Hansard — September 8, 2017 — Bermuda Parliament

Mr. Dennis Lister III Good morning, Madam Clerk. The Clerk: Good morning.

Mr. Dennis Lister III I would like to also second the nomination of Dennis P. Lister, MP for Sandys North Central, constituency 35, for Speaker of the House. The Clerk: Okay. So ordered. I will now ask the proposer and the seconder to please proceed and bring the Honourable Member . . . [Cr …

The Speaker The Speaker [Good morning Members. With the] permission of this Honourable House, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who have made it possible for me to stand here today as Speaker of this Honourable House. Let me first say that I am humbled by the support …

The Speaker The Speaker I would also like to acknowledge the presence of my mother in the G allery. Parliament, to be more specific, the House of Assembly, represents the hallmark of democracy, an institution where laws are enacted and the views reflecting various segments of our community are repr esented. As one of …

Madam Clerk. The Clerk We are now going to proceed with the swearing -in, in groups of . . .

The Speaker The Speaker The Premier first ; the Premier and the Opposition Leader. The Clerk: The Premier first. The Premier and the Opposition Leader ( my apologies ). [Paus e] OATH OF ALLEGIANCE HON. E. DAVID BURT Hon . E. David Burt: I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true …

The Speaker The Speaker Madam Opposition Leader. Hon . Patricia J. Gordon- Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. OATH OF ALLEGIANCE HON. PATRICIA J. GORDON- PAMPLIN Hon . Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, accor …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. [Crosstalk ]

The Speaker The Speaker Now you may call groups of Members. The Clerk: We are now going to begin the swearing - in of all other Members. We are going to start with the Government Members on the front bench. We are going to take them in groups of four. Thank you.

The Speaker The Speaker The oath [of allegiance] or affirmation? OATH OF ALLEGIANCE HON. WALTER H. ROBAN Hon. Walter H. Roban: I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN …

The Speaker The Speaker Minister . OATH OF ALLEGIANCE LT. COL. HON. DAVID A. BURCH

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN LT. COL. HON. DAVID A. BURCH

Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch I, being a Member of this present 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 c onscience in all equity and integrity during my continuance therein. …

The Speaker The Speaker Call the next four. The Clerk: May I now have the Honourable K. N. Wi lson, the Honourable C. W. Brown, the Honourable L. F. Foggo and the Honourable Z. J. De Silva. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN HON. KIM N. WILSON Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I, being a Member of …

An Hon. Member An Hon. Member Yes. Could you repeat that? Hon. Walton Brown: To her heirs and successors , according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN HON. WALTON BROWN Hon. Walton Brown: I, being a Member of this pr esent Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you. OATH OF ALLEGIANCE HON. ZANE J. S. DE SILVA Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYM AN HON. ZANE J. …

Mr. W. Lawrence Scott I do swear that I will be fait hful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. W. LAWRENCE SCOTT

Mr. W. Lawrence Scott I, being a Member of this present 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 in all equity and integrity during my continuance therein. OATH …

Mr. Michael A. Weeks I do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. MICHAEL A. WEEKS

Mr. Michael A. Weeks I, being a Member of this pr esent Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private interest, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good con-science in all equity and integrity during …

Mr. Rolfe Commissiong I do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. ROLFE COMMISSIONG

Mr. Rolfe Commissiong I, being a Member of this present Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private inter-est, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during my …

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell I do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. NEVILLE S. TYRRELL

Mr. Neville S. Tyrrell I, being a Member of this pr esent Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private interest, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during …

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan I do solemnly and si ncerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. HUBERT KIM E. SWAN

Mr. Hubert (Kim) E. Swan I, being a Member of this present Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the good without respect to private interest, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good con-science in all equity and integrity during my continuance …

Mrs. Tinee Furbert I, being a Member of this present Assembl y, 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 ad-vantage, striving to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during my continuance therein. …

Mrs. Tinee Furbert I 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. OATH OF ALLEGIANCE MRS. RENEE MING

Mrs. Renee Ming I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law . OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MRS. RENEE MING

Mrs. Renee Ming I, being a Member of this present 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 in all equity and integrity during my continuance therein. AFFIRMATI …

Mr. Dennis Lister III I do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF A N ASSEMBLYMAN MR. DENNIS LISTER III

Mr. Dennis Lister III I, being a Member of this pr esent Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private interest, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good conBermuda House of Assembly science in all …

Mr. Christopher Famous I do solemnly and sincer ely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. CHRISTOPHER FAMOUS

Mr. Christopher Famous I, being a Member of this present Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private interest, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during my …

Mr. Scott Simmons Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. SCOTT SIMMONS

Mr. Scott Simmons I, being a Member of this pr esent Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private interest, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during …

Mr. N. H. Cole Simons I do swear that I will be fait hful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. N. H. COLE SIMONS

Mr. N. H. Cole Simons I, being a Member of this present 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 in all equity and integrity during my continuance therein. AFFIRMATION …

Hon. Dr. E. Grant Gibbons I do solemnly and si ncerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN HON. DR. E. GRANT GIBBONS

Hon. Dr. E. Grant Gibbons I, being a Member of this present Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private inter-est, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during my …

Mr. Ben Smith I, being a Member of this present Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private interest, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good co nscience in all equity and integrity during …

Ms. Susan E. Jackson I do solemnly and sincerely affirm and declare that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law. AFFIRMATION OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MS. SUSAN E. JACKSON

Ms. Susan E. Jackson I, being a Member of this present Assembly, do solemnly and sincerely affirm that I will use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good without respect to private inter-est, gain or advantage, and will strive to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during my …

Mr. Jeff Baron I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MR. JEFF BARON

Mr. Jeff Baron I, being a Member of this present A ssembly, do swear by Almighty God to use and employ my best endeavour therein for the general good wit hout any respect to private interest, gain or advantage, striving to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during my continuance …

Ms. Leah K. Scott I do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Eliz a-beth II, her heirs and successors, according to law, so help me God. OATH OF AN ASSEMBLYMAN MS. LEAH K. SCOTT

Ms. Leah K. Scott I, being a Member of this present 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 ad-vantage, striving to discharge a good conscience in all equity and integrity during my continuance therein.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Members. All Members are now duly sworn into the House. NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF DEPUTY SPEAKER

The Speaker The Speaker The next order of business will be the election of the Deputy Speaker. Do we have a nom inee for Deputy Speaker?

Mr. Premier. Hon. E. David Burt premier Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I wish to nominate the Member from constituency 5 to take the position of Deputy Speaker of the House. The Honourable Derrick Burgess has been elected six times to this House and is the second- longest -serving member of our caucus, and we believe …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Premier. Do we have a seconder? Hon. Walter H. Roban: Mr. Speaker, I do second the nomination of Derrick Vaughn Burgess to be the Deputy Speaker of this hallowed Chamber.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Deputy Premier. Mr. Premier and Mr. Deputy Premier, would you like to escort your nominee? One second . . . Are there any further nom inees? I should have asked first, are there any further nominees? No further nominees. Mr. Premier, Deputy Premier. [Laughter and inaudib le …

The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Deputy [Speaker], you are duly elected by your colleagues. We will trust that you will be a true and faithful Deputy Speaker in this House, and we look forward to your service in that capacity. [Desk thumping] Bermuda House of Assembly The Spe aker: At this point, we are …

The Speaker The Speaker Members, Members, we have received the letter. And the letter is from His Excellency: “I have the honour to inform the Honourable House that I will deliver the speech on the occasion of the convening of Parliament at 11: 00 am today, Friday, the 8 th of September 2017, on …

The Speaker The Speaker Members, just bear with us for a few moments, in that the time is ticking away. But what we have to remember today is that all Members had to be sworn in. It is not just like a normal Throne Speech. So the clock may not be in our favour …

The Speaker The Speaker Members , Members, the Black Rod has arrived. Can we have order again? Please take your seats. The Sergeant -at-Arms: Mr. Speaker, a messenger has come from His Excellency the Governor.

The Speaker The Speaker Let him enter. [Pause]

The Speaker The Speaker Yes, continue. Black Rod: His Excellency the Governor has asked for this House to meet on the lower lawn forthwith.

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you for delivering the message. We will proceed down to the lawn forthwith. Members, as you know, there has been an order of how we should proceed. I think your Whips have the order. And I would ask Members to fall in line accordingly as we leave to join …

The Speaker The Speaker Members, now we are ready to pr oceed with the Orders of the Day. Mr. Premier, I believe you have a motion for us at this moment? SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 14 AND 21 Hon. E. David Burt: Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I move that Standing Orders 14 and 21 …

The Speaker The Speaker Please c ontinue. MOTION THAT THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH BE TAKEN AS READ AND SET DOWN FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE NEXT DAY OF MEETING Hon. E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the speech with which His Excellency the Governor was pleased to open the present session of …

The Speaker The Speaker Thank you, Mr. Speaker [sic] ; it has been noted . . . Mr. Premier . [Laughter]

The Speaker The Speaker No one else caught that, did they? Was I the only one who caught that? All right. Mr. Deputy Speaker, I believe you have a m otion. [Motion carried] APPOINTMENT OF CLERK TO THE LEGISLATURE Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Mr. Speaker, I move that the appointment of Mrs. Shernette …

The Speaker The Speaker It is approved; go ahead. APPOINTME NT OF SERGEANT -AT-ARMS Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Mr. Speaker, I move that the appointment of Mr. Arnold Allen as Sergeant - at-Arms and Keeper of the House and Grounds of the Assembly be approved. 10 8 September 2017 Official Hansard Report Berm …

The Speaker The Speaker Approved. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES The Clerk: The Minutes are just noted, as this is a new Parliament. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

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

The Speaker The Speaker I believe we have a communication from the Minister of Health, the Honourable K. Wilson. Ms. Wilson, you have the floor. QUARANTINE MARITIME AND AIR REGULATIONS 2017 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the consideration …

The Speaker The Speaker Certainly noted. PETITIONS

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

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. QUESTION PERIOD

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS

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

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

The Speaker The Speaker We have Government Bills. I recognise the Premier, the Honourable David Burt. FIRST READINGS COMPANIES AMENDMENT ACT (NO. 2) 2017 PAYROLL TAX AMENDMENT (NO. 3) ACT 2017 USA –BERMUDA TAX CONVENTION AMENDMENT (NO. 3) ACT 2017 Hon . E. David Burt: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing …

The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Premier, they were duly noted. We also have Bills from the Honourable Minister of Health, Minister Wilson. Bermuda House of Assembly FIRST READINGS PROCEEDS OF CRIME AMENDMENT (NO. 2) ACT 2017 QUARANTINE AMENDMENT ACT 2017 Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the …

The Speaker The Speaker Noted, duly noted. OPPOSITION BILLS

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

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. NOTICES OF MOTIONS

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. ORDERS OF THE DAY

The Speaker The Speaker There are none. Mr. Premier, we recognise you. ADJOURNMENT Hon. E. David Burt: Good afternoon again, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn until its next day of sitting, September 15th, 2017.

The Speaker The Speaker Mr. Premier, the motion to adjourn has been noted, and the House now stands adjourned until next Friday, the 15th of September. [Gavel] [At 12:45 pm, the House stood adjourned until 10:00 am, Friday, 15 September 2017.] 12 8 September 2017 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly [This page …

September 8, 2017

Debate Transcript