pounds. So if I got 1,000 kg, and I am ordering 100 kg as the manufacturer, they will pay 900 at the 50 per cent rate, and they will pay 100 at the lower rate. It is …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Right? So let’s use kg i nstead of pounds. So if I got 1,000 kg, and I am ordering 100 kg as the manufacturer, they will pay 900 at the 50 per cent rate, and they will pay 100 at the lower rate. It is just a subtraction, to me. I mean, it is just simple counting.
[Inaudible interjections]
The ChairmanChairmanIt is not clear. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Well, so . . . let me go slo wer. MarketPlace brings in 1,000 kg. We got that number?
The ChairmanChairmanMmm. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Our good friend down in St. George’s makes those cakes. Right? She orders 100 kg. She produces a purchase order and gives it to MarketPlace. All right?
The ChairmanChairmanMm-hmm. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: MarketPlace goes down to Customs. Customs sees that they have purchased 1,000 kg. Follow me? That is what they purchased on the invoice coming from a sugar company in Alabama. But they also see that 100 kg, which is coming from our friend down in …
Mm-hmm.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: MarketPlace goes down to Customs. Customs sees that they have purchased 1,000 kg. Follow me? That is what they purchased on the invoice coming from a sugar company in Alabama. But they also see that 100 kg, which is coming from our friend down in St. George’s, has this deduction. So they will deduct . . . 1,000 minus 100, is 900. So they get 900 on the kg and they will 100 on the lower tax.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Okay.
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Leah Scott.
Ms. Leah K. ScottThank you, Mr. Chairman. So, MarketPlace . . . let me see if I can explain it, or so that I can say it so that I can understand it.
Ms. Leah K. ScottSo, MarketPlace orders 1,000 grams of sugar from Wilson Industries. Wilson Industries then ships that 1,000 grams of sugar to MarketPlace. With that 1,000 grams of s ugar comes an i nvoice that states that you have got 1,000 grams of sugar. Right? That 1,000 grams of sugar is taxed …
So, MarketPlace orders 1,000 grams of sugar from Wilson Industries. Wilson Industries then ships that 1,000 grams of sugar to MarketPlace. With that 1,000 grams of s ugar comes an i nvoice that states that you have got 1,000 grams of sugar. Right? That 1,000 grams of sugar is taxed at what rate?
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you. And no disrespect to the Honourable and Learned Junior Minister, let’s speak lawyer to lawyer because that math . . . that’s why I studied law.
The ChairmanChairmanYou had better speak lawyer to the [Chairman]. That is who you got to speak to. [Desk thumping] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: No, no, but —
The ChairmanChairmanBecause I have to understand it. It has got to be clear here. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am going to attempt to explain it in a non- accounting fashion. So, Mr. Chairman, I, Mrs. Smith, have r eceived my exemption from the Minister of Finance, because I am small …
Because I have to understand it. It has got to be clear here.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am going to attempt to explain it in a non- accounting fashion. So, Mr. Chairman, I, Mrs. Smith, have r eceived my exemption from the Minister of Finance, because I am small -time home baker. I manufacturer goods here in Bermuda, so I have received my exemption—
Ms. Leah K. ScottSorry. My question is do you a pply— Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am going to explain it. I am going to explain it. I am going to explain it.
The ChairmanChairmanHang on. Hang on. Hang on. Hang on. We operate from here. Right? If you want to speak, get up and we will recognise you.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. You have the floor, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you. I have a cake shop. No, let’s not use names. Let’s jus t say I am a candy maker. I have applied for an exemption for my sugar. I go to MarketPlace and I say, Here is my …
Okay. You have the floor, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you. I have a cake shop. No, let’s not use names. Let’s jus t say I am a candy maker. I have applied for an exemption for my sugar. I go to MarketPlace and I say, Here is my exemption. I would like to order from you 100 bags of sugar. MarketPlace adds my 100 bags of sugar order with their order. They order 1,000 bags for themselves and 100 for me. When they go to clear Customs, MarketPlace pays their concession of 50 per cent for the 1,000 bags of sugar, and the 100 for Wilson’s Candies is at the reduced tax concession, at 5 per cent, because I received an exemption from the Minister of Finance. So the key is, (a) you have to apply for the exemption. Once you receive that, then you go to whomever, Butterfield & Vallis, MarketPlace, whomever, and say, I would like to buy some sugar. When they bring in their sugar, t hey bring in your order as well. When MarketPlace declares Customs, they pay 1,000 bags at 50 per cent, and your 100 bags at 5 per cent. But they can only do that when you produce to them your —
Ms. Leah K. ScottOkay. So my question is, one, you have to apply for your exemption in advance? Right?
Ms. Leah K. ScottOkay. And then, the second question is . . . now do MarketPlace and Butterfield & Val lis have an additional administrative burden? B ecause now in addition to their sugar, they have got to order your sugar and be accountable for tracking that.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Honourable Member Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonI just want to add to that. And what is in it for the distributor? Like, why would they even want to do that?
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Honourable Junior Minister, Wayne Furbert. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Well, first of all, Mr. Chairman, to answer the last question, there is a sale tak2302 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly ing place. All right? So they are selling 100 bags of …
The Chair recognises the Honourable Junior Minister, Wayne Furbert.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Well, first of all, Mr. Chairman, to answer the last question, there is a sale tak2302 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly ing place. All right? So they are selling 100 bags of sugar. So there is something . . . maybe their subtraction was kind of tough. I do not want to give them any algebra, that would make it more tough. If “X” equals this, then . . . you know? But, again, and this is . . . so you have 1,000 bags of sugar. Every body understands that. There are codes that Customs has. All right? So I said to you that 100 kg bags will be deducted. I just subtracted. My learned Member, friend, added. She said 1,000 and added [100]. I so am subtracting. Maybe I did it wrong. So they buy 1,000, they fill out their form, and put 900 on the code CPC for 1,000, and pay 50 per cent. The 100 is on code 4229, and pay duty 5 per cent. So the 900 plus the 100 is 1,000. Is there extra writing? Yes, there is. Will they make a sale? Yes, they will. As time goes on, if there has to be some more easier . . . and we can find some ways to make it hap-pen. We will work on that. But that is how it works now on manufacturing as it exists right now. This is nothing new. We are just adding sugar this ti me.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Honourable Member Phyllis [sic] Atherden, Deputy Leader. — Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Sorry, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanLeader of the . . . is she not Phyllis? [Laughter]
The ChairmanChairmanJeanne Atherden. I . . . well, you look like Phyllis today. [Laughter]
The ChairmanChairmanContinue, Ms. Atherden. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanMy apologies. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: No problem. But Mr. Chairman, I think the explanation that the Junior F inance Minister has come up with is more likely, be-cause there is no way a manufacturer is going to bring in . . . I am talking about the commercial orders …
My apologies. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: No problem. But Mr. Chairman, I think the explanation that the Junior F inance Minister has come up with is more likely, be-cause there is no way a manufacturer is going to bring in . . . I am talking about the commercial orders of 100 kg, and then all of a sudden add 10. It is going to be 100 kg coming in they are going to have the certificate that says, We can pay 90 at the higher level, and 10 at the lower. Because you are not going to start . . . you are not going to have them breaking out their commercial importation to just pick up the little bit. It is just going to be a reduction.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Honourable Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonSo, I do not . . . I am going to get out of the weeds with this. Right? But if the distri butor decides, then, that they want to raise the pri ce of sugar, are they then going to be faced with some sort of pushback because it …
So, I do not . . . I am going to get out of the weeds with this. Right? But if the distri butor decides, then, that they want to raise the pri ce of sugar, are they then going to be faced with some sort of pushback because it appears that they are really trying to like . . . I don’t know . . . recoup or get i nvolved in the 75 per cent or the 50 per cent sugar tax. But I am going to leave that piece alone. That was just rhetorical. Now, what happens, then, because we are talking about importing sugar at a concession? What happens if you run out of sugar? You have a great order, and you have got to go down to the Piggy Wi ggly on Island, walk into to the store and buy 100 pounds of sugar. You know, you go to . . . whatever, the distributor. Right? So that has already been taxed now. So, what is the distributor going to do? And what is the worth of the concession certificate at that point? The tax has been paid.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Honourable Member Wayne Furbert. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Chairman, there are many scenarios that one can think of. And this is one that Honourable Member has brought to our attention. I can probably think of a few more myself. I will take that up with …
The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Wayne Furbert. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Chairman, there are many scenarios that one can think of. And this is one that Honourable Member has brought to our attention. I can probably think of a few more myself. I will take that up with Customs and see what can be done. But this is where we are and we will work on the scenario with them purchasing at the ti me they are taking it. If they need more, I will have to talk to Customs and see how we can handle that.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you. I have another question. Does this clause include restaurants, caterers, anybody who is out there who has a small bus iness who is manufacturing or cooking food for co mmercial purposes that is using large amounts of sugar? Because we all know that desserts are a part of …
Thank you. I have another question. Does this clause include restaurants, caterers, anybody who is out there who has a small bus iness who is manufacturing or cooking food for co mmercial purposes that is using large amounts of sugar? Because we all know that desserts are a part of that. These are bakers and candymakers , just like the mom and pops. So how are you going to determine the application and the provision of a certificate f or the likes of a restaurant, a caterer, et cetera?
The ChairmanChairmanMinister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you. As I indicated previously, Mr. Chairman, this is an application that is made to the Minister of Finance at his discretion. The whole mischief behi nd this particular amendment is to address the call of the home bakers and the small bakers and …
Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you. As I indicated previously, Mr. Chairman, this is an application that is made to the Minister of Finance at his discretion. The whole mischief behi nd this particular amendment is to address the call of the home bakers and the small bakers and the persons who are manufacturing products out of their house. No doubt the Minister of Finance will not exercise his discretion
Bermuda House of Assembly if a restaurant is coming in search of a concession. This is specifically designed to attach to the mischief with respect to this legislation concerning the home baker, the home business person, et cetera.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonSo, Mr. Chairman, does that mean that every mom and pop . . . and I mean, I am picturing my cousin. Right? She bakes wedding cakes in her kitchen. And it is a huge business, and lots of sugar. But she is this one person in her kitchen, and …
So, Mr. Chairman, does that mean that every mom and pop . . . and I mean, I am picturing my cousin. Right? She bakes wedding cakes in her kitchen. And it is a huge business, and lots of sugar. But she is this one person in her kitchen, and you are saying now that she has got to figure out how to make an application, how to find you, how to get the certificate, right? Then she has got to figure out how to go and pre- order and explain or be able to be fluent in how this duty free is going to work every time she wants a bag of sugar? She will not be able to buy a bag of sugar in the grocery store because that is already taxed. So that is going to be at that higher price. So I am just . . . I am looking out for the baker and the candymaker, and it sounds like a very compl icated process for folks who do not need to have that kind of complication.
The ChairmanChairmanMmm. Junior Minister Furbert? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, that is the process. We will be glad to hear any Members if they can think of any ot her simpler process; we would be glad to take that under advisement, but right now —
The ChairmanChairmanWhat is the process? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: The process is that ABC Company will have to apply to the Minister of Finance for exemption as the . . . making cak es for weddings, or whatever, one time. And then once they get that application, then they will, as …
What is the process? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: The process is that ABC Company will have to apply to the Minister of Finance for exemption as the . . . making cak es for weddings, or whatever, one time. And then once they get that application, then they will, as I said, do a purchase order and go to Butterfield & Vallis. And then Butter-field & Vallis will buy the lump of sugar, the group of sugar, then go to Customs and will get exemption on that amount of the order that they see on the order.
The ChairmanChairmanMinister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I could provide a little bit more clarification, the concessionary process will be a four -step proc ess. First the person just makes a written applic ation. So, Mrs. Smith’s Bakery makes a written applic ation to be considered as …
Minister.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. If I could provide a little bit more clarification, the concessionary process will be a four -step proc ess. First the person just makes a written applic ation. So, Mrs. Smith’s Bakery makes a written applic ation to be considered as a local food manufacturer. That application, Mr. Chairman, goes to the Minister of Finance. The Minister of Finance will make a decision. If a decision is made affirmatively, then there will be a gazetting of that approved business. And then the claiming of duty concession will . . . that person will get the duty concession when they are making their Customs declarations and the l ike. So it is meant to be a very straight -forward application to the Minister of Finance. He exercises his discretion. Then that is it.
The ChairmanChairmanBut, question. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanWhen that person makes an applic ation, is there any documentation that they have to pr ovide to the Minister for the application? [Pause] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, can I just extend something real quick, just for clarification? The relief that we are speaking …
When that person makes an applic ation, is there any documentation that they have to pr ovide to the Minister for the application?
[Pause]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, can I just extend something real quick, just for clarification? The relief that we are speaking about, w here you are making that applic ation, it covers all goods. So it will not just be for sugar. Equipment and other supplies can also be covered under this relief. So it is an extension to persons who are manufacturing products here in Bermuda, not just the b akers.
The ChairmanChairmanIn the Act, though, any regulations where the owner of the shop can look in and say, Well, to make this application, I gotta take A, B, C? Is there nothing there on that? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Nothing in the Act, Mr. Chai rman. But thi s is obviously …
In the Act, though, any regulations where the owner of the shop can look in and say, Well, to make this application, I gotta take A, B, C? Is there nothing there on that?
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Nothing in the Act, Mr. Chai rman. But thi s is obviously a work in progress. We made those amendments, so at least the amendments speak to the fact that there will be this concession. But the Minister of Finance is still working with Customs, no doubt to just streamline the process. It will not b e onerous, because we agree, Mr. Chairman, the mischief behind this Act is to make sure that those persons who are home manufacturers —not just sugar people, but they can be making windows —that are bringing in items will get this type of relief upon appl ication to the Minister of Finance. But the process is not meant to be onerous, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonYes, Mr. Chairman, I am just, again, very concerned about the sole proprietor, the single baker in the kitchen who is trying to make some kind of enterprise from their talent. To me, it sounds as though this has been thought through for maybe the really commercial bak-ers. So, if …
Yes, Mr. Chairman, I am just, again, very concerned about the sole proprietor, the single baker in the kitchen who is trying to make some kind of enterprise from their talent. To me, it sounds as though this has been thought through for maybe the really commercial bak-ers. So, if you are running a bakery and you are kind 2304 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly of delivering the goods every morning, then maybe I can see that there would be somebody who would have the capacity, the resources to sort this sort of thing out. But all I am saying is that if we are doing this in an effort to keep people who are bakers and candymakers employed, and to give some sort of gainful occupation and income to single individuals who are baking and making candy, that we are going to ultimately put them out of business. Because to go through this kind of effor t to make birthday cakes and cupcakes, which is a great supplement for a single mom, but to able to have the capacity to provide this kind of bureaucracy is, in a number ways . . . I would say it is going to be a gamechanger. It is going to tell people that they are not going to want to do it an ymore, and it is going to take away from jobs. So I am just really trying to work this out so that people can continue to carry on with their trade without this bureaucracy, without this complication.
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I believe the Honourable Member is trying to make this a little [more] complicated than it is. The whole process —
The ChairmanChairmanI do not think so. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —is trying to—
The ChairmanChairmanI do not think so, Member. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —reduce it from 50 per cent down to 5 per cent so the individual baker can make more sales. Instead of a 50 per cent charge on duty it will be 5 per cent. And there is an application that …
I do not think so, Member.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: —reduce it from 50 per cent down to 5 per cent so the individual baker can make more sales. Instead of a 50 per cent charge on duty it will be 5 per cent. And there is an application that they fill out, as the Honourable and Learned Member has said. They go to the Minister of Finance and get approval, one time. Never have to fill out ever again. One time — name, address, maybe a simple thing ab out . . . a little about the business. And that is all the person will do. But it is getting it done. And for the purpose of instead of paying 50 per cent (probably in the next whatever, it would be 75 per cent), but get it down to 5 per cent what they [wi ll] be paying. I think most people . . . and like I said, I spoke to individuals who are my constituents, who actually do that. One lady stays down at Hamilton Parish, well, maybe more than one, but the one I know. And she liked the idea. So, it is a simple process, one time, and it works out.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Honourable Susan Jackson. Ms. Susan E. Jackson: So, what . . . and I believe that one of Members has brought this to the floor a lready, but what is the criteria, then, that we are going to use to establish who is the baker and …
The Chair recognises the Honourable Susan Jackson. Ms. Susan E. Jackson: So, what . . . and I believe that one of Members has brought this to the floor a lready, but what is the criteria, then, that we are going to use to establish who is the baker and the candymaker? Because, ultimately, I mean, I can look at some colleagues I have over here that do enough baking and candy making to want to qualify to make application for a concession. How are you goin g to tell the difference between what is just a mother who is doing lots of baking, which could end up being all of us in line up there for the concession— which would make this whole exercise a moot point —versus what would be either a commercial restaurant that is baking or a caterer or a bakery or a candy maker? What is really . . . what is stopping me from going up there and making an application? Because I know how, I know where you are. It is very simple. You are not asking for anything. I also want to just ask as well, where you are saying that the bakers and the candymakers are . . . even the 5 per cent, that is what they are paying now. So it is not like you are reducing their costs, right?
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I do not want to minimise this at all because it is very important. And I am intrigued by this debat e. I noticed that a number of home bakers have already indicated, because we …
The Chair recognises the Minister.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I do not want to minimise this at all because it is very important. And I am intrigued by this debat e. I noticed that a number of home bakers have already indicated, because we have been discussing this, that they are not even interested in applying for this concession because their volumes of cookies that they may make on a weekend to sell at a bake sal e, or to sell throughout the school, do not entail more than a couple pounds of sugar on a weekly basis. So they are saying, Well, we probably won’t use that concession because we are not using that much sugar, because we are not . . . you know, we are may be baking a couple dozen cookies a week or whatever. And recognising also, Mr. Chairman, that this . . . and I want colleagues to understand this. This is solely at the discretion of the Minister of Finance. So the Minister of Finance is certainly not goi ng to put an onerous application process in that to circumvent, Mr. Chairman, the mischief that this is trying to achieve, which is to help Mrs. Smith that lives in Hamilton Parish who makes cookies —not as good as the cookies as Mr. Smith, who lives in Som erset.
The ChairmanChairmanWell, that is true. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, thank you. Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Yes. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: But, Mr. Chairman, I think we have to look at this objectively. The mischief is there. I have discussed it, so I do not want to beat a …
Well, that is true. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, thank you.
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Yes.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: But, Mr. Chairman, I think we have to look at this objectively. The mischief is there. I have discussed it, so I do not want to beat a dead horse. The Minister of Finance is certainly not going to implement a process that is going to be too onerous. Regrettably, if you want the concession, you have to apply for it. And that is all it is. You make the applic ation to the Minister of Financ e, he exercises his di scretion, you get it or you do not.
The ChairmanChairmanWell, Minister, you got to acknowledge that this is not very clear, and that is why you are getting all these questions on it. It is not very clear. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: And that is where I started my comments. You are right. I understand.
The ChairmanChairmanRight. If it is not clear for the legisl ators, for Mrs. Smith it will probably be more fuzzy. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Well, I think, Mr. Chairman, we can certainly make sure that we make a concerted effort. And I cannot speak on behalf of Finance, but I am …
Right. If it is not clear for the legisl ators, for Mrs. Smith it will probably be more fuzzy. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Well, I think, Mr. Chairman, we can certainly make sure that we make a concerted effort. And I cannot speak on behalf of Finance, but I am certain that they would concede to this, that we make a concerted effort to follow up with this with an education campaign so that people know, Mrs. Smith, if you would like to apply fo r this concession, pursuant to the legislation, because you are home manufacturer, these are the steps. And the process is similar to what we do also, Mr. Chairman, when we are applying for a driver’s licence or a liquor licence. There is a process and we will make sure an educational campaign supplements that so that we can ensure that Mrs. Smith knows what is going to be her expectations if she wants a concession.
The ChairmanChairmanMm-hmm. The Chair recognises the Honourable Member, Leah Scott.
Ms. Leah K . ScottThank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wonder if the Minister would consider possibly, and the Junior Minister of Finance, an on - the-floor amendment where a class of people was created to get the exemption automatically. So, say your volume is five doz en or less per week, or per …
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just wonder if the Minister would consider possibly, and the Junior Minister of Finance, an on - the-floor amendment where a class of people was created to get the exemption automatically. So, say your volume is five doz en or less per week, or per month, you automatically get an exemption. Anybody whose volume is greater than five dozen, or whatever, per month, has to make an application so that for the people who do not have a high volume, but still should get the benefi t of a discount, do not have to have the administrative burden. The other thing I just wanted to ask the Mini ster to clarify is, when she set out the steps for making the application, am I correct that in addition to making the application, and the Minis ter of Finance at his di scretion decides whether or not the exemption is granted, does it have to be produced in the Royal Gazette, or is it just he—
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Junior Mi nister, Wayne Furbert. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Honourable Minister (and I am sure the Minister of Finance is listening) will make the applic ation . . . and the Customs here will make the applic ation a s simple …
The Chair recognises the Junior Mi nister, Wayne Furbert.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The Honourable Minister (and I am sure the Minister of Finance is listening) will make the applic ation . . . and the Customs here will make the applic ation a s simple as possible. That will be the first choice. But look what they get . . . and people do not realise it, individuals do not realise that. Not only do they get exemption on the sugar —
The ChairmanChairmanMinister Furbert, we are in Committee and the gen eral debate is finished. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes. I am not . . . I am debating—
The ChairmanChairmanWhat clause are you talking to? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I am talking about three.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Because it talks about an exem ption on all things, Mr. Chairman. All right? So they get the tax exemption on the mixer, which they do not do right now, the oven, the candles, and the whole list goes on. Right now they do not …
Okay. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Because it talks about an exem ption on all things, Mr. Chairman. All right? So they get the tax exemption on the mixer, which they do not do right now, the oven, the candles, and the whole list goes on. Right now they do not get it. So the Government has gone even further and said, Everything. All they have to do is apply through the process. Fill out the application. So the cost of capital which you had to get the business started comes down. The ongoing process of buying things comes down. And the sugar costs come down so they can sell more products.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Leah Scott.
Ms. Leah K. ScottThank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate what the Junior Minister of F inance is saying, and I think that it is commendable that the item s that are needed to make cookies, or whatever you are going to do with the sugar, the con-cession is being granted for everything. But …
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate what the Junior Minister of F inance is saying, and I think that it is commendable that the item s that are needed to make cookies, or whatever you are going to do with the sugar, the con-cession is being granted for everything. But where there are people who already have those things in place, you know . . . again, I go back to 2306 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly could there be a class . . . and I understand that the Minister of Finance will have to make the ultimate decision. But could there be consideration given to a class of people to just say, Ms. Smith only bakes 12 dozen cookies a month so she does not have to make an application. Mr. Jones makes 15 dozen cookies a month and he will have to make an application and go through the process. And in all instances anybody who is starting out with the new business should make the application.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Honourable Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, again, I think that that would be a matter I think we would have to leave for Finance. However, my biggest question at this point is enforc eability. Because how would you control if …
The Chair recognises the Honourable Minister.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, again, I think that that would be a matter I think we would have to leave for Finance. However, my biggest question at this point is enforc eability. Because how would you control if Mrs. Smith really makes 13 dozen? Is that called a baker’s do zen?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: You didn’t think that was funny?
The ChairmanChairmanHon. Kim N. Wilson: She really makes 13 dozen, but claims . . . anyway, you get my point.
The ChairmanChairmanYes. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: It might be more of a challenge to enforce. But again, I am certain that the Minister of Finance will no doubt take that under consideration. But if I can end, Mr. Chairman, in that the mischief, again, that is attempted to be addressed in …
Yes. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: It might be more of a challenge to enforce. But again, I am certain that the Minister of Finance will no doubt take that under consideration. But if I can end, Mr. Chairman, in that the mischief, again, that is attempted to be addressed in this particular amendment will certainly supersede any type of administrative bureaucracy that could potentially be created by the Minister of Finance, because he certainly is going to ensure that the mischief we are trying to cure will be addressed without any type of unnecessary administrative bureaucracy.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Atherden. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: I am just going to ask this one question. I know what the Minister is saying, and I am just wondering, because of all the questions that have been raised, is this something that we should …
The Chair recognises the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Atherden.
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: I am just going to ask this one question. I know what the Minister is saying, and I am just wondering, because of all the questions that have been raised, is this something that we should rise and report progress on?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: No? [Inaudible interjections] The Chairman: The Chair recognises the Honourable Member, Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonAnd so, I have one question for the Minister of Finance, Mr. Chairman. And that is whether there would be a maximum number of certif icates issued. Right? So, the reason I am aski ng that is because, let us go back to the reason why all of this started …
And so, I have one question for the Minister of Finance, Mr. Chairman. And that is whether there would be a maximum number of certif icates issued. Right? So, the reason I am aski ng that is because, let us go back to the reason why all of this started in the first place. We are trying to create a healthy environment. And the idea that, even though we are coming up with what is now promoting the d evelopment of more bakers and more c andymakers, with the Junior Minister’s assertion that we are now going to be able to get concessions for all of the baking equipment, it sounds as though we are actually contradicting ourselves and we are trying to promote more bakers, which will increase the consumption of sugar and completely defeat the overall goal of what it is we are trying to achieve.
[Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Ms. Susan E. JacksonSo, because, you know, quite frankly, and one of my colleagues just men-tioned, you know , this seems like a bit of a half -baked idea. And we are just trying to get some clarity, trying to get some clarity. So, if we are trying to promote more bakers and …
So, because, you know, quite frankly, and one of my colleagues just men-tioned, you know , this seems like a bit of a half -baked idea. And we are just trying to get some clarity, trying to get some clarity. So, if we are trying to promote more bakers and candymakers with the, Oh, you can purchase all of your equipment with the concessions, as well, then I believe that it is important for us to consider what it is we are actually trying to do here, and get back to square one. The other question is just around that. Are there a maximum number of certificates? If the mom and pop in the kitchen w ho are making the birthday cakes and the cupcakes and the cookies, as the Mi nister mentioned, if they are going to say, Well, I’m not even going to worry about this application or this cer-tificate. I have such a low amount of sugar that I’m just going to go and buy it . . . I believe that it is going to be a reality wake- up call when they get to the Piggly Wiggly and see that there is a 50 per cent mark -up on that sugar. And I am just not sure, because now you are saying . . . you said that there are lots of single bakers out there in their kitchens who said, Well, I won’t even worry about the concession. I’ll just go to the store and buy the sugar. Well, that sugar is going to be 50 per cent and 75 per cent more expensive than it was six months ago. Are we going to be able to keep these bakers and candymakers in business, given the fact that what used to be a $3 bag of cookies is now going to be a $5 bag of cookies, because they have to accommodate what is the retail price with this major increase? Because they are not going to worry about the concession because they are just a small, single baker.
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Minister.
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, with respect to the consider ation of putting a maximum number of certificates in place, again it is for the Minister of Finance. But I do not suspect that they would subscribe to that. If you are an applicant and you meet the criteria, then you will succeed. A kilo of sugar right now is $3. We know that the market forces are such that when we increase it to 50 per cent, it is not going to necessarily mean that this sugar is now going to exponentially go up 50 per cent. The market forces being what they were, if Piggly Wiggly increases it by 50 per cent, Lindo’s does not, then peopl e are going to go to Lindo’s. I also think what needs to not be lost in this conversation, Mr. Chairman . . . and these are some very valid questions. So I appreciate colleagues’ commitment to this particular exercise. We have until October to sort it out. So we do have a time where the Minister of Finance, Customs, and Ministry of Health will work together to make sure that we come up with a regime that is in keeping with the purpose and intent of this particular provision. With that, I would like to move that clause 3 be accepted—
The ChairmanChairmanWell, let me just check to see if there are any further speakers. Any further speakers?
Ms. Susan E. JacksonSo, Mr. Chairman, the Mini ster just mentioned, right, that the retailer can choose, can opt whether to pass this tax on to the consumer through the price of goods. So, you just said that maybe Piggly Wiggly will increase the price of their sugar, but maybe Lindo’s will no …
So, Mr. Chairman, the Mini ster just mentioned, right, that the retailer can choose, can opt whether to pass this tax on to the consumer through the price of goods. So, you just said that maybe Piggly Wiggly will increase the price of their sugar, but maybe Lindo’s will no t. Now, if there is no requirement for the retailer to pass on this tax to the consumer, then we, in my personal opinion, are completely doing this as a revenue- generating tax without having any real implication on changing the behaviour of the consumers f rom buying sugar and sugary drinks. Because if a retailer does not have to pass that price on to the consumer, they can change it. They can put up the price of potato chips. Or they can put up the price of milk. They can do whatever they want and keep thos e sugary drinks the same price. Then we have completely defeated the purpose — completely.
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Junior Minister Wayne Furbert. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Chairman, I would just say just one thing. We are driven by market forces. And the market price will determine where it is. It may cause somebody who does not need all of the …
Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Junior Minister Wayne Furbert. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Chairman, I would just say just one thing. We are driven by market forces. And the market price will determine where it is. It may cause somebody who does not need all of the staff and storage and retail to start bringing in sugar them-selves. You see people selling along North Shore, selling little n apkins or . . . not napkins, but Scott to wels and stuff. So, some might just bring some sugar and have it market -price driven. That is how the market is driven, not by, I’m going to put up my cakes, whatever it is. We do not know, I do not even know what t he mark -up price is for sugar. And so, some companies may not, opted by, as I said, $3.00 to 50 per cent, which is $4.50, b ecause it is driven up by the wholesale price. They purchase overseas; that is where the price was determined. And they may not go for 100 per cent; they may go for 75 per cent. They will be driven by the market, at the end of the day.
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do not know whether my words were misi nterpreted, or perhaps I was not clear. I was speaking specifically, when I was comparing the two grocery stores, about the price differentiation. One shop …
Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I do not know whether my words were misi nterpreted, or perhaps I was not clear. I was speaking specifically, when I was comparing the two grocery stores, about the price differentiation. One shop might decide that we are not going to pass on that. I do not know. But, Mr. Chairman, I als o want to just inform colleagues that the application process is already in place. All we are doing . . . so right now there is an application process for an exemption. Heretofore, that exemption did not include the production and the manufacturing of foodstuffs. So, what we are doing now is that the exemption that currently exists, where you make an application to the Minister of Finance and you say, I’m manufacturing something in Bermuda, so I need to bring in aluminium to make my wi ndows, the Minister of Finance has the power to give you a reduced tax rate on the importation of that item because you are manufacturing items in Bermuda. It never included foodstuffs. The purpose of this amendment is to now include foodstuffs. So the process already exists, Mr. Chairman. So you are g oing to go to the Customs form, either download one, or if Mrs. Smith does not have access to a computer and is unable to do so, she can go to Customs, grab a form, complete the form, lodge it with Customs. Customs forwards it over to the Minister of Finance for a decision.
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? Minister, do you want to move clause 3, as amended? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, Mr. Chairman. 2308 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly I would like to move that clause 3 be approved as amended.
The ChairmanChairmanAny obj ections to moving clause 3 as amended? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clause 3 passed as amended.] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to proceed with clause 4.
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 4 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I move that clause 4 be amended as follows: Clause 4, delete “1 June 2018” and substitute “1 October 2018.”
The ChairmanChairmanAny speakers? Any further speakers on that? Yes, one speaker, Ms. Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you, Mr. Chairman. So, will there be any restrictions or limitations on the importation of any sugary drinks or any of the other items that will be increased from this date until the 1 st of October or the 30th of September, whatever? Can they import as many goods …
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, will there be any restrictions or limitations on the importation of any sugary drinks or any of the other items that will be increased from this date until the 1 st of October or the 30th of September, whatever? Can they import as many goods as they want to, to stockpile and hoard in advance of the—
The ChairmanChairmanMinister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am going to assume that was a rhetorical question and proceed. The Bill . . . we are substituting —
The ChairmanChairmanWell. Minister. Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am sorry, Mr. Chairman. The 1 st of October is the operational date.
The ChairmanChairmanHang on, Minister. Hang on. The Honourable Member asked a question. Whether we like the question or not, we have to a n-swer. We have got to answer questions. You cannot just overlook it. Hon. Kim N. Wils on: You are absolutely correct. I actually did think it was rhetorical. …
Hang on, Minister. Hang on. The Honourable Member asked a question. Whether we like the question or not, we have to a n-swer. We have got to answer questions. You cannot just overlook it. Hon. Kim N. Wils on: You are absolutely correct. I actually did think it was rhetorical. So that is my mi stake. I am asking that the amendment will be su bstituting the 1 st of October. That means that it becomes operational on the 1st of October.
The ChairmanChairmanYou have not answered the question that the Member asked. Can they stockpile? Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Because the Bill does not become operational until the 1st of October, you can bring in crates and containers of sugar and candy —
The ChairmanChairmanThat is all you have got to say. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: —and all of the other items that are meant to be included in this legislation. But, on the 1st of October those items will increase in duty by 50 per cent.
The ChairmanChairmanThe record will show that. Thank you. Continue. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Chairman, I would like to now move the preamble.
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections to the preamble being approved? There appear to be none. Continue, Minister. Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I now move that the Bill be r eported to the House as print ed.
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections to the Bill being r eported to the House as printed— Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Excuse me. I meant as amended. Sorry, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairman—as amended, being approved? There appear to be none. The Bill will be reported to the House. [Motion carried: The Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 was considered by a Committee of the whole House and passed as amended.] House resumed at 6:11 pm [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., …
—as amended, being approved? There appear to be none. The Bill will be reported to the House.
[Motion carried: The Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 was considered by a Committee of the whole House and passed as amended.]
House resumed at 6:11 pm
[Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
REPORT OF COMMITTEE
CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2018
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Good afternoon, Members. Are there any objections to the Bill entitled the Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 being reported to the House as amended? No objections; so reported. That matter is now concluded. And before we move on to the next item, which is [Order] No. 2, the second reading of the V acation Rentals Act 2018, I would like to acknowledge the Minister of Tourism. Minister.
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the Bill entitled the Vacation Rentals Act 2018 be now read the second time.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue, Minister. BILL SECOND READING VACATION RENTALS ACT 2018 Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Vacation Rentals Act 2018 proposes amendments to the Bermuda Tourism Authority Act 2013, the Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Con-trol Act 1978 in relation to vacation rentals, and to make minor amendments to …
Continue, Minister.
BILL
SECOND READING
VACATION RENTALS ACT 2018
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Vacation Rentals Act 2018 proposes amendments to the Bermuda Tourism Authority Act 2013, the Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Con-trol Act 1978 in relation to vacation rentals, and to make minor amendments to the Hotels (Licensing and Control) Act 1969 and the Hotels (Licensing and Control) Re gulations 1976. Mr. Speaker, this Honourable House will be aware that, in addition to hotel occupancy tax, guests staying in licensed hotels currently pay a Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] fee of 4.5 per cent of the gross room rate charged by the hotel. T he fee is paid by the guest, collected by the hotel and remitted d irectly to the Bermuda Tourism Authority. This direct revenue contributes over $7 million in income to the BTA annually, which in turn reduces the taxpayers’ burden of funding the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Mr. Speaker, the vision of the National Tourism Plan 2012, developed under the previous PLP Government, is for Bermuda to be recognised as a destination which embraces our vacation rental market and positions it as a competitive advantage , resul ting in the Island’s re- emergence as a favourite and frequently visited destination for an expanded market of travellers. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with that National Tourism Plan, the Bermuda Tourism Authority entered into a strategic alliance wi th Airbnb in February 2017 to share information, jointly advise on regulation, and to encourage more Bermudian homeowners to parti cipate in the vacation rental property market. In the years since this agreement was signed, the number of Airbnb listings in Bermuda has nearly doubled, to 510. In 2017, Airbnb accounted for 55 per cent of all vac ation rental visitors to Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, the Ministry concluded that adding a similar fee for guests staying in vacation rental properties would enable the Gover nment to further reduce grant funding to the BTA. This additional fee would also incentivise the Authority to directly support the growth of this important sector of our tourism economy. Mr. Speaker, the Ministry concluded that amending the definition of a “ hotel ” to mean a place which provides sleeping accommodation for 10 or more guests, increased from 6 or more, would provide for the regulation of this sector to be more practical. As such, only three properties currently included in the hotel inventory would no longer be classified as hotels. Upon application, and after careful consideration, these three properties could remain in the hotel inve ntory. Mr. Speaker, the BTA has further proposed this vacation rental fee be charged in respect of every guest paying for accommodation, maximum 90 days, at a vacation rental property within 30 days, beginning with the date of departure, at a rate of 4.5 per cent of the gross paid by the guest for accommodations; add itionally, that the fee do be collected on or before departure by the owner or operator of the accommodation, or the agent acting on behalf of the owner, and remitted to the BTA. Mr. Speaker, an analysis conducted by the BTA indicated that a vacation rental property in Ber-muda can fetch up to $2,000 a night. Guests can rent a private room starting at $50 a night or an apartment for as little as $75 a night. At the time of their analysis, on average, the cost of vacation rental unit [ INAUD IBLE] was $285 per night in Bermuda, and the v acation ren tal properties ranged from one bed room to seven bedrooms. The most recent figures from the Bermuda Tourism Authority showed that the proportion of visitors choosing a vacation rental ac commodation increased from 7 per cent of Bermuda’s visitors in 2016 to 10 per cent in 2017. Mr. Speaker, this Honourable House will be aware that the Ministry of Finance estimated that $750,000 would be generated in revenue from the vacation rentals fee during the 2018/19 financial year. As previously stated, this would be t he likely sum by which the grant to the BTA is further reduced, and this money is not intended for bonuses. In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that this vacation rental fee is 4.5 per cent of the gross paid by the guest for the accommodation, and i s not a fee posed on the proprietor of the vacation rental property. I would like to thank the staff of the Mini stries of Economic Development and Tourism, Home Affairs, Finance and Legal Affairs, as well as the BTA, for their work regarding these proposed amendments. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister, thank you. Does any other Member wish to speak? 2310 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly I recognise the Honourable Deputy Opposition Leader. Honourable Madam, you have the floor.
Ms. Leah K. ScottThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speak er, Airbnb was started in 2008 by three gentlemen. And, if you will allow me, I hope I can pronounce their names —Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia, and Brian Chesky. And they were three roommates. And there was a convention, an intern ational design conference, …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speak er, Airbnb was started in 2008 by three gentlemen. And, if you will allow me, I hope I can pronounce their names —Nathan Blecharczyk, Joe Gebbia, and Brian Chesky. And they were three roommates. And there was a convention, an intern ational design conference, that was going to be held in San Francisco. And these guys were running short of rent money, and they were trying to figure out a way to get some rent money. So they decided that they were going to purchase three air mattresses, rent out their loft upstairs and provide breakfast. And they had three conference attendees who took them up on their offer, and that is how Airbnb started. It then progressed in 2008, when the Dem ocratic National Convention was being held in Denver. Originally, this was when Obama was running for president. Originally, he was going to have a rally at the Pepsi Convention Centre. The Pepsi Convention Centre held 20,000 people, and they decided to move it to a football stadium which held 80,000 people. And they could not figure out where or how they were going to accommodate all of the guests who would be attending. And so, what they actually did was, they had people who were supporting Obama in Denver host other people who were coming to the convention. And that is when Airbnb real ly took off. I am kind of in mixed emotions about this legislation. I think that Airbnb is just starting to take off. It is an important and growing market in Bermuda. In 2017, the vacation rentals were up 133 per cent from 2016. And in 2017, ten per cent of visitors to the I sland actually chose to use a vacation rental. To date, Mr. Speaker, the revenue generated by Airbnb for 2017 was over $2.5 billion. There are over 4 million properties that are listed or hosts who have their properties listed on Airbnb. In 2017, there were 200 million guests worldwide who visited or vacationed in an Airbnb. So, you know, it offers a less expensive alternative to hotels, if that is something that you like. It is, essentially, the host and the guest exchanging property for money. So it is a peer -to-peer platform. And, you know, it allows people who want to go to a place to be able to have an exchange, and people who have visi ted a place and have used an Airbnb can ask some questions about it and whether they were satisfi ed with it. I have never stayed in an Airbnb . I actually pr efer to stay in a hotel. There are certain amenities that I like in a hotel that I do not know that I would get from an Airbnb. However, for the Millennials now who are more budget -conscious and for seniors who are tra velling, Airbnb can provide an economic way for them to travel and to get to see places that they ordinarily would not go to. The fastest -growing demographic of hosts for Airbnb is seniors. There are 200,000 seniors who host residences as Airbnb. Out of those 200,000, a full 120,000 are women. So it is a growing market. It is a way of retirement income for seniors. And again, it is an economical way for people to travel. It provides a lower overhead. Unlike a hotel, you do not have to have a bellman. You do not have to have a chambermaid (is that what they call them?), a maid.
[Inaudible interjection]
Ms. Leah K. ScottThat is what it is? You do not have to have somebody there 24/7 to check in, so you do not have that salary. [Inaudible interjection]
Ms. Leah K. ScottRoom attendant —thank you. I was trying to find the right word. Thank you very much. A room attendant. Thank you. The other thing with Airbnb, I do not know, but sometimes after you have travelled for a really long time and you go to a hotel, and it is …
Room attendant —thank you. I was trying to find the right word. Thank you very much. A room attendant. Thank you. The other thing with Airbnb, I do not know, but sometimes after you have travelled for a really long time and you go to a hotel, and it is like midnight. You have travelled for 15 hours, and the person behind the desk is really happy and cheery. And you are like, Look. I just want to get to my room. I do not want any pleasantries. I just want to get in and do what I have to do. So, you know, it has its pros. Its cons are, again, unlike a hotel, there is no 24/7 check -in. You may not have a room attendant. However, my honourable colleague over here is one of the Airbnb people who actually irons the sheet s and the pillowcases, and provides a wonderful experience.
Ms. Leah K. ScottMy honourable colleague—and I am going to tell your business, honourable co lleague—bought a $500 iron to iron her sheets for her . . .
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThree thousand dollars.
Ms. Leah K. ScottOh, a $3,000 iron that does ev erything but mop the floor and wash the dishes, for her guests.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWhen can we send our laundry down for you to iron? What days? What days do we send our laundry down? [Laughter] Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Leah K. ScottSo, Mr. Speaker, this is a growing industry for Bermuda. And it is an are a that locals have been able to generate an additional source of revenue and income. So, I guess my biggest concern is, although the tax is one that is to be paid by the visitor, …
So, Mr. Speaker, this is a growing industry for Bermuda. And it is an are a that locals have been able to generate an additional source of revenue and income. So, I guess my biggest concern is, although the tax is one that is to be paid by the visitor, will they want to pay that tax? Because when you register, or when you decide to rent a property through Airbnb, I think you pay like a 9 per cent commission to Airbnb. And then I think the host has to also pay —you have to pay the host a 3 per cent commission. And so, in addition to those things that you are already paying, that i s already 12 per cent, and then you are going to add another 4.5 per cent charge, which then brings it up to 16.5 per cent. So is that going to deter people— is that enough of a deterrent to prevent people from wanting to come to the Island? Conversely, th ere are a lot of jurisdictions that are actually now imposing regulations on Airbnb. There are some jurisdictions, I think in New York and other places where they . . . in Paris, they are imposing that you can only have 120 days of Airbnb because it is ups etting the rental market. People are earning revenue using Airbnb, and then other people cannot find apartments to rent to live in. And if you would allow me, Mr. Speaker, there are just a couple of statistics that I printed off, and I do not have the statistics in my head. So, in Paris, anybody who has an Airbnb can only host, can rent their properties, for 120 days. And they are also 120 days in the residence that is the person’s primary residence. And the same r estrictions, I guess, were introduced in L ondon and Amsterdam. And European cities think that Airbnb provides unfair competition to hotels and is driving up property prices. The other thing is, in Singapore, the first two Airbnb hosts were fined $45,800 for unauthorised short -term letting. So, as people get more familiar with Airbnb, I am sure that there are all kinds of things that are going to come into play. I think that the 4.5 per cent tax that is being imposed upon us is just one step toward regulating that industry. There is concern that Rus sian criminals are using Airbnb’s to launder money. And if I may, Mr. Speaker, just with your indulgence, read the way that they are doing this?
Ms. Leah K. ScottOkay. “The way the laundering works, says the Daily Beast, is criminals are using stolen credit card numbers to book rooms on Airbnb via ‘story -telling hosts’ —that is, hosts who are in on the laundering. The person doing the booking then sends the money to the host to pay …
Okay. “The way the laundering works, says the Daily Beast, is criminals are using stolen credit card numbers to book rooms on Airbnb via ‘story -telling hosts’ —that is, hosts who are in on the laundering. The person doing the booking then sends the money to the host to pay for the room , the host then takes a cut and send [sic] the rest of the money back to the launderer who booked the room.” So, we have people already looking . . . in every industry, you are going to have levels of risk and you are going to have people who want to try to circumvent the system and do all kinds of things for laundering money. So, I would imagine that at some point this industry will be laboured with the regulatory requirements and transparency requirements that are being passed on to other segments of our society. And, Mr. Speaker, that is about all that I have to say. I have some technical things that I would like the Minister to address when we get into Committee. Generally, I understand that this is something that we have to do. It is something that is being done worl dwide. And, yes, that is all. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? I recognise the Honourable Member Furbert, from constituency 6. You have the floor. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me declare my interest in this particular vacation rental business. Mr. Speaker, …
Thank you, Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? I recognise the Honourable Member Furbert, from constituency 6. You have the floor.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me declare my interest in this particular vacation rental business. Mr. Speaker, we have to ask ourselves the question, Why did Bermudians, first of all, get into this business? Again, it has to do with market -driven for ces. You know what happened in 2008 when the mar-ket went south, and over 6,700 jobs were lost in the Bermuda market, many of them from overseas. The rental market went in another direction that most of us would not want to be going to. So, Berm udians became very creative in this particular field, looking for other ideas for renting out their units. Hence why they were introduced to vac ation rentals. Many of them had to do with . . . Airbnb is not the only one—as a matter of fact, VRBO, Vacation Rentals By Owner, which is one of the largest ones. Another young lady, who is a Bermudian who stays in Toronto, Fiona Campbell, is an individual who was renting out units. I think hers is called Bermuda Rentals, I think it is. So, many of us got into that particular market now that it has [expanded] much more. So, this Bill in itself talks about, how do we get some benefit, the Government, out of this particular business without having an impact on the Bermudians? The vacation rentals are rented at very lo w, very low rates compared with what we get from hotels. H otels can be $300, $400, $500, some $1,000, per night, where VRBO, a vacation rental can be $150, $125, $90, or $200, $225, depending on a one- or two - bedroom apartment. So it helped Bermudians and helped the market last year in particular when, typica l2312 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly ly, some of the hotels are full, it allows the market to be driven, once again, and many, many young adults for the first time can come to Bermuda because of the low market -driven rate. And I must admi t, I benefited from some of that particular market. The Zika virus, which Bermuda is Zika- virus - free, allowed many young people to come here and stay in those particular locations and go from there. So, and I would like to applaud the Minister for this idea, because at the end of the day, it allows the Go vernment to collect some rate. But it passes the burden on to the consumer, or the user. And I understand that the . . . and I have used Airbnb myself overseas — unless I am travelling by myself, when I will stay in a hotel —but my family and I have stayed in some lovely Airbnb’s overseas, and Costa Rica was one of them. It was a seven- bedroom unit. I have stayed with a whole, big family, with a car at our disposal, som ebody picked us up. And as a matter of fac t, we have some cooks who were able to cook for us. Unfortunately, I cannot supply those types of things in Bermuda. So, we get it cleaned before and we get it cleaned after. That is about it, as far as I can go. And the washer and dryer —
[Inaudible inter jections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou did not do sheets? You did not do sheets like your colleague here, your colleague over there? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: They washed them. I and that Honourable Member . . . I have still got to see that with my own eyes. But, no, you do not get …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLook. You ought to hire her to do a little service for you. See that? [Laughter] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: You get ironed pillowcases.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat is right. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: But the Honourable Member was telling me the other day she irons her sheets. I said, Whoa. That is very impressive. No, those sheets are very nice, and we replace them as often as we can to make sure that they look fresh …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerShe is retired now, so she has extra time. She will come over and do your sheets.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOh, yes! [Inaudible interjections and laughter ] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, I have cleaned many, many, many units, sweating, trying to get people in and out of the unit s.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberAnd I will steam. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Oh, yeah. [Laughter] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: So, the Government will now collect 4.5 per cent. And Airbnb, and it has been effective, saves either the host . . . so I could have som eone stay at my house who comes …
And I will steam.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Oh, yeah.
[Laughter]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: So, the Government will now collect 4.5 per cent. And Airbnb, and it has been effective, saves either the host . . . so I could have som eone stay at my house who comes directly to me. I am responsible to make sure that those taxes are paid. Now, Bermudians are quite familiar with the word “hustles, ” hustles. Hustles, just hustles. You have a guy come around your house and paint your roof, paint your house, and it is called a hustle. In ot her words, they pay no taxes at all.
[Laughter]
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: No, I am just telling you what happens. All right? There are many Bermudians who come and cut your grass . They d o not pay taxes at all. That is how it works, and it is called hustles. They say they are not working, they are just doing a hustle. Yes, so the Government will find that there are certain individuals who will not . . . there will be an escape route. Ther e will be some leakage in this tax system. Because, at the end of the day, a friend comes to your house and stays, and you may just charge him $100. Whether you pay $100 on that . . . but there is some leakage. But you are responsible under the Bill to pay somet hing. But Airbnb, which is the major supplier, will catch the majority of it, Airbnb, VRBO , and Fiona. And I understand the BTA has an MOU with Airbnb to make this happen. And I do not think the majority of the people . . . And I am sure the Honourab le Member will talk about the increase. Most people do not, I do not think, look at the rate. I just see 150, and all of a sudden there are more additional charges that come on. And that is the way of doing business. And because most states would charge . . . if you stay in the state or count y, there is a charge there. It is called state tax, or there may be another, a federal tax. So they are aware of that and how it works. So, again I applaud the Minister. This will collect $750,000, hopefully in the fi rst year, as we monitor it now. It was supposed to come on in April 1 st. But now that we are bringing it in late, we will collect less tax. But at least the formula and the procedure will be in place. And as time goes on, the Ministry of Finance will look at that to see how we can adjust it, hopefully
Bermuda House of Assembly get some more revenue, so we can bring other things within the country. So, again I applaud the Minister for moving in this direction. And, unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, I have to leave because my granddaughter is doing a recital tonight.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat is not unfortunate. You made your comments. Go support the family, yes. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGo ahead. [Inaudible interjection and laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMadam from constituency 23, you now have the floor. You can explain how that iron works now.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do indeed have an iron. B ecause I be lieve in . . . and let me declare an interes t. I do host an Airbnb apartment, which would come under the rules of this Vacation Rentals Bill . And, yes, I do …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do indeed have an iron. B ecause I be lieve in . . . and let me declare an interes t. I do host an Airbnb apartment, which would come under the rules of this Vacation Rentals Bill . And, yes, I do have an iron because I know what I like, as an i ndividual. And I just want to make sure that my guests have a similar experience for a very lim ited cost, as I would expect to have.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinSo, yes, it is e xactly—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou know now we are all going to book a night just to come experience those sheets, right? [Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J . Gordon -PamplinFor information, I have a two- night minimum!
The SpeakerThe SpeakerA two -night minimum! [Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinI have a two- night minimum. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Speaker, that is going to be quite an experience you are looking at. [Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinMr. Speaker, it is very interesting because the one key . . . and I actua lly use Airbnb exclusively. And the reason why I wish to speak on this Vacation R entals Bill is primarily b ecause I am perhaps one of the few hosts, and I actually have …
Mr. Speaker, it is very interesting because the one key . . . and I actua lly use Airbnb exclusively. And the reason why I wish to speak on this Vacation R entals Bill is primarily b ecause I am perhaps one of the few hosts, and I actually have reached the status of what they call “Supe rhost.” And a Superhost means that you have—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat iron makes her a Superhost; is that it? It is all about the ir on, you know. It is all about the iron.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinIt is not predicated upon having a $3,000 iron. I can promise you that! [Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinNo, it is predicated upon the numbers of guests that you host , and the number of at least four -plus star reviews that you get.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinIt is very short, because they only give you a few characters. [Inaudible interjections and general uproar]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinAnd, no!
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe are going to bill her for it. We are going to bill her for it. Go ahead.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinAnd this actually says, this is somebody who actually checked out yes-terday. And it says, “Patricia’s place was perfect, very clean, big, great view, quiet, and close to just about everything. She was an amazing host, who went above and beyond making sure we enjoyed our stay. ” I do …
And this actually says, this is somebody who actually checked out yes-terday. And it says, “Patricia’s place was perfect, very clean, big, great view, quiet, and close to just about everything. She was an amazing host, who went above and beyond making sure we enjoyed our stay. ” I do not have to read the rest. But the reason for those types . . . and that is pretty standard. I would be happy —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou know we all want to hear what she said about your sheets, you know. That is all we are waiting to hear. [Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinI would be happy to share with anybody who is interested the various comments that have been made about my property. And the reason is that it is important to me— 2314 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly An Hon. Member: Do you rent to …
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinI have rented to locals; yes, I do.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCan I get your number? [Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinIt depends on the purpose for which you want my apartment, Minister. [Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThe Honourable Member wants to know if he can rent my apartment. It depends on the purpose for which he wants it. [ Laughter] [ Inaudible interjections and laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon- PamplinMr. Speaker, what is important . . . I am probably one of the few hosts who has an issue with the operation of this Bill. And here is the reason why. As a user of the Airbnb services, Airbnb are absolutely excellent. The day that a guest checks in, …
Mr. Speaker, what is important . . . I am probably one of the few hosts who has an issue with the operation of this Bill. And here is the reason why. As a user of the Airbnb services, Airbnb are absolutely excellent. The day that a guest checks in, when a guest makes a booking, they actually are r equired to pay the full amount up at the time that they make the booking. So, on the day that the guest makes the booking, that money is in your account. If somebody is there for five days, on day one that money is transferred to your account. And Airbnb charge 3 per cent of the money that comes to the landlord, to the host, as their fee. So, initially, when I got this, I thought, This is absolutely a steal. This is like, I mean, I don’t know how these people can operate if they’re only charging 3 per cent. And then I realised, having booked an Airbnb accommodation in New York . . . I went up for the US Open last year, and I thought, Let me just see what it’s like to be a guest in a facility as opposed to being a hostess of a facility. And what I determined at that point is that, whatever the rack rate which was showing on their site, that amount was added to by a factor. And I found out that the factor that they use is anywhere between 9 [per cent] and 12 per cent, that Airbnb charge the guest 9 [per cent] to 12 per cent. So, let us, just for the sake of argument, assume that the guest is going to pay 12 per cent in ad-dition to the rack rate that they have to pay to Airbnb. And what does that do? To me, it says that now we are going to put an extra 4.5 per cent. Because now Airbnb have an arrangement wher eby they will collect the taxes and, effectively, pay it over to government. Now, I do k now that at one of the town hall meetings that was held with Airbnb very early in the game, they had actually indicated that the purpose for the tax was to help to defray some of the costs of the Tourism A uthority’s advertising campaign. And, therefore, that hosts have the benefit of getting guests who are probably coming as a result of that advertising, and ther efore the cost of the advertising must be defrayed. I do not have a problem with that. I believe it is very fair to pay my fair share. But here is where I come unstuck. If a guest is going to come and pay their 12 per cent on top of my rack rate, and then . . . so that is going to be extra money for them to pay. I am paying 3 per cent. They are going to pay 12, if 12 is their rate, and now 16. Is that 16 per cent going to dissuade them from coming? That is the question that we do not know the answer to. And I say that because the Airbnb industry . . . the Honourable Member from constituency 6 indicated that, you know, this goes back to the 1990s when we had, people were coming and there were no beds. It goes way, way, way back before then. The Airbnb experience is akin to the rentals that we used to have way back when in the 1950s — [Inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Patrici a J. Gordon -PamplinExactly. T he Honourable Deputy P remier w ould say h is grandmother, you k now. It is what we did as Bermudians. We had what were then called “g uesthouses.”
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinAnd those gues thouses . . . people would come in. They would share a room in your guesthouse and share some common facilities. And you charged them whatever you charged them. And these people came and became a part of your family. And it was what made Bermuda special. …
And those gues thouses . . . people would come in. They would share a room in your guesthouse and share some common facilities. And you charged them whatever you charged them. And these people came and became a part of your family. And it was what made Bermuda special. It gave people the opportunity to come to Bermuda, to live with a family and to be able to enjoy the ameniti es that Bermuda has to offer, you know, everything that Bermuda has to offer! And to be literally at home away from home. And that was what made Bermuda very special way back when. So, when these Airbnb types, the vacation rental business, took off again, it took off after a bit of a hiatus . And so now, to my mind, it could be consi dered to be a fledgling industry. And why I say I come unstuck is because I am required to pay 3 per cent of my rack rate to Airbnb. I would not have a problem paying the extra 4.5 per cent as the host, as opposed to saying, Let my guests who are going to come pay 16 per cent now for their 12 per cent that Airbnb are going to charge them, plus the 4.5 per cent additional money that they will have to pay for this occupancy tax. And they might decide not to come. So whereas I might have 80 per cent occ upancy, now I might go down to 50 per cent occupa ncy. So for the want of paying an extra 4.5 per cent to the Tourism Authority, would it make sense to say let
Bermuda House of Assembly the hosts be responsi ble, as opposed to letting the guests be responsible? The system can also allow, if need be, if somebody is so inclined for the guest to pay a portion, maybe 2 per cent, 2.5 per cent, and that money be turned over. I think that the Bill requires a mont hly pay over, and I think that this could work if you have a central repository, such as Airbnb, which is actually collecting the money and, therefore, paying it over to the Tourism Authority. But I think that if you are going to do it on a monthly basis and I as a host do not have a problem paying it, I think paying on a monthly basis, or being criminalised for not so doing, could be a di sincentive to making the thing work effectively. I think to be able to pay taxes on a quarterly basis the way you pay for your payroll tax and everything else is ideal. But as I say, personally, I do not mind. I believe that I may be among the minority who says, It’s okay, for me, for my costs to be at 7.5 per cent as opposed to my cost s being at 3 and my guests’ being up around 16 and 17, where I may not get any revenue at all if they decide that this cost is too high. Now, a lot of people have different iterations of what they offer in this particular space. And I can say that you have homes in which people say, I have an extra room, and you can come and spend a night in my room in my house, which is what used to happen before. And you can either have your own private bathroom or you can share a bathroom. You can e ither eat in my dining room, or you can share the kitchen. Yo u can either cook, or I can cook breakfast. Well, it was interesting because when som ebody asked whether in fact I was going to provide breakfast, I said, I cook really well, Mr. Speaker, but I just don’t cook really often.
[Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinSo, the idea of cooking and providing breakfast was not going to be a part of my equation, given my schedule. So the answer was no. But was I going to provide extra ameni-ties, such as making sure their bus tickets are there available for t hem? You know, somebody …
So, the idea of cooking and providing breakfast was not going to be a part of my equation, given my schedule. So the answer was no. But was I going to provide extra ameni-ties, such as making sure their bus tickets are there available for t hem? You know, somebody getting on a bus and getting a 14- zone ride, it is going to cost them five dollars. You buy a book of tickets of 15, it costs you $37.50, which means that each ticket costs you $2.50. Why am I going to say to a visitor, Pay five do llars—walk down the street, get on the bus and pay five dollars, when I can provide a book of tickets that you can pay $2.50? I do not even say, Give me an extra 50 cents as a service charge. Pay the cost of your transportation!
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinAnd I think that that is fair because I think people will know that if they actually go to the bus terminal, they do not feel that they are being ripped off. And I think that Bermuda has a good reputation for how we embrace our guests. And I think …
And I think that that is fair because I think people will know that if they actually go to the bus terminal, they do not feel that they are being ripped off. And I think that Bermuda has a good reputation for how we embrace our guests. And I think that, to the extent that we continue to make people come to Bermuda and feel at home, we are providing a service. And I would have it no other way, Mr. Speaker. One of the things that I would be mindful of is the fact that there are t imes when people might say, I’m going to make my tenants move out, so my tenant can sleep under the stars so that I can have an Airbnb residence . I certainly understand the necessity for r estrictions, you know, in that particular space. Because I would not want to think that I have displaced som ebody. But in an apartment that had been vacant for 10 years prior, you know, I would not be displacing an ybody to be able to have this type of experience. And if you keep your rates low —and when I say low, enough t o cover your costs —you can determine what it is that you actually want to provide. Are you providing an experience for people who are coming to Bermuda, to be able to share, to be able to afford, to be able to go back and tell others that Berm uda is a fabu lous place to come to? Or is it something that says, I need this extra money in order to pay the mortgage, which some people do? And some people may have to charge a little bit higher. I know that when you look down the offerings in Bermuda, there are some 500-and-some Airbnb properties in Bermuda. Others who work under the auspices of VRBO, Vacation Rentals By Owners, and other —Expedia, which is one of the major travel sites, and there is another one, TripAdvisor ; they all have the ability to be able to li st your properties to be booked and to be able to provide, you know, for your guests who are coming. I think the ideal balance in providing an apartment is to ensure that (a) your guest has his own space. You know, if you say, Rent a room in my house, that is fine. And it works for people for whom that works. I do not want anybody in my space, so I want to give them their space. And I think that this is the important thing. So, if you have a completely self - contained apartment, Mr. Speaker, it is absolutel y ideal. And in our place, we provide a washer and dr yer for them. We have a dishwasher. They have a stove, full refrigerator —literally, everything. King- sized bed, full bathroom, literally, whatever they want.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinI do not cook. I mean, I do cook; I just do not cook for my guests. But I make sure that I will take them to the grocery store if they need groceries. When they come in, I provide for them. You know, there is a carton of milk …
I do not cook. I mean, I do cook; I just do not cook for my guests. But I make sure that I will take them to the grocery store if they need groceries. When they come in, I provide for them. You know, there is a carton of milk and a carton of orange juice, a basket of fruit. So that, if they come in, especially on a late- night flight, they are hungry, they are peckish. There is no restau2316 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly rant open immediately. There is something that they can actually get to eat to tide them over until morning. These are the things that we provide as Bermudians to ensure that our guests feel welcome. And at times, when we have a demand on our hotel product, it is an assistance to the tourism experience for somebody to be able to say, Even though t here is a large conference in Bermuda and I cannot get a hotel room at the Princess, or the America’s Cup was on and people . . . I wish I had had 10 apartments during America’s Cup, I can tell you that, Mr. Speaker, for the number of de-mands that I had. And what was interesting, I can just tell, anecdotally, that I actually had erroneously booked my site, listed it twice because something had happened, and I thought that one listing was down, and I listed it again. And it was called something different. B ut I started getting these requests. And I said to the Airbnb people, You have booked me. You know full well that you have booked me. Why are you sending these people to book for me, to book me again? And I was panic king because I did not want to have somebody showing up and finding out that, you know, I was already booked. But working through the kinks, it is important that we know that we have got a product that we pr ovide for our guests, for our visitors, and that they are able to leave and say that they have had a memorable experience. Now, the Honourable Member who spoke just before me has incredible amenities —swimming pool, lives by the beach. I do not have any of that. But it is how you treat your guests. And I have got some peo-ple who have come back for the third and fourth time to stay with me because they know that they are going to have a good experience. That is the key. I can tell people, If you want to know how the iron works, it is absolutely fabulous . As I spoke to one of my other honourable colleagues, who also provides similar type experiences, we were having a chat the other day. And I said, you know, This is what I do. I iron the sheets. And so, the one person, the Honour able Member, who just took his seat, said, You iron sheets? So, h e said, Now, I iron pillowcases. I don’t iron sheets. And the other Honourable Member says, I don’t iron nothing!
[Laughter]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinSo it is a question of what it is that you wish to provide, how you wish to provide it, and just go with it. But I think that for us to be able to take the responsibility to say that, I would rather pay 7.5 per cent of my …
So it is a question of what it is that you wish to provide, how you wish to provide it, and just go with it. But I think that for us to be able to take the responsibility to say that, I would rather pay 7.5 per cent of my rack rate rather than have somebody d ecide that the cost of coming to Bermuda is too expe nsive. Because, sometimes, you will fi nd that you will have guests who will come, and they will stay in a Hamilton Princess that is about $600 –$700 a night and feel no way and, invariably, their companies may be paying for their stay and what have you. And that is fine. But there are others who cannot afford that. So, there are others who want the experience of coming to Bermuda. And, you know, I have been mindful to do this not because I was a Government Minister wanting to know that the tourism numbers were up, but because I am a Bermudian and want to consider myself to be an ambassador. You know, I make sure I take my guests to . . . if they are here over a weekend, I will take them to Crystal Cave because I think Crystal Cave is a gem. And these are things that you want to make sure . . . it is okay to send somebody. I tell everybody, Take a ferryboat ride to Dockyard. Take your bike if you want to rent a bike. Take your bike on the ferry to Dockyard, then ride down to Horseshoe Bay. Or take the ferry to Dockyard and take the bus to Horseshoe Bay. So that people have the opportunity within a short period of time to enjoy as much of the Island and to create as memorable an experience as they are able to have. So, as I said, my only challenge is that I am quite willing, and I am not sure how man y others would have that similar kind of attitude, to say . . . I know there are people who think that this is a smashand-grab for the Government to have money to put in the coffers. I understand that there is no free lunch. And I believe that, at the tim e when the Airbnb presen tation team came to Bermuda and presented at the Cathedral Hall, there was an understanding that some such fee was going to be implemented at some point in time. So, I think that, certainly, having atten ded those meetings, I knew that there was something coming down the pipeline at some point in time that would happen. So, I do not have any issue with that. But if I have the choice between paying, m yself, for that extra 4.5 per cent and allowing the guests to pay, to consider whether they can afford to pay it, I would rather pay it myself. I want people to have a great Bermuda experience. And I will do my part to ensure that I contribute to that. And, thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 29. Honourable Member De Silva, you have the floor. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Whilst I do not have any Airbnb facilities, I certainly know some people, and now after …
Thank you, Honourable Member. I recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 29. Honourable Member De Silva, you have the floor. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Whilst I do not have any Airbnb facilities, I certainly know some people, and now after today I know a few more people, who have these amenities in Bermuda. So, it is good to know that. But just before the Honourable Member took her seat, she said that, you know, this 4.5 per cent she would rather pay herself. Well, maybe what the Honourable Member could do, and maybe she could
Bermuda House of Assembly get up and tell us, maybe I missed what she was sa ying. But if she said she would rather pay it herself r ather than have it tacked on to the Bill where the customer pays, maybe she would reduce her rate, or room rate, by 4. 5 per cent. And maybe that would make up for it. Myself, personally, Mr. Speaker, I travel quite often, as you probably know. And I stay at hotels all over the world. Just recently I stayed in a hotel, and the rate was $450 a night. And by the time I chec ked out, they had, Mr. Speaker, a city tax, a water tax, a tourist tax, a maintenance tax, a sewage tax and all sorts of other taxes on there. By the time I was done, Mr. Speaker, it started at $450 a night — [Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I kid y ou not! It was almost $600 for the night. And I was there for five nights. But the fact of the matter is that is a cost. And I think anyone who travels knows that, whether you are staying at Motel 6 or you are staying at Bellagio, when you get your room bill at the end of the week or at the end of your stay, you are going to have some taxes tacked on. Now, when you call and you say, or I know that a lot of the youngsters, and I am not a tech person, so I use the telephone. But when they book it on (what i s it called?) Expedia, and what’s that one —
[Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, right, and all that stuff, yes, all of that stuff! Now, I know that when I call, I say, Look. What’s the rate a night? They say, Oh, it’s $400 a night. I even get my confirmation via email. It says, Look. Your rate is $400 a night. When I get my bill, I see all these things. Okay, all right. You know, that is the way of the world. It is the way of the world. So I am yet to stay at any hotel and I have been quoted one rate, and I leave and that is the rate I get [billed]. So my point is that . . . and if you do the numbers and if you look at the Minister’s brief, he gives you the averages and whatnot. If the average is $285 a night, 12 per cent is $34.20 and 4.5 per cent is $12.83. I do not think that when somebody is booked in their room, and the Honourable Member Pat Gordon-Pamplin, and if the Honourable Member Wayne Furbert were here, maybe they would tell me different. But I do not think that $12 a night is going to stop somebody from taking a vacation, especially if they have already stayed at the Honourable Member Pat Gordon- Pamplin’s house, and by the reviews she got just yesterday, she could raise that rate by 20 per cent by the sounds of it, and they will book next year! So, obviously, she is giving the customer an experience that they will never forget.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThank you. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, Minister, I would suggest to you that maybe w hat you should do is come with an amendment to adjust it to 14 per cent!
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberJust for her? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Just for Pat GordonPamplin. [Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: You could call it the Pat Gordon- Pamplin Amendment! [Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, with that said, Mr. Speaker, with that said, I am sure at the …
Just for her?
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Just for Pat GordonPamplin. [Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: You could call it the Pat Gordon- Pamplin Amendment! [Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, with that said, Mr. Speaker, with that said, I am sure at the end of the day that, you know, with people like Pat GordonPamplin and Wayne Furbert and all the other Berm udian people we have who participate in this industry, I would think that by the time someone comes to Bermuda and they pay that 4.5 per cent and they exper ience the Bermudian hospitality that we are known for, I do not think that this small fee is going to stop them from coming back. So, Minister, press on, and I look forward to the increase next year. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I was going to get a demonstration on how a certain iron works. [Laughter and inaudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI now recognise the Honourable Me mber from constituency 11. Honourable Member F amous, you have the floor.
Mr. Christopher FamousThank you, Mr. Speaker, colleagues and listening public. Mr. Speaker, let us keep things in historical context.
Mr. Christopher FamousBack in the 1950s and 1940s , 1960s , black people could not go to certain places. So other black people created guesthouses such as Villas, up in Pembroke Park, the Jones family, the Griffin family. So, as the Honourable Member from [constituency] 2 3 said, this is what we …
Back in the 1950s and 1940s , 1960s , black people could not go to certain places. So other black people created guesthouses such as Villas, up in Pembroke Park, the Jones family, the Griffin family. So, as the Honourable Member from [constituency] 2 3 said, this is what we have always done. This is how we survived. Now fast -forward to the year 2018, where hotel prices are bordering $600, $700 a night. We have other Bermudians of all strata renting out their places for $100, $130, $200 a night. And th is helps them pay 2318 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly for the mortgages, helps pay their retirement, helps to put their children through school. Essentially, as again the Honourable Member from constituency 23 said, it is a micro -industry. What she uses her money for I am not sure, but it is a micro -industry. So, fast -forward to when the OBA came in. And they created the BTA. They created it. And one of the promises of the BTA was that it would be self - sufficient within three to five years, paying for itself. And that has not happened. Just like the America’s Cup did not pay for itself, it has become a drain on the public purse. So, when the Government says, this Government says we are going to balance the budget and we are going to cut costs, we have to find ways to do that. So, if we put a little bit of tax on this and it helps to offset the cost of the BTA, I am wondering, why is the OBA complaining? Why? Everything we do, there is always a complaint.
[Inaudible interjections]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWho is complaining? Who is complaining?
Mr. Christopher FamousMy point, Mr. Speaker, is that we as a responsible Government have to balance the budget. If this money is used towards balancing the costs of the BTA, then I am all for it. Mr. Speaker, let me end here. As Bermudians, we have to reinvent tourism. It cannot be …
My point, Mr. Speaker, is that we as a responsible Government have to balance the budget. If this money is used towards balancing the costs of the BTA, then I am all for it. Mr. Speaker, let me end here. As Bermudians, we have to reinvent tourism. It cannot be the same old $700 a night at HP [Hamilton Princess], $1,000 a night at Tucker’s Point, so on and so forth. People around the world want to come to our Island and experience innovation. And one of these things is our homes. So, I applaud the Minister for bringing this forward. And I am fully supportive. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? Mr. Swan, are you rising to speak?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right, Mr. Speaker. You have the floor for a brief moment.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanCertainly speaking my language when it comes to tourism and this vacation rental Bill that is before us. And one thing that I want to highlight, in add ition to the intent of the Bill, as I speak to the principle of vacation rentals and look at it from a …
Certainly speaking my language when it comes to tourism and this vacation rental Bill that is before us. And one thing that I want to highlight, in add ition to the intent of the Bill, as I speak to the principle of vacation rentals and look at it from a historical perspective, and it was highlighted in some conver sations here today when certain Members declared their i nterest as being current operators of Airbnb. It high-lighted the single most important ingredient, in my r espectful opinion, of a Bermuda vacation. And that is the interaction with our people. Just tw o Members in this House, who have declared their interest in being involved in Airbnb, just touched ever so briefly on what the Bermuda experience has meant to the hotel industry for many decades. Honourable Member, Mr. Famous, mentioned briefly about the historical connections of when the very Hotels Act prevented persons from the black community to even go in a hotel, only to work and to enter certain entrances. And so, you had some highly celebrated persons who came to this Island who could only stay in the homes of Bermudians. I can recall my experience working in the hotel industry in the 1970s , very fondly, when back in the days of the Gold Coast up in South Shore, after lea ving Belmont and being a part of the guest reception service for the Swizzle party, with a smile and sharing experiences with visitors, to at least have the overflow of what was left over to take it over to Beljerie , and we would have our own Swizzle parties and interact with guests. And it was not a one- off experience. You could go to Sandpiper in St. George’s. I am sure you would go to Wainwright Guest House. And I am sure Honourable Members in this Chamber can add to that list and go up and down the length and breadth of our country and see how we, through whatever necess ities caus ed us to do, participated in a meaningful way in a very important industry. Necessity, being the mother of invention, caused Bermudians who were in the hospitality industry to cast their eyes elsewhere with the advent of i nternational business. When those same guest units up and down the Gold Coast became very tedious, we had families who also turned beds. My experience, being closely connected with the guest house industry in those days, remembered G randma James being responsible for looking after housekeeping there. That was not uncommon. Next door, you had Mr. Morris up the hill. You had the Simmon s. And someone’s overflow meant that their neighbour or relative who was in the business benefited. It happened across the way. And, of course, regulations were necessary to make sure. Someone has said to me very recently, Listen. It is important, being that we have moved into this in a big way, to make sure that the standards are met and kept up. And that makes eminent good sense. And I am also mindful that in 2008 when the roof fell out, fell in, and even in some respects the tank fell below the kitchen, that necessity became the mother of invention and persons with vacant units that, where they once could move towards the international business where they c ould get long leases . . . because, remember, back in the 1970s, when persons were getting good monies from vacation ownerships,
Bermuda House of Assembly we did not have 30- year mortgages then, you know. We had just come out of the area where my daddy had to get it up to the wall plate, where my uncles and everybody came and put the roof on, and then, you know, you hustled around and did that. Back in the 1970s and early 1980s , you were getting a five- year loan with balloon payments of up to eight, and persons were doing their bes t to pay off their home. And when international business kicked in and persons looked to see that they could then get a long-term lease for their places, there started the ex odus away from hotel beds. And let us not underscore the importance that guesthouses played in the bed stock, and let us not forget that there is a friendly, or sometimes a business advantage when it comes to big hotels and the impact of the guest house units in our communities. Those are the things we always must be mindful of for all . And, of course, I certainly am mindful that we certainly have a responsibility to look out for Mr. and Mrs. Bermuda. That is our mandate, and we do that ever so proudly. And as Bermudians have moved in this direction, back in this direction, back in this dire ction, it is for good reason, because the recession left a lot of people with available inventory to rent and not many people to rent it to. And now we are finding persons getting foreign currency for their disposal, not-withstanding . . . and I also was very pleasantly surprised, as we canvassed around on a prolific basis on the lead- up to the general election, to find how many homes moved in that direction, how many Bermudians have actually opted in that direction. And it is som ething that we need t o be very mindful of. Because, if we look back at statistics over recent years, we recall that we have had in the tourism industry a shortage of beds. So competition is, in this case extremely, extremely important to help keep us competitive. When it co mes to the Airbnb experience, Mr. Speaker, I certainly am not an operator of an Airbnb. But I went on a family trip for a family wedding, the glorious wedding of my stepson, and my now ste pdaughter, in Japan. And we had a wonderful exper ience going in Fukuoka and Tokyo and other parts of Japan, staying in Airbnb. And, obviously, we had the benefit of having family members who were very con-versant and wrote Japanese. But I do believe, having had that experience, that with the way in which the Airbnb is laid out, that persons can navigate that experience far more beneficially to them than it would be. Because I took the opportunity on some of the places that we visited on tours for lunches and stuff just to check what the rate was in that hotel. And, you kno w, one thing I have learned by growing and being involved in the hotel industry, just because people might have the means and money does not mean that they want to spend it. You know, they can find other ways to spend it. So being competitive and having quality . . . you know, the Honourable Member from constituency 23 chuckled there. But bed sheets are a very important part of that type of exper ience. Because cleanliness and presentation certainly trumps extravagance when you are looking in that direction. So I believe, Mr. Speaker, that we are now finding ourselves better served by being in this space. And I certainly look forward as we get into Committee to drill down a little bit. But I just want to just add my voice of support and appreciation for the m any Be rmudians who have moved in this direction, many of whom are constituents, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? No one is rising. Minister, you can have the floor. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is evident by the engagement and the energy from the participants in today’s debate that tourism is …
Thank you, Honourable Member. Does any other Honourable Member wish to speak? No one is rising. Minister, you can have the floor.
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is evident by the engagement and the energy from the participants in today’s debate that tourism is something that is a passion for all of us. And I think that we have come to understand as a people that tourism flows through our blood as surely as codfish and potatoes, and peas and rice, and a little Black Seal [Rum], and mayonnaise. Okay? Can’t forget the mayonnaise, right?
[Laughter]
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: But, Mr. Speaker, the power of the resurgence of the vacation rental in Bermuda cannot be measured just by the percentages and increases that we have seen. It is measured in the accounts, the positive accounts, as relayed by my colleague across the aisle, the Honourable Pat Gordon-Pamplin; my colleague who sits behind me, from constituency 6, Mr. Wayne Furbert; and the countless Bermudians who come to me and show me the prop-erties they have on offer and the positive reviews that they are getting. And the key factor why we believe that it is so important to support and protect this industry, it is authentically, 100 per cent Bermudian. And it is that ex-tra effort that a Bermudian takes, the person who is meeting the guest at the airport, not charging anything extra, loading your bags up, making sure you are set in, making sure that you have got the Wi -Fi password personally put in your iPad, getting up, cooking breakfast. There is a next level. The Honourable Member pressing the sheets! Bermudians at our best are the best at tourism . And, Mr. Speaker, before we took the steps to move and bring this Bill, first to Cabinet and then to the House, my technical officers and the BTA had to convince me that this would do no harm. They had to convince me. Because, Mr. Speaker, I am not a fan of over-regulation. I am not a fan of over -taxation. But 2320 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly they were able to convince me that (1) this would not harm the industry; and (2) the benefits accrued from the BTA providing the level of support to our vacation rentals would help them grow their business even further. And it is our intent, in partnership with the BTA, to make sure that the full knowledge, expertise, and wisdom that they possess within those halls are a va luable resource to our vacation rental industry. They deserve no less than to have the best backing them. Mr. Speaker, a point was raised by the Ho nourable Member Pat Gordon- Pamplin about housing. And I think that we have established over the years our commitment to housing our Bermudian people. And I think that, as our economy continues to improve and we see more, particularly of our young educated Millennials seeking to come home, we have to strike that balance. Because, on the one hand, you have had people who would say to me, Minister, I can’t rent my apartment because I don’t have a parking space in it. So nobody wants to pay the rent. And they have gone into the vacation rental market. They have booked themselves on Airbnb. And now they have saved . . . some people have saved their houses by making that transition because they could not rent the apartment out. But we have to have a balance because we cannot have a Bermuda where our people do not have a reasonable expectation of having a place to live. And so, that is something that we are aware of. That is something that we ar e keeping our monitor on. And I know that my brother Minister, the Honourable Colonel Burch, is someone who takes his job very seriously, housing our people. So I do not believe that that is something that we should concern ourselves with onerously. But, Mr. Speaker, I am appreciative of the support that has been expressed on both sides of the aisles. And with that, I move that we now head to Committee.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Deputy? We now go to Committee. House in Committee at 7:14 pm [Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr., Chairman] COMMITTEE ON BILL VACATION RENTALS ACT 2018
The ChairmanChairmanHonourable Members, we are now in Committee of the whole [House] for further consider ation of the Bill entitled Vacation Rentals Act 2018 . Minister, you have the floor. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move clauses 1 and 2.
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Hon. Jam ahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this Bill seeks to amend a number of enactments to make provision regarding a vacation rental unit. These are (1) providing for regi stration of vacation rental units that are not under rent control, w ith the Minister …
Continue.
Hon. Jam ahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, this Bill seeks to amend a number of enactments to make provision regarding a vacation rental unit. These are (1) providing for regi stration of vacation rental units that are not under rent control, w ith the Minister responsible for Tourism; (2) the payment of a vacation rental fee to the author ity in respect of such units, as well as rent control v acation rental units; (3) introducing protection for tenants where a landlord seeks to register the premi ses as a vacation rental unit under the Bermuda Tourism Authority Act 2013; (4) providing for the registration of vacation rental units that are rent controlled, with the Minister responsible for rent control; (5) introducing protection for tenants if a landlord applies for vacation rental rent control certificate under the Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control Act 1978. Clause 1 is the citation. This Act may be cited as the Vacation Rentals Act 2018. Clause 2 amends the Hotels (Licensing and Control ) Act 1969. It amends the definition of a “ hotel ” to mean a place which provides sleeping accommodations for “ten or more guests,” increased from “six or more.” Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Minister. Any further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Leah Scott.
Ms. Leah K. ScottThank you, Mr. Chairman. And I do not know if I am moving faster than I should. I am on clause 3, amended at BT. [Laughter]
The ChairmanChairmanYes, you are. You are real quick.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Any further speakers? Minister. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: I move clauses 1 and 2, as written.
The ChairmanChairmanMove to be approved? Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Move to be approved. Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Any objections to approving clauses 1 and 2? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 1 and 2 passed.] Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For cl ause …
Move to be approved?
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Move to be approved.
Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: Any objections to approving clauses 1 and 2? There appear to be none. Approved.
[Motion carried: Clauses 1 and 2 passed.] Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For cl ause 3, I would like to move that we move clause 3. But I have actually put towards the Chamber an amendment to that, a floor amendment.
The ChairmanChairmanDo the amendment first. AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 3 Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Vacation Rental Bill 2018 be amended as follows: In clause 3, in [proposed] section 15A [of the Bermuda Tourism Act 2013,] subsections (3), (6), and (8), by inserting “, or …
Do the amendment first.
AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 3
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move that the Vacation Rental Bill 2018 be amended as follows: In clause 3, in [proposed] section 15A [of the Bermuda Tourism Act 2013,] subsections (3), (6), and (8), by inserting “, or an agent acting on behalf of either,” after “holder of a vacation rental (rent control) certificate”; in clause 3 of the Explanatory Memorandum in the sentence beginning “Failure to register,” by deleting “Authority” and substituting “Mi nister.” Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Leah Scott.
Ms. Leah K. ScottThank you, Mr. Chairman. Am I just speaking to the amendment?
Ms. Leah K. ScottOkay. I do not have any issues to the amendment, but I do have issues with clause 3.
The ChairmanChairmanOkay. Any speakers on the amendment? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Susan Jackson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonI am just taking a look at the amendment in clause 3 in [proposed] section 15A, if that is okay.
Ms. Su san E. JacksonIt has in here an agent. So, by inserting “or an agent acting on behalf of,” I am just curious whether that agent is aware of what we are doing. Has that been pre- negotiated?
Ms. Susan E. JacksonRight. So have we seen the contracts — [Crosstalk] Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Okay. Okay. Okay. The agent can be Airbnb, which is part of their arrangement. You can also work with a local agent, with the agent of your choice . . . so, whether there are other booking …
Right. So have we seen the contracts —
[Crosstalk]
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Okay. Okay. Okay. The agent can be Airbnb, which is part of their arrangement. You can also work with a local agent, with the agent of your choice . . . so, whether there are other booking agencie s or things of that nature. So . . .
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? Continue, Minister. Do you want to move that clause? Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Sure. I would like to move our clause 3 as amended.
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections to clause 3 being approved as amended? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clause 3 passed, as amended.]
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Mr. Chairman, I would like to move clause 4.
The ChairmanChairmanContinue. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Mr. Chai rman, clause 4 amends section 6 of the Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control Act 1978. It provides for the regi stration of a rent -controlled premise as a vacation ren tal unit rather than a licensed tourist accommodation. This clause also provides that …
Continue.
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Mr. Chai rman, clause 4 amends section 6 of the Rent Increases (Domestic Premises) Control Act 1978. It provides for the regi stration of a rent -controlled premise as a vacation ren tal unit rather than a licensed tourist accommodation. This clause also provides that the Minister responsible for rent control shall issue a certificate on registration, and it also provides that such a certificate shall not be issued under that section unless the Minister is sati sfied that use of the premises for the accommodation will n ot displace any tenants renting the property at the time of registration.
The ChairmanChairmanMm-hmm. So, any further speakers?
Ms. Leah K. ScottMr. Chairman, I think I was too fast or too slow. [Laughter]
Ms. Leah K. ScottI thought clause 3, we were just addressing the amendment. Because I did have some other issues in proposed section 15A that I wanted to address, other than the amendment. Is the horse out of the barn? 2322 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Chairman: …
Ms. Leah K. ScottOkay. Well, then I do have some — [Inaudible interjections]
Ms. Leah K. ScottThere does not seem to be an ything that says that I need a certificate to rent out a unit. It says I have to apply for the certificate. So if I do not have a c ertificate . . . and it does not say that if I want …
There does not seem to be an ything that says that I need a certificate to rent out a unit. It says I have to apply for the certificate. So if I do not have a c ertificate . . . and it does not say that if I want to, I cannot continue to rent the property even if I do not have a certificate. All it says is that I have to apply for it. So, do you want to tighten that up?
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: I may not understand you. But what you are doing, you are looking to move from a rent -controlled premise that is rented to the public to become a vacation rental. So you are appl ying for a certificate to have the right to do that.
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? The Chair recognises the Honourable Member Pat Gordon- Pamplin.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just wondered if the Minister can advise, what is the cost of that certificate being provided? Obviously, it is going to require somebody to come and have a look and decide, or maybe it is just an in- office application. Let me have …
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I just wondered if the Minister can advise, what is the cost of that certificate being provided? Obviously, it is going to require somebody to come and have a look and decide, or maybe it is just an in- office application. Let me have him answer that, because I do have another question in terms of the quality of accommodations. As I said, if you are going to get a certificate, you want to make sure that you are not getting a certificate that somebody has given you in an office and then find out that you are putting guests in the do ghouse. So I am just curious.
The ChairmanChairmanMinister. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: There will be no fee for the certificate, registration certificate. In terms of the standards, at present, we will actually be coming back about . . . [Pause] Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: At present, the inspections will remain under rent control , and the certificate …
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? Minister. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to move clauses 5, 6 and 7.
The ChairmanChairmanWell, let us approve clause 4 first. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Oh, sorr y. I move that clause 4 be approved.
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections to clause 4 being approved? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clause 4 passed.] Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move clauses 5, 6, and 7. The Chair man: Continue, Minister. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Clause 5 introduces the Schedule, which contains amendments …
Any objections to clause 4 being approved? There appear to be none. Approved.
[Motion carried: Clause 4 passed.]
Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move clauses 5, 6, and 7.
The Chair man: Continue, Minister. Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Clause 5 introduces the Schedule, which contains amendments deleting references to the Director and Department of Tourism in the Hotels (Licensing and Control) Act 1969 and H otels (Licensing and Control) Regulations 1976 (as they no longer exist), and substituting references to the Permanent Secretary and the Ministry responsible for Tourism. Clause 6 provides the transitional provisions for a licence issued under section 6 of the Rent Control (Domestic Prem ises) Control Act 1978 (now r epealed) to be considered a vacation rental certificate under the new section 6, and for those licensed hotels providing sleeping accommodation for nine or fewer guests (the new definition of a “hotel” provides for 10 or more guests) to continue to operate as a hotel until the expiration of the licence on the 31 st of March 2019. Clause 7 provides for commencement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The ChairmanChairmanAny further speakers? There appear to be none. Minister. Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Mr. Chairman, I move clauses 5, 6, and 7 be approved.
The ChairmanChairmanAny objections to clauses 5, 6, and 7 being approved? There appear to be none. Approved. [Motion carried: Clauses 5, 6, and 7 passed.] Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Mr. Chairman, I move that the Bill be reported to the House as amended.
The ChairmanChairmanAre there any objections to the Bill being reported to the House as amended? No objections. The Bill will be reported to the House as amended. [Motion carried: The Vacation Rentals A ct 2018 was considered by a Committee of the whole House and passed with amendments.] House resumed at …
Are there any objections to the Bill being reported to the House as amended? No objections. The Bill will be reported to the House as amended.
[Motion carried: The Vacation Rentals A ct 2018 was considered by a Committee of the whole House and passed with amendments.]
House resumed at 7:24 pm
[Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
REPORT OF COMMITTEE
VACATION RENTALS ACT 2018
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood afternoon again, Member s. Are there any objections to the Vacation Rentals Act 2018 being reported to the House as amended? No objections; so moved. That now brings us to the end of the Orders of business. Now we go to third readings. There are no other Orders. The …
Good afternoon again, Member s. Are there any objections to the Vacation Rentals Act 2018 being reported to the House as amended? No objections; so moved. That now brings us to the end of the Orders of business. Now we go to third readings. There are no other Orders. The other three items are carried over at this point. And we now recognise the Minister of Health. Minister of Health.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21
Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move t hat the Bill entitled Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 be now read the third time by its title only.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue, Minister. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2018 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a third time . . . excuse me, do now pass.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. [Laughter] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: That is what happens when you do not have sugar.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Well. The Bill has now passed. [Motion carried: The Customs Tariff Amendment (No. 2) Act 2018 was read for the third time and passed.]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Minister of Tourism. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21 Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the Bill entitled Vacation Rentals Act 2018 be now read the third time by its title only.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING VACATION RENTALS ACT 20 18 Hon. Jamahl S. Simmons: I move that the Bill do now pass.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any objections to that? No objections. The Bill has now passed. [Motion carried: The Vacation Rentals Act 2018 was read for the third time and passed.]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMr. Deputy Premier? ADJOURNMENT Hon. Walter H. Roban: Good night, Mr. Speaker. 2324 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly I do now move that the House do adjourn until June 15th.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. The 15th, 15th. Hon. Walter H. Roban: The 15th, Friday the 15th, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Ne xt Friday next. No one is moving? No one needs to speak to that? I moved too slowly . I should have hit it. Honourable Member Famous, I see you are on your feet. Would you like to take the floor, Honourable Member? BYE-ELECTION RESULTS
Mr. Christ opher FamousMr. Speaker, I would like to start off with some Scripture again, if possible. Can I read something from the Bible, Mr. Speaker?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou can continue, as long as you do not preach.
Mr. Christopher Famous“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Mr. Speaker, please allow me to read som ething from the Royal Gazette.
Mr. Christopher FamousHeadlines: “OBA’s met hods for recovery more hopeless than hopeful . . . “The Leader of the Opposition must be hoping beyond all hopes that Mathias ” (meaning Justin M athias) “ holds Constituency 25 for the OBA, since sur ely her fortunes rise and fall with that res ult.” …
Headlines: “OBA’s met hods for recovery more hopeless than hopeful . . . “The Leader of the Opposition must be hoping beyond all hopes that Mathias ” (meaning Justin M athias) “ holds Constituency 25 for the OBA, since sur ely her fortunes rise and fall with that res ult.” (Hmm.) “If the seat is won, Jeanne Atherden will no doubt claim the tide is turning. She will say that the shine of the PLP is wan ing— even though the OBA won the seat in 2017. “If it is lost, and there is a fair chance that it will be, then she cann ot claim that the OBA has stabilised. The knives will be out. ” (Let me repeat: The knives will be out.) “ But who would be foolish enough from the remaining nine OBA MPs . . .” Mr. Speaker, they lost. Again. Yesterday’s bye-election saw a change from C -25 from the OBA back to the PLP. Somebody predicted that a few months ago. And from C -22, go from OBA stronghold to yet another marginal seat. Hmm. So, today, I want to point out to Bermuda and the listening public the faults and the failings of the OBA. It d oes not rest on the Opposition Leader, the current Opposition Leader. Who does it rest on, Mr. Speaker? The people voted in 2017, and they voted yesterday against the policies and practices of two persons in particular —the Honourable Michael Dunkley and the former Minister Michael Fahy, who now sits on the sidelines and writes things against the Leader of his party. How is that? The guy who caused the OBA to go down in flames is sitting there and throwing the Leader of the OBA under the bus! Hmm. What is g oing on here? Why is this? So, I say again, it was the actions of the leadership under Michael Dunkley, such as Aecon deal, Pathways to St atus, and the December 2 nd pepper spray [incident]. That is why the OBA, primarily, is in Opposition. Not because of J eanne Atherden. She is trying to save a sinking ship. It is not going to work, but at least she is trying. But what is happening? Her own colleagues are jooking her on the side, jooking with words. Jooking with actions. Jooking with undermining. That is what is going on. So I say to the people who remain in the OBA , three of you who are sit ting there, know that your poli tical future depends on you separating the wheat from the chaff. You have to separate yourself from people like Michael Fahy, Michael Dunk ley, and anybody from UBP/OBA lineage. Because I guarantee you the results you saw yesterday will continue. Let me move on, Mr. Speaker. Next Scripture: Palms [sic] 34:13.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersPsalms, Psalms.
Mr. Christopher FamousPalms, Psalms. Back ’ o Town talk, Palms . [Inaudible interjections]
Mr. Christopher Famous“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” Hmm. Let us see, Mr. Speaker. Michael Dunk ley, June 5th, at 6:50 am, via Twitter: Voters in C - Bermuda House of Assembly 25 complain of constant calls from the PLP and are wondering how they got their …
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.” Hmm. Let us see, Mr. Speaker. Michael Dunk ley, June 5th, at 6:50 am, via Twitter: Voters in C -
Bermuda House of Assembly 25 complain of constant calls from the PLP and are wondering how they got their number. Hmm. It goes on. Justin Mathias —It is the petty truth we were never given phone numbers. We do it the proper way by asking constituents if they would pr ovide us with their numbers. Mr. Speaker, I am going to go on a limb here. You have canvassed as a PLP MP, right, sir?
Mr. Christopher FamousSo, Mr. Speaker, yesterday I saw a gentleman, who was sitting there a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Walter Roberts. And I said to him, Mr. Roberts, when you came up by the campaign, Mr. Roberts, could you believe what I am reading here? I explained to him that Michael …
So, Mr. Speaker, yesterday I saw a gentleman, who was sitting there a couple of weeks ago, Mr. Walter Roberts. And I said to him, Mr. Roberts, when you came up by the campaign, Mr. Roberts, could you believe what I am reading here? I explained to him that Michael Dunkley claimed that we are getting numbers from somebody else; we are not going around and knocking on doors. Mr. Roberts is one of those persons who pi oneered canvassing.
Mr. Christopher FamousMr. Roberts sat in that seat a few weeks ago and said to me, Young Famous, I’m glad to see somebody else is carrying on the canvassing. Now, Mr. Speaker, I am not a lawyer. I am not a banker. I am a mechanic by trade. I work with my …
Mr. Roberts sat in that seat a few weeks ago and said to me, Young Famous, I’m glad to see somebody else is carrying on the canvassing. Now, Mr. Speaker, I am not a lawyer. I am not a banker. I am a mechanic by trade. I work with my hands and my head. And I go and I work. I knock on doors. I get other people to come out in the sun, the rain, the moon. They will tell you. Famous is telling me to come canvass again. So we can con nect with the voters of this country, so we can get the numbers. There is somebody sitting in the audience right now who would tell you, I tell them, you have got to go back and see every voter. I am not taking, Well, the Mama said everything is cool. No. I want to know that every voter says they are voting PLP. I want ev erybody’s contact number. You have got to go back. They call me slave driver. I do not know. But it works. So I say that again, Mr. Speaker. At the PLP, we engage with the people to get t he numbers, get the emails, from knocking on doors. We do not get any numbers from any government agencies, as i mplied by the Honourable Michael Dunkley. That is how we win elections. Exhibit A —we walk up and down, as I am sure you did, too, Mr. Premier.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHe came to help, you see. You got help right there. An Hon. Memb er: That is right.
Mr. Christopher Famous“Then he said to his disc iples ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.’” Mr. Speaker, as of May 2018, there are 46,170 registered voters. Ask me how I know — because I study the voters’ list every day. That is my religion. That is my Bible.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThat is why you can’t say Psalms correctly. [Laughter and i naudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSpeak to the Chair. Speak to t he Chair. Speak to the Chair.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberParliamentary Register, chapter 5 and verse 3. [Laughter] 2326 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Speak to the Chair.
Mr. Christopher FamousEach one of those 46,170 persons deserves to be visited by those who seek to represent them. I am not taking the excuse about, Well, it’s hot. Well, the family always votes PLP. No! You can get out there, and you can knock on their door. So, more important, Mr. …
Each one of those 46,170 persons deserves to be visited by those who seek to represent them. I am not taking the excuse about, Well, it’s hot. Well, the family always votes PLP. No! You can get out there, and you can knock on their door. So, more important, Mr. Speaker, there are 36 of us here in this House. Not one of us got here by ourselves, not one. All of us had a team, whether they be people canvassing on your behalf, making phone calls on your behalf, driving people to the polls on your behalf, cooking food on your behalf, a host of things, a team.
Mr. Chr istopher FamousYes, chased by dogs on your behalf. So I say to the people of Bermuda, right, that I am a union man, Mr. Speaker. I am always going to represent the workers. So, today I am speaking on behalf of the workers of the canvasses of the PLP. Right? Over …
Yes, chased by dogs on your behalf. So I say to the people of Bermuda, right, that I am a union man, Mr. Speaker. I am always going to represent the workers. So, today I am speaking on behalf of the workers of the canvasses of the PLP. Right? Over the last two bye- elections, there is a host of people I wish to thank. Because without them, we would not have had the results that we had yesterday. I am going to start off with Ms. Linda Trott, who does a lot of work behind the scenes; Ms. Sandi Gilbert, who does a lot of work behind the scenes. Then there is this group called the [Wakandas], who over the last five weeks got up and walked up and down Warwick.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberTeam work.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWakanda Forever! Wakanda Forever! [Inaudi ble interjections]
Mr. Christopher FamousThen there is Mr. Graham Maule. Then there are my fellow MPs. Then there were the taxi drivers. Then there is Ms. Candace Bur-rows. Then there is Mr. Jonathan Smith. Then there is Ms. Dawn Simmons . . . oh, she c omes from Somerset; do you know her? Then …
Then there is Mr. Graham Maule. Then there are my fellow MPs. Then there were the taxi drivers. Then there is Ms. Candace Bur-rows. Then there is Mr. Jonathan Smith. Then there is Ms. Dawn Simmons . . . oh, she c omes from Somerset; do you know her? Then there is the Honourable Member to my side. Then there is this other guy. I think you are related to him? Russell Lister, filling my shoes as the organiser.
Mr. Christopher FamousI say that to say there is a team. We do not operate by ourselves. I want each one in this House to understand, all 36 of us. When we sit in these seats, we are representing not only the people who voted for us, but the people who worked …
I say that to say there is a team. We do not operate by ourselves. I want each one in this House to understand, all 36 of us. When we sit in these seats, we are representing not only the people who voted for us, but the people who worked for us. So, let us not take that for granted. Follow up on your constituents. If they come to the House to look for us, take five minutes out of your time to talk to them , because the people who worked for us and put us here deserve that from us. Right? So, Mr. Speaker, we are not just a team; we are a family. The song that played when the candidate from constituency 22 walked in yesterday, the guy who made Paget a marginal seat, the song that played is called “ We Are Family .” We are fam-i-ly.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI was going to say, do not sing that. Just tell us what the song was.
Mr. Christopher FamousHere is the thing, Mr. Speaker. I am going to finish like this. My grandpa had a saying. If you cannot move fast, move early. So, thi s bye-election has shown that the harvest is plentiful. So, as a family, not as a team, not as a party, as a …
Here is the thing, Mr. Speaker. I am going to finish like this. My grandpa had a saying. If you cannot move fast, move early. So, thi s bye-election has shown that the harvest is plentiful. So, as a family, not as a team, not as a party, as a family we have decided that as of this Monday, giving them the weekend off, we will commence canvassing in the following seats: constituency 7—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberDo not tell them! [Laughter]
Mr. Christopher FamousBecause next week we are going to be accused of calling all of these people. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I applaud, I salute people like Mr. Walter Roberts. He taught how to canvass, because we do not get numbers from gover nment agencies. We work for it. And that is how …
Because next week we are going to be accused of calling all of these people. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I applaud, I salute people like Mr. Walter Roberts. He taught how to canvass, because we do not get numbers from gover nment agencies. We work for it. And that is how the PLP won the bye- election yesterday. That is how we made P aget a marginal seat. And th at is how we are going to win the next election. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Desk thumping and cheers ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I recognise the Honourable Member to my left here. Honourable Member from constituency 23. BYE-ELECTION RES ULTS
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it would be remiss of me to not follow up on the comments made by the Honourable Member who just took his seat. But I believe it is i mBermuda House of Assembly portant to correct a couple of things that he indicated in …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it would be remiss of me to not follow up on the comments made by the Honourable Member who just took his seat. But I believe it is i mBermuda House of Assembly portant to correct a couple of things that he indicated in his presentation that are not entirely accurate. Now, let me say that his belief is that they have family, and I applaud them. I applaud the efforts of not just the candidates, those who were successful and those who were not successful. Bec ause it is nothing more honourable than putting yourself on the front line to represent your constituents. It is important also to say that it is a laudable goal to be able to offer yourself. And it is worthy of congratulations when one is successful, irre spective of which party one repr esents. But let me let the Honourable Member know that canvassing and the art of canvassing is not a new phenomenon. You can be assured that, certainly, in 20 years that I have been here I have pounded those pavements so many times in so many different constituencies, helping my associates over time. It is what we do as Members of Parliament, and it is also what we do . . . And the Honourable Member from constitue ncy 32 will be able to tell you this: that if there is som ething that is required in which one of us who has experience can share with somebody who is new on the hustings how to be effective in the jobs that they have to do, not because we want to give away trade secrets and to say, You know, I’m going to give you a one-up on me. But if we are going to be effective politicians, we have an obligation to share with each other what it is that we do to be successful. Canvassing is one of them. I can remember meeting the Honourable Member from [constituency] 32 in a restaurant one night and giving him some tips and saying, These are some of the things you might consider. And that is based on the fact that I have been through those same procedures probably five or six times in general elections, and then subsequent to that i n bye - elections. And I do not have a problem sharing that information that I know. But when the Honourable Member indicated that it is not true, when the Honourable Member indi-cated that it is not true that they get information in or-der to give them a leg -up, the Honourable Member may not be aware, but there was, in fact, a letter that has come from the Parliamentary Registrar in which she had indicated that providing parties with not just a list of registered voters, which anybody can go and get a copy of the registered list, that registered list does not provide telephone numbers for the constit uents. That registered list that is available. If you go down and look down the list in the Parliamentary Re gistry, it gives you the name. It gives you the addres ses of the constituents.
Mr. Dennis Lister IIII think the Honourable Member is missing the point of what the speaker next to me said. We go out and ask personally for the numbers. So w e do not rely on a list. I know, personally, when I knock on a door, I ask them, Do you have …
I think the Honourable Member is missing the point of what the speaker next to me said. We go out and ask personally for the numbers. So w e do not rely on a list. I know, personally, when I knock on a door, I ask them, Do you have any contact information that we would have, email or phone nu mbers? So it is not a list. We personally receive that by asking them.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -Pampli nMr. Speaker, I accept that, because that is part of the canvassing process. You go in, you knock on a door, you speak to individuals, you ask them who they are, you make sure that everybody that you have on your list are the ones who are registered to be …
Mr. Speaker, I accept that, because that is part of the canvassing process. You go in, you knock on a door, you speak to individuals, you ask them who they are, you make sure that everybody that you have on your list are the ones who are registered to be there. And you make sure that you do have contact information, email i nformation, and everything else that you need from those individuals. So, yes, we do ensure. That is part of a good, effective canvassing machine. And to the extent that it is successf ul, we applaud it.
PARLIAMENTARY REGISTRAR
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinBut let me say that the Parliamentary Registrar, by virtue of responding to a challenge, indicated that she, at the general election, had provided the Progressive Labour Party wi th a listing of the newly registered constituents, including emails and phone numbers, because many of the newly registered constituents who …
But let me say that the Parliamentary Registrar, by virtue of responding to a challenge, indicated that she, at the general election, had provided the Progressive Labour Party wi th a listing of the newly registered constituents, including emails and phone numbers, because many of the newly registered constituents who were receiving calls around the time of the general election had indicated that the only place where they had actually given their email address and their telephone numbers was to the Parliamentary Registrar. And as a result of questioning why this was the case . . . and I can tell you this because I was very actively involved at that point in time and was one who actually received the correspondence. The Parliamentary Registrar indicated that she had followed a precedent that had been established by the previous Registrar, Randy Scott, and that nobody had challenged whether it was correct or not for her so to do. When we asked that if one party is going to get that detailed information, whether it was going to be made available to the other party so that ever ybody is operating on an even playing field, we were told no, it was not available to us. So, I am not telling you something that I think. I am telling you something not only that I know, but something that has also been evidenced in writing. So, I know that people go out. I know that they get information based on knocking on doors. That is how we all get our infor mation. But to think for one second—
[Timer beeps.]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinI do not believe that was for me. 2328 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Berm uda House of Assembly The Speaker: No, no, that is not for you. See? I have to reset it.
Mrs.
Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinTo think for one second, Mr. Speaker, that what had been said in terms of parties getting information that was not made available to another party is not entirely accurate, and I can tell you that I know that to be the fact. I know that to be a fact. …
To think for one second, Mr. Speaker, that what had been said in terms of parties getting information that was not made available to another party is not entirely accurate, and I can tell you that I know that to be the fact. I know that to be a fact. I do not make excuses. I have said I do not know how many times people will vote for whomever they vote for. We respect their choices. We respect their rights to make those choices. That is a part of the democratic process. When somebody such as us, if we hold a seat that we fail to hold onto, there is som ething that says that there is something about us that perhaps the electorate has not been enamoured with what has been done. It is their right to do. The one thing I will applaud every person for is to know that we can have elections and by eelections and that during those processes, we do not have the rancour and the sorts of situations that arise in other countries where there is violence and the like resulting from bye- elections. We have had Gover nments. We have had a change in Government . We have had another change in Government and another change in Government. And it has all been done wit hout bloodshed— you know, lots of blood, sweat, and tears, but not bloodshed in the traditional, the actual sense of the word. I think it is important to understand that we are not fooled for one second that there are things that, when we operate, that we do not have all of the infor-mation that is being made available to others. I do not criticise anybody other than to say that if there is a system that permits one side to get information, it should also be equally made available to the other side. And I think that, based on the correspondence that we have, there is evidence to say that this did not happen in the general election. I do not know about what happened in this bye-election, because I have not been part of the leadership that I could actually go and check. But I would be more than happy to be able to let people know . . . in fact, it was public. It was in the public d omain. It was in the Royal Gazette, if I recall correctly. And Members can correct me if I am wrong. But I think it was actually in the Royal Gazette, in which the Registrar indicated that it was the actions of the prior Registrar who made such information available. And as a result, she had followed the same precedent that had been established. Hon . Walter H. Roban: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe will take your point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Walter H. Roban: I am not sure whether it is intentional , but the Honourable Member may be just misleading the House, because certainly she is men-tioning detailed reference to the actions of civil ser vants, of which …
We will take your point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Walter H. Roban: I am not sure whether it is intentional , but the Honourable Member may be just misleading the House, because certainly she is men-tioning detailed reference to the actions of civil ser vants, of which no one is here to defend or to give ev idence to. And let us not forget, there have been prev ious Registrars. The practices upon which the Parli amentary Registrars conduct themselves did not just happen prior to the prior Registrar. There are practi ces and procedures that have been in place for many years. That is how things are conducted. And, certai nly, the Honourable Member should also state that, by and large, the information that parties do get on voters is acquired over numerous cycles. So, identifications on addresses and phone numbers and emails come through a variety of ways and processes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Hon. Walter H. Roban: So, the Honourable Member, I think, needs to take her query of what she is . . . because she is making an accusation. And I think she needs to take it to where it needs to be addressed. And that is at the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Continue speaking to me.
Mrs.
Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThank you, Mr. Speaker. And I am happy for the intervention of the Honourable Member, because that is exactly how I knew that this is what had happened. Because we had taken it to where it ought to have gone. And I believe in being, you know, straight -up. If …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThis is not the place.
Mrs.
Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinSo the Honour able Member is saying that this is not the place, because there is a challenge with respect to the actions of an individual. [Inau dible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet the Honourable Member speak to the Chair.
Mrs.
Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThere seems to be a problem with the actions of a particular individual, who was questioned in terms of why and how this particular situation obtained. The fact that the individual is not here to defend themselves . . . it is very interesting, what I find very interesting is …
There seems to be a problem with the actions of a particular individual, who was questioned in terms of why and how this particular situation obtained. The fact that the individual is not here to defend themselves . . . it is very interesting, what I find very interesting is that, I do not know how many weeks [ago] we had Members opposite criticise me mBermuda House of Assembly bers who are not and will never be here to defend themselves! Last week, we had a litany, a barrage of complaints against the Chief Justice, who does not sit in this House and cann ot defend himself. So, let us not be one- sided in our criticism. I have no problem if you feel as though you want to criticise somebody. Do it! Do it to your heart’s content. But do not, on the one hand, think that it is okay for you to do it and that it is not okay for som ebody else to do it. Let us play the game on an even keel. Let us play with an even deck and make sure that what is made available to the one is also made available to the other.
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Again, the Honourable Member is misleading the House. The Honourable Member has referenced the name of a former civil servant, who is no longer in that office, who is not in a posit ion to give credibility to what the Member says or does not say. And the office that she speaks of is separate from Parliament. It is an independent part of the go vernment.
[Inaudible interjections] Hon. Walter H. Roban: The Chief Justice is currently sitting in the position now, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI am going to allow — Hon. Walter H. Roban: So, he can be dealt with.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI will allow it. Hon. Walter H. Roban: Not a Registrar who left five, six years ago.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI will allow it. I will allow it. Hon. Walter H. Roban: That is the point.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI will allow it until I think she steps fu rther over the line. Because I have let some leniency in other matters in this regard to civil servants or people who are government employed, put it that way, go vernment affiliated. So, continue.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is never my intention to cast aspersions on the actions of individuals. But it is a lways my intention to be accurate and honest. And that is all I know how to be. So, when I bring concerns that is the basis of …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it is never my intention to cast aspersions on the actions of individuals. But it is a lways my intention to be accurate and honest. And that is all I know how to be. So, when I bring concerns that is the basis of those concerns being expressed, and I will continue to articulate information that I know is accurate and verifiable. So, all I am suggesting in my presentation is that we have to ensure that when Members stand and say that certain situations do not happen, that if they are not armed with all of the facts, we have an obligation to —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou have already got it.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member, let her finish her point. And other Members can clarify it if they need to clarify it.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not suggesting for one second that this Honourable Member may have been made aware. I am just telling you a situation that o btained generally. You know, the Honourable Member who just interjected, the Honourable Deputy Premier, indicated that information is gleaned …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am not suggesting for one second that this Honourable Member may have been made aware. I am just telling you a situation that o btained generally. You know, the Honourable Member who just interjected, the Honourable Deputy Premier, indicated that information is gleaned over vari ous cycles. And we agree with that, 100 per cent. You go in, you have basic information. You can say to somebody, Is this still accurate? Is this still your telephone number? Is this still your email address? So, you have got basic 2330 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly information from which y ou can confirm whether it is still applicable. But it still does not say that if somebody has just registered last week and they get a phone call, and the only person with whom they have given that information of email and telephone number is on the regis tration form, and they get a phone call from somebody with whom they did not share that information, it started to look very odd that we were getting several complaints just prior to the last election. And it was based on this that we did the investigation to find out what had happened. And that is when we knew that this information was being made available. I am not saying that the Honourable Member would or would not have received a listing, per se. But I am saying that the listing has been made availabl e to the Progressive Labour Party that was not made available to the One Bermuda Alliance. That is what I am saying. That is a statement of fact. That is a statement of fact. I am saying prior to the last election. It is all in writing. It is all in writin g. It is all in writing. And it was evidenced—
[Inaudible interjections]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinIt was evidenced by the public domain. Hon. Michael J. Scott: I have an objection! I have an objection. Mr. Speaker, I have an objection. You kno w, I have tried to . . . my objection is that the Honourable Member . . . my objection conti nues to …
It was evidenced by the public domain. Hon. Michael J. Scott: I have an objection! I have an objection. Mr. Speaker, I have an objection. You kno w, I have tried to . . . my objection is that the Honourable Member . . . my objection conti nues to be labelled on top of the objections that the Member is misleading the House. Now, this Honourable Member, a senior Member of this House, had not yet made clear the allegation. I struggled to listen to the allegation, and I wish she would just be blunt so that I can either o ppose it as a matter that is being unfair or not. But she should get to the point. Because we reject . . . and it is often required that they table the evidence in the House. So let us have it! Because she is not being fair to a former civil servant. And she is not being fair to this House. Now, let us get it straight!
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinMr. Speaker — Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Speaker, it is in the family.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNow, as I said to start, I have allowed her to continue because I think some clarity from her point needs to be made. The clarity that I have taken from her point, and I stand to be corrected, and the Member can do that when she rises, is that …
Now, as I said to start, I have allowed her to continue because I think some clarity from her point needs to be made. The clarity that I have taken from her point, and I stand to be corrected, and the Member can do that when she rises, is that they were informed that certain information was being distributed differently to either side.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThat is correct.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd as one of those who . . . I have to guard how I say this , as I sit in the middle here now. As one of those who would have participated in many elections, I know how we do attain our information. And most of us, from …
And as one of those who . . . I have to guard how I say this , as I sit in the middle here now. As one of those who would have participated in many elections, I know how we do attain our information. And most of us, from blood, sweat, and tears on the doorstep. So I am interested in finding it out in my own right if someone is telling you that we have got our information in a different manner. And that is trying to keep a line down the middle. But after having done this a few times, I know how I have always achieved my information.
[Crosstalk ]
Mrs. Patricia J. Go rdon -PamplinMr. Speaker, my only comment that I will make any further, because I do not believe it is necessary to belabour the point other than to say that what I have said is entirely accurate . . . the only other comment that I will make is that I am …
Mr. Speaker, my only comment that I will make any further, because I do not believe it is necessary to belabour the point other than to say that what I have said is entirely accurate . . . the only other comment that I will make is that I am not suggesting that any particular Member in this Honourable House may have been made aware of the thing that happened. But it was discussed not just in individual correspondence, but it was also di scussed in the public domain because there was a problem. And, you know, I am not trying for one second . . . I do not make excuses for outcomes. I do not make excuses for outcomes. I respect the voters and how they choose to vote. But when somebody expresses concern to say that they were contacted from basic information that came only from information that they had left with one specific repository, it is very di fficult to overlook that. So what you do when that i nformation is made available to you is you go forward—
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order, Mr . Spea ker, point of order.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member is misleading the House.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinI am not misleading the House! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And I will tell you why and how sh e is misleading the House. I have listened to the Honourable Member say that three or four times, say that the only way som ebody can get information. What …
I am not misleading the House!
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And I will tell you why and how sh e is misleading the House. I have listened to the Honourable Member say that three or four times, say that the only way som ebody can get information. What that Honourable Member does not know is how hard we work and who we know —and that is not the Parliam entary Registrar on how we work and who we know!
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWell, well — Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Because what the Honourable Member —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWell, let me step in. Let me step in and ask you to take your seat. Let me ask you to take your seat. Here is why I am letting the argument conti nue, in a sense, or the conversation, continue. And I am trying to be as neutral as …
Well, let me step in. Let me step in and ask you to take your seat. Let me ask you to take your seat. Here is why I am letting the argument conti nue, in a sense, or the conversation, continue. And I am trying to be as neutral as I can here. But I have done this a lot of years. I have done this a lot of years, even before we had the current system where, onc e you are on your own, which meant we had to do it every year to get people back on. And I have done that for a lot of years, a lot of years, a lot of years. And in all the years that I have done that u nder that system . . . under that system, the people who put people back on the Register year in and year out came from one particular political organisation on ev ery doorstep in that community. And the information that was given to the Registrar’s Office was given from that organisation. And I can say that because I was the person who headed that up. We went door to door, year in, year out; year in, year out. And when we completed forms, those forms went into the Regi strar’s Office. So that is why I am curious to hear. I know the exercise of how it worked before, because I was the fellow who headed it up in that par-ticular part of the Island. I was the fellow who ran the campaigns in those particular [days] and the fellow who made sure we knocked on the doors and did what we had to do and acquired all the inf ormation so that the Registrar had the information. It went to the Registrar. So the information that the Registrar got was from our efforts. And that is trying to stay non- political, but I have done it for a lot of years. And I remember for a lot of years doing it, we were the only ones out there doing it. The information that we acquired during that time was not just for us. It was for the Registrar to share with everybody, no matter which political affili ation you stood on. We did not give it to the R egistrar to say, This is just for us . We gave it to the Registrar to say, This is for your records , for whomever needed the information and however they distributed the i nformation. I cannot speak to how they distributed it. We had no control over that. We just had the control over acquiring the information and we acquired it for everybody.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know I very rarely have to find myself in the situation of defending that which I say, because I can tell you that before I open my mouth I try to make sure that I have my facts and that they are accurate. And I can say that this is the case here. What I will say is that I will not just go back to the public . . . because the information I believe w as in the public do-main. I believe that there was an article in the new spaper, because at the time of the previous general election of 2017, there was a challenge. And I believe that the story was in the newspaper at that time. I will dig it out and —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMm-hmm. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: And I will commit to bringing that information to this Honourable House—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPlease do, please do. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: —so that Members will know that I know that of which I speak. I will also , by the same token, give thanks to the Parliamentary Registrar’s office because during the interim period between elections they have actua lly said, certainly …
Please do, please do.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: —so that Members will know that I know that of which I speak. I will also , by the same token, give thanks to the Parliamentary Registrar’s office because during the interim period between elections they have actua lly said, certainly leading up to the 2017 general elec-tion, they actually sent agents out onto the door steps for them to be able to get information and to verify the information that was on the register. So they have done that. That is part of the job that they have done and they were extremely proactive in so doing. So I believe that this is a part of a s ervice that they have provided, and I applaud them for it, for fulfilling that part of their responsibility to ensure that the register from which we are operating for general elections is as current as it could possibly be. Because bear in mind, Mr. Speak er, that the register from which we are working is a twenty -year-old register. The register, which [there] used to be an annual registration which fell out of favour with the electorate, was the 1998 register from which the 1998 election was fought. And a fter the 1998 register there has never been a wholesale re- registration. So the only thing that has happened subsequent to 1998 is that there have been people moving in, people moving out, people moving in, people moving out, and the idea being that the Re gistrar does not wish to dise nfranchise anyone if they can help it. But I can remember canvassing and going to a particular residence in Pembroke, at the time I can tell you, in which the current residents were the third people down from those who were al so on the regi ster. So you had a family who was there on the register at that address who had moved out. Another family had moved in and they were on the register in that address. And now the third family were on the register at that address. So what do y ou do? You say to the Registrar or say to the Registry that we have got these people who are still living in this house. We know that they are no longer there and what the Registrar will not do is to say —
The SpeakerThe Speaker—is take them off. 2332 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: —we are just g oing to kick them out.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerBecause you can’t take them off. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: They will not just kick them out. They —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: —said that the onus is on yo u as the canvassers to let us know where they are before we can take them off. So if you have got three people, three families, living in the same residence and you know the only ones …
Yes.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: —said that the onus is on yo u as the canvassers to let us know where they are before we can take them off. So if you have got three people, three families, living in the same residence and you know the only ones who are there are the most recently registered ones, then the two families prior did not live there. They do not live there. But the Registrar has not taken them off and we respect her right to do so.
[Timer beeps]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI am sitting here struggling on this one, because I am a person who has put a lot of years into canvassing and I understand what it takes. And I understand a lot of the issues that are out there. And I do not put it on a political party. …
I am sitting here struggling on this one, because I am a person who has put a lot of years into canvassing and I understand what it takes. And I understand a lot of the issues that are out there. And I do not put it on a political party. I put it on a system that has failed, meaning that as we canvass up and down in this country, I do not care what constituency you are in, you will find circumstances as you just described where in that household you are going to find three different families registered who you know as the candidate, as the MP for the area, that this family moved out five years ago, the other family moved out three years ago, and they have not changed their registration to where they are. And you have told the Registry year in and year out, beca use we go around year in and year out, and they cannot move the person from there. It is not a fault of a political party; it is not a fault of the information that the political party does not provide. It is a fault of the system and the Registrar’s offic e. And for that issue, I speak to it because it has been one that been a sore point for many of us who have been continuous canvassers for years. I am trying not to be political; I am trying to be neutral. There is another piece of that, that for years there were scrutineers that went out and scrutineers who had done that. The scrutineers’ system failed because of a previous Government . . . Governor, a pr evious Governor who decided he was not going to authorise payment to scrutineers because there was not a full complement of scrutineers out there. There was one organisation that seemed to have a lot of scrut i-neers out there providing information more and more, and the other organisation was not. That particular Governor took it upon himself to say, I am not go ing to pay one and not pay the other side. But if one side is doing the work, shouldn’t they be recognised?
[Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerExactly. And that was where a lot of this started to break down. It has never been fixed and repaired. but I am glad you brought it to my attention because as Speaker, I am going put my pressure where I can as Speaker to make sure a lot of …
Exactly. And that was where a lot of this started to break down. It has never been fixed and repaired. but I am glad you brought it to my attention because as Speaker, I am going put my pressure where I can as Speaker to make sure a lot of that gets cleaned up.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe can move on from that subject, but you have my assurance that this is not the end of it. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThen I stretched a little, Minister. ROYAL GAZETTE —INACCURATE COVERAGE OF SPEECH IN THE HOUSE ON 1 JUNE 2018
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Speaker, last week we did not get Hansard, so I cannot estimate the exact time, but I know that I spoke for around 17 minutes. It was not quite the whole 20 minutes.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberDo you want three more minutes?
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchNo, no. I do not need the three more this week. But I say that, Mr. Speaker, because I must have spoken more than one word last week. And it seems as if several people who sit in this place who were present last week and heard all 17 minutes …
No, no. I do not need the three more this week. But I say that, Mr. Speaker, because I must have spoken more than one word last week. And it seems as if several people who sit in this place who were present last week and heard all 17 minutes of what I had to say, only heard one word, and they only remembered one word a bout five days later. I have not heard anything about independence, which was the first subject I spoke about.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchI have not heard an ything about succession planning in this country, which Bermuda House of Assembly is what I also spoke about. I have not heard anything about Bermudianisation in this country, which I also spoke about. I did not hear it a week ago, but I had to …
I have not heard an ything about succession planning in this country, which
Bermuda House of Assembly is what I also spoke about. I have not heard anything about Bermudianisation in this country, which I also spoke about. I did not hear it a week ago, but I had to have listened on the radio to other things. You are going to guess what I say? Well, let me start with him.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchHe waited until som etime this week to get on the media and talk about me. Mr. Speaker, I do not ever recall — [Inaudible interjections]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch—either he or any of his surrogates who stood up to criticise me this week, apologising to a member of this House for calling him a “boy.” Some Hon. Member s: That’s right. That’s right.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThank you!
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. [Inaudible interjections]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchAnd let me just say, Mr. Speaker, I was not surprised at the comment, nor was I offended by the comment from him, because I know him. [Laughter and inaudible interjections ]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchI am comfortable in my own skin. I know him, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Keep it on an even keel. The Honour able Mem ber, the Honourable Member.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe will take the point of order. POINT OF ORDER Hon. Trevor G . Moniz: Unlike the Honourable Mini ster, an apology was issued on that occasion, as you recall. So what he is saying is not true and he has not issued an apology. [Inaudible interjection]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberHe did not mention you until your colleagues. Li sten. [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: He should issue an apology.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Speaker, he should have listened to my Maiden Speech in this Parliament. And, had he listened to it, he would never be able to give me an y instructions about anything.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe all equal. We are equal. Let him go. Let’s continue on.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Speaker, I know they have to go to the Music Box for somebody to tell them what they are going to say, starting with the O pposition Leader, who had much to say. She sat here last week and listened to my whole recitation. And five days later she …
Mr. Speaker, I know they have to go to the Music Box for somebody to tell them what they are going to say, starting with the O pposition Leader, who had much to say. She sat here last week and listened to my whole recitation. And five days later she is going to concentrate on one word. 2334 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly And then report and regurgitate. Anyway, I do not want to spend a whole of time on that, Mr . Speaker, other than to say that I gather that I am the subject today, partly of an editorial in the “ Enquirer Daily .” [Laughter]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Speaker, I thought I had made it clear years ago what I think and feel about that organi sation. First of all, apart from about four other people in the country and me, we are the only ones that read it. They are irrelevant. They have nowhere near the …
Mr. Speaker, I thought I had made it clear years ago what I think and feel about that organi sation. First of all, apart from about four other people in the country and me, we are the only ones that read it. They are irrelevant. They have nowhere near the influence that they once had in this country. And so whatever they write about me, conti nue to do so. I do not read it, not interested, do not care. In fact, I have to ask, which editor wrote it? Is it the phantom editor who writes editorials in that newspaper? Or the named editor who two weeks after I took this job called the Ministry on a Tuesday, b ecause they know that the Ministers are never in the office on a Tuesday, and asked my secretary if he could come and have a chat with me. And I said, Well, that is curious. About what? [He said,] Well, just a general chat about how I feel. I would not ask a civil servant to tell him what I really wanted to say. So I just told her to decline. But I will say today, I have no reason to meet with them. I have no reason whatsoever to meet with them, Mr. Speaker. They write what their masters order them to write. They are never going to write anything positive or complimentary, or anything that shows the Pr ogressive Labour Party Government, or me personally, in any positive light. And guess what?
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberI do not care.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burc hPlease continue to do so. Because not only do I not care, the 661 people from [constituency] 27 that sent me to this House to represent them do not care either. Mr. Speaker, I am not one, never have been, to either answer or even read their anonymous bl oggers. …
Please continue to do so. Because not only do I not care, the 661 people from [constituency] 27 that sent me to this House to represent them do not care either. Mr. Speaker, I am not one, never have been, to either answer or even read their anonymous bl oggers. I have never had any time for cowards. Because those of us who go—all 36 of us who beat the cam-paign trail and got elected to this House—did not do it in secret. They know who we are.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchBut I am goi ng to go off that page, Mr. Speaker. And I am going to talk about what it is to serve. I presently have the respo nsibility as the Minister of Public Works. And that is a vast responsibility, Mr. Speaker. And I have done it once …
But I am goi ng to go off that page, Mr. Speaker. And I am going to talk about what it is to serve. I presently have the respo nsibility as the Minister of Public Works. And that is a vast responsibility, Mr. Speaker. And I have done it once before, but you know this ti me it is different. And do you know why it is different? And I will just highlight one area about why it is different. And I want the peo-ple of this country, all of those that stood up this week and talked about one word, to think about some of what I am going to say in terms of how it is that we have been sent here to help the people of this country and those people on that side that sat in this position for four and a half years have done nothing, nothing in terms of providing housing for the people of this cou ntry. Ask me, Mr. Speaker! I get from either my co lleagues, both on this side and that side you know, Mr. Speaker, because I had had cause to have an Excel spreadsheet produced for all 36 districts. And you well know Mr. Speaker, because you got it as well, that lists the requests that I have had from not every Member of this House, but there is provision for every Member of this House because that is what gover nments do. And I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, certainly, for those that sit on this side of the House, the vast majority of those requests have to do with housing and have to do with affordable housing. And I get lots of stories that are heart - wrenching. Any my colleagues are saying to me, You have to do something. It is critical. It is urgent. It is a crisis. And I do not have a magic wand, Mr. Speaker. They did not leave one in the desk. Clearly, if they had one they did not ever use it in any case. So what I have found, Mr. Speaker, is that we are in a crisis. And we are moving as fast as we can to produce housing. But anybody would know, you cannot snap your hands and do that. But I can report, and the country will be abl e to verify, that in five years they did not build one house, Mr. Speaker, not one house. So the affordable housing, that our people, and, I presume, some of their people too, are looking for is something that we are actively working every single solitary day at every opportunity at every option, not just the Government, but looking at the pr ivate sector at how we can address that issue for our people and for the people of this country who are in the most need. Now she is going to stand up and tell me where she built the house, I guess. —
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. [Inaudible interjection]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. No, I am not going to stand—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe will take your point of order. POINT OF ORDER
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinI am not going to stand on where we buil t the house, Mr. Speaker . I am going to ask the Honourable Member whether we can Bermuda House of Assembly build houses on buttons, because they left no money in the kitty. [Laughter]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchA hundred and thirty million dollars was spent on America’s cup. You could take 10 per cent of that and build some houses around there.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right, let’s take the point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThe Honourable Member is misleading the House, Mr. Speaker. There is no way the America’s Cup would spend $120 mi llion.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Speaker, they say 70, right? I have the responsibility to try to find 49 to pay for some rubble they left up in Dockyard.
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchWe, like we did in the first iteration of the PLP Government, are going to fix it. Oh yes we are, Mr. Speaker, because not only do I have the support of my colleagues in terms of being able to come up with creative ideas about how we can do …
We, like we did in the first iteration of the PLP Government, are going to fix it. Oh yes we are, Mr. Speaker, because not only do I have the support of my colleagues in terms of being able to come up with creative ideas about how we can do that, we are set on a path of fiscal responsibility. Contrary to what they believe, and contrary to what their surrogates believe and would try and have the people of this country believe, we are set on a path of development. And they still harken back to, Oh, woe is me, you left us buttons. Well, Mr. Speaker, let me talk about some of those buttons, because I know that in the dying days of their days in Government they trumpeted the fact that we have an increase in tourism in this country. So, I just simply ask the question, Mr. Speaker. Would we have been able to accommodate the influx of tourists in this country if we had not spent the money that we spent building Heritage Wharf, so that we could accommodate two huge cruise ships in Docky ard where the vast majority of tourists in this country have arrived on? 2336 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Would we have been able to do that, Mr. Speaker, had we not spent the money on a bridge to get them onto the mainland, Mr. Speaker? All of which we did without selling the country to somebody else, like we did with the airport!
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersAah, yes! [Desk thumping]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchMr. Speaker, I have some visitors here — Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPoint of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Misleading. I think he must be talking about when they sold the hospital to foreigners for $30 million. Some Hon. Member s: Ooh no.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSpeak to the Chair. Just continue. Do not get sidetracked.
Lt. C ol. Hon. David A. BurchI will continue to speak to the Chair, Mr. Speaker, because that man . . . that Honourable Member has memory challenges. Mr. Speaker, I recently had some visitors here. And I took them to Southside and showed them . . . I took them two places, actually, to show …
I will continue to speak to the Chair, Mr. Speaker, because that man . . . that Honourable Member has memory challenges. Mr. Speaker, I recently had some visitors here. And I took them to Southside and showed them . . . I took them two places, actually, to show them what we consider to be affordable housing in this country. One was Harbour View Village, which they could not believe, and the other was Perimeter Lane. Mr. Speaker, all of those names that people know about in this country about housing in this country, that is where the money went to leave you with buttons. We actually have tangible evidence in this country for the money that was spent by the PLP Gover nment in its years in Government that goes from St. David’s to Dock yard, Mr. Speaker. And do you know why we had to spend so much on housing, Mr. Speaker? Because in my first iteration as the housing Minister . . . it is like a recu rring nightmare, because it is identical today. They left no inventory whatsoever for anyb ody to manoeuvre. So you had no inventory to sell to Bermudians, so we had to build. You had no inventory to rent to Bermudi-ans, so we had to also build. The same is true today, Mr. Speaker. They did not invest in any affordable housing for anybody in this country. We would have been able to accommodate 54 families, Mr. Speaker, up at Warwick South Shore had it not been for them and their surrogates who convinced the world that Grand Atlantic was going to fall into the South Shore. For years, Mr. Speaker . . . and I accept . . . I am afraid he is not here, but there is a colleague that I have (I will not call his name, because he is not pr esent, but he does sit in this House), who is on our side, who I flout on a regular basis because I do not believe that he adequately defended the fact that it was not going to fall into the South Shore. But let me just say this, Mr. Speaker, because I know that in December 2012 and all the years leading up to it, it was going to fall into the South Shore. But the day af ter election, all of a sudden all of the naysayers, all of those who said, you know, W oe is me, we have been up , and we are seeing it is not now going to fall into South Shore. Well, Mr. Speaker, I am afflicted with a memory like an elephant. As a result, those very same people, and I said it once before, and I will keep saying it until they actually apologise, that in my current responsibility they cannot knock on the door of the Ministry of Public Works asking for an ything —nothing —until somebody in those organis ations stands up and apologises, not to Burch , but to the people of this country for misleading them and denying them the opportunity to have affordable housing on South Shore in Warwick. Mr. Speaker, I have told my parliamentary colleagues recentl y that we are not an Afr ican/American minority —we Bermudians, us. We are an African/American majority; African/Bermudian m ajority. And I believe we have to start acting like it. And by that, I mean that we decide, as we always have, to do what is right bec ause we know that that is the case, regardless of the criticism that they level against us, and regardless of the suspicion and the accus ations and the suggestion that we do not know what it is that we are doing that is guaranteed to come from those who ar e always going to oppose us. So, as a result, Mr. Speaker, it used to be . . . it was interesting yesterday that some of the people that had PLP T -shirts on had scratched out 24/12 . . . mercy, Lord. And of course, you know, this was in anticipation of t he results. They did not want to put a number because it might have been 2 6! Yes. But at least it is 25, Mr. Speaker. And what that says is that the people, a majority of the people of this country are supporting the direction and the efforts that this Gov-ernment is making in terms of leading this country where it needs to be. Now, in this democracy we need a strong O pposition. And I am not talking about our Backbench who are going to hold the Frontbench accountable. Those people need to be . . . they need to get their act together. And if they cannot get their act together, they have to get out of the way. And part of that is some of these dinosaurs, Mr. Speaker, on that side. They need to make way for new blood, because changing their name from the One Bermuda Alliance to One Bermuda Party . . . ain’t going to get it, Mr. Speaker.
Bermuda House of Assembly [Desk thumping and laughter ]
Lt. Col. Hon. David A. BurchWhat this PLP Government, what this PLP party has done for more than 50 years now is to educate the populace, Mr. S peaker. We have educated them, not just against them, but against us too, and with us. People understand the power that they have. And they understand that …
What this PLP Government, what this PLP party has done for more than 50 years now is to educate the populace, Mr. S peaker. We have educated them, not just against them, but against us too, and with us. People understand the power that they have. And they understand that that power extends well beyond Election Day. And the reason why they understand that is because we have told them that if they are not coming on this journey with us then vote for . . . well, I have told them that. I get in a little bit of trouble, but I told them if they are not going to come on the journey with us, then vote for somebody else. And even in the face of that, Mr. Speaker, even in the face of that, 661 votes, almost 2 to 1. So if anybody thinks that I am going to listen to anonymous, and most of it is anonymous, even for the people who speak up in this House, because it ain’t an original id ea. They have to wait until somebody gives them a script, and they say, Oh, you have permission to read this. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Timer beeps]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister, your time is done. Premier? Hon. E. David Burt: How are you doing, sir? Mr. Speaker, I do know that a number of my colleagues would like to speak after me. And given that I was not in the House for the motion—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOh, I’m sorry; I was thinking you were closing now. Hon. E. David Burt: Oh no. Sorry, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI thought you were going to close us out. Hon. E. David Burt: There are a number of us left to speak. However, there is without question and a few activities taking —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat is why I was so quick to take you. I thought you were closing the House down, Premier. Hon. E. David Burt: Understood. Well, Mr. Speaker, fortunately for Honourable Members, I will not take too long because I heard while I was in route . . . well, yes, …
That is why I was so quick to take you. I thought you were closing the House down, Premier.
Hon. E. David Burt: Understood. Well, Mr. Speaker, fortunately for Honourable Members, I will not take too long because I heard while I was in route . . . well, yes, in transit, a lot of noise from an Honourable Member who I think was aptly referred to by the Honourable Member who just took his seat, as possibly one of the dinosaurs of the One Bermuda party.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet’s keep it clean. Let’s keep it clean. BYE-ELECTION RESULTS Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I will keep it clean, but I find it interesting that despite all the criticism, despite all the noise, despite all the rhetoric, the Members opposite do not realise that the people of this …
Let’s keep it clean. Let’s keep it clean. BYE-ELECTION RESULTS
Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I will keep it clean, but I find it interesting that despite all the criticism, despite all the noise, despite all the rhetoric, the Members opposite do not realise that the people of this country have their voice. And their voice was very clear last night, Mr. Speaker. So, whatever noise wants to be made, Mr. Speaker, it is my view that the One Bermuda Alliance, or One Bermuda Party, or whatever their rebranding exercise will be, may want to spend more time trying to connect with voters, as opposed to complaining about the Progressive Labour Party, Mr. Speaker, because the voters do not want to hear their complaints. The voters want to hear an alternate vision. But last night —let me make it very clear, Mr. Speaker —the voters of constituency 25, and also the voters of constituency 22, by the change in margin s showed their support for this Government’s direction and the work of which this Government is engaged in, Mr. Speaker. That is the reason that for the first time since the new electoral system was put in place, that a political party holds 25 seats inside this House, Mr. Speaker. That is the reason why we are continuing to advance issues for our people, whether it be the education issues that were spoken of by the Minister of Education earlier, whether it be the housi ng issues that were spoken of by the Minister of Public Works, whether it be energy issues spoken of by the Minister responsible for Energy, whether it be the health care issues, items of which they promised, Mr. Speaker, but that we delivered on this side, we are going to continue. Will we make mistakes? Absolutely. Are we human? Without question. The challenge is, Mr. Speaker, can the Opp osition realise when they are making mistakes? Can the Opposition spend enough time to have introspec-tion on themselv es instead of trying to turn all of their attention over on this side of the Government, a Government that is actually being successful and accomplishing the goals, Mr. Speaker? The only thing I want to say, Mr. Speaker, is that in case Members on that si de were not paying attention, the Progressive Labour Party Government today signed yet another Memorandum of Understanding with visitors from halfway around the world to bring jobs and investment into this country, Mr. Speaker.
[Desk thumping]
Hon. E. D avid Burt: So while the complaining will continue from those inside of this House and from those without this House, this Government will conti nue to execute on the agenda. And as has been said many times here before, Mr. Speaker, if you want to know what our plans are, I invite you to go to 2338 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly www.plp.bm . Click the link that says “Platform” and read each and every single one, Mr. Speaker, because it tells you exactly what we are going to do. And today, Mr. Speaker, we crossed off two more things of that promised list, and we will continue to do that until we go back to the polls, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
[Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Mr. Premier. He did not open up; the Deputy opened up. You can continue on. I ac tually thought the Premier was closing us out, that is why I was so quick to name him just now. But he didn’t. The Honourable Member from constituency 29. Honourable Member. …
Thank you, Mr. Premier. He did not open up; the Deputy opened up. You can continue on. I ac tually thought the Premier was closing us out, that is why I was so quick to name him just now. But he didn’t. The Honourable Member from constituency 29. Honourable Member.
BYE-ELECTION RESULTS
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Premier, for giving us on the odd occasion an opening bat. Well, Mr. Speaker, it is interesting, very interesting, to see where we end up tonight after such a very enjoyable few debates earlier on today. When the Honourable Member, Pat Gordon- Pampl in, got up and said that there were no buttons left . . . no buttons left—
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt was only buttons left. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: It was only buttons left. That’s why they couldn’t do anything. Huh . Mr. Speaker, I ask, why are we here tonight? On this side of the House with an addition last night . . . why are we …
It was only buttons left.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: It was only buttons left. That’s why they couldn’t do anything. Huh . Mr. Speaker, I ask, why are we here tonight? On this side of the House with an addition last night . . . why are we here? Let me tell you why we are here, Mr. Speaker. Because we respect the people of this country. We do not turn off their water. We do not tell our seniors that money doesn’t gro w on trees.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: We do not tell our Berm udian people that they are accidental births. That is what we don’t do, Mr. Speaker.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYou call them “boys.” Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That’s right. Mr. Speaker, what one should really ask themselves is why has the OBA shrunk?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOne Member speaking, please. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Why has the OBA shrunk, like a chamois out in the sun? We have seen resignations over the last few years. Th eir Chairman, Mr. Hollis resigned. Two of their favourites, Mr. Crockwell, Mr. Pettingill, resigned. The resignations do not …
One Member speaking, please.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Why has the OBA shrunk, like a chamois out in the sun? We have seen resignations over the last few years. Th eir Chairman, Mr. Hollis resigned. Two of their favourites, Mr. Crockwell, Mr. Pettingill, resigned. The resignations do not stop. And you know what, Mr. Speaker? Let’s not be surprised . . . oh yes, that is right, Nick Kempe. Let’s not forget the rising star who quit. And of course, Captain America. And Captain Americup . . . do not forget him! [Laughter and desk thumping] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker, they say there was nothing left but buttons. They did not have a problem finding a couple mi llion dollars for a Commi ssion of Inquiry.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersOoh! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Which was a pre- election cost that they thought they could rely on to get themselves back in. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: They did not have any problem finding $6 million for investigations into former Premier Dr. Brown. …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberA lot of houses — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: How many houses — Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Mr. Speaker — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —how many houses — Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Mr. Speaker — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I haven’t heard a point …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMember — Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Mr. Speaker, point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet’s, let’s, let’s see what the Honour able Member’s point of order is. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: He is misleading the House. If he has any proof of any of those allegations, as well as imputing improper motives he is now producing a number of, which …
Let’s, let’s, let’s see what the Honour able Member’s point of order is.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: He is misleading the House. If he has any proof of any of those allegations, as well as imputing improper motives he is now producing a number of, which is typical of that Member, the large numbers where there is no evidence of and they are not true.
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Thank you. Be mindful of those comments, but continue.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, Mr. Speaker. And let me remind Members about the $4 mi llion they found to pay Aecon lawyers.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersOoh! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let’s not forget the millions of dollars to one of their Members’ spouses’ law firm. Millions!
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberWhat about BAS Serco? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: BAS Serco, another few million dollars.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersWhew! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But, Mr. Speaker, they would have you believe that there were only buttons left. And I have not even mentioned America’s Cup yet.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNope. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And for the Honourable Members to insinuate that Minister Burch cannot count . . . okay, so he said $120 million, which we say on this side all the time, because we like to round it off, as they do. A hundred and …
Nope. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And for the Honourable Members to insinuate that Minister Burch cannot count . . . okay, so he said $120 million, which we say on this side all the time, because we like to round it off, as they do. A hundred and nineteen million do llars. And then they say, Well, look at the increase in tourist numbers. Give me $120 million, Mr. Speaker. I will bring some people here too! Let’s not forget the promise. There is a $330 million windfall coming from that America’s Cup. Thank goodness that the Premier of the country and Captain Blockchain, or Minister of Blockchain, are out signing MOUs quicker than, my gosh. . . faster than a rat up a drainpipe.
[Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I mean, every week we are signing MOUs to bring a third pillar to this country, as was outlined —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberCreating 2,000 jobs. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh yes. Well, . . . yes, let’s not forget that. They promised 2,000 jobs and lost [2,000].
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. PLP GOVERNMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Four thousand jobs. But, Mr. Speaker, the buttons; the buttons they were left with, Mr. Speaker. Let’s talk about some of the things we did do. And I just jotted it down real quick. Normally I have my file here. …
Yes.
PLP GOVERNMENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Four thousand jobs. But, Mr. Speaker, the buttons; the buttons they were left with, Mr. Speaker. Let’s talk about some of the things we did do. And I just jotted it down real quick. Normally I have my file here. I did not expect that tonight. But, Mr. Speaker, let’s run through some things, because the people of this country, when they hear bogeyman talk like what came from the other side tonight, about only buttons left, let’s talk about some of the things we did between 1998 and 2012. We built the Heritage Wharf. Lord knows where Bermuda would have been if we did not spend the money on Heritage Wharf. Who . . . Mr. Speaker, $80 million a year. Where would be have been through that recession? And, of course, they would have you believe again that in 2008, 2009, the PLP caused the worldwide recession. Oh yes. It was PLP that caused Portugal to almost go bankrupt, caused Norway to almost . . . Spain, Greece, . . . you know, Mr. Speaker? That is what they would have you believe. That the Progressive Labour Party caused the worldwide recession. We caused Lehman Brothers to fail. We caused 90 per cent of the banks across the world to get in deep, deep difficulty. Yes. That is what they would have you believe. But let’s talk about some of the other things that we did, Mr. Speaker. Perimeter Lane. First geared to income housing in Bermuda. Thank you Colonel Burch. Thank you very much. But they will say there were no funds left. Dame Lois Browne[ -Evans] Building. How much . . .
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Over budget. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, oh, now they are going to tell you it was over budget. Listen to the Honour able Member, Trevor Moniz, who talks about “over budget.” He was the Works Minister for about three months. His first job, $20 million. He came in $7 mi llion over budget.
[Laughter]
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOoh! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: First job! [Inaudible interjections and general uproar] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And what ha ppened? They fired him; they got rid of him real quick. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order, Mr. Speaker! …
Ooh!
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: First job!
[Inaudible interjections and general uproar]
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order!
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And what ha ppened? They fired him; they got rid of him real quick. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order, Mr. Speaker! Point of order! [Laughter]
2340 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: We will take your point of order.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Misleading the Hous e, because the Heritage Wharf fell down because they built it so badly. [Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue on. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Ooh, ooh, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerContinue on. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I do not recall — [Inaudi ble interjections and general uproar] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker, I do not recall many ships not docking up because the docks were in trouble yet. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Zane J. S. …
Continue on. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I do not recall —
[Inaudi ble interjections and general uproar]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker, I do not recall many ships not docking up because the docks were in trouble yet.
[Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But I tell you what, that Honourable Member, Mr. Speaker, had one job to do. His first job —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Members, I just want to hear one speaker. Mr. De Silva, continue. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you. His first job, Mr. Speaker, was doing a job up in Dockyard for $20 [million] and it came in $27 mi llion. You know? His first job. And they …
Honourable Members, I just want to hear one speaker. Mr. De Silva, continue. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you. His first job, Mr. Speaker, was doing a job up in Dockyard for $20 [million] and it came in $27 mi llion. You know? His first job. And they soon got rid of him. And of course, the same Minister, while he was Minister . . . he did something else. He turned off the water for the residents of Dockyard.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, yes, he did do a few things. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order, point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe will take your point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: He is misleading the House. I hope he is not doing it deliberately. But nobody ever turned off all the water for all of the residents of Doc kyard. The Speaker: You need to clarify …
We will take your point of order.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: He is misleading the House. I hope he is not doing it deliberately. But nobody ever turned off all the water for all of the residents of Doc kyard. The Speaker: You need to clarify that.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: There was one development we had to sort out, and we sorted it out. And they thanked me for it. They thanked me for it.
[Inaudible interjections and general uproar ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers, Members, Members. [Gavel]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMembers! [Inaudible interjections and general uproar]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMr. De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWould you like to clarify so I can keep things in order, or continue? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I will gladly clarify that. He did not turn off all the water. And he seems to be proud that he turned off some of the w ater! [Laughter] Hon. …
Would you like to clarify so I can keep things in order, or continue?
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I will gladly clarify that. He did not turn off all the water. And he seems to be proud that he turned off some of the w ater! [Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member seems to be proud that he turned off some residents’ water up in the West End. Some of those residents, Mr. Speaker, you might know, had a breathing apparatus that relied on water supply.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But he seems to be proud of that. But, then again, look at the individual. Look who we are talking about. And the Honourable Member says that they thanked him. Well, we saw how they thanked him on July 17 th 2017, didn’t …
Yes.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But he seems to be proud of that. But, then again, look at the individual. Look who we are talking about. And the Honourable Member says that they thanked him. Well, we saw how they thanked him on July 17 th 2017, didn’t we?
[Desk thumping]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes we did. And he and his partner, Ray Charlton did such a great job in Doc kyard that the Honourable Member Michael Scott sent him overseas now. Ray Charlton is nowhere to be found!
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let’s not forget, Mr. Speaker, Club Med demolition. Loughlands. Look at all those . . . I had the honour to canvass Loughlands in the last couple of weeks, had the luxury of canvas sBermuda House of Assembly ing many of those homes, another great move . . . yes, it cost s ome money. But look at what it has done. It has provided housing for our people. Butterfield Lane, more housing for our people.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The police force . . . we spent $10 million on the police during our reign. Sylvia Richardson was in such bad shape (remember?), we had to spend $20- odd million repai ring Sylvia Richardson. That is why they always had money in …
Yes.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The police force . . . we spent $10 million on the police during our reign. Sylvia Richardson was in such bad shape (remember?), we had to spend $20- odd million repai ring Sylvia Richardson. That is why they always had money in the bank. They did nothing for the people of this country. We could have done it too. But what about da y care for our mothers that needed help? Which is a godsend today. What about FutureCare for our seniors? Never had that under the UBP reign, did we? That is where our money went. All our social programmes. Financial Assistance. Mirrors is another one.
Some Hon. Members Some Hon. MembersYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Many of our young men have been helped, and are still being helped today. And our young women too. Grand Atlantic. That was . . . I think the Ho nourable Member, Colonel Burch, was speaking about it just no w. You wonder …
Yes.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Many of our young men have been helped, and are still being helped today. And our young women too. Grand Atlantic. That was . . . I think the Ho nourable Member, Colonel Burch, was speaking about it just no w. You wonder why that place sat empty? I have a picture, Mr. Speaker, I can table it.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I can table it; I have a pi cture of Honourable Members Sylvan Richards, Ra ymond Charlton, a candidate, and there was another one too up in Warwick. There were three of them. I have the newspaper clipping here. It said, Oh, it’s fal ling over. Before the election of 2012. Falling over. I tell you what. It’s a wonder we could not sell them, because they were in the paper every week, in the “ Royal Rag ,” their mouthpiece, every week, crit icising those units. Even had Dav id Wingate go down on the beach, Oh, these ain’t gonna last. No way. But the day after the election, Pat GordonPamplin was in the House saying how she is going to do a deal, she had people interested. Then another Minister was soon saying, oh, he had someone else interested—
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. Point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe will take your point of order. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinThe Honourable Member is misleading the House. Following the election of 2012 I was not in the capacity of Public Works Minister; I was, in fact, the Health Minister for an entire year. So the Honourable Member is misleading the House. [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: …
The Honourable Member is misleading the House. Following the election of 2012 I was not in the capacity of Public Works Minister; I was, in fact, the Health Minister for an entire year. So the Honourable Member is misleading the House.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well, Mr. Speaker, before she got . . . I should say after she got fired from the Ministry of Health, she did take over that project and she was in this House saying, Oh, I’ve got a deal on the table. Then she was removed. Another Minister came in, I think it was Wayne Scott. Oh, we’ve got a deal. Then he was fired. And then Cannonier, the Honourable Member, was the Minister who sat right down in that chair, said he sold it for $9 million.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberOoh! Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh Lamb Foggo. I have that on my list too. We never closed Lamb Foggo Clinic, but the Honourable Member, before she was fired, was going to close it. But you see, Mr. Speaker, . . . speaking of Lamb Foggo, that is …
Ooh!
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh Lamb Foggo. I have that on my list too. We never closed Lamb Foggo Clinic, but the Honourable Member, before she was fired, was going to close it. But you see, Mr. Speaker, . . . speaking of Lamb Foggo, that is another couple of million dollars we spent money on. We spent money building up that facility for the people in the East End and central and west too, by the way. And of course, they were going to close it. But you see, that is what they do. That is how they save money to have billionaire sailboat races and parties. That is where we spent our money. And I hope . . . I hope that the people of this country that heard the comment about there was nothing left but buttons, now can say, You know what? They did spend a lot of money on the people and this country. And that is what we do. Mr. Speaker, they are the past; we are the future. Thank you.
[Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. No other . . . we take the Leader of the Opposition. ROLE OF THE OPPOSITION Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Leader of the Opposition, I want to say that obviously the OBA acknowledges that the PLP is making maximum use of …
Thank you, Honourable Member. No other . . . we take the Leader of the Opposition.
ROLE OF THE OPPOSITION Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As Leader of the Opposition, I want to say that obviously the OBA acknowledges that the PLP is making maximum use of its honeymoon period. And I accept that. They are taking the opportunity to get on with lots of projects, which is what they should do, because that means that the public will feel that they are delivering on things which are important to them. And we are taking the opportunity of supporting those 2342 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly things that we believe are good for Bermuda, especially if some of those things are things that we had either started or we had proposed and thought were beneficial. But I am going to say that it is disingenuous for the [Government] to suggest that we do not believe that as an Opposition party we should not be suppor tive of things that are beneficial. But we also . . . and I have said many times, if there are things that we will have to speak up against, we will. Now, when we are very supportive, everybody says, Oh, isn’t it great? We’re actually doing things. It is almost as if people feel that that’s great; but if we say something that we disagree with, then it is like, all of a sudden, they are feeling like, Why are you doing this? It is always just because of the numbers [that] we are just supposed to fall in line. Now, we have been on the doorstep. We understand that the people of Bermuda want to have something different up here. They do not want us to be just aggressive and being, as I said, petty and ha ving petty politics. As I said, the Opposition has recognised that going out and just being disagreeable for the sake of being disagreeable does not make any sense. But I also recognise that when we started to get into the discussion about the third pillar, that there are some things that I give credit to the Government [for] in terms of rushing on and signing the MOUs. And as I said before, I think that that is beneficial. But at some point in time we are worried about some of the thin gs that are happening because there is a real concern that with all of the things we are doing and the risks in some of these things, espe-cially with respect to the digital assets and the initial coin offerings, and some of those other things, there is a real concern that we do not want Bermuda to get into a situation where the reputational risk results to us because we rushed into something with som eone—
[Inaudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAh, ah, ah, let the Member speak. Let the Member speak. Thank you. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Mr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTalk to me. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you. I always find that it is difficult when I hear some voices on the side.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTalk to me; I have good hearing. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: And what I am saying is that I am not saying that every time the Premier comes and says they have signed another MOU that I am thinking to myself, That’s good; that’s good that you signed it. And …
Talk to me; I have good hearing.
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: And what I am saying is that I am not saying that every time the Premier comes and says they have signed another MOU that I am thinking to myself, That’s good; that’s good that you signed it. And I am anticipating that the Premier and his staff are doing the due diligence that I expect that they would. All I am saying is that, obviously, we on this side have to keep being watchful, because that is our job. Our job is to be watchful. And when things come up and we hear . . . and I am not saying we have heard anything about any of the people that they have signed offers with.
POINT OF ORDER
Mr. Dennis Lister IIIPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. Again, I said it to the Honourable Member a week or two ago. It is funny that you say this, but it is the same reservations with the airport deal, Mr. Speaker. They constantly say how it is sketchy with this blockchain. But the airport …
Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Again, I said it to the Honourable Member a week or two ago. It is funny that you say this, but it is the same reservations with the airport deal, Mr. Speaker. They constantly say how it is sketchy with this blockchain. But the airport deal was sketchy. And it has been proven to be sketchy because we read in the paper where the deal . . . I cannot remember exactly, but it has been proven, Mr. Speaker. How often are you going to beat a dead horse to realise that —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerKeep your point of order short. You cannot —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou cannot give a speech. Show a point of order. Continue on, Member. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, but I think what the Honourable Member said just proved my point that at the time when the Gover nment was the Opposition, they wanted to go on, and …
You cannot give a speech. Show a point of order. Continue on, Member. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, but I think what the Honourable Member said just proved my point that at the time when the Gover nment was the Opposition, they wanted to go on, and on, and on about the ai rport. It was wrong; it was the wrong thing to do; it would never . . . They took their time to go out and even have someone examine it. And in the end, it was found to be a proper project. And all I am saying is that as things happen, we have to raise concerns about projects and just say that we are being watchful, as we have to be as the Oppos ition. And so, I just want to say that . . . you know, as I said before. We will continue to be supportive, because we know that it is important for the country to continue on to the glide path, and when we see things . . . I must admit that when I was looking at one of those brochures that was put out in the bye- election that we just had, that said the PLP reduced the deficit by 50 per cent, I thought, Did you see the deficit being reduced by 50 per cent? I don’t think so. But it was something that was put there. I am pleased that the PLP is starting to reduce the deficit. But 50 per cent was a stretch which actually was not an actual one. It was not an actual stretch. But as one realises, sometimes these things —
Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: It is right on the back of the thing—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSpeak to me, speak to me. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: —I can produce it if I need to. [Timer beeps] Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Anyway, I am sure I have not spoken 20 minutes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo, no, it was not yours. I had to reset it. That’s right. I had to reset it. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you. But, Mr. Speaker, as I say, when you look at different things, I say to myself, Okay. I am pleased that they have gone out and …
No, no, it was not yours. I had to reset it. That’s right. I had to reset it. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Thank you. But, Mr. Speaker, as I say, when you look at different things, I say to myself, Okay. I am pleased that they have gone out and bought more buses. But I am also mindful of the fact that we left money over in the budget. So it should happen. I am also understanding that we as a party are re- grouping and finding our voice. And, therefore, it is important for us when we are here to start to focus on issues that are important to the people. And I know that one of the Members just a moment ago started to talk about all of the things that the PLP did, and r eviewe d things, as if to say, We never left anything, and there was nothing. But I am waiting. I am waiting. And I thought it would have been this month, because I am reme mbering that we came up with the Enhanced Care Pilot, and I am looking to see how well it was going. We reduced the premium for the Standard Health Benefit, and I would have thought that by now we might have heard something especially by the time the Gover nment came in. They went through and they paid all that extra money and took care of some of the savings that we had made sure occurred in health expenditure. So the Government understands that they did things when they were in Government; we did things when we were in Government. The most important thing, though, is right now we appreciate th at there are things which the Government is trying to do. And we will, as I said . . . I reiterate, we will support it when it benefits Bermuda. And if there is something that we think we have to raise questions about, we will. But we will continue. Our Members will continue to make suggestions for improvements to the Bills, raise questions of things of things that come up. And we are going to continue to be the Opposition that Bermuda wants. And we will get stronger and stronger as we start to transition some of our new Members here. And I am glad that we have Scott [Pearman]. And I expect that we will have more Members as we start to transition Members in and take an opportunity to build the team to make sure that we hold the Government to account. And I am not going to sit there and every time the Government decides that they want to talk about our numbers . . . our numbers are our numbers. We are 11 and you are 25. And we accept that this means that you have a numerical difference. But that does not mean that we are going to sit in here and just let you turn and say that we are not going to speak up when we need to! And my Members are going to find their voices and start to say enough is enough. And so, Mr. Speaker, I think we had the opportunity to have a fairly good debate today when we were talking about the sugar tax, and we were also talking about the vacation rentals. And lots of things that have come up in the past have been legislation that was in the pipeline. So I am looking forward to the new t hings that will be coming up, and I am sure that my team members are looking forward to being able to discuss and debate. And I would like to think that we wouldn’t always get into what I call this name-calling, because it really does start to get very old. It is getting very old when you start to have people going back on lots of other things and creating the enviro nment, especially on the motion to adjourn, when we should be talking about issues that are important to us. We should be talking about issues like how —
[Inaudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet her speak. Speak to the Chair; speak to the Chair. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Like how are we going to progress the things that are important to us with r espect to education? Because I know that there are companies out there that want to expand their bus inesses …
Let her speak. Speak to the Chair; speak to the Chair. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Like how are we going to progress the things that are important to us with r espect to education? Because I know that there are companies out there that want to expand their bus inesses here. They are looking for our members, our Bermudians, to be able to go out there and join their companies. But there is still always going to be issues in terms of having to train people and m aking sure that they are available. Now, I find it very difficult when we are out talking, and I am defending us in the people’s House, and they say, My daughter (or my son) cannot find a job. And I am saying, Well, the Immigration Depar tment has a responsibility to make sure that the work permits are advertised and you make sure that there is a Bermudian out there, that there is some training . . . We have to work together to do all of these things because it is very important that the people of Berm uda feel that we are working for them. We were on that side before, and now we are over here. And if we can do things that are important and work with them, we will do that. And, Mr. Speaker, if I can say nothing else, I just want to say let’s try and bring . . . on the motion to adjourn, let’s try to bring 2344 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly things here that are important, new ideas that people want to hear. The idea that we can perhaps get t ogether as a party on both sides and say things like, if you look at dangerous driving, you look at the driving on the road, you look at things that you could say, Hey, that is something that we could all . . . the third lane. If you could look at things that we could say that there are things that both sides could come together and say, This is something that the people of Bermuda could say ‘The House of Parliament decided that this was so important that they are working on it because it is not something that is just a Bill; this is something that is really important to Bermuda. And for my part, I will make sure that my Members are going to start focusing on that. And we are going to raise issues here that are issues that I call broad Bermuda- based issues. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Honourable Member from consti tuency 2, I believe. Mr. Swan, I see you on your feet.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHey, hey, hey, be nice. Be nice, Members. ROLE OF THE OPPOSITION
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanMr. Speaker, I am just following on from where the Opposition Leader just left off, when she was , I guess in a nice way, trying to suggest (wrongly, at that) that the Government are not making good use of our time here, on the motion to adjourn in particular. …
Mr. Speaker, I am just following on from where the Opposition Leader just left off, when she was , I guess in a nice way, trying to suggest (wrongly, at that) that the Government are not making good use of our time here, on the motion to adjourn in particular. But, Mr. Speaker, I had to smile when in making that assertion that she suggested that we c ould be focusing on more things like training our people. I mean, in reality, when the OBA came into Gover nment in 2012, one of the first things they did in educ ation was cut scholarships and make it very difficult for families out there to get the type of funding. One of the first things that the current Minister of Education did was to certainly reverse that as best he could. And we have heard Members speak as to what the prior ities were for the Government that said it was looking under the hood, and used tax pay -out money to fund an upscale corporate sporting event. I declare my interest. I am a professional at hlete and I appreciate sporting events and the funding that is required. But let me tell you that it was a sweet deal indeed for a sporting organi sation. And I am sure there are pros and cons that persons can get into. But when the Opposition Leader made that assertion in one breath and then said that we should be coming here with new ideas, well, I think it is the Opposition who has been sceptical and trying to be somewhat polite as it is being sceptical of the MOUs which have been for blockchain technology and the businesses that are being attracted to Bermuda. And certainly, just even today, with the representatives here from Korea, I was so moved because the professor from the university who spoke at the MOU signing spoke of initiatives that would empower our young Bermudians in mathematics and other disciplines and, I am sure, disciplines that we may not even readily associate, but it would go to law and other disciplines, of how that would fit into the FinTech world. So it is wrong to get here and suggest . . . and we have heard our Members say that the Opposition had great favour with the daily. I mean, certainly, they have access to Hansard, and they could belatedly report what is said. But they are very selective. And they are very selective when it comes to reporting and not reporting what the PLP Government has to say. So, it is disingenuous at best. And I want to thank the Honourable Member, Mr. Famous, from constituency 11 (I believe), when he goes down Memory Lane. He reminds me of someone who did not always appreciate when she went down Memory Lane. I just want to remind Members that they are kinfolk. And I am speaking of the late Dame Lois Browne- Evans, and how she would go down Memory Lane, and take us back. Honourable Member, Mr. Scott, would know far better than I. She would take us back to when she first came into the Parliament as an Independent Member in 1963, representing the Progressive Labour Party. She would remember, as she shared with me, when she was a young, practicing lawyer representing my great -grandmother from Southampton on a property issue that she had going up against one of the legacy law establishments as a young, practicing la wyer representing my late great -grandmother, Emily Burrows Hall. And the property we speak of is none other than the Fairmount Southampton today, where our family had property that went from that hillside right down to Jew’s Bay, former Member, Mr. Reggie Burrows being a member of that family as well. And it is important that those historical points be recounted, because as political organisations evolve, and some try to rebrand and remake themselves, that type of stuff is done to try to negate the very history that we all have to live with. And it is i mportant that Members, particularly senior Members, go
Bermuda House of Assembly back and remind persons of some of the struggles that we have to live with today are because of matters left unaddressed in our past. An d we are left to fix it — all of us —for putting our heads in the sand and thinking that this place is Sunday School, or sing Kumb aya, and not to address the tough issues. This is what we are here for. And for the Opposition Leader to come here and ignore the political realities that are on her doorstep that are espoused in the paper by some of her colleagues and former colleagues, does not put Ber-muda’s Parliament and electoral system in the proper context. And it is for us Backbenchers, and the Go vernment Members when necessary, to point out polit ical realities. And one of those political realities is that if the Opposition thinks for one minute that her current Members finding a voice . . . finding whose voice? Whose voice are you trying to find? Certainly not your own! And the lack of connectivity with the wider Bermuda populace is the reason you find yourselves in the place and the space you are in today.
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanIt is of your own making. And let me say this, as I recount some histor ical truth. A year ago today, a former Member of this House at that time was alive. The next day he had gone for his final journey. May Mr. Crockwell rest in peace. [Desk …
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. SwanHis final speech spoke to the truth from his vision and his association with his current colleagues at that point in time, many of whom are still here, some of who have lost their seats, and some of them have taken flight since then, save and except for two Members …
His final speech spoke to the truth from his vision and his association with his current colleagues at that point in time, many of whom are still here, some of who have lost their seats, and some of them have taken flight since then, save and except for two Members now. Let me not recount what he said on that day, Mr. Speaker, but encourage the Opposition to reflect on their duty to this country. Do not think that finding your voice of your understanding of Bermuda’s ci rcumstances is what Bermuda needs. When the Honourable Me mber, Mr. Famous, spoke earlier, he was encouraging and pointing out that when you come here and speak on what you think the voters want, and then your violet is shrinking, you are doing a disservice to the wider Bermuda. And if you think . . . I had a per son, I am not going to call their name, say to me, We need to make way for the young people. Make way. I listened. I said, Is that the way that your f ather taught you the business that you now run? Did he run away? No, he showed you that business. He trained you in that industry. And today you run that industry. And it is a balance. And when we recognise that, Mr. Speaker, and the Minister who is here, Minister Caines, who has done yeoman service, and the Premier, who has done yeoman service, going out th ere finding new business opportunities for Bermuda, finding persons to commit upfront saying, We’re going to train you. And when the latest person comes and says, Listen, we are not only going to train you, we are going to allow some opportunity getting this global environment for your young people to come and partner with our university. It warms my heart. When the mind- set of an Opposition, when they had leadership in their palms, took from those young people . . . broke many of their spirits with the opportunity they had. And this Government . . . you’re going to say, Well, you know, I will encourage you, but then blow out dismissive comments to that regard. Mr. Crockwell urged his colleagues and admonished them for falling out of touch with the people. That is what Mr. Crockwell said almost a year ago. You can read the rest. Mr. Crockwell said that they embraced the philosophy and the methodology from which he convinced them to walk away from. That is what Mr. Crockwell said. And they are failing to rec-ognise that in order to be relevant in this society you have to figure out how to connect to marginal seats. And what you are not realising is that as your safe seats become more marginal maybe it is because you are figuring out that you are bright enough f or the people to figure out that you know what to say for them rather than connecting with them in a real way. And your version of partnership for the sake of divers ity or the sake of integration is a failed experiment. That is the real talk. Connecting wi th people who even differ from you has to come from a prism of mutual respect. And that is where that violet has shrunk. I listened as we campaigned in this byeelection. I heard some of the things that were said about the Portuguese community. And let me declare my interests. I have the greatest respect and love for the Portuguese community. Okay? I make no apol ogies about my connection with the Portuguese community which stems back to Ralph Marshall, and before that to the DeMorra’s growing up in Luke’s Pond area and playing around the pond down there and going up at Port Royal Golf Course, and people like Mark Vieira and them Terceira's went to Glebe School with us, and to [INAUDIBLE 7:12:21] and their con-nection with our families and the Halls and that, growing up calling Joe Gore Moniz “Uncle Joe,” because he and my uncle, Ike Hall, who spoke five languages working on a ship, were tight as blood. But when I speak about the racial problem that persons just want to think should just go away and not talk about it, I am not doing a good service to my daughter and my step -children who are of multi - ethnic origins. You have to address it from truth and not from just glossing over it like we want to do, pla ying patty -cake with real issues. That is where the great Dame Lois Browne- Evans spoke when she went down Memory Lane. 2346 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly And I must confess. When I sat on that side, when Dame Pamela Gordon embraced me and said, I’m giving you a chance. Do you know who I studied? I went in that library that is not functional today, and I pray, Mr. Speaker that it is, and I studied the speec hes of L. Frederick Wade—
Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan—of Dame Lois BrowneEvans, and Mr. C. Eugene Cox on the Budget D ebates and the Throne Speech Replies. I read them. And yes, you know, it is important because the only Opposition that Bermuda ever had to study was one that was there for 30 years. So if a …
—of Dame Lois BrowneEvans, and Mr. C. Eugene Cox on the Budget D ebates and the Throne Speech Replies. I read them. And yes, you know, it is important because the only Opposition that Bermuda ever had to study was one that was there for 30 years. So if a person thinks that just changing leaders like they change any other thing is the answer, it is not. The fundamental issue wrong is where Bermuda’s current Opposition find themselves in. And being able to really drill down does take some truths. Last week my honourable colleague who grew up in the Catholic faith, and I declare my interest. My wife and daughter are Catholic s. So I have been around it, right? So I know. And Mrs. Florence Maxwell, who converted to Catholicism, is my daughter’s Godmother. I have been around it. But the Catholic Bishop today acknowledged something that few white leaders have done to date, thrown out the mantle to white leadership. And, you know, persons would . . . the Opposition Leader will speak about personalising. We’re not interested in personalising things; we are interested in the truth of what Bermuda is facing. And Mr. Crockwell spoke to some of that, which is why many of who are left today are philosophically cha llenged with where Bermuda wants to go. And finally, Mr. Speaker, I will say this, when it comes to the beneficial ownership argument that has been thrusted upon us by Mother En gland, the Premier and the like and Cabinet have to deal with a very difficult issue to carry the ball for our country. But we have the Opposition, you know, playing games when it comes to what Members on that side (not saying the Opposition Leader , but Me mbers on that side) would say in their social space. And it is not healthy for this country. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. I recognise the Member from constituency 36. Honourable Member Scott, you have the floor. ROY AL GAZETTE —INACCURATE COVERAGE OF SPEECH IN THE HOUSE ON 1 JUNE 2018 Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, largely because this is an ina ugural day …
Thank you, Honourable Member. I recognise the Member from constituency 36. Honourable Member Scott, you have the floor.
ROY AL GAZETTE —INACCURATE COVERAGE OF SPEECH IN THE HOUSE ON 1 JUNE 2018 Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, largely because this is an ina ugural day for at least two Honourable Members of this House, the Honourable Member, Mr. Pearman, who is in the House; and the Honourable new Member, Mr. Dickenson, I would not be discharging my duty as a Member of this House, and now one of their co lleagues, not to . . . have them misled about the rules and how the game is played. Last week I had the opportunity, Mr. Speaker, following the Honourable and noble Member, Colonel Burch, when he spoke and addressed the issue, and he reminded us all tonight that his topic that was badly reported in terms of focus by the Royal Gazette. His topics were mul tiple. They were important. They were important to him. And they deserved some ventilation here in the House. And yet, what was focused on, and which was his complaint tonight, and I endorse his complaint, what was focused on in the media and which has gone widely and broadly across the country as the focus of his statement, was his reference to the designate Chief Justice being an Indian. We all know that Colonel Burch, the Honour able and noble Member, Colonel Burch, participates in truth. Often his tru th is about hard truth. The Chief Justice designate, Mr. Narinder Kumar Hargun, is a Bermudian. He is able, he is skilled after many years of practice, exclusively at the firm. He has cut all of his teeth as an attorney at the firm that bears the name . . . oh no, I beg your pardon. I should not be saying that. Julian Hall. How could I say such a thing? He has cut his teeth, may I say, at Hall and Associates and Ju lian Hall and Partners.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Michael J. Scott : . . . for a while. Thank you. I am corrected. [Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Michael J. Scott: He hasn’t always been with Conyers. So, my point is not diminished by the fact that he is skilled and able, and these are his characteri stics which qualified him to this nobl e position as head of the judiciary. He is Bermudian. He is also a family man. He hails from . . . he was born in India, so he is also Ind ian. He came to Leeds as a young man. Left Leeds, went to the . . . had his tertiary training in the North of England, entered the London School of Economics, that prestigious school in Houghton Street in London, which is where he met Julian Hall, met his wife, Mis s Mary Roland, and married her, and [this is] where I met Narinder Hargun. But, Colonel Burch, the Honourable and noble Member, engages in truth only. And I know that his presentation last week was about an important subject, and a number of important subjects which he a ddressed. And yet, it pierced the society because of the way it was covered and the focus on the fact that he referred to the designated Chief Justice as an Indian.
Bermuda House of Assembly And that was most unfortunate. Here is the reason I really rose.
ACCURACY OF STATEMENTS ON MOTION TO ADJOURN
Hon. Michael J. Scott: So, Mr. Speaker, we get lambasted by the public if there is a mischaracterisation in the media, whether it is social or the daily, and it becomes the topic and focus. This motion to adjourn period in the House is for matters that are of importance, and with your leave, Mr. Speaker, so that I may get it right, and I do this for the edification, and I say so with all humility, of all Members of the House. But new Members have joined us, so that they will not get caught up in the nonsense that will go from this place, that many of the Members on the other side have engaged in even t onight, that we need civility. And, above all, we need truth during the motion to adjourn, and accuracy. And so when the Honourable Member is now concurring with me in her last . . . when she stood and made references to these concerns about the franchise and how it is being mishandled, I call on that Honourable Member to be a student of the very words I am sa ying—ensure that she engages in truth during the m otion to adjourn.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTake your chair. Take your chair.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinPoint of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTake your chair. POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motive ]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. The Member is imputing improper motive. And the Honourable Member may not have had access to the article to which I referred during my motion to adjourn speech, but I would like to direct the Hon-ourable Member to the daily, published on 10 August 2017, …
Point of order, Mr. Speaker. The Member is imputing improper motive. And the Honourable Member may not have had access to the article to which I referred during my motion to adjourn speech, but I would like to direct the Hon-ourable Member to the daily, published on 10 August 2017, which contained the entire story with the facts about what I spoke. Thank you.
Hon. Michael J. Scott: And so I urge her to engage in truth always.
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Her—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAh, ah, let me assist both of you in this regard. Honourable Mem ber, if your comments are in reference to the article that the Honourable Member made reference to earlier when she was on her feet regarding the comments made by the current Parli amentary Registrar in reference to …
Ah, ah, let me assist both of you in this regard. Honourable Mem ber, if your comments are in reference to the article that the Honourable Member made reference to earlier when she was on her feet regarding the comments made by the current Parli amentary Registrar in reference to a former Parliamentary Registrar, I did go online and pull it up and do some research. That is what I was sitting here doing. The comments were made. They were made in a pu blic space by the current Registrar about the former Registrar. The Honourable Member was simply repor ting what she had read, what was printed in the new spaper. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Speaker, I am not even there—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. I was just pointing that out. Hon. Michael J. Scott: I am talking about something entirely different and what was current in the debate tonight. All right?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Hon. Michael J. Scott: I am not even there. I did not need to be enabled by some irrelevant reference to the article. I am talking about what I heard tonight. POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motive ]
Mrs. Patricia J. Gordon -PamplinPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. Again, the Honourable Member is imputing improper motive. If the Honourable Member is suggesting for one second that I do not speak the truth, I believe that this is a domain that is actually reserved for Members on his side of the Honourable House.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet me get both of you back in space. I am not going to let us go back and forth at this level. I interjected just now because the basis that I took of what the Honourable Member said earlier when she was on her feet was based around a …
Let me get both of you back in space. I am not going to let us go back and forth at this level. I interjected just now because the basis that I took of what the Honourable Member said earlier when she was on her feet was based around a story that gave concern to me about what a Registrar had said about a former Registrar. So I went online and pulled it up. And I have been sitting here all this time reading back and forth over that. And I am not goi ng to say whether the Registrar is accurate in what she said. I am going to say there is a public story that was run about that. So, the Honourable Member only spoke to a story that was publicly published. Now wait . . . but the whole basis of her comment was around that story, around information that supposedly had affect to one organisation versus another but was based on the story. So I am not going to hold the fact that . . . no, no, no, stay in your chair. I am not going to hold to the fact whether t he story is accurate. But the Member was okay in reporting it be-cause she read it in the paper. We now have to take 2348 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly up issues with the accuracy about the person who did the story if you want to accuse the accuracy of the story, but not the Member who deliv ered it. It is killing the messenger and missing the message.
Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Speaker, as I earlier indicated, I now remember the story. But that is not what brought me to my feet. It was the . . . and the lack of clarity of Mrs. Gordon- Pamplin in her presentation. And she still has not made it clear. She does not get an excuse from this by referencing me to the story. I am aware of the story. It is what she said tonight. And I stand by it. Mr. Speaker, the motion to adjourn is an opportunit y for us to move an adjournment of the House to discuss specific and important matters that should have urgent consider ation. So that is what it is for. It is quite distinct from the good discussion and good debate that we have on all elements of the Order Paper, from Prayers through to the Order[s of the Day] when much good work is di sposed of. But on this occasion we have the privilege of this House to stand and speak on matters that are near and dear to our hearts, whether they relate to constituencies, matters of importance in our country, and for the public to be edified. This is what the motion to adjourn has always been about historically, in all parliamentary systems. And if the matter of specific or urgent importance tends to be controversial, so be it. It can be; it ought to be. And we should stop being apologetic about it, or putting out the story in the press that everyone in the House on the PLP side, and if it happens to be assigned to the OBA, have engaged in vile and venom and fighting. It is wrong. It is inaccurate. As long as it is truthful, that is the only point I am making, as long as it is accurate, and it is important, it is viable and valid. And so, when Colonel Burch rose last week, he rose on a point of importance, as did the Minist er of National Security when he spoke. And we all spoke last week. The matter was important. It was valid. It was viable. And for those who follow the Royal G azette line, by -line, or headline, that mischaracterised everything that went on, you have fallen afoul of just media bias, or media by -lines. Be aware of the priv ileges of this House. We are entitled to stand and deal with matters, such as the appointment of the Chief Justice, or the Commissioner of Police, or any matter that is important, as long as it is truthful, as long as it is accurate, as much as we can ensure that it is. And we should not abuse it by engaging in untruths, inaccuracies or pandering—or pandering! —to some by - line that has been taken by the media, which merely inflames and does not inform. [Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOh! I was finishing my research. I recognise the Honourable Minister. You have the floor. ROYAL GAZETTE —INACCURATE COVERAGE OF SPEECH IN THE HOUSE ON 1 JUNE 2018 Hon. Wayne Caines: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, had the privilege of speaking in this House, as I do …
Oh! I was finishing my research. I recognise the Honourable Minister. You have the floor.
ROYAL GAZETTE —INACCURATE COVERAGE OF SPEECH IN THE HOUSE ON 1 JUNE 2018
Hon. Wayne Caines: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I, too, had the privilege of speaking in this House, as I do every week. I actually count it an honour to be here. For a very long period of my life as a young lawyer, as a young Bermudian, I used to come and sit in the Gallery in my spare time, having the opportunity to see some of the greats on both sides, and something that I came to realise is that to be in this room it is a responsibility and it is an honour. Whenever I speak . . . this morning I was lea ving home, as I do quite early in the morning. And my neighbour is a gentleman by the name of Pappy D ill. As many of you know, Pappy Dill is one of the great footballers in our country. And he is one of the people I use to test the barometer of what is going on in Bermuda. So if there is something that i s going on socially, if there is something going on civically, if there is something going on politically, my neighbours . . . they will come and we will share the latest sent iment that is in our community. And he serves as a sounding board for what is goi ng on. This morning he shared with me his view and his perception of what transpired in the House. And he said to me that he understood after listening to the entire discourse, with reference to my comments, and in reference to the comments of others, he understood the direction that we were going in. I reflected on speaking with my parents and in speaking with friends in the community. And then I saw and listened to the media. And I realised that there is a disconnect. But more importantly, I believe that I actually have a responsibility. I reflected on the sentiment to leave it alone, to let it rest, to focus on the direction that the party is going in, and the country is going in. And that is good advice. When I think of this morning’s press conference and I reflected on the fact that a company has come to Bermuda and looked at the cut of our jib and the regulation and the opportunity that there is, and they said, Listen, we want to set up our company in Bermuda. But, more importantly, we have a plan for education and for developing talent in Bermuda. And the lightbulb went off. The lightbulb went off in my head because then I was reminded, again with the conversation with my neighbour this morning and with the press conference this afternoon, that I have to remain focused. And with laser -like focus. When I come into the community in which I was raised, I drive through Happy Valley every even-ing. And I drive through my constituency 14. They expect for me to stay as true to duty as the needle is to the pol e. And a responsibility that the Progressive Labour Party has, that is to be a voice for the voiceless. Our responsibility is to understand the dynamics in our
Bermuda House of Assembly country where people oftentimes have the ability to appear as if they have everything going on, but because of their personal circumstances they are living below what we deem to be the poverty line. It is our responsibility, and it is my responsibi lity not only to speak truth to power, but to make sure that when I speak the discourse is balanced, it is trut hful, and that I harken to my values. I believe that we have a moral compass and that we must continue to march from that bearing. I also am mature enough to understand that the Opposition has a responsibility. And I get that r esponsibility. But w e were given a mandate. And the mandate is not predicated on the numbers. The mandate is predicated on the people who voted to bring us here. They are expecting us to have integrity. They are expecting for us to be their voice. They are expecting us to giv e them opportunity. And I believe it is implicit in that to tell the truth. I believe it is implicit in everything that we do. I am reminded through this week’s experience to be grounded in what I am doing. I believe that what we are doing fundamentally is trying to change this country for the better. I believe that we have an opportunity so that when people think of the journey in FinTech, we often get lost. And we think it is some flight of fancy. It allows us to see that if we march from the bearing that brings innovation, that puts the right rubric in place, we will be able to show our young people that there is opportunity for them to succeed in this country. I talk to so many young people. My daughter is 21 years old, so her friends are around that age . And I have noticed that each summer there are far fewer of her friends coming back. So we are having a conversation. And the majority of them I talk to are from all walks of life in Bermuda, from public school to private school. And do you know what the young people share with me? That they do not see Bermuda as a place for their future; that they have absolutely no desire to return back to Bermuda. So I dig a little deeper. They do not see it as a place that will have opportunity for them, that will make space for them. They see it almost as we saw it a few years ago where people migrated to Bermuda for better ways of opportunity. Now we are looking at our young people looking at the shores of America, England, and not only saying they will do two or three years there, but saying that they will not repatriate back to their home country. Last week the epicentre and the genesis of the conversation was around opportunities for Berm udians. There was a false narrative that we want Bermudians at all cost. But I am xenophobic. The reality of it is that my mother is an immigrant to this country. And every bit of her sacrifice allows me to draw on the tapestry of the differences in our country. But rest assured that I have a commitment to the people of Ber-muda. And that is not at the disparaging or at the is olation or at the polarisation of anyone else. I think it is a fair aspiration for us to say that we want our Bermuda Police Commissioner to be a Bermudian. I do not think that there is anything wrong in saying t hat we want people in the Magistrates’ Court to be able to matriculate right up and to aspire to get the job as the Chief Justice. And again I will say it was deemed and it was called to be back -pedalling. I actually have a personal relationship with the C hief Justice. I have a personal relationship with the Chief Justice. I was a Crown Counsel and appeared in front of him on numerous occasions. Narinder Hargun, in one of his first cases in this country, he represented my parents in a property dispute. Thes e are not people that I am estranged from. I am a member of the legal fraternity in Berm uda. Sometimes you have to say specific things, not in an attempt to disparage, not in an attempt to polarise, but for the bigger picture. And I will stand by those comments because I know . . . I know that sometimes when you say something it will be deemed to be offensive. I believe the circumstances of last week called for us to put a marker down. And the marker I do not believe . . . I do not believe that the marker was ev idenced properly in the media. But I do not expect that to be the case. And that is when I go back to what the responsibilities are. That is when I go back to going into my community this afternoon and going into my constituency this afternoon, because I believe that, and only that, is actually the grounding force.
ACCURACY OF STATEMENTS ON MOTION TO ADJOURN
Hon. Wayne Caines: I understand that we have to be mindful of how we speak here. I am reminded that I have to be mindful of how I speak here, b ecause through the tenor, the cutting and the thrust and the joust, there are segments of our country that do not understand that, and they mistake that, and they are bothered and polarised by that and they ignore a lot of the things that we are saying. That is one of the diff iculties of us not understanding and having a clear connection with all of the community that we repr esent. I believe that our young people have som ething to be exceedingly proud of. This afternoon I had to leave early and I saw our Pr emier in an internatio nal setting. There were hoteliers in the room, a multimi llion-dollar opportunity. And I watched the leader of our country interact with these gentlemen at the very highest of standards. I watched him interact and do business. I have t ravelled to New York and London with him. And I am listening to what people are saying about this Government and the opportunities and the things that we are doing. And let me tell you, do not be deterred by the naysayers. This party is on a good 2350 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly wicket. W e are working hard. And we must continue to do so. Our responsibility is to the people of Bermuda. Our honour and our integrity must always be kept at the forefront of every decision that we make. I will never forget, I will never lose sight, that it is a privilege to stand with my brothers and sisters in the Progressive Labour Party. Mr. Speaker, I was talking to one of my colleagues and he was sharing with me how he fell b ehind in his mortgage. He fell behind because as a Member of Parliament he, in his community, had to give part of his wages to his constituents so that they did not lose their houses. And so, when people come to me in my constituency and need help and gui dance, do you know what the majority of us find ourselves doing? Paying out of our personal pocket to help the people we support in our constituencies. This is a labour of love on both sides of the aisle, and many people cannot understand the sacrifice. When I leave this very room, I have a consti tuent who told me that he is waiting for me outside of my office. Many mornings, the first call, the first thing is somebody in our country who does not want to talk to you that needs your help. We are the vanguard, not only of truth, but we are the only help that many pe ople in our country know and see. Before they go to a doctor they call the Member of Parliament. When they have a problem with a family member, they come to the Member of Parliament. And that is what we repr esent and sometimes it takes this type of a speech for us to remind each other of the good that we do, and the calling that we have. And, after it is all said and done, I can guarantee you that as we reflect on the reason why we e ntered into this, it was to make Bermuda a better place. And guess what? We have a chance to do so. We have to continue to march on our bearing. We have to hold each other to account. We have to speak truth to power. And when we see things that are not right, without fear or favour, we must stand for it. Som etimes it won’t . . . and I learned that this week. Som etimes it won’t be popular. But, if you are convicted of it, there is a method and there is a way of saying it that we can not only heal this community but we can effect and bring about meaningful change. Thank you,
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThank you, Minister . I now recognise the Deputy Premier. Deputy Premier, you can close us out? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGo ahead. ACCURACY OF STATEMENTS ON MOTION TO ADJOURN Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, Mr. S peaker, there is something that is very clear about many Members of this House. And the speeches tonight during this portion, and perhaps I wasn’t here for the session …
Go ahead.
ACCURACY OF STATEMENTS ON MOTION TO ADJOURN
Hon. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, Mr. S peaker, there is something that is very clear about many Members of this House. And the speeches tonight during this portion, and perhaps I wasn’t here for the session last week, but it is clear from what was evidenced in some of the media about how some w ere interpreting those speeches and Members on this side who were, perhaps, the subject of those discussions, have actually stood in this House and given references to those experiences. There is one thing that is very clear. Certainly, as I speak for Mem bers on this side, there are times when Members speak with great passion. And perhaps that is something that happens with Members on both sides of this House. But there are also Members who speak with a sense of probity. And I think that is some of what we heard from the Honourable Member who just took his seat. And that is, perhaps, some of the qualities that are needed to be in a place such as this House, because not ever ybody in Bermuda, I think, either desires the opportun ity or wants the opportunity to be here. But they vested in us, the 36. And there are speeches that will be of passion, and there are speeches that will be of probity. And that is sometimes some of the balance that we must exercise. But let me move on from there.
BYE-ELECTION RESULTS Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot today. Certainly, we have come out of last night with a couple of interesting results as it relates to byeelections. We saw democracy at work in this country, and the people of those constituencies have spoken. One thing, as I believe Members have reiterated, is that it is a clear sign, certainly for us on this side, that the . . . and I do not believe this is a question of a honeymoon period, although that is a bit of a lexicon of politics that we often hear about when certain . . . when an administration appears to be perhaps on a good wicket and appears to, certainly from the standpoint of an electorate, be getting very good response to what they are doing. And, as we know, things are in cycles. Th at environment can change. But the results last night did send a message these nine months out of the general election. And being a pretty good student of history, I do not know many honeymoon periods of any political party that lasted this long. So I thi nk we are well beyond the honeymoon period, Mr. Speaker. But perhaps I can be corrected. But honeymoon periods for most political parties do not last this long. Certainly they do not last this long unless you are actually deliberately doing things that bri ng satisfaction [to] the electorate, b ecause a honeymoon, as you know, certainly from a political standpoint, comes from a certain feeling that the electorate has. But feelings change, unless constructive things are done to maintain that level of at-mospher e.
Bermuda House of Assembly And what is clear is that the Progressive L abour Party in the last eight -to-nine months has mai ntained a certain pattern of behaviour that is continuing to find satisfaction with the electorate. The results of last night proved that. This is not something that is just happening; it is based on deliberate action. And that action can be referenced in the party’s platform, in its Throne Speech, and in its Budget Statement that it has made over these past nine months. Even today, Mr. Speaker, we have had St atements, and I heard certain things regarding education and what is going to be happening in education. Well, we have had Statements today on the STEAM programme in our schools, because education was such a key important issue raised on the doorstep. Whet her it was a year ago, or in July of last year, or on the doorsteps over the last four weeks, it remains an issue of some concern to the electorate. So, the Government is contin uing to aggressively deal with that. And I expect the Minister of Education wil l have more to say. STEAM is what he talked about today. We had the same Minister talk about training. Prior to this election we were waiting for a training plan that never appeared; a national training plan. It never happened. It never appeared. It was refe renced, but it never appeared. Well, the Minister today talked about training opportunities for compliance and FinTech development. One of the things . . . and that is just with education. And clearly, the work that we are doing as the Premier and the Ho nourable Minister of National Security have also spoken about today, is what is happening in the FinTech area. We are linking the economic steps that we are taking with education-al opportunities at the front with training. At the front! That is why these c ompanies which we have signed MOUs with . . . built in there are commitments to trai ning and education of our citizens. So, with the ec onomic diversification and opportunities for building jobs, comes the education with the inward investment. This is the s ort of landscape that we are trying to lay. The Honourable Minister of Public Works talked about the unfinished business of housing, how that seems to have not been addressed over the past five years. He spoke of his deliberate efforts to deal with that s ituation. So, Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of things happening. And my point is that last night’s results, and the last nine months, and, perhaps, the atmosphere and the validation of the results of the last nine months, is not the result of a honeymoon, because the feeling . . . Members of the House who have been married know that the honeymoon comes and the honeymoon goes. And within the honeymoon is a certain atmosphere that you and your partner, your spouse, feel. And then you move on to the realities of your relationship. So honeymoons are short. And even if they extend longer, it is a feeling. This is beyond that. Bermuda is experiencing . . . they are clearly showing their support for a Government that has deliberately entered an agenda and is execut ing it to their satisfaction. That is what we are seeing after these 10 months. And, Mr. Speaker, I am not going to speak too much longer. We heard certain explanations coming from Members of the Opposition. Well, I guess coming to terms with failure is difficult for many. We in the PLP have had a long history. And that history was filled with failure. And we had to come to terms with it. And we had to find our way around it. But coming to this House and coming up with explanations that perhaps you believe mitigate your failure do not help you get anywhere in this business of politics and gover nment. It doesn’t. I hear it a lot from the other side, tal king about having “buttons” left over. That is a sign of not having come to terms with your abject failure, in my view, because a lot has happened since then, and the public has spoken louder than they have ever done in the history of this country. And they told them what they think, what they feel, and what they want. So get over referencing the buttons. I am not saying that they can’t talk about i ssues; I am not even saying they can’t even talk about that. But I am saying that it doesn’t forward your role in this process, Mr. Speaker. It doesn’t. And the O pposition Leader, the Honourable Member, can try and mitigate all of that in the way that she may choose. And certainly she spoke about finding a voice. Well, the Honourable Member from constituency 1 talked about that . . . oh, sorry, constituency 2, talked about that. And I appreciated what he said. But I w ill come to an end with this: The Opp osition says they are trying to find their voice? Well, the country is waiting—for nine months. Where are you looking? Clearly, you have not found it yet, because you have spoken about finding it. I am a member of a party that found itself on that side of the aisle in D ecember of 2012. We had to find our voice in February of 2013 to be back here to do the business of the country. So the Opposition needs to hurry up. The country is waiting. We’re not waiting. We have an agenda that we have been elected to deploy that the country, in a near 60 percentile rate, gave this party in 2017 an a dditional mandate with an additional seat last night. We are not waiting for their voice, because we have been mandated to execute. The c ountry is waiting for the Opposition to find themselves. Whether they are going to find it from within, or, perhaps, they will take the advice of the Honourable Member from constituency 2 and go back to their people to find it, they have got to find it and get their act together, because the country is waiting. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Desk thumping]
2352 8 June 2018 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: On that, we now rise and stand adjourned until Friday next, at 10:00 am. Thank you for your participation today, Members. Have a good weekend.
[Gavel] [At 9:53 pm, the House stood adjourned until 10:00 am , Friday, 15 June 2018.]