April 2, 2025

The other one.

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Apologies. I was
reading the second one.
The President: No problem.

NOTICE OF MOTION

THAT MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE (SALARIES AND PENSIONS)
ACT 1975 SCHEDULE 2 BE AMENDED
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: All right. Good morning, Madam President. I hereby present the following Resolution and
give notice that I propose to move the following Reso-lution at a later point in the meeting:
WHEREAS it is provided by s ection 3 of the
Ministers and Members of the Legislature (Salaries and Pensions) Act 1975 (the principal Act) that
Schedule 2 to the principal Act may be amended from
time to time by resolution passed by both the Senate
and the House of Assembly;
AND WHEREAS it is expedient that Schedule 2 to the principal Act be now amended;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Honourable House
of Assembly and the Senate, pursuant to the provi-sions of s ection 3 of the Ministers and Members of the
Legislature (Salaries and Pensions) Act 1975, hereby amend Schedule 2 to the said Act by —
(i) inserting immediately below the office of
“Premier ,” the offices of “Deputy Premier ,” “Attorney General” and “Minister of Finance”; and
(ii) deleting the office of “Parliamentary Secretar-ies” and substituting the office of “Junior Min-isters .”
Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Minister Caesar.

PETITIONS

The President: There are none.

STATEMENTS

The President: Senators , we have five Statements
this morning. The first one is in the name of Senator
the Honourable Crystal Caesar.
Minister Caesar, you have the floor.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION UPDATE ON 2025
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, I rise today to share with
my Senate colleagues and the audience listening that the application period for the Ministry of Education
Scholarships and Awards is currently underway and
will close on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Madam President, the Ministry of Education provides scholarships
and awards to Bermudian students who want to pur-sue higher education each year. The Government of Bermuda firmly believes that post -secondary education funding should be allocated strategically and in alignment with our core values. The awards and scholarship categories offer financial assistance to the
aspiring student, a mature learner or a dedicated
teacher pursuing professional training.
Madam President , I am pleased to share that
since 2017, the Government has successfully in-creased the budget for our scholarships and awards.


Bermuda Senate Last year, 67 Bermudian students received awards
and scholarships. We anticipate an increase in the
number of recipients this year. In the budget year
2024/25, just under $2 million w ere allocated to assist
our students seeking tertiary or vocational further education.
Madam President , I would like to highlight that
an additional $50,000 was also provided to assist five
students who were facing financial barriers with continuing their postsecondary education overseas. The
additional funding was provided from the mid- year
review.
Madam President , the Ministry of Education is
pleased to offer financial support through 10 scholarship categories to help students achieve their educational goals. The 2025 Ministry of Education Scholarships and Awards are as follows:
• The Minister ’s Achievement Scholarship helps
high-achieving CedarBridge Academy and
The Berkeley Institute graduate students at-tend overseas postsecondary education. The
funding for this award is $25,000 per year.
• The Minister ’s Exceptional Student Award for
graduating students or school -leavers with
disabilities for local or overseas post -
secondary study. Persons with disabilities up
to the age of 25 who may be working, volunteering, or already attending college or university are eligible to apply. The funding for
this award is $25,000 per year for overseas
study and $5,000 for local study.
• The Minister ’s Technical and Vocational
Award for public school graduates for local or
overseas post -secondary study. The funding
for this award is $25,000 per year for overseas study and $7,500 for local study.
• The Minister ’s Applied Science Scholarship
for graduating public senior school students
who attended the Applied Technology Dual
Enrolment Diploma Programme with Bermuda College and who plan to continue the programme to obtain an a ssociate ’s degree or
certificate. The funding for this award is
$5,000 for one year.
• The Further Education Award is for current
students who have completed at least one
year at an accredited college or university for
continued postsecondary study. Awards will
also be given to students pursuing or attending post -graduate study. The funding for this
award is $10,000 for one year.
• The Non- Traditional Student Award for persons aged 25 and over pursuing their first
post-secondary degree. The funding for this
award is $25,000 per year.
• The Teacher Education Scholarship is for current college or university students study ing
selected subjects and/or areas of teaching
needed in the Bermuda Public School Sys-tem. Applicants must graduate, complete their Teaching Practicum and obtain a BEC l icence
within three years of receiving this award. The
award amount for this is $20,000 per year.
• The Bermuda Government Scholarship for
well-rounded graduating senior school, college or university students up to the age of 25
who demonstrate outstanding academic
achievement. The funding for this award is
$35,000 per year.
• The University of the West Indies Scholarship
provides funding for up to three years for either undergraduate or post -graduate students.
The funding for this award is $7,500 per year.
• The Bermuda College Book Award provides
funding for books for Bermuda College stu-dents in financial need. The funding for this
award is $500 per year.
Madam President , in addition to the scholarships we offer, the College Promise [ Programme] provides public high school graduates with a GPA of 3.0
or higher the opportunity to attend Bermuda College
tuition -free. This opportunity allows students to obtain
their associate’ s degree while also gaining credits that
can be used toward continuing their post -secondary
education at an overseas institution.
Madam President , the Scholarships and
Awards Programme Manager, Ms. Shanaye Smith,
has been actively engaged in outreach with students
to ensure that they are well informed about our scholarship offerings this year. The Ministry has participated in webinars, in- person information sessions at senior schools, and panel discussions with students and parents invited to attend. This year, we also launched
an animated promotional video created by Bermudian
artist Tashel Bean, which I think we have all seen and quite enjoy. That is to raise awareness of our scholarship offerings on social media in our target market.
Madam President , this Government remains
unwavering in our commitment to build a fairer, more
just and more stable Bermuda for our students and
adults wishing to pursue further education and certifi-cation .
In closing, Madam President , much effort has
gone into raising public awareness about the Ministry’s scholarships and awards, and we hope that as
many students as possible will submit complete applications before the deadline. We hope parents, guardi-ans, relatives and my Senate colleagues will also
support students to ensure that they can apply before
the April 15 deadline.
Thank you, Madam President.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

SENATE VISITOR

The President: Thank you, Minister Caesar, Minister
of Education.
46 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Senators, before I proceed with the next
Statement, I would just like to acknowledge and welcome Mr. Vernon Wears from National Security to our
Chamber .
Welcome to you, sir.

STATEMENTS

[Continuation thereof]

The President: The second Statement is in the name
of Senator Lindsay Simmons, the Junior Minister of National Security.
Senator, you have the floor.

CCTV NETWORK UPGRADE UPDATE

Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Madam President, I take
this opportunity today to provide an update on the
progress of the I sland’s closed- circuit television
(CCTV) network upgrade and the implementation of
the speed camera initiative. Madam President , Senators may recall that in
2023, Digicel Bermuda was awarded the contract to
upgrade the CCTV n etwork and provide a managed
maintenance service plan. The total contract value is
$4,047,440, comprising an equipment and installation
cost of $1,035,500 and a five- year managed maintenance service plan valued at $602,388 annually, totalling $3,011,940.
Madam President , one of the key enhancements to the CCTV network is its deployment on a new fibre network. This moderni sation requires civil
(road) and electrical works that were not included in
the original request for proposal (RFP) since vendors
could not accurately quantify these costs in advance.
As a result, the current cost for all civil and electrical
works associated with the project stands at $463,651.
Madam President , the Ministry’s CCTV implementation team has made every effort to minimi se
costs by collaborating with the Corporation of Hamil-ton, the Public Works Ministry ’s Works and Engineering unit and BELCO to utili se existing power sources.
While some cost -saving measures were successful,
others proved unfeasible.
Madam President , the upgraded system includes 258 cameras featuring four different types: 19 Licenc e Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, 103 PanTilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras, 74 Multisensory cameras
and 62 Varifocal cameras. Notably, a single multisen-sory camera integrates four fully functional cameras,
covering a wider area while maintaining clarity.
Madam President , real -time monitoring has
significantly enhanced the Bermuda Police Service’s
(BPS) ability to assess incidents as they unfold, ena-bling quicker deployment of resources during emergencies. This capability has already proven crucial in
improving response times and overall public safety. Madam President , as of today, 219 cameras
have been installed, with 204 currently online across
129 site locations, providing 454 distinct camera
views. The project commenced in September 2023
but encountered unforeseen challenges that have affected the completion timeline. Despite these setbacks, the overall project is now 90 per cent complete,
encompassing camera installation, software integration and training. Barring any major weather delays or
unforeseen events, the project is expected to be com-pleted by July 2025.
Madam President , an additional 34 camera
site locations are being prepared for the final phase of civil and electrical works. The expansion will increase
the total number of CCTV locations from 130 to 150
across the I sland. We consider this to be an enormous achievement in terms of coverage across the
Island.
Madam President , beyond physical installation, this project involves critical components such as network infrastructure, power integration and seamless connectivity to the central command centre to
ensure the system operates at peak effectiveness.
Moreover, multiple government departments and external agencies have played vital roles in this initiative,
including the Ministry of National Security HQ, BPS,
the Public Works Ministry ’s Works and Engineering
unit, the Departments of Estates and Highways, the
Department of Planning and the Information Technology Department, along with external partners such as
BELCO and the Corporations of St. George’s and
Hamilton.
Madam President , while progress has been
made, delays have inevitably impacted the next phase
of the CCTV upgrade—the introduction of speed
cameras. However, initial testing of the LPR cameras
has begun and will continue over the next few months.
I recently had the opportunity to review preliminary
findings and to see a demonstration of the LPR cameras, and I was very impressed with how the system
has advanced. This is wonderful progress, and I look
forward to further developments in this area over the next year. Based on initial research and testing, additional LPR cameras and site locations will be required to optimi se the speed camera initiative. A comprehensive plan is currently being developed to expand this
initiative.
Madam President , in the coming months, the
Ministry of National Security and the BPS will work
closely with the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Justice on legislative amendments necessary for
implementing the ticketing system for speed cameras.
This will be the final step in the implementation of a
system that we are confident will improve the safety on our roads .
Madam President , it is important to note that
the upgraded CCTV system has been designed with privacy protection in mind. The system aligns with
both current privacy regulations and future requireBermuda Senate ments, ensuring that privacy concerns are adequately
addressed. The request for proposal specifically requires vendors to incorporate privacy safeguards in
both the camera features and the Video Management
System (VMS).
Madam President , residents have expressed
a greater sense of security knowing that CCTV coverage has been enhanced. This increased confidence
has encouraged more community engagement, with
citizens more willing to report suspicious activity to the
BPS. Madam President , we have even received requests from community clubs and neighbourhoods to
further expand CCTV coverage.
Madam President , to further address privacy
concerns, the Ministry and the BPS have engaged the
PATI and PIPA Unit and the Privacy Commissioner’s
Office in discussions on collaboration, transparency and public communication regarding CCTV privacy
matters. Madam President , as we approach the completion of this initiative, the Ministry, in partnership
with the BPS and the Privacy Commissioner’s Office, will host a town hall [meeting] to educate the public on
privacy considerations and best practices related to
CCTV cameras. Also, this town hall will address any
privacy concerns that the public may have.
Madam President , I am pleased to report that
the Ministry of National Security and the BPS have
worked diligently with internal and external stakehold-ers to implement this critical project.
Madam President , I extend my gratitude to the
multiple teams who have contributed to the successful execution of the CCTV initiative thus far.
Madam President , we are delivering on our
promise to upgrade the I sland’s CCTV network and
introduce a modern speed control regime on our
roads. As I have stated before, this G overnment remains committed to enhancing public safety, and this initiative is a testament to our mission at the Ministry
of National Security of working together to keep you
safe. Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Lindsay Simmons, Junior Minister for National Security.
I believe you have a second Statement.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

SENATE VISITOR
The President: And before you give that, may I also
acknowledge and welcome Mr. Dana Lovell, the Chief
Fire Office.
Welcome to the Senate, sir.

STATEMENTS
[Continuation thereof]
The President: You can proceed when you are
ready.

NATIONAL FIRE CHIEFS COUNCIL PEER- LED
REVIEW OF THE BERMUDA FIRE AND
RESCUE SERVICE

Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, I would like to provide
Senators with an update on a key strategic initiative of
the Ministry of National Security stemming from the
2022 Speech from the Throne.
Madam President , Senators may recall that in
that Speech, the Government pledged to invite His
Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and
Rescue Services to conduct a review of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS). Specifically, it was
stated:
“The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service serves as
Bermuda’s first responders, providing island- wide
EMT expertise, firefighting capability, and specialist
operations in support of critical infrastructure. To en-sure the highest standards of fitness for role, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services will be invited to conduct a review of the
Service —the first since 2010. Upon completion, the
Legislature will be invited to take note of that review
and its recommendations .”
Madam President , following the announcement in 2022, the Chief Fire Officer engaged the Inspectorate in discussions about such a review. From
these exchanges, it was recommended that the Government would derive added value from a peer -led
review by the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) as
a precursor to the formal review by His Majesty’s In-spectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. The Ministry of National Security concurred with
this recommendation and directed the Chief Fire Officer to engage the NFCC to undertake the peer -led
review at the earliest opportunity.
Madam President , the Ministry of National
Security further decided that it would be prudent to conduct an internal review of the BFRS in preparation
for the NFCC’s visit in early 2025. Consequently, the
Chief Fire Officer commissioned Management Consultancy Services to conduct an internal organi sational
and staffing review of the Bermuda Fire and Rescue
Service in November 2023. The findings of this internal review have been instrumental in assessing staffing levels and operational efficiency of the BFRS. The
Ministry of National Security greatly benefited from
these insights in determining the BFRS’ s resource
needs. The MCS report was subsequently submitted
as part of the discovery phase for the NFCC review
and will be referenced in the NFCC’s findings.
Madam President , to give some background
and context, the NFCC serves as the professional
voice of the United Kingdom’s Fire and Rescue Ser48 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate vice, with a mandate to improve and develop fire and
rescue services across the United Kingdom. The
NFCC's core objectives include
• strengthening professional and operational
leadership of the Fire and Rescue Service;
• enhancing national coordination;
• reducing duplication and increasing efficiency;
• supporting local service delivery; and
• providing greater influence for Fire and Rescue Authorities and their services.
Madam President , I am pleased to report that
in February of this year, the BFRS underwent a comprehensive organi sational review conducted by a four -
member NFCC UK team led by Chief Fire Officer Neil
Odin, Chair of the NFCC’s Prevention Committee. Their report, which was received this week and is currently being reviewed, is intended to support the
BFRS in planning and prioriti sing its resources to address evolving risks through to 2030. The scope of the NFCC review included, but was not limited to,
• an assessment of the current organi sational
structure;
• staffing levels and shift patterns;
• the impact of the newly negotiated firefighter
benefits package under the collective bargaining agreement ;
• training requirements; and
• technology and equipment needs.
Madam President , the review team worked
under certain constraints. Due to the timing of their
visit, coinciding with Bermuda’s general election, they
refrained from engaging with elected Members of Parliament to maintain impartiality and to avoid the risk of
perceived political influence. Their evaluation drew on
comparisons with UK standards and best practices
while remaining sensitive to Bermuda’s unique context
as an island country.
Madam President , it is anticipated that a review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary
and Fire and Rescue Services, which will be conduct-ed later this year or early in 2026, will build upon the
foundational work undertaken by the Ministry of National Security and the BFRS. This forthcoming final
review will undoubtedly provide additional findings and
recommendations to support continuous improve-ment.
Madam President , the ultimate objective of
this phased review process is to moderni se the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service in order to ensure that it remains effective, efficient and fully capable of meeting the needs of the Bermudian public.
Madam President , the Ministry of National
Security remains steadfast in its commitment to support the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service. We will
continue to provide the support and necessary resources to ensure that our Fire and Rescue Service remains modern, effective and fit for purpose, and are
well-equipped to protect our people and save lives.
Thank you, Madam President . The President: Thank you, Senator Lindsay Simmons.
And I believe you have another Statement on
the recent violence in our community. You can continue when you are ready.

RECENT YOUTH VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President , there are videos that were
circulating in Bermuda showing students from our
schools, particularly Cedar Bridge , and including middle school students, engaging in violent and disturbing
conduct toward each other. This Government is not
taking this lightly.
Madam President , the Minister of National
Security contacted me in my capacity as CedarBridge
Academy Chairperson to discuss this matter. As
Chairperson of Cedar Bridge Academy, I was already
in communication with Principal Kenneth Caesar ; Minister of Education, Senator Crystal Caesar ; MP Leroy
Bean ; and the Bermuda Police Service. Immediate
action is being taken to address this specific situation
and prevent further incidents.
Madam President , we also witnessed an act
of bravery and responsible citizenship from Deputy Principal Christopher Swan, who risked his life to tackle a young man armed with a knife. His quick response likely prevented serious harm, and we commend him for his courage and dedication to protecting
others. However, this should never have happened in
the first place. No student, teacher or staff member should have to face this level of violence in a school
environment or around Bermuda.
Madam President , this antisocial behavio ur
among our youth is deeply concerning. We cannot afford to lose any more of our children to violence,
crime and negative influences. Every life lost, every
young person caught up in the justice system and
every act of youth violence is a failure of society. This
is not just a school issue —it is a community matter,
and we must all work together to remedy this problem. Madam President , this Government remains
committed to curbing antisocial behaviou r and ensuring the safety of our youth. We recogni se that this is
not just a disciplinary issue but a deeper societal issue that requires a unified, multi -faceted approach
throughout our country.
Madam President , we are also asking the
public to stop forwarding videos of violent incidents
involving our youth. Sharing these videos only amplifies the trauma, fuels negativity and encourages further antisocial behaviou r. Instead, if someone receives such content, we urge them to report it imme-diately to the Bermuda Police Service so that the
proper authorities can handle the matter. Our focus
should be on protecting our children, not spreading
outrageous content that could further harm them.


Bermuda Senate Madam President , we must all recogni se that
we are the village. We are the role models whom our
children need to see. They are watching us, learning
from our actions and looking to us for guidance. If we
want them to make positive choices, we must show them what that looks like.
Madam President , we must also demand that
the parents of these children take responsibility for their behaviour. These children are clearly recogni sable in these videos, so it is right for us to expect that the adults in their lives take accountability for this un-acceptable and egregious behaviour. Adults must play
their role in training up our children and not tolerate
this violent behaviour. Government cannot solve this
problem without the proper intervention of parents and
adults.
Madam President, our Violence Reduction
Strategy is a comprehensive action plan that contains
a multitude of proactive and preventative measures to
address violence in our community. Our Gang Violence Reduction Team is heavily involved in delivering programmes and providing interventions that are helping to address this issue of youth violence.
Madam President, as part of the Violence Reduction Strategy that was released by the Ministry of National Security last November, here are some of the
programmes that we know are the solutions for the way forward:
1. Stronger Security and Prevention Measures
a. We shall continue the collaboration be-tween the Bermuda Police Service and
schools to ensure proactive measures are
in place to detect and deter dangerous activities.
b. Enforcing a zero- tolerance policy for
weapons in schools, with clear, decisive consequences.
2. Mental Health and Crisis Intervention
a. Expanding access to counsellors to sup-port our young people before they reach a
crisis point.
b. Identifying at -risk youth early and providing intervention programs that address
trauma, behavioural issues and emotional
distress.
c. Strengthening partnerships with mental
health organisations to ensure youth have
access to the help they need.
3. Parental and Community Engagement
Through the Violence Reduction Strategy, we are launching education opportunities and
awareness programmes to
a. equip parents with the tools to recognise
warning signs of gang involvement, bullying and emotional struggles in their children;
b. strengthen connections between schools,
churches, community leaders, sports clubs and local organisations to provide mentorship and guidance; and
c. encourage parents to take an active role
in their children’s lives —monitoring their
activities, setting boundaries and fostering
open communication.
4. Empowering Youth with Positive Alternatives
a. Expanding community programmes and
job-training programmes to give young
people constructive outlets for their ener-gy and creativity.
b. Partnering with businesses and professionals to create mentorship programmes
that expose youth to career opportunities
and positive role models.
c. Increasing funding for youth- focused initiatives that promote leadership, discipline and self -respect.
5. Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice
a. Continuing peer mediation programmes
and conflict resolution training to help our
youth learn how to handle disputes
peacefully.
b. Continuing a restorative justice approach where youth are held accountable for their actions but are also given the opportunity
to reform and grow.
Madam President, Bermuda must work together in this arena. The future of our children is at
stake. We cannot allow violence, peer pressure and
negative influences to steal their potential.
Madam President, we have for some time
now been advocating for a collective approach to the
youth violence in our country. We are asking the entire community to look out for our children. If you see
something, say something. If you know a young person who is struggling or heading down the wrong
path, reach out and provide some guidance, advice or
help. If you can be a mentor, a supporter or a protector, now is the time to step up and make a positive
difference in someone’s life.
Madam President , it takes all of us —parents,
teachers, neighbo urs, faith leaders, law enforcement
and the wider community —to ensure that our children
grow up in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment. This is not just about laws and policies; it is
about our collective responsibility to protect and guide
the next generation. We must hold each other accountable for the contributions we are making toward a safer and more secure future for our children.
Madam President , this Government stands
firm in its commitment to doing our part in protecting
our children. We will continue working with educators,
parents, law enforcement and the community to create a safer and brighter future for Bermuda’s youth.
Madam President , I hasten to reiterate that
this is not a political matter. This matter is far beyond
the cut and thrust of politics. This is a matter that demands our collective cooperation and mutual support,
50 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate irrespective of political affiliations. Our youth deserve
our collective efforts toward providing them with the
guidance, discipline, structure and support they need
to become productive and responsible citizens in this
country. Thank you, Madam President .

The President: Thank you, Senator Lindsay Simmons, Junior Minister of National Security.
The final Statement, Dementia Care Services
Pilot Programme Update, is by Senator Fubler. And
you will be presenting this Statement.

Sen. Mischa Fubler: Yes. Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Start when you are ready.

DEMENTIA CARE SERVICES
PILOT PROGRAMME UPDATE

Sen. Mischa Fubler: Sure thing.
Good morning to the listening public and my
colleagues here in the Senate.
Madam President , this morning I rise to share
with my Senate colleagues’ observations, findings and data stemming from the operation of the Dementia
Care Services Pilot Programme, which was first
launched by the Ministry of Youth, Social Develop-ment and Seniors in October 2023 through its Office
of Ageing and Disability Services. The purpose of this
programme is to ensure those persons living with de-mentia who are uninsured or underinsured have access to dementia navigation and support services.
Madam President , as a backdrop, “dementia”
is an umbrella term for degenerative diseases that
impact the brain. This results in memory loss and
changes to one’s behaviour and one’s thinking, which
impact our ability to perform everyday activities. According to the World Health Organization, global num-bers for dementia are expected to triple by 2050 due
to ageing populations and chronic diseases that are
risk factors for this disease. It is estimated that up to
45 per cent of dementia cases could be reduced
through addressing modifiable risk factors for dementia. Prevention is always preferable; however, for people already with the disease, we must support not only
them but also their carers through its challenging progression.
Madam President , in Bermuda, based on current processes, there are over 3,600 patients inputted into the Bermuda Hospital Board’s system as having
dementia. Work continues to better define prevalence
data and the potential future impact on the Bermuda
system. However, to date, as dementia is a progressive disease, people’s needs for care and support increase, placing greater demand on our long- term care
services and supports over time. A lack of knowledge
of the disease and support for those caring for persons with dementia can result in unnecessary and costly hospital admissions or care home placement. It
also increases the risk for abuse and neglect, as cognitive impairment is a significant risk factor for such.
Madam President , it is within this context that
the Government is committed to addressing the so-cial, clinical and economic challenges of dementia. As
such, the Ministry of Youth, Social Development and
Seniors has undertaken the following related initiatives:
• In 2022, provided several education series on
dementia.
• In October 2023, introduced the Dementia
Navigation and Care Pilot programme.
• In June 2024, extended the pilot programme
based on the data obtained .
• In November 2024, developed a detailed project inception plan for the design of a seniors
day care facility with a dementia care focus .
• In December 2024, completed the first National Seniors Strategy for Bermuda, inclusive
of a focus on dementia.
• In January 2025, contracted the expertise of
the Bermuda Health Council to commence
developing an integrated care pathway for
dementia.
• In February 2025, engaged in meetings to
start assessing the designated site for the
dementia focused senior day care facility.
Madam President , of these initiatives, it is the
pilot programme I will provide an update on this morning. In [October] 2023, NorthStar Dementia Ltd., was
contracted to provide a six -month pilot programme for
dementia navigation and support services for persons
experiencing dementia who were either underinsured
or uninsured. These services included comprehensive
dementia assessments, personali sed care planning,
cognitive compensatory strategies, case management, caregiver education and support, crisis intervention and prevention.
This program me was developed based on evidence- based research that recogni ses the vital importance and role of dementia care management to
not only improve quality of life for persons with dementia, but also their carers, which in turn decreases more costly care caused by hospitali sation or crisis
management. North Star Dementia was selected not
only because they specialised in this area but also because their service model supplements the pilot
programme to expand its reach and depth of support.
Madam President , between October 2023 and
December 2024, the Ministry provided a total of
$96,000 to fund the pilot program me, which contributed to serving 111 persons with dementia, of whom
• 58 per cent, or roughly 63 clients , were female;
• 55 per cent, or 61 clients , were between 75
and 84 years of age; and
• 67 per cent, or 74 clients , were Black Bermudian.


Bermuda Senate For the caregivers who were clients and received services ,
• 56 per cent were the adult children of the client; and
• 70 per cent were female caregivers .
There was a total of 260 client contacts during
this period. The intensity and type of contact was tailored to the needs of the family and the stage of the
dementia progression.
Madam President , the question is, What have
we learned to date about the need for a dementia care services programme, based on client feedback and
data findings? The answer is [found in] three key observations:
1. There is a funding gap for dementia naviga-tion and support services .
2. Persons are not getting formally diagnosed.
3. Caregivers are stressed and not getting enough support.
Madam President, let me briefly speak to
each of these three observations.
1. There is a funding gap for dementia naviga-tion and support services.
a. Nearly 95 per cent of the clients in the pilot programme were insured.
b. However, 84 per cent of all referrals could
not contribute to the full cost inclusive of
co-pay of the services.
2. Persons are not getting formally diagnosed.
a. At the start of the programme, 46 per cent
of clients stated they did not have a for-mal diagnosis.
b. However, after participating in the pilot programme, 77 per cent had obtained a
diagnosis.
3. Caregivers are stressed and not getting
enough support.
a. At the start of the pilot programme, 16 per
cent of the caregivers rated their stress
levels as severe, and 52 per cent said
theirs was moderate.
b. At the 12- month evaluation mark, for
those clients evaluated,
i. 46 per cent felt somewhat less
stressed,
ii. 27 per cent were significantly less
stressed,
iii. 62 per cent felt much more knowledgeable about dementia,
iv. 77 per cent were more confident in
implementing care strategies for
their loved one; and
v. 73 per cent were more aware of local
resources available.
Madam President, the pilot programme highlighted to its clients the importance of being diagnosed to determine if one is experiencing dementia or not.
This allows persons to prepare ahead and put their affairs in order, determine what supports will be need-ed, and get critical legal documents and financial resources in place. After starting the pilot, 65 per cent of
the clients obtained a power of attorney, and 46 per
cent obtained an advance directive.
Madam President, the pilot programme outlined how persons can start interventions and finding
supports sooner rather than later. For example, there
are available medications or programmes that help
decrease the impact of the cognitive decline early in
dementia progression. Additionally, there are nonmedical interventions to help manage behaviours or concerns that can reduce the need for costly hospitalisation admission. Roughly 81 per cent of the clients
in the pilot programme had no hospital admission, and
46 per cent had an increase in social support for their
loved one. Madam President, it is important that family
carers have the support they need to continue the
care of their loved ones. Access to support groups,
respite, day care, activity programmes and care home
placement is needed. The pilot programme demonstrated the critical role of system navigation and care
management for family carers and persons living with
dementia to provide support and guidance with direct
care and available support services. This is evident by
100 per cent of clients evaluated stating the dementia
care services pilot programme should continue.
Madam President, the pilot findings are only
from a small sample of persons diagnosed with dementia. This is why the Ministry’s systemic work in
collaboration with the Ministry of Health is critical for
long-term solutions. Under the framework of the National Seniors’ Strategy, the Ministry of Youth, Social
Development and Seniors contracted the Bermuda
Health Council to develop an integrated care pathway
for dementia, in collaboration and alignment with the
Health Ministry’s health system reform work and the
Health Council’s Dementia Health Needs Assessment. This initiative, underway, is mapping current
patient journeys and identifying system and service
gaps and needs. A preferred care pathway will be established in consultation with stakeholders, and an
action plan will be developed.
This pathway will cover prevention to end of
life, as the entire spectrum must be addressed to not only reduce the prevalence of dementia in Bermuda
but also its negative impact on those living with the
disease, their support persons and the sustainability
of our health and long- term care systems. Fundamental to this work is establishing a standardised, formal
diagnosis process to ensure we obtain the most accurate data as possible on dementia and its varying
types.
Madam President, in closing, we acknowledge
and thank all of those persons living with dementia,
their carers and the service providers who have
shared and continue to share their experiences,
knowledge, expertise and very limited time as part of
this pilot programme work for improving Bermuda’s
52 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate dementia care system for current and future generations. We look forward to updating the Senate and the
community on the continuing progress of these initiatives. During the interim, we encourage our community to increase their awareness of dementia prevention and how to lend support to persons and carers , as
well as the organi sations in place that support persons
living with dementia and their families. Thank you,

Thank you, Senator Fubler.
Moving on with our agenda.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
The President: There are none.

FIRST READING OF PUBLIC BILLS
The President: The following public Bills have been
received from the Honourable House of Assembly and are now read for the first time. Their titles are, respectively:

CORPORATE INCOME TAX (PENALTY
PROVISIONS) AMENDMENT ACT 2025

MUNICIPALITIES AMENDMENT ACT 2025

EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2025

FIRST READING OF PRIVATE BILLS
The President: There are none.

QUESTION PERIOD

The President: Senators, we will now entertain questions on the Statements that have been delivered this
morning, starting with the first one that was delivered
by the Honourable Minister Crystal Caesar, the Minis-ter of Education.
Would any Senator . . .
Yes.

QUESTION 1: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION UPDATE
ON 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Sen. Victoria Cunningham: Good morning, Madam
President. I just want it to be known that this is my
absolute passion. I spent 21 years in international
business, and now I run a charity that does provide
fellowship and different services to our students to
ensure that they can get to where they need to go.
But I have a few questions today. You talk
about the different awards and the different amounts. I note they have not gone up in recent years. Has there been any consideration into looking into increased tuition costs across the different jurisdictions, particularly in the United States? And I had—
The President: Senator Cunningham, you have an
additional supplementary?

SUPPLEMENTARIES

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: I have a supplementary.
I have a supplementary to that.
Given the new Trump Administration, there
seems to be a lot of talk on federal funding for international students. So, I think my question would be, Has
the Government taken that into account where students may have historically had large international
scholarships that may well be withdrawn, given new
legislation coming out of that Administration?
And a supplementary to that, if I may.

The President: Certainly.

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: Is that the potential for
encouraging our students to consider the cheaper jurisdictions of the United Kingdom, given our home
school fees and Canadian institutions?

The President: Thank you.

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: I have another question.
The President: You have a second question?

QUESTION 2: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION UPDATE
ON 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: I have another question
regarding College Promise.
So, it was mentioned that this is for graduating
students from CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute. And I am fully in favour of anything that
encourages our students to further their education.
However, I would question the 3.0 GPA. And I feel
that . . . maybe my question is, Has the Government
considered either dropping that GPA requirement so
that more students can be involved in further education or consider means testing? So, you take, the College Promise initiative is on a means -tested basis for
anyone with a 2.0 or higher.

The President: Thank you, Senator Cunningham.
You have two . . . sorry.

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: I have one further question.

The President: You have one further question.


B ermuda Senate QUESTION 3 : MINISTRY OF E DUCATIO N UPDATE
ON 202 5 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Sen. Victoria Cunningham: One further question.
And again, you know, no one is going to disagree with
providing funding for our students. But I think along
with providing that funding, my question is, Are there
any additional support services offered? So mentoring, internships and then the provision of job opportunities upon graduation.
The P resident: T hank y ou, S enator C unningham.
Sen. Victoria C unningham: Thank you.
The President: Woul d any other Senator car e to present questions? Senator Marcus—
Sen. Tawana Tannock: Yes. Thank you . . . sorry.
The President: Sorry.
Senator Marcus Jones.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President.
Good morning to you and to my fellow Senate
colleagues and to the listening audience.
My first question would be, Is there an expectation for thos e scholarship recipients to return to
Bermuda and in some form, whether in employment in
the public or private sector, to giv e back to the country
as a means of gratific ation for an extended as sistance? That is my one question.
QUESTION 1: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION UPDATE
ON 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Sen. Marcus Jones: And I recognise that the criterion
for receiv ing the scholarship is for one to be a Bermudian. Is there a further requirement for that pers on to
be resident in Bermuda? In other words, could that
Bermudian be resident in the UK, Canada or anywhere outside of these shores and still be able to
qualify to rec eive s cholarships?
The President: T hose are your two questions.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Those are my two questions.
Thank y ou, Madam President.
The President: T hank you.
Senator Tawana Tannock.
Sen. Tawana Tannock: Yes. Thank you, Madam
President.
The President: You have the floor.
QUESTION 1: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION UPDATE
ON 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS Sen. Tawana Tannock: Thanks.
My question is regarding the actual application process for the scholarship. As the former Chairperson of Hughesnet and also on a Knowledge Quest scholarship committee and currently still on numerous scholarship committees, what we often find are incomplete applications. And so, if we have the time, we
do reach out to candidates or to their parents and try to assist them. But when you have a high volume of applications and limited time, it is difficult to do that. And unfortunately, some students get left behind, not because they are not eligible or because they are not
deserving, but simply because they did not have any
support to complete the application process.
QUESTION 2: MINISTRY OF EDUCATION UPDATE
ON 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Sen. Tawana Tannock: So I would like to know what
support has been put in place for training to get on bermudascholarships.com if that is where they are
being listed, or to ensure that parents and students both understand the documentation required, how to
get transcripts? I know you often need or are left in
the hands of the guidance counsellors. But with a high volume of students, it is impossible for them to tutor each one. So, when we do get an application, if it is incomplete, what outreach is given? And prior to that, what training is provided? Those would be my two
questions. Thank you.
The President: Thank you, Senator Tannock.
Would any other Senator care to ask questions on this Statement?
Hearing none, then we will await a response
from the Minister.
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Thank you, Madam
President. And I thank my colleagues for clarification
on the questions.
I would like to start from the back, or the last
few questions, and respond. So as my colleague did indicate, Senator Tannock, with regard to the fact that there are counsellors in the schools, the schools do provide a support network for assisting young people to make application for scholarships and awards. In
addition, there is a team of people who vet and respond to those who send in their applications such that if it is incomplete, those applications are vetted. And there is a response given to individuals as to how they should complete that application. So, if one does make application, it is missing—I do not know —a
transcript or a reference letter, they are given a follow -
up. As I said, there is a team of people who assist with that.
And I believe there was a question with regard
to . . . there is always an expectation for our young
people to return home. And otherwise, you know, why
else would we be giving them education? We expect
54 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate for our young people to come back and contribute.
Now, there are different requirements for different
scholarships. There are some who will require specific
return on investment, meaning for instance if one has
a scholarship for teaching, et cetera, it is anticipated that they will come back and give service specifically
in the Bermuda Public School System.
Not all scholarships have that requirement, a
specific requirement. But overall, there is an ethos
expecting that our young people will return and give
back to Bermuda. But again, this is something that we do as part of our social contract with the community to
ensure that those who want the education have access to it. They may get opportunities in Bermuda or
may have an opportunity, once they receive their degree, to work in an area oversees. But yes, we would
still expect for that person to come back. But there is no specific requirement. So again, it depends on
which scholarship or what we are referring to as to
what that requirement would be.
In addition, there is the Department of Workforce Development, which, when young people have gotten degrees either through college or through
some vocational certification, et cetera, will assist
young people with placement.
I think colleagues would be aware that we
have a Youth Employment Programme, which has been very much advocated by my colleague in anoth-er place, the Minister of Economy and Labour, in assisting young people in finding work and/or training in
their areas of interest. So, we do have that wrapa-round support. So, it is not just that you get your degree and off you go. We do have that support that
those who want to contribute do have a mechanism by which they can use through the government to ensure that they are given either internships or some sort of placement assistance.
With regard to the College Promise, which
colleague Senator Cunningham mentioned, you know, we do have to have some level of . . . some bar which
we would expect our young people to reach. And I cannot say that at this particular time the 3.0 GPA has
not . . . at this particular time they consider to be
changed. I agree that I think we may need to consider scope beyond . . . or different maybe GPAs and maybe relaxation of that slightly so that more individuals
who want to access the Bermuda College through the
College Promise would be able to do so. But that can
be taken under consideration.
And unfortunately, we have no idea what the
Trump Administration will do as it pertains to our young people suddenly in the US. I will say that we do
have our eye on what is happening in the US as it pertains to policies that are changing. Obviously, we are
talking about education, but as it pertains to all manner of things. So, the Government is watching that quite closely, and it is something that we are keeping
our eye on. Because we certainly would not want our
young people, who have a level of expectation and/or interest in pursuing education overseas in the US, to
be disadvantaged from doing so.
But I think what I did mention in my Statement
was that we also do have scholarships not just for
students who are considering North America. But ob-viously we do have the scholarship for anyone who
wants to attend in the Caribbean, and we do support
young people travelling to the UK as well. So, we do
consider that, and we do promote that and we do encourage it as well.
I believe that I have answered most questions, Madam President. So, I will leave it there unless
there is one that one of the colleagues feels that I
have not sufficiently answered at this time.
The President: Sorry, I was just going to ask —

Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President.
I do appreciate the Minister of Education informing us and giving some clarification to some of the questions. I would like to request that she be specific in my question in regard to Bermudians who qualify for scholarships, whether there is a need for a requirement that they actually reside on Island as opposed to those who are across the four corners of the
world.

The President: Thank you, Senator Marcus Jones,
OBA Leader in the Senate.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Yes. That is it.
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Yes. Thank you. I do
remember that question now.
So, Senator Jones and Madam President,
most scholarships have an expectation that you have
had a certain level of education within Bermuda. And I
believe that that requirement is at least five years of
education locally, right within the Bermuda School
System, be it private or public education. For whatever reason parents may choose after which . . . maybe
a parent is studying themselves and their children
travel with them. But that does not preclude them from
being able to apply as well. So, there is a residency
requirement.

The President: Thank you, Minister Caesar, Minister
of Education. And thank you, Senators, for your questions on that Statement.
We will now move on to the second Statement
that was given, and that is the Update on the CCTV Network Upgrade. And that was given by Senator
Lindsay Simmons.
Would any Senator care to ask questions?
Vice President John Wight, you have the floor.

QUESTION 1: CCTV NETWORK UPGRADE
UPDATE



Bermuda Senate Sen. John Wight: Thank you, Madam President.
I just have one question, which is, When is the
speed camera functionality expected to be completed? I appreciate the privacy, and the other issues involved into the equation. But I think we have to bal-ance those issues with the increasing safety concerns
on our roads for our residents and our tourists. And
this issue of the speed cameras has been going on for
seemingly years now. So, I guess my question is,
When do we expect to have that in place?

QUESTION 2: CCTV NETWORK UPGRADE
UPDATE

Sen. John Wight: And secondly, in terms of the privacy concerns, surely, we must have been aware of these years ago when we announced the initiative of this project until waiting until the eleventh hour to have
that be a reason for a further delay. So, I am just
wondering why that seems to be an issue that came
at the eleventh hour and was not considered previous-ly.
So, thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Vice President John
Wight.
Would any Senator care to ask questions?
Senator Marcus Jones, OBA Leader in the
Senate, you have the floor.

QUESTION 1: CCTV NETWORK UPGRADE
UPDATE

Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President.
I could not hide my joy and excitement to listen to the Junior Minister give a progress report on the CCTV purchasing and installation around our Island. I think the Opposition has been on record many times
to sort of see more of an urgency in this take place. I
am thrilled to see the progress up to 90 per cent of
completion, which is great.
My question would be, Did the actual purchase and installation of this equipment fall within the budget? I believe it was originally put on the budget back in 2023/24. I would like to know if it actually fell
within the budget.

SUPPLEMENTARY

Sen. Marcus Jones: And my supplementary to that
primary question would be, If not, if there were excess
funds needed to complete the project, can we expect
that to be in the upcoming budget, and if there is any
estimation on how much that would be?

QUESTION 2: CCTV NETWORK UPGRADE
UPDATE
Sen. Marcus Jones: I have a second question, Madam President. I took great interest in the statement made within the Junior Minister’s presentation that
residents have expressed a greater sense of security
with the installation of these cameras. My question would be, Were there any concerns from residents on
the positioning of these cameras? I ask that question
because, in my canvassing, actually on Loyal Hill in
Devonshire in areas that Senator Simmons will be
very acquainted with, some of the residents there expressed their concerns that some of the cameras were positioned where it was going right into their
bathroom window and things of that nature.
We heard those concerns. So, my question
would be, If a resident has found that a camera is positioned in a compromising position, what will be their
recourse to be able to advocate for a possible reposi-tioning of the camera, or at least someone they can
talk to to see if that can be changed?
Those are my two questions, Madam President. Thank you.

The President: Thank you.
Would any other Senator care to ask questions on this Statement?
Hearing none, then we will wait for Senator
Simmons to obtain responses.

[Pause]

Sen. Lindsay Simmons: When it comes to speed
cameras, when is their expected date of completion? In late 2026 or early 2027.
For question number two, the privacy concern
at the eleventh hour. Privacy has always been a part
of the plan to date. It is something that the Ministry
has always had in the forefront to take into consideration. And we just want to make sure that we dot our i’s
and cross our t’s.
Question number three, did the purchase of
these cameras fall in the budget? If not, was it in excess of funds? We will expect future budgets to exist,
and we can expect it to be in the budget coming up.
[Pause]

Sen. Lindsay Simmons: And again, question number
four concerns, and yes, I am well aware of the concerns of Loyal Hill. When it comes to recourse, the
people can always contact the Bermuda Police Service or any other Ministry directly with any concerns
when it comes to cameras and their placement.
So those are the answers to the questions,

Thank you, Senator Lindsay Simmons.
Hearing no other questions then, we will move
on to the next Statement.
56 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you.

The President: And that is the Statement also by
Senator Lindsay Simmons, the National Fire Chief Council Peer -Led Review.
Would any Senator wish to ask questions on
this Statement?
Senator Marcus Jones, OBA Leader in the
Senate, you have the floor.

QUESTION 1: NATIONAL FIRE CHIEFS COUNCIL
PEER -LED REVIEW OF THE BERMUDA FIRE AND
RESCUE SERVICE
Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President.
I did note that the last internal review was
conducted in 2010. It is now 2025, so 15 years have
passed by since we had the last one.
Are there any plans in place to have more
frequent internal reviews when it comes to the Fire Service? Internal reviews with our ever -changing
world, for example with the strain that is placed on our
international airport, the cruise terminal, there are
constant changes going on. Bermuda needs to be
able to keep at pace to best practices around the world.
So, my question would be, Is there a plan to
have more frequent internal reviews in regard to the Fire and Rescue Service?
My second question if I may, Madam President?

The President: You certainly may.

QUESTION 2: NATIONAL FIRE CHIEFS COUNCIL
PEER -LED REVIEW OF THE BERMUDA FIRE AND
RESCUE SERVICE
Sen. Marcus Jones: My second question would be,
Is there sufficient manpower within the ranks of the
Fire and Rescue Service that can adequately, like I
said just earlier, cover our cruise terminal in the west
and sufficiently cover our airport, the L. F. Wade Airport, especially in the event if there were simultaneous
incidents that happened at the same time? Would the
Fire Service be confident that it can adequately service multiple incidents at one time?

SUPPLEMENTARY

Sen. Marcus Jones: And I have a supplementary to
that question, Madam President. In the opinion of the
Fire Service, what, within their internal review, would
be (shall we say) the adequate number of manpower
to adequately cover a country of this size with the exposure that we face on a daily basis? And does our manpower fit that number?
Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you.
[Pause]
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you, Madam President.
So, the last review was in 2010 to 2025. We
anticipate having reviews every five years.

The President: Mm-hmm.

Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Yes. We can manage incidents. We have the manpower to cover its risk. At the
review, we will speak to manpower needs.
So, there is your answer to all three questions.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Lindsay Simmons, and all Senators who have asked questions on
this Statement.
We will move on to the next Ministerial Statement, and that is also in the name of Senator Lindsay
Simmons in her role as the Junior Minister of National
Security. And this Statement is the Recent Youth Violence in the Community.
Would any Senator care to ask questions on
this Statement?
Senator Marcus Jones, OBA Leader in the
Senate, you have the floor.

QUESTION 1: RECENT YOUTH VIOLENCE IN OUR
COMMUNITY
Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President.
Although it was not pleasant for the Junior
Minister to give this particular Chamber a report on the happenings in the CedarBridge High School, we
do appreciate her giving us this information.
My question would be, Were there any disciplinary measures placed on those youths, those students who actually were found to be in violation of
school policies through this incident? I do not wish for
her to give us specifics. I think that is probably asking
too much. But I would like to know if there were any disciplinary measures put in place for those who actually violated the rules.

SUPPLEMENTARY

Sen. Marcus Jones: And as a supplementary question, Madam President, I would like to ask an even
greater question in light of what transpired. Are there
any institutional guidelines within the public school
system that will teach our kids how to navigate
through social media? We know that social media can
be a dangerous place, and we definitely want our kids
fortified and fully informed of the pitfalls and the risks
of danger that they may encounter.


Bermuda Senate I will say this as a sidebar. I have a friend who
is a principal in Cleveland, Ohio, whose school board
has instituted very instructive and intensive guidelines
for all of their students within their area that teaches
them and gives them guidelines on how to navigate social media. And I do not think that is a bad thing for
us in Bermuda to adopt so that we can furnish and
provide a defence for our children when they wade
into the waters of social media.
Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you.
Senator Cunningham, I believe you have a
question. You have the floor.

QUESTION 1: RECENT YOUTH VIOLENCE IN OUR
COMMUNITY

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: Thank you, Madam
President.
So along with providing youth scholarships
mentoring, CedarBridge is another place that is very
close to my heart. And I was very saddened to hear
the news. In light of . . . and I do not know if Members
of this Chamber or members of the listening audience
have watched the British Netflix show, “ Adolescence,”
but it is quite eye- opening, with a 13- year-old young
boy. And articles and everything that have come out have stated that a lot of these aggressions and things
come out of primary school and not high school.
So, I think one of my first questions is going to
be, Do we have a . . . we have a youth strategy, but
does it start at the necessary age level, which seemingly is below eight?

QUESTION 2: RECENT YOUTH VIOLENCE IN OUR
COMMUNITY

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: And then my second
question, you mentioned quite rightly, and I think
Government cannot solve this problem entirely and
we do need the community to help us. So, for those in
the listening audience, you know, I urge you to come
forward. But my honourable colleague, [Senator] Mar-cus Jones, just mentioned about what happened to
the students involved. You mentioned something
about parents needing to take accountability and be
responsible. How do you see that manifesting itself?
How can we hold the parents responsible?
And that is it, thank you.

The President: Thank you, Senator Cunningham.
Would any other Senator care to ask questions on this Statement?
Hearing none, then we will wait to hear from
Senator Lindsay Simmons on this one.
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: One second, Madam President. The President: Mm-hmm.

[Pause]
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Madam President, we have
a Code of Conduct that we must follow. And so, we
have followed the Code of Conduct in relation to these
incidents or any incidents that happen within the
school system. So, we do follow the Code of Conduct,
which is on the public domain.
When it comes to social media, Madam President, we do have from primary school levels teachers
and social workers and counsellors who come in and
speak to students about social media and how to use
social media and how to monitor social media. But
again, it is a collaborative effort. We need parents and
adults and everybody to monitor their children. Obvi-ously, teachers cannot be monitoring children’s
phones, but we ask parents to monitor what their children do on social media. So, yes, we do get into the
schools and talk about social media and how to use
social media.
And when it comes to parent involvement, our
goal is to hopefully have parents be more involved in
addressing the needs of our students. And if we see
that there are issues at hand, you know, contact the
schools and let the schools know that you are having
a problem. Because that factors into the school system as well. And if we know early, then we can put in
measures to try to protect our students.
And I think that answered all of our questions,

Thank you, Senator Lindsay Simmons.
Madam Attorney General, Minister of Justice,
Kim Wilkerson.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you, Madam
President. Yes.
If I might, just to supplement Minister Simmons’s response, certainly to the last question that was asked by Senator Cunningham around . . . I think
the question was more about enforcing parental re-sponsibility and what is the framework for that.
There is on the books a piece of legislation
called the Parental Responsibility Act. It was tabled
back in 2010. I think the effort with that was to create
a framework for establishing those guidelines for so-cial responsibility. My colleagues and the Cabinet colleagues have asked that we relook at that. And I think
one of the concerns around how to legislate that
means that you have to have the resources in place
for parental counselling and the support systems. And
we acknowledge that all of those are not in place at
the moment to make that effective.
So, you will have heard in the Throne Speech
the phased approach to the amendments to the
Young Offenders Act and the review of the Children
58 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Act. I think these have to be looked at holistically. But
there is a framework in place. I think it would not be at
its optimal functioning if we do not have the support
systems, which is what is critical, in place to support
parents. So, more news to come. Thank you.

The President: Thank you, certainly, Minister Wilkerson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Thank
you for providing additional information.
Senators, having dealt with that question, we
will now move on to the final Statement that was given this morning. And that was the Statement on Dementia Care Services, the Pilot Programme. And that was
given by Senator Fubler this morning.
Would any Senator care to ask questions?
Vice President John Wight, you have the floor.

QUESTION 1: DEMENTIA CARE SERVICES PILOT
PROGRAMME UPDATE

Sen. John Wight: Thank you, Madam President.
I just have one question. I am just curious.
The work conducted by this group including the pilot
programme, does this work align or differ from the
work that is conducted by the nonprofit organisation, Dementia Bermuda? That is my question. Thank you,

Thank you, Senator Wright.
Would any other Senator care to ask questions on this Statement?
Senator Cunningham, you have the floor.

QUESTION 1: DEMENTIA CARE SERVICES PILOT
PROGRAMME UPDATE
Sen. Victoria Cunningham: Thank you.
My question is more around the funding. So,
is it anticipated that our insurance providers will be required to cover more of these dementia- related services? Or is there a plan to introduce more public
funding or subsidies to make these services more accessible for seniors and dementia care sufferers?

The President: Is that your only question, Senator?

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: Yes. Thank you.

The President: Senator Tannock, I believe you have
indicated that you wanted to ask a question.

QUESTION 1: DEMENTIA CARE SERVICES PILOT
PROGRAMME UPDATE
Sen. Tawana Tannock: Yes, Madam President.
I noted that there was a mention of having a
day care facility for seniors with dementia. And I wanted to know where that stood currently. If you mentioned where we are with that initiative, I missed it. My apologies.
[Pause]

Sen. Mischa Fubler: Including the listening audience,
I am just conferring with the technical officers to supply responses.
The President: Thank you for that, Senator Fubler,
and we will await your response when you are ready.

[Pause]

Sen. Mischa Fubler: Okay. I have got some of the
responses coming in for Senator Wight’s question about the charity Dementia Bermuda’s involvement in the pilot programme. The Clinical Director of Dementia Bermuda is also the head of NorthStar Dementia.
And as a result they work closely together.
To Senator Cunningham’s question [regarding] funding and whether it is anticipated that insurers
or public funding will meet the gap required for servicing those with dementia, that has been part of the kind
of larger discussion around long- term care financing
and universal health care. So, to be determined.
And to Senator Tannock, the day care facility
is currently in the design stage. And I believe in the
Statement we mentioned that a site visit was conducted in February.
Hopefully that answers all of your questions. I
will take any supplementals if there are any.

The President: Senators who have asked questions,
do you have any supplementals?
Senator Tannock.

SUPPLEMENTARY

Sen. Tawana Tannock: I do. So, when we look at the
day care and the training that is necessary, do we have any programmes to train already -qualified health
care professionals to deal specifically with dementia patients? Are we looking at running any training or
providing any resources for that?

[Pause]

Sen. Mischa Fubler: Okay. I have got a response
here for Senator Tannock.
There is training available at the Bermuda
College, as well as traditional training held by local
organisations and professional development. The
scenario focus identified as part of the Integrated Care
Pathway is underway for dementia. So, it looks like
there are some resources available, and we are looking to expand those.


B ermuda Senate The President: Thank you, Senator Fubler, for your
response.
And thank you all, Senators, for the questions
you have put on all of the Statements that were given
this morning.
We will continue now to move on with our
agenda.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
The President: The Orders of the Day are those that
may be considered under the provisions of Standing Order 25 or suspension of Standing Order 71[(2) ].
We have three Bills: the second reading of the
Corporate Income Tax (Penalty Provisions) Amend-ment Act 2025; second reading of the Municipalities Amendment Act 2025; and the second reading of the
Employment Amendment Act 2025.
I believe Minister Caesar is going to present.
STANDING O RDE R 25
Sen. t he Hon. Crystal C aesar: Yes, Ma dam President.
May it be considered under the provisions of
Standing Order 25 that the following Bills (and I will
read them all by name)—
The President: T hank you.
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: —Corporate Income
Tax (Penalty Prov isions) Amendment Act 2025, the
Municipalities Amendment Act 2025; and the Employment Amendment Act 2025 be now read for the
second time.
The President: I s there any objection to that motion?
No objection.
[Motion carried: Leave granted for the Corporate Income Tax (Penalty Provis ions) Amendment Act 2025,
the Municipalities Amendment Act 2025; and the Employment Amendment Act 2025 to be read a second
time on the same day as their firs t reading.]
BILL
SECOND READING
CORPORATE INCOME TAX (PENALTY
PROVISIONS) AMENDMENT ACT 2025
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Thank you, Madam
President.
I mov e that the Bill the Corporate Income Tax
(Penalty Prov isions) Amendment Act 2025 be read for
the second time.
Madam President, it is my dis tinct honour and
privilege on behalf of the Government to rise this morning in this Honourable [Chamber] to debate the
Bill entitled Corporate Income Tax (Penalty Provi-sions) Amendment Act 2025.
Mada
m President, this Bill seeks to amend
the Corporate Income Tax Act 2023 (CIT Act) to intro-duce civil and criminal penalties, enhance enforcement and compliance mechanisms, and clearly outline
penalties for failing to meet regulations and the filing
deadlines. It also establishes penalties for non-payment of taxes when due and for inaccuracies in tax return declarations.
Madam President , this re affirms Bermuda ’s
long-standing commitment to be a cooperative, compliant and transparent jurisdiction with respect to in-ternational tax matters. Madam President, t he CIT Act
and/or any other relevant legal provisions do not currently provide for penalty provisions.
By way of background, I would like to note
that in December 2023, the Bermuda Government
enacted the Corporate Income Tax Act 2023 which
imposes a statutory rate of 15 per cent on the profits
of Bermuda entities which are part of multinational enterprises ( or MNE groups) with more than €750 million in total global revenues in at least two of the previous four fiscal years . It is estimated that the introduction of the CIT would impact approximately 2, 000
companies registered in Bermuda.
This was in response to the Organi sation for
Economic Co- operation and Development (the OECD )
in collaboration with the group of 20 industrialised
countries (G20) working to address the issue of base erosion and profit sharing (BEPS). BEPS refers to tax
planning strategies used by multinational enterprises to exploit gaps and mismatches in tax rules, allowing them to artificially shift profits to low - or no- tax jurisdictions where they have little or no economic activity. By
implementing this tax, Bermuda avoids being labelled a non- cooperative jurisdiction or tax haven, which
could lead to international sanctions or reputational harm.
Madam President, t he Government then enacted the Corporate Income Tax Agency Act 2024 that established a corporate body to be known as the Corporate Income Tax Agency to administer the cor-porate income tax regime under the Corporate Income Tax [Act] 2023.
Madam President, following the decision to
implement a corporate income tax, the Bermuda Gov-ernment moved quickly to progress the necessary legislation. Due to the complexity and technical nature of international tax matters, it was expected that re-finements and additional legislation would be required
to develop comprehensive enforcement and compliance mechanisms aligned with international best practices.
Madam President, the Ministry of Finance
held a public consultation on penalty provisions from January to February 2025, which included an illustrative Bill. The overall penalty framework is largely
60 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate modelled after the US Internal Revenue Code system,
as it is familiar to most taxpayers. Additionally, the
framework is designed to align with procedures for
default fines and civil penalties under Bermuda laws,
while ensuring the right to a fair hearing as mandated by section 6(8) of Bermuda’s Constitution Order 1968.
Madam President, the feedback gathered during the consultation process was carefully considered and, as deemed appropriate, amendments were made
to the legislation. Key changes involved provisions
that enable written representations to be made by the taxpayer before a final panel decision is made, to enhance the adjudication process.
Further, the criminal liability for individuals
has, a result of consultation, been narrowed so that
the standard is now higher than negligence. An individual must be found to have practiced consent or contrivance in order to face co-extensive criminal liability with the corporation. These adjustments demonstrate that the Government's commitment to engaging
with stakeholders and ensuring that the legislation is clear, effective and in line with international best practices.
While the core provisions of the Bill remain
unchanged, these refinements address concerns
raised during the consultation process, enhance clarity and improve the overall execution of the framework.
The penalty levels have been reviewed by the Minis-try’s tax advisors , and it has been determined that it
would be prudent of Bermuda to maintain the levels proposed, given the size and significance of taxpayers involved as they allow the required level of flexibility to
the Agency while ensuring that Bermuda can demonstrate that our regime can appropriately enforce com-pliance.
The Government remains committed to its
ongoing programme of consulting with all relevant stakeholders to ensure the framework supports both
compliance and economic growth in the jurisdiction.
Madam President, the penalty provisions that
are being proposed include both civil and criminal
penalties. The following outlines the civil penalties:
1. failure to register;
2. failure to file;
3. failure to accurately state tax on a return; and
4. failure to pay tax when due.
The following outlines the key criminal penalties:
1. personal liability;
2. deliberate failure to file return; and
3. tax evasion.
Madam President, this Act also amends the
Corporate Income Tax Agency Act 2024 to revise the
definition of “tax receipts” to clarify that any penalties
imposed by the Agency shall not become the property
of the Agency.
Madam President, in addition to these penalty
provisions, a separate and distinct interest regime for
tax underpayments will be established through future regulations in due course. These regulations will ad-dress the following:
• registration and general administration;
• payment of taxes, including paying tax
due;
• manner of the payment ;
• instalment payments, underpayments and
overpayments ;
• returns and inquiries assessments ; and
• clearance and disputes.
Madam President , in closing, I would like to
note that the Government firmly believes that the corporate income tax framework strengthens Bermuda's ongoing commitment to global compliance and trans-parency while upholding the I sland's strong international reputation.
The progress we have achieved today w ould
not have been possible without the invaluable contri-butions of the I nternational Tax Working Group whose
expertise and dedication continue to play a vital role in this important work.
I extend my heart ful gratitude to everyone in
the Ministry of Finance, including our committed advi-sors who have devoted their time, energy and expertise to this effort. Their work has been further supported by the drafting team at the Attorney General’s
Chambers to whom I also expressed my sincere appreciation . Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator the Honourable
Crystal Caesar, the spokesperson for Finance.
Would any Senator care to speak on this Bill?

Sen. Tawana Tannock: Yes.

The President: Senator Marcus Jones. —

Sen. Tawana Tannock: —Madam President.

The President: Oh, I beg your pardon. Sorry. I am a
bit slow here.
Senator Marcus Jones, the OBA Leader in the
Senate, you have the floor.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President. I
would like to express my appreciation for the brief that
the Minister of Education, in her role as spokesperson
for Finance here in the Senate Chambers, [presented]. We here in the Opposition are in full support this amendment.
One can possibly deem some of the stipulations in this amendment as being onerous and sort of extremely high. But I think it is important that it be that
way because we do want to get a grip on those potential companies that may want to look for loopholes or look to skirt the system. I think it is important that we
as a jurisdiction make a strong statement that we are
committed to ensuring that if any company wants to be here, function here, operate here, that we have


Bermuda Senate regulations in place that ensure that the taxes are going to be received. Received in a timely manner, received accurately and deter anyone or any company
from wanting to stray from these rules and from these
policies.
One concern that I have is that I am concerned that there will be ample enforcement of those
that run awry of the stated policies. I would want to
know and have some comfort that there are sufficient
tax professionals who have the expertise to be able to
ensure that there is no funny business going on. So, I am concerned about the enforcement aspect of it.
Another question that I want to raise that has
been sort of bandied about around the community is, the Minister did mention that this particular amendment, and in a wider scale this particular corporate
income tax legislation, will impact many. I think [the Honourable Minister] was saying a few thousand international businesses in this country. My question to
her would be, What is the estimated number of companies in this country that will actually be paying taxes under this particular legislation? I have heard a number as high as over 100 or so. I have heard somewhere between just 30 or 40 companies. I think the
country would like some indication of how many. What is the number that the Government is looking at, at
international companies that will actually be paying
taxes under this legislation? That would be helpful.
But as I said from the onset, we are here, the
Opposition. We give our full support to this amend-ment. I believe the penalties for running afoul of the legislation are reasonable. I believe they are punitive
enough to deter those who would want to run afoul of
the law and the regulations to not go down that path.
And, Madam President, with those words, I
submit.
The President: Thank you, Senator Jones, Opposition Leader in the Senate.
Senator Tawana Tannock, you have the floor.
Sen. Tawana Tannock: Thank you, Madam President.
With the implementation of civil and criminal
penalties, what I guess we could call the stick (I hesitate to say the word “carrot”). But if we look at balancing it, I know that the Government mentioned that they
would be looking at providing information about
QRTCs (qualified [refundable] tax credits ), although
that does not qualify as a returned tax credit, I believe .
But where are we with that? That was going to
be in 2024. So now we have issued the . . . So, we
are about to talk about penalties without talking about
any type of incentives for companies who do and are
honourable in remitting taxes. So that is my question
with regard to that.
And I just had a second question with regard
to the actual legislation itself. And clause . . . let us
see. The clause that states . . . on page 5 in this clause, so that would be [clause 2, new Part 8A ] section 46E (5)(b), decisions of the Court. (And “Court” is
capitalised.) And I know that “Court” is not defined in
the parent Act. And of course, Court in the interpretation Act just says something like not a coroner’s court,
or something else. It just excludes two types of courts.
So, when we talk about “Court,” we are talking about
the decision of the Supreme Court, Supreme Court of
Bermuda. Can we just get clarity on whether or not we
are going to actually specify “Court” if it is not defined
in this Bill or the parent Act? And like I said, in the interpretation Act, it actually just states what courts are not defined under the
term “court.” Thank you.
The President: Thank you, Senator Tannock.
Senator Vice President John Wight, you have
the floor.
Sen. John Wight: Thank you, Madam President.
For starters, I would like to say that I think
Bermuda has created a very effective new tax regime
in respect of CIT. I am very supportive of this Bill.
While we would expect every constituent entity in
scope to make good on their obligations to Government in respect of filing and the necessary paying, the
reality is that there must be some deterrent and penalty for those who choose not to. So, I think the Bill regarding the civil and criminal penalties are appropriate
and I fully support. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Vice President
Wight.
Would any Senator care to ask questions on
this Bill?

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

SENATE VISITORS

The President: And, Senators, I would just like to
acknowledge in the Chamber the presence of Genesis
Iris from the Ministry of Finance, as well as Gwen
Johnson, the Parliamentary Counsel.
Welcome to both of you.
And they will be assisting in their answering of
the questions that have been posed by you all.

BILL

SECOND READING

CORPORATE INCOME TAX (PENALTY
PROVISIONS) AMENDMENT ACT 2025

[Continuation thereof]

62 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Okay, Madam President, I do have answers.
Specifically, around to Senator Jones with
regard to the enforcement and do we have the level of
expertise? We do actually. The agency is hiring and will be hiring particular tax individuals who have a level of expertise who will be able to provide the level of
experience to monitor and/or I guess enforce. And as
Senator Jones put the question, to be able to bring
this regime into effect. So, we are in the process. We
do have experts who are assisting us with obviously developing the regime. And more people will be
brought on as required.
There was a question with regard to the number of companies, as well. My brief did actually talk
about the fact that there were an estimated 2,000
companies that will be impacted. And obviously we cannot predict what one has made or will make. So,
we would wait for time to see who actually will be paying in. But there are about 2,000 companies that will
be impacted by the CIT regime.
And to Senator Tannock’s question with regard to qualified tax credits, if you will just give me two
seconds.

[Pause]
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: So with regard to the
qualified tax credits that Senator Tannock asked
about, the Tax Reform Commission is actively working
to provide recommendations to reduce cost of living and doing business in Bermuda. So, the Government
is actually anticipating that in June of this year we will
be able to collate those recommendations, with the view thereafter of providing legislation that will incorporate any qualifying tax credits. So that is still in pro-cess. So, watch this space.
And then with regard to the question on which
specific court, if Senator Tannock would note that sec-tion 48 [of the Corporate Income Tax Act 2023] specifically mentions that there is an appeal to Supreme
Court. So, it is actually the Supreme Court that would
be handling these types of matters.
And I believe that answers everyone’s questions. And I appreciate the support from all Senators.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Minister Crystal Caesar,
Minister of Education, but spokesperson on Finance in the Senate. And thank you, Senators, for your ques-tions.
We will now move on to item number 2 on our
Orders of the Day.

[Inaudible interjection]

The President: I beg your pardon.

[Laughter] The President: Of course. I do not know why I am in
a hurry this morning.

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Yes. I have to read
again, yes.

[Laughter]

The President: Please excuse me this morning.
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: No worries.
Madam President, I move that the Bill entitled
the Corporate Income Tax (Penalty Provisions)
Amendment Act 2025 be read for a second time.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion?
No objection.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 26

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Madam President, I
move that [Standing Order] 26 be suspended in re-spect of this Bill.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion?
No objection.
[Motion carried: Standing Order 26 suspended.]

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Madam President, I
move that the Bill entitled the Corporate Income Tax
(Penalty Provisions) Amendment Act 2025 be now
read a third time.
The President: Is there any objection to the third
reading?
No objection.

BILL

THIRD READING

CORPORATE INCOME TAX (PENALTY
PROVISIONS) AMENDMENT ACT 2025

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Madam President, I
move that the Bill do now pass.

The President: Is there any objection to the passage
of the Bill?
No objection.
The Bill is passed.

[Motion carried: The Corporate Income Tax (Penalty
Provisions) Amendment Act 2025 was read a third
time and passed.]



Bermuda Senate The President: Thank you, Minister Caesar, and
thank you, all Senators, for your participation and
questions.
We will now move on to the second item on
our Orders of the Day. And that is the second reading of the Municipalities Amendment Act 2025. And that
will be presented by Senator Lauren Bell, the Junior
Minister for Housing and Municipalities.
Senator Bell, you have the floor.

Sen. Lauren Bell: Good morning, Madam President.
Thank you.

The President: Good morning.
Sen. Lauren Bell: I now move that the Bill entitled
Municipalities Amendment Act 2025 be read for the
second time.

The President: Is there any objection to the second
reading?
No objection.

BILL

SECOND READING

MUNICIPALITIES AMENDMENT ACT 2025

Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President.
Good morning, Madam President, Senate colleagues
as well as the listening audience.
I rise to present the Bill entitled the Municipalities Amendment Act 2025. This Bill seeks to amend
the Municipalities Act 1923 to provide for the next ordinary municipal elections for the mayors and c ouncillors of the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George’s
to be held in in 2026.
Madam President, the Corporation of Hamilton initiated constitutional proceedings in 2019 chal-lenging the Government’s Municipalities Reform Bill. While the Supreme Court of Bermuda, and subse-quently the Bermuda Court of Appeal, ruled in favour
of the Government, this matter is currently before the
Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with a decision pending following a hearing held in December
2024.
Madam President, in light of this, the Government deems it both necessary and responsible to postpone the scheduled 2025 municipal elections by one calendar year to May 2026. This will ensure that
the final outcome of the appeal process can be fully
considered prior to proceeding with any electoral or structural changes to Bermuda’s municipal governance. While the legal proceedings may not directly
impact the mechanics of the municipal elections, the
outcome could have significant implications for the
governance and structure of Corporations. Proceeding
with elections at this time could potentially result in unnecessary confusion, possible legal challenges or
the need to dismantle newly elected administrations if
the Privy Council’s decision leads to changes in the
existing municipal framework. It is therefore prudent to
await the Privy Council decision before holding elec-tions.
Madam President, it is also important to highlight that the timing of the Privy Council’s decision is entirely outside of the Government’s control. Although
the matter was heard in December 2024, the judicial
process is independent. And the delivery of a ruling remains at the discretion of the court. As such, postponing the elections is a prudent safeguard in showing that any future municipal actions are made with full
legal clarity.
Madam President, I give assurances that both
the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George’s were consulted in advance of the proposed legislative
amendment. Both have acknowledged the Government’s position, and neither has objected to the postponement.
And, Madam President, with your permission,
I would like to quote from the Royal Gazette,
March 24, 2025?

The President: Certainly you may.
Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President.
In fact, the Mayor of Hamilton has publicly
recognised the consultation as “a foundational step towards fostering a collaborative and positive relation-ship.”
The Bermuda Government has taken steps to
ensure that no additional operational cost will be in-curred by deferring the election. After discussion with
both Corporations, it was confirmed that postponement will not result in extra financial burdens for either the Government or the municipal bodies. Furthermore,
while the Parliamentary Registrar remains prepared to
carry out elections if required, election preparations
have been paused to avoid the inefficient use of public
resources during a period of legal uncertainty.
Madam President, in the event that vacancies
arise during the extended term, the Municipalities Act 1923 provides for extraordinary municipal elections.
This ensures that any individual posts that become
vacant can be filled promptly and democratically, preserving the continuity of governance and representation.
Madam President, for clarity, this is not an
erosion of democracy, but a responsible pause to ensure elections occur under a clear and stable legal
framework. It is a responsible step taken to avoid
holding elections in the midst of legal uncertainty.
Elections are a vital part of a democratic system, and
postponement in this context ensures that any future elections take place under stable and legally sound
conditions. The Government remains committed to
upholding democratic principles, maintaining the in64 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate tegrity of Bermuda’s democratic institutions, acting
transparently, and prioritising long- term stability and
good governance for the residents and businesses that fall under the remit of our municipalities.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Lauren Bell.
Would any Senator care to speak on this
amendment?
Senator Marcus Jones, OBA Leader in the
Senate, you have the floor.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President. I
would just like to thank the Junior Minister for giving
this brief on this Municipalities Amendment Act of
2025.
I could not help but take note of the Junior
Minister’s usage of the word “democracy” on several
occasions in her presentation, which really has
spurred me to look a little bit deeper at that word “democracy” before I give my contributions to this particu-lar debate. When we look at the word “democracy,”
Madam President, a democracy is a government
whose supreme power is vested in the people. And
they exercise these powers either directly or indirectly through a system of representation which, under normal circumstances, involves periodically held free
elections. Madam President, that is my simple lay-man’s understanding of what democracy is all about.
But when I look at the history of, in particular,
the Corporation of Hamilton and the Corporation of St. George’s, we know the history. Both of these Corporations have, from inception, been an Old Boys Club,
where the power in these two Corporations was held in the hands of very few persons who had power and
control over a large number of persons and business-es. And it never ceases to amaze me how this PLP Government’s pursuit of control and power exceeds
its pursuit of democracy.
For a people group who once were disadvantaged and were not a part of the electoral process to
now over the last, I guess it has been the last six
years since this amendment was first put to this
Chamber, Madam President . . . to watch them in real
time dismantle all of the framework of democracy in
these two Corporations, which once disadvantaged a
certain people group in this country, is astounding,
Madam President.
I will remind you, and in fact the listening audience, that back in March of 2019 we wrestled as a Senate with this particular amendment which the
Government brought first to the House (which was
accepted by the House), and then was voted down by
this Chamber, Madam President. I also note that the
Minister of Education, Minister Caesar, was also a
part of those deliberations back in March of 2019. So, it really amazes me that once upon a time we fought
and marched and protested for universal adult suffrage. And now, here we are in 2025 when we are going fast, looking at speeding fast toward taking
away brick -by-brick democracy as we know it.
Madam President, I found it necessary to actually go to the website of the Corporation of Hamilton,
for example. And if you may allow me to actually read their vision and their mission statement?

The President: You certainly may.
Sen. Marcus Jones: It is applicable to addressing
this particular amendment.
Madam President, the vision of the Corporation of Hamilton that was instituted in May of 2019 says, “ We will be a democratically elected, vibrant,
safe and clean city focused on economic growth and livability [sic].”
Madam President, their core values are accountable, collaborative, excellence, innovative, integrity, reliable, transparent and inclusivity. Madam President, those are very, very notable aspirations for the
Corporation of Hamilton. And no doubt similar aspirations can be found within the vision and mission of the
Corporation of St. George’s.
But, Madam President, if we were to go back
to March of 2019, there were a number of principles
that we grappled with even back then. One of them
was the fact that even at that time, the Mayor of St. George’s had conducted a poll back in 2019. And
94 per cent of those ratepayers of the residents and
business owners of St. George’s —94 per cent were
against there being a change in the legislation at that time. Back then the OBA was strongly against these
amendments to the Municipality Act, and nothing much has changed since then.
Back then it was seen as a hostile takeover by
the Government, which still is in power today. And
nothing has changed. Back then the legislation allowed for a Minister to have oversight of the operations and the decision- making of both Corporations.
That has not changed. So, Madam President, as we
fast-forward to here (we are in 2025), we are looking
at there being a delay in the voting and election of its
officers.
I go back to the terminology and the definition
used for “democracy,” and one of the important pillars of democracy is that there be free elections and that
they be held periodically. There is a certain comfort
and assurance when those who are actually voting for
these officials and those who are actually putting their hands up to put forward their services to serve these
Corporations come into it with an idea of the terms,
one of which is the time and the years that they will
actually be spending in service as an officer of the
Corporation.
So, when we look at the present Government
looking to delay those elections, it is just another will,
if not symbolic move by this Government, to tell the
public that we are not in favour of full democracy within these two Corporations, Madam President. And


Bermuda Senate because nothing has changed since that time as far
as our stance as the Opposition, we are in objection to
this particular amendment.
And as I was meditating on this terminology of
democracy and how we are seeing it being eroded in our society today, I cannot forget, Madam President,
the story of the rabbi who was born over 2,000 years
ago who walked the hills of Galilee and Judea, who
turned to his followers and said to them, “ You are the
salt of the earth. ” Madam President, we hear that
phrase used often. But when you study and look at it, I believe it is applicable for even what is happening in
our political arena today.
Back in March of 2019, as we debated and
discussed and deliberated this particular amendment,
and as we on this side of the aisle put up the red flag
for our community to give some warnings that our democracy is being taken advantage of, we are reminded of how salt has a preservative attribute about
it and that it is able to preserve food, meat specifically,
from being spoiled. Another characteristic of salt is that it slows down the acceleration of decay and deterioration.
So when I look back on the last six years, how
that decision that was made in the Senate to actually
slow down the dismantling of democracy within the
realm of the Corporations of Hamilton and St.
George’s, I can see that we as a political group were able to add salt to this process by slowing down the
dismantling of democracy, so much so that we have
had six years where both Corporations have been able to have free elections. No doubt we all know that
over the last six years there have been one or two
times when those elections were not able to be held at the time that [they were] originally prescribed to be
held. But, Madam President, over the last six years, these Corporations have been able to function and operate entirely under the umbrella of democracy in
action.
But we know the inevitability of what is going
on here. And we do appreciate that the Government
was able to go and consult with the mayors of both
Corporations. And we see that they were not in objection to it. But, Madam President, I sincerely believe that these mayors and their counsellors and aldermen
are tired. They are weary. They are tired of the fight
and the battle for democracy, for being able to have
things the way where its citizens and businesses are
able to vote for their direct representatives, so much
so, Madam President, I am not surprised that they capitulated and said, Well, let it be the way you want it
to be.
But, Madam President, I can safely and confidently stand here and say that the One Bermuda Alliance, as the loyal Opposition in these Islands, are
here with our purpose of demanding and defending democracy as far as we can take it. And we will continue to stand very strongly and advocate for every
area in this country that has democracy under attack. We will stand, and we will make a sound and loud defence in favour of democracy.
So, Madam President, with those short words,
I will say that we as the Opposition object to this
amendment, and we thank you for the time given me.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Marcus Jones,
OBA Leader in the Senate.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

SENATE VISITOR

The President: And before I open the floor to other
Senators to speak, I would just like to acknowledge,
welcome and recognise Mr. Andrew Pettit, the Permanent Secretary for Housing and Municipalities, who
is in the Chamber.

BILL

SECOND READING

MUNICIPALITIES AMENDMENT ACT 2025

[Continuation thereof]
The President: Would any other Senator care to
speak on this Bill?
Vice President John Wight, you have the floor.
Sen. John Wight: Thank you, Madam President.
I think this can be argued either way. My view
is I am not opposed to it. I think it is collaboration taking place. I took note of the Charles Gosling’s comments in the paper. And he certainly was supportive of the engagement that we always look for in advance of
Bills being brought forward to the House and to the
Senate. I just think there are so many more important
issues that we are dealing with in Bermuda at the
moment that this one to me is sort of six of one, half
dozen of the other. So, I am not going to oppose it. I will support it. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Vice President.
Would any other Senator care to speak?
Senator Tannock, you have the floor.
Sen. Tawana Tannock: Yes. Thank you, Madam
President.
I get really nervous any time we talk about
suspending elections. I do not think it sets a good
precedent. I really admire anybody who serves,
whether it be in either House or in the Corporation of
Hamilton and Corporation of St. George’s. However,
what I will say is that it is not unusual for elected officials to agree to suspend elections. So, I would not
66 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate take that endorsement to say that this is the right thing
to do. I can tell you that I am not and will not be in favour of this Bill.
The President: Thank you, Senator Tannock.
Would any other Senator care to speak on
this Bill?
Minister Wilkerson, Attorney General, you
have the floor.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you, Madam
President.
And to members of the listening audience, I
thought it was interesting to hear Senator Jones’s dis-sertation and history lesson on democracy after his (in
his own words) admission of “meditation” on the topic.
Madam President, this is a practical issue. In
the event that these elections were to go ahead this
year and then there was a decision of the Privy Council that could potentially undo things that were determined, there would be a hue and cry about the Gov-ernment’s waste of resources. This measure is being
responsible. And while I have heard my colleague,
Senator Tannock, say she is opposed because it is a
suspension, it is a delay by one year. That is the ask here. This is not an effort to undo democracy. It is
merely to delay it. And those who are opposed seem
to have conveniently overshadowed, I think, the pur-pose of the delay in this case.
Members of the public will know that this has
been a drawn- out legal battle where it has been the
Corporation which has continued to appeal the decisions. It was not the Government of Bermuda who
simply said, Fine. We’re going to simply delay open-endedly and move the ability for there to be democratic elections in the City of Hamiton. That was not the case. The matter was, as we know and I will reiterate
it, that the Supreme Court of Bermuda ruled in favour
of the Government as articulated in the judgment, The
Corporation of Hamilton v . the Attorney General and
the Government of Bermuda in 2019.
The Corporation of Hamilton then appealed
that decision in the Bermuda Court of Appeal in No-vember 2021. The Court of Appeal again ruled in fa-vour of the Government, as articulated in the judgment, The Corporation of Hamilton v . the Attorney
General and the Governor of Bermuda in 2022. It was
the Corporation of Hamilton that then appealed to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in December
of 2024. Now, the point at which we are at right now is that the respective parties are currently awaiting the
decision.
Madam President, the Opposition Senate
Leader opposite seemed to suggest some attribution to the agreement of the mayors to their collaborative
stance on this. I found that befuddling actually, be-cause he could bring no evidence of what their motivation might have been for agreeing to the collaboration. But the fact is that they have collaborated. They have been consulted. And, like practical people, they
are probably saying, It’s just a practical matter to
agree to this delay so that things can be done properly and in order once that Privy Council decision is rendered. And that is what the ask is. This is a matter of
practicality, Madam President. And I hope that the
people of Bermuda will see that it is that and not any
other thing that is a brick -by-brick demolition of democracy. That certainly is not the case, Madam Presi-dent.
Those are my comments, and I believe that
members of the listening public will certainly be in favour of measures by this Government that are practical and support not a waste of resources. Again, I
would just summarise by saying this is not saying
there will be no democracy. This piece of legislation is
saying it should wait just 12 months, when 2025 be-comes 2026, in order that the decision from the Privy
Council can be obtained.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Honourable Minister of
Justice and Attorney General, Minister Kim Wilkerson.
Would any other Senator care to speak on
this Bill?
Hearing none, then it is back to you, Senator
Lauren Bell.

Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President. And
thank you, colleagues, for your input.
I just want to first acknowledge Senator
Jones. I appreciate your recognition of Bermuda’s history and what many recognise, the uncomfortable his-tory surrounding the municipalities. So, I appreciate
the recognition of Bermuda’s chequered past.
I want to reiterate that the Government’s position on this is that proceeding with elections under uncertainty could disrupt the continuity and the governance if legal rulings call for structural changes.
Holding elections while awaiting a potentially transformative ruling could lead to confusion and require
reversing electoral outcomes. The Government believes it is more prudent to wait for the court’s final
decision before proceeding with a vote that could be
rendered moot or could misalign with the restructured governance framework.
This Government does not view this as an
erosion of democracy. And as my colleague has high-lighted, this is a practical matter. This is a responsible step taken to avoid holding elections amidst legal uncertainty. Elections are a vital part of our democracy,
our democratic system. And postponement in this
context ensures that any future elections take place
under stable and legally sound conditions.
It is important to note that consultation was
had with those municipalities, and both are in full
agreement with this postponement. And for those of
you who are familiar with the Municipalities Act [1923],
it was not that long ago the municipalities’ elections


Bermuda Senate were held every three years. It was not until recently
that it was moved to two.
It is important to recognise that the Act does
allow for extraordinary municipal elections if needed. So, if one of the members of either of the Corpora-tions needed to step away, the Act does ensure that a
postponement period can be filled promptly, preserving democratic presentations and operational continui-ty. With that, Madam President, I now ask for
consideration for the Bill entitled Municipalities Amendment Act 2025 to be now read a second time.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion?
No objection.
Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President.
I move that the Bill entitled Municipalities
Amendment Act 2025 be now read a third time.
The President: You have to suspend [Standing Order] 26.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 26
Sen. Lauren Bell: I apologise. I apologise.
Madam President, I move that [Standing Order] 26 be suspended in respect to this Bill.

The President: Is there any objection to that motion?
No objection.

[Motion carried: Standing Order 26 suspended.]
Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President.
I move that the Bill entitled the Municipalities
Amendment Act 2025 be now read a third time.
The President: Is there any objection to the third
reading?
No objection.

BILL

THIRD READING

MUNICIPALITIES AMENDMENT ACT 2025
Sen. Lauren Bell: Madam President, I move that the
Bill do now pass.

The President: Is there any objection to the passage
of the Bill?

[Inaudible interjections]

The President: I will ask the Clerk then since
there . . .
[Crosstalk]

The President: Do we have a second?
So, there are three and four. There are four
objections.
[Crosstalk]

The President: Senators, as there are four objections
. . . or there are objections, more than three, we will
have a vote. The [Deputy] Clerk will call out names, and you will respond.
The Deputy Clerk: It has been moved that the Municipalities Amendment Act 2025 be passed.
If you are in agreement with the passage of
the Bill, say Aye. If you are opposed to the passage, say Nay.

DIVISION
[Third reading and passage of the Municipalities
Amendment Act 2025]

Ayes: 7 Nays: 4
Sen. Lauren Bell Sen. Victoria Cunningham
Sen. the Hon. C. Caesar Sen. Maurice Foley
Sen. Mischa Fubler Sen. Marcus Jones
Sen. Lindsay Simmons Sen. Tawana Tannock
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson
Sen. John Wight
Sen. the Hon. Joan Dillas -Wright

The Deputy Clerk: With a vote of seven to four, the
Bill passes.

[Motion passed by majority on division: The Municipalities Amendment Act 2025 was given a third reading
and passed.]
The President: Thank you, Senators. The Bill has
been passed with a seven- to-four vote. And therefore,
Senators, we now pass . . . do the final reading of the
Bill.
[Pause]

Sen. Lauren Bell: Madam President, I move that the
Bill do now pass.

The President: It has been moved that the Bill do
now pass. Thank you, Senator.
The Bill is passed. I was just reading about
the second reading of the Municipalities Amendment Act 2025 . . . it is now passed. Thank you, Senators,
for your contributions.
We will now move on now to item number 3
on our Orders of the Day.
68 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Oh, I beg your pardon. I have just been reminded of the time. Senators, it is now 25 minutes
past noon. We do have more business to do.
So, I am suggesting, Madam Attorney General, that the Senate do break for lunch. Would you please lead us to lunch?

Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Yes.
I move that Senate do now adjourn for lunch.
Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senators.
So, we will adjourn for lunch, and we will return at two o’clock. Senate stands adjourned.
Thank you.

Proceedings suspended at 12:28 pm

Proceedings resumed at 2:02 pm
The President: Senators and the listening audience,
we are back in session now to continue with our Orders of the Day. And the next Order of the Day is the
second reading of the Employment Amendment Act
2025. And that is in the name of Senator Lauren Bell, the Junior Minister of Economy and Labour.
Senator Bell, when you are ready you can
present your Bill.

Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, I move that the Bill entitled
the Employment Amendment Act 2025 be now read
for the second time.

The President: Is there any objection to that motion?
No objection.

BILL

SECOND READING

EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2025

Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President.
Good afternoon, colleagues and listening audience.
I am pleased to introduce today a Bill entitled
the Employment Amendment Act 2025 which proposes to clarify under statute the calculation of paid leave for employees who receive gratuities and service
charges (hereafter referred to as “other gratuities”), and, in particular, to clarify this for those employees
who receive such as a part of a minimum hourly wage
rate. This Bill follows the Ministry of Economy and Labour’s commitment to foster meaningful relationships
with both industry and employers and maintain an equitable community.
Madam President, prior to 1 March 2024,
there was no definition for “gratuity” or “service charges” in the Employment Act 2000, the principal Act . And both are considered in some industries to fall within the general term of “tip.”
Madam President, it was not intended for gratuities and service charges to be included in the defini-tion of a week’s wage. Pursuant to the principal Act,
even though the Employment (Minimum [ Hourly
Wage]) Order 2023 (the Order) permits the use of gratuities and service charges to supplement the minimum hourly wage rate. When the Order came into
force, it was intended that all statutory leave be remunerated at the minimum hourly wage rate. However,
Madam President, the Employment (Protection of
Employee’s Tips and Other Gratuities) Amendment
Act 2023, which came into force on 1 March 2024,
differentiates tips from other gratuities, effectively impacting the calculation of a week’s wage for an employee whose wages vary from week to week.
Madam President, for clarity, (and this is very
important) prior to the enactment of the minimum
hourly wage rate in June 2021, employees whose
wages varied from week to week were entitled to re-ceive paid leave on an average of the previous 12weeks worked. So, for example, if employees were
paid a base rate of $6.00 per hour, this would be the
hourly rate at which their leave would be calculated.
With a base rate of $6.00 per hour, workers could not
afford to take sick leave or vacation leave. And once
one factors in statutory deductions, some workers were reported receiving negative pay. Subsequent to
the enactment of the Order, employees were entitled
to paid leave [for] at least the minimum hourly wage rate of $16.40.
And this example is important, Madam President, as it highlights the significant work done by this Government to combat inequalities and increase protection for workers.
Madam President, the effect of the 1 March
2024 amendment was that employees’ leave entitlement will be calculated to include all other gratuities
earned during the previous 12 [ weeks’ ] work. For employees who earned an average salary, for example,
of $25.00 an hour over the previous 12 weeks worked ,
inclusive of other gratuities, their leave entitlement
would be set at $25.00 per hour during the period of
which they were absent f rom the workplace, as opposed to the minimum hourly wage rate of $16.40,
which was the original intention of the Order.
Madam President, interpreting other gratuities
as wages impacts the calculation of a week’s wage for
employees who receive other gratuities in a way that is extremely unpredictable and creates uncertainty
and undue financial burdens for businesses as it adversely affects the ability of businesses to calculate
and budget for employees’ costs. Recognising this,
the Ministry held a meeting with the Bermuda Hotel
Association to assess the immediate impact on their membership and shortly thereafter convened a special
meeting of the Labour Advisory Council (the LAC) to


Bermuda Senate discuss these concerns and reach a consensus on the
most reasonable and just way forward.
Madam President, it is important to pause
here to remind us, those in the Senate as well as the
listening audience, that the Labour Advisory Council that was established 1960 is a non- statutory tripartite
government board tasked with the advancing of industrial relations and garnering consensus amongst its
members to make recommendations concerning legislative amendments, policies and standards regarding
the Bermuda labour force.
Over the years, the work of the LAC has positively impacted the labour force and has further harmonious industrial relations between Government,
employer groups and worker groups. It symbolises the
effectiveness of collaboration and meaningful social
dialogue amongst its stakeholders. The LAC compris-es of Government representatives, employer and
worker groups as equal and independent partners,
working together to find solutions to the issues facing
Bermuda’s labour force through social dialogue or tripartism.

Madam President, as it pertains specifically to
the matter before us today, the members of the LAC
at the aforementioned special meeting expressed their
discontent with how the 12- week calculation method
would impact the hospitality industry and smaller
properties. They agreed that paid leave entitlement for
employees who receive other gratuities should be
clarified, particularly where the other gratuities sup-plement an employee’s minimum wage rate.
Madam President, pursuant to the Bill “other
gratuities” are excluded from the definition of a week’s wages for the purpose of calculating an employee’s
time off entitlement. This ensures that employers are not adversely affected by the unintended conse-quence of the 1 March 2024 amendment, while also
safeguarding the leave entitlement of employees who
receive the minimal hourly [wage] rate as part of their
wages.
Madam President, not only will this Bill have
retroactive effect to coincide with the 1 March 2024
amendment, but it provides that any payment of other gratuities which took place during this period shall not
constitute as overpayment for which an employer is
entitled to be reimbursed. I reiterate, Madam President, if an employer paid an employee more than the
minimum hourly wage rate as part of paid leave entitlement, the employee does not have to reimburse the employer. And for further clarification, the Employment Act sets minimum standards. And in this case
the minimum standard for paid leave entitlement is a
minimum hourly wage rate. An employer can pay
more than the minimum hourly wage rate for a paid
leave entitlement, however, that is a matter between the employer and the employee.
Madam President, it is envisioned that these
amendments provide both workers and employers the clarity needed regarding employee’s leave entitlement
and would further assist with the maintenance of a
stable workforce in Bermuda by reducing the likelihood of business operational challenges in this regard.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Lauren Bell, Junior Minister of Economy and Labour.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

SENATE VISITOR
The President: And before I open the floor to Senators to ask questions, I would like to acknowledge and
welcome to the Senate Chamber, Ms. Gabrielle Cann,
the Director of Labour. Welcome to you.
[Employment Amendment Act 2025, second reading
debate, continuing]

The President: Would any Senator care to speak on
this?
Yes, Senator Marcus Jones, Opposition
Leader in the Senate. You have the floor.

Sen. Marcus Jones: Good afternoon, Madam President.
The President: Good afternoon.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Good afternoon to the listening
audience and my fellow Senate colleagues.
Let me first start off by declaring my interest. I
am a hotelier. I have been one for the last —ahem —
years. This clarification and briefing, I would like to
thank the Junior Minister of Economy and Labour for
giving us that very comprehensive clarification of an
issue that has been a little bit of a conundrum for the
last year. And I think the clarity will be embraced by
the wider public, more specifically within the restaurant and hotel industries.
I also want to pause to applaud the Government for their very detailed and concerted effort in
collaborating with the powers that be, that being the
Labour Advisory Council and the Bermuda Hotel As-sociation to come to a meeting of the minds. And I
think this type of practice is to be applauded because
it, this amendment at least, surely removes all doubts
of what the calculation should be for those who work
in those industries to have as part of a calculation for
their paid leave. So, we on this side of the aisle, we do support this amendment wholeheartedly.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Marcus Jones.
Would any other Senator care to speak on
this Bill?
70 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report
B ermuda Senate Hearing none, Senator, it seems you have full
support. Would you care to move your Bill then? Oh
. . . sorry, Minister, were you indicating you were going to speak? I’m sorry. I did not see you.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you, Madam
President. I didn’t indicate but you saw the indication was coming.
[
Laughter]
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: And I appreciate that.
I just wanted to say at this junction before my
colleague closes that the Government certainly ap-preciates the green pom- poms waving–
[
Laughter]
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: —on the other side. It
didn’t go unnoticed.
But I took the point that this level of collaboration which Senator Jones is highlighting is what should be the standard. I appreciate that comment.
Thank you.
The President: Thank you, Minister.
With that said then, Minister Bell, it is for you
to move your Bill.
Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President.
I, like my colleague, would like to
acknowledge the kind words extended to the Government regarding the support for this amendment and also the emphasis on the effective use of collabo-ration with all stakeholders. It definitely shows the
power of consultation and collaboration. So I appreciate that.
The President: Mm -hmm.
Sen. Lauren Bell: Madam President, with that said, I
move that the Bill entitled the Employment Amend-ment Act 2025 be now read a second time.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion?
No objection.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 25
Sen. Lauren Bell: Madam President, I move that
[Standing Order] 26 be suspended in respect to this
Bill.
The President: I s there any objection to that motion?
No objection.
[Motion c arried: Standing Order 26 suspended.] Sen. Lauren Bell: Madam President, I move that the
Bill entitled Employment Amendment Act 2025 be now
read a third time.
The President: Is there any objection to third reading?
No objection.
BILL
THIRD READING
EMPLOYMENT AMENDMENT ACT 2025
Sen. Lauren Bell: Madam President, I move that the
Bill do now pass.
The President: It has been moved that the Bill entitled Employment Amendment Act 2025 do now pass.
Is there any objection to that motion?
No objection.
The Bill is passed.
Thank you, Senators, for your support of the
Bill.
[
Motion carried: The Employment Amendment Act
2025 was read a third time and passed.]
The President: We will now move on to our next item
on our Orders of the Day.
And that is the Motion to be moved by Senator the Honourable Caesar, spokesperson for Fi-nance.
You have the floor.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 71(2)
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Thank you, Madam
President.
Madam President, I move that Standing Order
71(2) be suspended.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion?
No objection.
[
Motion carried: Standing Order 71(2) suspended.)
MOTION
THAT MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE
LEGISLATURE (SALARIES AND PENSIONS)
ACT 1975 SCHEDULE 2 BE AMENDED
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Thank you, Madam
President.
I move that the Senate do now undertake for
consideration the following resolution:


Bermuda Senate WHEREAS it is provided by section 3 of the
Ministers and Members of the Legislature (Salaries
and Pensions) Act 1975 (the principal Act) that
Schedule 2 to the principal Act may be amended from
time to time by resolution passed by both the Senate
and the House of Assembly;
AND WHEREAS it is expedient that Schedule 2 to the principal Act be now amended;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Honourable House
of Assembly and the Senate, pursuant to the provi-sions of section 3 of the Ministers and Members of the Legislature (Salaries and Pensions) Act 1975, hereby
amend Schedule 2 to the said Act by —
i. inserting immediately below the office of
“Premier,” the offices of “Deputy Premier” and
“Attorney General”; and “Minister of Finance”
ii. deleting the office of “Parliamentary Secretaries” and substituting the office of “Junior Ministers.”
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Minister.
Would any Senator care to speak on this motion?
No . . . Minister. It would appear you have full
support.
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Yes, Madam President, in the absence of any additional comments we
on this side are grateful for the support.

The President: Okay. We can now pass the resolution.
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Madam President, I
move that the motion aforementioned be read a sec-ond time.

The President: Be approved.

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Be approved.

The President: Is there any objection to the approval
of the motion?
No objection.
It is approved. And thank you, Minister, and
Senators for your support of the motion.
Now, Senators, that leaves us to continue with
our agenda.

[Motion carried: Amendment to Schedule 2 of the
Members of the Legislature (Salaries and Pensions)
Act 1975, was approved.]

MOTIONS

The President: There are none.
CONGRATULATORY AND/OR
OBITUARY SPEECHES

The President: Would any Senator care to speak on
either of these items?
[Pause]
The President: I beg your pardon, Senator Fubler.

Sen. Mischa Fubler: Thank you, Madam President.

The President: You have your hand so low I can’t
see it.
Sen. Mischa Fubler: I’ll start raising it higher.

The President: Please do. That’s fine. You have the
floor.
Sen. Mischa Fubler: Thank you. I had the pleasure of
attending the Gold Bermudians documentary film series over the weekend. I just wanted to give my congratulations to the Department of Culture. It was an
excellent night. And I learned quite a bit. I didn’t know much about the four people highlighted in the documentaries and I encourage anyone in the listening
public who has curiosity about our history to go and
check them out. They are available on the Department
of Culture’s YouTube. And I understand that they may
be played on CITV as well.
The President: Mm-hmm.

Sen. Mischa Fubler: Thanks.

The President: Thank you, Senator Mischa Fubler.
Would any other Senator . . .

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Yes, Madam.

The President: Yes, Minister.
Minister Crystal Caesar .
[Crosstalk]
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Yes, Madam President, I was remiss last week when I did not give congratulations to the young people whose events I attended in the last month, that being two events that stand out in my mind, in particular it was inaugural
Verbal Victory Spelling Bee finals which happened at
The Berkeley Institute.
I have to say, Madam President, I am used to
being on stage but usually I am moving and I don’t
see the audience. And when I was called up on stage
after the bee had finished and I had to present, I saw
that these young people basically were sitting in front
of an audience of faces with lights beaming in their
72 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate eyes and they were being tested on the words that
they had to study for the spelling bee. And so I think it
is admirable that these young people from ages 9 to
13 (I believe it was) did such a remarkable job.
And again, these were the finals and so I congratulate them. I congratulate the team coaches who
coached them to such impeccable standards. It was
inspirational and though there could only be one winner, I must say that they all where phenomenal and I
applaud all of them.
In particular, I also wanted to thank the person
whose brainchild this was. She is a member of constituency 31, which I previously was the MP of, and
that was Justice Norma Wade- Miller, OBE, JP. I had
talked to her a few years ago and she had talked
about the spelling bee and it was wonderful to see it
come to fruition. And so I do have the names of the winners here and I would just like to call them by
name.
The overall winner was Mr. Jared Anante, age
10, from Somersfield Academy. The runner up was
Olivia Brown, age 12, from Warwick Academy . And
the second runner up was Samatha Hernandez, age
13, from Dellwood Middle school.
And if I could quickly also mention that I attended the Minister’s Debate Challenge [2025] on another Sunday. And again, just to see these young
people in the way that they perform and the way that they execute themselves, it was phenomenal. And I
wanted to congratulate the Mirrors programme who
supported Mr. Gladstone Thompson, who put on this event. Again, I attended the finals and it was wonderful to see such young people executing themselves in
a fashion that was beyond their years. And so, I do believe that we have some great things in our future.
And I am committed to ensuring that we support all these young people in their efforts.
So, again, I say congratulations to the debaters. Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Minister Caesar.
Senator Cunningham, you have . . . Sorry. I
beg your pardon.
Yes, Senator Victoria Cunningham, you have
the floor.

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: Thank you, Madam
President.
So going back to what we somewhat spoke
about earlier, we often hear about the challenges facing some of our educational institutions, but I think it is
crucial to acknowledge and celebrate their success.
So, recently, CedarBridge Academy had obviously the
difficult time we spoke about and was highlighted earlier but I wanted to emphasise that these incidents do
not define the entire school community.
Last week, as was reported in the news, CedarBridge Academy showcased their dedication to
fostering a rich and diverse learning environment through a highly successful Foreign Languages Week.
Evidence of the week’s activities demonstrates the
student’s enthusiasm and the hard work of their faculty. So, I think this celebration of language and culture
is a testament to the positive initiatives taking place within that school and, in fact, all our schools. And it is
a reminder that despite the setbacks CedarBridge
Academy is a place where students are learning,
growing and achieving remarkable things.
So, I just feel that we can’t let negative press
overshadow the wonderful contributions that Cedar-Bridge Academy is making.
And then since we are going on break, Madam President, I would like to celebrate and acknowledge the upcoming Bermuda College 50
th
Anniversary Gala which is taking place this weekend. I unfortunately have prior commitments so I am unable
to attend, but I hope it goes well and extend my
warmest wishes for a memorable evening celebrating
the honourees and the ongoing success of Bermuda College.
And I would also like to take a moment, Madam President, to celebrate our local sports community. I extend my congratulations to the football team
Inter BDA on t heir recent victory claiming the Corona
League title. This win is a testament to the work, dedication and sportsmanship. And a personal note of
pride, my cousin’s son, Rory McKittrick , is a valued
member of the Inter BDA scene and I think having
watched him and his teammates, their success is truly inspiring. They are one of Bermuda’s newest football teams. But I just wanted to say congratulations to Inter
BDA on their well -deserved victory.
Madam President, I would like to end by extending warmest wishes for a safe and happy Easter
to my colleagues, the rest of Bermuda, our listening audience and may this holiday bring us peace, joy and
a time to connect with loved ones. And probably lots of fish cakes and hot cross buns. So Happy Easter.

[Laughter]

The President: Thank you, Senator Victoria Cunningham.
Yes, Senator Foley . . . (Sorry. I saw him first.)
You have the floor.

Sen. Maurice Foley: Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to extend congratulations to
Elaine Fox of St. David’s on the release of her book “The Community of Southside, St. David’s: Before,
During and After World War II.” This incredible book is
a testament to the rich history, resilience and legacy
of St. David’s, capturing the stories of a community
that has shaped Bermuda in profound ways. To
Elaine, who is listening today, your dedication to pre-serving and sharing this important history ensures that
future generations will understand and appreciate the
sacrifices, triumphs and unique culture of Southside,


Bermuda Senate St. David’s. Through your meticulous research and
storytelling, you have given our community a valuable
gift, one that connects us to our past and strengthens
our identity moving forward. Thank you for your passion and commitment to ensuring that the history of St. David’s is never forgotten. This book will serve as
an essential resource for all who wish to learn more
about the vibrant and historic past of our beloved
community. Well done!
Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Foley.
Would any other Senator care to speak?
I did see Senator Lindsay Simmons, first of
all. And then Senator Jones.
Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, I just want to thank constituencies 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 for coming together this
Saturday to host the Easter Fun Day for the Devon-shire [and] Smith residents and all are welcome so
please come out. It is a free event. I just to congratulate those constituencies for putting through this
event. It will at Elliot [ Primary School ] from 12:00 pm
to 6:00 pm. We will see you on Saturday!
The President: Thank you.
And now, Senator Marcus Jones, OBA Leader
in the Senate, you have the floor.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President.
I would like for this Chamber to send condolences to the family of the late George Francis, laid to rest at the age of 76, a week ago. He was a neighbour
of mine, born in Jamaica. He loved the game of crick-et. He was not only a player. He started his career as an early order batsman for Somerset Bridge. He finished his playing career at the Willow Cuts and then
became a well -known accomplished umpire. He didn’t
stop there but he eventually went on to be an interna-tional umpire that was able to utilise his skills throughout the world. He was a very jovial, good- natured
man, passionate about his cricket, but just passionate
about life. He had a thriving trucking business there in
the Somerset community, and of course, all across
the Island. I would just like for him to be remembered
and condolences sent to his family.
Madam President, I would also like to have
this Chamber extend condolences to the family of the late Leo “Mr. C” Manuel Custodio. A long- time resident of Jennings Bay Road in Southampton. He was a
generous, kind, deeply loved man. He was a man of
faith who was devoted to his church, the Calvary
Gospel Chapel. I encountered him at the tender age
of 7 or 8. Back then, Madam President, as you would probably know, I guess because of my Mom’s discernment that I was double- trouble, she felt that I needed to go to Sunday school twice on a Sunday as opposed to just once.
[Laughter]

Sen. Marcus Jones: So in addition to my family
church, the Beulah Tabernacle Church there in Somerset, my mom compelled my brother and I to attend
what we used to call the “Portuguese Church” there at
Calvary Church. And he would pick us up every Sunday and take us to church. I had a lot of time for Mr. Custodio. He was a very well dressed man, very stylish. Of course, he owned Custodio’s Men’s Clothing
store right there on Church Street, not far from the fire
station. But one of his passions also was golf. And he
was the founder of the Bermuda Junior Golf Association. He dedicated his life to nurturing young talent in this sport that he loved. So much so that he was recognised for his contribution to the sport by receiving
the Queen’s Certificate of Honour in 2011 for his lifelong dedication and impact on the game of cricket in
Bermuda. So, we would love to extend condolences to
his family.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Marcus Jones.
Would any other Senator care to speak?
Hearing none, I would just like to associate
myself with the comments, the congratulations by Minister Caesar on the Spelling Bee competition amongst
students. I will say that I was in attendance myself.
And I agree with you, the students really were very
confident in the manner in which they conducted themselves in front of this large audience and they
were on the stage. It was just absolutely wonderful to
see.
And I would also like to associate myself with
Senator Cunningham’s congratulations to Bermuda
College. I think that is an institution in our Island that
is doing very good work.
With that said then we will now move on to
adjournment. Minister Wilkerson, Attorney General, it
is over to you. Unless you . . . were you going to
speak on . . . We have reached that point of adjournment and I just wanted—

ADJOURNMENT
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Yes, Madam President, if there are no other speakers on the motion to
adjourn, I would just like to take a couple of minutes.
Thank you.

The President: Please do.

BERMUDA ENCOURAGED TOGET BACK TO
CORE VALUES
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you.
74 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Madam President and members of the listening audience, today, or for this evening at least, I was
invited to attend an event called “Beyond the Dream”
featuring Dr. Martin Luther King’s call for a revolution
of values. This event is being put on this evening at the BIU. Glenn Fubler, activist, is one of the people
behind this event. And certainly, being invited to participate at this event caused me to reflect (obviously)
because the event, as I said, is marking an anniversary of one of Dr. King’s speeches. And this is the one
time to break silence where Dr. King is talking about the war in Vietnam, obviously talking to US citizens.
And it occurred to me that the events that we are seeing in the world right now unfortunately mirror some of
the strife that was happening back in 1967. And it is
certainly a time for I think all citizens of the world to be
vigilant and to not be silent and to think about how they stand up for values.
I heard my colleague across the aisle, Senator Jones, talk about he had to go to Sunday School two days, so twice on a Sunday.

[Laughter]

Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: And I note, Madam
President, that very often children, even those in my
own family, the nieces and nephews and grands, they
do not attend Sunday School as regularly as we used to back in the day. And when we think about a revolution of values, Madam President, I think it is definitely
a time to be getting back to core values that inform who we are as citizens and how we could stand up for
things in the world.
And so, Madam President, this invitation certainly encouraged me to go back and start to listen to
some of the iconic speeches. And it certainly had
been lost on me, today being our last day before Easter break and the last time we will meet as Senate
in April, that it would have been 57 years ago tomorrow that Dr. King made his very last speech, which is
the most well -known and iconic speech, which is often
called “I have a Dream.” But he is talking about that
mountain top, going to the mountain top. And it was a
speech that he made the evening before he was as-sassinated. And when I think about the fact that I was
a five -year-old child at that time, we know that everything that Dr. King has stood for has certainly infused
where we are and how we think about the world.
And I guess I am using this time, Madam
President, to say that, you know, my challenge to those listening and to parents is to . . . this is a time to
acquaint your children with this iconic learning. And
with the values that we have heard talked about today, that sometimes we are only getting . . . if you go
to Sunday School in the busyness of life, that is what parents are facing today.
So, Madam President, as we break for Easter,
I would also like to say Happy Easter to the listening
public and to our Senate colleagues. When we return, we should return rejuvenated for having our heads
down for a very, very busy budget season.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Minister Wilkerson.
But I do want to at this time call on Senator
Foley who had indicated he would like to give his maiden speech.
Senator Foley, you have the floor.

Sen. Maurice Foley: Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, fellow Senators, and the
people of Bermuda. Before I begin, I would like to
acknowledge Senator the Honourable Kim Wilkerson
and thank her for her kind words and her words of
encouragement. So, thank you for that.

MAIDEN SPEECH
Sen. Maurice Foley: I rise before you today with the
profound sense of humility and gratitude as I embark on this journey as a newly appointed Senator in our
beloved Bermuda. This moment is not solely mine. It
is a culmination of the unwavering support, sacrifices
and guidance of many who have walked this path before me and alongside me.
I want to thank the Opposition Leader, the
Honourable Jarion Richardson, my colleagues and Members of Parliament, Dwayne Robinson, Robin
Tucker and Dr. Douglas DeCouto and the One Bermuda Alliance for placing their trust in me. And I thank
the people of Bermuda for this immense honour.
As I reflect on the history, the present and the
future of this esteemed Senate, I am reminded of the significant weight of responsibility that lies upon us
and the role we must all play in shaping the future of
our great Island.
Madam President, to the resilient and spirited
community of St. David’s, where I was born and
raised, I owe a debt of gratitude. Your unwavering
support and belief in my vision have been the bedrock
of my journey. St. David’s embodies the essence of
Bermudian strength and unity. And it is my solemn
pledge to represent your interests and uphold the values that bind us together. St. David’s has a long and storied history that is often overlooked but must never
be forgotten. Our people are descendants of native
Americans, free and enslaved Africans, and European
settlers. Each of whom played a role in shaping our unique identity.
The St. David’s islanders have long been
known for their sea- faring expertise, unwavering
community spirit and deep connection to the land and
sea. Our traditions and the pride we take in our heritage are testaments to our resilience and cultural
depth. However, we have also faced great challenges.
The displacement of St. David’s families during the
construction of the US Military Base in the 1940s is a
painful chapter in our history, one that we must


Bermuda Senate acknowledge as we seek opportunities for future generations. Today we must continue to push for a sustainable development that honours our past while securing a prosperous future.
Madam President, our nations progress has
been shaped by the vision and dedication of remarkable individuals who dare to challenge the status quo
and pave the way for future generations. Among them
was the late Mr. Julian Hall, a friend, formidable lawyer, and former Member of Parliament. Mr. Halls’ brilliance in the courtroom was unparalleled and his commitment to justice and equality left an indelible
mark on our legal and political landscape. His eloquence and passion continue to inspire us to thrive for
a more just society.
I would also like to recognise the contributions
of the Honourable Dale Butler, my former principal. An esteemed educator, author and former Member of
Parliament. His leadership at St. George’s secondary
school and his tenure as Minister of Culture, Community Affairs, Sports and Social Rehabilitation have left an enduring impact on our society. His dedication to
education and culture preservation have been instrumental in shaping the lives of many Bermudians including my own.
To my mother, family and close friends your
love and sacrifices have been the guiding light illumi-nating my path. Your unwavering belief in my poten-tial, even during times of doubt has been a source of
strength and motivation. This achievement is as much
yours as it is mine. And I am eternally grateful for your presence in my life.
Madam President, the Senate of Bermuda
has a rich and significant history that stretches back to 1620. Over the centuries this institution has evolved,
providing counsel to the colony and later to the Gov-ernment of Bermuda. The Senate has consistently served as a vital part of Bermuda’s parliamentary process ensuring checks and balances and offering valuable debate on matters of national importance. From
its origins as the Legislative Council to its current form
established in 1968, the Senate has remained integral
to the governance of Bermuda. Today the Senate remains a body that represents the wisdom of experi-ence, the need for careful deliberation and the importance of balancing political interests with the needs
of the people. We as Senators have an obligation to
uphold this legacy of service and of duty.
Madam President, Bermuda stands at a
crossroads. We face challenges that demand innova-tive solutions, and we need a Senate that will rise to
meet those challenges head on. The state of voter
engagement in our country is a growing concern. Too
many of our people feel disconnected from the political process, disillusioned by what they perceive as a
lack of real change or progress. As Senators we must work to bridge this gap. It is our responsibility to not
only represent our constituents but also to encourage greater civic participation to engage with our commu-nities and to restore faith in that democratic process.
Madam President, one of the ways we can
start to address this is by fostering more transparent and open dialogue with the people of Bermuda. We must create platforms for engagement that reach all
corners of the Island, whether through more frequent
town hall [meetings], social media, or local outreach.
Voter education and involvement are key to ensuring
that the voices of all Bermudians are heard in this
Chamber.
Madam President, as a member of the One
Bermuda Alliance, I recognise the immense responsibility I have to the people of Bermuda. Our role in the
Senate is not merely to legislate but to ensure that
every decision we make serves the best interest of all
Bermudians. We must be accountable for the policies we pass and the consequences they bring. Whether it
is about economy, public works or social services, we
must hold ourselves to the highest standards of responsibility. I am committed to advancing policies that
create a better future for all Bermudians, regardless of
age, background or social economic status. I will work
tirelessly in my portfolio to improve the sectors of
Tourism, Culture and Sport; Youth, Social Development [and] Seniors; Economy and Labour; Public
Works; and Home Affairs.
Madam President, one area we must urgently
focus on is the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Our tourism sector is one of Bermuda’s most vital industries
yet there is much work to be done to ensure that it
remains sustainable and globally competitive. We
need a Bermuda Tourism Authority that is more re-sponsive to the needs of the industry, one that embraces new markets, new ideas and innovations that
will draw visitors from around the world while ensuring
that the benefits of tourism are shared throughout the
community. It is crucial that we reimagine Bermuda’s
tourism strategies and develop a forward- thinking vision for this important sector.
Madam President, in 1990, which was 35
years ago, I remember watching the television one
evening and a Bermuda shorts commercial aired. This
ad was part of Bermuda’s tourism campaign which
was designed to showcase the Island’s natural beauty and the relaxing vacation experience it offered. The
commercial emphasised Bermuda’s sweeping views,
vibrant nightlife, an idyllic setting, all while capturing
the essence of what made Bermuda a sought -after
destination. It is a memorable part of Bermuda’s tourism history. The voiceover many may remember, and I
will repeat it —sweeping views, late night blues , stirring sound, paradise found —perfectly encapsulated
the Island’s appeal during that era. And the tagline at
the end— a short trip to the perfect holiday —was intended to promote Bermuda as an easy, accessible luxurious getaway that could offer everyone, or everything one needed in a holiday: relaxation, adventure
and cultural richness. It was a simple but effective way
76 2 April 2025 Official Hansard Report
B ermuda Senate of selling Bermuda as a destination that promised
much more than just sun and sand.
Madam President, another critical challenge
we face is the need for a more sustainable energy environment. Bermuda’s future depends on transition-ing to renewable energy sources that will lower our
carbon footprint, reduce our dependence on import
fuel, and ultimately lower energy costs for Bermudi-ans. We must look toward other alternative energy sources to ensure that Bermuda is at the forefront of sustainability.
Madam President, equally important is the
need for food security. As we navigate global supply chain challenges, we must create systems that allow Bermuda to produce more of its own food. Supporting local agriculture, incentivising farmers and fostering great food resilience will ensure that Bermuda re-mains self -sufficient, especially in times of crisis. A
more sustainable future for Bermuda must include a strategy for both energy and food sustainability.
Madam President, as we look toward the future, I believe that the work of the Senate must focus on the long- term well -being of our people. We must
make decisions with an eye to the future ensuring that we leave a Bermuda that is stronger, more prosper-ous and more unified for future generations. We must continue to foster policies that encourage economic growth but also those that improve the quality of life for all Bermudians. I am particularly committed to initiatives that support our youth, our seniors and our
most vulnerable, while also enhancing the economy, creating jobs and ensuring a labour market that is fair and just for all. We must invest in our public works from the infrastructure that supports our economy to the services that maintain the well -being of our communities. And we must ensure that our home affairs policies are inclusive and protect the rights of all Ber-mudians. Together we have the opportunity to build a Bermuda that is resilient, innovative and inclusive. A Bermuda that not only survives but thrives in a changing world.
Madam President, in closing, I am honoured
to serve in this esteemed Chamber. I stand before you
today not only as a representative of the One Bermu-da Alliance but as a voice for all Bermudians. I am committed to ensuring that the Senate of Bermuda
remains a place of thoughtful debate, responsible decision -making, and forward -thinking solutions.
Madam President, together let us build a
Bermuda that reflects our highest aspirations, a Ber-muda that values democracy, accountability, sustain-ability and opportunity for all. I am ready to work
alongside all of you to make that vision a reality.
Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Foley.
Would any other Senator care to speak on the
motion to adjourn? Hearing none, then . . . Minister Wilkerson,
you . . .
Sorry, Senator Wight, were you . . . I thought
somebody else was willing to speak, and you were
not.
Now on the motion to adjourn, indicate when
we will meet again if you are not going to speak your-self.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you, Madam
President.
The Senate will now adjourn until June . . . It
is June 2.
The President: Yes. I think it was June 2.
I think you had given out dates that we will
be . . .
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: June 2.
The President: Yes.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Yes. Monday, June 2.
The President: June 2.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you, Madam
President.
The President: Yes.
Senators, I would just like to make a comment, though, that I want to thank each and every one of you for your work today and last week. And as has been mentioned, by Senator Cunningham, that, you know, this is the Easter period and it is a blessed time
and I just want to not only thank you for the services
you have provided these last week and today, but also to wish you all a blessed Easter and with your families it is a very important time of year when we take time out with family. But remember the reason for the season, for Easter. So I wish you all a blessed Easter and
we will see you on the 2
nd [of June.]
The Senate stands adjourned. Thank you.
*[At 2:49 pm, the Senate stood adjourned
until 10:00 am, Monday, 2 June 2025.]
*[The Senate subsequently sat again
on Tuesday, 20 May 2025]