The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Members, before we start our session this morning, I would like for us to . . . If we can take a moment, please, Honourable Members, to take note and honour the former Member of this Parliament who recently passed. And that is Dr. George Thomas, who served this …
Honourable Members, before we start our session this morning, I would like for us to . . . If we can take a moment, please, Honourable Members, to take note and honour the former Member of this Parliament who recently passed. And that is Dr. George Thomas, who served this House from Febr uary 1983 until February 1989, and also served as the Minister of Education from 1984 to 1986. In that light, I would ask that all Member s please observe a minute of silence in honour of that former Member.
[The House rose and observed a moment of silence]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Members. [Gavel] CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Minutes, Honourable Members, for May 20th are deferred. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR The Spe aker: There are none. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe do have the Honourable Member from constituency 14, MP Glen Smith, who is absent, attending his son’s graduation. HOUSE COMMITTEES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI would like to announce changes in committees. We were forced to make some changes in our committees. First, the Public Accounts Committee, MP Leah Scott , from constituency 30, replaces Minister Cole Simons on the Public Accounts Committee. Ms. S. E. Jackson, from constituency 20, r eplaces Minister Cole …
I would like to announce changes in committees. We were forced to make some changes in our committees. First, the Public Accounts Committee, MP Leah Scott , from constituency 30, replaces Minister Cole Simons on the Public Accounts Committee. Ms. S. E. Jackson, from constituency 20, r eplaces Minister Cole Simons as Chair of the Office of the Auditor Committee. And MP Shawn Crockwell, from constituency 31, becomes a member of that committee. The Standing Orders and Privileges Commi ttee, Ms. N. S. Outerbridge, from constituency 2, replaces Minister Cole Simons. And on the Register of Members’ Interests Committee, MP Leah Scott, from constituency 30, r eplaces Minister Cannonier. I would like to . . . the Speaker is giving n otices. When the Speaker is giving notices, really, Mem bers . . .
[Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAt 12:30 today, in the atrium, I am asking that the Members who were selected to be on the committee that is looking into women’s issues meet at 12:30 in order to select a chairman. That is at 12:30 in the atrium. And the Members of the Senate have been …
At 12:30 today, in the atrium, I am asking that the Members who were selected to be on the committee that is looking into women’s issues meet at 12:30 in order to select a chairman. That is at 12:30 in the atrium. And the Members of the Senate have been contacted. Finally, I would like to ask of Ministers, if you could please encourage your PSs to ensure that Statements get to my office in good time on Fridays to give me an opportunity to be able to view them and know wha t is coming so that I am well prepared.
MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Chair will recognise the Junior Minister, from constituency 2 [sic]. Junior Minister Kenneth Bascome, you have the floor. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome : Good morning,
Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerGood morning. 1834 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome : I think you made a little mistake. It should be number 1.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerConstituency 1; sorry. HOTELS CONCESSIO N (ELBOW BEACH HOTEL) ORDER 2016 Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome : Thank you, sir. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, Honourable Members. I have the honour to attach for the consider ation of this Honourable House of Assembly the Hotels Concession (Elbo w Beach Hotel) …
Constituency 1; sorry.
HOTELS CONCESSIO N (ELBOW BEACH HOTEL) ORDER 2016 Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome : Thank you, sir. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, Honourable Members. I have the honour to attach for the consider ation of this Honourable House of Assembly the Hotels Concession (Elbo w Beach Hotel) Order 2016, pr oposed to be made by the Minister of Tourism Development and Transport, under the provision of sections 3 and 4 of the Hotels Concession Act 2000. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Junior Minister. I understand you have a second concession. So carry on, please. HOTELS CONCESSION (FORMER SURF SIDE BEACH CLUB) ORDER 2016 Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome : I have the honour to attach for the consideration of this Honourable House of Assembly the Hotels Concession (Form er Surf …
Thank you, Junior Minister. I understand you have a second concession. So carry on, please.
HOTELS CONCESSION (FORMER SURF SIDE BEACH CLUB) ORDER 2016
Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome : I have the honour to attach for the consideration of this Honourable House of Assembly the Hotels Concession (Form er Surf Side Beach Club) Order 2016, proposed to be made by the Minister of Tourism Development and Transport under the provision of sections 3 and 4 of the Hotels Concession Act 2000. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerRight. Thank you very much, Honourable Member. PETITIONS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are no petitions. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe move now to Statements by Mini sters. The Chair will recognise first the Honourable Premier. Premier Dunkley, you have the floor. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley : Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning. CABINET OFFICE TEMPORARY RELOCATION Hon. Michael H. Dunkley : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the work that needs to be done to the Cabinet Office . This work will require a temporary relocation of the Office. Honourable co lleagues will be aware that …
Good morning.
CABINET OFFICE TEMPORARY RELOCATION
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley : Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the work that needs to be done to the Cabinet Office . This work will require a temporary relocation of the Office. Honourable co lleagues will be aware that the Cabinet Office, located at 105 Front Street, Hamilton, was designed in 1837 and first opened in 1884. Today there are three buildings on the Cab inet Office grounds. Operationally, the main building is considered the centre of government. I t houses the Office of the Premier, the Secretary to the Cabinet, the Deputy Head of the Civil Service, and other r elated administrative officers. Mr. Speaker, staff located at this site are engaged in coordinating initiatives on cross -cutting i ssues; act ing as the corporate headquarters for Bermuda’s public service; and providing services, advice and guidance for other government departments and, by extension, the wider public. Mr. Speaker, the building, now more than 230 years old, has been maintained w ell throughout the years. However, Mr. Speaker, as with older buildings, it requires ongoing maintenance and upgrades. From time to time, upgrades to older buildings tend to be just a bit more invasive. Planned renovations for the Cabinet Office have been deferred over the years; however, it has now become necessary to complete the renovations to satisfy health and safety requir ements, as well as to deal with building leaks and de-caying windows. To that end, Mr. Speaker, the main building, which also houses the Upper House, will be closed for renovations effective Friday, June 3 rd, 2016. Mr. Speaker, some Honourable Members will recall the occasion of the 2014 Speech from the Throne when inclement weather resulted in the proceedings being moved into the Senate Chamber. On that occasion, arguably, nearly as much rainwater made its way i nside as fell outside the building. Mr. Speaker, works are long overdue and will be carried out with respect to the historical signif icance of this listed building. The works will include replacement of the wooden windows. The new wi ndows will be manufactured locally to match the exis ting windows. Also, Mr. Speaker, the exterior of the building will be sealed and painted, highlighting its architectural features. Internally, i n addition to repairs to t he plaster and wood work, electrical, plumbing, heating ventilation and any air-conditioning upgrades will be undertaken if required. Mr. Speaker, t he building will be tented to address termite infestation, and final cosmetic changes will result in the replacement of carpets and drapes, if required. The majority of the works will be completed by tradesmen in the Department of Public Lands and Buildings , supported by private sector vendors who have the skills and the experience to carry out the work. Cabinet has approved a contract to BS&R Group, Ltd., for the manufacture of the windows, at a cost of $240,505.92. The windows have been made
Bermu da House of Assembly and are ready to install. Cabinet has also approved a contract to Kaissa for $67,000 for the ext erior painting with a stucco finish, which has a 15- year warranty. The total project is expected to take several months to complete. The advancement of this work at this time follows a series of assessments , Mr. Speaker . While it was originally anticipate d that this work could be completed without relocation of the O ffice, a February 2016 air quality assessment revealed elevated levels of carbon monoxide, high internal humidity , and toxic mou lds in various areas of the buil ding. Further, damaged floor tiles in the basement tested positive for asbestos. The contaminated bas ement area was immediately sealed in accordanc e with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1982. The Health Department then conducted an assessment and directed that all staff be removed from the buil ding. Steps were immediately taken to identify an alter-native site from which to operate. Meanwhile, Mr. Speaker, the Secretary to the Cabinet, in his capacity as an employer, received a Notice of Contravention, issued in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1982, s ections 14– 17 by the Occupational Safety and Health Office, dated May 12 th, 2016, affirming the requir ement to vacate the building. To this end, the Cabinet Office will relocate to Innovations House, 46 Reid Street , Hamilton, effective June 6 th, 2016. Arrangements to relocate the Upper House are currently being considered by your Chambers, and I assume the public will be updated in due course. Mr. Speaker, i t is expected that the asbestos abatement will commence immediately upon relocation of the Cabinet Office team. The work will be f ollowed by building renov ations as described. The Cabinet Office will endeavour to provide more information on this temporary relocation to the public and to Members of this Honourable House as plans are finalis ed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Premier. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable and Learned Member, the Attorney General, Minister of Legal Affairs. Trevor Moniz, you have the floor. Hon. Tr evor G. Moniz : Good morning and thank you,
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerGood morning. UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CO RRUPTION AND OECD CONVENTION ON COMBA TING BRIBERY OF FOREIGN PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS Hon. Trevor G. Mo niz: Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members , and the listening public will recall my Statement of last week announcing Government’s intention to introduce legislation …
Good morning.
UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION AGAINST CO RRUPTION AND OECD CONVENTION ON COMBA TING BRIBERY OF FOREIGN PUBLIC OFFICIALS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS Hon. Trevor G. Mo niz: Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members , and the listening public will recall my Statement of last week announcing Government’s intention to introduce legislation which is modelled on the United Kingdom’s Bribery Act and which makes general amendments to Berm uda’s anti -corruption framework. I had also spoken of our multi -agency and multi- partner strategy to maintain the I sland’s status as a clean and reputable business jurisdiction. Mr. Speaker, i t gives me great pleasure to announce that Cabinet has now comm itted to taking steps to seek the extension of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the OECD Co nvention on Combating Bribery of [Foreign] Public Off icials in International Business Transactions to Bermuda. These conventions represent the settled i nternational standards that jurisdictions must adhere to in order to begin to appropriately prevent and control bribery specifically , and corruption generally. Prior to today, Bermuda had made excellent progress towards meeting these standards. T he legi slative changes outlined in my statements last week to this Honourable House will plug the remaining gaps and allow Bermuda to say we are fully compliant with these international gold standards. Of course, updating our law on bribery and corruption is the right thing to do regardless of any international consensus. But in extending these two conventions to Bermuda, we will signal to the world our intention to maintain Bermuda’s sterling reputation as an offshore financial centre and a place to do bus iness. Mr. Speaker, p ursuant to Cabinet’s authori sation, I hav e now written to His Excellency the Gove rnor and to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to formally request that the conventions be extended. The Governments in Bermuda and in London will now coordinate with each other in the coming weeks and months to formally assess Bermuda’s legislation, bribery , and corruption proposals and administrative practices as agains t the standards set out in the c onventions. Upon completion of this process, Her Majesty’s Government will in turn coordinate with the United Nations and the OECD to make final arrangements for extension to Bermuda. I will continue to keep Honourable Members and the public informed as we make progress, and when completed, we will return to this Honourable House with a final announcement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Attorney General . The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Minister for Home Affairs. The Honourable P. J. Gordon- Pamplin, you have the floor. Hon. Pa tricia J. Gordon -Pamplin : Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning. 1836 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly CHANGES TO THE BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BOTC) PASSPORT PROCESS Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin : Mr. Speaker, a year ago, in May 2015, the former Minister of Home Affairs advised the general public of changes to …
Good morning.
1836 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly CHANGES TO THE BRITISH OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BOTC) PASSPORT PROCESS
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin : Mr. Speaker, a year ago, in May 2015, the former Minister of Home Affairs advised the general public of changes to the processing of British Overseas Territories citizen [BOTC ] passports . Such changes would see passport personali sation, printing , and dispatch of BOTC pas sports undertaken by Her Majesty’s Passport Office (that is HMPO) . The transfer of these functions was a mandate of the UK Government —a mandate that was imposed upon Bermuda and the following British Overseas Territories [ BOTs ]: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Mon tserrat, St. Helena, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The requirement to look at the pri nting of BOTC passports came as a result of the UK Gover nment, via the Identity and Passport Service (IPS), i ntroducing a new UK passport design with improved security measures for British citizens only . And that was done on October 5th, 2010. At June the 5th, 2015, the Ber muda Passport Office introduced • new application forms which were made availab le on the Immigration [Department’s] website; and • new guidelines for the issuance of emergency passports , which are being strictly adhered to. (The guidelines w ere standardis ed across all BOTs.)
The Department of Immigration, with respo nsibility for the Bermuda Passport Office, would like to inform its citizens about the changes to the BOTC passport process. From June 29th, 2016, passports for British Overseas Territories citizens will take up to four weeks to process from the date that an application is submi tted to the Bermuda Passport Office. Although the process for applying for and r eceiving a BOTC passport will not change, the passport will be printed by HMPO in the United Kingdom. Although the BOTC passport will be printed in the UK, the new style will continue to show Gover nment of Bermuda on the front cover. Also, any time left on an existing passport will be added to the new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. By printing these passports in the UK, British Overseas Territories citizens will receive the latest biometric version of the passport that is available to British nationals, which includes the highest level of internationally recognised s ecurity standards. Additionally, the Bermuda Passport Office will retain a stock of passports which can be printed on compassionate grounds, or for urgent Government business. Notwithstanding this, passport customers are reminded that they should not book travel without first ensuring that their passport is valid. Passport customers are also encouraged to submit their application well in advance of any planned travel dates. Likewise, BOTC passport holders who reside outside of Bermuda for any number of reasons must ensure that their passports are valid so that they are not pr evented from travelling at free will. Passport customers who hold any other Bri tish passport must check their name, place of birth , and date of birth within that passport before applyi ng for a BOTC passport. If their details have changed — for example, because of a recent marriage causing their name to change— they will also need to apply for a new BOTC passport. In order for the Bermuda Passport Office to adequately prepare for the chang es in the aforementioned printing processes, first -time passport customers must apply for a BOTC passport between 30 th of May and 23rd of June 2016, and those passports will be printed in Bermuda, with the current processing time of eight working days. Onl y passport customers whose passports have a validity of less than six months can apply for a new BOTC passport between 30 th of May and the 23rd of June. During this transition period, passport customers whose passports have a validity of six months or more will not be permitted to submit an application for a new BOTC passport to our Passport Office. All applications for BOTC passports submitted to the Department of Immigration after June 23, 2016, will be printed in the UK and will see a processing time of approximately four weeks. The BOTC passport application form can be found on the Government website ( www.gov.bm ), including guidelines for completing the form, Q&A, and a listing of the following passport fees: adults, including per sons over the age of 65 years —$160.00; c hild, under the age of 16 years —$80.00; r estricted validity , for compassionate [grounds] or urgent Government business —$127.00; Express Service , within one to seven days —$166.00. In summary, the key messages in this Minist erial Statement are: 1. From June 29th, 2016, Bermuda British O verseas Territories citizens will receive the latest biometric version of the pass port that is avai lable to British nationals , which includes the highest level of internationall y recognised s ecurity standards; 2. The new BOTC passport will take up to four weeks from the time that the application is submitted to the Bermuda Passport Office; 3. The Bermuda Passport Office will still have some older passports which they will print , but only on compassionate grounds or urgent Government business. These passport s will have restricted validity; 4. Should passport customers require a passport on compass ionate grounds or urgent Go vernment business, they will be required to apply for a full validity passport at the same time that they apply for the restricted validity pas sBermu da House of Assembly port. The full validity passport will be printed in the UK , and the restricted validi ty passport will be printed in the Bermuda Passport Office; 5. Passport customers are advised to submit their application well in advance of any planned travel dates. Time left on your exis ting passport up to nine months may be carried over to your new passport; 6. Only passport customers whose passports have a validity of less than six months may submit an application for a new BOTC pas sport up to 23 rd of June 2016; th at passport will be printed in Bermuda with in eight work ing days; 7. First-time passport customers may submit an application for a BOTC passport up to 23rd of June; that passport will be printed in Bermuda in eight working days.
For information and/or clarity on the changes to the processing of British O verseas Territories cit izen passports, the gener al public is encouraged to contact the Department of Immigration or visit the website at www.gov.bm . As an aside to all of the above, all Bermuda travellers are reminded of the requirement to have an Electronic Trav el Authoris ation (eTA) to fly to or transit through Canada. More information is available online via http://www.cic.gc.ca . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, thank you, Minister. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Minister of Health and Seniors. Minister Jeanne Atherden, you have the floor. $AVER THE FLAVOUR Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, it brings me great pleasure and pride to advise …
Thank you, thank you, Minister. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Minister of Health and Seniors. Minister Jeanne Atherden, you have the floor.
$AVER THE FLAVOUR
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden : Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, it brings me great pleasure and pride to advise this Honourable House of my Ministry’s latest wellness initiative. This one is particularly dear to me because its purpose is to help anyone on a tight budget to be able to have a healthy, nutritious diet. Mr. Speaker, this month the Ministry of H ealth and Seniors launched the $aver the Flavour : Eat Well for Less initiative. For the listening audi ence, I note that the first word is “saver ” written with a dollar sign to convey that this is about saving money, about hel ping any money -conscious persons keep dollars in their pocket, while having access to healthy, tasty , and n utritious food. Mr. Speak er, this exciting initiative is the result of a community partnership between the Department of Health, retail grocers , and local farmers and whol esalers, who have united to help residents have access to a healthy, balanced diet at an affordable price. Mr. Speaker, many of us are living on a budget and looking for ways to save money. Grocery shopping can be one of the biggest expenses for a household on a tight budget. Indeed, we often hear people bemoan that they would like to eat healthily , but it is too expensive. $aver the Flavour was conceived to address this community concern because we understand that good nutrition is fundament al to achieving our vision for Healthy People in Healthy Communities . This in itiative allows people the opportunity to reduce food expenses , yet still enjoy tasty and nutritious meals. Mr. Speaker, this is part of our broader strategy for a Well Bermuda; specifically, it is targeted at helping to combat the obesity epidemic that plagues our community. Mr. Speaker, I can expla in how the concept works: The Department of Health team, along with community retail partners, have put together a range of healthy foods that the grocers will offer in their line-up of weekly specials, which will be branded with the $aver the Flavour l ogo. The items are pre- vetted by our dieticians to ensure that they are part of a balanced diet and form part of a healthy food basket . Previous work by the Department of Statistics and Nutrition Services compiled a list of items that made up a healthy food basket, based on a 2, 205-calorie daily intake, and determined that a healthy food basket can be achieved l ocally for approximately $60 per adult, per week. By making the healthy food options more visible and accessible in the stores, $aver the Flavour intends to get more nutritious food into people’s weekly groceries. We encourage the public to seek out the $aver the Flavour branded items when they shop. Look for the $aver the Flavour logo in the weekly newspaper ads and in the grocery stores , as these flag the healthy affordable options. This will be esp ecially helpful for persons on limited budgets. This is very important because the whole purpose of the $aver the Flavour initiative is to make affordable healthy eating accessible. The goal is to ensure t hat a person can buy healthy foods that make balanced meals at an affordable price. Mr. Speaker, t his supports and complements other Ministry strategies to halt the rise of obesity and diabetes —for example, the Bermuda Daily Dietary Guidelines, the EatWel l Plate , and the School Lunch Competition. These initiatives, and more, aim to pr omote healthy eating. Mr. Speaker, although I believe all M embers of this Honourable House and many of the listening public are aware that [being] overweight and obesity are very significant problems in our community, I would like to reiterate this point. Our most recent health survey , STEPS to a Well Bermuda, found that three out of every four adults in our population are overweight or obese, and 15 per cent have diabetes. Additionally, the survey indicated that less than one in five of Bermuda’s adults get adequate daily fruits and vegetables in their diet. 1838 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, a ccess to healthy foods is a vital part of reversing these troubling trends, which is vitally important , because without good nutrition Bermuda cannot have healthier people. And although some people may see “ health” as a soft issue, I do not tire of reminding people, everyone, that health is actually one of the country’s most fundamental economic i ssues. Because without health , people cannot work. Without health, children cannot learn. Without health, teachers cannot teach, employees cannot deliver. An unhealthy workforce is an unproductive one. And an unhealthy ageing population is a very expensive one. Furth ermore, Mr. Speaker, the cost of treating the consequences of diseases related to [being] overweight and obesity places a large, unnecessary and wholly preventable financial burden on the country. If we are serious about fixing Bermuda, we are going to hav e to change our lifestyle habits. My Mini stry is working diligently to push Bermuda to better lif estyle choices. And, with $aver the Flavour, we are making sure healthy foods are accessible and affor dable. I encourage everyone to make healthy eating a par t of your daily routine and a way of life. First of all, you should r esearch easy, healthy meals . You need to lear n how to make simple healthy meals . You need to get everyone in the household involved. Meal plan for the week —have a healthy menu. Develop a budget based on your weekly plan. Prepare foods ahead of time, in bulk, that can be easily re- heated. And, of course, have an active lifestyle. Learning to eat well and to stay healthy will reap long- term div idends that all of Bermuda can benefit from. Importantly, Mr. Speaker, this is just part of a larger programme that we will see in later phases throughout the year, involving sample menus and meals, demonstrations of how easy they are to pr epare, and more. We want the public to get involved in learning that eating healthily is actually affordable and delicious. Mr. Speaker, I will add that staying physically active is the other fundamental component to healthy living, and I am delighted with the high er levels of participation in the many walks and races taking place in our community , including, for example, today’s Relay for Life and my Minist ry’s recent, highly successful Dance- Walk through Hamilton on Move More Day. Last, but by no means least, Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognis e and thank our par tners: • the Lindo’s Group of Companies ; • the Market Place; • Miles Market ; • the SuperMart ; • Arnold’s Markets ; • Harrington Hundreds ; • Butterfield & Vallis ; • Dunkley’s . Without their positive engagement and clear commitment to a healthier Bermuda, an initiative lik e this would not have been possible. However, by wor king together, we are making the healthy choice the easier choice for everyone. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. The Chair will now recognise the Minister for Social Development and Sports. Minister Sylvan Richards, you have the floor. BERMUDA DAY PARADE 2016 RESULTS Hon. Sylvan D. Richards, Jr. : Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of this House and the people of Bermuda, I …
Thank you, Minister. The Chair will now recognise the Minister for Social Development and Sports. Minister Sylvan Richards, you have the floor.
BERMUDA DAY PARADE 2016 RESULTS
Hon. Sylvan D. Richards, Jr. : Thank you Mr Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of this House and the people of Bermuda, I am most pleased to rise and express my gratitude to all of the partic ipants, float builders , and spectators for their work and support which contributed to a wonderful Bermuda Day Parade . I will also share the results of the judging for those who are not aware. Mr. Speaker, despite threats of very inclement weather, the sun did shine, if only for a few hours, and we were able to enjoy the f estivities of the day with our families and friends. Using the theme A Tapestry of Cultures , the float entries exhibited creativity. This year for the first time there was also a new category called Upcycled . This new category provided people with the opportunity to create floats from previously used and/or materials potentially destined for trash or recycling. Materials such as glass bottles, compact discs, milk cartons, old utensils, broken china, rec ycled clothing, newspapers, magazines, plastic bags , and other discarded materials all fall within this cat egory. It was a clever and creative way to put such di sused materials to good use. As the saying goes , One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! The Department of Corrections was awarded first prize in t his new category, Upcycled. This department created a really stunning float and used r ecyclable materials, as well as the coloured sawdust that was available for all floats. The Department of Corrections also received the Best Government D epartment Award. Mr. Speaker, please permit me to now share the rest of the results from the judges. The other award recipients are as follows: 1. Vasco da Gama Club/Portuguese Cultural Association received the Reggie Ming Award for the Most Beautiful Float. 2. Sandys Secondary Middle School received the Premier’s Award for Best Float, the Ruth Thomas Award for Best Heritage Float , and the DJ W illiams Award for Best School, Mi ddle. Sandys Secondary Middle School also received first prize in the Natural Heritage Float category. I wish to especially congrat ulate the Principal, Dr. Timothy Jackson, all the
Bermu da House of Assembly students, teachers , and parents for their excellent work and production. They should feel justly proud of these awards . Well done! And, Mr. Speaker, while I am on my feet, I just want everybody listening to remember these students from Sandys Middle who were involved in an accident, I believe it was yesterday, in Washington, DC. They were in two vans, and they collided. And they were taken to the hospital, so we wish them well and we keep them in our prayers. 1. Special Olympics Bermuda received the Mrs. J.J. Outerbridge Award for best individual en-try; and they won second place for the Natural Heritage Float category. 2. The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs received the Minis ter’s Aw ard for the most original float
I am most grateful to our parade judges , who are up early on Bermuda Day and have the often cha llenging and unenviable duty of deciding the recipients. The Lead Judge was Mrs. Nell Johnston, MBE ; Mr. Neville Richardson and Ms. DeShae DeShields. Thank you very much, judges , for your conscientious attention to details and for your critical eye. Mr. Speaker, t his year’s Bermuda Day Parade saw anot her first. In the past the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs has provided (for free) dried straw flowers to all parade participants interested in entering a float. However , this year the overseas supplier was not able to produce these materials because the major global supplier of straw flowers did not grow any last year. Undaunted by this challenge, the d epartment assessed other suitable natural materials that could be used on a float and observed that members of our Portuguese community create dyed sawdust carpets that are used in the festival of Santo Cristo. The P ortuguese– Bermudian Tradition Bearers shared the method of dying the saw dust; and the staff and i nmates at the Department of Corrections worked tir elessly to create the gorgeous colourful sawdust that adorned the floats in our Bermuda Day Parade. Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled by and proud of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the staff at the D epartment of Community and Cultural Affairs. By using the dyed saw dust, the department also saved money , as the cost of the dried straw flowers is considerably higher. I am also very grateful to the staff and inmates of the Department of Corrections for their hard work. Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, Bermuda Day is one of the most favourite holidays that are enjoyed by everyone. And the parade is an event that draws thousands of people to the streets of Hamilton every year. I am so grateful to the people of Bermuda for coming out. They were not deterred by the weather forecasts at all . The customary tradition of setting up camp at one’s favourite spot along the p arade route was still very much in ev i-dence from the night before. The throngs of people who lined the streets to watch the parade and cheer on their favourite group were a delight to see. The atmosphere was so festive! The camaraderie was wonderful . Everyone relaxed and had fun. That is what the Bermuda Day Parade is all about. As I take my seat, Mr. Speaker, I wish to let everyone know how grateful I am to our people for coming out and supporting the Bermuda Day Parade. Thank you all —parade participants, spectators, float makers, majorettes, dancers, carnival dancers , and all entrants —for continuing to take part in this event and for helping to keep this tradition and this holiday that we all love so much alive. And I would like to give a special mention to Gombey Warriors, who kept me going on the streets of Hamilton, and it was a blast, Mr. Speaker ! So, thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Thank you, Mini ster. The Chair will now recognise the Junior Mini ster for Tourism. Junior Minister Bascome, you have the floor. NEWPORT BERMUDA YACHT RACE Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome : Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Junior Minister of Tourism, I stand before …
All right. Thank you. Thank you, Mini ster. The Chair will now recognise the Junior Mini ster for Tourism. Junior Minister Bascome, you have the floor.
NEWPORT BERMUDA YACHT RACE
Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome : Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Junior Minister of Tourism, I stand before this Honourable House today to confirm that a large [and varied] fleet is expected for the 50 th Newport Bermuda Yacht Race in June 2016. Mr. Speaker, it has been confirmed that as of May 25th, there are 196 entries for the Newport/Bermuda race this year. This means that 2016 has one of the largest and most diverse fleet of monohull oceangoing boats since the event was founded in 1906. Mr. Speaker, only two other Ne wport/Bermuda races have been larger —the Centennial Race in 2006 with 263 boats, and the 2008 race with 197 boats. This will be the 50th Bermuda race, and it will start on June the 17th. Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda race Organising Committee, which runs the race for the Cruising Club of America and the R oyal Bermuda Yacht Club, expects that this large fleet will bring nearly 2,000 sailors from 26 countries to Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, please note that although 2,000 sailors will participat e in the race, there are many other family members and friends who will travel to Bermuda by air to participate in the post -race festivities in Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, all of the hotels in Bermuda are usually full during this time, and it is anticipated that there will once again be a high occupancy level this year. Therefore, both the economic impact of the Newport Bermuda [Yacht] Race, and most importantly, the long- standing friendships built over the 1840 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report B ermuda House of Assembly years remain invaluable, greatly appreciated in Bermuda. Mr. Speaker, this year also marks a significant milestone: The two organising clubs celebrate 90 years of collaborating to run the Bermuda race. Mr. Speaker, this Government congratulates everyone involved in the major achievement for this Newport Bermuda Yacht Race. Mr. Speaker, I would say thank you, sir.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are none. QUESTION PERIOD WRITTEN ANSWERS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSo that takes us to the Question P eriod. We will first deal with the questions that are on the Order Paper. And the first questions are to the Honourable E. T. Richards to provide written r esponses to parliamentary questions from the [Honourable] D. V. Burgess. The Permanent Secretary …
So that takes us to the Question P eriod. We will first deal with the questions that are on the Order Paper. And the first questions are to the Honourable E. T. Richards to provide written r esponses to parliamentary questions from the [Honourable] D. V. Burgess. The Permanent Secretary or the Financial Secretary has contacted the Clerk and in-formed that they are still working on t he questions, and the [answers] will be ready before next week. PAYROLL TAX, SOCIAL INSURANCE OUTSTANDING TO GOVERNMENT 1.Will the Honourable Minister please i nform this Honourable House how manyemployers who received payroll tax exemptions are presently in arrears regar ding payroll tax, social insurance deductions/contributions , and the amounts ou tstanding and payable to Government on behalf of their employees as at April 1 2013 – March 31, 2014;April 1, 2014 – March 31, 2015; April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016 . AIRPORT REDEVELOPMENT 2.Will the Honourable Minister please i nform this Honourable House of the totalsquare footage of the proposed newBermuda airport building redevelopment and the cost per square foot to complete?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 18, MP E. D. Burt.
Mr. E. David BurtGood morning, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Honourable Minister for Home Affairs. And the question is, Would the Honourable Minister please inform this Honourable House the money spent and progress to date on the system for the online registration and payment of dot -bm domain—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAh, it just says “written,” written questions.
Mr. E. David BurtYes, but it has a star next to it, so it is certainly an oral. I submitted it as “ oral.” It was submitted orally. All my questions were submitted orally.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWhat is it? [ Inaudible interjections] Hon. Patricia J. Gordon- Pamplin: I do have the a nswer. But hang on a second.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJust a second. I need to be clear. That is all I am saying. Everybody just wait until I get clear. [ Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWhat is it? The Clerk: The questions that have been sent out to the Honourable Patricia Gordon- Pamplin, it says here, “The above questions are for oral response Friday, May 27th, 2016.” Mistakenly, the e- mail stated “wri tten.” But the original questions did have a header —a footer, I …
What is it? The Clerk: The questions that have been sent out to the Honourable Patricia Gordon- Pamplin, it says here, “The above questions are for oral response Friday, May 27th, 2016.” Mistakenly, the e- mail stated “wri tten.” But the original questions did have a header —a footer, I should say, with “The above questions are for oral response.” But we do have the answers, so the Minister can respond orally.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Thank you. Thank you for that, Madam Clerk. You have the answers? Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: I do not have a copy right in front of me. It is just that I am a little . . . I am happy to do it if he can delay …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, yes. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Is that okay?
Mr. E. David BurtMr. Speaker, can I move on to my next question on the Order Paper?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, carry on. QUESTION 1 : AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT AGRE EMENT
Mr. E. David BurtThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Would the Minister of Finance please share with thi s Honourable House the minimum percentage of the r equired equity commitments to be contributed by Aecon Concessions according to section 6.3(c c) of the Airport Development Agre ement , and can he confirm the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the minimum percentage for required equity commitment to be contributed by A econ Concessions, according to section 6.3(cc) in the Airport Development Agreement is 35 per cent. And the second part of the question, I confirm that the …
Minister.
Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the minimum percentage for required equity commitment to be contributed by A econ Concessions, according to section 6.3(cc) in the Airport Development Agreement is 35 per cent. And the second part of the question, I confirm that the fi gure for the target IRR —and for the public’s edification, IRR means “ internal rate of return” —target IRR mentioned in the same section would be in line with similar infrastructure and airport deals with similar cons truction and air traffic risk, which Bermuda roughly est imates may be in the range of 15 [per cent] to 16 per cent.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Minister. Yes, MP Burt.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I appreciat e the Honourable Minister for his answer when he said that it may be in the range of 15 [per cent] to 16 per cent. Would the Honourable Minister please —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThis is a supplementary, right?
Mr. E. David BurtWould the Honourable Minister please clarify to this House if the return that is going to be earned on Aecon for this project of 15 [per cent] to 16 per cent, is that keeping in line w ith what would be the standard rate if we were to borrow the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: No.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. All right. MP Burt, again.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, c an I move on to my next question?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. QUESTION 2: www.gov.bm PORTAL
Mr. E. David BurtThank you. Mr. Speaker, would the Honourable Premier please inform this Honourable House the total amount spent on the new www.gov.bm portal, and if he would make a statement on the progress of the transferring of the substantial data and information from the old government portal to the new government …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The answer to the question by the Honourable Member is the total cost of the new portal was $600,143, and it was not my intention to make a for-mal statement on the progress of the transferring of the substantial data …
Honourable Premier.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The answer to the question by the Honourable Member is the total cost of the new portal was $600,143, and it was not my intention to make a for-mal statement on the progress of the transferring of the substantial data and information from the old go vernment portal to the new portal. However, Mr. Speaker, I can advise t hat the content for the new site has been rewritten. Not all content from the old government portal site will be put onto the new portal. There are a number of gover nment websites that are independent of gov.bm that are still in existence. The portal team is addressing each in turn and working with department heads to have the information rewritten for the new portal, with a target for the majority to be completed by the end of this calendar year.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Premier. Yes, MP Roban. 1842 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Mr. Walte r H. Roban: Yes, Mr. Speaker, supplementary.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSupplementary, yes. SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. Walter H. RobanAs the Premier has just stated in his answer, Mr. Speaker, that not all the information from the old site will be transferred to the new si te, would the Premier not agree this could be of some disadvantage to the public, who may be looking for historical information to …
As the Premier has just stated in his answer, Mr. Speaker, that not all the information from the old site will be transferred to the new si te, would the Premier not agree this could be of some disadvantage to the public, who may be looking for historical information to aid in their own understanding or information on government that has been traditionally available and has been very helpful t o the me mbers of the public?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, Mr. Speaker. The main reason why it was not done that way is because the old site had a number of different writing styles in the information that was put there. For t he new site, we tried to have it uniform. So …
Yes, Premier.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, Mr. Speaker. The main reason why it was not done that way is because the old site had a number of different writing styles in the information that was put there. For t he new site, we tried to have it uniform. So the basic information that was in the old site has been transferred, and we will continue to transfer other information that is appropriate.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Yes, MP Roban. You have a second suppl ementary?
Mr. Walter H. RobanThank you, Mr. Speaker , second supplementary. Would the Premier not agree that this still does not answer the issue of the public having access to government information which has traditionally been available, but now they will not have the opportunity to look at historical information because it will not …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, MP Roban. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, Mr. Speaker, I do not agree. And if the Honourable Member can give me some specific information, I am happy to take a look at it and talk to the people in that department and make sure that it is transferred …
Thank you, MP Roban.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, Mr. Speaker, I do not agree. And if the Honourable Member can give me some specific information, I am happy to take a look at it and talk to the people in that department and make sure that it is transferred over. Remember that the portal team has access to all the information on the old portal site. It has not been deleted. And if any informat ion needs to be transferred, it will be transferred and rewritten to suit the language that is on the new portal.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Thank you, Pr emier. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 21. MP Rolfe Commi ssiong, you have a supplementary question, do you? SUPPLEMENTARY
Mr. Rolfe CommissiongYes, I do, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Premier make a co mmitment to get the necessary information out there in the public domain that will better inform them of the current challenges and what is being done to remediate those challenges?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Before I answer the question, Mr. Speaker, I would like the Honourable Member to identify the challenges that he refers to.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Premier. MP.
Mr. Rolfe CommissiongAs has been outlined, pri ncipally the absence of data and some of the other r elated issues that are associated with that. Again, [I ask] just so that the public can have an idea and be informed of the challenges that are currently taking place in that regard.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMP, thank you. Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have through that department made a few public announcements about the progress we ha ve made. We are happy to deal with any issues that might arise. And as I told the Honourable Member, MP Roban, …
MP, thank you. Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have through that department made a few public announcements about the progress we ha ve made. We are happy to deal with any issues that might arise. And as I told the Honourable Member, MP Roban, if they have any specific challenges, as they refer to them, we can take them right to the team in that department and we can deal with them appr opriately. There have been people who have contacted the department directly about the time it takes them to access the various information. Remember, this portal works a little bit differently than the other one. It is a different way to access your information. And the department has been very open to try to help the public move through. But we will continue to communicate on any issues that might be had out there. But I am happy to have Members make sure that we can talk directly to the director of that department so we can understand exactly what challenges they refer to so we can specifically deal with those challenges.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Premier. Yes, MP Burt. You have a supplementary?
Mr. E. David BurtYes, Mr. Speaker. I have a su pplementary to the Honourable Premier. Bermu da House of Assembly The Speaker: Yes. SUPPLEMENTARY
Mr. E. David BurtIn his answer, the Honourable Premier said the total cost of the new portal was $600,143. Will the Honourable Premier please indicate to this House how much the original contract was signed for with the company that ended up developing this portal?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, if the Ho nourable Member would give me some time, I will look through my notes to see the exact contract price. I do not want to give an incorrect number at this time.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou have another supplementary? Hon. Michael J. Scott: Supplementary.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWill you let MP Burt finish his train of thought? Hon. Michael J. Scott: He is deferring, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHe is deferring. Is this a supplementary? All right. The Learned Member from constit uency 36. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Premier, is and/or was the problem aesthetics, or was it a technical incapacity for all data wr itten in the format that it is written not being capable …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I would say that it was mainly the latter. The old site had a number of different writing styles. For t he new site, we tried to make it uniform throughout. and the new site has a different look than the old site. And so …
Premier.
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I would say that it was mainly the latter. The old site had a number of different writing styles. For t he new site, we tried to make it uniform throughout. and the new site has a different look than the old site. And so far, I think we are pleased at the way it is being run and the number of hits to the site that we have had in about seven weeks.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. MP Scott. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Speaker, the Premier says it was mainly technical. So, for six months —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHe said “ mainly the latter. ” Hon. Michael J. Scott: The latter? Oh, so it was aesthetics.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. He said “ mainly th e latter .” Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thank you. I beg your pardon. I am not following “ former ” and “latter. ” Was the company that was tasked with this exercise Bermudian or foreign?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, the answer to that question is the company that was successful in the contract was foreign, but it was put out to RFP and there were 13 bids received. Six were from local companies.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Premier. MP Commissiong, you have already had your question, sir.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will hope that the Premier would be able to provide the answer to the question that I had asked before, and if not, then we can defer it until next week. I think it is important that the public know the exact price. …
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will hope that the Premier would be able to provide the answer to the question that I had asked before, and if not, then we can defer it until next week. I think it is important that the public know the exact price. My second supplementary, Mr. Speaker, t here have been a number of complaints that have come to my attention regarding the significant amount of data which used to exist on the government website which is no longer in existence. The Premier is asking for specifics. But we are talking about old r eports, old annual reports, numerous amounts of historical inform ation, guides that were produced for various individual government departments. There is an incredible amount of information which has not been transferred, which is the reason why I had asked if he would issue a statement on the progress. Could I ask the Honourable Premier if he will go back to this department and take a look at the vo lume of information, and at least come up with a plan so that the public can have access to the historical information that they have previously had access to for at least the last eight years?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMr. Premier. 1844 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, I have no problem with that, Mr. Speaker. But it would make the job much easier if Honourable Members on the other side had more information. They could deal directly with the …
Mr. Premier.
1844 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, I have no problem with that, Mr. Speaker. But it would make the job much easier if Honourable Members on the other side had more information. They could deal directly with the director in that department, and we could work to put it up as soon as possible.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Thank you, Pr emier. So, if Honourable Members can get together and pass more information on, it might be helpful. All right. Thank you. Yes, Honourable Member. Yes. So we will go back now to the question that the Honourable Member from constituency 18 has for …
Mr. E. Da vid BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, w ould the Honourable Minister please inform this Honourable House the money spent and progress to date on the system for the online registration and payment of dot-bm domain names, and if she will m ake a statement to this Ho nourable …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerCarry on, Minister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speak er, for the Fiscal Year 2015/16 the amount of $55,000 for capital acquisition has been allotted to the Registry General Department for the purchase of a new domai n name registration system. To date, $10,000 of …
Carry on, Minister.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speak er, for the Fiscal Year 2015/16 the amount of $55,000 for capital acquisition has been allotted to the Registry General Department for the purchase of a new domai n name registration system. To date, $10,000 of the funds allocated have been paid to Affiliates, Ltd., the vendor of the new system. Under the Registry Services Agreement, a $10,000 set-up fee was required upon the signing of the contract. On the 28 th of August 2015, the contract was duly signed by the Registry General and Affiliates. Weekly conference calls are held (this is in terms of the progress ) between the Registry General, ITO, and Affiliates Ltd . to discuss and understand policies and processes with the migration of data and the implementation of the ne w system. The go- live date has been pushed back due to issues with data extraction, which had been frustrating and time- consuming. The projected date of completion is the 30 th of June. Under the current sy stem, payments for a dot -bm domain name are made either in person at the Registry General Office or via direct deposit to an account held at HSBC. Once the new system has been installed, all payments will be made online via credit card. Payments include both the initial registration fee of $100 and the annual r enewal fee of $65.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThanks, Minister. MP Burt. SUPPLEMENTARIES
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank t he Honourable Minister for her answer, and noting the delay of this particular project. Will the Honourable Minister please state if there are any other fees to be paid to this company? We see that it was a $10,000 set -up …
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank t he Honourable Minister for her answer, and noting the delay of this particular project. Will the Honourable Minister please state if there are any other fees to be paid to this company? We see that it was a $10,000 set -up fee and $55,000 total allocated. Is there any other amount which will go to this company for this project?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Yes, Mr. Speaker. There will be some monthly or annual fees required under the contract that must be paid to the vendor. Under the contract entered, the Registry General would have to pay affiliates $10.95 per domain trans-action for new registration, renewal and transfer …
Minister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Yes, Mr. Speaker. There will be some monthly or annual fees required under the contract that must be paid to the vendor. Under the contract entered, the Registry General would have to pay affiliates $10.95 per domain trans-action for new registration, renewal and transfer per month once the system goes live—$10.95 for each transaction once it goes live.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Honourable Minister for her answer. And not to take up too much time, I would ask the wonderful Mi nister if she would consider sharing the contract and/or tabling it just so we can view the particulars of that particular thing. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: I will be happy to do so, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 35. MP D. P. Lister, you have the floor. QUESTION 1: VICTORIA ROW DEMOLITION Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the first question is to the Minister for [Public Works }, Minister Cannonier. Would the Honourable …
The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 35. MP D. P. Lister, you have the floor.
QUESTION 1: VICTORIA ROW DEMOLITION
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the first question is to the Minister for [Public Works }, Minister Cannonier. Would the Honourable Minister please update this Honourable House on the current demoli tion of the Victoria Row homes in Dockyard , and what was the Government’s rationale for such actions ?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me just first say that the Victoria Row demolition project consists of three blocks. It is broken up into two phases currently, one being the asbestos abatement, the removal of asbestos internal and external; and …
Minister.
Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let me just first say that the Victoria Row demolition project consists of three blocks. It is broken up into two phases currently, one being the asbestos abatement, the removal of asbestos internal and external; and then, of course, razing the building itself, demolishing the buildings themselves. As of current date, one of the blocks has already —well, sorry. Two of the blocks, the asbestos has been removed and abated. And one of the blocks has been completely demolished. The third is about 60 per cent of the way as far as the asbest os abat ement is concerned, and we anticipate that by midJune, we should be on the way with the razing of the second and third buildings. The second part to that question is, What was the Government’s rationale for such action? And es-sentially, what I can say is that the board, WEDCO Board has exhausted just about every resource that it had available to them, as far as going out to Request for Information, trying to find potential investment for the Victoria Row area. And so, after extensively seeking out alternatives, to being able to potentially ren ovate the buildings, WEDCO have felt that they have — and we have as well, in conjunction with them, agreeing that they have exhausted just about every possibi lity there was for them to find a financial way forward for these buildings. Let me also add to that that, in the meantime, these buildings continued to fall by the wayside. We had several hurricanes that, in addition to that, wreaked havoc on these buildings. And it was a health and safety issue, as well.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. MP Lister. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Dennis P. Lister: It would be nice if the Minister . . . would the Minister be able to give us, Mr. Speak er, some indication of what was the extensive investigation that was done to get us to this point? You said the board exhausted itself …
Yes.
SUPPLEMENTARY
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: It would be nice if the Minister . . . would the Minister be able to give us, Mr. Speak er, some indication of what was the extensive investigation that was done to get us to this point? You said the board exhausted itself in trying to find other access for the buildings . I would just like to be made aware of what some of that was.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, they met with the historical stak eholders, local historical stakeholders, sharing in recent engineering calculations for the restoration. They were seeking out assistance from potential financial av e-nues, and WEDCO approached local lending instit utions as well. And so these …
Minister.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly, they met with the historical stak eholders, local historical stakeholders, sharing in recent engineering calculations for the restoration. They were seeking out assistance from potential financial av e-nues, and WEDCO approached local lending instit utions as well. And so these were some of the areas that they had gone out seeking. As I said already, in addition to that, putting it out to RFI, as well.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The Chai r will recognise now the Honourable Member from constituency 16. MP Weeks, do you have a supplementary?
Mr. Michael A. WeeksCan t he Minister inform this House as to whether or not the residents of Victoria and Albert Row have been consulted? And if so, the residents, the tenants, have they been consulted, and what is their position about these places being demol-ished?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Victoria Row does not have any tenants. There are no tenants. They have all been moved. Yes.
Mr. Michael A. WeeksOkay, well, let me rephrase that, Mr. Speaker. I remember clearly a while bac k that there was a lot of hoopla and uproar as to saving those places. So my question then is, what is the position of the current WEDCO Chairman? Because he led the charge of trying …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Minister. Hon. L . Craig Cannonier: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do recall there was a lot of action going around. And the then- Minister of Public Works was under a lot of scrutiny over the issue of Victoria Row. I would say that the board member whom …
Yes, Minister.
Hon. L . Craig Cannonier: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do recall there was a lot of action going around. And the then- Minister of Public Works was under a lot of scrutiny over the issue of Victoria Row. I would say that the board member whom he is talking abou t, I do not believe that his position has changed. His position was always to represent the people of Victoria Row. It was their request that they see the buildings potentially renovated. However, as I have already stated, and I believe that this is part of his statement as well, as a board member (because I have spoken with the board) that their decision, including him as the board member, the Chairman of the Board, that they have extended and exhausted just about every avenue they could find to save the buildings .
1846 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: All right. Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 29.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Minister, this demolition, has this been agreed to by all of the current Cabinet and your current caucus?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: I am not sure if it would be fair to speak on behalf of the caucus in this for um here. But Cabinet is aware of the demolition of these buildings.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Supplementary.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Okay. The reason I asked that, Mr. Speaker, is because almost four years to today, on May 25 th, 2012, the then- Minister Michael Weeks brought a Ministerial Statement to this House. And the Opposition on the other side was almost unanimous. In …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe are not having a speech, Honourable Member. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: No, no, no.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet’s get to your question quickly, please. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Okay. My question is, Mr. Speaker, during that time, Dr. Grant Gibbons in particular said that he had been to the occupants of the homes up there, and everyone on that side was tal king about how …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd your question? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: As opposed to . . . so my question is, Why has the current Minister and the current Cabinet changed their mind s over something that they were very, very strongly against with regard to demolition as opposed to renovation?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe I have already answered that question. You know, it is just asking it in a different way. I have given our reasons as to why it is being demolished, already.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, sir. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 33. MP Simmons, yes.
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsIn reference to the Chai rman of WEDCO, would the Honourable Minister agree that the promises that were made to the then- tenants of Victoria Row have not been kept?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I would not say that at all. As I stated ea rlier, and if you could go through the periodicals that were written you will see he has always maintained the fact that he was representing the people of Vict …
Minister.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, I would not say that at all. As I stated ea rlier, and if you could go through the periodicals that were written you will see he has always maintained the fact that he was representing the people of Vict oria Row who were hoping to stay in those units. So he has not changed his mind. I will say that the result has culminated into being the same as when you were Government. I will agree to that. But he has not changed his mind.
The Sp eaker: Thank you.
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsWould the Honourable Mi nister be willing to repudiate the attacks that were made upon the former Minister in reference to the promises that have been broken by the member of WEDCO?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, yes, yes. That is really not . . . that is not . . .
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsWould the Honourable Mi nister agree that the criticisms levied by his Chairman of WEDCO be considered unfair based on the outcome that has resulted?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Minister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: No. Bermu da House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Yes, Honourable Member Weeks.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member, you have had two supplementaries. Honourable Member, you have had two. Please take your seat. [Inaudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Chair will recognise the Learned Member from constituency 36. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, could the Minister of Public Works inform this House whether he has been in r eceipt of a letter from Dr. Ann Coats of the—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSorry. I missed that. Go ahead. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Has the Minister of Public Works been in receipt of a letter from Dr. Ann Coats , (as in the jacket ) of the Naval Dockyard Society of the United Kingdom as of May 18 th?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you. No. I do not believe a letter has been sent to myself. But I am aware of the letter.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Yes, MP Scott. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thank you. Supplementary. Being aware of the plea in the letter to hold the demolition, is the Minister ignoring the plea of the Naval Dockyard Society of the United Kingdom?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, not at all. In fact, there were many incorrect statements made by them. But, no.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. No, you have had your supplementaries, Honourable Member. The next question, I go to the Member from constituency 35 for question number 2, to the Minister. QUESTION 2: VICTORIA ROW DEMOLITION Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Honourable …
All right. Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. No, you have had your supplementaries, Honourable Member. The next question, I go to the Member from constituency 35 for question number 2, to the Minister.
QUESTION 2: VICTORIA ROW DEMOLITION
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Would the Honourable Minister please inform this Honourable House as to the total cost of demolishing these homes and how is this cost being paid?
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The total cost is $331,400. The breakdown of that is; for the asbestos ab atement, $201,400; and for the razing of the buildings, $130,000. That is to Smith Hauling and A&E Management .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. MP Lister. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you for that answer, Minister. Minister, in light of the comments m ade just now, in reference to the fact that —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThis is a supplementary, right? Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Yes, supplementary. Sorry,
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerIt is all right. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Supplementary. Your previous comments made light of the fact that [you have] basically [come to] the same conclusion where the former Government was in regard to this. This stand is an unnecessary expense in a sense in that this expense would …
It is all right.
SUPPLEMENTARY
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Supplementary. Your previous comments made light of the fact that [you have] basically [come to] the same conclusion where the former Government was in regard to this. This stand is an unnecessary expense in a sense in that this expense would have been included in the original package t hat the former Government had put into the demolishing and the building of the new homes. So would the Minister admit these funds could have been covered by a different method had the current Government followed the former Government’s plan?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. No, not at all. In fact, the former Government was looking to spend $36 million. So, no. 1848 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: All right. Yes. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from …
Mr. Michael A. WeeksYes. Mr. Speaker, just for clarity, it was not that $36 million was for any demolition. And it was for the homes, it was for the sewage plants —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member, you are not ma king a speech. Let’s get to a question.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLet’s get to a question, Honourable Member.
Mr. Michael A. WeeksOkay. Well, the question is, Are you saying that the former Government was going to use $36 mil lion to demolish those homes? Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, that is not the question that he asked. So that is not what I was saying. I answered the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Honourable Mini ster. T hank you, Minister. MP Lister. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Supplementary, then.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. SUPPLEMENTAR Y Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Mr. Speaker, the $36 million that had been put on into the conversation included 100 homes, 100 homes that would have bee n built in Dockyard to replace the homes that were demolished. That is what the $ 36 [million] was for. Yes, …
Yes.
SUPPLEMENTAR Y
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Mr. Speaker, the $36 million that had been put on into the conversation included 100 homes, 100 homes that would have bee n built in Dockyard to replace the homes that were demolished. That is what the $ 36 [million] was for. Yes, the demol ition would have been included, and there would not have been $36 million just to demolish homes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd your question? Hon. De nnis P. Lister: Saying that, Mr. Speaker, will the Minister now admit that this was money that could have been spent better had they completed the original plan?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Minister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Not at all. No.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. MP Lister. QUESTION 3: VICTORIA ROW DEMOLITION Hon. Dennis P. Lister: The third question, Mr.
SpeakerThe SpeakerWould the Honourable Minister please explain to this Honourable House how the present demolishing of these homes differs from the former PLP Government’s plans to demolish the same housing units , which was heavily criticis ed and rejected by the then- OBA Opposition and then rejected by the OBA Government? …
Would the Honourable Minister please explain to this Honourable House how the present demolishing of these homes differs from the former PLP Government’s plans to demolish the same housing units , which was heavily criticis ed and rejected by the then- OBA Opposition and then rejected by the OBA Government?
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we have kind of jumped the gun. We kind of answered this question already. But I will go back to it. The difference, at the end of the day, was that every viable solution to avoid having to raze these buildings we believe has now been completed. Other than the difference of the four years, I have already agreed that we have come to the same conclusion, that the buildings do need to come down. I will be the first one to agree to that. The buildings do need to come down. The difference is that we exhausted every possible other avenue that we were not aware of that had taken place before in order to save the buildings.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Minister. Yes, MP Lister. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Supplementary.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Dennis P. Lister: The Minister just stated the only difference bet ween now and then is four years, which means that the same viable exercise that was conducted by the current board was conducted by the former board and the former Government. So would the Minister now …
Yes.
SUPPLEMENTARIES
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: The Minister just stated the only difference bet ween now and then is four years, which means that the same viable exercise that was conducted by the current board was conducted by the former board and the former Government. So would the Minister now admit that the form er Government was correct in the position that it was taking four years ago?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have already stated, the difference was that there were more opportunities that were taken by the c urrent board to look at other options that we knew had not happened. So after having exhausted those avenues, we have come …
Minister.
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I have already stated, the difference was that there were more opportunities that were taken by the c urrent board to look at other options that we knew had not happened. So after having exhausted those avenues, we have come to the conclusion that the buildings do now need to come down, and are.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Supplementar y, Mr. Speaker. Bermu da House of Assembly
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Knowing the amount of energy that was exhausted by the former board to reach the same conclusion, can the Minister clearly give us some definition as to what was the difference of i nformation that t hey found that is different from what the former …
Yes.
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Knowing the amount of energy that was exhausted by the former board to reach the same conclusion, can the Minister clearly give us some definition as to what was the difference of i nformation that t hey found that is different from what the former board had found?
Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: As I have already stated, other institutions had been sought out. An RFI went out to seek out alternatives to the buildings. So at the end of the day, we believe it has been exhausted, and we have already agreed that both of us, both sides of this aisle believe that the buildings needed to be razed.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Yes, MP Weeks. SUPPLEMENTAR Y
Mr. Michael A. WeeksCan the Mi nister, can the Honourable Minister clearly articulate what other o ptions were utilised by the current board? Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have already answered that two questions ago.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. I think he just answered. He a nswered that already. Yes. Maybe you do not like the answer, so the allowance is not appropriate for you, but—
Mr. Michael A. WeeksNo, I do not like the answer, Mr. Speaker. And it is not appropriate for me.
Mr. Michael A. WeeksCan the Honourable Minister admit then that this exercise is just another example of broken promises by this OBA Government, because they promised the people— [Inaudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. That is all right. Thank you. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Minister. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier: Mr. Speaker, the question has already been asked.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Thank you, thank you. We now move to . . . the next questions to the Honourable Premier have been deferred to next week. That is written responses [to] MP Roban. And there was a challenge here in the House in terms of getting the questions …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerRight. Yes. So we will ensure that you will have those next week. We now move to the Premier’s Cabinet Office Statement. And the Chair will recognise the Honour-able Member from constituency 18, MP David Burt. QUESTION 1: CABINET OFFICE TEMPORARY R ELOCATION
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Honourable Premier is that the Honourable Premier in his Stat ement said that the office, the Cabinet Office is temporarily relocating to Innovation House, which is owned by a former One Bermuda Alliance officer. Would the Honourable Premier …
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Honourable Premier is that the Honourable Premier in his Stat ement said that the office, the Cabinet Office is temporarily relocating to Innovation House, which is owned by a former One Bermuda Alliance officer. Would the Honourable Premier please advise this Honourable House how much is going to be paid to that company for that rental, and whether or not any other alternative accommodations were sought, in addition to any other Government offices ?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Those details are with the Cabinet Secretary. I am happy to give full details to the Honourable Member when they are finalised. But in answer to looking at other offices, yes, there were other offices that were looked at.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much. I thank the Honourable Minister for his answer. And pursuant to Standing Orders, I give notice that I will ask the Honourable Premier to provide that information at our next time of sitting.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. 1850 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Chair will recognise the Honourable and Learned Member from constituency 36, MP Michael Scott. [Crosstalk ] Hon. Michael J. Scott: Can I defer?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. You have a second question then? QUESTION 2: CABINET OFFICE TEMPORARY R ELOCATION
Mr. E. David BurtYes, Mr. Speaker, I have a s econd question. Mr. Speaker, following up on the Honourable Premier’s Statement regarding the relocation of the Cabinet Office, would the Honourable Premier please advise if all of his Ministers from his recent Cabinet shuffle have also been able to be successfully relocated with …
Mr. E. David BurtCan the Honourable Premier please clarify if the other Ministers from the recent Cabinet shuffle have also been able to find office space?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Premier? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, even though some of it is going to be temporary, Mr. Speaker, because o bviously, there was a new Ministry that was created. And so, offices have to be dealt with in that regard. And so, in the short -term, there will be …
Okay. Premier?
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, even though some of it is going to be temporary, Mr. Speaker, because o bviously, there was a new Ministry that was created. And so, offices have to be dealt with in that regard. And so, in the short -term, there will be some temporary location, and then there will be a more permanent location once all the opportunities have been looked at for Ministers and their staff to be in certain areas and assigned in an appropriate fashion.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Thank you. You have a supplementary? Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Supplementary, yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMP Lister, from constituency 35. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Premier, you indicated that the housing right now is temporary. My question to you then is that, once it is resolved, will the Minister be housed in his appropriate Ministry office?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, the Ministers will be housed in appropriate places, yes.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Honourable Premier for —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou have a supplementary? SUPPLEMENTARY
Mr. E. David BurtYes, a supplementary. I thank the Honourable Premier for his earlier answer. Will the Honourable Premier please advise this Honourable House if the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Municipalities has in fact moved to be with the rest of his Mini stry staff, or is he still holding out in …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, no Minister is “holding out ” in any location.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The Chair will rec ognise now MP Lister. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Premier, in light of your answer, can you confirm then that the Minister of Transport and Tourism is housed in the Ministry Office down at the headquarters toward TCD [Transport …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Beg your pardon?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Oh, he is asking me to repeat it, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, go ahead. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: The questi on, Mr. Premier, is that in light of your last comment, can you confirm then that the Minister responsible for transportation is now housed at the Ministry Office at the TCD building, which has an office there for the Minister? Bermu …
Yes, go ahead.
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: The questi on, Mr. Premier, is that in light of your last comment, can you confirm then that the Minister responsible for transportation is now housed at the Ministry Office at the TCD building, which has an office there for the Minister?
Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: There is an office there for the former Minister of Tourism and Transport. It is a new Ministry now, and we are still looking at appropr iate accommodations for all the ministerial staff.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 29, MP Zane De Silva. QUESTION 1: CABINET OFFICE TEMPORARY R ELOCATION Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Premier, in light of your statement regar ding the Ministers’ moving to temporary offices, …
All right. Thank you. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 29, MP Zane De Silva.
QUESTION 1: CABINET OFFICE TEMPORARY R ELOCATION Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Premier, in light of your statement regar ding the Ministers’ moving to temporary offices, are these temporary offices in the private sector? Or are they in the public sector?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I will have to confirm one location, because I am not sure where the Minister of the Environment is going to be housed. But I beli eve it is a private sector office. But I would have to confirm that.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Yes, MP De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Supplementary, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, and thank y ou for that, Premier. And once you have got that confirmed, can you also confirm what is the rate per square foot that that Minister is paying for that space? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I would be happy …
Yes.
SUPPLEMENTARY
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, and thank y ou for that, Premier. And once you have got that confirmed, can you also confirm what is the rate per square foot that that Minister is paying for that space?
Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I would be happy to. But I believe the location in question has already been u nder a lease by Government for some time. But I will double- check that.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you very much. Okay. MP Scott, did you have a question? QUESTION 1: CABINET OFFICE TEMPORARY R ELOCATION Hon. Michael J. Scott: To the Premier, really, and to the Minister of Finance: Are these machinations ones that the Minister of Finance is happy with, given the excess …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerPremier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I would not agree with the comment of “excess cost of new office space. ” But the Minister of Finance is kept up to detail on all of this. And yes, it is an approach we have to take.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Yes, MP Burt, a supplementary? SUPPLEMENTARY
Mr. E. David BurtAbsolutely, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, does the Honourable Premier consider it appropriate for the proper functioning of his Government that the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Municipalities is not at the same place as his Permanent Secretary and is currently sharing an of-fice with the Minister of Home Affairs?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: They are not sharing an office, Mr. Speaker. [Laughter] Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: That is getting a little bit too friendly. But let me [assure you] that the Minister and the Permanent Secretary continue to work very closely together.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. All right. Any other questions on that? No, we have no more questions on the Premier’s Statement. So we move now to the Statement by the Honourable Attorney General. And the Chair will recognise the Learned Member from constituency 36, MP Michael Scott. Yes, it is …
All right. Thank you. All right. Any other questions on that? No, we have no more questions on the Premier’s Statement. So we move now to the Statement by the Honourable Attorney General. And the Chair will recognise the Learned Member from constituency 36, MP Michael Scott. Yes, it is for the Attorney General ’s Statement.
Hon. Michael J. Scott: On reflection, having read that Statement, the question was contained in the Stat ement. I withdraw. The answer was contained in the Statement.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Okay. Thank you very much, Honourable Member. So we move now to the Statement by the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, with reference to passports . And the Chair will recognise first the Honourable Member from constituency 17. Sorry, it should be the Member from constit uency 15, …
Mr. Walter H. RobanThank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank my honourable colleague of [constituency] 17 for deferring to myself. 1852 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: Well, you should go first because you are the Shadow Minister anyway.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou do not have to thank him. You need to thank the Speaker who gives you the opportunity to speak. [Laughter]
Mr. Walter H. RobanThank you, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to ask the question.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Carry on, Honourable Member. Carry on. QUESTION 1: CHANGES TO THE BRITISH OVE RSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BOTC) PASSPORT PROCESS
Mr. Walter H. RobanMr. Speaker, the question to the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs: What assurances has the Minister received in light of her Stat ement, which said that the new BOTC passports will take up to four weeks (this is on page 4) from the time the application is submitted to the …
Mr. Speaker, the question to the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs: What assurances has the Minister received in light of her Stat ement, which said that the new BOTC passports will take up to four weeks (this is on page 4) from the time the application is submitted to the Bermuda Passport Office? What assurances does the Minister have from Her Majesty’s Government that applications properly submitted will be processed and returned wit hin the four-week time? And if not, will any remedies be afforded those applicants for any late delivery?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the four -week period of time is a standard period of t ime within which is it is anticipated that the applications will be made and the final product will be returned. Obviously, we are encouraging people to …
Minister.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the four -week period of time is a standard period of t ime within which is it is anticipated that the applications will be made and the final product will be returned. Obviously, we are encouraging people to look and not to hold anybody to a four -week time frame, because things can happen. But certainly, that is the standard time that we anticipate to be appropriate. So, no, there is not likely to be any remedy. I think people have to take the initiative to ensure that their documents are in order and to allow themselves appropriate time to make the necessary application.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThanks, Minister. MP Roban again.
Mr. Walter H. RobanPerhaps, in light of the Mini ster’s answer, would the Minister be aware that there is a well -known publicly reported statement from Her Majesty’s Government that they have a backlog of their own passport processing within the UK? And I believe it is probably Peterborough which is the loc …
Perhaps, in light of the Mini ster’s answer, would the Minister be aware that there is a well -known publicly reported statement from Her Majesty’s Government that they have a backlog of their own passport processing within the UK? And I believe it is probably Peterborough which is the loc ation where they do most of their international and al l of their passport processing. Would the Minister agree that, in light of that situation, we have to ensure that despite the assurances of the four -week time that the Minister said is the time that it should happen, that may not happen because already there is a backlog situation present with Her Majesty’s Government?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Minister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you for that question, Mr. Speaker. The only thing I can say is that we do not know whether there have been any specific resources that may have been allocated towards en-suring that the Overseas Territories passports are done over and …
Thank you. Minister.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you for that question, Mr. Speaker. The only thing I can say is that we do not know whether there have been any specific resources that may have been allocated towards en-suring that the Overseas Territories passports are done over and above what the UK are doing for the backlog that they may be experiencing. I am not familiar with the specifics of the Honourable Member’s question. But certainly I can do some further investigation to determine.
Mr. Walter H. RobanWould the Minister not agree that it will be very important to ensure, since based on your announcement that anybody who makes a pas sport application now may not get it until July, that we have assurances from Her Majesty’s Government that the process will be done, and that persons …
Would the Minister not agree that it will be very important to ensure, since based on your announcement that anybody who makes a pas sport application now may not get it until July, that we have assurances from Her Majesty’s Government that the process will be done, and that persons who may be making applications know that they are facing not the eight -day period turnaround, but a four -week tur naround?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Let me reiterate, Mr. Speaker, that anybody who is making an applic ation up until the 23 rd of June will be able to have their passport still done, printed in Bermuda. And they will be able to have the eight -day turnaround that …
Minister.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Let me reiterate, Mr. Speaker, that anybody who is making an applic ation up until the 23 rd of June will be able to have their passport still done, printed in Bermuda. And they will be able to have the eight -day turnaround that has been historical. So that still obtains. And that would be for people whose passports have less than six months’ validity. So people who have longer periods of time and they need to make new passport applications, we are just asking people
Bermu da House of Assembly to exercise planning in terms of ensuring that their passport applications have gone in and that they have the necessary time. We do not want any body to be left in a situation where travel becomes difficult because they do not have the necessary documentation. I will certainly do further investigation in terms of the Member’s concern about the backlog at Peterborough. And if it is likely to impact on the ability of our citizens to receive their documentation within the four -week standardised period, we will certainly be able to find out some more information on that.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Yes. MP—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. QUESTION 2: CHANGES TO THE BRITISH OVE RSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BOTC) PASSPORT PROCESS
Mr. Walter H. RobanBefore I start, Mr. Speaker, I will declare my interests. I was at one point, in a pr evious life, not only a passpor t officer processing pas sports for the British Government, but also I worked at the current Passport Office. So I have some know ledge of this …
Before I start, Mr. Speaker, I will declare my interests. I was at one point, in a pr evious life, not only a passpor t officer processing pas sports for the British Government, but also I worked at the current Passport Office. So I have some know ledge of this area. So I do not want to put the Minister at any disadvantage due to that. Second question, Mr. Speaker: Will the Mini ster make a commitment to have a thorough public education campaign to ensure that our Bermuda ap-plicants are familiarised with these significant changes which could, potentially, disrupt their future travel plans?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patri cia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Absolutely.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 29, MP De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a supplementary for the Minister.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Minister, has there been any consideration to giving our seniors a muchneeded break with regard to renewals of their pas sports?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: At the moment, the fees are as set out (and I mentioned them) in the Statement. That is the position at the moment.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The Chair will recognise . . . I thought MP Simmons wanted to get up. But, MP, do you have a question or just a supplementary on this? Your question, yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou have another question? All right. Then let us have your next question. QUESTION 3: CHANGES TO THE BRITISH OVE RSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BOTC) PASSPORT PROCESS
Mr. Walter H. RobanMy last question, Mr. Speaker: Would the Minister agree that this new process which we know has been coming for quite some time is an unfortunate, total deterioration or somewhat of a det erioration of our sovereign position as a self -governing territory?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you. I am not sure that I can agree that it is a det erioration. One of th e challenges that exists, Mr. Speaker, is that the world has changed with respect to security and terrorism and the like. And I think that …
Minister.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you. I am not sure that I can agree that it is a det erioration. One of th e challenges that exists, Mr. Speaker, is that the world has changed with respect to security and terrorism and the like. And I think that we are the beneficiaries of a now -standardised proces sing process in which there is a biometric element to new passports that helps to enhance security. So while it might be that, no, we are not able to print these at home as we historically have done, we certainly will have that security element that is b asically a new standard.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, you have a supplement ary? SUPPLEMENTARY
Mr. Walter H. RobanSupplementary, and my last question. Would the Minister not agree that this new process is more so rather than being a result of modernisation, is actually being inflicted on the Overseas Territories because of faults by Her Majesty’s Government, not by the Overseas Territories themselves, 1854 27 May 2016 Official …
Supplementary, and my last question. Would the Minister not agree that this new process is more so rather than being a result of modernisation, is actually being inflicted on the Overseas Territories because of faults by Her Majesty’s Government, not by the Overseas Territories themselves, 1854 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly in the handling and management of the processing of passports?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: I am not sure that the Overseas Territories have initiated any challenges for themselves. But according to the Statement, the requirement to look at printing came as a result of the UK Government, via the Identity and Passport Service, the IPS. They introduced a …
Minister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: I am not sure that the Overseas Territories have initiated any challenges for themselves. But according to the Statement, the requirement to look at printing came as a result of the UK Government, via the Identity and Passport Service, the IPS. They introduced a new UK passport design with improved security meas ures, for British citizens only, on October of 2010. And then we su bsequently initiated the various things that we are now doing and implementing in order to be able to give rise to having the new biometrically coded passport.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Hono urable Member. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 17. MP Walton Brown, you have the floor.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morning. QUESTION 1: CHANGES TO THE BRITISH OVE RSEAS TERRITORIES CIT IZEN (BOTC) PASSPORT PROCESS
Mr. Walton BrownMr. Speaker, is the Honourable Minister at all concerned that this decision by the United Kingdom Government represents yet further incremental dissolution of power back to the UK and actually runs in contras t to the powers under our Co nstitution?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: If he could just repeat the last part of the question to make it clear?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Would you do it again, please, sir?
Mr. Walton BrownThat it represents incremental dissolution of power back to the UK; are you concerned about that? And also the fact that, under our Constitution, we have full authority, which has now been devolved back to the UK, over the issuance of passports.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you. The concern that I have at the moment, the immediate concern, is that we are acting in accordance with what is now the new norm for standards with ensuring that our citizens have the biometric identification on the passports. That is the …
Minister.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you. The concern that I have at the moment, the immediate concern, is that we are acting in accordance with what is now the new norm for standards with ensuring that our citizens have the biometric identification on the passports. That is the challenge that we have to face. We are required to have pas sports be in this new format. In terms of an overall structure and devolution of powers back to the UK, that is something that is not being considered. This has been imposed upon us by the HMPO, Her Majesty’s Passport Office. We are acquiescing to that request to ensure that we are in conformity.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Yes, MP Brown again.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. QUESTION 2: CHANGES TO THE BRITISH OVE RSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BOTC) PASSPORT PROCESS
Mr. Walton BrownWill the Honourable Minister, at a very minimum, commit to working with the other Overseas Territories to develop what was once proposed as a regional initiative to issue these passports? That it could be the responsibility of the Overseas Territ ories as a group, based on the economies of scale …
Will the Honourable Minister, at a very minimum, commit to working with the other Overseas Territories to develop what was once proposed as a regional initiative to issue these passports? That it could be the responsibility of the Overseas Territ ories as a group, based on the economies of scale and cost to manage the biometric issuance of these pas sports? This is what was proposed in the past. The UK had ignored it. Will the Minister at least commit to investigating that option?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: I think there is no harm in having a look at that if that is an option. But I think the way that things stand at the moment this has been a new standard that has been imposed upon us. And we have chosen …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. QUESTION 3: CHANGES TO THE BRITISH OVE RSEAS TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BOTC) PASSPORT PROCESS Bermu da House of Assembly Mr. Walton Brown: Will the Minister consider di scussing this matter with the other Overseas Territories so that a common position might be adopted?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Minister ? Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: It is my understanding that it has already been discussed by my predecessor, and that avenue may already have been exhausted. But because I do not know the outcome of such discussions, I am happy to revisit it. If there is anything …
Yes. Minister ? Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: It is my understanding that it has already been discussed by my predecessor, and that avenue may already have been exhausted. But because I do not know the outcome of such discussions, I am happy to revisit it. If there is anything that is of consequence, then I will be able to bring that information to the Honourable Member and the Honourable House.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Thank you. That takes us to the nex t Statement, by the Minister of Health and Seniors. And the Chair will recognise the Member from constituency 29, MP Zane De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister, you . . .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSorry, Honourable Member. Excuse me. Excuse me. Take a seat. The Shadow Minister was standing, and I did not recognise that the Shadow Minister was standing. So the Chair will recognise the Shadow Minister, MP Weeks. You have the floor. QUESTION 1: $AVER THE FLAVOUR
Mr. Michael A. WeeksThank you, Mr. Speaker. And apologies to [the Honourable Member from] constit uency 29. Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent Statement. My only question or comment to the Minister is, Can the Minister undertake to meet with the Minister r esponsible for Financi al Assistance to make sure all residents …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And apologies to [the Honourable Member from] constit uency 29. Mr. Speaker, this is an excellent Statement. My only question or comment to the Minister is, Can the Minister undertake to meet with the Minister r esponsible for Financi al Assistance to make sure all residents who are involved in Financial Assistance take part in this programme mandatorily?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerMinister. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Definitely. I have no problem dealing with that because it is important for us to go in sync.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. All right. MP De Silva, Member from constit uency 29. QUESTION 1: $AVER THE FLAVOUR Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister, on the first page of the your Stat ement, and I will quote, “I note that the first word is “saver ” …
Thank you. All right. MP De Silva, Member from constit uency 29.
QUESTION 1: $AVER THE FLAVOUR Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Minister, on the first page of the your Stat ement, and I will quote, “I note that the first word is “saver ” written with a dollar sign to convey that this is about saving money . . .” which is very good. You then go on to say that it is “helping any money -conscious persons keep dollars in their pocket s . . .” So my ques tion is, in your second paragraph on the second page, when you state that “this exciting initiative is the result of a community partnership between the D epartment of Health, retail grocers, and local farmers and wholesalers . . .” My question to you is that you finish that off by saying that it [is to] “help residents have access to a healthy, balanced diet at an affor dable price.” Now, to determine that this is an affordable price —
[Timer beeps]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member, that is the time. [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat concludes the Question Period. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe now move to congratulatory and/or obituary speeches. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Whip of the Opposition.
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoYes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want condolences to go over the airways to the Mason and Basset family of St. George’s regarding the loss of husband and father [Andrew Eugene Mason]. I also would like condolences to go out to the Carlington family regarding the loss of Mrs. …
Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I just want condolences to go over the airways to the Mason and Basset family of St. George’s regarding the loss of husband and father [Andrew Eugene Mason]. I also would like condolences to go out to the Carlington family regarding the loss of Mrs. Carlington in St. George’s. Her daughter is one of my constit uents in St. David’s. And she is a well -known figure, I guess you can say, in the community of St. George’s. And lastly, Mr. Speaker, I would like condolences to go out to the Thompson family, who recently lost their son [John Edward, Jr.] in St. George’s, a bit of a character to those of us who knew him. But he was commonly known as “Zipper Kid.” But I would just like condolences to go out to the Thompson family in St. George’s. And I would like to associate the Hon-ourable Rolfe Commissiong with the condolence r emarks. That is it, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 28. MP Jeff Sousa, you have the floor.
Mr. Jeff Sous aGood morning, Mr. Speaker and honourable colleagues, and those in the listening a udience. 1856 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly
Mr. Jeff SousaMr. Speaker, I rise today to congrat ulate all those involved with the organisation of the Bermuda Day Marathon. I once again enjoyed stan ding on top Burnt House Hill with the top of the hill posse. And of course, my colleague, Mark Pettingill, and his family joined me there. …
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congrat ulate all those involved with the organisation of the Bermuda Day Marathon. I once again enjoyed stan ding on top Burnt House Hill with the top of the hill posse. And of course, my colleague, Mark Pettingill, and his family joined me there. We all know Burnt House Hill is where the men are separated from the boys. And of course, I want t o congratulate the eventual winner, Lamont Marshall, who came over Burnt House Hill very strong. And of course, at that time was four minutes ahead of the second- place runner. Of course, now he goes into the history books as one of two brothers to actually win the race over the century - plus. I also would like to congratulate the “Black Stallion.” To see Ed Sherlock finish the race, which might be his last race, was a very touching moment for myself, a person who r eally enjoys watching this race, and also, to see other legends of the race, like Ray Swan. Likewise, I would like to congratulate all of those who were involved with the Bermuda Day P arade. I will not go into that in too much detail, because my honourable colleague, Minister of Social Development and Sports, the Honourable Sylvan Richards, went into detail on that. But it was a great day. The rain, the shower did not come down. And it was truly a Bermu daful day, and it was nice to see Bermudians of all walks of life coming together and enjoying thi s special day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 6, MP Wayne — Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we stood at the b eginning to express our condolences to Dr. George Thomas, but I would like to stand …
All right. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 6, MP Wayne — Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we stood at the b eginning to express our condolences to Dr. George Thomas, but I would like to stand [again] and send his family our condolences. I remember a time when George Thomas was sent to Hamilton Parish by, at the time, Sir John Swan to our office. Sir John called us up and said they were sending down two candidates for you to run in Hamilton Parish. At that time, I was supposed to run, Mr. Speaker. But he sent, at the time, Dr. George Thomas and the Honourable Maxwell Burgess —walked in and was introduced as a new c andidate. I had the opportunity to walk all over the Hamilton Parish with him and, as you know, he won. But in 1989, Mr. Speaker, it came to an end. And I am sure you know who did that. It was you, Mr. Speaker, who brought the termination of Dr. George Thomas at an end.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberNo. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I believe it was yourself.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo, no, no. I did not come along until 1998. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: [In] 1998?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou should remember that! [Laughter and desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI do not know how you could forget that. [Laughter and desk thumping] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: That is actually true, Mr. Speaker! [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIt was, it was. I know. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, sometimes I do not—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJust to get your history correct, I was down there in Hamilton Parish working the constit uency. But it was not until 1998, Honourable Member. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: You are abso lutely right. I do not like to have bad memories, so that is probably why I did not …
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberSo you are trying to shift it to somebody else. [Laughter] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: You are absolutely right.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberThat is pretty good, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes, I do remember Dr. George. I believe they used to call him the “Love Doctor,” Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I am not sure why they called him “Love Doctor.” Maybe somebody can explain why he was called the “Love Doctor.” Bermu da House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Well, as a matter of fact, I do know why he was …
Yes.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I am not sure why they called him “Love Doctor.” Maybe somebody can explain why he was called the “Love Doctor.”
Bermu da House of Assembly [Inaudible interjections ]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Well, as a matter of fact, I do know why he was called the “Love Doctor.” [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Well, I do not think it is appropriate for me to mention it in this House.
[Crosstalk]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Carry on, Honourable Member. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: But he was a very great gentleman. As you know, he was able to acquire a huge estate down there in Hamilton East. And his family has done well over the years. The brother, Austin Thomas, was one of the …
All right. Carry on, Honourable Member. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: But he was a very great gentleman. As you know, he was able to acquire a huge estate down there in Hamilton East. And his family has done well over the years. The brother, Austin Thomas, was one of the longest -speaking Members in this Honourable House. I do not think George lived up to that standard. But we will be saddened to miss him. Although he mov ed away for a while, he really still had concerns about Bermuda. So I am sure we would like to send the family . . . And, Mr. Speaker, you have now given me a depression moment, realising that you were the one who took me out.
[Laughter]
Hon. Wayne L. F urbert: But I am glad to stand up this morning. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 1, Junior Minister Bascome. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, sir. I was waving, but my colleague from the other side did not acknowledge me. I would like to be ass ociated …
Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 1, Junior Minister Bascome. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, sir. I was waving, but my colleague from the other side did not acknowledge me. I would like to be ass ociated with the condolences for the Carlington family, and particularly Andre Mason. People did not even realise that his name was Andre. Everybody thought that his name was Mason. Mason was his surname. He lived in my neighbourhood. He is not originally from St. George’s, but he became an integral part of the community, particularly at football and cricket games. You would always hear his voic e, and he will be sadly missed in the neighbourhood. And with Mr. Thompson, Zipper Kid, he was good friends with my brother, who actually passed maybe two months after my brother, Earl, passed. So to the Thompson family, I would ask that it be acknowledged that I acknow ledge them. And, Mr. Speaker, this is the first time we have been back since the ending of the soccer sea-son, or football, I should say. I would like to congrat ulate the Dandy Town Hornets on winning the Premier-ship. I would like to say congratulations to the Robin Hood football team for winning the FA. I am associating the Honourable Weeks, the Honourable Scott. Let’s s ay the whole House, Mr. Speaker , and in particular, to the Devonshire Cougars and Mr. Kwame Steede. We in Bermuda were so sure that the Cougars would be relegated. And I said to Kwame, I b elieve that you’ll pull it off, but you have to start playing. Because the young people do not have, what I would say, the heart that you possess. And Kwame began to play, and once again the C ougars survived. They ended up finishing sixth, and I just want to publicly acknowledge Mr. Steede and the Devonshire Cougars. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from cons tituency 17, MP Walton Brown.
Mr. Walton BrownMr. Speaker, I will ask that this House send a letter of condolences to the late Gladwyn “Moe” Ming, my uncle. He was one of the founders of Spinning Wheel. And he was involved in the . . . [Pause] The Sp eaker: Take your time, Honourable Member. [Pause]
Mr. Walton BrownHe was involved in the entertai nment business his entire life. So I ask that we send condolences.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recog nise the Honourable Deputy Speaker. MP Susan Roberts -Holshouser, you have the floor.
Mrs. Suzann Roberts -HolshouserThank you. Mr. Speaker, in the words of Tina Laws, “B ehind every mask is a beautiful soul.” And, Mr. Speaker, I stand to recognise and would like the House to recognise the achievements of Tina Laws in her endeavours to organise a support group for those individuals who experience …
Thank you. Mr. Speaker, in the words of Tina Laws, “B ehind every mask is a beautiful soul.” And, Mr. Speaker, I stand to recognise and would like the House to recognise the achievements of Tina Laws in her endeavours to organise a support group for those individuals who experience or understand domestic violence. It is the mask that many men and women wear to cover the truths behind their l ife. And, Mr. Speaker, there is a lot to be said about the strength of a strong individual who has to stay in certain environments until the time is right. Because, Mr. Speaker, indeed the time is not always perfect. But there is, with the help of such gr oups that Tina has begun that reach out and help people— and I say men and women, because both experience the 1858 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly struggles and the drama of domestic violence, which is not a place that anyone wants to visit, regardless of age, regardless of your stance in life. Many individuals wear that mask, and you would never know how their souls are being destroyed. But it is with the like and the likes and the hard work of support groups that help individuals through their struggles to let them know that the light at the end of the tunnel may be at grasp, and you might not be able to get there yet. With a support group, and with the understanding, you know that you will be able to reach the end of that journey and know that there is a positive work to be done. Mr. Speaker , before I sit down, I would like to remind individuals that in order to get in touch with the likes of Tina, it is www. underkonstruction.org . Never wait to reach out for help. Help i s there. Thank you,
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 21, MP Commissiong.
Mr. Rolfe CommissiongThank you, Mr. Speaker. I too want to associate my comments with that which was expressed with regard to Mr. Moe Ming. Last week we talked about another icon who had passed, Mr. Speaker, that being Henry Talbot, Jr. And I only bring that up again because, like Henry Talbot, …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too want to associate my comments with that which was expressed with regard to Mr. Moe Ming. Last week we talked about another icon who had passed, Mr. Speaker, that being Henry Talbot, Jr. And I only bring that up again because, like Henry Talbot, Jr., Mr. Moe Ming was an icon within our comm unity, and a great entrepreneur. These men who grew up, who were born in the 1930s, many of whom are now going on to a bet-ter place, they made a way when there was no way. And these men were able to forge and establish a Bermuda, particularly in our black community, a le gacy that we all can be proud of. And the stories of these men and what they had to endure in this society needs to be transcribed and transmitted to our younger generation. And so, he being a family friend, particularly of my father, I wa nt to associate, as I said, with the condolences expressed by his beloved relative, my col-league, Mr. Walton Brown. Mr. Speaker, finally, I just want to offer condolences also to Mr. David Phillip Llewellyn Wellman, Sr., and ask this House to send condolences to his family, of course his beloved wife, Luella, his children and extended family. He was a well -known person and individual within the Happy Valley Hillsdale community, well respected. He was also a font of wisdom, again from that same generation, those born in the 1930s right up to the early 1940s. That was a special generation, and they laid the foundation for what Bermuda has become. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member, Dr. Gibbons, the Minister for Economic D evelopment. Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to be assoc iated with the condolences to the Thomas family on the passing …
Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member, Dr. Gibbons, the Minister for Economic D evelopment.
Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to be assoc iated with the condolences to the Thomas family on the passing of Dr. George Thomas. Certainly bet ween him and his brother, Austin, they shared a very strong educational and also political legacy as well. And I think the good news is that Dr. Thomas’s son, George, has also been quite involved with public service, has been working with us very closely t o work on some of the Regulatory Compliance Association scholarships that have been announced a little bit earlier, and working also with us, because of his contacts in the New York area, to stimulate some of the ec onomic development projects that we have underway. But I would ask to be associated with your condolences, and certainly other Honourable Mem-bers as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Dr. Gibbons. The Chair will now recognise the Government Whip, MP Nandi Outerbridge. You have the floor.
Mrs. Nandi OuterbridgeMr. Speaker, I rise this morning to send condolences to the family of Patrick Dill. Pat, as we used to call him in school, was a few years behind me when he graduated from Saltus. And he was such a character with such a good heart. So, you know, I …
Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to send condolences to the family of Patrick Dill. Pat, as we used to call him in school, was a few years behind me when he graduated from Saltus. And he was such a character with such a good heart. So, you know, I am sure he will be sorely missed, but I am sure he will be missed the most by his daughter, Milly [Amilia], who is actually his oldest daughter, who is my cousin. And she and Pat were like best friends. So, Mr. Speaker, I just want to let the entire family know that they have been in my prayers. They will continue to be in my prayers as they go through this. I am grateful that the entire community has stepped in for Mr. Patrick Dill’s family as they go through this trying time. And on a lighter note, I would like to send congratulations —also, I want to be associated with the congratulations to Lamont Marshall, Monty, who did an exce llent, outstanding job in the Appleby Bermuda Half Marathon. He looked so good coming through East Broadway. Everybody was so excited. I do not know; he even may have inspired me to run maybe next year if it is coming out of the East. I do not know. So I j ust want to be associated with that. He did an excellent job. And that is it, Mr. Speaker.
Bermu da House of Assembly The Speaker: All right. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable and Learned Member from constituency 36.
Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Speaker, I thank you. Mr. Speaker, I rise to be associated with the condolences offered by my colleague, MP Walton Brown, for his uncle and for his mother’s brother, Mr. Moe Ming. I concur. We have had a very interesting calling of names going on to r ewards. Moe Ming, as a black entrepreneur, deserves a rightful place amongst that group, along with the trustee of our party, who was buried last week, Mr. Henry Talbot. They are cuts of the same length of cloth. And we are losing an i mportant generation. But I stand to support my colleague, Mr. Brown, on the passing of his uncle. Clearly, he had a good impact and a close impact on the Honourable Member, Mr. Brown. And I am glad that he had time to build this wonderful rel ationship with his nephew. Thank y ou.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Mi nister for Health and Seniors. Minister Jeanne Atherden, you have the floor. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Good morning, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGood morni ng. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: I rise today to ask the House to send congratulations to Mrs. Kelly Madeiros. Kelly is the coordinator for the Department of Court Services Mental Health Treatment Pilot, and Kelly was selected by the US Consulate to go on its International Visitor Leadership …
Good morni ng. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: I rise today to ask the House to send congratulations to Mrs. Kelly Madeiros. Kelly is the coordinator for the Department of Court Services Mental Health Treatment Pilot, and Kelly was selected by the US Consulate to go on its International Visitor Leadership programme, which gave her the opportunity to participate in a multi -regional exchange programme on disability rights. And this is going to be very significant to us in terms of things that she learned that we will be able to use right here in Bermuda. I also want to also say thank you very much to the US Consul General, because it was because of her putting forward this opportunity for the programme that Bermuda got to participate. We are looking forward to being able to p articipate in future Visitor Leadership programmes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Minister. The Chair will recognise now the Honourable Minister for the Environment. Minister Cole Simons, you have the floor. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the comments made in respect of Dr. Thomas. I met …
All right. Thank you, Minister. The Chair will recognise now the Honourable Minister for the Environment. Minister Cole Simons, you have the floor.
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to associate myself with the comments made in respect of Dr. Thomas. I met him, because he delivered my two daughters. And during that time, we formed a close relationship. And I always found him to be a pleasant, calm gentleman. And I will remember him as long as I live, and I am sure he will make a great loss to our country. I would like to associate myself with the comments made in regards to Gladwyn “Moe” Ming. I have known him for years. And as we s aid earlier. He made the economic contributions to North Hamilton. And he stuck to his commitment to developing North Hamilton, and I salute him for his contribution. Mr. Speaker, I would like to also send congratulations to Chris Crumpler. He is the Exec utive Director of Impact Mentoring Academy. The Honour-able Member Lawrence Scott would like to be assoc iated with these comments, and the Honourable M ichael Scott. Mr. Speaker, Impact Mentoring Academy makes a commitment to developing young men and young people. His mandate is to transform our young men, and he is going to do that through personal development and professional development. He wants to develop the whole individual. He said that his school is a charity and is a non- profit organisation, nonsectarian organisation and Christian- based. So again, I would encourage the community to give him all the support that he needs so that he can continue on his journey to develop and get the best out of our young men. Again, I salute him. Mr. Speaker, I woul d like to also commend another Bermudian, who is overseas in New York. She is Clare O’Connor. This young lady is a journalist, and she works for the internationally prestigious magazine, Forbes. She is a staff writer, and she made a commitment to journalis m both locally and internationally. She worked in Bermuda at the Royal Gazette and the Mid Ocean. And she said, I am going to spread my wings and go overseas. She got her Master’s Degree in Journalism at Columbia University. She also worked with Andersen C ooper on CNN on AC 360. So again, I want to showcase the success that our young Bermudians are making in the international space in any career that they make. So again, to Ms. O’Connor, Keep up the good work! Bermuda is depending on you. And the media frat ernity in Bermuda support you locally and internationally . Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 13, MP Diallo Rabain.
Mr. Diallo V. S. RabainThank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be brief. I just want to associate myself with the comments for Mr. Thomas and Mr. Crumpler. It will come as no surprise that they are both men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. And once we talk about men of Alpha Phi Alpha …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will be brief. I just want to associate myself with the comments for Mr. Thomas and Mr. Crumpler. It will come as no surprise that they are both men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. And once we talk about men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, we are tal k1860 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly ing about men of distinction and men of purpose and men who are always constantly looking out for their community. Thank you. And I would associate all A lpha men within the House with those comments. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank y ou. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 35. MP Dennis Lister, you have the floor. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise first to be associated with the congratul ations that have been sent to …
Thank y ou. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 35. MP Dennis Lister, you have the floor. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise first to be associated with the congratul ations that have been sent to the winners of this year’s Bermuda Day race, Lamont Marshall, and also the second, Mr. Trey Simons, as well, Mr. Speaker. And the reason I put those two together, Mr. Speaker, is because the next congratulations I want to offer are for the winners of the Junior Race, Mr. Speaker, which, as you know, is sponsored by Lister Insurance.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAh, yes. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: And the reason I tie the two together is because both Lamont and Trey were ru nners in the Junior Race in their day when they were of that age. And it is significant to note, because many of the young runners in the …
Ah, yes.
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: And the reason I tie the two together is because both Lamont and Trey were ru nners in the Junior Race in their day when they were of that age. And it is significant to note, because many of the young runners in the Senior Race today have come through the Junior Race. So I would like to acknowledge the junior winners —young Quincy [Kuzyk] and Ashley Irby, and encourage them because I think they are both still of age to come back next year and run, as well, in the Junior Race. Mr. Speaker, whilst on my feet, I would like to also have the House send condolences out to a cou-ple of people, families. Last week when we were in the House here, I actually missed this time of condolences and congratulations, Mr. Speaker, because I had gone to the funeral of Mr. Howard Tucker, Mr. “Bully” Tucker. You know him well as a Somerset man, Mr. Speaker. And I would like to have the Ho nourable House join me in sending condolences to his family. And he will surely be missed in the community, Mr. Speaker. And all who spoke, spoke of his favourite phrase. As he rode around Somerset on his little moped, he would always sing out, Praise Him!, singing praise to the Lord. He was a man true to the Word, Mr. Speaker, and he had given his heart to the Lord many years ago. Also, Mr. Speaker, I would like to have the Honourable House join me in giving condolences to the family of the lat e Ansby Perinchief, who passed away a few weeks ago, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, as you know, the Perinchief family is a long family in Somerset, and Mr. Ansby Perinchief was a well-known figure in the Sandys community. In fact, Mr. Speaker, last week c ondolences were given for Mr. Bert Philpott. And I tie those two together, Mr. Speaker, because at Mr. Perinchief’s funeral, it was mentioned how he and Mr. Philpott were the last two survivors of the original Comet Race, the annual East End/West End Comet Race, Mr. Speaker. And acknowledgement was given to both of them for being the last two sailors, so to speak . And lo and behold, Mr. Perinchief’s funeral, and only a week or so later, 10 days or so later, Mr. Philpott passed as well.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerRight. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: So I would like to have cond olences sent to the family, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Perinchief’s wife and daughters. And we know that they will truly miss him, just as he will be missed in our community, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Would any other Honourable Members care to speak? The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 16, MP Weeks.
Mr. Michael A. WeeksThank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to be associated with the remarks for the Bermuda Day Half Marathon. I too was out there cheering on our runners as they braved the h umid conditions to entertain us as spectators on the sidelines. Every year I say I am going …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to be associated with the remarks for the Bermuda Day Half Marathon. I too was out there cheering on our runners as they braved the h umid conditions to entertain us as spectators on the sidelines. Every year I say I am going to do it next year. So I am saying it again. Maybe the next year.
[Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Mr. Michael A. WeeksWell, because I am being cornered, I will commit to the relay. [Laughter]
Mr. Michael A. WeeksMr. Speaker, I would also like to associate myself with the remarks for Chris Crumpler and Impact Mentoring Academy. I am actually on the board of directors there, so I know fir st-hand the excellent work that Mr. Crumpler and the other teac hers are doing in helping to raise …
Mr. Speaker, I would also like to associate myself with the remarks for Chris Crumpler and Impact Mentoring Academy. I am actually on the board of directors there, so I know fir st-hand the excellent work that Mr. Crumpler and the other teac hers are doing in helping to raise and educate our young men. So hats off to Chris Crumpler and his staff! If I knew that he was of a different fraternity, I may not have recommended him to be hired at the
Bermu da House of Assembly time. But nevertheless, Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate with the remarks for Mr. Crumpler.
[Inaudible interjection and laughter ]
Mr. Michael A. WeeksNo comment, Mr. Speaker. But on a sad note, I also want to associate myself with t he remarks for the young Patrick Dill. He is one of my constituents, a very good young man. I know him and his family well. And I just wish them all the best …
No comment, Mr. Speaker. But on a sad note, I also want to associate myself with t he remarks for the young Patrick Dill. He is one of my constituents, a very good young man. I know him and his family well. And I just wish them all the best in this time of grieving. There is not much more to say, Mr. Speaker, other than I just wish him and his family well. And as a community, if we know something, as always, we encourage people to say something. Because this kind of behaviour has to stop. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Honourable Member. Would any other Honourable Member care to speak? The Chair will recognise the Acting Leader of the Opposition, MP David Burt.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to be associated with the congratulations that have been sent to Mr. Lamont Marshall. And I would also like to be assoc iated with the condolences which have been sent to the family of Mr. Dill. Mr. Speaker, I …
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to be associated with the congratulations that have been sent to Mr. Lamont Marshall. And I would also like to be assoc iated with the condolences which have been sent to the family of Mr. Dill. Mr. Speaker, I rise on a sad note to be ass ociated with the remarks of condolences for the former Member of this House, Dr. George Thomas. And as I spoke to the Member from Pembroke Central, I told him that he was probably not going to be the only one who, during today’s congrats and obituaries, will get emotional. And it is very strange that I get emotional, Mr. Speaker, because I c annot recall meeting and/or knowing Dr. George Thomas. But Dr. George Thomas was a very religious man. And he was my personal angel, Mr. Speaker. And I say that because there are many people who can say they were welcomed into the world by Dr. George Thom as. But Dr. Thomas met me four and a half months before my birth. And I know that I would not be in this place today, or on earth, if it was not for him. And it was only due to certain circumstances that Dr. Thomas was called into emergency surgery for my mother, when she was four and a half months preg-nant, and the surgeon on call was unavailable due to having a golf game. And this is a story that I have heard my entire life. So I was actually able to recite it to a Member last week over at the funeral for Mr. Talbot last week. But it was during this time that my mom had to have emergency surgery for fibroids, at four and a half months. And because the surgeon on call was on a golf game, Dr. Thomas was actually called in to per-form the surgery. And although my mother was under anaesthetics at the time, she vividly remembers, because you know, sometimes you are not all the way out, so you can hear some of the things and the comments. And the comments from the UK nurses at the time, when speaking about Dr. Thomas, were, they said —and this is to my mom; I just confirmed it when I spoke to her —where she said that “This black boy came back to Bermuda and thinks that he’s God. Her cervix is going to open, and she is going to abort.” Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, that did not happen. And following the successful surgery of Dr. Thomas, he gave his customary pink carnation to my mother, who told him the story. And needless to say, those nurses did not have a very long career at the King Edward Memorial Hospital. Though I cannot recall meeting Dr. Thomas, Mr. Speaker, because, of course, at the time I was very young, on behalf of my mother, my father, and myself, I want to express condolences to his family and thank them for sharing his gift with us. Thank you,
Mr. S peaker.
An Hon. Member Mr. S peaker.
An Hon. MemberHear! Hear! [Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerRight. Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Would any other Honourable Members care to speak? There are none. Honourable Members, that brings us to 20 after 12:00. Maybe it is a good time to adjourn for lunch and then come back and start the rest of the . . . …
Right. Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Would any other Honourable Members care to speak? There are none. Honourable Members, that brings us to 20 after 12:00. Maybe it is a good time to adjourn for lunch and then come back and start the rest of the . . . Let me just do the first bit, take it down to the Orders of the Day, Dr. Gibbons.
MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are no matters of privilege. PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo personal explanations. NOTICE OF MOTIONS FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE ON MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo notice of motions for the adjour nment of the House. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere are no Bi lls to be introduced. 1862 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly NOTICES OF MOTIONS
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo notices of motions. ORDERS OF THE DAY
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd so we move to our Orders of the Day. Orders 1 through 5 are carried over, I am made to understand. Is that correct, Whip?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOrders 1 through 5 are carried over. So we move to Order No. 6. But before we do Order No. 6, I think it is appropriate at this time that we break for lunch. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that we adj ourn now for …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Premier. I want to remind Honourable Members, those Members on the Committee for Women, that at 12:30, if you will meet in the atrium. Yes. Thank you. So the House is now adjourned to 2:00 pm. Proceedings suspended Proceedings resumed at 2:00 pm [Mrs. Suz ann Roberts …
The Deputy SpeakerDeputy SpeakerThank you. We begin with the Orders of the Day. I believe 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are being carried over, is that correct? We move to Order No. 6, Second Reading of the Department of Environment and Natural R esources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016. I call on the …
Thank you. We begin with the Orders of the Day. I believe 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 are being carried over, is that correct? We move to Order No. 6, Second Reading of the Department of Environment and Natural R esources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016. I call on the Minister in charge to proceed. Minister, you have the floor.
BILL
SECOND READING
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESO URCES (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) ACT 2016
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker . I move that the Bill entitled the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 be now read the second time. The Dep uty Speaker: Please proceed. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Madam Deputy Speaker , I rise before the House today seeking to introduce the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016. The Act serves to enable the new depart ment to effectively undertake its mission to protect Bermuda’s environment and responsibly manage the sustainable use of its natural resources. Madam Deputy Speaker , we live in one of the most beautiful, yet remote, islands in the world. Our natural envir onment has, in the past and will continue in the future, to be critical to our success. If we want to keep attracting tourists as well as international bus iness to our country, we have to protect our environ-ment. If we want to have the viable agriculture industries and fishery industries, we need to support them. Only by doing so will we reduce reliance on overseas imports and ensure access to nutritious, high quality food while also providing local career opportunities. We must manage our ground water eff ectively as we know Mother Nature is bountiful but it can be whimsical at times. Invasive species —both plants and animals —must be managed effectively, and that i ncludes domestic animals that have been let loose in the wild. This will not only reduce compet ition to our local threatened species and lessen the negative i mpacts on our agriculture and fisheries, but help address problems caused by pests. These few examples help illustrate the important role our natural environment plays in our eco nomy and societ y, as well as the need for its effective management. Striking the right balance between regulation and support is key. Madam Deputy Speaker , the Government is committed to preserve and support the beauty of our natural environment and ecosystems. This will be done by the most efficient means. However, it is not enough to align services for just cost effectiveness. The public expects a vision, a long- term strategy to ensure we have a healthy and sustainable environment, one that thrives. The Department of Environment and R esources will be key in providing the long- term vision where people live in harmony with healthy, functioning ecosystems and appreciate and enjoy our natural r esources while we work together responsibly to reduce the risk to the environment. Madam Deputy Speaker , for the past 13 years the management of Bermuda’s natural environment has principally been shared between two depar tments, namely, the Department of Conservation Services, and the Department of Environmental Protection. The Department of Conservation Services has been responsible for the conservation of Bermuda’s ecology —its plants, animals and their critical habitats. The department has managed the Government ’s Field Ecology Programmes and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, and Government ’s Nature R eserves and Marine Cultural Heritage.
Bermu da House of Assembly The Department of Environmental Protection has been responsible for the protection of Bermuda’s environment through monitoring, through regulation and enforcement, as well as the promotion of sustai nable use of the island’s natural resources, specifically ground water as well as the agricultural and fisheries sectors. Madam Deputy Speaker , combined, both d epartments are historically responsible for over 17 Acts and attending Regulations. They are also responsible for governing agriculture, fisheries, water resources, clean air, protected species, historical wrecks, endan-gered plants and animals. They also manage the care and protection of animals and plants. In many i nstances these responsibilities wer e shared between the two departments and, over time, they overlapped by necessity. Madam Deputy Speaker , acknowledging the recommendations of the SAGE Commission Report in 2013, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural R esources have engaged the managem ent consultant section of the Cabinet to undertake a review of the two departments for the purpose of examining pote ntial efficiencies and synergies. The review found that although the focus of the departments was differentiated and strategies were not ali gned, there were numerous opportunities for synergies based on mandate, mission, strategy, and the population served. It also established that there were similarities in the skills and capabilities of technologies and professional staff. As such, amalgamat ion of the two departments would result in much improved operating efficiencies. This is particularly relevant given the government ’s current budgetary constraints. The opportunity for this consolidation was deemed timely given the retirement of the Direct or of the Department of Environment Protection in Septem-ber of 2015. Madam Deputy Speaker , in August 2015 the Cabinet approved a merger of the two departments, creating a more cohesive and coordinated approach to the management of Bermuda’s environment and the use of its natural resources under the guidance of a single director. Madam Deputy Speaker , I would like to take this moment to thank the previous Minister respons ible for the Environment for her leadership and gui dance, and commend her on her endeav ours. Madam Deputy Speaker , over the last several months the departments have undertaken an in- depth analysis of their respective mandates, services, and programmes in full consultation with the staff, the numerous boards and unions. The result has been t he realignment and amalgamation of 15 sections into 7 consolidated programmes that focused on marine, plant, animal management, pollution control, territorial conservation, and they have overseen an integrated administration sector. The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, which reported to the Conservation Services conti nues to report to the new department. Madam Deputy Speaker , going forward in order to achieve its mandate and mission, the Depar tment of Environment and Natural Resources will pr ovide strategi c direction and management in the form ation and implementation of legislation, policy, and standards to protect Bermuda’s environment. The department will monitor and provide guidance for the prevention and control of pollution in the natural env ironment. The department will manage marine activ ities so that they are carried out in a sustainable and responsible way. The department will support Bermuda’s agriculture and fisheries industries through services and partnerships that help increase industry profitability, industry sustainability, and at the same time safeguard the Island’s natural resources.
[Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, Speaker, in the Chair]
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Mr. Speaker , the Depar tment of Environment and Natural Resources will r esearch, conserve and promote awareness of Ber-muda’s territorial, terrestrial, and marine biodiversity, protected species, threatened habitats, and marine cultural heritage. The department will conduct env ironmental education on Bermuda and other islands for visitors , locals, and schools through engaging and entertaining exhibits at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. Mr. Speaker , I am pleased to state that the merger has already proved beneficial in terms of eff iciency and improved services. In addition, the reconfiguration of the department is expected to save the public purse approximately $387,000 annually, or a 4.7 per cent reduction from last year’s combined budget of the two departments, Mr. Speaker . The merger has provided the opportunity to streamline busin ess processes and create service efficiencies which will benefit the public. Additionally, it has ident ified both gaps in existing environmental legislation and the need to modernise the legislation. Mr. Speaker , over the coming months I look forward to progressing these initiatives by submitting to this Honourable House amendments to legislation and new strategic programmes that will strike the right balance between protection, regulation, and capital isation of our natural assets, and balance the requir ements necessary for the continued health and wellbeing of our Island and our people. With these brief remarks I now invite other Honourable Member s to participate in this debate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member . The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 35 and the Shadow Mini s1864 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly ter of Public Works and the Environment, MP Dennis Lister. You have the floor. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Mr. …
Thank you, Honourable Member . The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 35 and the Shadow Mini s1864 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly ter of Public Works and the Environment, MP Dennis Lister. You have the floor.
Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Mr. Speaker , let me first say that these are basically housekeeping matters that are being done and, of course, we will be in support of the process of amalgamating these two departments. What interested me, Mr. Speaker , is when I pulled up some notes I can remember when both of those departments that are now being addressed here were actually formed as an amalgamation of other departments, because I was the Minister who brought that back at the time. I actually pulled up some notes, Mr. Speaker , and it speaks right here when the Department of Env ironmental Protection was merged from portions of the Ag and Fisheries and the Ministry Headquarters . . . it goes on with all the reasons and purposes behind it, and also the Department of Conservation Services, and that was again merged using programmes from the old Ag and Fish and Parks and speaks to the purpose and the reason behind that, Mr. Speaker , a lot which is still relevant today in reference to the remarks that the Minister gave just now when he introduced this. It is important, Mr. Speaker , that we do the right things in ensuring that our environment is pr otected and saved for future generations because they need to benefit from the things from the environment that we currently benefit from. And it is our actions today that are either going to enhance or hinder the future of our environment for the generations who come behind us, Mr. Speaker . And I think part of that whole process, Mr. Speaker , should also be one of education as we speak to the young people, as we speak to our school children, to get them to value the i mportance of doing the right thing for our environment from the beginning so that they can learn at an early age the value of pr otecting what is natural around us. We have many natural resources, both on land and in the sea, Mr. Speaker , which can be damaged by our wrong actions and our inconsideration of the importance of protec ting these things. So with those few remarks, again, Mr. Speaker , we support and understand the purpose for this.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, MP Lister. Any other Honourable Member s care to speak? The Chair will now recognise the Minister for Health and Seniors, Minister Atherden. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Mr. Speaker , I only have a few words because I am pleased, having been prev iously responsible for this department …
Thank you, MP Lister. Any other Honourable Member s care to speak? The Chair will now recognise the Minister for Health and Seniors, Minister Atherden.
Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Mr. Speaker , I only have a few words because I am pleased, having been prev iously responsible for this department in our Ministry , to have turned it over to Minister Simons because I know that it is in good hands. I think the only points that I want to make with respect to what MP Lister said is the fact that we have obviously recognised that it is important for our young people to understand about our environment, which is why it has been so good that we have had that rel ationship with the Bermuda Zoological Society in terms of the Aquarium, making sure that young people come there and . . . we have always made sure that, in terms of admissions and other things, we have kept those prices very low because we realise that the more students that come to the Aquarium and see not only the fish, the birds . . . that they get an appreci ation, because we are going to be moving on and the young people are the persons that we have to make sure we hold this environment safe for. As Minister Simons said, it was not just about saving the money; it was actually putting together and getting the synergies, which are very important. So I am pleased that we all can see that it is benefitting us, and I am sure that as we go forward there will be other improvements that we make. Thank you, Mr. Speaker .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Minister. Any other Members care to speak? The Chair will recog nise the Acting Opposition Leader, MP David Burt. You have the floor.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , during the Honourable Minister’s brief he spoke about following the recommendations from the SAGE Report. I think that it is very interesting and timely because the SAGE Report contained numerous recommendations for the streamlining of government departments, and we have …
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , during the Honourable Minister’s brief he spoke about following the recommendations from the SAGE Report. I think that it is very interesting and timely because the SAGE Report contained numerous recommendations for the streamlining of government departments, and we have not seen much of that streamlining occur from the Government . So I am pleased to see that at least s ome government departments or some ministers and permanent secretaries are doing their work to ensure that that is the case because, clearly, there is streamlining and efficiency that is needed to take place and can take place. So I would like to commend t he former Minister for the work in getting that done and, of course, the new Minister can take credit and, of course, the permanent secretaries, who are the ones that are really doing the work behind it. The question I have to the Minister is that the government departments which we are speaking about being put together, I think one of them would touch on an issue that I have spoken to the Honourable Minister about recently regarding the policy that the Government has on dogs. And in his opportunity to res pond to the general principles of this Bill I was just wondering if he could in any, way, shape or form clarify as to whether or not the Government is contin uBermu da House of Assembly ing the review of the policy on banned breeds. I do know that the former Minister of Environment, about two Ministers ago, had said that the Government was considering a review. And as the Minister (without d ivulging information of my constituents) would be aware that one of my constituents has been in touch with him and also been in touch with one of the former Ministers regarding this particular issue. And I would hope that the Minister would at least this time, seeing that it deals with the depar tments that we are talking about, state whether or not the Government has changed its position in its revi ew of banned breeds or is looking to do anything in r egard to this because it is something that continues to cause consternation in our community, not just . . . all throughout the community insofar as what the position is going to be on that. So I would hope that the Mini ster could clarify to the House the Government ’s pos ition on that particular issue. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you very much, MP Burt. Are there any other Honourable Member s who would care to speak? It looks like there are none, so I revert back to the Minister. Sorry, were you standing to speak, Deputy? Oh, okay. The Chair will recognise the Minister Cole Simons. Hon. N. …
Thank you very much, MP Burt. Are there any other Honourable Member s who would care to speak? It looks like there are none, so I revert back to the Minister. Sorry, were you standing to speak, Deputy? Oh, okay. The Chair will recognise the Minister Cole Simons. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , first of all I would like to commend the Opposition and the former Minister for their contributions. I know they are passionate about the environment and it just makes life easier for me to have people around that support me and additional resources in helping my job get done. In regard to the comment that the Acting O pposition Leader has said, as he may or may not know, we are currently operating under the 1978 Act and the former Minister has had a Canine Advisory Committee embodied and they have come up with recommenda-tions that can be implemented in regard to our dog policy. In addition out there is the 2008 Dogs Act which has not been enacted, and we are currently looking at that to see what can be done to address the challenge that we face in our canine community. Mr. Speaker , I move that the B ill be commi tted.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Honourable Member s, the Bill . . . [it] has been moved by the Minister that the Bill be committed. Are there any objections to that? And if there are none, I ask that the Deputy, please take the Chair. [Pause] House in Committee COMMITTEE ON BILL [Mrs. …
Thank you. Honourable Member s, the Bill . . . [it] has been moved by the Minister that the Bill be committed. Are there any objections to that? And if there are none, I ask that the Deputy, please take the Chair. [Pause]
House in Committee
COMMITTEE ON BILL
[Mrs. Suzann Roberts -Holshouser, Chairman]
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) ACT 2016
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Members. We are now in Committee of the whole House for further consideration of the Bill entitled Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 . I call on the Minister in charge to proceed. Minister, you have the floor. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank …
Thank you, Members. We are now in Committee of the whole House for further consideration of the Bill entitled Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 . I call on the Minister in charge to proceed. Minister, you have the floor.
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, Madam Chair . Madam Chair , I would like to move all three clauses.
The ChairmanChairmanAre there any objections? No objections. Please proceed. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Madam Chair , clause 1 is the citation. Clause 2 summarises the consequential amendments. Clause 3 addresses the commencement date of the Act.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 through 3? There are no Members. Minister, please proceed. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you. I move the Preamble.
The ChairmanChairmanNo, we are going to move the clauses. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Sorry, I move clauses 1, 2 and 3.
The ChairmanChairmanBe approved as printed. Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Be approved as printed.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that clauses 1 through 3 be approved as printed. Are there any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. 1866 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly [Gavel] [Motion carried: Clauses 1 through 3 passed.] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you, …
The ChairmanChairmanWe have a Schedule, so do you want to do the Schedule first? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Okay. The Chairm an: It has been moved that the Schedule be approved as printed. Are there any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel] [Motion carried: Schedule approved.]
The ChairmanChairmanPreamble? Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Thank you. I move the Pr eamble.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Preamble be approved as printed. Are there any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel] [Motion carried: Preamble approved.] Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I move that the Bill entitled the Department of Environment and Natural R esources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 …
The ChairmanChairmanAre there any objections? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel]
The ChairmanChairmanThe Bill entitled Department of Env ironment and Nat ural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 will be reported to the House as printed. [Motion carried: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 was considered by a Committee of the whole House and appr oved, without amendments.] …
The Bill entitled Department of Env ironment and Nat ural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 will be reported to the House as printed.
[Motion carried: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 was considered by a Committee of the whole House and appr oved, without amendments.] [Pause]
House resumed
[Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, Speaker, in the Chair]
REPORT ON BILL
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) ACT 2016
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right, Members. The House has approved the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016. We now move on to the consideration of the Draft Regulations, Order No. 7, in the name of the Minister of Finance. So I will recognise the Minister of Finance, E. T. …
All right, Members. The House has approved the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016. We now move on to the consideration of the Draft Regulations, Order No. 7, in the name of the Minister of Finance. So I will recognise the Minister of Finance, E. T. Richards. You have the floor.
DRAFT REGULATIONS
GOVERNMENT FEES AMENDMENT (NO. 2) REGULATIONS 2016
Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , I move the Regulations entitled the Government Fees Amendment (No. 2) Regul ations 2016 be now read a second time.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny objections to that? Carry on, Minister. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Mr. Speaker , a review of the Government Fees Amendment Regulations 2016 revealed that the fees which were amended by the Public Ac cess to Information Amendment Act 2015 (or the PATI Act 2015) . . . had …
Any objections to that? Carry on, Minister. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Mr. Speaker , a review of the Government Fees Amendment Regulations 2016 revealed that the fees which were amended by the Public Ac cess to Information Amendment Act 2015 (or the PATI Act 2015) . . . had been omitted [in] the pr evious consolidated Government Fees Regulations 1976 in Head 52A, which makes provision for the PATI fees accurately incorporated in the 2015 amendments. Howe ver, as Head 53 of the Government Fees Amendment Regulations 2016 does not acc urately reflect the PATI fees, such as the cost of colour copies and provision of a digital record, the amendments before the House today are necessary to achieve consistency wit h the 2015 amendments. Consequently, the Government Fees Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2016 amends the Schedule to the Government Fees Regulation 1976 by revoking Head 53 (Public Access to Information Act 2010) and r eplacing it with the new Head 53, which corrects the PATI fees.
Bermu da House of Assembly So, Mr. Speaker , this is essentially hous ekeeping and I invite Honourable Member s to partic ipate. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Any other Honourable Member care to speak? The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 18, MP David Burt. You have the floor.
Mr. E. David BurtThank you very much, Mr. Speaker . Mr. Speaker , I will note that these are minor consequential amendments, there are just a few fees that are being changed, and the fees that are being adjusted enjoy the support of this side of the House. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAre there any other Members who care to speak? Minister. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker . I move that these amendments be read a second time please, and I am not sure what . . . hang on a second . . . and a message …
Are there any other Members who care to speak? Minister.
Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker . I move that these amendments be read a second time please, and I am not sure what . . . hang on a second . . . and a message be sent to His Excellency the Governor that the Draft Order has been ap-proved.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Any objections to that? There are none. So the Regulations are approved and a m essage will be sent the Governor. Thank you, Minister. [Motion carried: The Government Fees Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2016 was considered by the House and approved.]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe now move to . . . order no. 8 is carried over, 9 is carried over. W e move to order no. 10 in the name of the Attorney General and the Minister of Legal Affairs. The Learned Member has the floor. BILL SECOND READING LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT ACT …
We now move to . . . order no. 8 is carried over, 9 is carried over. W e move to order no. 10 in the name of the Attorney General and the Minister of Legal Affairs. The Learned Member has the floor.
BILL
SECOND READING
LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT ACT 2016
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you, Mr. Speaker . Well that was very swi ft . . . those matters progressed very swiftly.
[Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTake your time, Honourable Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: So this is the Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016. Mr. Speaker , the purpose of the Bill before the House today is to make amendments to the Liquor Licence Act 1974 and enable tourism events that are approved by the …
Take your time, Honourable Attorney General.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: So this is the Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016. Mr. Speaker , the purpose of the Bill before the House today is to make amendments to the Liquor Licence Act 1974 and enable tourism events that are approved by the Chairman of the Bermuda Tourism Authority to sell intoxicating liquor for an extended period of time at themed events, which bring visitors to our shores, similar to the Carnival model in Miami and in Trinidad, [the] Toronto Caribana, and [the] Barbados Crop Over. Due to the great success of Bermuda Heroes Weekend in June of 2015, Bermuda is now on the map for this style of event. In its inaug ural year Bermuda Heroes Weekend brought about 170 visitors to our shores, and a second annual event this year, which is being marketed more aggressively than the first is expected to see growth in the number of vis itors it attracts this June. Similar to C arnivals around the world, the sale of adult beverages of alcohol is an expectation of the consumer. Mr. Speaker, currently [until] 3:00 am is the latest time a liquor licence can be granted under the existing legislation for a nightclub. The Ministry of Tourism, Transport and Municipalities and the Ministry of Legal Affairs seek to amend the legislation under “occasional licences” so that Bermuda can compete with the various Carnival -style events around the world and where liquor is sold non- stop during the course of these types of events. The amendments before this Honourable House today will allow intoxicating liquor to be sold for a period of time not exceeding three consecutive days, between the hours of 6:00 pm on the first day and 2:00 am on the last day. Mr. Speaker, the tourism event licence will state the place or places where the intoxicating liquor may be sold and for which periods of time. The appl icant will pay a licence fee of $150 for a one day event, $300 for a two day event, or $450 for a three day event. Mr. Speaker, a person who fails to produce a tourism event licence commits an offence and should be liable on summary conviction to a fine of $500. Mr. Speaker, the Bill will also make changes to the fees which are currently chargeable for liquor licenc es. The fees will be increased to reflect the cost of accepting and processing applications for licenc es. Honourable Members should note that there are three licensing authorities which correspond to the Eastern, Western, and Central pari shes of Bermuda. The Senior Magistrate is the Chairman of each district and the work of the licensing authorities is supported by the Magistrates’ Court staff. Mr. Speaker, this work is time consuming and expends many of the already limited resources of t he 1868 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly judiciary. The last time that liquor licence fees were increased was in 1990. Tour boat licence fees were added in 1998. Decades have passed with the current fee structure in place and it is only appropriate that the fees increase to meet the cost of the licensing system to the judiciary. It is also no secret that the current economic environment poses challenges to public authorities across government. Mr. Speaker, the revisions to the fee structure follow an exhaustive review by the former Registrar of the Supreme Court with the Magistracy (I presume that is th e Senior Magistrate who chairs) in reaching the revised fees, which include liquor licensing fees ; the judiciary took into consideration the following fac-tors: a) the time and work expended by administrative staff to process proceedings; b) the time and work expended by bailiffs to serve and execute proceedings ( multiple a ttempts are routinely required) ; c) the threats to the safety and well being of bai liffs in caring out their duties; d) the increased costs of stationary, such as paper, pens, ink cartridges, et cetera; e) the increased complexity and volume of pr oceedings, particularly enforcement proceedings, and that is proportionality between the amended fees and the type of proceedings i nstituted.
Those are my comments in the House. When I get to Committee stage, Mr. Speaker, I propose to make an amendment with respect to members’ clubs, but I will speak at greater length on that once we are in Committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. T hank you, Honourable A ttorney General . Any other Honourable Member care to speak? The Chair will recognise the Honourable Learned Member from constituency 36, MP Michael Scott. You have the floor. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mr. Speaker, the Liquor Licence Amendment Act …
All right. T hank you, Honourable A ttorney General . Any other Honourable Member care to speak? The Chair will recognise the Honourable Learned Member from constituency 36, MP Michael Scott. You have the floor.
Hon. Michael J. Scott: Mr. Speaker, thank you. Mr. Speaker, the Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 . . . we are happy to acknowledge that this is a piece of innovation that is being driven by creation of a special licence for tourism events. For that , the Government gets our support to ensure that the use and consumption of alcohol in connection with these tourism events, given the anticipated arrival of many important tourism events that are coming to our Island . . . we think this puts a useful string in the bow of the tourism product offered by all persons engaged in this sector. And to that ex tent we are happy to support it . To that extent we are happy to support the basic pri nciple of this Bill which is what the Learned Attorney General had explained to me before we brought this Bill, what the aim was of the Bill. The afterthought or the additional thought of increasing fees is something with which we take great issue with as it impacts in a time when we are still struggling with unemployment in considerable numbers in our country . We are still struggling w ith the delivery of community based services through our clubs —one of the critical institutions that apply for l icenc es to sell alcoholic beverages, as one of the sources of revenue. And the Progressive Labour Party . . . we once, of course, sat through pr otestations or recommendations from civil servants who were seeking to advise the Minister that fees should go up b ecause they have not gone up for many years. I mean that is a standard argument made. But we cannot countenance an increase in licensure fees for clubs that play an important role in supporting youth pr ogrammes, support ing our culture at Cup Match time, support the culture all year long as community st ations within communities across the country where we are facing through their membership, the y are either out of work or they are experiencing difficulty just making ends meet, supporting a club where its strat egic fees for just operating are going up. And so I was pleased that the Learned Attorney General who pilots this Bill was minded to be sympathetic to the view of the Opposition that we should not have increases for members’ clubs in par-ticular. The Government will make some headway in having increases in other areas or in other entities that are not classified as members’ sporting or community clubs. But we are happy to have the support now of having the fees remain just as they are particularly during this time. We had indications throughout the week that the cost of BELCO fuel charges for clubs are going to be increasing , and this is goin g to be another impact. This supports our contention, Mr. Speaker, that this is not an appropriate time to be i ncreasing the fees on members’ clubs as having regard to the role that they play. So Mr. Speaker, in principle, therefore, we support the idea of this innovative creation of a new category of licence that allows for the product offering of tourism driven events to be the subject of an appl ication before the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Board. And when we go into Committee, Mr. Speaker, I will present an amendment to the second Schedule that deals with the concerns and objections that the PLP have to increases. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Learned Member from cons tituency 31, MP Shawn Crockwell. You have the floor. Bermu da House of Assembly
Mr. Shawn G. CrockwellYes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I also rise to support this amendment, which is supporting the specific event — the Heroes Weekend Event —but also any type of tourism ev ent that will be deemed suitable to procure a tourism event licence. And so I think that what …
Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I also rise to support this amendment, which is supporting the specific event — the Heroes Weekend Event —but also any type of tourism ev ent that will be deemed suitable to procure a tourism event licence. And so I think that what we are doing today encourages innovation and creativity from the people of this country. When you talk about tourism and we talk about why people will travel to certain destinations, quite often it is the creativity and innovation of the people and the events and the products and the activities that they create. And this is what draws people to those jurisdictions. Many jurisdictions, Mr. Speaker, have blue waters and have white sands —not as beautiful as ours . . . not as beautiful as ours, Mr. Speaker. But many of them have sunny climates as well. So in order for us to truly compete in this very competitive i ndustry we have to have the types of events that we saw last year with the Bermuda Heroes Weekend. And let me say, Mr. Speaker, from every a ngle the event was a success. We did not hear about any violence taking place during the event. There were no tragedies as it relates to . . . as the former Transport Mini ster, of course, I was concerned about the consumption of alcohol in excess during that p eriod of time. But we did not have any significant acc idents or incidents. We must take our hat off to Mr. Sukdeo who organised that event ( if I am pronounc ing it corr ectly) as well as his colleagues because not only did they come up with a creative and innovative acti vity, but they also pulled it off well and they executed it well. And so they deserve a great deal of kudos in my opinion. As the Attorney General stated, it brought 170 visitors to Bermuda. I have heard numbers even higher than that . And the projection for this year is it will be even better. So I would like to put out a call to the people of this country to take note at this particular event , and if they have an idea that they think can grow into something like this, they should go to the BTA, try to get the support, and they should know that the Government will support them. And I believe that this entire House actually supported the Heroes Weekend event . And let me say this, Mr. Speaker, as I heard an interpolation from a Member . I want to say this. I am not a big Soca person, okay? This is not my thing. But there are many, many people who love that type of music. And when you talk about Carnivals, ther e are people who travel all around the world to go to Carnivals in all different types of jurisdictions, okay? So those who do not enjoy it, stay home. Okay? Stay home. I stayed home. Okay? I stayed home. It is not my thing, Mr. Speaker . Although I may go ; I may check out an event . But you know what, Mr. Speaker? I have family members who love it and went. I have friends who love it and went. And Mr. Speaker, they loved it. In fact, one particular family member actually travels to Carnivals and so I wanted to get his opinion on it. And so when I went to speak to him just to get a comparative analysis he said it could rate among some of the best. And for the very first Carnival in Bermuda to get that type of grade, I think, again, is a job well done. But I think it is outrageous that people in this community, because they do not partake in activities like that, will come out and condemn it. We have to move away from that mindset that because we don’t do it, nobody can do it ; because we don’t enjoy it, nobody can enjoy it. Okay? If you do not want to partake in it, that is your prerogative, stay home. But those who want to go and enjoy it, Mr. Speaker, let them go and enjoy it. And as a jurisdiction we have to, as the Opposition Leader likes to say quite often, free-up a bit, Mr. Speaker, and we have to make coming to Bermuda a fun experience for our guests. So I fully support, Mr. Speaker, that we are creating this par-ticular licence that will support these events so that they can be as successful as possible. But I also want to say this to the Attorney General and to the Government : We need to go further. And I know that this amendment has come spe-cifically to capture the Heroes Day event which is soon upon us . But I have dealt with matters as it r elates to t he Liquor Licensing Authority and the current rules that we operate in this country are too restrictive. For example, we have . . . and we have seen it, we have seen it . We have in the Summary Offences Act, Mr. Speaker, there is a provision where alcohol cannot be consumed in a public place. And if you look at these— it is section 10 . If you look at section 10, it actually refers to roads and highways and the like, but if you then go and look at the definition of “highways” you will find that a highway is de fined as any public place, which captures a public beach. It captures a public beach. It captures Front Street. So you may recall, Mr. Speaker, when there was a request for some event at Harbour Nights to be able to sell alc ohol during the Harbour Night event, it was turned down by the then Liquor Licensing Authority, which had a negative . . . I believe it was the Chamber of Commerce that was seeking that licence, but [it] had a negative impact on the event. And I have had to deal with situations, Mr. Spea ker, where you can have a concessionaire at a very popular beach in Bermuda and that concessio naire can sell alcohol, but the patron cannot take the alcohol from where th ey are buying it onto the beach— because then you are committing an offence. And so the concessionaire now has the burden of having to police its patrons and stop them from taking a beer or a cocktail on the beach while they are on vacation. It does not make sense to me. It creates an 1870 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly additional burden on the concessionaire and the tourist. I was actually there recently and you know a tourist came up and said they wanted to get Piña C oladas and they wanted to go and sit on their lounge chairs . . . and they are on vacation . They spent tho usands of dollars to come here and we are telling them they cannot take their Piña Colada to their lounge chair on the beach. And we wonder why we are not competitive, Mr. Speaker? You can go to other Cari bbean islands, Mr. Speaker, and they come and serve you at your lounge chair on the beach. You do not even have to move, Mr. Speaker. So when that option is available to those who are [comparing] travel [destinations], and they say , Well do I want to go to a place where I have got to walk all the way down there to get a refreshment, I have got to stay there an d consume all my refres hments while I am there, I cannot take it back to my spot and relax and enjoy it . But I can go to that place and not only can I do that, but they are going to come and serve me my beverage. So, you know, we have to . . . and I am appealing to the Attorney General and appealing to the Government that we have to address these issues and we have to make things more enjo yable, less restrictive, so people can come here, let their hair down, and have a good time. They are on vacation. And t he last time I checked vacations are about having fun, Mr. Speaker. And also, you know, the National Parks Commission, with all due respect, has a legacy of starting off with “no” to everything. Someone comes with a creative idea and because, you know, it might go over a crab hole, they say no, Mr. Speaker. We have to stop from starting with the premise “no” and we have to open up our minds and we have to be less restrictive and be more visionary and embrace the opportunity for individuals to come and enjoy themselves because they want to have a unique exper ience, they want to have something different. So creating the tourism event licence, I think, is a good thing. I support it 100 per cent. But I am hoping, Mr. Speaker, that we will be back before this Honourable House with further amendments because beach economies, Mr. Speaker, create jobs . It creates jobs. If you go to the Bahamas right now you will find young people—15 years old, 16 years old —making a lot of money braiding people’s hair, okay?
[Inaudible interjection]
Mr. Shawn G. CrockwellAnd Bahamians, Mr. Speaker, okay? A simple thing like . . . we cannot even do that, we cannot even do that. So these are ways . . . and this may be forecasting on a future debate today . We want to talk about creat ing jobs? We have …
And Bahamians, Mr. Speaker, okay? A simple thing like . . . we cannot even do that, we cannot even do that. So these are ways . . . and this may be forecasting on a future debate today . We want to talk about creat ing jobs? We have got to be more creative and less restrictive. Because you can have an awesome beach economy, you can have little pop -ups on the beach, you can have all sorts of different amenities on the beach that can turn one of the top 10 beaches in t he world— which is Horseshoe Beach, ranked in the top 10 . . . we can make that number 1 if we had better amenities, Mr. Speaker, and better services. So well done on this amendment, and I hope it is the first of many. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The Chair recognises the Learned Member from constituency 34, MP Kim Wilson. You have the floor.
Ms. Kim N. WilsonThank you, Mr. Speaker, good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I just want to join in the chorus of what was spoken by the Member before me and then, of course, the Shadow Minister of Justice and Shadow Attorney General concerning this amendment and that we obviously support the objective behind it. …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I just want to join in the chorus of what was spoken by the Member before me and then, of course, the Shadow Minister of Justice and Shadow Attorney General concerning this amendment and that we obviously support the objective behind it. One issue that I do have, Mr. Speaker, and I am hoping that perhaps it was not necessar ily clear in the brief and maybe I have missed it, but when I look at the provisions that allow for the Chairman of the BTA to have the authority to (a) define a tourism event and then (b) accept it as a tourism event , and then the process then goes back t o the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Authority, which is obviously the Senior Magistrate, and it goes to that panel . . . I am just wondering how the authority comes with the BTA. In this regard we are speaking about, you make this ap-plication to the Cha irman of the BTA, and then the process starts there. But I do not recall seeing any legislation that allows for the BTA to even do this. I wonder what the policy is concerning the BTA in terms of what they will do to ascertain what is a tourism event? I k now we have spoken a lot about the National Heroes Weekend, which I think all of us will agree is a tourism event . But what about Cup Match? You know Cup Match is going to be in Somer-set this year, Somerset will win and retain the Cup again—
Some Hon. Mem bers: Yes!
[Desk thumping]
Ms. Kim N. Wilson—and the reality is, what pr ecludes someone, like myself, from making an applic ation to the Tourism Chairman and saying I want a tourism event . . . I do not know, right there on Clyde Best [Lane] or in a churchyard for example, and then I sell alcohol, …
—and the reality is, what pr ecludes someone, like myself, from making an applic ation to the Tourism Chairman and saying I want a tourism event . . . I do not know, right there on Clyde Best [Lane] or in a churchyard for example, and then I sell alcohol, which is going to be in direct competition to the bar that the Cricket Club is going to rely heavily on with respect to Cup Match? So I am just concerned about issues like that, again, notwithstanding that we do not support the
Bermu da House of Assembly whole mischief and intent of this legislation, but what are the parameters with respect to the Bermuda Tourism Authority? What are their policies ? What are they going to be using to decide what constitutes a tourism event? What will they do to ascertain whether there are any objections to that event? What will the Tour-ism Authority do to clearly indicate insofar as policy if they want to add conditions to that event? I mean I do not know , and I do not know . That is my question to the Minis ter. I do not see anywhere in the legislation of the Bermuda Tourism Authority that they even have the power to do this, again, not-withstanding the support of the mischief of this. I am just wonder ing if we are getting ahead of ourselves, perhaps, because we know National Heroes Weekend is on the eve, you know, within a couple of weeks. But I do not see how we can pass legislation allowing for the Bermuda Tourism Authority to accept the applic ations in writing of an applicant applying for a tourism event li cence pursuant to 22A when they do not have the power to do that. So are we making bad law, no twithstanding the mischief, by allowing the Authority to do something that they do not have the legislative power to do? And therein lies my question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 13, MP Diallo Rabain. You have the floor.
Mr. Diallo V. S. RabainThank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I want to echo the comments of all of my collea gues that support this particular Bill, but with some questions. One of the things I would like to point out is Members opposite passed the Vendors Act a few years ago and it is …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, I want to echo the comments of all of my collea gues that support this particular Bill, but with some questions. One of the things I would like to point out is Members opposite passed the Vendors Act a few years ago and it is that Act that restricts you from going to a beach and braiding hair. It is as simple as that. So if you are going to complain about what you cannot do, they have the power to bring the legislation to change it. So do not pontificate and get up and say we should be doing this, we should be doing that, when you have passed laws already that prevent that from happening. It just does not make sense. And another question, and my colleague from 34 had a very interesting point and I would be interested to know if the Junior Minister for Tourism will get up and give some answers to that q uestion. I would love to see that. But Mr. Speaker, one thing that did stand out to me, and I will not speak long, is we talked about responsible drinking. As someone who has applied for occasional licences —and I declare my interest as the Treasurer of a W orkman’s Club, I have been involved in applying for members’ club licences because I know what information has to be put forth in order to do that. The members’ club licence is the most restrictive; it is the hardest licence in Bermuda to get. Do you know why, Mr. Speaker? It is because it allows you to have your bar open for 24 hours straight. And there is a certain responsibility that comes with that , and there is a ton of paperwork that you have to file in order to get that privilege. We now have . . . we are creating a class of licence that gives that privilege. It says here that the liquor licence will go from 6:00 pm to 2:00 am on the last day. So you theoretically can go from Friday at 6:00 pm to Sunday at 2:00 am and drink non -stop and sell liquor n onstop. So this is something we really need to take a look at because with the occasional licence you have to stop selling liquor at 2:00 am, which is reasonable. I think it is reasonable to at least give people a break. To allow a licence that allows liquor to be sold for a 48 . . . for a 50- something hour period, just does not seem very well thought out. I am not sure who is go-ing to be drinking for 24 hours a day . . . Bermudians . . . you know you might have that case. But it is som ething we definitely should think about, especially if we are talking about responsible drinking and the like. Mr. Speaker, I am also very happy to hear that the Government has agreed to the amendment to not increase the cost of the members’ [club] licence. Members’ clubs in Bermuda play a very important role in the social fabric of our sporting clubs and our communities. Most of these clubs, the only revenue they get is from the bar. It is a members’ club because you are only supposed to have members there and their guests. S o it is not like it is a free for all like a regular nightclub or regular liquor store. It is not supposed to be a free for all, it is supposed to be strictly for the members and it is used to support the club. And those funds are then used to support comm unity events and support sporting events , their sporting teams. So to talk about increasing the fees, in this case by over 200- something per cent, it just seems disproportionate and I am happy that we have agreed to that amendment to leave that as is. Because our mem bers’ clubs are suffering. Our members’ clubs are suffering because of the legislation brought forth by this Government to allow supermarkets and the like to sell liquor on Sundays. They now directly compete with members’ clubs throughout the Is land, and virt ually every members’ club has seen a significant drop in revenue on Sundays —a significant drop. That has affected our sporting teams; that has affected our community events. As we know it is a lot more difficult to go out and get sponsorship for certain events . So a lot of these things depended on that. And we all know, and Mr. Speaker, I am sure you can attest to it, that our sports in Bermuda play a significant role with our youth. I really hate to mention liquor and youth at the same time, but you know, it is an uncomfortable truth that this is . . . the funds are derived from adults, but they are used to benefit our children. And once we start taking away those funds and doing things to erode those funds, the youth suf1872 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly fer, our teams suffer , and we now get clubs not being able to afford certain sports , and youths start doing other things to entertain themselves. So it has a knock -on effect and I have seen this more than once, or more often than we should, where we are making decisions today but not consi dering the potential knock -on effect for years down the road on the things that we are doing today. And that is all I wanted to say on this matter. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 1, Junior Minister Kenneth Bascome. You have the floor. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am glad that the young man actually called my name.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Honourable Member. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: The Honourable Member Mr. Rabain. I am actually happy that he called my name. Once again, you will be aware (they get o ffended when I put myself out there, Mr. Speaker ), I Kenneth L. Bascome was the first concessionaire in Bermuda …
The Honourable Member. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: The Honourable Member Mr. Rabain. I am actually happy that he called my name. Once again, you will be aware (they get o ffended when I put myself out there, Mr. Speaker ), I Kenneth L. Bascome was the first concessionaire in Bermuda to have a beer and wine licence on a public beach. I fought with the establishment for six years, Mr. Speaker, and as the Honourable Member Mr. Shawn Crockwell stated, you can bring beer to the beach, but they would not allow me to sell it to you. And that was pathetic i n my own opinion. So I am sa ying I would hope that the Attorney General listened to what the Honourable Member Kim Wilson had t o say about us bringing legislation here, understanding that we are looking to do things to allow this Carnival to go ahead, but we have to tread easy in my opinion, Mr. Speaker, tread easy because you are going to have the general public who are going to say we are allo wing people to just drink willy -nilly, willy -nilly? And I have to disagree with the Honourable Member that the supermarkets being able to sell li quor has had an impact on the clubs. For years, Mr. Speaker, you will be aware that you and I were r esponsible for a Soc a programme. And I have been telling the clubs for years that we need to start creat-ing more social progr ammes in the clubs so that we can encourage the families to come to the clubs rather than depending on the sale of alcohol, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the clubs need to become a little bit more creative and stop depending on selling 50 beers in order to be successful. And I personally believe that there is sponsorship money out there to help the clubs. Should the clubs come with a concrete pr ogramme, the sponsorship is there, Mr. Speaker. They just need to put concrete programmes together and I believe that the corporate world of Bermuda would come on board automatically. I am always short and brief, Mr. Speaker, so I am going to say it again, that I was the first concessionaire in Bermuda to have a licence on a public beach, and I can show you the documentation to prove it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 15, MP Walter Roban. You have the floor.
Mr. Walter H. RobanThank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not planning to speak too long on this matter. I echo the comments that have been shared already by my honourable colleagues on this side as to our support around this legislation. I am particularly pleased to see that the amendment to the Schedule …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not planning to speak too long on this matter. I echo the comments that have been shared already by my honourable colleagues on this side as to our support around this legislation. I am particularly pleased to see that the amendment to the Schedule has been endorsed by the Government , that we are happy with that in keeping the members’ club licence fee the same, and it will not be [increased] . There is obviously concern about any i ncreases in licenc es in [our economic] environment so that entertainment in Bermuda and efforts to pr ovide services in Bermuda will not become more expensive for everyone. I think that is a general concern we have across the board. But at least we see that our me mbers’ clubs are not going to be [faced] with an exorbitant licence fee. As a person who sits in a district that is bo rdered by two clubs, the Devonshire Rec and the MidAtlantic Boat Club, it is of interest to me that their we lfare, Mr. Speaker, is preserved and that the tradition upon which they were founded and seek to exist is not attacked wit h exorbitant government fee increases in any way as they struggle, frankly, to fulfil their man-dates, whether it be in the area of sailing , as with the Mid-Atlantic Boat Club in providing a place where young people can learn and sort of appreciate our maritime heritage, or the Devonshire Recreation Club, as we all know the long history they have in the spor ting community. So, all clubs need to see that we, as legisl ators, respect their existence and do not attack their existence in ways that can, frankly, b e shifted els ewhere if fees have to be raised. Certainly, the support for the tourist licence to encourage a certain type of entertainment in Bermuda is also good. And it is, perhaps, in place to support a specific event that is coming, Mr. Speaker . But we should hope that other events will be encouraged by this form of licence in the future. And as someone who knows a bit about the tradition of Carnival in the r egion, I know that this has not been a tradition that has been engrained in the Bermuda history. But someone has decided to start and bring that cultural experience, which is somewhat connected to our own Caribbean
Bermu da House of Assembly history, but it is not engrained as it is in other islands, so that what has been started will be cultivated. Because like in every other island, it started somewhere with something and it evolved to what it is and has an impact that those islands benefit from . Some islands even in the Caribbean, Mr. Speaker, had to change the date upon which they held their Carnivals to actually ensure th eir sustai nability . Places like St. Vincent and other islands had to change their dates at one point in their history, but those Carnivals have been sustained and they have evolved. So, perhaps, the tradition which has been brought here will find its space to evolve and become an essential part of our entertainment summer exper ience. So we look forward to seeing that . And I do hope that others will find this tourism event licence an opportunity. There are a couple of questions that I have which, perhaps, I will save for the stage of Committee, if I have an opportunity to speak then, about the legi slation and just some of the terminology. But I do hope that this brings about the activity and opportunity that people desire , this new form of licence. I do shar e the comments of the Member who spoke earlier about the procedure around the liquor licensing regime and, perhaps, it is certainly an archaic regime that needs to be updated to fit where Bermuda needs to go around this whole management of how alcohol is c onsumed and where it fits . And yes, we do need to move to a point where a person can get a Piña Colada or a Bloody Mary or a Scotch and Water on the beach. If you go to any island in the Caribbean, as many of us do, no matter how we think that we are more sophisticated here in Bermuda, they are doing things that we are not , and they are benefitting from that. You know we talk about having a Dark and Stormy drink , but a person cannot go on the beach and have a Dark and Stormy what is . . . you know, what is the real experience in Bermuda? They cannot freely have whatever drink that they want to have. That is a part of celebrating who we are and we should give our visitors the full experience. If we feel good about our beaches we should allow them to ex-perienc e positive aspects to their visitor experience on the beach. And having a drink on the beach, despite our efforts to ensure that people drink wisely, is a part of the visitor experience that they should have because people will make choices to go elsewhere when those little things —not necessarily the big things, when the little things —that they like as a part of their visitor experience are not in a destination. So we have to be mindful of that. We hope that s ome of these changes that have been expressed about opening up and freeing up over time, we as leaders can take them on and push the envelope, despite the feelings of some . Because if we are in the business of tourism and service we have to please the customer, irrespective of som etimes how we may feel ourselves. So with that I will close my comments and look forward to us moving on to make the appropriate changes that have been proposed to this law, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Any other Honourable Member care to speak? The Chair will recognise now the Honourable Member from constituency 16, MP Weeks. You have the floor.
Mr. Michael A. WeeksThank you, Mr. Speaker. I too commend the substantive Minister for bringing this here because we have to bring our tourism product into the 21 st century . Unfortunately, that does mean tak ing a look at our liquor licensing rules as they exist. But I am also concerned that …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too commend the substantive Minister for bringing this here because we have to bring our tourism product into the 21 st century . Unfortunately, that does mean tak ing a look at our liquor licensing rules as they exist. But I am also concerned that as we do it we have to be careful because we do not want to gain the world and lose our souls . Meaning t hat, Mr. Speaker, we do not want to give any and everybody the ability to have these occasional licenc es that may take away from some existing facilities, so to speak. Having said that, Mr. Speaker, I am going to talk about the members’ clubs. I am glad t hat the su bstantive Minister decided to reverse the fee from $1,000 back down to $375. But even that, Mr. Speaker, to a person like myself who is also part of members ’ and sporting and workman’s clubs, is a challenge to some clubs because when we allowed alcohol to be sold by supermarkets and shops on a Sunday it really affect ed the bottom line of clubs . I was thinking this morning when I was sitting reading my newspaper, when I saw that BELCO raised their rates, immediately I went to the impact that that i s going to have on those member clubs trying to meet their monthly obligations when it comes to financial obligations. So no matter how small it may be, it always affects these member clubs because not only will the bottom line be affected by allowing sup ermarkets to sell liquor on a Sunday, the Government has over the years decreased their grants to member clubs . So all of those things combined are putting the programmes that a lot of these clubs put on for our youth and our seniors in jeopardy. We see it firsthand over and over. Slowly, but surely, a lot of services are being eroded. So I might even take a stretch and say that this $375 be suspended for a year or two to these member clubs that can prove need. So all these things have to be looked at because our clubs are in jeopardy . I have heard one of my colleagues say that it is an inconvenient truth that we do need alcohol sales in order to take care of our social programmes. It sounds like a contradiction, but that is the reality of it. So I think that we need to look collectively, especially as a Government, at ways that we can give these 1874 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly clubs reprieve. Because even with BELCO now i ncreasing their fees, that too is going to create har dship, Mr. Speaker. So we have to look at the whole picture. Again, I commend the Minister for at least starting by reversing his objective to raise the fees for member clubs to $1,000. So that is a start ; but I think we have to look more in trying to help out our member clubs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 18, MP David Burt.
Mr. E. David BurtMr. Speaker, I will not be too long , and I will not repeat too much of what has already been said by the Members on this side. But I think that it is important that we make it clear from the outset that this is, you know . . …
Mr. Speaker, I will not be too long , and I will not repeat too much of what has already been said by the Members on this side. But I think that it is important that we make it clear from the outset that this is, you know . . . and I will declare my interest, Mr. Speaker . I am a Soca fan, as most people in Bermuda know, and I will declare my interest that I am a friend of Jason S ukde o, and he, although he has questionable political choices as he has decided to be a One Bermuda Alliance candidate, we have to recognise the fact that he is a One Bermuda Alliance Candidate! I find it interesting that I can recall, even though I was not in this particular place, that a few years ago that when the PLP brought an amendment to the Transport to introduce Funeral Home Limousines, we were attacked for doing t hings for friends and family for doing things for Mr. David Augustus, who, yes, is a proud member of the Progressive Labour Party , and that is not hidden. But it is so interes ting how the tables have turned and there is no acc usation of friends and family, no . . . what it is called, it is just okay. It is just a part of doing business. So I think that it is interesting. That much being said, Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of persons who have tried to put on tourism events before and they have not been able to have this opportunity. So, yes, we can see that membership in the One Bermuda Alliance may have its privileges and they may get certain things . But I would hope that, as was stated by the Honourable Learned Member Kim Wilson for constituency 34, that we can find out what the specific criteria are which qualifies someone for a tourist event. Because I think that that is something that is very important and maybe we will discuss it here, maybe we will get to in a general d ebate, maybe the Junior Minister w ill get some clarity from the BTA so he can bring it back when we get to the committee stage. But I certainly think that it is something that is very important and I think that we should understand. Is this being brought for one event ? Do we assume this is just going to be the only event which this is for? Will it apply to any event that the Bermuda Tourism Authority gives money to (b ecause the Bermuda Tourism Authority gives money to lots of events )? Does that therefore mean that all these events can appl y for licen ces? What are the restri ctions in those cases? So I think that is something that certainly must be clarified. Now I will say, Mr. Speaker, that I did listen with interest to the former Minister of Tourism when he gave his comments and I was wond ering whether or not his comments fell on deaf ears while he was in Cabinet. And clearly he is not there, so maybe that is the case because he is saying that we need to freeup, which is something that has been said a lot from this side of the aisle, Mr. S peaker. But it is something that we are really not getting from the One Bermuda Alliance. But I will only hearken back to a few months ago when I stood in this place and offered on behalf of the Progressive Labour Party a Budget Reply. And in the Budget R eply when we spoke about tourism, if you will allow me, Mr. Speaker, to read, I said the following: “Tourism is about experiences, tourism is about escape, tourism is about letting go, and most of all tourism is about fun. In order to compete in tourism we need to remember that if people don’t get it in Bermuda they will go somewhere else to get it . The next PLP Government will make changes to our laws to keep Bermuda competitive with other tourism dest inations. ” Now, Mr. Speaker, I raise that only because it was a subject of ridicule from the backbench, the former Attorney General MP Pettingill, and the front bench with the Premier himself in closing saying, that’s their vision . . . talking about relaxing laws and all the rest. But look at these. The pers on that used to be in charge of Tourism for the One Bermuda Alliance is saying the exact same thing. I am wondering if the Honourable Premier today will get up and criticise his former Minister for echoing the points which are made from this side of the ai sle. It is very simple, Mr. Speaker, we are either going to be serious about being in tourism or we are not. And if we want to be serious about tourism, then we have to remember that we are in a competitive landscape competing with other persons. So I co mmend the former Minister for his newfound conviction in speaking up for this. I can only assume that when he was part of the Cabinet he was ignored by the same Premier who said , Oh, look, that’s their vision of trying to relax laws , and I would hope that he would speak more about things that we need to do to advance the course of tourism because tourism is very important.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Member. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Mr. Shawn G. CrockwellThe Honourable Member is misleading the House in that the specific area that the former Premier and former Attorney General was referring to was relaxing laws as it related to marijuana and the Honourable Member knows that. The Sp eaker: Thank you.
Mr. E. David BurtMr. Speaker, I have no idea what the Honourable Member is speaking of. I will again read the quote from the Budget if you wish. You can make whatever revisionist history that it is that you would like. I am talking abo ut—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Member? POINT OF ORDER
Mr. Shawn G. CrockwellI am referring specificall y to what those Members said in this House. The former Attorney General specifically referred to . . . he felt that that paragraph was referring to relaxing marijuana laws in this country.
Mr. E. David BurtMr. Speaker, I find it so interesting that it seems that the former Attorney General is able to read my mind. I think it is interesting because you can ascribe things to certain things. You can make it up about anything. You could make it up about prost itution if …
Mr. Speaker, I find it so interesting that it seems that the former Attorney General is able to read my mind. I think it is interesting because you can ascribe things to certain things. You can make it up about anything. You could make it up about prost itution if you want . You can make it up of whatever it is. The fact of the matter remains that the Honourable Premier of this country criticised us for saying that we need to relax our laws to be more c ompetitive in a jurisdiction , and I am just pointing out the fact that that is being echoed by the very former Minister of Tour-ism from that side. So that is all. We do not need to fight ; we are on the same page as we grapple on this one. I am just happy that you are now standing up and making those points , and hopefully they will be listened to because clearly they were not listened to around the Cabinet table. Now, I will move on to the final point because I want to make it very important for . . . I th ink it is important to make sure the record is clarified that the Shadow Attorney General, when we met in our caucus meeting on Wednesday and we saw the draft Bill that the Government asked us to move quickly on because this is being done just for Bermuda’ s Heroes Weekend, we saw that they were raising rates across the board and it would negatively affect our comm unity clubs. And our directors from the caucus [wanted] the Shadow A ttorney General to reach out to the A ttorney General and say that we will supp ort doing this short, however, we need to make sure that we are not putting additional expenses on our community clubs. And the Honourable Shadow Attorney Ge neral said that if the Government will accept our amendment that we are going to move to reduce that. But I think that it is a very important point and it has been raised by other persons, Mr. Speaker, because when we are talking about raising fees and raising items on our various community clubs, which are struggling and which do provide services to t he community and to youth, we have to remember all of the additional burdens that have been placed on them. There is the increase in fuel tax, which will affect them. There is the increase in payroll tax, which will affect them. There is the increase on duty, which will affect them. And in this case, in the last week, it was the increase in BELCO fees. And in this case, before the amendment that we are going to put, there was an increase in liquor licence fees. I would only remind and ask that the Gover nment to be mindful of the effects they could have on these community organisations. We have seen lots of community organisations, whether or not they are members’ clubs, whether they are community clubs, whether they are volunteer service organisations, which are experiencing a very troubling time. We have seen grants and contributions cut to addiction services. And we see, I am going to say anecdotally (because of where my office is located I get to see an increase of substance abuse), there are challenges and repercussions which we have. And in the Motion to Adjourn last week, Mr. Speaker, I spoke about where we have to be mindful and get serious about the root causes of the cha llenges of crime in our society. And I would hope that the Government would take i nto account the negative impacts of the changes which they will make in all of their laws across the board and how they can affect our very vulnerable community organisations who are trying their best to make ends meet and to do good for the community. 1876 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly So I will thank the Honourable Attorney General and the Government for taking our recommendation on board, and I look forward to their support for our amendment when we get to Committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Honourable Me mber. Any other Honourable Member care to speak? The Chair will recognise now the Honourable Minister for Economic Development, Dr. Gibbons. You have the floor. Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was sitting here thinking a little …
All right. Thank you, Honourable Me mber. Any other Honourable Member care to speak? The Chair will recognise now the Honourable Minister for Economic Development, Dr. Gibbons. You have the floor.
Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I was sitting here thinking a little bit about history on this one. It is apparent that there is really nothing new under the sun here. I can reme mber, and you will too, going back to the 1990s when a certain Tourism Minister who sat in this House had a campaign called Let yourself go and, at the time, I recall the Opposition was horrified and sort of claimed that this was certainly not a direction that we wanted to go.
[Inaudible interjection] Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: It was Mr. Dodwell at the time. So I think there i s a rather amusing cyclical approach here. I think the good news here, Mr. Speaker, is that we all seem to be agreed that this is heading—
[Gavel]
Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: I think the good news here, Mr. Speaker, is we all seem to be agre eing that this is heading in a good direction, that licensing these events is a positive thing and will do much to improve our beach tourism and, indeed, our tourism as a whole. So with those words, Mr. Speaker, I will let my honourable colleague the A ttorney General answer the other questions. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Dr. Gibbons. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 33, the Shadow Minister of Tourism.
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsThank you, Mr. Speaker, and I will not be long. My colleagues and I give thanks to the Acting Leader of the Progressive Labour Party for allowing me to break protocol and speak after him because this is an important issue and this is an important step —this creation of …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I will not be long. My colleagues and I give thanks to the Acting Leader of the Progressive Labour Party for allowing me to break protocol and speak after him because this is an important issue and this is an important step —this creation of this new form of liquor licence— creating some innovation into our tourism product. The challenge I will put to the Government is that we have numerous events —24 th May, Cup Match, Labour Day —let us think about how we can enhance those products as well, not just Heroes Weekend. What can we do? What Bills can we bring to this Chamber, what relief, what concessions can we bring to enhance those products ? And I speak to Cup Match in particular b ecause many people are not aware that we have the clubs which gain very little money from the merchan-dise that is sold, often in their name. If you have an America’s Cup product, for example, I cannot go out and make America’s Cup t -shirts and sell them and make money off of them. The America’s Cup gets that protection. And we should begin thinking, not only how do we enhance these events, how do we move them forward in ways to innovate and make them more amenable to our visitors, but how can we also ensure that the profits stay with the people who have been there from the beginning. And so I put a challenge to the Government to begin wrapping their heads around events other than Heroes Weekend and how we can begin to enhance them, how we can begin to put some relief and get some benefit back into the communities that have been a part of it from the beginning. And with those brief words, Mr. Speaker, I will take my seat.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 6, MP Wayne Furbert. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was not going to speak. I am sorry, but the Honourable Member when he brought up the Let yourself go campaign, it was …
Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 6, MP Wayne Furbert.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was not going to speak. I am sorry, but the Honourable Member when he brought up the Let yourself go campaign, it was probably the worst campaign we ever had in Bermuda for tourism. And if you remember that stuff that was raised up down at the airport giving the impression of something else other than drinking, it was a different story, that is why Let yourself go did not work. But let me just say I do understand. I am not a drinker, but I understand we cannot serve even Gi nger Ale on Horseshoe B ay. You have got to sit there and wait for it . So we have got to do some things. But how in the world do we just define . . . and I agree with the former Minister of Tourism, to just Heroes Wee kend? Like I said I am not a drinker, but that is not the biggest tourism event. We know what the biggest tourism event is in Bermuda, all right? But even the event that took place three days ago, whatever it is, is a big tourism event. So we need to do something different and the Government is going to consider it . But we cannot do it just for Heroes Week because it does not logically make sense. If you say it is good for that it cannot be bad for the other part.
Bermu da House of Assembly So all I am saying is that the Government, as the former Minister said . . . I mean I remember when I was the Minister that we had concerns about moving a little small tree up in Horseshoe Bay. It was about this height and our blue birds would sit on it . And we talked about putting beach soccer on the other side of the dunes . But the environmentalists were concerned about the little tree that was there, a cedar tree, about removing it. I met with the former Minister Weeks and the former Minister Marc Bean because we were supposed to do something, because Parks controlled everything, as the Minister said. They were all ner vous about this. And you look at the Act. The Act does not say that you cannot do anything ; but we just put it in that group and they just r an wild. You just cannot touch it. Everything is virgin around here. That is why the Bermuda Tourism Pl an came about to make the beaches something much more lively , other than from the park down at Shelley Bay Beach . All right? But my point is that the Government needs to—and if they do not do it we will just have to do it when we get in—make it much more l ively, to make things happen. So I am hoping that the former Mini ster of Tourism , and I am hoping that his colleagues , or whoever is responsible for that, will open up and make some things happen in Bermuda. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable M ember. Any other Honourable Members care to speak? Are you sure? Everybody is sure? [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Chair will now recognise the Learned Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank all the Member s for their contributions. I would particularly like to thank the former Minister, the Honourable Member Shawn Croc kwell. This was, actually, an initiative under …
The Chair will now recognise the Learned Attorney General.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank all the Member s for their contributions. I would particularly like to thank the former Minister, the Honourable Member Shawn Croc kwell. This was, actually, an initiative under the Ministry of Tourism , so I am not taking credit for it. I am usually more on the side of telling people what they cannot do, so I am usually more on that negative side. You need that positive/negative vibe to get things done for the community. And we have the same situation here, you know . You have these tensions because Bermuda is a traditional society, it has a very strong church lobby, and whenever these difficult issues come up you balance the people who want to be progressive with those who want to protect tradition. You only have to look at the same sex issue and how the Opposition have come out and made their position plain on same sex marriage. These are difficult issues where there are two sides of the coin and you have to get the right balance for this community. And it is a difficult one, it is not easy, and the Honourable Junior Minis ter of Tourism, the Member from constituency 1, Kenneth Bascome, talked about the . . . you know, the clubs. The Members speak about oh well, the clubs need to sell massive amounts of alcohol in order to support their activities (and those are my words ). They should move away from that, they should have to move away from it. No one knows better than me the challenge that community clubs have had. I have been involved with community clubs in the past and I know they have had an uphill and downhill battle. Most of the community clubs here were formally incorporated back during the ’50s and ’60s, and they have had an up and downhill battle. Perhaps the best thing that happened to them was . . . a lot of us will remember when we had no television for about a year or 18 months and how everyone would flock to the sports clubs and community clubs to watch telev ision on satellite dishes . And the video places [pr oduced] millionaires, the people wh o owned video clubs made millions. So you know wherever there are challenges there are also opportunities. But unfortunately these days with computers, I know that the Acting Leader of the Opposition is fami liar because he certainly seems to be addicted to his computer and the Internet. The younger ge neration have little interest in those sort s of things. You know their mind is stuck on the Internet, what is happening on the Internet, and what is on Facebook and all the rest of it. So the community clubs have been cha llenged. But they are in a difficult position. On the one hand they do all these good activities with sports and young men, but on the other hand they are selling alcohol, which, you know , if you do not have respons ible drinking (and sometimes when I go past these places I believe I see there is not responsible dr inking), then we have a problem . And then we have s ocial difficulties. So you try and find the right balance. I appreciate, you know, Members . . . and quite a few Members compared us to places to the south. But we have to remember we are not the places t o the south. We are not in the tropics. We are not even in the sub- tropics. We are in a temperate zone. We are not going to duplicate what somebody has somewhere else. We have to find our own way and we are feeling our way along. You know as Members on thi s side so often say , the Members on that side had 14 years to do all the freeing up they wanted to do. All that they wanted to do they had the time to do—400 years, 4 years, 14 years —whatever, it does not matter. You take as much responsibility as you do . And that Honourable Member was on the UBP at the time so he takes blame for both sides in that —
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Bermuda House of Assembly The Speaker: All right, Honourable Members, we are over the debate. And Attorney General , speak to me.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Yes, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSpeak to me. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: So there are some Members who can take responsibility on both sides of the equation. So we are trying to find out , we are trying to find our way forward in a responsible fashion. We feel that we are making progress. Obviously, …
Speak to me.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: So there are some Members who can take responsibility on both sides of the equation. So we are trying to find out , we are trying to find our way forward in a responsible fashion. We feel that we are making progress. Obviously, that progress is going to be too fast for some and too slow for ot hers. And that is where we are today. But we are going to do our best. This piece of legislation is not just for Heroes Weekend. Obviously, we are attempting to get it in place in tim e to be active for Heroes Weekend. I spoke specifically to Heroes Weekend and the Mem-bers of the Opposition have supported us in that. I would like to give them certainly my thanks and our thanks on this side for supporting this initiative. We think it will achieve something very positive and we think it will be a start . But it is not just for Heroes Weekend; that may be a false impression that was given. And as the Acting Leader of the Opposition spoke, it is not just for that one event . There are a number of satellite, or other , events that we understand are taking place. We also want to encourage those events. I want to assure members in the community that Members, when we were sitting in Legislative Committee, we had the National Security present and the Police were present . So we were looking very much at the security of these events , and particularly so the staff at these events are TIPS trained —the bartenders are TIPS trained —and that it is enforced so that we do not get irresponsible drinking. And certainly the Heroes Weekend last year went off extremely well, it was extremely well policed, there was very good control . However, it was not without blemish. There was an accident. There was an accident up at Bow’s Island, someone, I believe who was leavi ng the event, had a single vehicle acc ident. So we just need to continue to improve our game. I think our game is good and we need to co ntinue to improve it so that we can show people that people can drink, they can have fun, they can relax, they can enjoy themselves, but at the same time they will be responsible. And you notice around Bermuda these days, Mr. Speaker, there seem s to be some people who are having difficulty doing that because every time I turn around someone has turned a car over. It seems to be almost a hobby around this country, turning a car over. So you know those are the sort of things we have to look out for , and it is the innocent people who are quite often hurt by those events. So all we are saying is that we are trying to find the r ight balance for all of this. And certainly we had bad . . . even with Beachfest there were bad experiences with Beachfest. You know there were r eports of young people, well under the age of majority, who were absolutely blind drunk. In one case there were people having convulsions having to be taken to the hospital , and that was right on Horseshoe Bay. So it was not being well policed. We were not coming up to it. Some events on private property are better policed than the ones that are held on public property. The difficult y with ones on public property is people say well that’s not my responsibility. I sell them the drink and they go down there and what they do with it . . . it’s not up to me . . . I don’t know about it. So the difficulty is finding a way to police these events and how to control them in a sensible fashion and, you know, we are finding our way forward on that. We are looking at a general review of the legislation. And I would ask Members to remember that it is not the Government that issues these licenc es, it is the Liquor Licensing Authority chaired by the Senior Magistrate who issues these licenc es. And I can assure you that he does not take direction from me in who he issues a licence to or does not issue a licence to. He is a weighty gentleman and he has his own views , and I know his views in this regard are quite conservative and traditional. So if you go in front of him you had better have your i’s dotted, your t’s crossed, you better be on your Ps and Qs if you hope to get your liquor licence. So you know that is all I can say, and that is not any direction from myself, that is the nature of the gentleman. And I think . . . you know he feels the weight of the responsibility of his position in exercising that responsibility. In terms of the licen ces, we have agreed to keep members’ clubs licenc es at the same level — $375. The increase was not exorbitant . The increase was not suggested by Government, it was suggested, I think, by the Licensing Authority itself. We consulted them and they came forward with a suggestion of what would be a realistic licence [fee] for their processing costs. So their attempt was to come up with a realistic amount of money. We did not come up with it; they did. And we have agreed with the Opposition to suggest that members’ clubs be kept the same. But just bear in mind that not all members’ clubs are workingmen’s clubs or communit y clubs, some may be quite well -heeled. And I am not going to name any, but you know you are saying you know you are choosing to give a break to these people as well who do not need a break. So, you have got to find that right balance. I think that covers most of the points that I wanted to make.
Bermu da House of Assembly Mr. Speaker, I did make an oversight at the beginning , and due to this thing coming upon me I want to retroactively say the appropriate words —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: —because I did not actually read out the words. I move that the Bill, Liquor L icence Amendment Act 2016, be now read the second time. So I do that retroactively w ith the House’s permission.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, A ttorney General . We can fast that forward in front of all else that you have said. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: My apologies to the House,
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerNo problem. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: With th ose . . . I . . . the — [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Sorry? [Inaudible interjection] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Yes, the Honourable and Learned Member from constituency 34, raised the point about the liquor licence . . . …
No problem. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: With th ose . . . I . . . the — [Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Sorry?
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Yes, the Honourable and Learned Member from constituency 34, raised the point about the liquor licence . . . the Tourism Authority and what their powers are. Their Act does not specifically give them this particular power . But there is a power vested in the Minister of Tourism to give direction to the Tourism Authority. And he has the power to issue written directions in accordanc e with section 11(2) of the Bermuda Tourism Authority Act. And we feel that that is suff icient to guide the Tourism Authority in fulfilling the functions which are given to them by this amendment Bill. So they are given a power by this Bill . So they may not have the power under their Act , but they have it by this Bill , and the Minister of Tourism is empowered to give them directions on how to exercise that power. The original idea was actually that they were going to have more power with respect to who would get this . But we actually stepped back from that after consultation with the Senior Magistrate. We stepped back from that and said that the proposed event organisers would get that letter of support from the Tourism Authority. It does not necessarily mean that those events must have been supported financially by the Tourism Authority, just that they are appropriate events. But they will be given suitable guidelines. So I do not think those guidelines are i ntended to be very narrow and strict . I think th ey are meant to be used in a broad sense, and I feel that the Tourism Authority will act in that way. So we might be able to address that in more detail once we get into Committee. Having said all of that, Mr. Speaker, and thanking Members for their contr ibutions, I move that the Bill be committed.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, A ttorney General . Any objections to the Bill being committed? There are no objections, so Deputy Speaker, would you please take the Chair? [Pause] House in Committee COM MITTEE ON BILL [Mrs. Suzann Roberts -Holshouser, Chairman] LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT ACT 2016
The ChairmanChairmanMembers, we are now in Committee of the whole House for further consideration of the Bill entitled Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 . I call on the Minister in charge to proceed. Minister? Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you, Madam Chair man. Let me just see how to do this. …
The ChairmanChairmanAre there any objections? There are no objections. Please proceed. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you. Clause 1 is the title of the Bill. Clause 2 amends sect ion 17A of the principal Act to include a tourism event licence in the mandatory condition of licences provision. Clause 3 amends …
Are there any objections? There are no objections. Please proceed.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you. Clause 1 is the title of the Bill. Clause 2 amends sect ion 17A of the principal Act to include a tourism event licence in the mandatory condition of licences provision. Clause 3 amends section 22 of the principal Act by repealing subsection (3D). Clause 4 inserts section 22A into the principal Act to create a new type of liquor licence in circumstances where the promotion of tourism events is approved by the Bermuda Tourism Authority.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? The Chair recognises th e Member from constituency 34, the Learned Member Ms. Kim N . Wilson. You have the floor.
Ms. Kim N. WilsonThank you, Madam Chair man. Again, my issue is with respect to 22A, which is clause 4, Madam Chair man. Two questions I am hoping that the Learned and Honourable Attorney General can answer. 1880 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly The first question relates to …
Thank you, Madam Chair man. Again, my issue is with respect to 22A, which is clause 4, Madam Chair man. Two questions I am hoping that the Learned and Honourable Attorney General can answer. 1880 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly The first question relates to a “tourism event,” if he can provide the House, as well as those persons that are listening that may one day want to make an application under this section for a liquor licence, what exactly constitutes a “tourism event”? If he can also show us where in the Bermuda Tourism Authority Act 2013 the provisions of a tourism event are identified? And my other question relates to when we were in . . . prior to Committee, the Learned and Ho nourable Attorney General indicated that he felt that the Tourism Authority had the power pursuant to the Ber-muda Tourism Authority Act 2013 section 11(2) , and I would ask for further clarification on that because section 11(2), if I may?
Ms. Kim N. WilsonIt speaks to the fact that the . . . “In addition to the principal objectives of the Authority . . . the Authority may undertake such other functions as the Minister may, by written instrument, authorise the Board to carry out.” Now in this particular case the Minister for …
It speaks to the fact that the . . . “In addition to the principal objectives of the Authority . . . the Authority may undertake such other functions as the Minister may, by written instrument, authorise the Board to carry out.” Now in this particular case the Minister for the Bermuda Tourism Authority is the Minister for Tourism. And, as you know, this legislation that we are speaking about now comes under the purview of the Honourable Attorney General. And secondly, “by wri tten ins trument” . . . now from my memory from law school and as a former Attorney General, a written instrument would speak to a deed, a contract, or in this case a piece of legislation. So it goes back to my first question, where is there a legislative instrument from the Minister of Tourism granting the Tourism Authority , pursuant to 22A of the Liquor Licence Amendment Act , to desi gnate a tourism event and approve an application for a person to receive a liquor licence? Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Mem ber. Are there any other Members . . . for now? We can have that answered. I call on the Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you, Madam Chair man. I think the Honourable Member is getting too bureaucratic . I mean the whole point of …
Thank you, Mem ber. Are there any other Members . . . for now? We can have that answered. I call on the Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you, Madam Chair man. I think the Honourable Member is getting too bureaucratic . I mean the whole point of this is we are trying to loosen it up. I have given my view that there is the power created under this amendment, there is the power in the Minister of Tourism to give the direc-tion to the Tourism Authority. I do not think we need to get too bureaucratic about exactl y what that authority is and exactly what it is going to say. That is getting right back into the realm of what the Opposition have criticised about us being too technical, too difficult, too tight instead of freeing things up, and that is what we are tryi ng to do. Now obviously this is something new . If it does not work we will have to re- jig it. If there are diff i-culties, we will have to deal with them. That is the way of life . So we will take it as we go, but we feel that the authority is there, the pow er is there. Obviously the proof of the pudding is going to be in the people who apply for this sponsorship from the Tourism Authority and how it is exercised. And then you are going to get the tension, if any, between people who want to receive a letter sa ying that they are sponsored or supported by the Tourism Authority , and we will see how that goes. Now my own view —but it is my view , it is the tourism thing. I have authority over the Liquor Licens-ing Act, but I am not the Tourism Minister, so I am dealing with this. So I mean my own view was those events did not necessarily have to be financially supported by the Tourism Authority , for the Tourism A uthority to say we support this as a tourism event. It is not a term of science; it is a term of art to m e. I do not think you have sit down and give a strict definition and if you do not fall within this then you are out of luck. So that is my view and that is the best answer I can give to the Honourable and Learned Member at this point.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Are there any other Members . . . the Chair recognises the Learned Member from constituency 34.
Ms. Kim N. WilsonThank you, Madam Chair man. Quite the contrary, actually . I am certainly one that does not like to be tied up in bureaucracy , but I am also one that supports transparency . And my co ncern is that we are purportedly passing legislation that allows for an application …
Thank you, Madam Chair man. Quite the contrary, actually . I am certainly one that does not like to be tied up in bureaucracy , but I am also one that supports transparency . And my co ncern is that we are purportedly passing legislation that allows for an application for a liquor licence to be made to the BTA, provided that you are having a tourism event, and the only thing we know about “tourism event” is that it is in quotes . We do not know a defin ition of a tourism event . It is not listed under their legi slation and what we have, Madam Chair man, is we have two pieces of legislation that we need to be reading in conjunction. The BTA comes under the Minister of Tourism (if that is what his name is now or her name, I am not sure of what the new title is, but it comes under the Minister of Tourism ) as their legislation specifically says, and it gives them certain powers for the Boar d to have this authority. We are looking at, as the Learned and Honourable Attorney General indicated, a piece of legislation that falls within his purview which is saying we are going to be granting liquor licenc es to various entities who are providing a tourism event. We do not know what “tourism event” is. I certainly do not want to be tied up to or supporting any type of added bureaucracy. I am one of the ones who the Learned and Honourable former Minister of Tourism spoke to who wants to sit on the beach and have somebody bring my drink to me. So I am not supporting anything that is going to make
Bermu da House of Assembly more bureaucracy, but what I am concerned about is the lack of transparency. We have one application that we know is speaking to this legislation, which is N ational Heroes Day. What if I want to come and make an applic ation to get a liquor licence, an occasional licence, or they are calling it a tourism event licence . . . I do not know what the provisions are. So they could tell me no. I do not know what hoops I need to jump through. I do not know what is the policy behind what I need to prove to be able to say that I have a tourism event? So I would like to be put in the same category as this gentleman who is making the application, who we are seemingly making this legislation for now. That is all I am speaking about , we need to have full transparency. If I am making an application for a liquor licence under a “ tourism event, ” I should be able to know what a “ tourism event ” is because if they turn me down and sa y no, what is my redress because I do not even know what the event is? And speaking of redress, I do not even know , if I am turned down, do I have the power to appeal to the Supreme Court as you do under the Liquor Licensing Act if I am refused a licence? That is my issue. I certainly believe in freeing up and getting my drinks brought to me at the beach. But let us make sure that we are doing this in a proper way: (a) in which the Tourism Authority has the power to even do this, then probably nobody will challenge it . But I am not sure we should be in a position passing laws for the sake of expediency thinking that because we know National Heroes Day is in a couple of weeks . . . when we do not know for certain —and I am not sati sfied, I am waiting for a sa tisfactory answer, with the greatest respect —that the Tourism Authority has the power to even do this. Right? And then when you look at the Act in which the Learned Honourable Attorney General referred us to speaking of the Bermuda Tourism Authority Act, i t speaks to the Minister of Tourism by written instr ument . And, again, a written instrument is legislation. This legislation is under the purview of the Minister responsible for liquor licensing, which is the Attorney General. So maybe I am trying to be too academic or whatever, but at the same time I think it is only fair that anybody that wants to make an application for a liquor licence, in addition to this man that we have spoken about (Mr. Sukdeo) in addition to him . . . so Kim Wilson wants to make an application and I do not have a criminal conviction, I am not a police officer, I am not all these other restricted categories under the Liquor Licensing Act that says that I cannot make an application, I want to make an application. I want to know what i s a tourism event? Show me where it is defined . That is all I am asking. I am not trying to be bureaucratic . I just think we need to have transparency, because he obviously knows what a tourism event is because we are passing this Act for him , but what about somebody else who wants the same pr ovisions?
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. The Chair recognises the Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Madam Chair man, the Ho nourable Member seems to be getting more and more excited. This is something new that we are doing. When it speaks of the chairman here in this legislation it is talking about …
Thank you, Member. The Chair recognises the Attorney General.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Madam Chair man, the Ho nourable Member seems to be getting more and more excited. This is something new that we are doing. When it speaks of the chairman here in this legislation it is talking about the Chairman of the Liquor Licensing Authority. All this says is that the event has to be an event approved in writing by the Tourism Authority.
[Inaudible interj ection]
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: No, not the chairman I do not think.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Chair recognises the Learned Member from constituency 34. POINT OF INFORMATION
Ms. Kim N. WilsonThank you. [In clause 4], 22A of the Bill that I have been provided a copy with, that I thought was the subject of this debate, “For the purposes of this section, a ‘tourism event’ is an event approved as such in writing by the Chairman of the Ber-muda Tourism …
Thank you. [In clause 4], 22A of the Bill that I have been provided a copy with, that I thought was the subject of this debate, “For the purposes of this section, a ‘tourism event’ is an event approved as such in writing by the Chairman of the Ber-muda Tourism Authority (as established under section 3 of the Bermuda Tourism Authority Act 2013).” And then it goes on to speak about the other chairman in section (2) which is, of course, the Chai rman of the Liquor Licensing Board which is, of course, the—
Hon. Trevor G. Mo niz: Correct, correct, correct.
Ms. Kim N. Wilson—Magistrate . . . the Senior Magistrate. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. The Chair recognises the Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Yes, as I said before to the Member, just let the thing go forward. We have a lready had one event that was held last year, this event will be this year . Obviously, there are other people …
Thank you. The Chair recognises the Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Yes, as I said before to the Member, just let the thing go forward. We have a lready had one event that was held last year, this event will be this year . Obviously, there are other people who will apply, the Minister will give directions to the Tourism Authority as he is entitled to, it does not have to be by legi slation . . . and we will see how it rolls out. If anyone is unhappy, of course, they are ent itled to seek judicial review, [if] they feel they have 1882 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly been dealt with inconsistently with how someone else has been treated. So you cannot treat one group in one way and another group in another way. So they all have to be treated equally , and their policies will have to be transparent. It does not exist yet because, as far as I know, we have not done this yet. Once we do this, the Tourism Minister gives the direction, the policies are created, they obviously have something from last year. I did make contact with them, I have spoken to them, and they feel they are up to speed. I did not speak to them about the details of it, but you know, we do not need all the negativity. I do not think there will be a problem with this. If there is , it will be adjusted and we will go forward.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 through 4? The Chair recognises the Member fr om co nstituency 13. You have the floor. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Madam Chair.
The ChairmanChairmanSorry, constituency 13. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, oh, oh, oh.
Mr. Diallo V. S. RabainThank you, Ma dam Chair. I was up before you. Thank you, Madam Chair. I was not going to speak on my colleague ’s objection, but you know . . . just listening to it going back and forth, I think she has a legitimate point on what constitutes a …
Mr. Diallo V. S. RabainThe Honourable Member does have a legitimate point on what is considered a “tourism event ” because this particular Act will now allow an event to take place in a National Park which is something the occasion al licence did not do . And I am assuming that some of …
The Honourable Member does have a legitimate point on what is considered a “tourism event ” because this particular Act will now allow an event to take place in a National Park which is something the occasion al licence did not do . And I am assuming that some of the issues that went with the event that happened last year were because some of the places were on public lands and, you know, theoretically you could not have a liquor licence for that. And so now w e are looking at . . . you know, what stops someone from pitching up at a beach and saying , I sent invitations to every hotel in Bermuda to invite tourists to my function—it is a tourist function —I want to have a liquor licence for that function. Well what stops you from doing that? And so when we talk about doing things like this, we always need to err on the side of caution rather than saying, Hey, we will just work it out later. Because now that person who does do that particular thing and says , I sent invitations out, how do you say it is not a tourism event and you are not promoting it as a tourism event if they have specifically gone and invited tourists to come to it? Whether tourists show up or not, that is another thing. But you know I think that i s the kind of road I think that we are going down with that. But, Madam Chair man, my query was, again, speaking to 22A(2) when it talks about “not exceeding three consecutive days between the hours of 6 p.m. on the first day and 2 a.m. on the last day.” Madam Chair, that gives us 42 hours of an open bar being able to sell liquor for 42 hours straight. And I would like to know, has anyone spoken to CADA about this? Because the Honourable A ttorney General spoke about being TIPS certified and the like, all of that is actually funnelled through CADA , and you know I wonder what their take is on the ability to be able to sell liquor for 42 hours straight. You know there are other licenc es that are within the Li quor L icensing Act that I think could apply —you hav e the nightclub licence that goes from noon to 3 am . You have other licences . . . what is it . . . a restaurant l icence that goes from 9 am to 3 am . But I do strongly believe that there needs to be a break somewhere in there. And we should not be approvin g licen ces for events like this that will obviously involve a lot of drink-ing. Let us not shy away from that —it will allow a lot of drinking. And to not put in some sort of break where you are forcing people to say , Hey, for a couple of hours you need to s top. You know, I think that can turn out to be irresponsible of us as legislators if this is the type of thing that we are going to push forward. And with that I will wait for the A ttorney General to respond.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 through 4? The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 29. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let me look down to my left first . . . thank you, Madam Chair man. Madam Chair man, …
Thank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 through 4? The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 29.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let me look down to my left first . . . thank you, Madam Chair man. Madam Chair man, the Honourable A ttorney General talked about negativity over this , and I strongly disagree with his comment about negativity over this. I think some very valid points have been made from this side and some information certainly needs to be changed or forthcoming. You know , I think the H onourable Member from 34 said it very well . And it was certainly one of the questions I had about qualifying criteria. You know, right now at the moment the only qualifying cr iteria seems to be . . . you know one has to be an OBA candidate. Yes. That is the only criteria that I can see at the moment. So what —
Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Objection, objection, that is unparliamentary language.
The ChairmanChairmanPlease have a seat . . . Member, please have a seat. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: That is unparliamentary language. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: How—
The ChairmanChairmanMember, please have a seat! I do not recognise two people standing and there has been an objection, thank you. The Chair recognises the Attorney General. POINT OF ORDER [Impu ting improper motive] Hon. Tre vor G. Moniz: That is unparliamentary language, Madam Chair man. The Honourable Member . . …
Member, please have a seat! I do not recognise two people standing and there has been an objection, thank you. The Chair recognises the Attorney General.
POINT OF ORDER [Impu ting improper motive]
Hon. Tre vor G. Moniz: That is unparliamentary language, Madam Chair man. The Honourable Member . . . yes, it is impu ting improper motive, he should wit hdraw that.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 29. Hon. Zane J. S. De S ilva: Thank you, Madam Chai rman. You know, the Honourable A ttorney General may not like it but it is a fact. That Honourable Member is — Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: It is not …
Thank you. The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 29.
Hon. Zane J. S. De S ilva: Thank you, Madam Chai rman. You know, the Honourable A ttorney General may not like it but it is a fact. That Honourable Member is —
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: It is not —
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —that person is an OBA candidate. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: —about that, the licence is issued by the Licensing Authority, run by the Senior Magistrate.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well, see that is — Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: The OBA does not give any licences to anyone . . . no one. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well, Mad am Chair man, I have not heard a point of order.
The ChairmanChairmanMembers! Members! I will only ever entertain one person that — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Well he needs to—
The ChairmanChairmanMember — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —play by the rules.
The ChairmanChairmanHave a seat! I will only recognise one person speaking at a time. We will not discredit individuals that are not in the room. But I will recognise now the Member, again, from constituency 29. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Madam Chai rman. The Chair man: But …
Have a seat! I will only recognise one person speaking at a time. We will not discredit individuals that are not in the room. But I will recognise now the Member, again, from constituency 29.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Madam Chai rman. The Chair man: But if there is a point of order, Member, I will recognise the point of order and you will sit. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Oh, I will do that.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: But when the Honourable Member jumps up—
The ChairmanChairmanMember, please— Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —and starts talking without a point of order —
The ChairmanChairmanMember — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: —I am going to continue as I should.
The ChairmanChairmanMember, Member, please. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you. Madam Chair man, I follow that with this in that . . . see , what constitutes a tourism event? Now, let us say that we pass this, the Heroes Weekend moves forward, and let us say that John …
Member, Member, please.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you. Madam Chair man, I follow that with this in that . . . see , what constitutes a tourism event? Now, let us say that we pass this, the Heroes Weekend moves forward, and let us say that John Smith from White Hill wants to sell Rum Swizzles to any tourist that might be heading west. He might say , Look, that constitutes a tourism event , right? That constitutes a tourism event because, certainly, as many of us in this room know, if you travel to the south there are different stalls set up all throughout the Islands for tourists that may be visiting. So I think this criterion is very important. It is very important. And I think what really needs to be answered more specifically is what happens if one is turned down by the BTA? What does one do? What is their recour se? The Honourable A ttorney General said that, you know, you can appeal to the Supreme Court, I believe he said.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: No, he did not say that? Well then let him tell us what we can tell John Smith. What are his choices? 1884 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly What is his right of appeal? Where does he go? Who does he talk to about getting his case heard? So what happens if ( again, as the Honourable Member Kim Wilson said) she wants to set up a stall outside of Somerset Cricket Club during Cup Match to sell liquor, where we have thousands of to urists that attend over the two- day period? So if she is turned down, where does she go? Where does that young entrepreneur go? What do they do? I think the Honourable A ttorney General needs to answer that question. It is very important. So we would like to know that. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? And if you would help me out by identifying which clause. The Chair recognises Member from constit uency 36. Hon. Michael J. Scott: Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThe Learned Member. Oh, I am sorry. Hon. Michael J. Scott: It is another Learned jocke ying for position. So Madam Chair, I hear my colleague the Member for 34 and most recently the Honourable Member Mr. De Silva, and I entirely accept that “tourism event” is a term of …
The Learned Member. Oh, I am sorry. Hon. Michael J. Scott: It is another Learned jocke ying for position. So Madam Chair, I hear my colleague the Member for 34 and most recently the Honourable Member Mr. De Silva, and I entirely accept that “tourism event” is a term of art and that is how Members of the House should approach it, which allows the Ho nourable Member for 34 to conceive of a concept of a tourism event for Cup Match, or the example given by the Honourable Member Mr. De Silva. These are all terms of art. But I believe, and the Attorney General has said this, the decision is not . . . and can I just make this point for the benefit of the Honourable Member Mr. De S ilva? The approval is not given by the Tourism Authority Chair. He or she (he these days, Mr. Hanbury ) is simply going to write a letter of support of the plan produced to him to have a tourism event designation for your term of art plan. The person you must convince is Mr. Wol ffe. And whilst the legislation today may be putting a reasonable burden on him —and I do not say unreasonable, but a burden on him —he and his committee are the ones who have this burden of making the decision whether your tourism even t as described in the plan approved by the BTA is going to pass muster. And I think that would settle the matter . And I am prepared to accept that we should be accepting of the trial and error. The Honourable Member, former Attorney General, Ms. Wilson, has been in this role before. Sometimes we do not draft perfectly linguistically sound or conceptually sound language in these things. But I come back to my strongest point, if I may put it that way, which is it is Mr. Wol ffe who you must pass muster with. A nd he will be guided . . . if he thinks that the Tourism Authority Chairman’s letter is endorsing it , it should go some way . But he may see things the way Members are speaking.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Hon. Michael J. Scott: And he will make a decision about it.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any — Hon. Michael J. Scott: And you have a right of r ecourse from his decision . So it answers most of your concerns.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 through 4? The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 31, and my apology for not actually seeing—
Mr. Shawn G. CrockwellMadam Chair man, I thought we were in agreement on this in the House, but it looks like we have some disagreement here. But I think that some of the disagreement is predicated on a misunderstanding. First of all, let me just say that tourism exper iences or “ tourism …
Madam Chair man, I thought we were in agreement on this in the House, but it looks like we have some disagreement here. But I think that some of the disagreement is predicated on a misunderstanding. First of all, let me just say that tourism exper iences or “ tourism event ” is already defined, Madam Chair man, and it has existed for a long time. The department, when it was the Department of Tourism, had the ability to provide sponsorship for tourism experiences, or if you want to say “tourism events.” They would come to the Department of Tourism . . . and we can talk about many because there are former Mini sters in this House, the former Minister across the way was the Minister when certain approvals were given to innovative ideas which were tourism experiences and they got sponsorship. They received money from the Government to put on this event or to develop the event. When we transferred to the Bermuda Tourism Authority , that function transferred as well . But the BTA became more robust, Madam Chair man, in terms of how it provided sponsorship for tourism exper iences and tourism product enhancement. And a Bermuda tourism experience is defined as a journey that
Bermu da House of Assembly visitors embark on that connects part of them to Bermuda, creates memories that they will take away with them and that will encourage them to return. The BTA will support experiences that enhance the overall tourism product and/or raise awareness of Bermuda. D etails on investment/support of product enhancement will be announced at a later date. So basically they are just continuing on what the Department of Tourism used to do. And so now what we are saying in this piece of legislation is that you want the tourism body, the tourism entity, to bas ically label whether or not this particular proposal amounts to a tourism event. That is all the Chairman is going to do. And then the Chairman of the Authority will be able to say , Okay, now we can consider this as a legitimate tourism event , because not everything will qualify. I just had a person today stop me and say , Well, I had this idea and the BTA didn’t support me and they were upset. I am like, the BTA does not have to agree that your idea is wonderful. You may think it is wonderful, they may not, okay? But you bring your idea, they consider it, and if they deem it to be a tourism enhancement , then it will get the support. So in terms of what a tourism event is that is why it is de-ferred to the Tourism Authority. Now, in terms of the fact that there is no appeal to the Supreme Court, I do not understand that argument because section 22A will be added to the existing Liquor Licence Act 1974. It is being added to, it is not standing alone and you need another clause to give it the right to appeal. If you look at the Liquor Licence Act 1974 section 23, “Appeals to the S upreme Court,” it is in relation to any licence, which would include a tourism event licence, okay? So let us just be reasonable here. We are doing something good, okay? And it is to help improve a very successful tourism event. And if someone in the future has an idea and they go to the Liquor Licence Authority and they get turned down based on this par-ticular application, they have the same right to appeal.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 29. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Madam Chai rman. And I certainly thank the Honourable Member for his explanation and some …
Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 29. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Madam Chai rman. And I certainly thank the Honourable Member for his explanation and some of the information he gave with regard to the Liquor Licensing Act. My only is sue would be, first of all, if someone is turned down from an event , and it is Mr. Joe Smith who wants to open up a liquor store, or a store on the way to Somerset that he feels tourists could stop at, he might have a couple of Gombeys that are beside his store that you know might get the tourists ’ [atten-tion] to get them to stop. And if he is turned down, you said that you know you can appeal to the Liquor Licensing Board or to Mr. Wolf fe or whoever that may be. Well that is fine. But are Mr. and Mrs. Smit h going to go through that one step once they are turned down? Probably not. Probably not , because it is going to be time, money, he is going to say , Man I am not going to go in and make this appeal . . . you know, that to me is red tape. So I hear the H onourable Member, I am hearing what he is saying, but what I am saying is, Is this again going to stop the entrepreneur once he gets the idea through and past his mind and says , Well, look this is what I have to do . . . I find out what I have to do in order to get this business established, this little business established, and then he gets this turned down , and then he says , Well, look, you know what, there are too many road blocks , I’ll just forget it. So are we putting too many road blocks in place?
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? The Chair recognises the Learned Member from constituency 34.
Ms. Kim N. WilsonThank you. Madam Chair man, I do not want to belabour the point, I am just going to make this one last point and I thank the Honourable and Learned former Mini ster for his clarification. But, unfortunately , it raised a nother issue with me. We have nowhere in …
Thank you. Madam Chair man, I do not want to belabour the point, I am just going to make this one last point and I thank the Honourable and Learned former Mini ster for his clarification. But, unfortunately , it raised a nother issue with me. We have nowhere in this legislation a definition of a “ tourism event. ” We can all agree to that. It is not defined. What the Learned and Honourable Mini ster read was from a different statement, it is not from this. The Act does not define what a tourism event i s. But the Honourable Member raised a very important point about sponsorsh ip. We do not know whether or not in order for you to apply for a tourism event . . . because, Madam Chair man, we do not know what the parameters are. We do not know what the consider ations will be by the BTA in terms of whether they define this as a “ tourism event. ” So that is our starting point, we do not know what they are ; we do not know what “tourism event” is. Does it mean because I am getting sponsorship from BTA that it makes it a tourism event? Does that mean that the person that does not get sponso rship does not have a tourism event? We do not know . And that particular . . . that is the issue. We do not know what a tourism event is because it is not d efined. And all I am saying is that for complete transparency . . . okay, let us back up a minute. If you want to make an application for a liquor licence under this new provision, before you can make the application under this provision, you must first have approval from the Chairman of the BTA. And in order for the Chai r1886 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly man of the BTA to grant you t hat approval he has to decide (or she) whether or not your event is a tourism event. Okay, fine. So in order for me to [make an application] do I not need to first [determine] what a tourism event is? What constitutes a tourism event where he or she as the BTA Chairman may or may not grant me my approval, right? If we are talking about . . . because I was shocked when I heard the numbers and they said 175 people came here last year . That is a tourism event (when 175 people come to the National Heroes Holiday)? I mean I actually thought the numbers were bigger, but that is what qualifies as a tourism event, if you get 175 people here? Well, I think I am going to be like John Smith and go down to Barnes Corner and make an applic ation and sell Swizzles with Gombeys because I know 175 . . . three buses is 175 people passing down South Shore. All I am saying . . . and I really do not want to belabour this, because what I am concerned about is when somebody comes up that may not necessarily . . . I do not want to get political , but when somebody gets up there and they may make an application to the BTA and the BTA tells them no, how do you appeal a no when there are no established criteria that allowed you to make the application in the first place? I cannot just go up there and appeal to the Supreme Court. And yes, you are right, there is a pr ovision for appeals, but what am I appealing? I do not know what the criteria are that defines a tourism event because it is not stated. Therein lies my principa l issue. Has the BTA told you what a tourism event is?
[Inaudible interjection]
Ms. Kim N. WilsonIt is not in the legislation. It is not in the legislation. So if I am looking at the legislation and I want to make an application, the first thing I am going to do is look in the . . . when I looked at this Act the first …
It is not in the legislation. It is not in the legislation. So if I am looking at the legislation and I want to make an application, the first thing I am going to do is look in the . . . when I looked at this Act the first thing I did was turn to the Interpretation section and said, okay, well what is a tourism event? Oh, it is not even defined. It is not defined, right? So if we are trying to free up and trying t o encourage entrepreneurship, which we are going to be speaking about a little bit later , and the creation of jobs, why are we passing legislation that does not even define what a “tourism event ” is? How do I appeal something when I do not even know what the parameters are to allow me in the door to make the application in the first place? And let us be clear, before it even gets to the Magistrate, the first person it has to go to is the Chairman of the BTA. Thank you.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? There are no other Members. The Chair recognises the Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Well, Madam Chair man, there is nothing I can really add except to yet again say …
Thank you, Member. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? There are no other Members. The Chair recognises the Attorney General. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Well, Madam Chair man, there is nothing I can really add except to yet again say we are trying not to make this bureaucratic, we are trying not to make it close- ended, we are trying not to have rigid definitions. If someone comes forward with a creative, i nnovative, entrepreneurial idea, we want the Tourism Authority to listen to it. So w e do not want to create some lawyer’s definition and the Tourism Authority is going to say , Oh, we’re stuck now because you guys have made this rigid definition everybody has to fit within. The entrepreneur cannot get through; som eone with a brand new idea that nobody ever thought of. So the whole point is to leave it open- ended, but that is not to say there is no idea. I am sure, as the Honourable Shawn Crockwell said, this is what the BTA do , and they did it last year. So really, it is not that complicat ed, and I do not know what all the panic is about. Let the thing go forward. Let people do it. There are two avenues of appeal, there is one for your liquor licence under the Authority, if you feel that the public authority is treating you in an unfair or an inconsistent fashion, under the rules of natural justice you can seek a review of their decision at short notice. It is all there. So let us stop the panic. Let us try to work together. We started off very well holding hands across the aisle, and let us just move forward.
[Inaudible interjections and laughter]
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. If there are no— Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: In the metaphorical sense . . . in the metaphorical sense.
The ChairmanChairmanMembers, I do not want to hear a nother Member other t han the Member that is speaking on the floor. If there are no other Members that would like to speak to clauses —there is. The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 13.
Mr. Diallo V. S. RabainThank you, Madam Chai rman, and I appreciate the Hono urable A ttorney General’s response. But I did query about the 46 hours of non-stop drinking and he did not give a reply. If he would wish to give a reply, I would like to hear that.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Bermu da House of Assembly The Chair recognises the Learned Member from constituency 31. You have the floor.
Mr. Shawn G. CrockwellThank you, Madam Chair. I just want to state I take the Honourable Member’s point ( who just took his seat ). But if he would look right under that subsection you will see subsection (3) a nd it could be somewhat superfluous to say it twice, but subsection (3) …
Thank you, Madam Chair. I just want to state I take the Honourable Member’s point ( who just took his seat ). But if he would look right under that subsection you will see subsection (3) a nd it could be somewhat superfluous to say it twice, but subsection (3) goes on to say: “A tourism event licence granted under subsection (2)” — where you referred to the 48 hours —“shall specify – (a) the periods of time within which intoxicating liquor may b e sold.” So clearly the licence itself will have cond itions attached in terms of hours when the actual alc ohol may be sold and also “the place or places at which intoxicating liquor may be sold.” So although in subsection (2) you have a broad permission to sell alcohol over these three days, subsection (3) gives the Authority the ability to put conditions on it so it is not 48 hours straight.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. The Chair recognises the Member from constituency 13.
Mr. Diallo V. S. RabainMadam C hairman, it does not negate the fact that the Liquor Licensing Authority can grant 46 hours of constant drinking.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? The Chair recognises the Attorney General. If you would just ask that clauses 1 t hrough 4 be approved as printed, then we can move forward. No, just 1 t hrough 4. …
Thank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 1 t hrough 4? The Chair recognises the Attorney General. If you would just ask that clauses 1 t hrough 4 be approved as printed, then we can move forward. No, just 1 t hrough 4. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I move clauses 1 t hrough 4.
The ChairmanChairmanAs printed. Are there any objections to that motion? No object ions. Agreed to. [Gavel] [Motion carried: Clauses 1 t hrough 4 passed.]
The ChairmanChairmanMember, if you would now proceed. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Thank you. We are going to put the amendment . Should I just move the rest of the clauses now and put the amendment in its place?
The ChairmanChairmanThe amendment . . . does everybody have a copy of the amendment? The amendment is to clause 7, correct? Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Yes.
The ChairmanChairmanSo we can go ahead and proceed with clauses 5 and 6, and then insert — Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Okay, okay. Well I move clauses 5 and 6.
The ChairmanChairmanAre there any objections to that? No, there are no objections. Please proceed. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged. Clause 5 amends section 27 of the principal Act to increase t he application fees for an occasional licence and a provisional licence, and inserts the application fee for a …
Are there any objections to that? No, there are no objections. Please proceed. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged. Clause 5 amends section 27 of the principal Act to increase t he application fees for an occasional licence and a provisional licence, and inserts the application fee for a tourism event licence. Clause 6 amends the First Schedule to the principal Act by increasing the annual fees for an i sland boat liquor permit.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you, Member. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clauses 5 and 6? There are no Members that would like to speak to clauses 5 and 6, so Attorney General, if you would have those two approved. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged. I …
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that clauses 5 and 6 be approved as printed. Are there any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel] [Motion carried: Clauses 5 and 6 passed.] AMENDMENT T O CLAUSE 7 Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged. Clause 7 repeals and replaces the …
It has been moved that clauses 5 and 6 be approved as printed. Are there any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel]
[Motion carried: Clauses 5 and 6 passed.]
AMENDMENT T O CLAUSE 7
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged. Clause 7 repeals and replaces the Second Schedule to the principal Act to increase licence fees for the various classes of liquor licences . And the amendment that I have is that this is done in cooperation and at the suggestion of the Shadow Attorney General, the Honourable and Learned Mr. Michael Scott of constituency 36: In clause 7 of the Bill of the Second Schedule, licence fees under Class of Licence under Members’ Club Licence the amount of $1,000 is deleted and replaced with the amount of $375.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. 1888 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Are there any other Members that would like to speak to the amendment? There are no Members that would like to speak to the amendment, so Member if you would approve the amendment. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: …
The ChairmanChairmanAre there any other Members that would like to speak to any other items on clause 7? No? If we would approve clause 7, as amended. Are there any objections to approving clause 7, as amended? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel] [Motion carried: Clause 7, passed as amended.]
The ChairmanChairmanPlease proceed. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged. Clause 8 provides a consequential amendment to insert the form for a tourism event licence into the Liquor Licence (Forms) Regulations 1974.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. Are there any other Members that would like to speak to clause 8? There are no Members that would like to speak to clause 8. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I move that clause 8 be approved as printed.
The ChairmanChairmanThank you. It has been moved that clause 8 be approved as printed. Are there any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel] [Motion carried: Clause 8 passed.] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I move the Preamble.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the . . . there is no Schedule . . . it has been moved that the Preamble be approved. Are there any objections to that motion? There is? Oh, that was part of the Schedule. So we are going to move that this — …
The ChairmanChairmanRight, that is part of clause 7, so we are going to move that the Schedule be approved, as amended. Are there any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel] [Motion carried: Schedule approved as am ended.]
The ChairmanChairmanThe Preamble. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I move the Preamble.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Preamble be approved. Any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel] [Motion carried: Preamble approved.] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I move that the Bill entitled Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 be reported to the House as amended.
The ChairmanChairmanIt has been moved that the Bill ent itled Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 be reported to the House as amended. Are ther e any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to. [Gavel] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged to Members. Thank you. [Motion carried: The Liquor Licence …
It has been moved that the Bill ent itled Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 be reported to the House as amended. Are ther e any objections to that motion? No objections. Agreed to.
[Gavel]
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged to Members. Thank you.
[Motion carried: The Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 was considered by a Committee of the whole House and passed as amended .]
[Pause]
House resumed [Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, Speaker, in the Chair]
REPORT ON BILL
LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT ACT 2016
Bermu da House of Assembly The Speaker: Okay, Members, the Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 has been approved with amendment. Orders 11 and 12 are carried over, I understand. Orders 13 and 14 are carried over. And we get to Order No. 15 which was a motion in the name of the Honourable Member from constituency 6, MP Wayne Furbert. You have the floor.
MOTION
JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE AS TO T HE STRATEGIES NEEDED TO CREATE NEW JOBS
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to make an amendment to the actual motion, so should I read the original m otion and then make the amendment or?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou can read your amendment to the motion. AMENDMENT TO MOTION Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, in . . . as we start out this debate today, the motion . . . I am amending the motion by deleting the word “create” and insert ing after [the word] “to”, …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. So you can— Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: So the actual motion will now read—
The SpeakerThe Speaker—right. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: WHEREAS there has been a decrease in the number of jobs year after year for several years; AND WHEREAS we need new jobs to be cr eated in Bermuda to increase employment; BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to the Parliament Act 1957 part IV, a …
—right.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: WHEREAS there has been a decrease in the number of jobs year after year for several years; AND WHEREAS we need new jobs to be cr eated in Bermuda to increase employment; BE IT RESOLVED that pursuant to the Parliament Act 1957 part IV, a Joint Select Committee be appointed to inquire as to the strategies needed to facilitate the creation of new jobs; expl ore the impediments that are preventing the creation of new bus inesses, and the barriers for Bermudian entrepreneurs; to report on the findings and make recommendations to the House of Assembly so that concrete action can be taken in a reasonable time.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, thank you. Honourable Members, we have a motion by the Honourable Member Mr. Wayne Furbert . And we ask that you now speak to that m otion, which is in fact an amendment to the motion. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do …
Yes, thank you. Honourable Members, we have a motion by the Honourable Member Mr. Wayne Furbert . And we ask that you now speak to that m otion, which is in fact an amendment to the motion.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I do not plan to be long. This important and timely motion is about exploring and developing new strategies for job creation using something different , a bipartisan collaborative joint select committee, to explore ways to reverse the declining Bermuda job losses and remove obstacles to young Bermudians that want to start new businesses. Mr. Speaker, it is in the spirit of collaboration and from my broad- based diverse experience in bus iness and political life of our Island home, it is from that [viewpoint] I am proposing a new fresh way to tap into the intellectual capital on both sides of this Honour-able House to find solutions and strategies to solve the job creation problems that we currently have in Bermuda. Our country stands at the crossroads of monumental changes in international and local bus iness. Traditional job opportunities and businesses are disappearing like the old horse and buggy , and 3-D printing has started a revolution in traditional distrib ution and production models. The people of this country, Mr. Speaker, expect this House to answer the problem of job losses from these global changes. The people of Bermuda expect this House to find ways to come together and work on the common interests of all Bermudians. I am prepared to do my part to select a joint select collaborative committee and I am hoping I will have support, Mr. Speaker, from the Government — the OBA party, in particular. We all understand the seriousness of jobs, so this is a simple vote up or vote down. Vote up or vot e down. It is either yes or no. We either want to work together or we do not want to work together. We either want to recognise the heartaches that people are going through or we are blind to the facts. The motion is not about the PLP. The motion is not ab out the OBA. It is about the people of this country. Mr. Speaker, years ago the words rang out “Houston, we have a problem” . Mr. Speaker, Bermuda has a problem. Those words were specific, they said, “Houston, we have a problem” , it did not say O rlando, it did not say New York —it said “Bermuda, we have a problem ”. Mr. Speaker, not every family is suffering from job losses. There are individual s who have made it through, individuals who are connected, prominent names in Bermuda that ever have jobs. It is cle ar that sometimes you get jobs because you have friends There are people that come to Bermuda because they have friends who invited them from overseas with connections, and jobs are created. But the first step in solving this problem, Mr. Speaker, is rec ognising that we have one. We can all 1890 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly stand here and point fingers of why and blame others, but remember , they always tell me when you are pointing one finger you have got four pointing back at you. So we can point the finger, Mr. Speaker, but it does not really help those individuals who are out there suffering. The biggest problem that we have right now in this economy, by far, is the economy and jobs in particular. We all know of individuals who have packed their bags and gone off to what they consider greener pastures. We do not know the numbers, but we know those individuals or we have heard of individuals. In 2012, Mr. Speaker (and I said I will not be long), the OBA said they had a turnaround plan. We will create 2,000 jobs . We will create 2,000 jobs over the next five years. And I understand they seriously meant that. It is not . . . I not believe they just said it. They honestly believed that they could create jobs in the five years that they had. And they talked about how these jobs would come in r ange of sections i ncluding construction, hospitality, retail, financial services , and international business. That came from, at that time, the Shadow Minister of Finance , the Honourable Bob Richards. So, Mr. Speaker, we have black Bermudians unemployed. We have white Bermudians unemployed . We have OBA members unemployed. We have PLP members unemployed. And then we have people who are not affiliated with any party who are unemployed. But they are relying on us to find some creative way s to help them out. W e all know individuals—cousins, mommas, daddies , particularly those met when canvassing —we know individuals who are hurting. Mr. Speaker, we have tried everything. The OBA for the last three years has tried some things to make it work. They brought B ills to the House, m otions to the House creating jobs . . . I think some tax breaks and we tried tax breaks when we were in government in 2012, but we have not yet turned around . . . turned that corner. We still have a continued declining job situation. Mr. S peaker, I will read some stats to you and this comes from the Bermuda Job Market . Interesting, Mr. Speaker, in 1984 the number of total filled jobs was 32,033 in 1984. And dare I say that there were ups and downs from 1984 to 1998. We went from 32,000 up t o 35,000 back to 34,000 down to 33,000 back to 34,000 back to 35,000 until the Progressive Labour Party took over in 1998. Then we went from 35,323 filled jobs to 40,213 in 2008. And so everybody talks about those good old days when we had 6,000 more peopl e, which was really 7,000 more people, between 1998 and 2008. So it was 35,323 up to 40,213 in 2008. Well, then the whole thing kind of fell apart. We were blamed—the Progressive Labour Party was blamed—for kicking people off the I sland. And so from 2008 t o 2012 under the Progressive Labour Party we went from 40,000 to 35,000. And, yes, fingers were being pointed. And yes, we can accept there were possibly some things that we did we could be blamed for. But the promises that were made did not stop there. I t went from 35,000 to 33,000 in 2014. And I understand that the numbers for 2015 and it is about 33,000. So we dropped 2,000 jobs from 35,000 to 33,000 for the time period that the OBA Government has been in power. As I said, I am not trying to blame anyon e, but we recognise ( as I said), Bermuda, we have a problem. And so do you think it was just international people who were suffering? I do not know about you, but I have people coming to me on a daily basis looking for jobs. I had a gentleman at the parad e on Tuesday down on Front Street [say], Wayne, I need a job. I am sure they must be coming to you. I do not have the answer ; I really do not. And there are only so many times you can paint the roof. And there are only so many times you can paint the outsi de of your house. And if you do not have the money , you cannot paint it at all. And I . . . that was the position I found myself in. So can we, for once, Mr. Speaker, ask ourselves , can we work together on this particular issue? We cannot wait. We have so me suggestions to 2012 that we will do in 2025 as far as that is our projec-tion—the 2025 V ision. But the country cannot wait. And do I say that that is all the solutions we have? No, it is not. But I believe, like I said in the very beginning, that we have enough capital on both sides. Yes, we will have to interview certain HR individuals from the industries, whether it is international business, retail, restaurants —yes, we will have to talk to them. So I am asking, Mr. Speaker, can we reach out at least on this particular . . . and we have reached out at least on the one that was approved here r ecently with the Honourable and Learned Member from [Sandys South Central], Kim Wilson , as you mentioned this afternoon. But the biggest issue facing this country is unemployment and underemployment — unemployment and underemployment. So it is not about trying to score political points —it is not. I heard my Honourable Member smirking over there. It is not. I wish some Members on that side had thought about it. But I he ar too often of individuals suffering. We have to come up with some solution, Mr. Speaker. We have got to remove the crazy idea that Bermudi-ans are not good enough. We hear it often, every one of us —Bermudians are not good enough. Well, what are you? Does that include yourself? So we foster and reiterate those falsehoods that Bermudians are not qualified, we do not have those soft skills, we do not have a degree from that particular institution, we do not have a degree from Harvard, it is some Back o’ Town university, it was done online —whatever — whatever it is.
Bermu da House of Assembly And the biggest thing, Mr. Speaker, we are lazy. Do I accept that there are some individuals who are lazy? Yes , there are. But that is in all nationalities, every single one of them. As a matter of fact some people that have come to Bermuda and work, they were lazy when they were on that side, but they had to come here and they had to work hard and they started fighting because they had to find a way of surviving. People who have left here, Mr. Speaker , who we had considered lazy , are now working in Mother Country providing goods, providing services to the United Kingdom. We called them lazy at the time. The “lazy” word in Bermuda is identified not particular ly for all races , by the way . But we will not get into that di scussion today. So, Mr. Speaker, we need to come together on the issue. Then I talked about entrepreneurs. I am sure Honourable Members on that side have heard of the horror stories of Bermudian entrepreneurs who have been trying to make t hings . . . make a go. In 1993 , when I was the Minister of Culture, Mr. Speaker, we recognised that the capital in the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation (I do not know what the name is now . I think it is BEDC ) was $100,000. We raised it at that time to $200,000. We have not touched it since 1993. That is 23 years ago— 23 years ago. We have not become creative in looking at new ways of helping entrepreneurs. You go to your bank, you need your mama, your uncle, your grandf ather who died, to sign a paper and if you cannot find your grandfather , you are in trouble. Well, he is dead you cannot find him. So the bank says no, you cannot . . . grandfather does not help. The olden days were some good days when—I consider good days —when I used to call up my banker and I used to say to them . . . I would say to my banker, I need a $5,000 draft. That is no more. You need to call your mama and your daddy to sign the house for a $5,000 . . . and do not be going at a certain age, you are in trouble. So, we disc riminate on the age basis when it comes to borrowing. So, are we allowing the entrepreneurial spirit? And I will speak from experience, and I will declare my interest . My son went to the bank ( I will not call the bank’s name) to be an entrepreneur, start up som ething. Yes, I agree the BEDC supported his applic ation. It took a year and a half and the bank still ha d not responded. They did not respond. He got a guarantee from the Bermuda Small . . . the BEDC (I call it the Bermuda Small Development Corporation ), and they did not respond! So I made off, you know me. I am not going to sit around. All right? And eventually after probably two years they now pass it on and say they do not consider a small business . . . they will pass it on to a loan officer , and i t is still sitting somewhere else. How do you move and effectively . . . young e ntrepreneurs who are trying to do things? So why can we not sit down and listen to some of those small businesses who are having prob-lems out there raising capital, who are bei ng humbugged because their mama and daddy did not grow up in Tucker’s Town, but they grew up on Friswell’s Hill, who did not have a house. But they are trying to be entrepreneurs . [They] came back from university who had IT or who had the ability to do cer tain things but because they could not have the capital, they are being stopped, because the banks would not allow them to do them , or [BEDC]. It is not because I do not know your mama and I do not know your daddy. We have a problem. Bermuda, we have a problem. So young people get frustrated and they start . . . I am not saying all of them because that would be crazy . They get themselves in trouble. And most unemployed people right now are our young people, our people coming back from university with quali fications and wondering if they have a job. So we lose our younger people and now we have got a growing a geing population. So I do not want the nonsense . . . I saw some crazy amendment coming from the other side. We either are going to work together, Mr. Speaker, or we are going to die together. We are going to do it. We have got to find a way to solve some issues around this country bipartisan. I heard the Honourable Pr emier last week talk about the technological park whe n he happened to go up to the Azor es and hear about the technological park, where we have been saying it for the last three years . . . which had the opportunity to create job opportunities. My Honourable Acting Leader stood up and said, Let’s do something. And the Honourable Member, Rolfe Commissiong, has talked about it. And my Honourable Member says , “Let’s work together on that particular issue. That is what we have been tal king about. Some ideas that you hear from us, pick up from us, but let us find a way to work together, let us talk. Communication is very important. We have problems in this House not because of a . . . based on a broken- down bipartisan but b ecause we do not communicate. That is our biggest issue in this House. We are brothers and sisters . Some of us are cousins on either side . . . on both sides of the House. So we have a connection—21 square miles —and so we should be able to find some solutions. We need a national agenda, Mr. Speaker, that all parties sign off on on particular issues. A n ational agenda would give people confidence. And I thank the Honourable Member Walton Brown who now is . . . and working with the . . . used to call it Pathways to Status . We are going to create a national agenda on immigration and jobs and people getting status. That is a national a genda. So it does not touch by you or touch by us. Why can we not create more national agendas instead of making promises every five years? And 1892 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly say, I’m gonna do that. I heard the honourable . . . I spoke to an individual, the Environment Minister, early on and said that they are going to remove . . . they are thinking about removing some of the speed bumps. So we put them there, you remove them. We put them back, you remove them. Why can we not find a national agenda on what is defined and talk to the people of Bermuda, what do they want as far as some speed bumps? Why can we not work together? If someone on that side can tell me because based on the motion that I have seen, first of all, I think it is su bstantially different from we put forward, but why can we not work together on some issues?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I said it is not going to be me pointing my fingers at you , and us pointing our finger at you, but for once in our life, Mr. Speaker, the songwriter said , I need you, you need me, we are all one big part of this family . That is what the songwriter says. We are. And I have got good friends on that side. The Honourable Member , Shawn Crockwell , and I will always be friends no matter , whatever his pos ition is. I am not go ing to remove that. And [there are] some other Members on that side who I have deep respect for. But we have got to find solutions. And that s olution is not about always disagreeing. As you know, the majority of motions and bills that are brought to this H ouse, even by the Government, are supported by the Opposition. We have some fundamental differences on certain issues. If we had formed a bipartisan at the very beginning on the Pathways to Status, we would not have had that situation. Egos get in the way. The Bible says , He that humbles himself should be exalted, but he that exalts himself should be made humble. So we have got to find a way to even humble ourselves in our positions. Remember the tide , the way you go up you are going to come back down. The same people you are going to be asking for your vote, the next day on the street suffering like the rest of them. I remember the time when we talked about salary increases for MPs in this House, Mr. Speaker. I guess everybody thought they would be a Minis ter for the rest of their life. Well, they were not. Because eventually everybody comes back down to MP —a Backbencher . And guess what? Then people start complaining. That is my point. We are not always in the final position . . . always in the position that we find ourselves in. I am not in the same position financially I was five years ago. I am not. I remember starting the United Bermuda Party as a Minister in 1993 when our budget for financial systems was around $1 million. It is $50- some million now, M r. Speaker . And we think that is right? Most of the people are either unemployed and they will be coming to your doors more. Last year you were under budget and you are under budget again this year. So we can sit down and find solutions and there are sol utions to that particular item. We need our roads . I remember when Gene Steede . . . I was the Minister for Transport. Gene Steede, Honourable Gene St eede, I call ed him “honourable” Gene St eede, could not find a job. I went to my director down at the a irport and I said, We can’t have Gene Ste ede out there doing nothing. Let’s put him down at the a irport . . . You have to be creative. We have got to find opportunities. So I am speaking to the front bench today. I am particularly speaking to the backbench. Your constituents will be listening to you today on where you stand as far as moving this country forward. If you did a poll in Bermuda right now you will find the majority of Bermudians would rather us working together than working against. There are solutions to be found on health care, a national agenda. We could find a solution on national agenda on immigration. We could find a sol ution on national agenda for our musicians. We could find a national solution on . . . We could find a national solution . . . a national agenda on matters all over the place. You cannot be . . . if, Mr. Speaker, if I was a lways right in my family , my wife and I would never have survived. But we had to find a way to discuss and find solutions and we had to come together, if not, we would have been pull ed apart. That is my point. We are a family. So I am reaching out , and we are reaching out on this side across the floor. The shadow Ministers on this side are reaching out to the Ministers on that side, the backbenchers are reaching out to the backbench on this side. We need you today. The Bermuda people need you, your constituents need you, and they will be listening. And the solution I am hoping the Royal Gazette writes everybody who objects to this particular thing today, working t ogether . . . if they object, if they object. I am talking today, Mr. Speaker, not at their heads but at their hearts. What is your heart saying? Do not tell me what your head is saying ( because somebody is saying, Don’t do it. ) What is your heart really s aying? Because out of the heart comes the issue of life. That is where we are today. So, Mr. Speaker, as I close, I say one more time, we need each other on certain issues and the job is crucial . Like I said before and I will end on this — 40,000 in 2008 [an d] we are now down to 33,000 filled jobs. Since 2008, 7,000— a 2,000 drop since 2012. Mr. Speaker, that tells me that the . . . and again, I am not pointing my finger at the OBA Government . . . in 2008 they needed to create, they need now to create 4,000. Well, maybe we can help. Maybe we can work together on this to make it much more effective. I think if we got 3,000 jobs working on, we can do it. We can find solutions. Listen to your hearts and not to your heads. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Bermu da House of Assembly
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Honourable Member. Any other Honourable Member care to speak? The Chair recognises the Minister for Finance E. T. Richards. You have the floor. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to amend the m otion, please.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes? Do you have a copy? Can we have our . . . copy of the— POINT OF ORDER
Mr. E. David BurtPoint of order, Mr. Speaker. Is there not already an a mendment on the floor?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerUm, he has made the motion, Honou rable Member. He can make an amendment to this, yes, absolutely.
Mr. Walton BrownMr. Speaker, is it not appropriate to decide on the first amendment before we do a second?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo, no, no. No. We get now the amendment, we speak to the amendment , and then . . . Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the m otion be amended to read as follows —
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberMr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerCan we . . . can we have the copies of the amendment? Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Yeah.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJust hold a second, please. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Okay. [Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right, yes. The Chair will recognise the— AMENDMENT TO MOTION Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the m otion be amended to read as follows in the last paragraph after the words “BE IT RESOLVED” , to delete the words “that pursuant to …
All right, yes. The Chair will recognise the— AMENDMENT TO MOTION Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the m otion be amended to read as follows in the last paragraph after the words “BE IT RESOLVED” , to delete the words “that pursuant to the Parliament Act 1957 part IV, a Joint Select Committee be appointed to inquire as to” and replaced with the words “that this House take note of.” And also, Mr. Speaker, to delete after the words “entrepreneurs” and it says “to report on the findings and make recommendations to the House of Assembly so that concrete action can be taken in a reasonable time.” So, Mr. Speaker, the amendment I am moving is: “WHEREAS there has been a decrease in the number of jobs year after year for several years; “AND WHEREAS we need new jobs to be created in Bermuda to increase employment; “BE IT RESOLVED that this House take note of the strategies needed to create new jobs; explore the impediments that are preventing the creation of new businesses; and the barriers for Bermudian en-trepreneurs.”
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank yo u. So, Honourable Member , then you speak to that amendment. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, point of order. I just want a clarification.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. POINT OF CLARIFICATION Hon. Wayne L. Fur bert: It is our view that this Amendment is substantially different from . . . I am just asking for —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, it is different ; of course it is different. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Okay. So when do we vote on both amendments?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe speak on the amendment that has been made by the Honourable MP Richards. We speak to that a mendment then we will vote on that amendment. If that amendment is defeated then we will vote on your m otion.
Ms. Kim N. WilsonPoint of information, Mr. Speaker. The S peaker: Yes? 1894 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly POINT OF INFORMATION
Ms. Kim N. WilsonI am just looking at the rules and in particular May’s [Parliamentary Practice] , which speaks to the fact that the proceedings need to effectively be halted in circumstances where a motion is made, an a mendment is made, purportedly changing the whole content of the actual original motion. And …
I am just looking at the rules and in particular May’s [Parliamentary Practice] , which speaks to the fact that the proceedings need to effectively be halted in circumstances where a motion is made, an a mendment is made, purportedly changing the whole content of the actual original motion. And I am reading specifically from Changes of Terms of N otices of Motion in May’s. So, I am just asking as a point of information, would it not be appropriate for the Speaker to rule first and foremost as to whether or not we can even accept this amendment because it does substantially change the substantive m otion?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, any amendment does that and I think this is . . . Honourable Members will remember, i f you reflect back, where many motions have been moved by governments to “t ake note” motions. This has been done in this House. It has been done. So we will continue. …
Yes, any amendment does that and I think this is . . . Honourable Members will remember, i f you reflect back, where many motions have been moved by governments to “t ake note” motions. This has been done in this House. It has been done. So we will continue.
Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, first of all , I would like to thank the Honourable Member , MP Furbert , for the idea. It is certainly a very relevant topic. When he first brought it I thought perhaps the premise of the motion, that employment has fallen year after year was a . . . if not false, certainly , I think that it . . . perhaps is dated b ecause it is the view of this Government that, yes, em-ployment has fallen for a number of consecutive years, but we think that things are improving. So that is my first point there. And the m otion itself speaks to the v ery core of the mission of this Government and that is to restart economic growth, the creation of employment opportunities, either employment for other people or starting new businesses. That is the core of our mission as a Government, to restart that process. Of course , the other part of our mission is also to improve the condition of Government finances, which were in tatters when we took over the reins of Government. And it is kind of important to juxtapose those two missions because, you know, we call it the two - track policy, but quite frankly, Mr. Speaker, if the Government finances were in good shape when we took over it would have been pretty easy for any gover nment to create jobs if there is very little government debt. That is dead easy. We would either employ a lot more civil servants or embark on some sort of Keyne sian countercyclical growth policy where you borrow a bunch of money and you build things, you create projects, and you put people to work that way. We do not have that option because we took over when both things were wrong, that the economy was faltering, shrinking, and the government finances were very, very stressed and not in good shape at all. So we did not have that option of just borrowing money to create projects . We did not ha ve the option of swelling the ranks of the civil service, just to create employment. So our job has been a lot more difficult to achieve because of the circumstances in which we found ourselves. But let me say this, Mr. Speaker, it is easy to be rhetorica l about the creation of jobs. But in order to do that one has to look at how jobs are created. It is not manna from heaven. Things have to be put in place for employment to rise because, particularly if we are talking about employment in the private sector , which we are, because the Government policy as far as the public sector is concerned, is to make the public sector smaller. So we are talking about emplo yment in the private sector. And if we are talking about jobs in the private sector, there are things that have to happen if those jobs are going to be created. You cannot create those jobs by fiat, by the stroke of a pen, any of those things. If private sector people are going to employ people, there is going to have to be a business case to hire that person. So that is kind of where we have to start. In order to have a job- creating environment, the first thing you have to have is an increase in demand on a macro level. The economy itself has to be growing. You have to have an increase in demand if you a re going to get an increase in jobs. And that is kind of encapsulated in the word “confidence,” bus iness confidence, in particular. People have to have a positive attitude as to where we are going. The outlook has to be good. So, when we took over, busines s confidence, and confidence in general, even of consumers, was, I would say, at an all -time low. So we have had to do something about that confidence level in order to put into place the necessary building blocks so that business people can think about em ploying more people. So to create business opportunities for local entrepreneurs, Mr. Speaker, we need to create a business opportunity and a positive outlook for international entrepreneurs. International entrepreneurs, particularly the ones that come to live here, are the customers of local entrepreneurs. So these things are all connected. You just cannot say, Well, you know, Mr. Smith, wants to start a business and he can’t get money from the bank and, therefore, if you just solve this bank problem you are going to have a lot of new businesses starting up, that is incredibly myopic, and it basically just will not work, because the whole pie in Bermuda has to be ex-panded. If the pie is not expanding, you are not going to be able to create a whole lot of jobs. And those businesses that do get off the ground will likely fail because the pie is not expanding. In early 2013 we found ourselves as a Go vernment in a situation where there was no inward i nvestment. People were leaving the country and pro perty pr ices and rents were falling. Houses were empty. There was capital flight and our people were being made redundant. In other words, the pie was shrinkBermu da House of Assembly ing. In order to create an environment where jobs can be created, those factors, those trends in those factors have to be reversed first. They have to be r eversed if you are going to have a situation where you are going to have a positive trend in private sector employment. This is what I think everybody wants — both sides — private sector employment. The Government is not in a position to hire a bunch of people. So I think that what we need to do is really address those issues. Mr. Speaker, in the period of time that this Government has been in place, I think that we have addressed those issues. We have addressed the building blocks, the foundation, of what it takes to have a job- creating environment. We have encouraged inward investment, particularly the headline ones, inward investment of tourism. We know about that. We pretty much moved mountains to get those tourism investment dollars in Bermuda. We found out what the investors wanted and we gave it to them. They wanted better concession packages. We gave it to them. They wanted less red tape. We gave it to them. We created the Economic Development Committee which cuts through a lot of the government red tape. Instead of investors running around the gover nment, we run the investors’ ideas and problems around the table every Monday. It cuts down the ru nning around hugely. So we are cutting down that red tape. I said we updated our concession packages. We have gone out of our way to encourage intern ational business, which is not in a great position in terms of the global reinsurance cycle. But they are still in a position where they want to be here. As a matter of fact, there is no question in my mind, having talked to a number of them, that they really think that this is the best place on earth if they are running an insurance company. So, we have kept in touch with our major customers, as a country, to make that happen. If they are happy, they are going to be here; they are going to employ people, and they are going to spend money in Bermuda. We have spent a lot of time and money, perhaps not as much money as in the Golden Era, the Platinum Period, as we say (not the Golden Era, the Platinum Period). We have not spent $40 million a year. But we are spending money and promoting Bermuda in the tourism sector. We have already made immigration rules more investor friendly, because if we want these people to come here and set up their businesses here the immigration rules have to be investor friendly, and we have led by example in Government finances. I do not think it was realised by many people in Bermuda how closely the link between Government finances and the prospects in the private sector are. Government finances and private sector finances are very closely linked. With the exception of HSBC, Mr. Speaker, all the other banks in Bermuda depend on Government finances being in good shape. They d epend on it. If we get downgraded, they are going with us. Therefore, they have more difficulty attracting d eposits. And if they cannot attract more deposits, they cannot lend any more money. Deposits come first, lending comes second. That is how it works. And their ability to attract deposits depends on the Government. That link was recognised very early. If we want banks to lend more money . . . well, there is a problem with banks. And I agree with the Honourable Member. There is a problem with banks, and you know, I have been the one who has been saying it for the last three years. There is a problem with banks. But, their fortunes and our fortunes are linked. We have encouraged new hotels and we are having success in that area. The America’s Cup is going to be a tremendous event for Bermuda. It al-ready is a tremendous success for Bermuda. A tr emendous success. And it has created a lot of jobs. The other people on my team here can speak to that much more eloquently than I, but it has already cr eated a lot of jobs for Bermuda. And, of course, the new airport will create a lot of jobs as well. So we are fully aware of the issues that the Honourable Member has brought to this House. I cannot reiterate enough that these issues speak to the core mission of this Government. The core m ission of this Government is to turn the economy around and make a better environment for job creation. The things I have just described are what you might call the buil ding blocks or the foundation upon which a new structure of opportunity is built. When we took over, that foundation had been undermined. We found it under-mined for a number of reasons, some policy reasons, and some other reasons that they just did not seem to get what was going on in the rest of the world. I am not going to emphasise that. But we found this foundation to be not sound. Therefore, it was our job to shore up this foundation so we could build a superstructure on that foundation, a superstructure of job creation. The Honourable Member talked about the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation and how it needed more capital. That may very well be true. But I can say this, Mr. Speaker. The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, at one point, under the former administration, was basically giving away money. And this had to stop. Gi ving people money does not encourage business formation. It just does not do it. You cannot just give people money and expect to develop businesses that will last. So, you cannot create business opportunities for small bus iness if the pie is not growing it self. That is a prerequisite, and we have been working very hard to do that. Mr. Speaker, I want to speak to the other thing that is in this motion about barriers to starting new businesses. The nature of entrepreneurship is that there are always barrier s to start up a new business. 1896 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Always. It may be the hardest thing you ever do in your life, start a new business. Some of the barriers are visible; some of them are totally invisible. And some of the invisible ones come to bite you, and you do not know where it came from. I am speaking from experience, having started a business in 1987. But the barriers are multitudinous —financial barriers, compet ition, technological barriers, operating costs (in Ber-muda operating costs are a big problem), and the market si ze. In Bermuda’s case, the lack of market size is a big problem. If you start a small business in the US, you can have a really big market, you can settle for a low margin and that market is so big you can make a bunch of money. But in a place like Bermuda, where the market is small, it kind of limits the opportunities that you have and puts a lot more constraint on you as a business person. Another barrier to success for entrepreneurs is management skill and experience. [From] many Bermudians the usual thing you hear is that if they could only get financial capital from the bank, they could start a business. My observation over decades, Mr. Speaker, is that the most spectacular business failures in Bermuda by Bermudians have been those where they got the m oney. They got the money and thought because they got the money they were on easy street. And eventually the business collapsed under the weight of the debt. They lose the business, they lose the house, lose everything. How many people do we know like that ? Everybody can put up their hand; they know somebody like that. The most spectacular failures have been those people who got the money. So it is not necessarily about getting the money. We have to be careful about focusing on getting the money. The banks are not in business to lend people money and have those loans go bad. And I am in that business, you know. I am not here defending banks. The biggest critic of banks in this House is yours truly. Nobody criticises banks in this House like me. So, I am not making any excuses for them. But we have a very primitive capital market in Bermuda. In large countries there are other ways of getting capital to start a business other than banks. Now, I do not want to go too far down this road, but I can tell you one t hing, Mr. Speaker. One of the impediments to starting up businesses in Bermuda is the 60/40 law. It is an impediment for capital because what you want when you start up a business is someone to invest in the equity in your business. You do not want them to lend you money; you want them to be an equity par tner. When you get to be an equity partner, then the 60/40 rule comes into play and makes things either . . . it does not make things impossible. I mean, in my business experience I got around the 60/40 la w. But it just makes things more difficult. So it is a cha llenge that we have in Bermuda. We think we are sa ving businesses in Bermuda from outside competition. Actually, very often it works the other way. It prevents local people from getting internationa l partners. So that is something to think about. But because of that [rule] we do have a problem with start -up capital. The long recession that we had in Bermuda has severely impaired the amount of capital available for business start ups. People who used to help out other folks to start businesses do not have any money themselves. A lot of them had shares in things like Butterfield Bank, you know, which may have been worth millions and all of a sudden became worth not hing, or virtually nothing. So the long recession in Bermuda has really impaired some of those invisible r esources that we had in Bermuda. So now we are even more reliant on banks. And with the banks in Bermuda, like they are all over the world, in a kind of “derisking” mode, you are not going to get a whole lot of satisfaction from banks, although I have to say there has been more bank lending in the last year than b efore. I think a lot of it has gone to consumer lending rather than in lending that has to do with starting up a business. The ot her thing I would like to point out in r esponse to the Honourable Member who brought the original motion is I know he is an entrepreneur. There are a lot of entrepreneurs in this House on both sides. I want to say this: Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. We just have to face it. Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. It is not that entrepr eneurs are better or smarter or more hard- working than other people, it is just that not everybody has the affi nity to do that, or there are other prob lems as well. Like, not everybody can deal with the uncertainty of income that comes from being an entrepreneur. You know, if you work for Government, you get paid every month. If you work for a big company in Bermuda, whether exempt or local, you get paid every month. If you are an entrepreneur, you can go a long time wit hout getting paid. Not everybody can tolerate that. Not everybody can tolerate the kind of pressure that it puts on family life from being an entrepreneur —it is a tr emendous amount of pres sure, particularly if that entrepreneur is the only breadwinner, or the primary breadwinner. It is a tremendous pressure that gets put on families by being an entrepreneur. Not everyone can tolerate making the kinds of decisions that you have to make as an entrepreneur, and if you make that decision for your business it also affects your personal life. So the pressure of being an entrepreneur is huge. And some people just do not want to take that kind of pressure. I am saying this to say that being an entre preneur is not the ultimate a nswer to all of these issues. What we have to do . . . there are some people who will be able to take that pressure, they want to do it; and there are some folks who are more risk averse and they are going to be looking for that steady job. But in looking for that steady job (and remember, we are talking about the private sector) you have to look at some private sector
Bermu da House of Assembly guy taking an additional risk. In order to have this job growth that we are talking about, somebody, som ewhere, is going to have to make a decision that i nvolves risk. It is the essence of enterprise. Risk is the essence of enterprise. Somebody is going to have to take that risk. For bigger companies maybe the risk is not huge. Obviously for small companies the ris k is huge. But for bigger companies the risk may not be huge. But when you look at the entrepreneurs, the international business partners in Bermuda who set up companies, reinsurance companies, the risks are gigantic! But somebody is going to have to take that risk and it is our job as a Government to reduce that risk as much as possible. We are not going to elim inate it, Mr. Speaker. Risk is endemic to business. You cannot get rid of it. But you do not want to pile risks that we are responsible for on top of businesses. So we have to have a Government that tries to reduce risks involved in the business world as much as possible. And that kind of entails boring things, Mr. Speaker, like trying to balance the budget in the Government, trying to be predictabl e, trying to be boring, right? Business people love boring Gov-ernments, because it is not something that they have to worry about. They do not think there is a risk. But when Governments are unpredictable, even capr icious, then the risk meter goes wild. And when the risk meter goes wild, you do not have any business formation, or you have business contraction when the risk meter goes wild, particularly if the risk meter is related to the Government. So that is kind of what we have to do. We have to try to r educe the risk involved with doing bus iness in Bermuda. We cannot do a whole lot about the world insurance market, but we can do something about the risks of doing business in Bermuda. I think that is the sort of thing that this Government has tried to do to work with our business partners, large bus inesses as well as small businesses, to reduce that risk so that people can take the plunge to be entr epreneurial. There is another thing that I want to mention, Mr. Speaker, insofar as this is concerned. A number of Bermudians would like to go into their own bus inesses, but they want to do so inside a protective c ocoon created by the Government of Bermuda. And there is a reason for that. The reason is, that is how it used to be in Bermuda. The Government had all these rules and regulations and laws that protected local business from competition, because when you look at all the risks involved with business, Mr. Speaker, in today’s world in particular, the biggest risk is compet ition. We live in the Internet age. We are not living in 1965. We are living in 2016, the age of the Internet. And it means that people have never been so interconnected in the history of humankind. But that inter - connectivity is problematic. It is an opportunity —you can sell your products anywhere to anybody. But it also means that anybody can sell their products to your customers. It does not matter what rules or laws we pass here, it is not going to protect your business from competition from abroad. It is just not going to do it. It is an outdated concept that somehow we can put a protective cocoon around Bermudian businesses and protect them from foreign competition. We cannot do it. You can go on your computer and you can buy stuff on the Internet. You do not have to shop downtown, even though we say buy Bermuda. Well, you can buy Bermuda, but if you can get the thing half price, landed, well, you know, the whole buy Bermuda thing becomes a bit of a burden. A lot of Bermudian bus inesses have already figured this out, because I do not do m uch shopping. My better half does all the shopping for my family. The one thing that I used to shop a lot for back in the day was audio/visual equipment, stereos, TVs, and that sort of thing. And we had companies in Bermuda where you could buy that stuff from and you basically could not land it in Bermuda for less. They know that they are in competition with pe ople in the States. And they are competitive.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberSome aren’t. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Some are not. That is right—some are; some are not. But the point I am trying to make here, Mr. Speaker, is that the ultimate protection against foreign competition is not the Government of Bermuda. The ultimate protection from foreign competition is to …
Some aren’t.
Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Some are not. That is right—some are; some are not. But the point I am trying to make here, Mr. Speaker, is that the ultimate protection against foreign competition is not the Government of Bermuda. The ultimate protection from foreign competition is to compete, because the Government in 2016 cannot be of much help. As a matter of fact, the Government can be a hindrance because if the Government tries to protect certain businesses from competition, then the businesses charge higher prices and the consumers in Bermuda have to pay those higher prices and things become more expensive here than they nor-mally would be, and it makes Bermuda less compet itive as a jurisdiction on a whole. So that is the dow nside of that. As legislators, we have to not yield to the temptation to try to sugar coat the reality of enterprise out there; or to try to subsidise or put legal barriers up against foreign competition, because it will only hurt us in the long run. So what do we do to create these jobs? Well, I think that we have to keep on doing what we are doing. There is no magic bullet here. We cannot press a button, pull a lever, or flip a switch and have a bunch of jobs here for people we have. What we have to do is make Bermuda a more competitive place that itself is growing. The principal engines of Bermuda, the engines that drive the economy are i nternational business and if we can get those to expand, then we can create jobs for Bermudians. If we can get tourism to expand, then we can create jobs for Bermudians. If we can get investment from overseas in either in ternational business or tourism, we can 1898 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly create jobs for Bermudians. I do not subscribe to the Government directly hiring Bermudians to create jobs for Bermudians. That is not part of the philosophy of this Government. That is for sure. That, quite frankly, would be disastrous for us in the long run.
An Hon. Member An Hon. MemberIt has been disastrous. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: It has been disastrous, that is right. Thank you. It is just not sustainable. So I applaud the Honourable Member for bringing this. There i s a need. This need has been seen by the Government before it became the Government. …
It has been disastrous. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: It has been disastrous, that is right. Thank you. It is just not sustainable. So I applaud the Honourable Member for bringing this. There i s a need. This need has been seen by the Government before it became the Government. And we have executed a plan and are ex ecuting a plan to address these issues. It is not simple; it is not straightforward; it is not instantaneous. But I do believe we are making progress. And I think we will continue on that course, and I think we will be successful. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. The Chair will now recognise the Acting O pposition Leader, MP David Burt, from constituency 18. MP Burt.
Mr. E. David BurtMr. Speaker, as I mentioned to you before, I will be the only person on our side speaking on this amendment. And then we will ask that the question on this amendment be put, because despite the history lesson from the Minister of F inance, it seems as though if …
Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned to you before, I will be the only person on our side speaking on this amendment. And then we will ask that the question on this amendment be put, because despite the history lesson from the Minister of F inance, it seems as though if he has completely missed the point. And he gave us the history lesson as to why entrepreneurs fail, as opposed to how we can do a better job of making sure that they succeed, which was called for inside of the original motion. And nothing can better illustrate a Cabinet that is tone- deaf and out of touch than the present ation which we just had, because there are challenges in this country when it comes to entrepreneurs. And instead of explaining the reasons for failure, we as a body should be coming up with solutions and recommendations to assist them in succeeding. Now, Mr. Speaker, as the Honourable Minister is looking to amend t he original motion to change it from setting up a bipartisan committee to changing it to a take note motion, so we can sit here today and talk about all the things that we have spoken about for many times before. And then tomorrow, it is back to normal and the problems which we are attempting to have a bipartisan look at will continue to exist. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 24(9), which states (and I quote), “ On an amendment proposing only to leave out words, or to add or insert words, debate shall be confined to the omission, add ition, or insertion of such words. ” Thus, I will confine my remarks to the effect of the deletions and inser-tions that the Minister has suggested. The deletions and insertion that have been proposed takes this from a joi nt effort of non- ministers and just says, Trust us, the Cabinet. We have all the answers, and we will make it work. We do not require your advice or your input, backbenchers. We do not need to hear from the entrepreneurs inside of our community about the i mpediments which they are facing and the recommendations which they may have to help us do a better job. We don’t need to hear about the challenges that they may be experiencing. We don’t need to hear about the suggestions that they may share, which will h elp us do a better job. It is b asically saying that, We don’t need to hear from those in the community who have thoughts and ideas. Mr. Speaker, it is very simple. Last week, the Honourable Premier said that he wished that we could work together more on i ssues of the day. The One Bermuda Alliance platform on which the Government was elected said that we should use the committee system of Parliament to work on major issues of the day. There can be no more major issue than the plight of employment in our country and the challenges which we face insofar as promoting entrepreneurship and helping those in our society. The Minister must think that the Cabinet has all of the ideas. But we believe on this side that we can have more comprehensive solutions by worki ng together. This has been proven time and time again, and in this case that should be what we are looking to set up. So, Mr. Speaker, I say this to the One Bermuda Alliance backbenchers, if you think that your Cabinet has all of the ideas, everything done and they have everything under control, then vote yes on this amendment so that we can talk about this issue into the evening and there will be nothing concrete going forward. But if you feel that we can have a bigger and greater discussion and look into these issues in depth, call in local entrepreneurs and experts, examine, di scuss, listen, consult, dive into depths in some of these issues and come up with joint strategies to improve the conditions for our people, then vote no on this amendment so we ca n get back to the discussion of setting up a bipartisan committee to look at this issue. That is what we are here for, Mr. Speaker. We need to do more committee work and not less. We are not trying to run the Government, as the Minister said. The Cabinet runs the Government, and that will not change. The Cabinet will meet on Tuesday, and they will make the decisions to execute. We are trying to use the bipartisan committee systems to make recommendations and suggestions for the Cabinet to consider. That is the very essence of the job of Parliament, Mr. Speaker. That is what we are here for. And it is sad that the executive, in this case the Cab iBermu da House of Assembly net, would propose an amendment to prevent us from doing what we were elected to do. So, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to vote no on this amendment so that we can return back to discussion of setting up a bipartisan committee to make recommendations after consultation, which will hopefully make things better for the people of this country. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
[Desk thumping]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Would any other Member care to speak to the amendment? The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member Jeff Sousa, from constituency 28.
Mr. Jeff SousaGood afternoon, Mr. Speaker and colleagues and those in the listening audience. We are here talking about creating jobs for our people. And everybody in this House is obviously looking to do that. And I do salute the Honourable Member on that side for bringing this to the floor. But …
Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker and colleagues and those in the listening audience. We are here talking about creating jobs for our people. And everybody in this House is obviously looking to do that. And I do salute the Honourable Member on that side for bringing this to the floor. But that is why t he One Bermuda Alliance was elected. That is what we have been doing since day one (right?) was creating jobs. That has been our number - one mandate from day one.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Member. POINT OF ORDER
Mr. E. David BurtMr. Speaker, I once again stand to call attention to Standing Order 24(9) that we are di scussing an amendment. And, “On an amendment proposing only to leave out words, or to add or insert words, debate should be confined to the omission, addition, or insertion of such words. ” …
Mr. Speaker, I once again stand to call attention to Standing Order 24(9) that we are di scussing an amendment. And, “On an amendment proposing only to leave out words, or to add or insert words, debate should be confined to the omission, addition, or insertion of such words. ” It is my belief that the Member is discussing the motion, and we should be discussing the amendment, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. We are talking about the amendment to the motion, which is to . . . [Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. [Inaudible interjections]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYou want to speak on the amendment and why the amendment should be approved. That is what you . . . yes. And then once that is completed, we will take a vote on whether the amendment is successful or not. If the amendment is successful, then that is the …
You want to speak on the amendment and why the amendment should be approved. That is what you . . . yes. And then once that is completed, we will take a vote on whether the amendment is successful or not. If the amendment is successful, then that is the end of it. And if the amendment is not successful, then we go back to the original motion, which was brought by the Honourable Member, and we will vote on the motion.
Mr. Shawn G. CrockwellIf the amendment is approved, then will there be a debate on the amended motion?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIf this particular motion is . . . The amended motion is the motion. It is not amended. The Honourable Member came back and started the d ebate with his motion. Yes. And so, this is the amendment by the Honourable Bob Richards. If this amendment is defeated, then we …
If this particular motion is . . . The amended motion is the motion. It is not amended. The Honourable Member came back and started the d ebate with his motion. Yes. And so, this is the amendment by the Honourable Bob Richards. If this amendment is defeated, then we will vote on the motion and approve the motion, which was original. If the amendment is passed, then the amendment goes through as the decision of the Hous e.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIf it is passed and Members want to speak, we will allow the opportunity to speak on the take note motion. Yes. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Mr. Speaker, I now ask that the question be put to the House.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. It h as been asked that the question . . . the Honourable Member has asked that the question be put. And I will just read for Honourable Members the amendment (if I can just get my hands on it. There are so many pieces of paper here. Here …
Okay. It h as been asked that the question . . . the Honourable Member has asked that the question be put. And I will just read for Honourable Members the amendment (if I can just get my hands on it. There are so many pieces of paper here. Here it is.) And I will rea d what it says. It says, the amended motion is: 1900 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly WHEREAS there has been a decrease in the number of jobs year after year for several years; AND WHEREAS . . . Will Members just stop talking when I am speaking?
[Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. The amendment reads as follows: WHEREAS there has been a decrease in the number of jobs year after year for several years; AND WHEREAS we need new jobs to be cr eated in Bermuda to increase employment; BE IT RESOLVED that this House take note of the strategies …
Thank you. The amendment reads as follows: WHEREAS there has been a decrease in the number of jobs year after year for several years; AND WHEREAS we need new jobs to be cr eated in Bermuda to increase employment; BE IT RESOLVED that this House take note of the strategies nee ded to create new jobs, explore the impediments that are preventing the creation of new businesses and the barriers for Bermudian entr epreneurs. And all those in favour of the motion, say Aye.
AYES.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThose against, say Nay. NAYS.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd we are going to have names. [Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAnd we wait for two minutes. [Pause for ringing of bell ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerIs it time? The Deputy Clerk: Yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerLock the doors, please. The Deputy Clerk: Members, we are ready for the vote now.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Just so that . . . I think I need one bit of clarification. That is, in essence, it is really not necessary, because the Orders say that when the process has finished whereby an amendment is made, and the amendment is put to the House, the House makes …
Yes. Just so that . . . I think I need one bit of clarification. That is, in essence, it is really not necessary, because the Orders say that when the process has finished whereby an amendment is made, and the amendment is put to the House, the House makes its decision as to whether the amend-ment is agreed upon or not. And if the amendment is not agreed upon, then it goes back to the motion. And in fact, then Members can carry on and if Members wish to, they can speak to the motion. The Deputy Clerk: Okay, Members. We are voting on the motion of Minister Richards. Calling the names now. DIVISION [Amendment to the Motion: Joint Select Committee to I nquire as to the Strategies Needed to Create new Jobs ]
Ayes: 17 Nays: 1 5 Hon. Jeanne J . Atherden Mr. Walton Brown Hon. Kenneth Bascome Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr. Hon. L. Craig Cannonier Mr. E. David Burt Mr. Shawn G. Crockwell Mr. Rolfe Commissiong Hon. Michael H. Dunkley Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva Dr. the Hon. E. G. Gibbons Ms. Lovitta Fo ggo Hon. P. J. Gordon-Pamplin Hon. Wayne L. Furbert Mrs. S. Roberts -Holshouser Hon. Dennis P. Lister Ms. Susan E. Jackson Mr. Diallo V. S. Rabain Hon. Trevor G. Moniz Mr. Walter H. Roban Mrs. Nandi Outerbridge Hon. Michael J. Scott Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richard s Mr. W. Lawrence Scott Hon. Sylvan D. Richards, Jr. Mr. Jamahl S. Simmons Ms. Leah K. Scott Mr. Michael A. Weeks Hon. R. Wayne Scott Ms. Kim N. Wilson
Mr. Mark J. Pettingill
Mr. Glen Smith
The SpeakerThe Ayes have 17 and the Noes 15, which means to say that the amendment is carried. And so, the amendment is done. That is the decision of the House. Thank you. [Motion carried by majority on division: The amendment was passed.] An Ho n. Member: Now we carry on …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Member. POINT OF ORDER
Mr. E. David BurtMr. Speaker, in your statement that you just made before, you said that if the amendment is passed, then we continue on the amended motion and debate the amended motion, which is that we take note of . . . That is following pa rliamentary procedure. I think the Clerk …
Mr. Speaker, in your statement that you just made before, you said that if the amendment is passed, then we continue on the amended motion and debate the amended motion, which is that we take note of . . . That is following pa rliamentary procedure. I think the Clerk is indicating that is the way that it should go, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWait a minute, wait a minute. Hold on a second there. Let me just make sure. Let me make sure of this. [Inaudible interjections] Bermu da House of Assembly The Speaker: Hang on a second. Hang on a second. [Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerNo. Say what you said again, Honourable Member.
Mr. E. David BurtMr. Speaker, according to Standing Orders, once an amendment . . . as the Clerk has said, once an amendment is made to a motion, whether the amendment is passed or defeated, then we go back to the original motion. And in this case, the original motion . . . …
Mr. Speaker, according to Standing Orders, once an amendment . . . as the Clerk has said, once an amendment is made to a motion, whether the amendment is passed or defeated, then we go back to the original motion. And in this case, the original motion . . . it amended MP Furbert’s m otion to a “take note” motion. So Members are still a llowed to contribute on the take note portion, which is what MP Jeff Sousa was waiting for.
[Pause]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, yes. Well, in essence, on the . . . Yes. But, Honourable Members, what we have just decided is that the Members have agreed on the take note motion, that the take note motion should be—
Mr. E. David BurtWhat we have just decided is to amend MP Furbert’s motion to a take note motion.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. All right. Let us go to . . . And that is what I mentioned to the Honourable Member Crockwell, yes. MP So usa, you have the floor.
Mr. Jeff SousaThank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will continue where I was. We were talking about cr eating jobs. And of course, everybody on this side agrees with that. It was mentioned earlier by the Deputy Opposition Leader that all the decisions were made by Cabinet. And I want to …
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I will continue where I was. We were talking about cr eating jobs. And of course, everybody on this side agrees with that. It was mentioned earlier by the Deputy Opposition Leader that all the decisions were made by Cabinet. And I want to make it quite clear that I do not sit in Cabinet, but I am in caucus every week and assist the One Bermuda Alliance Government in making different decisions as a lifelong entrepreneur. Likewise do all the entrepreneurs who sit on this side of the aisle. And of course, I do not need to name them; most of you know who they are. As a people, we just have to look at all the opportunities that have been created. It is not up to a government to actually produce jobs, but put in place the right environment so that entrepreneurs, bus inesspeople, foreign investors wish to invest. And of course, this was mentioned earlier by the Finance Minister, that now in Bermuda you have the conf i-dence of the people. And with the confidence comes the increased demand. And of course, we have seen recently with all the new hotel projects that are out there . . . I mean, and these are signed, sealed and delivered. They are happening. And we have Morgan’s Point alone, in the next several decades will be a $2 billion job. So this is going to benefit so many of our people. Then, of course, the airport was mentioned. That is going to create jobs for a much- needed airport. The America’s Cup, as a stimulus, this has created so many opportunities for entrepreneurial people. And not everybody is cut out to be an entrepreneur. Of course, the essence of being an entrepreneur is a person who essentially breaks down barriers. So it is not cut out for everybody. Of course, the National Training Board, which I am the Chairman of, has been challenged to pr oduce a national training plan. Part 1 and Part 2, I must say, are now complete, and it will be released to the people of Bermuda soon. It is there to show the people of Bermuda where the jobs will be now and in the decades to come. But back on the foreign investment side, we really wanted this and we worked hard to have this. Because again, it was lack of the confidence. And of course, we saw last week with the Tucker’s Point concession, and I mentioned about the $2 billion that will be invested into our economy via the Morgan’s Point project. And we have BEDC [Bermuda Economic D evelopment Corporation] doing a great job helping hundreds of Bermudians. And I do understand, being an entrepreneur, that getting funds from the bank has not been the easiest thing. I truly do understand that. But I can say that that has eased up. We have heard our Minister of Finance for years in this House saying that he would like the banks to assist more with the entrepreneurs out there, because many of the entrepreneurs, they have the great idea, but they do not have the equity. And again, I asked them, because not a day goes by, Mr. Speaker, that I am not personally assisting, gui ding a young entrepreneur. And this is something I have a passion for and always have. I truly believe that we need, each and every one of us, to reach down to assist our brothers and sisters. And again, you know, I can allude to several examples of Antwan Albuoy right now with his new Oceanside thing he is doing with these fancy boats he has brought in. This is something new, cutting- edge. Just the other day, a young man came to me, had this great idea about making knives with Bermuda cedar handles and stuff. Boy, I put this up on Facebook, the next thing you know the guy now is thinking about going on his own because the demand is so high! So it is about, again, helping our people. So I would encourage entrepreneurs to look at private investors. They are there; they have the money. 1902 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly And ag ain, ask a David Durham up at the Morgan’s Point project how things are going with the economy. Drive around Bermuda and look at the work that is taking place in the country. And again, it is because people have the confidence. Confidence cr eates opportuni ties. And again, myself, as having been a contractor for over 30 years now, I am talking to these people on a daily basis and I am hearing what they are saying, and they are hiring people. I will state here in this House that in the next year to two years we will have over -employment in this country. I will say it again. I am stating this. This is what Jefferson Colby Sousa, the MP of Warwick West, is stating in this House of Assembly: In the next year to two years in this country, we will have over - employ ment in this country. And I will stand by that. Obviously, it is being recorded in Hansard.
[Inaudible interjections ]
Mr. Jeff SousaWe will see. I will be here. And I will go further. I will say to entrepreneurs out there that there has never been a better opportunity for you to go forward to jump in if you have the right attitude, the right work ethic to be an entrepreneur. Never, …
We will see. I will be here. And I will go further. I will say to entrepreneurs out there that there has never been a better opportunity for you to go forward to jump in if you have the right attitude, the right work ethic to be an entrepreneur. Never, never in my lifetime . . . I am 56 years old. You would have to go back to the building of the American bases to recall a time as economically vibrant as what we are going to see in the next two years, and that has been put in place by the One Bermuda Alliance Government. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 33.
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsThank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my honourable colleague, the Honourable Member from constit uency 6, for putting out the olive branch, the hand of friendship, the hand of brotherhood so that we may work together on a pressing issue facing our people. …
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my honourable colleague, the Honourable Member from constit uency 6, for putting out the olive branch, the hand of friendship, the hand of brotherhood so that we may work together on a pressing issue facing our people. Because, Mr. Speaker, we were not sent to this Chamber by the thousands of Bermudians who participated in the last election, and who voted for each of us in our respective constituencies, to come to this place and waste time with idle chatter and waste time with non- productive discussion. We were sent here to have what the people perceived the best and brightest minds on the tickets to work together when we can, disagree when we must, but produce policy, legislation, action that el evates the condition of Bermudians. So, when the Honourable Member came to our caucus, the Ho nourable Member from constituency 6, and he asked his political colleagues for support of this motion, we agreed. Because we know that not enough is happe ning fast enough for the people who are suffering in this country. Not enough is happening fast enough for the people in this country. People who had hope of a promise of 2,000 jobs did not expect a Government to say, Well, it’s hard, harder than we thought. They did not expect that. They expected solutions. And so, promises have consequences. And hope had been dashed because promises have not been kept, Mr. Speaker. And we on this side are deeply concerned because we do not believe the full range of intellectual talent and ability in this country is being put forward to address this issue. We are seeing Bills that come to this Chamber that are remixes of PLP Bills as far back as 2000, w ith little innovation, little originality, little flair, little panache, little progress, Mr. Speaker. And so, I am mystified, Mr. Speaker, as to why we would have a joint select committee on women’s issues without controversy, without cha llenge, but on t his issue, with record unemployment, with record underemployment, with Bermudians em igrating from our country, why can we not put our minds together on this issue? We have been treated to, It was harder than we thought to create jobs. It’s tough being an e ntrepreneur. The banks won’t help. But what we were hoping would come from the Government was a solution, was a vision. And we could take their vision, we could take part of our vision that they laid out in the Budget Replies and the Throne Speech Replies and even that will be laid out in our platform, and begin the conversation of getting our people —not Canadians, not Americans, not Yugoslavians and Czechs and Filipinos —Bermudians back to work. I was not sent to this Chamber to work for anybody but Bermudi ans. Mr. Speaker, constituency 33 has one of the largest unemployment rates in the country. And I say that because I have also one of the youngest constituencies in the country. It is mostly working- age people. Mr. Speaker, I have never in my political c areer—and I have been canvassing since I was seven years old, in various capacities —I have never, ever been able to canvass on a weekday and do an entire block and hit every house and people are home. Never experienced that before. And there are people who are out of work. There are people who are underemployed and now are doing shift work so they are able to be there during the day. Our people are struggling. We have within this Chamber 36 minds, and if you combine the Sen-ate, more minds. And if we bring in other people in this group, more minds that can be begin to wrestle with what is wrong. We cannot sit here and say, Well, the banks won’t give loans. Let us come up with a solution to work around them. We cannot just say, It is hard to start a business. Let us look at the obstacles that we can control and remove them. We on this side will continue to carry forward the belief that many minds and many hands make light work. Many minds and
Bermu da House of Assembly many hands make light work. It is evident that the One Bermuda Alliance does not have all the answers. We on this side see it. And many of the unemployed who believed the promise of 2,000 jobs see it, too. And so, we can sit here today, and we can beat our chest about how I helped this guy out with a few dollars here , and how hard it is to start a bus iness, and you probably should . . . Most will fail . We need to look at stopping saying Why not? a nd say, Why can’t we do this? How can we help? That is what we are here for, Mr. Speaker. But I expect that this debate will be another liturgy of OBA talking points about It’s hard and We need more time, and you know all the stuff that has been typed up Gavin Shorto or Magnus Henagulph or whoever they have got, you know, on the payroll. But, Mr. Speaker, this is not the time for that. It is not the time for that. And if that is what they are going to do, I can go home because, you know, they are wasting my time and they are wasting the people’s time. Because I want to hear out of this Government what we have not seen, what the peo ple have not seen—a plan that says to an educated Bermudian, a Bermudian who is graduating next year, Where do you fit in our country? That is what I want to hear out of the Government, that says to the Bermudian, whose industry, who has lost their job in international business, Where do I see you fitting into this economy? That is what I want to hear out of this Gover nment. But we are not going to hear that today. We are not. And whether it is a lack of originality, whether it is a lack of innovation or a lack of a script produced by a consultant for somebody to read off, we are not going to hear it today. And that is the crime of what this change to this motion has done. Because if we actually sat and had a joint select committee, we could drop all the eg os, drop all the scripts, drop all the games and work. Do the work we were sent here to do. So, Mr. Speaker, I suspect when I take my seat, somebody will get up, and they will say, Well, you had 14 years to work with us. You didn’t work with us. I am going to hand out Bingo cards. I think I have said it before. I am going to get some OBA Bingo cards so we can tick off, 14 years, debt, you had a chance, all . . . It is tired. And none of that foolishness that you have been spouting has employed one Bermudian . It has not created an opportunity for one Bermudian. And that is what is the waste of time that is spent in this Chamber without the exchange of ideas. Mr. Speaker, when the Honourable Leader of the Progressive Labour Party, Marc Bean, appointed me to t he position of Shadow Minister of Business Development and Economic Development, I said to him, There are other people who should do this role. And he said to me, No, because I want somebody who has a varied background and who is like a normal person to look at the struggles of normal people. Look at this through the prism of a normal person. The chal-lenges that a business owner has of being unable to get a loan, of having the skill in the business, a master plumber who has no clue how to promote their bus iness or how to keep their books in order. And to begin thinking and wrapping our mind around, particularly in our community, the lowest level of workers and entrepreneurs and how we can make them stronger, not through promises, not through cash, but through tangible action that we can remove the barriers that are stopping them from getting to where they want to be. And I would challenge . . . Well, let me go back even further. The Honourable Finance Minister alluded to this. We have long had a history of protectionism that is not as far in the distant past as I would like. We have an opportunity to cultivate entrepreneurship in our people. We have an opportunity to diversify the economy and create new opportunities for our people. These are the things we c an talk about. It is not about giving somebody a hook -up because they know there is a nice guy and I think he is cool and I am going to help him with his business . No. I am talking about adding to our economic pillars so that person has the opportunity to do for themselves and not have to worry about paternalistic patronage. The removing of the impediments of entrepr eneurship, whatever they may be, together we can look, we can discover, we can analyse the things that are holding people back who otherwise w ould be d oing for self. And this is not about creating thousands of Bermudian business failures, not at all. Because, you know what? Any investor knows, the more you spread your money around, you are going to have a few bad investments, no matter how good you are. But we want to invest in our people so that we can cultivate more success stories, more people who can do for themselves, more Bermudians who can hire Bermudians. That is the conversation we need to be having. So, an opportunity has been lost for political collaboration. An opportunity has been lost for us to work together. An opportunity has been lost for us to share ideas and exchange ideas and build together. An opportunity has been lost to restore faith in our people that were not up here for ego and showboating and beating our chest and reading whatever som ebody puts in front of us. An opportunity has been lost, and we in this Chamber are not the ones who will suffer for it. It is the unemployed Bermudian who is hoping for a shred of hope that there is somebody thinking about them, that there is somebody who hears their cry, there is somebody who cares that their condition is not improving. We must do better, Mr. Speaker. We must do better. And again, I thank my colleague, the Honourable Member from constituency 6. This is an effort that I think we should repeat as often as possible. And maybe one day, you know what? Maybe we will be able to work together on this issue. Maybe one day we will be able to drop all the sort of talking points and 1904 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly the things that we polled and tested well and worked well with everybody. Maybe we can get on with the work we were sent here to do. But today, on this day in 2016, an opportunity for two political parties to remove the barrier between us, to remove the boundaries between us, to reach out and share our thoughts was rejected by the One Bermuda Alliance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise MP Susan Jac kson.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonThank you, Mr. Speak er. I want to begin by saying that the Honourable Member who just took his seat talked about, Let’s all get together and come up with a plan to figure out where people fit. Well, I believe that that is part of our problem, that we …
Thank you, Mr. Speak er. I want to begin by saying that the Honourable Member who just took his seat talked about, Let’s all get together and come up with a plan to figure out where people fit. Well, I believe that that is part of our problem, that we have historically spent too much time, as a Government, as a community, putting pe ople in their categories and their space. And it is time to break down some of those barriers and start to look at innovative ways in which we can stimulate the economy and, in particular, job creat ion. And we sat here . . . the Minister of Finance said in the early stages that that is what we are all about. I have the quote, but the point is that he was saying that it is all about entrepreneurship and how we can stimulate jobs and make sure the peo ple are able to innovate and create environments that are successful. Do not put away the Bingo card, because here it comes. One of my main concerns is that I personally feel that legislation does not necessarily sup-port innovation, twenty -first century t hinking. There are definitely barriers for entry in a number of the Bills that I have come across in my short experience in Government. And I personally believe that there would be some merit in having someone, a group, take a look at some of the legislati on that is directly related to the stimulation of job creation, the stimulation of e ntrepreneurial innovations and do what we can to make the amendments that will allow businesses and ind ividuals to create job opportunities for themselves and for others. But my main concern is that we have you, the Opposition, the present Opposition had 14 years to get this job done. They stand as a Labour Gover nment, and for 14 years they had an opportunity to look through the legislation to see where amendments could be made so that the people of Bermuda would have an opportunity to create new jobs —
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Honourable Member from constituency 6. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I believe t he Honourable Member is misleading this House. From 1998 I have said from 33,000 to 35,000 jobs, up to 40,000 to 2008. So legislation was brought to this Honourable House that allowed the …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, thank you. [Crosstalk]
Ms. Susan E. JacksonMy colleague is just sharing with me some stats, that the OBA halts PLP job loss momentum. The highest number of jobs in Bermuda was 2008. It was just over 40,000 jobs, in between — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Member, MP De Silva. POINT OF ORDER Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes. The Honourable Member, if she could tell us which article, rather than notes from a colleague, what she is reading from?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay. Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member.
Ms. Lovitta F. FoggoFine. Yes, it is information that he has garnered from collecting information and st atistics from sources. [Inaudible interjection s and laughter ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerCarry on, Honourable Member. Carry on.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonSo, between 2008 and 2012, there were 4,770 reported job losses. Now, during 2011 to 2012, almost 2,000 jobs were lost. During 2012/13, about 1,100 jobs were l ost. But from 2013 to 2014, just over 800 jobs were lost, and from 2014 to 2015, there were only 298. So …
So, between 2008 and 2012, there were 4,770 reported job losses. Now, during 2011 to 2012, almost 2,000 jobs were lost. During 2012/13, about 1,100 jobs were l ost. But from 2013 to 2014, just over 800 jobs were lost, and from 2014 to 2015, there were only 298. So every year that we have been in gover nment, the job losses are decreasing. And we are now looking, from 2000 to 2012 —
[Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
Ms. Susan E. Jackson—over 3,700 Bermudian jobs have been lost. So we are looking to decrease, and Bermu da House of Assembly we are experiencing a decrease in the number of jobs [lost] in Bermuda. And much of that is because of the innovations that we are supporting and a llowing for people …
—over 3,700 Bermudian jobs have been lost. So we are looking to decrease, and
Bermu da House of Assembly we are experiencing a decrease in the number of jobs [lost] in Bermuda. And much of that is because of the innovations that we are supporting and a llowing for people to become more confident in the job economy and create new job opportunities. But one of the things that I want to say is that anyone who is getting involved in an entrepreneurial experience is going to face challenges. There are going to be barriers for entry. There are going to be all kinds of hurdles that one has to overcome in order to reach their milestones. And it is very clear, and as mentioned earlier, there are a number of entrepr eneurs sitting in Government just now. And many of them can tell stories about the challenges that they faced starting businesses, creating jobs for others. And it is so important to be able to persevere and to move on and overcome those hurdles in order to achieve. And that is probably one of the most difficult tasks. And the Government cannot necessarily . . . It is up to each individual to create the kind of persever-ance and strength and courage to persevere and cr eate opportunities for themselves for employment. But again, as I mentioned earlier, I d o believe that Government does have the opportunity to look at legisl ation and see where amendments can be made to r educe and get out of the way of individuals who are trying to create new opportunities for themselves within the employment realm. Again, I am most sorry that the previous Go vernment did not take the opportunity when they had it to take a look at some of this legislation and make it fair, look at where we could have had more balanced opportunities for all Bermudians rather than having the kinds of challenges that are in some of the legislation that may not be as fair as they could be for all people in Bermuda. But I am confident that the OBA Government is doing all that it can to review legislation, to update what we can and make sure that we are creating all opportunities for all people in Bermuda. And I know that we know what is required. And I am sure that we are going to continue to move in the direction of creating jobs and boosting the economy. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank y ou, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Member from constituency 29, MP Zane De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the Honourable Wayne Furbert for bringing his motion to this …
All right. Thank y ou, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Member from constituency 29, MP Zane De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would like to start by thanking the Honourable Wayne Furbert for bringing his motion to this House today. And I would like to say how very disappointed I am, very disappointed I am in the change of the motion by the One Bermuda Alliance. And why am I disappointed? We had an opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to do something together. But what I would like to do, before I get into that, is ask the OBA backbench, in particular, are they satisfied with the job that the OBA, and especially, indeed, the Cabinet, are doing? And what the Honourable Member who just took her seat said is yes! And maybe an apology is needed from me to her for doing a point of order. Because when she started reading out stats, Mr. Speaker, I thought it was given to her by one of her colleagues. I did not realise it was given to her by one of my colleagues. Because she went to explain how many jobs have been lost by this country every year since the OBA got in power —every year! So I apologise. I thought . . . I said, Well, no way one of her Members is going to give her that information.
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerYes, Honourable Member. POINT OF ORDER
Ms. Susan E. JacksonI just . . . those statistics were showing how the haemorrhaging is stopped. That when we first came into Government there were thousands of jobs being l ost every year.
Ms. Susan E. JacksonAnd we have now reduced that haemorrhaging to only 298 jobs. [Inaudible interjections ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, you se e, Mr. Speaker, the problem is that we, the PLP, did not promise 2,000 new jobs in 2012. But they did. And the fact of the matter is they promised 2,000 jobs and have continuously, …
Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, you se e, Mr. Speaker, the problem is that we, the PLP, did not promise 2,000 new jobs in 2012. But they did. And the fact of the matter is they promised 2,000 jobs and have continuously, year after year after year, lost jobs. They did not say in 2012 that they w ere going to stop haemorrhaging. They said that they were going to create 2,000 jobs. And here we are, three and a half years into that Government, and we have continued loss of jobs, Mr. Speaker, continued loss of jobs! Their policies are not working. It is obvious that their policies are not working, Mr. Speaker —not working, except, unless you just happen to be a can-didate and you want to develop a Heroes Weekend, then maybe, you know, some of your business ideas might work. But, Mr. Speaker, we have heard for three and a half years, and we heard again last week from the Premier of this country, Let’s hold hands together. Let’s work together. Let’s get some things done t ogether! We hear it over and over and over. But then again, when Walton Brown, the Honourable Member, brought proposed legislation—
1906 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Attorney General . POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: That Honourable Member is misleading the H ouse. He said innumerable times in this House that his firm, Island Construction, had far more jobs under the OBA than they ever had under the PLP! Surely he recognises …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, thank you, Honourable Member. Thank you, Attorney General . [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker, long may it continue! That is what I say. Long may it continue! And whilst we are at it, whilst I do get work from the …
All right. Thank you, thank you, Honourable Member. Thank you, Attorney General . [Inaudible interjections ] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker, long may it continue! That is what I say. Long may it continue! And whilst we are at it, whilst I do get work from the OBA Government, Mr. Speaker, let me say this. I have gone on to hire many Bermudians in the last three and a half years. And some of those Bermudians, Mr. Speaker, guess what?
[Inaudible interjections]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I have made jobs for, made jobs for, Mr. Speaker, made jobs for. So I am happy about that, Mr. Speaker. And yes, I will say I hope I can continue to say it, Mr. Speaker.
[Gavel] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I hope I can continue to say it. But what the Honourable Member who just took his seat does not realise is, and of course, he may as well want to let everybody know that his pr ivate practice is still going on while he is Attorney General , as well.
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order. He is misleading the House again. I do not par ticipate in private practice at this point. I get no income from any private practice.
[Inaudible interjection]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you, Attorney General . Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Not at the moment. But no income, he says. He very convenient ly says he gets no income at this present time. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: When you were in Cabinet, did you get income from Island …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member, Attorney General , take your seat! Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: It is a point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAttorney General , take your seat! Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerTake your seat. And next time you say point of order before you start to speak. Carry on. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: My, my, my, Mr. Speaker. When you thr ow stones at someone and you live in a glass house, you know, you have to remember that. …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Members. Let us all get back on track. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Let us get back on track,
Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerLet us get back on track. Let us not be going across the floor at each other. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Because I want to know what the OBA Members of this House are going to tell their voters in the coming weeks and days, what they are …
Let us get back on track. Let us not be going across the floor at each other. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Because I want to know what the OBA Members of this House are going to tell their voters in the coming weeks and days, what they are going to tell their voters about this motion that Honourable Wayne Furbert brought to this House and says that he wanted to work together with the OBA to try to come up with ideas to help the unemployment situation in this country, and the OBA tur ned it down today, and said, No. We don’t want to work with you. We don’t want to sit down and talk to entrepreneurs. We know what we’re doing. Hon. R. Wayne Scott: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Member. POINT OF ORDER [Mislea ding] Hon. R. Wayne Scott: I think the Honourable Member is misleading the House intentionally , if I may go so far. I think he said that this Government, the OBA, has said we do not want to work together. We have on …
Yes, Honourable Member.
POINT OF ORDER [Mislea ding]
Hon. R. Wayne Scott: I think the Honourable Member is misleading the House intentionally , if I may go so far. I think he said that this Government, the OBA, has said we do not want to work together. We have on many occasions offered to work together. I personally have done that, as to which we
Bermu da House of Assembly have had no takers. This is a game. We do not need to have a joint select committee to work together!
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I will repeat it. And the Honourable Member says he has asked a lot of times. I will tell you what. I tell you one thing they asked us to work with them …
Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I will repeat it. And the Honourable Member says he has asked a lot of times. I will tell you what. I tell you one thing they asked us to work with them on was the sex offenders committee. And my motion was changed, Mr. Speaker, by the Honourable Member Pettingill. And I said, Okay. All right. You changed my motion. That’s okay. But I had a goal in mind. My goal was to protect the children of this country. And if it meant sitting down with Members on the other side to do it, then so be it. And we have a committee that is working hard, and we will change some of the laws in this country. It is just a shame that is not reciprocal on a situation that is critical to the well -being of this country—critical! We have our young men shooting and killing each other in this country. How many of those who have been shot or the ones who are doing the shooting are working? Ask yourselves that, OBA backbench. Ask yourself that. We have a serious, dire situation in this country, and a lot of it has to do with unemploymen t. A lot of it has to do with unemplo yment. Mr. Speaker, I just want to reiterate for those who may not have been listening a few minutes ago, when the Honourable Member Jeff Sousa—and he said, Look. I want everybody to hear it, and I want it in Hansard, that we will have over -employment in the next year or two in this country —over -employment. So, I would like to know, certainly I expect a Minist erial Statement next week from the Premier of this country to say how he is going to produce 6,000 jobs in the next year or two! Because in order to get over - employment, that is where we are going to need to be. So now he has laid down a marker for all of us to judge them by in the next year or two . . . well, they will not be two years. Well, maybe that is what he meant, that they will be out in the next year, and when the PLP take over, we will have unemployment [sic]. Maybe that is what he meant. But I can let him talk about that. But that marker is a very important marker. And he said that with his Cabinet Members present. And he said it in Hansard to the people of this country. And the Premier has just walked in. Maybe he can do a point of order and say, I concur with my colleague, Mr. Jeff Sousa, and there will be over -employment in Bermuda in the next year or two. So we will see, Mr. Speaker, how that goes. Now, Mr. Speaker, what an opportunity we have lost. What an opportunity we have lost! And the Honourable Member, as he does, the Honourable Attorney General is laughing. He thinks it is a laughing matter li ke when he turned the water off up in Doc kyard.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: No, no, no. Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: He is just being . . .
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWhat is your point of order? Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: He is misleading. I just happen to think the Honourable Member is insincere.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerCarry on, Honourable Member. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, the Honourable Member thinks I am being insincere. Hmm. That is not —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Members, let us stay to the point of what we are dealing with. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWe are trying to find opportunities for Bermudians. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, that is right.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThat is what we are trying to do. So let us see if we can stay on that line. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, Mr. Speaker. Speaking about insincerity reminds me of when that Honourable Member turned the water off up in Dockyard for the people who had …
That is what we are trying to do. So let us see if we can stay on that line.
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, Mr. Speaker. Speaking about insincerity reminds me of when that Honourable Member turned the water off up in Dockyard for the people who had not paid their bil ls for a period of time. That is the same Member who is laughing as I am talking about the unemployment and the critical situation in this country. He may think it is a joke, and he may think I am not sincere. But I do not believe that the Honourable Member —
Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Trevor G. MonizPoint of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJust a minute. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: The Honourable Member is misleading the House.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerJust a minute, Attorney Ge neral . Yes, carry on. 1908 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Mr. Speaker, he is misleading the House. I never at any point thought it was a laughing matter or a funny …
Just a minute, Attorney Ge neral . Yes, carry on.
1908 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Mr. Speaker, he is misleading the House. I never at any point thought it was a laughing matter or a funny matter at all. It was a very ser ious matter, and it had to be dealt with v ery respons ibly, which I did. And I resolved the situation quite happily with those individuals.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Attorney General . Thank you, Attorney General . Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I am sure those folks up in Dock yard will remember how sincere you were. But let us get back to the importance of the Honourable Member Wayne Fur-bert’s …
Thank you, Attorney General . Thank you, Attorney General .
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I am sure those folks up in Dock yard will remember how sincere you were. But let us get back to the importance of the Honourable Member Wayne Fur-bert’s motion that was changed. Mr. Speaker. We have people in this c ountry who are stealing more. We have situations of people stealing more t han we have ever had in our history.
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That is right. It is true. Mr. Speaker, every week you read of somebody getting caught stealing food from a restaurant. I mean, the Gardens down at Brighton Hills wer e raided a couple of weeks ago, and a large, significant portion of veg etables were taken. Because everybody has done some night farming in their day, Mr. Speaker, but it is getting —
[Inaudible interjection]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: A lot of people, a l ot of people in this House have done some night farming,
Mr. Speaker.
Dr. the Hon. E. Grant GibbonsSpeak for yourself. [Laughter] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member is saying, Speak for yourself. Well, of course, I can u nderstand that com ing from Dr. Gibbons. He has never been hungry. He does not know what it is like. But I do, Mr. Speaker. That …
Speak for yourself.
[Laughter]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member is saying, Speak for yourself. Well, of course, I can u nderstand that com ing from Dr. Gibbons. He has never been hungry. He does not know what it is like. But I do, Mr. Speaker. That is right. And some of us on this side have. And I would suspect some on that side have, too. But, so, Mr. Speaker, let me say this, right? You ha ve hungry people who are stealing, Mr. Speaker. You have people who are approaching bus iness owners like myself on a daily basis, looking for work, Mr. Speaker. Looking for work. I have had some people ask me for jobs, Mr. Speaker, who I never thought woul d ask me for jobs. I am talking about some of the middle class, middle managers, people in that category, Mr. Speaker. I have got parliamentar i-ans in this House, Mr. Speaker, who are out of work, cannot get work. We have a former Premier who cannot find a job in this country, Mr. Speaker. Something is wrong with that picture, too. Mr. Speaker, we have to try, and this is a take note motion, and I would encourage my colleague, the Honourable Wayne Furbert, to think about what has happened today. Because you know what will happen with this take note motion. We will go back to status quo tomorrow. We will forget all about it. Maybe change those words around a little bit, MP Furbert, and bring something back to this House. Because we know what the OBA Cabinet are doing at the moment. The policies that they have tried to implement are not working. We know they are not working. The statistics that MP Susan Jackson gave us show that they are not working. We know, Mr. Speaker. Financial Assistance has hit a record high, almost $51 million in the budget this year, Mr. Speaker —$51 million! Mr. Speaker, that is almost $1 million a week. One million dollars a week on financial assistance! And here we are, we make a proposal to the OBA to let us sit down, talk to some of our people in this country, come up with some ideas to create jobs as a team! And they turn it down. They turn it down, Mr. Speaker. We have seniors in this country now who were looking forward to retirement. That is a dream, because they are helping thei r children and grandchildren who can no longer find work. That is what they are doing. Mr. Speaker, let me finish on this note. I read a quote recently, and the quote was, It’s easier to train young children than it is to repair broken men. I will say tha t again: It’s easier to train young children than to repair broken men. Mr. Speaker, we have a lot of broken men in this country, and a lot of the broken men whom we have are a result of their being unemployed. It is a result of the opportunities that they feel are not there. Hope has been lost. It is out the wi ndow, Mr. Speaker. And we know that the budget has been cut by the OBA Government. The education has been cut. The grants have been cut. We talked about some of our social programmes that have been c ut. Our recovering addicts, the help they were getting has been cut. And then we wonder why people are stealing. We wonder why our young black men are going around shooting each other. Mr. Speaker, we have a serious problem. And I am going to end where I started. I am disappointed, disappointed as I look across the floor that we lost an opportunity. What is the big deal? We lost an opportunity to do something to work together for a very serious, critical situation in this Bermuda and it is called unemploym ent. Disappointed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member, the Minister for Education. Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. R. Wayne Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to be very brief. I just felt it was necessary for me to get up and point something out …
Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member, the Minister for Education.
Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. R. Wayne Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am going to be very brief. I just felt it was necessary for me to get up and point something out to the Members on that side of the House. I know there are only a few left, because I saw about three or four —actually five now—go home. I guess that speaks to the importance of this. But, Mr. Speaker, this Government believes that we must listen. We must hear. We must work t ogether. We must think outside the box. We must figure things out. And there has been an open invitation to do that. There is no disagreement on this side of the House that we must do those things! But, Mr. Speaker, working together is a choice, not the requirement for a joint select commi ttee. In my mind, what a lot of these committees do is kick the can down the road to where we are getting something done down the road. Let us do s omething now! Let us work together right now to get some of these things done! What do I mean by that, Mr. Speaker? In my previous . . . And I heard the Member, my cousin, sa ying that he agrees. And I appreciate that. You have my commitment. I will work w ith anybody on that side to get things done. What do I mean by that? My previous Ministry (open invitation for the Shadow) every week had a meeting outlining all the things we were working on, bringing people in, brainstorming on different ideas. Not once did they come. The same thing has happened in this current Ministry. Not once have they been in my office to sit down together. Forget the pol itics. Let us deal with the issues. So it is not the requirement of a joint select committee. It is a choice. A nd I challenge my co lleagues across the aisle, let us do it. If you are serious about it, let us do it. Let us do it now. Because I b elieve we need to do that, because no one has all the solutions. And we are here to work together to get things done for our people. And the irony behind all of this, Mr. Speaker, is we spent the last three hours arguing about an amendment to do just that —allow entrepreneurs to do something and be able to sell alcohol. Now the next time . . . You know, I hope on National Her oes Day, I hope the Member for constituency 18, Mr. Burt, sells his Burt’s Bliss and gets a licence for it, because I will go buy some! Talk about opportunities for entrepr eneurs. But we argued about that for three hours! And the next thing.
Hon. Wayne L . Furbert: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
POINT OF ORDER Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, as you are aware, we supported it. We just want clarification on certain issues. That is all it was. We supported the order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, thank you. Hon. R. Wayne Scott: Mr. Speaker, we argued about that for three hours. And if that is support, no wonder why the Member thinks we have to have a joint select committee to get something done. Let us do it! And stop playing games, Mr. Furbert, …
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member, let us not get personal. All right? Carry on. Do you have a point of order? POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, point of order. The Honourable Member is misleading the House, Mr. Speaker. He said he wants to do something now. That …
Honourable Member, let us not get personal. All right? Carry on. Do you have a point of order?
POINT OF ORDER [Misleading]
Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, point of order. The Honourable Member is misleading the House, Mr. Speaker. He said he wants to do something now. That is exactly what we are proposing to do with this joint select committee.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Okay. Tha nks. Hon. R. Wayne Scott: So, Mr. Speaker, let me go a little bit further on this. There has been an open offer amongst many comments from the Opposition that they will not work with this Government. So the cha llenge goes out again: Let us …
All right. Okay. Tha nks.
Hon. R. Wayne Scott: So, Mr. Speaker, let me go a little bit further on this. There has been an open offer amongst many comments from the Opposition that they will not work with this Government. So the cha llenge goes out again: Let us do it! Because Gover nment does not create jobs; it creates an environment. The reality of it is that we are the second- most is olated populated place in the world. We do not produce enough stuff to even support ourselves. This is a service economy. To create jobs and create volume in a service economy, you need volume. You need people, b ecause you cannot just do it. If we take 10 of us and we keep handing a dollar around, it is kind of playing hot potato. You need more people so that you get add itional funds to come in. A nd I know the Members know what I am talking about. These are things we need to do. And I remember having this conversation with a good friend of mine on the other side whose name I will not call, but I am looking at right now, had the conversation with h im when he was the Shadow Mi nister on the other side about, Don’t you see this as a problem? And with a little grin, he just changed the subject. Like, Come on. Let’s work on this stuff. Let’s do this. Businesses actually create jobs. So let us create an e nvironment. And I remember hearing from 1910 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly the other side that it is not an issue, as we are i ncreas ing the size of the civil service and offsetting the loss in jobs by creating civil service jobs. If you were really honest and looked at job statistics without that artificial help, there were thousands of jobs being lost every year, and stopping that bleeding is a significant feat in itself. But I look at countries that have gone down that road of artificially solving the job- loss issue by hiring more in the public sector. Spain, Greece, France—does that sound familiar with what happened with those economies? So I think that if we are ser ious about doing this . . . And look. I do not come from means, Mr. Speaker. I have had to work hard. And someone very close to me is a business owner in this country, who I know for a fact had not paid them-selves for years while we were going through all this downturn, just to try to keep people employed. And how do I know that? Because I had to pick up the tab. So businesses create jobs. And I can tell you that a lot of the small businesses in Bermuda now rode out that wave, have felt a levelling off, and are seeing positive trends and things starting to ha ppen again, which did not happen for a long time, since probably 2008 or so when it started to unravel. Now, do we on this side wish that things were turned around immediately? Absolutely. But when you have a pendulum that is swinging real hard one way, it has to slow down a little bit before it starts to pick back up. And we are doing that. Again, businesses create jobs by creating that environment and having conf idence in government, in the economy. And let us be honest. We are here because that confidence was not there for whatever reason. And if we are honest, Mr. Speak er, and if we are ser ious about doing this, we will work together. We will have a commitment to work together by everyone on both sides of the aisle. Again, that comes down to a choice. So the challenge that we have is not whether or not this is a take not e motion or a joint select committee. It is whether or not we actually are serious about doing it. And that is something, Mr. Speaker, that I have said on the record many times. And my commitment is here. Let us do it. Let us stop playing games and actual ly do it. Our people are hurting, and we need to get our people back to work. And we need to do it together. So I would again put that olive branch out to the entire Opposition: Let us work t ogether. Let us do it now. You have my commitment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Minister. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 5, MP Derrick Burgess. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Member who just took his seat . . . I am prepared to take up his challenge. Let us do something now. …
Thank you, Honourable Minister. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 5, MP Derrick Burgess. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Honourable Member who just took his seat . . . I am prepared to take up his challenge. Let us do something now. I certainly agree with that. And I would hope that because of some things that I will address this evening something needs to be done now. We have young people returning from school, university, with degrees and cannot get a job. I know people with master’s degrees in business administr ation cannot get a job. The only people who are unem-ployed in Bermuda are Bermudians. That should not be the case. And a large number of them are unem-ployed. Once upon a time in our history, Bermudians, particularly black Bermudians, could not get a job be-cause they were told they did not have the education. Now they are achieving that, and they still cannot get the job. What we do not want, we do not want our children to stay overseas because they cannot get employment here. Because that, obviously, would be a brain drain to this country, one that no country can afford. Mr. Speaker, one thing that I will certainly agree with the Honourable Member who just took his seat is let us do something now. We have to do som ething about the income disparity in this country between blacks and whites. Mr. Speaker, if you look back under the government statistics as early as 1982, you would find the disparity between black males and white males was $13,840. The disparity between females in the same period was $625. We come up to 1993. The disparity between black and white males was $41,169, and for females was $7,240. Now we go to 2004, Mr. Speaker. And the disparity between black males and white males is $49,463 and females, $35,700.
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Point of order, Mr. Speaker. Just a point of clarification.
POINT OF CLARIFICATION
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am just asking. You said black and white. Are those Bermudians? Can he share those figures? Are they Bermudians?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerWell, what are you reading from, Honourable Member, if you could let us know? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: This is from the average, the annual household.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerOkay, that is from the sta tistics, Be rmuda statistics? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Black males, white males, it is everybody.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. That means ev erybody, yes. Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: That includes nonBermudians, then.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: It includes non- Bermudians. [Crosstalk] Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Non-Bermudians.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, all households. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: All, all households.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, all households. Hon. D errick V. Burgess, Sr.: Now, that is what I am talking about. Now, the disparity between blacks and whites in 2013, between black males and white males, was $71,202. That is the household disparity. And between black females and white females, white f emale s …
Yes, all households. Hon. D errick V. Burgess, Sr.: Now, that is what I am talking about. Now, the disparity between blacks and whites in 2013, between black males and white males, was $71,202. That is the household disparity. And between black females and white females, white f emale s were making $75,119 more than black females. Mr. Speaker, this is one that when the Pr emier says we want to be on the right side of history, that is the right side I want to be on. Because as you would know, and most would know, this does not occur in t he public sector, meaning government workers, because, as I have said before, unions have taken care of that. But in the private sector, it is quite different because I can recall that a lady told me, I think it was about five years ago, that a CPA [certif ied public accountant] working alongside a white male accountant and doing the same work and figured they would be getting the same pay came to find out they were paying the white male not only $20,000 more, but gi ving him housing. And this is what is happening in the private sector. This is something that needs to be corrected. This is what we all should want to be, on the right side of history. Mr. Speaker, we were talking about unemployment. And I said the only people who are unemployed are Bermudians. Just recently, the road sweepers, I think they call them silo workers — these are normally people that have gone 65 and r etired, and they work out in different areas in their community for four hours a day. Well, the Government has gotten rid of them. They have terminated them. So those folks, retirees, certainly would have to come now to get financial assistance to enhance their living in order to be able to afford their food and medicine and all the other things. Mr. Speaker, the Government has increased the Cabinet payroll by at least 20 per cent. And at the same time, they have— Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: Yes. I think the Honourable Member is unintentionally misleading the House there. A lot of those Cabinet Ministers are part - time. So it makes quite a significant difference. So 20 per cent is clearly wrong. Thank you.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Thank you. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Mr. Speaker, it is not exactly. You know, they get up and think that we do not know what we are talking about.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSpeak to the Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes. The Cabinet pa yroll has been increased by 20 per cent. I did not say wheth er they were part -time or full -time. Under the present rate . . . The Premier has not announced. It is a recent …
Speak to the Speaker. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes. The Cabinet pa yroll has been increased by 20 per cent. I did not say wheth er they were part -time or full -time. Under the present rate . . . The Premier has not announced. It is a recent increase in the Cabinet that now I have got six Cabinet Members who have gone part -time. No, it is still the same. So —
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Oh, Mouth Almighty.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Member. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: And I am not Mouth Almighty . I think that is rude and disrespectful. The Honourable Member needs to withdraw that comment.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, Honourable Member. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. But he is misleading the House, because the Premier gave a Statement here to indicate about the Cabinet reshuffle. And he indicated that there were five Cabinet Ministers who were part -time Ministers. And therefore, the Honourable Member’s …
Yes, Honourable Member.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. But he is misleading the House, because the Premier gave a Statement here to indicate about the Cabinet reshuffle. And he indicated that there were five Cabinet Ministers who were part -time Ministers. And therefore, the Honourable Member’s comment about the Premier not making a statement is not true.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. 1912 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Mr. Speaker, I would just say to let them produce the figures. That is all. And, Mr. Speaker, not only that. Whilst the increases go on in certain areas, despite the recession, …
Thank you.
1912 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Mr. Speaker, I would just say to let them produce the figures. That is all. And, Mr. Speaker, not only that. Whilst the increases go on in certain areas, despite the recession, we have the light bills, energy bills (you saw in the papers yesterday) will increase. Health insurance has increased. The payroll tax . . . in an 18- month period, employees have had a payroll tax increase, whilst some employers have had tax reliefs. Not great. Mr. Speaker, the grants for seniors has decreased, particularly in the rest home. And when you decrease those grants, you know who has to make up that money? The residents, the families of the res idents who are staying there . . . Most of those people who are staying there, a lot of those people who are staying there, I should say, they are the folks who pay for them, children and relatives, these are the people who have not had an increase in wages since 2011. But they have had all these increases, increase in payroll tax, health insurance, hospital care, food, electricity. All this is going up, Mr. Speaker. All of it has gone up. And so, Mr. Speaker, even when we look at the income of blacks and whites, the increase from 2014 to 2015, Mr. Speaker, when you compare those two years, blacks’ increase was 0.0027. That was their increase. And that increase probably happened because employers got rid of some of the lower -paid workers. So the average would come up a little bit. Whilst at the same period, whites increased 4.9 per cent. That is what we should be fixing now, the ec onomic disparity, the economic . . . We should be stri ving for economic equality, something that Dr. Eva Hodgson has called for , for over 20 years. And all that is happening right now is it is getting worse, is widening, Mr. Speaker. So we have to address that, Mr. Speaker. And we m ust address it now, Mr. Speaker , because an ywhere in the Western World, this is what is happening. In England, in the United States, this income disparity is the same. It gets wider. It is just widening, getting larger, increasing between blacks and whites. And that should not happen. We are supposed to be a nother world here. We should try to fix that, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to be on the right side of history. And the challenge that the Honourable Member, Mr. Scott, p ut out to us, I am ready for that. Let us go. Let us get it done. Let us get it done. B ecause again, as I said, the only people . . . the only people who are unemployed in this country are Bermudians. And we need to correct that right now. Thank you, Mr. S peaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Minister for Home Affairs. Minister Patricia Gordon- Pamplin, you have the floor. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleas ed to be able to co ntribute to this debate, this take note …
Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Minister for Home Affairs. Minister Patricia Gordon- Pamplin, you have the floor. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleas ed to be able to co ntribute to this debate, this take note motion that this House take note of the strategies needed to create new jobs, explore the impediments that are preventing the creation of new businesses and the barriers for Bermudian entrepreneurs . And I believe that the topic is rather . . . It is not just topical, but I think it is impo rtant as a point of discussion under the circumstances. Let me just say, Mr. Speaker, that the changing of this motion from a joint select committee does not dimi nish what is required by us as Members of this Honourable House. I say that from the perspective that my Honourable Member, colleague from the Ed ucation Ministry said, We don’t need a joint select committee to be able to work together. I can use as a point of example just this very morning, having had some parliamentary questions on a specific issue, having had some input from an Honourable Member from the other side. And I listened to what that Ho nourable Member said, and I thought it was a great idea, and I have acted on it. So these are the kinds of things that we can work together. It does not take a joint select commi ttee that takes however many weeks . . . I do not know when we pass the legislation, but you will know, Mr. Speaker, respecting the women’s group, they met t oday for the first time. We passed the legislation two months -plus ago. So are we saying that the urgency with which our people need to be put to work has to wait until we go through the machinations of formality? That we have to wait, find a committee, decide who is going to sit on it, decide what the topics are and . . . that is absolute nonsense. Because to hear Members opposite say it, Mr. Speaker, you know , the sky is falling, the sky is falling . They have operated on the premise t hat we do not listen to anybody outside of ourselves within our Cabinet. And that is absolute nonsense. We heard Member from [constituency] 33 make one comment, and the only intelligent thing that I thought he said t oday was that there are 36 minds in this House and that we are supposed to be clever minds and of some of the best intelligence that there is. I certainly accept that as a challenge and a compliment to the Members of this House. I do not know if everybody fits into that category, but for the mos t part, I believe we do. But with that said, all we heard after that were just vague and vacuous diatribes that came from Members opposite lamenting how disappointed they were. We didn’t have a chance to work together. If we have got such brilliant minds, bring your ideas to the table in the midst of this debate! Say, as the Honourable Member from constituency 5 just indicated, that there were things that he sees that could be improved upon and things that we have to look at. That is what I call substance. The rest of the comments that we
Bermu da House of Assembly have heard today —absolute vacuous oral diarrhoea, nothing but, Mr. Speaker. Because I think that what is important, Mr. Speaker —
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI think, Honourable Member, that that — Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Point of order, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, yes. Those words are not very parliamentary. You know, that diarrhoea. Honourable Member, I think you can . . . You are much better than that. You can find a better word to describe what you want to say. [Inaudible interjection s] Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: And because …
Yes, yes. Those words are not very parliamentary. You know, that diarrhoea. Honourable Member, I think you can . . . You are much better than that. You can find a better word to describe what you want to say.
[Inaudible interjection s]
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: And because I had not thought about it, Mr. Speaker, I will withdraw that word of oral diarrhoea, and I will just say it was vacuous diatribe.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: It was vag ue, and it was of no substance.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThanks. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: And I say that because if there was something that they wanted to bring to the table, we are here. We listen. And we do work together, as I said, Mr. Speaker. So let m e just say that I have just come out …
Thanks.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: And I say that because if there was something that they wanted to bring to the table, we are here. We listen. And we do work together, as I said, Mr. Speaker. So let m e just say that I have just come out of a Ministry in which I was a Financial Assistance Mini ster. So it must be known to Members opposite that it is extremely apparent to me of the dire straits. The one thing the Honourable Member from constituency 6, who brought the initial motion, indicated is that we have got to let our hearts lead us. And, Mr. Speaker, there is nobody more sensitive to know that my heart is leading me down a path that says, we have got to do better to ensure that we do not have such a burden on the public purse so that I have to have cross eyes looking at me from the Finance Minister to say that we cannot afford all the money that is necessary in order for people to be able to get financial assistance. We want to be able to ensure that our people are self -sufficient and are gainfully employed to the extent that they can. And to that end, Mr. Speaker, you look at solutions, not lamenting the fact that, Oh, you didn’t want to work with us, Oh, we lost an opportunity, Oh, woe is me, The sk y is falling, Chicken Little! That is not the attitude that we ought to be having. If Members opposite are so aggrieved that the joint select committee in the manner in which they had hoped had gone forward, what they have to acknow ledge is the fact that, as this Government proceeds, we have chosen to do things slightly differently. We are not rejecting overtures that are coming from Members opposite. So instead of spending your 20 minutes, half an hour lamenting the fact that we did not work with you and now I’m going to take my marbles and go home, as half of them have done, what we ought to have done is for them to bring their substance to the table in the midst of the debate. And the only one who has done that thus far has been the Honourable Member who just took his seat, just prior. But let me just say some of the things that we have done, Mr. Speaker. Within the Ministry of Com-munity, Culture and Sport, under the previous Minister before I took over that position, we had the comm unity-driven developm ent, which the idea was to ensure that our young women had opportunities to come work together in an entrepreneurial kind of way so that they can look at creating jobs for themselves, helping themselves to be able to become less reliant on financial assist ance. And that programme was working and it has worked well. It has moved out of the Ministry and gone into the private sector. But we have seen some ladies going through that programme, Mr. Speaker, who were able to sew, and now they have created little businesses for themselves where they offer alterations and stuff for people to be able to take advantage and pay them for their services. These are the kinds of things that we want to ensure that we get these kinds of businesses not just on the ground for people, to enable them to be able to become self -sufficient, but that we support them, not only by using their services ourselves, and in addition by ensuring that we expose their availability to other people who can use their services. That is substance in terms of what we are trying to do in order to ensure that people have job creation, Mr. Speaker. In addition, Mr. Speaker, you will know that the BEDC, the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, had offered a course, an entrepreneurial course, which was based on a book which was cowritten by Gary Schoeniger and Clifton Taulbert. And the course [and the book] was entitled Who Owns the Ice House? It was the course that was made available at a very inexpensive price for people who wanted to sign up. And, Mr. Speaker, I have mentioned on this floor before, I did that course, not because I needed to learn how to become an entrepreneur, but because I knew that through entrepreneurial exploits and being able to have a level of expertise that spoke to what was critical for entrepreneurs, I knew that that was information that I could take and leave with our ABUs [able- bodied unemployed] within Financial Assistance so that they can know how to get their feet on the ground, pull themselves up by the bootstraps to create entrepreneurial opportunities for themselves. So, yes, we do have impediments, but not the least of which is giving exposure to the possibility. And that is one of the things that was being offered by the Ice House course. They had various challenges that 1914 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly people were able to take advantage of, to say that they are piloting, they are pushing their project and to get the necessary support in order that they can cr eate successful businesses. Now, everybody is not cut out for that. We heard the Honour able Finance Minister make that i ndication. And we honour and respect that. However, to the extent that people wish and are able, we have to make sure that we are supporting their expertise and the things that they want to do in order to give themselves th e opportunity to create a business. And I heard the Honourable Member from [constituency] 29, apart from him lamenting how disappointed he was that we could not do something together, saying that maybe the only thing you need is to be a candidate for the O BA to develop a Heroes Weekend in order to be able to get an entrepreneurial opportunity. Well, I would go one further, because the Honourable Member indicated, by way of interpol ation, that as an entrepreneur and as a business owner, he has had significant contracts that have inured to the benefit of his company by the One Bermuda Alliance Government. And he said, Yes, and long may it last! And I hope it does. And I will tell you why I hope it does. Because the Honourable Member indicated that as a result of the contracts that he has gotten he has had the opportunity to offer employment to several people who have come across his door. That is what it is about! That is what it is about! Because if you are getting government contracts and you know that we have got people out here who require employment, then do we not have an o bligation to say, At least let me embrace somebody? Let me give one or two people a job. They do not have to; but the bottom line is he has. So he has helped us, as a government, to . . . I do not know whether he said three, six people or eight people. But for the people whom he has hired, those are 8 of the 2,000 jobs that we said we would be able to have. And he has assi sted us, and we appreciate that because that is what it is about . That is what it is about. It is about being able to know that we have created an environment within our Government and under our governance that has enabled businesses to thrive to the extent that they can hire people and that people are being now working for a paycheque that they might otherwise not have had had they been still dependent on financial assistance. So, while the Honourable Member may have been, I think, mischievous in his comments respecting the gentleman who is a significant shaker and mover behind Bermuda Heroes Day, I am not jealous of that particular person. He has found an idea. He has put it forward. And if he is an OBA candidate, fair enough. But, you know what? We have seen today that all we do in this House is to start to pick at t he nasty little things that are so unnecessary. And if want to start talking about working together, let us work together constructively so we can see how we can enhance the plight of our people in this country, Mr. Speaker. Let me just also say that we do not want to waste time with idle chatter, which is what Members opposite have said that this take note motion will do. Because I can promise, as did the Honourable Member, the Education Minister, that we listen. You know, when we did that Ice House cours e, the one thing that was really powerful about it was part of the course was bringing in entrepreneurs so that they themselves can share their experiences with people who were taking that course. And they gave invaluable input. People who had started one business went on to another and another. People who had started out in one area and ended up in something completely different, but to let entrepreneurs know the possibility. So, how can we remove some of the impediments to creating new businesses? We uti lise those people who have had the experiences, and we use them as the role models to get the examples to say, This is how they did it. How can they share their thoughts with us, and how can we feed off of them in order to make ourselves better as new entr epreneurs? That is one of the ways of breaking down some of the impediments, because know -how is a significant impediment if you do not have it —if you do not have it. So, if people want to think, you know, I want to be able to start a business because I’m tired of being on financial assistance. I’m tired of being on the street corner and begging. And for the most part, people who wish to be more productive than they might have been historically want to know, What do I do to move to the next step? And, Mr. Speaker, these are the kinds of things we have to help one another. So, I agree that when we start to look at creating entrepreneurs and recognising, as has been shared earlier, that not ev erybody is cut out to be an entrepreneur, but at least what we want to make sure of is that for those who believe that that is their plight, we want to make sure that the encouragement and the support are there. And that is what we are doing as a government. So as opposed to sitting and listening to people moaning and gr oaning and complaining and sa ying absolutely nothing about, Oh, we didn’t work t ogether, Oh, you missed an opportunity, dah- dah-dah, and then three months down the road we will come up with a committee that may or may not have something of substance, let us bring the 36 minds that we heard the Honourable Member from 33 speak about. And let us bring our ideas to the table. And let us discuss them. And let us see how we can embrace them. But I implore Members opposite about that because I do not honestly bel ieve that that was the intent. I do not believe that that was the intent. I be-lieve that this was just going to be another politically driven, Let’s do something, let’s make ourselves co ntinue to appear relevant so we can say we’re doing something. And we want to be able to show up the
Bermu da House of Assembly OBA Government. That is what this is about. This has got nothing to do with any concern or interest or heart. Because if the heart was there, Mr. Speaker, we would have seen some ideas coming to the table that we could embrac e and carry forward for the benefit of the people of Bermuda. That is what we would be looking for, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, we have heard about people saying no. I am an individual; I look to possibilities. And I share the concern of the Honourable Member who took his seat just before me in terms of our Bermudian students who are abroad. And now I have a new Ministry, Mr. Speaker. My responsibility is that for Home Affairs. And within that Ministry, one of my pr imary duties is to ensure that the immi gration policies respecting foreign workers versus Bermudians is upheld to make sure that we do not have ourselves in a situation in which we favour foreign applicants over Bermudians qualified applicants. I mean, that should not be. But we have an awful lot of foreign workers on the Island, Mr. Speaker, some of whom are on their second and third and fourth iteration of their work permits, who have been there for a long time. So these are not ones who just came to the table in 2012. This is something that has been perennial, and we see it and we know it. But we also recognise that there is a requirement in some instances. But you can be assured that, as new applications come forward to the department, there is a focal point to ensure that there are not Berm udians being disenfranchised, that we are not going to be just rubberstamping and i ncreasing work permits for people if there is a type of job that Bermudians are able to do. That is the purpose of our country. We do not want to be the authors of a brain drain because people feel as though they cannot come home. That is not fair. It is not fair to us as a country. It is not fair to them. It is not fair to their families, who have invested time, effort, energy, money, sweat, blood and tears to make sure that they watch their children go through success and educational excellence to be able to be unemployed at the end of the day. It is not right. It is not right. And these are things that this Government is definitely looking out to ensure that these sorts of things do not continue to happen. They have happened. I would not bury my head in the sand. But you can be assured that this is something that will stop. We will ensure that we look very carefully to give opportunities to our young peo-ple who are abroad st udying. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThirteen minutes. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Okay, thank you. We heard an Honourable Member who took his seat just before me mention income disparity. And that is always a very big bugbear , Mr. Speaker, i n-come disparity. While the statistics may show that there is a disparity in …
Thirteen minutes.
Hon. Patricia J. Gordon -Pamplin: Okay, thank you. We heard an Honourable Member who took his seat just before me mention income disparity. And that is always a very big bugbear , Mr. Speaker, i n-come disparity. While the statistics may show that there is a disparity in income, what the statistics do not show is how that reflects to Bermuda versus nonBermudians, because the statistics show all family. And we know for a fact that i n certain circumstances, you have foreign people, you know, black males who are working in a particular industry, white males who may be working in a particular industry. What I would like to see that broken out, if it was at all possible—and I do not know because I have not asked the Finance Minister to go into the Statistics Department. But if we start comparing like with like, where are we and how can we improve upon that whole attitude to be able to break down those barriers with respect to income disparity? So we want to make sure that we do not fall into that. But, Mr. Speaker, collaboration is so important, so important. And I want Members opposite to rest assured that we on this side listen. We on this side have a penchant to ensure that our peopl e are successful. We want to see our people put to work. We want to know that members who are getting go vernment contracts are doing their part in hiring people. So we want to make sure that we have full emplo yment, ultimately, Mr. Speaker. Now, there are going to be some circu mstances in which we have some unemployable pe ople. Those are not the ones to whom I refer. Those are the ones who will be caught by the social net, and we ought to, as a people, when you have people who are unemployable, people who have for various reasons issues that would preclude them from working, we need to make sure that they are okay. We want to also ensure that our seniors are fine, that we are not causing our seniors any undue hardship. But for our ABUs, our able- bodied unem ployed, that is the target that we must face to know that we have got to dimi nish the amount of unemployment in that arena. And if we do that through either job creation . . . And I am very pleased to see the numbers of jobs that we have coming down the pipeline, Mr. Speaker. I can tell you that there has been no bigger frustration that I have faced than that the projects that have been in the pipeline, in the pipeline, in the pipeline. I am finally saying like, Do something, for goodness’ sakes! Let it come out the back end. Let us see the progress! Let us see the shovels in the ground. And that is what we want. And that is, fortunately, closer now than it was before. And while Members opposite may continue to gloat and continue to find it amusing that we have not created the jobs that we said we would create in 2012, I think that what is almost frightening, probably for them, is the fact that we are so close to having shovels in the ground, so that those jobs will be created. But I cannot end this present ation, Mr. Speaker, wit hout speaking to the intense pressure that is continu-ously brought to bear by Members opposite on the particular airport project, which will create jobs in the 1916 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly construction for Bermudians, and how they have mi sinformed and given complete disinformation, a campaign of it to the public, without being supported by any level of fact, which is basically to support the idea that they are suggesting, that this was not good. What we are doing . . . they say, Listen to your people? We are lis tening to our people. We are listening to our people who say, We want to be able to work . Mr. Speaker, you will know that there are some government major construction things that happen at certain times, such as the hospital. When the hospital came to a cl ose was about the time that we took over the Government. And we knew that there were some 700 or 800 people employed on that site, and we would have to find employment for them, not as a government, but certainly to create projects and to create the enviro nment in which projects had started so that these people would be able to be employed. That was a daunting task, Mr. Speaker. So we have pushed. So, now we see the Desarrollos Group in St. George's ready to break ground. I should not say ready —on the cusp of making sure that their plans have been approved in order for them to break ground. We have seen Morgan’s Point reaching the stage where they are in that particular situation as well. We have seen Hamilton Princess going through three stages of renovati on, where jobs have been created. And we see other smaller projects around the country where the environment under this Gover nment has been created so that people have the conf idence to go ahead with some of the major construc-tion projects that they might have thought about before and they have actually put into train. So these are the things, Mr. Speaker. And I would just say that, instead of everybody spending the time to lament about what we did not do and how we did not do it, and You didn’t do it my w ay, so I’m going to take my marbles and go home—t hat is not the way that intelligent people operate or interact. What we ought to be doing is to say, we might not be able to do it this way, but let us bring our collective minds, our collective intelligence, our brains, our brawn, our thoughts and everything that we have, our ideas —let us bring them to the table. Let us discuss them in this kind of open forum as opposed to saying, I’m going to take my marbles and go home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. That brings to a conclusion this debate. In fact, that concludes all matters on the Order Paper. So one Minister will get the Attorney General ’s . . . First of all, I will recognise the Minister of the Environment. [Crosstalk ]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. The House took note of the amendment made by Minister Richards. The first person is the Minister of the Env ironment. [The House took note of the strategies needed to cr eate new jobs, explore the impediments t hat are pr eventing the creation of new businesses and the …
Yes. The House took note of the amendment made by Minister Richards. The first person is the Minister of the Env ironment.
[The House took note of the strategies needed to cr eate new jobs, explore the impediments t hat are pr eventing the creation of new businesses and the barr iers for Bermudian entrepreneurs.]
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 21
Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: Good evening, Mr. Speaker. I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the B ill entitled the D epartment of Environment and Natural Resources (Consequential Amendments) Act 2016 be now read for the third time by its title only.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAny objections? Carry on. [Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READ ING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) ACT 2016 Hon. N. H. Cole Simons: I move that the Bill do now pass.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Any objections to that? The Bill is passed. [The Department of Environment and N atural R esources (Consequential Amendment s) Act 2016 was read a third time and passed. )
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Chair will now recognise the Attorney General and the Minister for Legal Affairs, the Honourable and Learned Member, T. G .Moniz. SUSPENSION OF STAN DING ORDER 21 Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged, Mr. Speaker. I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move …
The Chair will now recognise the Attorney General and the Minister for Legal Affairs, the Honourable and Learned Member, T. G .Moniz.
SUSPENSION OF STAN DING ORDER 21
Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: I am obliged, Mr. Speaker. I move that Standing Order 21 be suspended to enable me to move that the Bill entitled the Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 be now read the third time by its title only.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Minister. Any objections? Carry on, please. Be rmuda House of Assembly [ Motion carried: Standing Order 21 suspended.] BILL THIRD READING LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT ACT 2016 Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016. I move that the Bill do now pass.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. Thank you. It has been moved that the Bill be passed as amended. Any objections? There are none. So that Bill is passed. [ The Liquor Licence Amendment Act 2016 was read a third time and passed.]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSo the Chair will recognise the Deputy Premier. ADJOURNMENT Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Mr. Speaker, I move that the House adjourns until next week, Friday. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Speaker. [ Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I know you do not see me too quickly on this corner. I just had a quick word. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [ Inaudible interjections] CAMP HILL ROAD Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And I want to go home, too. And I …
Yes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: I know you do not see me too quickly on this corner. I just had a quick word. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [ Inaudible interjections] CAMP HILL ROAD Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And I want to go home, too. And I shall not . . . I will do my best to be as quick as I can, Mr. Speaker. Because I like everyone else have had a long week and wish to try and make it quick. Mr. Speaker, I do wish to bring to the attention of my colleagues across the aisle, in particular the new Minister of Public Works, Mr. Cannonier. And he will be aware that not too long ago in the last session, before we closed for summer, I had talked about the junction up at Camp Hill Road. And I quoted the for-mer Minister, Pat Gordon- Pamplin when she said and confirmed that her people had advanced improvement plans and were already in place with engineers examining the road as a matter of urgency. And so I am going to ask the Minister again, and we can do it offline, but it is my area, it is my peo-ple. And they ask me constantly, and you will know, probably, Mr. Speaker, more than most of others on your side, that I frequent the Island Cuisine Restau-rant quite often. And that is where most of my con-stituents are. And I see it every week. I have to drive past it at least two or three times a day. And I do fr equent that restaurant on a regular basis. CABINET OFFICE TEMPORARY RELOCATION
Mr. Zane J. S. De SilvaNow, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Premier . . . I think the Premier gave an undertaking this morning when he said that he was go-ing to confirm where his new Ministers were going and if they were going to be in the private sector offices or public sector …
Now, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Premier . . . I think the Premier gave an undertaking this morning when he said that he was go-ing to confirm where his new Ministers were going and if they were going to be in the private sector offices or public sector offices. And I asked that question, and I do not know if the information I have received is correct, but I understand that the building that is owned by a senator, one of his Senators, is where one of the Ministers is going or is presently in. So I would like to know if he could make sure (just laying down a marker) that we want to see if that information will be forthcoming this week. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I hear someone say, Ask parliamentary questions, over that side. Well, we just talked about doing things efficiently. So if we are going to work in collaboration, we are going to do things together, maybe the Premier will do as he promised and bring that information back next week. ST . GEORGE’S HOTEL PROJECT
Mr. Zane J. S. De SilvaMr. Speaker, it is two other things I wanted to talk about tonight. And one is that . . . Is the Junior Minister of Tourism not here? Not unusual, not here. But Mr. Speaker, maybe one of his other colleagues can answer the question. It has come to the …
Mr. Speaker, it is two other things I wanted to talk about tonight. And one is that . . . Is the Junior Minister of Tourism not here? Not unusual, not here. But Mr. Speaker, maybe one of his other colleagues can answer the question. It has come to the attention of us on this side that the new hotel that was planned for St. George's, we know that the OBA Government has told us on many occasions that the hotel will be built first. Now, we have word, Mr. Speaker, that the developer has been given per-mission to build the condos first. So I would like to put this information, if it is incorrect, to bed. And if it is not incorrect, I would really much appreciate, and so would the people of St. George's and the people of Bermuda appreciate to know if there has been a change of plans. People would like to know. Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: Mr. Speaker, point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] 1918 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbo ns: I think the Honourable Member may be misleading the House on this one. The developer has not even submitted final plans to Planning at this point. So …
Yes. POINT OF ORDER [Misleading] 1918 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbo ns: I think the Honourable Member may be misleading the House on this one. The developer has not even submitted final plans to Planning at this point. So I think it is a little bit early to indicate what is going to come first.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Carry on. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honourable Member for his point of order. And we realise that plans have not been submitted yet. But even though plans have not been submitted, that does not mean that an …
Thank you. Carry on. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Honourable Member for his point of order. And we realise that plans have not been submitted yet. But even though plans have not been submitted, that does not mean that an agreement to build the condos first has not been reached. And the question that I have for the OBA and for Dr. Gibbons is, Has that changed? Has the actual agreement been changed? Because you remember that they beat their chests very hard when they said that, We will demand that a hotel is built first. So we want to know if that has changed or does that remain the same?
X-RAY OF IMPORTED GOODS
Mr. Zane J. S. De SilvaNow, Mr. Speaker, the last thing I wish to talk about tonight is that I also understand that, you know, when shipments come to Bermuda, they come into Hamilton docks. And we will know that an X -ray machine was put and installed on those docks. And we hope that …
Now, Mr. Speaker, the last thing I wish to talk about tonight is that I also understand that, you know, when shipments come to Bermuda, they come into Hamilton docks. And we will know that an X -ray machine was put and installed on those docks. And we hope that everything goes through that X -ray machine. Mr. Speaker, it is my understanding th at equipment and/or materials will be brought into Ber-muda soon, and they will be going straight to Morgan’s Point. And I think some material . . . And Dr. Gibbons, the Honourable Member, might be able to just clarify this. But I understand that we also di d that up at Dockyard for the America’s Cup. And the Ho nourable Member, Dr. Gibbons, is shaking his head yes. My point in raising this, Mr. Speaker, and I know about the logistics —and let me declare my i nterest. You know, I do have a container haulage com-pany. So I want to declare that interest. Two things that worry me, Mr. Speaker. First of all, when this ship comes to Bermuda and it does not go to Hamilton docks, and it offloads equipment, containers and what have you at whatever site, whether it is Mar ginal Wharf, whether it is Dockyard or whether it is Morgan’s Point, one is that we have to watch that we do not take business away from the trucking companies. And I am not just talking about mine, obviously, Mr. Speaker; I am talking about others becaus e I proba bly would not be doing that anyway. But be that as it may, the concern was brought to my attention. But the other thing, Mr. Speaker, that is more important is the fact that we are bringing, importing large quantities of containers and equipment to Bermuda and it is not going through the X-ray machine. Now, that should concern everyone. It should concern everyone. Because we know that we have a serious gun problem in this Island at the m oment. We have a serious drug problem in this Island at the m oment. And if we are going to start importing containers, equipment and goods into the country, and they are not going to go through the X -ray m achine, that causes alarm. So we need to have a look at that. Dr. Gi bbons, the Honourable Member, has already c onfirmed that it has happened up at Dockyard. And if it is true that it is going to happen at Morgan’s Point, and there is lots of development going to happen up at Morgan’s Point . . . And I know that when the X -ray machine was brought into Bermuda, there was talk on the committee about a mobile unit. So what I would i mplore the OBA Government to do is to look at that. Or we have to do something a l ittle different because the gun and drug situation in this country is serious and it is large. And I think w e owe it to the people of this country that if we are going to be importing goods into this country, they need to be run through that X -ray machine. We paid a lot of money for it, and I think it has helped the security issues in this country signif icantly since it has been installed. And I think that this situation with regard to importation of goods and of floading outside of the port of Bermuda needs to be looked at. The other thing that the OBA Government might want to look at, too, is that if that ship comes to Bermuda and offloads on our dock, leaves our dock, then goes to another port in Bermuda and then goes to United States, you are breaking the law. So you might want to have a look at that, Honourable Member Gibbons, because we do not want to get our country in trouble with the overseas US authorities. Thank you very much.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerAll right. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member, MP Furbert. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I know it has been a long day, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes, and I a m hungry. I am going to tell you the truth. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes. That is the part I want to speak about.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI have not eaten. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, and you are absolutely right.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerSo if you have got something t o say, make sure it is good. Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: It is about food. [Laughter] HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY’S DEPLORABLE COND ITION Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, I want to speak about how the OBA Government treats …
So if you have got something t o say, make sure it is good.
Bermu da House of Assembly Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: It is about food.
[Laughter]
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY’S DEPLORABLE COND ITION Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, I want to speak about how the OBA Government treats this House. It is 7:30 at night. We just f inished the motion. And they in the morning decided that they would not feed the Members of Parliament. Who decided? Where is the Premier? He is probably eating steaks while we are up here working, right? They treat this House in a state that is unacceptable. They are now moving their side from down in Cabinet to some building. But yet, we cannot even get air -conditioning in this House. The way they treat you, Mr. Speaker, and this House— your House —is deplorable. The condition of this place should have been done a long time ago, as far as fixing.
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Many governments, I accept. But it falls in your corner right now. And they know of the state of this particular place. Rain is leaking. They want to fix the airpor t, but they will not fix this House. Their House, Mr. Speaker, your House. It is ridiculous! So, I am asking that . . . not that the Premier decides whether we should eat. It is not his problem. He should repair . . . I am sure when the Cabinet Mi nisters meet at the Cabinet, I am sure they are taken care of. It does not depend on how long you stay there; you get some food, Mr. Speaker. So I think it is unacceptable how they treat the Members of Parli ament in this House. It is unfortunate. So I am saying r ight now that the Premier, and I am speaking about the Premier, I am not going to call the Whip because I believe the Honourable Member is doing a good job. But we should have . . . And that is why you said you are hungry, Mr. Speaker, right? I knew it.
[Laughter]
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Because we all are. We all are. Seven- thirty, and we should have been taken care of two hours, two- and-a-half hours ago —two - and-a-half hours ago. It is not about whether I eat lunch or not. That is not the issue. That is n ot the i ssue. Why do we not just make a policy that we never feed Members of Parliament, no matter how late it is, because we had lunch? Okay? Let us make a dec ision. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, it is ridiculous. And they know it is ridiculous. All right? But, Mr. Speaker, I know you want to move to get something to eat. So I am asking the Minister of Works and the Finance Minister to find a way to . . .
[Inaudible interjection] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I do not understand that. To find a way to fix this pl ace up. I do not understand what is so silly about that. I am asking the Minister of Works and the Minister of Finance, because that is separate, who is holding up the money ?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI think the House and Grounds Committee is working on that, yes. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Even the House and Grounds Committee agree it is the Cabinet who d ecides whether the money comes up to this place. You know how it works. They know their cut of work, and …
I think the House and Grounds Committee is working on that, yes. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Even the House and Grounds Committee agree it is the Cabinet who d ecides whether the money comes up to this place. You know how it works. They know their cut of work, and they have got to do it. This air -conditioner has been out since last session. We came here last week, sweating.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member, be reasonable. This is the Chairman of the House and Grounds Committee. Thank you, Honourable Member.
Mrs. Suzann Roberts -HolshouserThank you. I think he would like to know he has legitimate concerns. And I think he would like to know that the House and Grounds Committee, of which Members of the Opposition sit on and they are quite capable of explaining the goings -on in our committee. I am …
Thank you. I think he would like to know he has legitimate concerns. And I think he would like to know that the House and Grounds Committee, of which Members of the Opposition sit on and they are quite capable of explaining the goings -on in our committee. I am sure it is not confidential. But, Mr. Speaker, we understand that t here are severe problems. As you are aware, Mr. Speaker, there will be a Statement made, maybe by next Fr iday. But it is a very sad situation. I do understand that the situation is dire, and we are taking every action we can.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you, Honourable Member. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, I do not know what clarification that was.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerCarry on. Come on. That is it. 1920 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I accept it. I mean, I accept it. But, you know, the Honourable Deputy Speaker wants to speak , I have no problem with that. But that was …
Carry on. Come on. That is it.
1920 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda House of Assembly Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I accept it. I mean, I accept it. But, you know, the Honourable Deputy Speaker wants to speak , I have no problem with that. But that was no clarification on anything. We know that we are in dire need. But my point is, and I want to emphasise, that the air -conditioning . . . we were sweating last Friday. You know, Mr. Speaker. And we cannot be com ing here not knowing what is to take place.
ST. GEORGE’S HOTEL PROJECT
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: The last thing is this. I heard the Honourable Member stand up and talk about that the plans for St. George's have not even gone before Planning. But can we get an undertaking from the Government that they will insist that the hotel goes first? That is the issue. Will the Government insist that the hotels are built first? I would like to hear the Honourable Member who is the Junior Minister who speaks for Tourism say that they will take place. I know he is on the Cabinet. I want to hear the Minister of Economic Development say that, and that the people of St. George's will not be blocked ever from using that particular beach down in St. George's. Mr. Speaker, it says that it will be restricted. I am sorry. It was not restricted; what was the word that was used? Reasonable access. And it still has not been defined. It still has not been defined.
Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: Mr. Speaker, point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerYes. POINT OF ORDER Dr. the Hon. E. Grant Gibbons: The Honourable Member knows that the same language that was in the former Government’s Park Hyatt thing is in the current one. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, we do not have the current owners in that particular agreement. All right? My point is, that is going to be in the agreement, I want to make sure. Because we were assured that Bermudians can go on that beach no matter …
Thank you.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, we do not have the current owners in that particular agreement. All right? My point is, that is going to be in the agreement, I want to make sure. Because we were assured that Bermudians can go on that beach no matter what time of day it is. That is what I am talking about. I am as king whether the Government will make a commitment, the Minister, the Junior Minister from St. George's who represents that particular area. Will he stand up that tell us that they will — Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascom e: May I, Mr. Speaker, a point of order? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: A point of order. Okay. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: Please sit down.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerGo ahead, Honourable Member. POINT OF ORDER Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: I have been assured by the pr esent developers that Bermudians will have access to the beach. I have been assured that the hotel will be developed before any villas or any condos. And I can tell you I …
Go ahead, Honourable Member.
POINT OF ORDER
Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: I have been assured by the pr esent developers that Bermudians will have access to the beach. I have been assured that the hotel will be developed before any villas or any condos. And I can tell you I am going to say to you what I said to them: I do not care if you like— Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Excuse me, Mr. Speaker. Point of order.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThere is a— Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: The Honourable Member said it is a point of order, and he has not said—
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Member, please take your seat! Let me decide that! Carry on. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: I said, Mr. Speaker, that I have had the opportunity to meet with the developers face to face. And they have assured me that Bermudians will have access to the beach and that the …
Honourable Member, please take your seat! Let me decide that! Carry on. Hon. Kenneth (Kenny) Bascome: I said, Mr. Speaker, that I have had the opportunity to meet with the developers face to face. And they have assured me that Bermudians will have access to the beach and that the hotel will be developed first. The S peaker: All right. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Carry on.
Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, access to the beach could be for a half -an-hour or an hour. I want to make sure at the end of the day that the Bermudians, particularly around St. George's, can have access to that beach 24 hours, guaranteed. That is the issue. Access is a different story. We have access to Elbow once in a while. We have access to another place once in a while. You know, we have . . . I remember the Honourable Member Cole Sim ons bringing a particular discussion on opening up that Tucker’s Town at times. And I remember sitting next to him on his right, saying, No, they shouldn’t do that. I remember that discussion. Okay. So access we do not have. The law states that anything t hat has four rooms, four buil dings, whatever it is, four houses on a road is consi dered a public road. And so, the issue is that we want to ensure that St. George's has 24 hours because we hear these rumours. Now, I am not sure whether the Junior Minister has talked to some other Ministers. And I heard the Honourable Minister (I cannot say his name) a few minutes ago. We want to ensure that
Bermu da House of Assembly happens. You are not the Cabinet, and I just want to make sure the Ministers hear that.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThe Chair will recognise . . . Do you want to speak?
The SpeakerThe SpeakerI will recognise the Honourable Member— JETGATE
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsMr. Speaker, my bac kground is in television. I can move pretty quickly if I need to. Mr. Speaker, an anniversary passed without mentioned recently, the two- year anniv ersary of the birth of one of the darkest chapters of our political hi story, the jetgate affair. Mr. Speaker, I …
Mr. Speaker, my bac kground is in television. I can move pretty quickly if I need to. Mr. Speaker, an anniversary passed without mentioned recently, the two- year anniv ersary of the birth of one of the darkest chapters of our political hi story, the jetgate affair. Mr. Speaker, I am not getting on my feet to pick on the Honourable Member from constituency 12, the former Premier. That is not my intent today. My intent toda y is to call for clarity on where the investigation into that stands. The Honourable Member has paid the ult imate political price in resigning the highest office of the land. And if he is innocent and is not facing changes, the police have an obligation t o let the country know that he is free and clear. It hangs over his head, it hangs over this Parliament and it creates an unnecessary, unresolved issue for the people of this country, Mr. Speaker. So I hope that there will be an update very quickly to wher e the jetgate investigation stands. Not just for us, not just for the Honourable former Premier, but for the country to have resolution to this issue. As long as it is outstanding, it will not be debt-gate, it will still be jetgate.
AIR ARRIVALS
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsMr. Speaker, the second point I would like to talk about is the Progressive L abour Party recognises that there will be an increase in air ar rivals in the second quarter of [2016]. We antic ipate it. We expect it. And I do not want to sound l ike …
Mr. Speaker, the second point I would like to talk about is the Progressive L abour Party recognises that there will be an increase in air ar rivals in the second quarter of [2016]. We antic ipate it. We expect it. And I do not want to sound l ike the Honourable Member Jeff Sousa, but we think this will be the biggest quarter under the united OBA since they have been in power. But, Mr. Speaker, we feel that way (with congratulations) because, you know, you did not mess up the Newport/Bermuda Race, which has been coming for years. And I am aware of two groups that I believe will be coming to the hotel, a couple of hotels, that will boost the numbers. So we expect the numbers to go up. The challenge I put forward is this: Next year, there will be no Newport/Bermuda Race. There will be the America’s Cup. The year after that, there will be no America’s Cup; there will be no Newport/Bermuda Race. What will we be doing to ensure that the people who come this summer to enjoy the Newport/Bermuda Race, w ho are here because they are competitors, who are here to watch the event, who are here to cheer on the competitors, will find reasons to come back when they do not have to be here? So I am putting a challenge out to the BTA [Bermuda Tourism Authority], l et us make sure that we not only put on a fabulous show, but let us give people some incentive to come back to our country. It is up to us to do that.
BERMUDA HISTORY
Mr. Jamahl S. SimmonsAnd finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to give recognition to my colle ague who sits to my right, the Honourable Dennis Lister, from constit uency 35. He had a brilliant idea for us to host a public forum at the Somerset Cricket Club last night. And three stellar members of …
And finally, Mr. Speaker, I want to give recognition to my colle ague who sits to my right, the Honourable Dennis Lister, from constit uency 35. He had a brilliant idea for us to host a public forum at the Somerset Cricket Club last night. And three stellar members of our constituency —I am not going to go into any congra ts and obits, but I just want to share this with the public. We had on a panel Lance Furbert, a man who had helped Buck Burrows when he was on the lam after allegedly shooting the Governor. You had Neville T. Darrell on the panel, who was involved with the i nvestigations to find Mr. Burrows. And we had former Police Commissioner and the former Member of another place, the Honourable Jonathan Smith, who came from the perspective of someone who had looked at the British Government FCO files. I have read the book. It is so critical that this history get passed on, that we honour our living memories, our living parts of our community because of the knowledge that they have. So many young people came up there, and they did not even know that we had had riots. T hey did not know that we were the only colony to have had a governor assassinated. And this is part of being able to pass on the know ledge of the past so that we do not repeat it. And, Mr. Speaker with those brief words, I take my seat, and I am sure ever ybody else would like to go home. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The SpeakerThe SpeakerThank you for being brief, Honourable Member. You have gone way up in my . . . [Laughter]
The SpeakerThe SpeakerHonourable Members, the House is now adjourned until Friday, June 3 rd. 1922 27 May 2016 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly [The H ouse stood adjourned until Friday, 3 June 2016.]