March 26, 2025

No thanks.
The President: Would you accept a point of clarification?

28 26 March 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Sen. Lindsay Simmons: No thank you, Madam President.

The President: Not accepted.

Sen. Marcus Jones: Oh, it’s not accepted.

The President: Yes.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Oh, okay. Very good.

The President: Clarification . . . yes.

Sen. Marcus Jones: That’s fine.
The President: [For the clarification], it is up to the
person speaking to determine.

Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you.
So, Madam President, I will move on.
Madam President, it is a privilege to talk in the
Chamber today about my response to the Throne
Speech. As we reflect on the priorities set out by this
Government we do so with a deep sense of responsibility to the people of Bermuda. We live in an era of change both locally and globally. Economic pressures,
technological advancements, and social challenges
shape the landscape in which we govern. But what remains constant is this Government’s unwavering
commitment to the well -being of every Bermudian.
Madam President, this Throne Speech laid
out a road map for progress, and I will repeat progress, one that puts our youth at the forefront, protects our seniors, strengthens our communities and
ensures the security of our people. As we move forward, we do so with the belief that every Bermudian deserves to live in a society that offers opportunity, dignity and safety.
Madam President, our young people are not
just the leaders of tomorrow, but they are the change -
makers of today. As a Government we must ensure that Bermuda’s youth have the resources, guidance
and opportunities needed to unlock their full potential.
Madam President, education remains one of
our most powerful tools in shaping the future. It is the foundation of who we are. The ongoing education reform will create a system that is relevant, practical and
empowering. With the introduction of the signature
schools, young Bermudians will have access to specialised learning pathways, whether in trades, busi-nesses, technologies that prepare them for the workforce of the future.
But, Madam President, education only is not
enough. Access to meaningful employment is a critical issue facing our young people. This Government is
expanding apprenticeships, internships and trading programmes to ensure that young people are ready
for the workplace. We will continue to collaborate with
the private sectors to create new jobs opportunities, support young entrepreneurs and remove barriers to
success.
Additionally, Madam President, we recognise
that the challenges our youth face extend beyond education and employment. Mental health and well -
being must be a priority. Too many of our young people struggle with anxiety, depression and other mental
health concerns. This Government will enhance mental health support in schools and communities, ensuring that young people have the access to counselling,
mentorship and peer support networks.
Madam President, when we invest in our
young people, we invest in Bermuda’s future. We will
continue to champion policies that uplift, support and
empower the next generation.
Madam President, a strong society is built on
the foundation of care and compassion. This Govern-ment recognises that social development must be inclusive, ensuring that every Bermudian, regardless of
age, background or circumstance can lead a life of
dignity and stability.
Madam President, affordable housing remains
a priority. Too many Bermudians, particularly our seniors and low -income families struggle with the high
cost of living. This Government will continue to work to
increase the availability of affordable rental units,
home ownership opportunities through the public -
private partnership and development incentives.
Madam President, for our seniors who have
dedicated their lives to building this country, we must ensure that they can enjoy their retirement years without financial hardship or fear of neglect. We remain
committed to strengthening pension security so sen-iors receive fair and adequate financial support. We
are expanding home care services to help seniors age
comfortably in their homes. We are lowering health
care costs by ensuring access to affordable medication and treatment options.
Madam President, social justice and equality
are also central in our vision. We must continue to
support initiatives that uplift those who are struggling
whether through financial assistance programmes,
food security initiatives, or support for vulnerable families.
Madam President, we will also strengthen
partnerships with non- Government organisations,
charities and community groups as they play an invaluable role in providing social services to those in
need. Government cannot do this alone. But by work-ing together we can ensure that no Bermudian is left
behind.
Madam President, this Government is fully
aware of the ongoing concerns surrounding affordable
housing. This Government is taking action to streamline planning and development regulations, making it
easier and more affordable to build and renovate
homes. As you are aware, Madam President, we also
have . . . I have some people who are in constituency 10 who are looking to renovate their homes and


Bermuda Senate through the partnership with the Department of Economy . . . I’m sorry —

[Pause]

Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Sorry, I lost my train of
thought.
For people who are looking to renovate their
homes we have ways that this Government would
help them to build and fix up their homes, we are willing to partner with them.
Madam President, we will also introduce incentives for landlords who offer affordable rentals, ensuring that hard- working Bermudians are not priced
out of the markets.
On the issues of immigration, we recognise
the need for balance and a sustainable approach, one
that supports economic growth while protecting the
rights and opportunities of Bermudians. We will continue refining our immigration policies to ensure Bermudians remain the priority for jobs and economic opportunities. We will also attract the necessary talent
and investments to strengthen the Bermudian workforce. We will support families and long- term residents
who have contributed to our society.
Additionally, Madam President, this Government is focused on strengthening workers’ rights and
fair labour practices. We will continue to uphold fair wages, workplace protections and collective bargaining rights, ensuring that every worker is treated with
dignity and respect.
Madam President, a safe Bermuda is a thriving Bermuda. The security of our people is para-mount, and this Government remains committed to strengthening law enforcement, crime prevention and
public safety initiatives. We will continue to support the Bermuda Police Service, ensuring that officers have the resources, training and technology needed
to keep our communities safe. However, we also recognise that preventing crimes is just as important as
enforcing the law. To that end, this Government will
expand community -based policing initiatives to build a
stronger relationship between the law enforcement and the public. [We] will strengthen rehabilitation programmes for families ensuring that those seeking a
second chance have access to employment, education, and social support.
Madam President, as the world becomes increasingly digital, cybersecurity is another key concern. Bermuda must be proactive in protecting the businesses, individuals and Government institutions
from cyber threats. We will continue to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure, public awareness campaigns and legislation protections to safeguard our
digital economy.
Madam President, this Government’s vision is
clear: A Bermuda that is fair, prosperous and secure for all. Through investment in Youth, Social Development [and Seniors], Home Affairs and National Securi-ty we are building a country where opportunity is
abundant, communities are strong and every Bermudian can thrive. The road ahead may not always be
easy but with dedication, resilience and a commitment
to progress we will continue to move Bermuda for-ward. Together we will build a better, stronger and
more inclusive Bermuda, one that no one is left behind.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Lindsay Simmons.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
SENATE VISITOR
The President: And before I ask if any other Senator
wants to participate, I would just like to acknowledge
the presence in the Gallery of the OBA MP, Dr. Douglas DeCouto. Welcome to you, sir.

[Debate on the Throne Speech 2025 and Reply, continuing]

The President: Would any other Senator care to
speak?
Oh, sorry. That is Senator Maurice Foley, of
the OBA, you have the floor.

Sen. Maurice Foley: Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to present my response to the
Throne Speech, but at this time I would like to thank
you, Madam President, for having me today and the
esteemed colleagues on the other side of the aisle,
and fellow Bermudians who are listening. I am humbled and honoured to deliver this as a new Senator for
Bermuda. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Honourable Jarion Richardson, the Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance, and to my colleagues within the
party for entrusting me with this responsibility.
I also wish to express my profound thanks to
my family, friends and mentors who have stood by
me, offering unwavering support and guidance
throughout my journey. And I want to express my
heartfelt thanks to the people of St. David’s whose
trust and faith in me have made this moment possible.
Madam President, it is a privilege to be here
today, committed to serving the people of Bermuda
with integrity, transparency and accountability. I just wanted to make a mention also that I am not here
merely to criticise, but I am here to offer solutions as
well, solutions that are practical, forward- thinking and
that reflect the true needs of the people of Bermuda.
Madam President, I reflect on the long historic
history of Bermuda. Our Island has undergone significant transformation from the time of early settlers, and
the creation of our democratic institutions, to the
struggle for equality and self -governance, and the
emergence of Bermuda as a key player on the global
30 26 March 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate stage. The hard work and sacrifices of those who
came before us have shaped the Island we know today. And we owe it to them to continue moving forward with purpose and resolve.
Madam President, one of the greatest
achievements of Bermuda’s history was the granting
of universal suffrage in 1968. A turning point that ensured every Bermudian had the right to vote regardless of race, gender or social class. It is a testament to
the strength of our democracy and the power of unity
in the face of adversity. Today, as we gather here, we must continue to honour that legacy by working together to build an inclusive society where opportunity
is available to all and where no one is left behind.
Speaking further on the right to vote, one of
the greatest threats to our democracy is voter disengagement. When people stop believing that their voice matters, the very foundation of our democratic system
is weakened. Every vote is a voice; a voice that
shapes policies, influences decisions and determines
the future of our Island. I want to speak directly to those who feel disillusioned or unheard. Your vote
matters. Your concerns matter. And your participation
is essential to building the Bermuda we want to see.
We must do more to engage young people, especial-ly. working families and those who have felt left behind by the political process. Representation is not
just about occupying a seat. It is about ensuring that every Bermudian has a seat at the table and a voice
in the decisions that shape their lives.
Madam President, as a new Senator I will
work to promote voter engagement, push for reforms
that make it easier for all Bermudians to participate in
the democratic process, and advocate for a govern-ment that is responsive to the people it serves. We
must also confront the challenges that lie before us. Bermuda is facing significant issues from the cost of living to youth unemployment, from climate change to
health care access. The resilience of our people will
be tested in the years to come, and we must rise to
the occasion with solutions that are both innovative
and sustainable.
Madam President, one area I believe we must
focus on is the economic empowerment of our people, particularly our young people. Too many young Bermudians face barriers to entry into the workplace, or
the workforce, while at the same time employers
struggle to find skilled talent. We must create pathways for our youth to gain the skills and experience
they need to succeed whether through education, ap-prenticeships or internships. The future of Bermuda
depends on the success of our young people and it is
our responsibility to equip them for the challenges
ahead.
Madam President, another priority for me is to
address the issues that are facing our Island’s infra-structure. Our roads, our schools, our health care system need modernisation to meet the needs of our
population. By investing in our infrastructure, we not only improve the quality of life for Bermudians, but we
also create jobs and stimulate economic growth. We
must ensure that our infrastructure is built to last for
today and for future generations.
Madam President, as I look at the OBA’s Reply to the Throne Speech, I cannot help but notice the
image on the front cover: The iconic St. David’s lighthouse. It is a powerful reminder that the OBA has not
lost sight of the importance of St. David’s even as the
present Administration appears to have overlooked it.
This lighthouse has long been a symbol of guidance, a beacon in the dark. And it represents the clarity and
direction of the OBA, which the OBA seeks to restore
to our beloved Island.
Madam President, born and raised in St. David’s, I am deeply aware of the unique challenges and
opportunities that our community faces. For too long St. David’s has been overlooked when it comes to key
investments despite its immense potential. I will advocate for a greater attention to be paid to this vibrant
part of Bermuda, ensuring that its infrastructure,
economy and public services receive the support they
deserve. St. David’s should not just be a place of historical significance, it must be a thriving, forwardlooking community where businesses can grow, families can prosper and young people especially can see
a future for themselves.
Madam President, this leads me to tourism.
Tourism is one of the core pillars of Bermuda’s economy. It is a portfolio that I take seriously. I do not
speak as a casual traveller, but as the owner of a
global travel business. My first -hand experience operating in the international tourism market provides me
with a unique perspective on what works and what
does not. I have seen successful destinations leverage their strengths, invest in their infrastructure and
foster partnerships that deliver tangible benefits for
their people. I know that Bermuda can do the same,
and more.
However, as I reflect on these priorities, I also
think about my own journey and how it has shaped my
understanding of what it means to serve this Island.
My travels across the globe, particularly to several
countries on the continent of Africa, have had a profound impact on me. From the streets of Lagos, Nige-ria to the rich history of the Accra, Ghana to the beauty of South Africa, the vast landscapes of Tanzania
and the warmth of Nairobi, Kenya. These experiences
have broadened my horizons in ways that words can-not fully capture.
Traveling across Africa, I saw first -hand the
power of community, resilience and innovation in the
face of adversity. These counties have faced challenges, political, economic and social but through determination and collaboration they have made strides
toward growth and development. I have witnessed
what can happen when people come together to tackle shared challenges, and how young people, in particular, are leading the charge for change. These exBermuda Senate periences have deeply influenced by approach to
leadership and have reinforced by belief that the future of Bermuda lies in collaboration, innovation and
empowering the next generation.
Madam President, a critical part of our economic future lies in the strength and vision of our own
tourism industry, an industry that has long been a pillar of Bermuda’s economy. At the heart of this sector
is the Bermuda Tourism Authority, or as we know it,
the BTA, an organisation founded by the One Bermuda Alliance to bring an independent business -minded
approach to tourism. The BTA was created with a
clear vision and a clear mission. And that is to innovate, to attract new visitors, and to ensure Bermuda
remains a world- class destination. In recent years, the
BTA has faced significant internal challenges includ-ing governance issues, leadership transitions and concerns about transparency. These matters must be
resolved. And I remain committed to holding the Government accountable to ensure the BTA operates effectively and serves the best interest of Bermuda.
But let us not lose sight of why the BTA was
created in the first place. To be free from political interference and focus solely on driving tourism forward.
This original vision remains as important today as it was when it was first established. Bermuda cannot
afford to treat tourism as an afterthought. We must
give it the attention, resources and independence it deserves. If we empower the BTA to do what it is
meant to do, there is no limit to what we can achieve. I
will advocate for restoring the BTA to its full potential, encouraging bold, new ideas, support our local tourism entrepreneurs and ensuring that every decision
made prioritises benefits for Bermudians. Bermuda’s future depends on a thriving tourism industry and we
must do everything we can to protect and strengthen it.
Madam President, it is deeply concerning that
the Government’s Throne Speech devotes only a few sentences to tourism —one of the foundational pillars,
again, of our economy. Their focus on health and medical tourism is a promise we have heard in successive Throne Speeches, yet there is no evidence of
real progress. What we need is a comprehensive, ac-tionable plan that rejuvenates our tourism industry.
And I believe the OBA has that vision. Our plan includes building the Island’s conference infrastructure
to attract year -round visitors, creating meaningful
partnerships with hotel operators rather than relying on property developers and empowering the Bermuda Tourism Authority to function independently, free from
political interference.
The presence of Government impedes especially on the BTA board and only serves to blur the lines of accountability and stifle innovation. The OBA
would restore the BTA to its original mission: to mar-ket Bermuda globally with the focus on increasing visitor arrivals and boosting our economy. Madam President, we also recognise the urgent need to address rising energy costs , a matter
that falls within Home Affairs, or within my Home Af-fairs portfolio. While the Government speaks of
amending the Electricity Act 2016, there is little to in-spire confidence in their ability to curb the escalating
costs that burden Bermudian households. Missing
from their agenda is any meaningful commitment to
renewable energy fostering completion within our energy market or implementing policies that will reduce
monopolistic grip on this critical sector. Without such measures, any promise to alleviate energy costs is
nothing more than an empty gesture.
The OBA has a clear vision for energy reform,
and we will champion renewable energy initiatives to
diversify our energy sources, reduce dependency on
fossil fuels and create a competitive market environ-ment. This not only addresses the rising costs , but
also secures a more sustainable future for Bermuda.
We believe in empowering Bermudians to have real
choices when it comes to energy consumption, and
we are committed to making those choices accessible
and affordable.
Madam President, on education, we heard
promises of reform. But where is the commitment to
addressing the urgent issues faced by students and
educators? Our children deserve better than piece-meal changes. We need comprehensive policies that
strengthen the entire education system from early
childhood education to workforce development so that
every Bermudian has the opportunity to succeed.
Now, to be fair, Madam President, it is only
right to acknowledge that the current Government has taken some positive steps. The commitment to improving mental health services is commendable, as is
their effort to support local entrepreneurs through targeted economic programmes. These initiatives, when
properly executed, can make a meaningful difference
in the lives of everyday Bermudians. Yet, good ideas
must be met with competent execution. What we need
are practical, immediate solutions, measures that
stimulate growth, attract new industries and ensures
that Bermudians are prioritised in every policy decision.
Madam President, I do not stand here today
merely to criticise. I am here to offer solutions. And I
believe that a better Bermuda is within our reach if we
are willing to work together with honesty, courage and
a shared sense of purpose. I will continue to push for practical reforms that support working families, protect
our most vulnerable and ensure that economic opportunity is accessible to all. And I will advocate for
smart, sustainable policies that put the needs of Bermudians first.
Madam President, as I conclude, I thank you
for this opportunity to address the Senate and I look
forward to working alongside my colleagues to deliver
the change Bermuda needs and deserves.
32 26 March 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Thank you and may God bless Bermuda. I
yield my time.

The President: Thank you, Senator Maurice Foley,
for the OBA.
Would any other Senator care to speak at this
time?
We have Senator Lauren Bell. You have the
floor.

Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President, and
good afternoon to you and the listening audience.

The President: Good afternoon.
Sen. Lauren Bell: For clarity, Madam President, I
have opted to defer my maiden speech to a later date.

The President: Mm-hmm.

Sen. Lauren Bell: But I am honoured and privileged
to speak today on the PLP’s Throne Speech.
In February, the people of Bermuda reaffirmed their trust in this Government, electing the Pro-gressive Labour Party for a third term. This is not just a victory at the polls; it was a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to progress. It was also a reaffirmation of the voters ’ trust in the PLP. Trust not only in
the leadership but also in a vision, a vision where every Bermudian, regardless of circumstance can thrive not just survive, where the dignity of work, the security
of a home and access to health care are not just privileges but basic rights, and where Government does
not merely exist but serves and serves with transpar-ency, accountability, equity and urgency.
I stand today as servant of the people , as a
steward for progress and as a representative of a government re- elected with a clear mandate. A mandate to build a fairer, more stable and more affordable Bermuda. I assure the people of Bermuda that the
Progressive Labour Party does not take this mandate
lightly. The work ahead of us is significant and the
PLP recognises that. But our work is guided by a legislative agenda that is clear, bold and people centric.
Madam President, with this backdrop I turn
my attention to the 2025 Throne Speech, a speech
that sets forth a vision for a fairer, more stable and
more affordable Bermuda. As a Junior Minister for
Economy and Labour, for Health, as well as Housing
and Municipalities I am proud to contribute to the Progressive Labour Party’s plan for progress. This Government’s legislative agenda is structured around five
key commitments:
1. making life more affordable;
2. supporting Bermudians at all stages of
life;
3. housing and infrastructure development;
4. health care transformation; and
5. responsive Government and law reform. In an effort to make life more affordable, the
Government will address the cost of living through real
reforms in food pricing, energy costs and home insurance. To support Bermudians at all stages of life, this Government will be looking to expand education ac-cess, elder care supports and parental leave reform.
For housing and infrastructure development, this
Government will be expanding affordable housing,
revitalising communities and managing public assets
responsibly. Towards the efforts of health care transformation, this Government will be implementing uni-versal health care reforms, expanding preventative
care and modernising mental health services. To be a
responsive Government and focused on law reform,
we will be delivering digitised services, constitutional
reform consultation and strengthening restorative justice.
Madam President, these initiatives are not
standalone. They are integrated and designed to improve the quality of life for all Bermudians, both now
and into the future.
Madam President, I now turn our focus to the
Ministry of Economy and Labour. Economic empowerment is at the core of this Government’s philosophy.
This year our economic focus will drive fairness, innovation and opportunity, especially for small businesses and for workers. As highlighted in the Throne Speech, some key initiatives for this Ministry include
the implementation of Bermuda’s Economic Development Strategy. This Strategy entails driving expansion
into existing industries while diversifying into digital
finance, entrepreneurship and cooperative enterprises.
In addition, we will complete cooperative legislation and establish a Registrar of Cooperatives with
a dedicated department to administer and promote
this growing sector. The Ministry will also zero in on
the national entrepreneurship and digital innovation
strategies that are specifically focused on expanding
opportunities for women, youth and Bermudian entrepreneurs. Additionally, we will cut red tape through
streamlining registration and licensing and culminating
in a one- stop shop for business set -up. This is an
economic plan for all Bermudians to foster job crea-tion, protect workers and provide pathways to suc-cess.
Madam President, now let’s look at the critical
Ministry of Health. The pursuit of universal accessible and preventative health care is a moral imperative for this Government. To this end, key initiatives for this
Ministry include expanding health care access. More
specifically, HIP [ Health Insurance Plan] will now cover an annual preventative doctor visit and we will ex-plore expanding specialist coverage under FutureCare, especially for chronic disease management.
This Government recognises that community -based
long-term care is essential for our ageing population
and for their families. To ease the pressure on hospital resources, reduce wait times in emergency wards


Bermuda Senate for those who need in- patient stays and better manage operational cost we will transition non- acute patients to suitable alternative care settings.
To address elder care needs, the PLP will upgrade existing facilities and build new facilities, including at least one facility dedicated to day care for seniors.
We are expanding interest -free loans for
home modification to support seniors and persons
with disabilities. This Government recognises mental
health reform is a priority to ensure those in need can access care without stigma or delay. And to this end a
comprehensive review of the Mental Health Act 1968
will be conducted to modernise processes and enhance protections. We will also enhance advocacy
through the National Health Advocacy Programme.
We will also integrate mental health through primary care via the Mental Health GAP [mhGAP] programme.
This Government will pilot a school -based
health behaviour intervention. And in support of men-tal wellness, the PLP will implement a mental health awareness campaign, a suicide prevention strategy
and a community outreach programme. For public
health protection measures, a ban on industrial produced trans fats will be implemented. Restrictions will also be implemented on flavoured- based vaping
products to protect our youth. Together we are build-ing a health care system that is sustainable, preventa-tive and patient -centric with dignity and accessibility
as our guiding principles.
Madam President, now let’s review the Ministry of Housing and Municipalities. This Government
recognises that access to affordable housing and safe
communities is fundamental to stability and prosperity. In support of this, the key initiatives for this Ministry
include the continued development of affordable hous-ing. In support of this deliverable the Government will look to partnering with private sector for rent -to-own
programmes. In addition, legislative amendments to fast-track the return of vacant and derelict properties
to the housing stock via changes to the [Acquisition of] Land Act 1970 and the Bermuda Housing Act 1980.
The Government is committed to neighbourhood revitalisation and in support of this there we will be developing a master plan for Mary Victoria Road,
Alexandra Road and Cedar Park to address the
longstanding infrastructure issues, including water,
sewage, lighting and home development. Madam
President, we are not just building homes, we are restoring communities, ensuring all Bermudians have a safe, affordable place to call home.
Madam President, I acknowledge the Opposition’s Reply to the Throne Speech and welcome their willingness to collaborate on areas where we agree. I
was pleased to hear the Opposition support for many
of the initiatives highlighted in the PLP’s Throne Speech. There is definitely common ground between
us. I also note that many proposals that were included
in the Opposition’s Reply have already been actioned by this Government. I was excited to see a few green
pom- poms appear across from my Opposition Senate
Leader.
The people deserve cooperation on these vital
issues and we stand ready to work across the aisle
where our goals align. I am excited and eager to participate in this collaboration. However, we cannot ignore where our philosophies diverge. The Opposition
places faith in the unregulated market to protect Bermudians from runaway costs. Yet the very high cost of
living that they highlight in their Reply has emerged from years of unchecked market forces that have prioritised profit over people. Let’s be clear. Regulatory
controls are not an overreach. They are a necessary
defence. In their Reply, the OBA noted that since
2019 food prices have increased by 25 per cent and
energy bills have surged 42 per cent. We cannot continue to ask struggling families to wait for our competition to fix this. Price transparency and regulation are
tools for fairness, not impediments for growth. The
market has had its chance and Bermudians have
been paying the price for far too long.
To those who question the pace of our progress, I offer this: Meaningful change is not always
fast, but it is lasting. The pandemic and global crisis
has slowed timelines but not our resolve. We have
governed through unprecedented times and still delivered on parts of our education reform, economic diversification and health care expansion. We build deliberately because we build to last.
In closing, Madam President, this Throne
Speech lays the foundation for a bold year of action. A
year where we confront the cost of living, empower our economy, deliver on health care and build homes
and hope for Bermudians. In my roles as Junior Minister for the Economy and Labour, for Health, and for
Housing and Municipalities I stand ready for work. I
stand ready for work with all Members of the Chamber
to advance these goals.
Our mission is very clear: To make Bermuda
fairer, more stable and more affordable. Not in rhetoric, but in reality. Let us all be worthy of the trust
placed within us. Let us govern not only with vision but
with courage and compassion.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Lauren Bell.
And now Senators, it is over the Government
Leader in the Senate, the Honourable Kim Wilkerson,
Attorney General and Minister of Justice to give her
remarks.

Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you, Madam
President, and good afternoon to the listening public.
It is indeed my challenge and pleasure right
now to close out the remarks from the Government
Senate team in response to the Opposition’s comments on the Reply to the Throne Speech.
34 26 March 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate Madam President, the Progressive Labour
Party, having now been given a third successive
mandate, our Government has outlined its vision for a
fairer Bermuda for all of us. And that is every citizen
and resident, not just the few. Madam President, if I am permitted to quote
just a little bit from our Throne Speech—
The President: Certainly you may.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you.
We say this is, “ a mandate not just to lead, but
to listen, to collaborate, and to build a more inclusive
Bermuda where every voice is heard, . . . .”
Madam President, this morning I certainly listened intently to the comments from the other side of
the aisle, and particularly with respect to the com-ments from the One Bermuda Alliance. I will say I
have read every page of the OBA’s Reply to the Government’s Throne Speech. And I regret that I have not
been able to identify a single original idea, not in 33 pages. While my colleague opposite seems to suggest that bulk , 33 pages versus 12, notwithstanding
differences in print layout, somehow translates to better substance we know that is clearly not true. On a thorough read, it abundantly clear that the OBA, as
my colleague Senator Bell just stated, is fully supportive of the plans and ideas set out by this Government for which we will take early action to implement.
Based on some of the comments from across
the aisle, Madam President, I was left with the im-pression that there might be a misunderstanding of
the function and purpose of a Throne Speech. So to
reiterate (and I believe Senator Wight, the Vice President, did this ), it is to la y out the legislative and policy
changes that the Government will take up in the next 12 months. It is not a platform. It is not every idea we have ever conceived. It is not the roadmap to the how;
it is the what we will do in the next 12 months.
What I understood my colleagues across the
aisle to be saying many times was a reference to ide-as that are already being done. Unfortunately, Senator
Jones had to admit if the comment is about, Why
aren’t we fixing the roads? . . . the roads are already
being fixed. Why don’t we get more trash trucks?
They are already on the way. Whatever the comment
is, this Government is working hard to achieve the
promises that we have set out.
So, all of that is to say, Madam President, that
the things in this Throne Speech . . . remember now,
we were here just last November, right?, just four
months ago with a Throne Speech. We have not added those items to this one. We have only added the
additional things that we intend to do that we didn’t
already promise the people. So, that might be one of
the reasons that there is this (how do we say it?) weighing of the weight of one document against the
other. We are not recapturing everything that we are already working to do. This is a forward- looking document, Madam President.
So, in light of the paucity of new ideas or even
solutions in the OBA’s Reply, I believe the best use of
my time this afternoon is to talk about some of the Government initiatives. Under my own Ministry, these
are the things that we will do in this legislative session. But before I get there, Madam President, I just
want to respond to a few of the comments that I believe require a response, certainly in the room.
And I am going to start, Madam President,
with your indulgence, is back kind of at the beginning.
And some of my Senate colleagues have commented
to this. And I believe it was a response to Senator
Jones’s comment that, you know, it was a question or
challenge. Under whose governance did the country
become unfair? That was a very strange question for
a person of a certain age who lives in this time. Because I believe there is a clear understanding of the
historical injustices that have laid the foundations for
the unfairness we continue to grapple with today. So,
the idea that suddenly in the PLP’s stretch of Government since 2017 until now, bear in mind there was
an OBA Government from 2012 to 2017, that all of the
unfairness in the country should have been eradicated. Just because we are governing . . . the suggestion
seemed to be that there should now be no unfairness.
There is a lot of unfairness to rectify. And that is why
you have seen the PLP’s platforms from 2017 until
now addressing fairness as a fundamental issue that
we are committed to grappling with.
I will read, if you permit me again, from our
Throne Speech.

The President: Certainly, you may.

Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you, Madam
President.
On page 9, it refers to “One man/woman, one
vote, each vote of equal value” [This] “ remains the
system under which Governments are elected in Bermuda, and it bears remembering that it was just in
2003 that this genuine universal adult suffrage was
fully realised. Electoral and Constitutional reforms
should mirror the times in which we live, and the strength of systems is in their ability to adjust to meet
the demands of the times. ”
Madam President, if I can take [a look] back,
particularly we are in March celebrating Women’s History Month and I noted that my colleague, the Independent Senator Tawana Tannock, has quite rightly
mentioned the lack of reference in the [Bermuda]
Constitution Order 1968 to gender, as a protective
right.
The President: Mm-hmm.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Those people who
have studied the PLP Throne Speech will know that


Bermuda Senate constitutional reform is on the agenda during this legislative session.
But I digress to say, if we look at significant
events in the space that we are in, in Parliament, in
1944 . . . (I read from the Parliament’s website), “ The
protracted struggle to secure the vote for women ended when the Legislature passed a Bill extending the
franchise to women property owners. Four years later,
Mrs. Aitken and Mrs. Edna Watson became the first
two women elected to Bermuda’s Parliament under
the new legislation. ” And they were homeowners.
So, I venture to say, Madam President, that in
the timeline of my family’s history, there would not
have been a female homeowner in my ancestral line
during that time. So, when we talk about unfairness
and governance of unfairness in this country, we have
travelled a long road, Madam President, already.
The comments from certainly on the doorstep
of an absentee voting and the ballot for younger people, students who are abroad, we are listening intently
to that. And I believe my colleague, Senator Fubler, has already pointed out some of the forms and focus
groups that are already taking place to advance that
work. But that is to say that every measure to bring
the right to vote to people has been pushed by our people. Right? Through all of history. Because the
system that previously existed was not a system that
necessarily benefited Black people, or women, or young people. And we will recall that originally when
the right to vote came, supposedly universal adult suffrage, the age was 25. It has moved to 21 and now to 18 under the PLP.
So I raise that context, Madam President, to
say that when people start talking about this stick to get on with it, they should understand the context of
everything that has already been done.
Now, Madam President, there were comments I think from two Senators to this side with respect to the Bermuda Tourism Authority and notwithstanding the fact that, as I said already, if we have
talked about tourism previously, there isn’t a need to
talk about initiatives that are already running in the
Throne Speech.
But I will say I am hearing conflicting storeys.
So, on the one hand I hear criticism for what is de-scribed as the Minister’s foray into the BTA. But I don’t
think . . . out of another side of that same mouth, I
hear, Madam President, that the BTA is a train wreck.
So, I am not sure what the OBA’s plan would be when
they talk about the importance of an independent BTA. This Government believes in an independent
BTA. We have never said otherwise. And I would say
that the Minister, in what has been described as a foray, is exercising his legislative and statutory right under the Act to intervene as he can. He has not overstepped the limit of his statutory responsibility. In fact, if he . . . and if he hadn’t, there would be criticism that
the Minister is not doing anything, in terms of governance, in meeting his mandate with respect to his statutory responsibilities as it comes to the BTA being
described as a train wreck.
But having said that, Madam President, we do
know that there are people at the BTA who are talented. Amazing work has been done. And so the criti-cisms of workplace and culture have to be taken in the
context of a whole operation where there are many
people who work hard and do excellent work, and
they are growing our numbers year over year.
I will venture to some of the points about the
potential for price control. I don’t believe our literature ever used the words price control. But we understand
that there must be a legislative mechanism to have a
right to question, query, learn, look under the practices of major retailer’s businesses who have the potential to carry monopolistic practices. And I do not think
that anyone would think that that is unusual. Senator Wight is not in the room, the Vice President, but certainly we know from being in the international business arena that [for] every international company that
is registered under the Insurance Act, regulated by the
BMA, there is a provision to be able to look into the
books and records. This is not an unusual thing.
So, we hear on the one hand, you know, a bit
of a scare tactic that there may be a penalisation of
businesses. But then I think out their own mouth of my
opposite, I clearly heard him say that when it came to
overhauling health care for seniors, the OBA would be
looking to price control, targeting unnecessary
markups of pharmaceuticals. How would you know a
markup was unnecessary? How would you get that
information without some legislative mandate to do
so?
So that is to say, Madam President, that there
needs to be a balanced view of the practices. Right?
And I think that some criticism without understanding
or even inquiring into the how is really unmerited.

[Pause]

Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: With respect some
comments, I did not have an opportunity to certainly
respond when Senator Tannock spoke. And I thank
her very much for her complementary comments on
the Throne Speech and support. There were two mat-ters that she referred to. One was . . . the second
point was relief for families to care for ageing parents.
Madam President, we are so aware of this as
an issue. We found it at the doorsteps . It is already in
policy that we are addressing the sandwich generation, so to speak. I know because I am living in it. I
have the care of my 90- year-old mother and I am also
intimately involved in the care of our 8- year-old
granddaughter. So I am absolutely in the middle and
understand that people in this society with functionally
ageing parents is a very demanding space to be in.
But I know that this Govern ment is committed to creating those supports. And that is why, certainly members of the public will have heard about efforts to sup36 26 March 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate port loans for building on to your home or to making
changes that would be interest -free loans if those
changes to your house are to support keeping a sen-ior in your home as opposed to either having them
hospitalised or in the care homes that are now very much under siege and really overburdened.
But I did want to say that Senator Tannock
spoke about dementia as being something that she hoped would be looked at. And in answering that, I
would say she would be able to find the papers. I believe there was a Ministerial Statement. But there is a Dementia Pilot that is taking place, under Minister
Tinee Furbert’s remit. The services, the needs and the
resources available to identify [members of] the Bermudian population who are affected by dementia and
what those needs are and how this Government can
help to me them is being undertaken as we speak.
Senator Tannock did make a point on applauding parental leave but also suggesting that that
should be broadened to include family leave. And certainly with the admissions that I just made, I can agree with that. And I will take that suggestion back to my
caucus colleagues.
And I think the final point in relation to the
comments made by Senator Tannock was around the
Young Offenders Act. I was going to talk about that
because that falls right under my Ministry, but I will
answer it here. I believe the question was, Do we have data that is supporting the selection of our age?
We do. We have jurisdictional data. We have from
like, similar, unlike jurisdictions. And one of the inter-esting things, Senator Tannock, that we found in our
research was that the countries with the lowest age
for criminal responsibility are often those who have had a colonial past. There will be paper coming soon
to this [Senate] —stay tuned—with more detail and we
will have an opportunity to certainly debate that at that time.
And finally, if I just comment on just one of the
things that Senator Foley mentioned. And that was . . .
he also mentioned the BTA. And he talked about a vision to kind of revitalise . . . I think he said that the
Throne Speech devotes only two sentences to tour-ism. Certainly Senator Foley was not there, but I think the One Bermuda Alliance leadership certainly were
together with us at the groundbreaking for the Southampton Princess hotel redevelopment. It has taken a
lot of work. My Chambers particularly has been involved in helping to create some of the legislation to
support that. And I think that that will be game-changer in our offering in being able to increase beds.
We have also seen a number that have come
through this Chamber already, and two more will be coming, Tourism Investment Orders, in relation to very
. . . One in relation to . . . I am not sure of the name of
the . . . Hillcrest Aunt Nea’s Inn, its revitalisation. And I
have heard locals talking about how fabulous the Grotto Bay upgrades look. And both of those devel-opments were supported by the Government with concessions out of the Tourism Development Orders.
So, you know, we do not have a need to sing
going forward about things that we are already doing,
Madam President. That is the point. This Government is supportive of tourism. We want to get it right. Many
of us, including myself, . . . I am beginning to sound
like Senator Tannock in that I have done all kinds of
things, but certainly, my first work was in tourism. And
I loved it. And many Bermudians my age, that is what
you did. You learn hospitality and you transferred all of things that you learned in hospitality, being front -
facing, to your roles in IB as a broker or underwriter,
as the case might have been.
So, Madam President, with that, I will talk very
briefly . . . I am not sure how much time I have.

The President: You have a full hour, and you haven’t
used half of it yet.

Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Okay. Thank you.
I will talk now about the things that are in the
remit of my own Ministry and that I am very proud of.
We have already turned on to the Young Offenders
Act. And I said, it will be debated soon. I think that one
of the questions was kind of Why now? And is there a
kind of evidence around the criminalisation of children as young as eight? The answer is no. There is not at
the moment. But there is a potential for it. And this
Government has often been accused of being reactionary. And this is an effort not to be reactionary; we
want to be proactive. And it goes hand in hand, with
. . . it’s one amendment to the Young Offenders Act. It
will be phase one. But it goes hand in hand with a holistic overhaul of the Young Offenders Act. Because,
Madam President, we want to be living in a country
where children who are troubled are not criminalised.
They are helped. Right?
There will also be a comprehensive review. I
believe my colleague in another place talked to the
Children Act review that will happen as well. And I
think like everyone on the other side of the room, we
all want to support children. We all want to support
efforts at prevention. We all want to support efforts
that get to the root cause of antisocial behaviour be-fore things become out blown and oversized and then
there is a menace on our hands . . . a menace to society.
So that is the thinking that we get in front of it.
That the decision to criminalise an eight -year-old is
not left to the discretion of a judge, but we enshrine
that in law.
The other item that is certainly something that
we are going to be doing in this session is in the
Throne Speech is not directly in my wheelhouse because it will be under the Ministry of Health. But certainly as we think about women’s rights and women’s
health during this March of Women’s History Month
there are two things: Certainly the Domestic Violence


Bermuda Senate Court Programme. We have talked about that already.
Senator Cunningham asked a question; I answered.
And so with that I would say, Stay tuned, Senator
Cunningham. There will be a release about that forthcoming.
The other area is the commitment to reviewing where abortion sits in the criminal code. As you
would [know], Madam President, this issue sits in the
Criminal Code [Act] 1907. And this Government is
committed to treating what would be a very intimate,
difficult health issue as a health issue and not as a criminal issue. And you certainly will recall, Madam
President, last year when my colleague, the former
Senator Hodgson, raised this painful issue on the motion to adjourn last year. There were quiet conversations that after that motion to adjourn speech became
a loud chorus of citizens, from women and from men demanding that the Government look at this issue. So,
Madam President, and members of the listening public this is an example of this Government leading, listening and collaborating.
And on the collaborating point we want to say
that focus groups will be in the mix. Certainly feedback from the health professionals will be in the mix
as we move forward with that legislative change, and before we move forward with it.
Considering justice, I have just talked about a
portion of the Criminal Code of 1907. That was a long time ago. That brings us to the Law Reform Commission. One of my colleagues has already spoken about
that but I am excited that it will be reformed, revived and made relevant. And this Government is committed to doing that in this legislative session.
There will be comprehensive review of Legal
Aid, Madam President. And this is important because
we currently live in a society where those most able,
financially, have the best legal representation. And that cannot be the way that fairness is meted out in
this country. There will also be in this legislative year a
framework developed to compensate those wrongfully
convicted. So, again, these are examples, Madam
President, where this Government is leading, listening
and collaborating.
We have heard comments, conversations,
and I think a general willingness from both sides of this room to be collaborative. As I said in my opening,
I do not see us being very far apart in our ideas. It appears that many of the things spoken of from across
the aisle are already en train. That is why we are not
addressing them as go- forward measures, because
they are already happening. But I am certainly en-thused and I am heartened that we will have the support of our colleagues, all of the colleagues in this
room, as we move these measures forward in this
legislative year.
Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Madam Attorney General. Senators, we have had a fulsome debate—I
am sure you would all agree—of the Throne Speech
and the Reply. But I want to thank each one of you for
all that you have contributed.
So, having thanked you, it is now left to the
Honourable Minister to read her message that she
intends to send to the Governor.

MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNOR

Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson : Madam President, I
now move that the following message be sent to his Excellency the Governor:
“May it please your Excellency the Senate has
the honour to thank your Excellency for the most gracious speech with which Your Excellency was pleased
to open the present session of Parliament. ”

The President : Senators, t he message will be sent to
the Governor.
And I thank you, Honourable Minister, for
reading that.
Having said that, Senators, we will now move
on.

MOTIONS

The President: There are none.

CONGRATULATORY AND/OR
OBITUARY SPEECHES

The President: Senator Simmons, you have the floor.

Sen. Lindsay Simmons: Thank you, Madam President.
Madam President, I would like to give a tribute
to Mr. Eldridge Eugene Woods. Madam President, the
Bermuda Progressive Labour Party mourns the pass-ing of Mr. Eldridge Eugene Woods, a trailblazer
whose unwavering dedication to justice, equality and
democracy helped shape modern Bermuda. His pas-sion marks the end of an era but his legacy will live on
in the countless lives he has touched and the progress he helped to achieve.
I had the honour of attending his funeral on
Monday and stood with my colleagues as we paid our respects for one of our founders.
Madam President, he was born on August 26,
1935. Mr. Woods devoted his life to pursuit of social
and racial justice. As a member of the Progressive
Group, he played a pivotal role in the Theatre Boycott
that led to the desegregation of Bermuda’s hotels,
theatres and restaurants. His work as the General Secretary of Bermuda’s Industrial Union was instrumental in strengthening the labour movement, ensuring that workers had a voice in shaping their future.
His tireless advocacy for universal adult suffrage
38 26 March 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate helped dismantle discriminatory voting laws, paving
the way for a more democratic Bermuda.
A founding member of the Progressive Labour
Party, Mr. Woods, also served as former party chair
and a dedicated branch leader. His service to the par-ty and the country was recognised with the Queen’s
Certificate and Badge of Honour for his contributions
to race relations and the fight against discrimination.
Madam President, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Woods and the profound privilege of having
him cast his vote for me in the bye- election and the
general election. Knowing that someone of his stature
and history believed in my leadership is an honour
and I will always cherish it. His life- work made it possible for so many of us to stand where we are today. And his legacy will continue to inspire us all.
We owe Mr. Woods a debt of gratitude for his
sacrifices, leadership and vision in shaping a movement that championed the rights for the people. His
contributions paved the way for more than just social
justice and his spirit will continue to inspire future generations.
Madam President, the Progressive Labour
Party extends our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Eldridge Eugene Woods. To his beloved wife, Whilma -Jean, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family, we thank you for sharing him with us.
A special thanks to Mr. Woods for being one
of the cornerstones upon which the Devonshire PLP was built. His impact will never be forgotten. May his memory be a guiding light as we honour his work and
continue the mission he helped us build. PLP all the
way. Rest in peace, Mr. Woods.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Simmons.
Would any other Senator care to speak?
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Madam President.
The President: Yes.
Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Madam President,
while a bit belatedly, nonetheless deserving, I wanted
to recognise the Bermuda Arts Council 2024 Grant
Awardees. I think that we often overlook the work of
the Bermuda Arts Council. However, they fund creatives over $90,000 last year in order for them to be
able to bring their works to life for us all to enjoy, both resident and visitor alike. So if you will indulge me, I
will read the names of the award recipients and briefly
a description of their works.

The President: Certainly, you may.

Sen. the Hon. Crystal Caesar: Thank you.
• Alexander Winfield: Creator of a theatrical adaptation of The War of the Salaman-ders featuring innovative puppetry and stage
design.
• Paul Maddern: Participation in a two- week
writing residency at The Tyrone Guthrie Centre in Ireland, focusing on poetry and literature.
• Jordan Carey : Research experience in Japan
to explore traditional kite- making, natural dyeing techniques, and handmade paper -making
methods.
• Gherdai Hassell : (Who also happens to be my
sorority sister.) Mixed media art exhibition at
the Bermuda National Gallery Biennial, featur-ing reclaimed fabric and site- specific installations.
• Barbara Ann Dillas : Organisation of
the Legacy Tapestry Roots family art exhibition, showcasing local and international art-works.
• Wendell “Shine” Hayward: Free outdoor midday jazz concert celebrating International Jazz
Day.
• T’aja Williams : Attendance at the American
Dance Festival Summer Intensive to fur ther
develop her dance artistry.
• Andrew Stevenson: Film series documenting
humpback whales in Bermuda’s waters.
• Yesha Townsend: Residency at the University
of the West Indies to develop creative writing
projects.
• Mischa and Gia Fubler : (Our own [Senator]
and wife.) Creation of Truth in Time, Stories in
Rhyme: The Theatre Boycott , a children’s
book about Bermuda’s Theatre Boycott.
• Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation : Support for a
student portfolio class and final art show at the Bermuda Society of Arts.
• Hana Bushara: Support for a home studio to
commence music composition.
• Daisy Gould : Publication of a fine art catalogue spotlighting Bill Ming’s recent works, in
conjunction with an exhibition at Masterworks
Museum of Bermuda Art.
• Wayne Raynor : Production of the original
song Havoc .
• Alan C. Smith : Manuscript development
for Patchwork Sea, an autofiction novel.
• Lisa Howie: Research and design for a book
on artist Char les Zuill, culminating in a solo
exhibition and book launch at Masterworks
Museum.
• TROIKA Bermuda : Four -part programme
providing technical training in the arts for youth and adults, aiming to create a sustainable talent pool.
• Bayard Outerbridge : Film project exploring the
healing benefits of Native American sweat


Bermuda Senate lodges and their relevance to Bermuda’s history.
• Sinead Simmons : Recording and production
of an EP of her scheduled release which is
just past in February 2025.
• Liana and Ajala Nanang Omodele: Expansion
of Unchained on the Rock through a free
[podcast] and short educational films with accompanying curricula.
• Meredith Andrews : Photography project capturing portraits of Bermuda residents.
• Kayuntae Ming and Jahbarri Wilson: Transfered their collaborative art exhibition Excavación Divina from the Peruvian Amazon to
Bermuda.
I just want to congratulate all of these artists in
making application and being successful and being
supported by the Bermuda Arts Council. Thank you.

The President: Thank you, Senator Caesar.
Would any other Senator care to speak?
Senator Victoria Cunningham. (Sorry. I am bit
slow today.)

Sen. Victoria Cunningham: Thank you. Thank you,
Madam President.
Today I would like to honour the memory of
Graham Maddocks who was a true Bermudian whose life was marked by extraordinary passion and service.
Graham was a constituent of mine in constituency 28,
Warwick West. But most importantly he was devoted
father, a skilled diver and a tireless advocate for our
oceans. He pioneered [Reef] Protection Act efforts,
establishing the Ocean Support Foundation to safe-guard our reefs. His dedication extended to his work
on the America’s Cup preparations and later to his role on Hawkins Island where he warmly welcomed
our visitors. Graham’s loss is deeply felt and his contributions to Bermuda will not be forgotten. He was a
force of nature and his legacy of conservation and
kindness will endure.
Madam President, I would also like to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Bermuda’s
athletes as recognised at the 43
rd Annual Government’s Sports Awards this past weekend. Their remarkable performances on the world stage shows skill
and perseverance. These athletes represented the
very best of Bermuda. Their dedication, talent and
sportsmanship bring immense pride to our Island. I
commend them for their achievements and wish them
continued success in their sporting endeavours. And I
would also like to acknowledge [MP] Ben Smith, the
National Swim Coach and Deputy Leader of the Op-position and Shadow Minister of Education and Sport
for his impactful work in nurturing Bermuda’s young
sporting talent.
Madam President, I would also like to extend
my sincere congratulations to the Bermuda Business Development Agency [BDA] and ABIR [ Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers ] for hosting a truly
outstanding 2025 Risk Summit two weeks ago. The
Summit’s success is a testament to the hard work and
dedication of all involved. I was particularly impressed
by the addition of the Future Leaders Summit this year, providing our high school and Bermuda College
students with the opportunity to explore careers in risk
and insurance which is crucial to the investment in our
Island’s future. I was also most honoured to moderate
one of their panels. These initiatives not only educate
and inspire our young people but also ensure the con-tinued strength and vitality of one of Bermuda’s most
important industries. I commend them on their visionary approach and their commitment to developing the
next generation of Bermudian leaders.
It also, Madam President, gives me great
pleasure to congratulate PHC Club for their recent
successes. Firstly, for their successful “Legacy of
Dreams” gala which was held on March 15. An event
that my husband and I, alongside OBA colleagues,
had the pleasure of enjoying immensely, celebrating the Club’s enduring legacy.
Secondly, for the outstanding achievement of
the Under -9 football team who won the BFA Under -9
Tournament last weekend, remaining undefeated and showing tremendous skill and determination. Well
done to the young Zebras and their coaches.
And finally, I wish to celebrate the achievement of Ciara Burrows who I have had the privilege of
mentoring since 2015 throughout her university career. It was with immense pride and joy that I attended
her call to the Bermuda Bar earlier this month. This
occasion was a testament to her years of unwavering hard work, perseverance and dedication. Ciara is a
truly remarkable young woman. Though she is currently practicing law in London, I eagerly anticipate
her return to Bermuda where I am confident she will
make a profound and lasting contribution to our legal
and international business sectors.
Thank you, very much.

The President: Thank you, Senator Victoria Cunningham with the OBA.
Does any other Senator care to speak at this
time?
Senator Fubler, you have the floor.
Sen. Mischa Fubler: Thank you, Madam President.
I guess firstly I would like to be associated
with the of the PLP colleagues. I would like to be as-sociated with the condolences for Mr. Woods.

The President: Mm-hmm.

Sen. Mischa Fubler: I would also like to associate
myself with Senator Cunningham’s congratulations to
the Business Development Agency for the Risk Summit. I was also in attendance and I also agree. I think it
is excellent that we are providing programming that
40 26 March 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate specifically targets young Bermudians to participate in
the industry.
Also, in light of Women’s Month I would like to
congratulate Sylvia Oliveira who was honoured by the
Women in Reinsurance [Bermuda] at their Women’s Day Gala earlier this month.
And finally, I would like to give congratulations
to Bermuda Communications Group and Bermuda Broadcasting and other entities that are coordinated to
provide live coverage of the elections; something I feel
helped to increase engagement in the political pro-cess. Something all of us have been saying we need
to work towards. So, kudos to them. Thank you.

The President: Thank you, Senator Fubler.
Marcus Jones, OBA Leader in the Senate,
you have the floor.
Sen. Marcus Jones: Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to extend congratulations to Tariq
Lynch- Wade who became the first Bermudian pilot to
join BermudAir. Mr. Lynch- Wade has transitioned from
Head of Safety of the boutique airline into a full -time
pilot role which marked a historic moment. He began
his journey in 2006 when he earned a [Bachelor of] Science degree in Aviation/Airway Management and
Operations from Jacksonville University followed by
flight training at Delta Connection Academy. He has been flying for around two decades in various parts of
the world, and his career also includes 14 years at the
Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority, where he attained the position of Director of Operations. Congratulations, Mr. Tariq Lynch- Wade.
Madam President, I would also like to send
my condolences to the family of the late Marsha Laurette Carey. Her career spanned many years in the
international business community within the reinsur-ance industry for companies like Walter Insurance,
Johnson and Higgins, OBL, Hudson Reinsurance , and
XL Capital. One of her main passions was bowling.
And she gave of her time to the Bermuda Junior Bowling Association where she sowed into the lives of over
300 children that passed through their doors. She was
very active in her church, the Better Covenant Christian Fellowship where up until her passing she was a
faithful member of its audio/video social media team
sending the gospel through the airwaves both locally
and internationally. Our thoughts and prayers are with
her family at this time.
Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you.
Would any other Senator care to—
Senator Foley, I see you. You have the floor.

Sen. Maurice Foley: Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to take a moment to extend congratulations to the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce
on the appointment of their new Chief Executive Of-ficer, Ms. Jennifer Woods. Ms. Woods brings a wealth
of experience in legal compliance, government and
business strategy. Her leadership roles at Global Atlantic Financial Group, BF&M Limited, combined with
her dedication to community service with the Bermuda Boxing Federation make her an excellent choice to
guide the Chamber into its next chapter.
The Chamber of Commerce plays a vital role
in supporting local businesses, fostering economic
growth and advocating for the interests of Bermuda’s
commercial community. With Ms. Woods at the helm, I am confident that the Chamber will continue to be a
strong partner in shaping a thriving and sustainable
future for our Island.
Once again, congratulations to Ms. Woods,
Marico Thomas the Chamber President, and the entire Chamber of Commerce team. I look forward to their continued contributions to Bermuda’s business
landscape.
I would also like to congratulate our OBA colleague and recognise her and congratulate her. And
that is our Sophia Tessitore on the successful opening
of “A New Generation.” And that was an independently curated art show that highlighted the exceptional
talents of 12 local artists under the age of 35. The exhibition which took place at Rock Island Coffee on
Reid Street on Friday, 21 March, was a celebration of Bermuda’s emerging artistic voices. Featuring both
original and limited edition works, the show reflected a
diverse range of techniques and styles, offering innovative and thought -provoking perspectives on what
Bermuda means to this new generation.
Ms. Tessitore’s commitment to providing artists with full creative freedom allowed for a powerful
expression of contemporary art. Her leadership in
curating this showcase has given these young artists
a valuable platform to share their work with the community. So I commend Ms. Tessitore and all of the
participating artists for their contributions to Bermuda’s cultural landscape and look forward to seeing
their continued growth and success.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Senator Foley.
Senator Lauren Bell, you have the floor.

Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you, Madam President.
I would like to send congratulations to Lisa
Reed who was recently named Bermuda’s Woman of
the Year. She received this honour earlier this month
at an event to mark the 2025 International Women’s
Day which was organised by the Women’s Resource
Centre. And Madam President, with your permission, I
would like to read a quote from a spokesperson from
the Women’s Resource Centre.
The President: Certainly, you may.

Sen. Lauren Bell: Thank you.


Bermuda Senate “A trailblazer in finance, government consulting and human rights, Lisa has spent decades advocating for policy reforms, disability rights and community mentorship.
“Her commitment to inclusion and social justice has strengthened Bermuda’s human rights
framework and created opportunities for under -
represented communities. ”
I join with my Senate colleagues in congratulating Lisa Reed for this well -deserved recognition as
Bermuda’s Women of the Year.
Madam President, I would also like to take the
opportunity to congratulate seven Bermudians who
recently completed the Department of Workforce Development’s Learning Through Experience Hospitality
Programme. This initiative was developed in partnership with key industry stakeholders and the primary purpose of this initiative was to give Bermudians an
opportunity to gain work -readiness training and to give
them hands -on experience in the industry.
Madam President, I would like, with your permission, to read the names of these seven individuals.

The President: Certainly, you may.

Sen. Lauren Bell: The Bermudians who successfully
completed th is programme included :
• Zayh Scott -Burgess ;
• Unique Dillas ;
• K’Shay Tucker ;
• Kharizmah Daniels ;
• Jordan Kennedy -Swan;
• Amiyah Anderson; and
• Alshea White.
Again, congratulations for these seven Bermudians for their successful completion of the Learn-ing to Experience Hospitality Programme.

The President: Thank you, Senator Lauren Bell.
Would any other Senator care to speak at this
time?
Madam Attorney General, Minister of Justice,
you have the floor.
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Thank you, Madam
President.
Lots of good things going on in the times
that—
The President: Absolutely. That’s for sure.

Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: —we have not been
meeting.
So, let me start with comments that I am joining which have already been made by my colleagues
on both sides of the floor. I think by the way my list is going . . . with Senator Cunningham in relation to
Ciara Burrows, she was a student. She did some work with us at XL. She is exceptional. I have been in touch, certainly, when she was with Kennedy’s. I think
she is going to have, as you say, a very, very bright
future. So I am happy to join you with those comments.
As well with the Risk Summit, I did not attend
all of the days but it certainly was a well -put-on event.
I think an opportunity to highlight Bermuda at that lev-el. I had dinner with some of the insurance commissioners from the US and to have an opportunity in our
space to continue to make the case of the value proposition of Bermuda as a jurisdiction, and a great place
to do business, was a fabulous opportunity. So, I am
grateful to the organisers of that. I think it was a well -
done event.
Next, Tariq Lynch- Wade, yes, as Senator
Jones has commented. I know Tariq. I was a chair of
the Civil Aviation Authority so I have been following his career during the time that he was flying in Asia , to
see him come home, and then make this next move.
[It is] incredibly heartwarming. I know Tariq has a
mind for encouraging young people and I just think his
career will go from strength to strength and he will
bringing others along with him.
Marsha Carey, I join you in that as well. Marsha was a person with just the biggest heart. I regret
missing her homegoing because I think it was the
same day that we were in the House. Yes, the Throne
Speech, absolutely. But she was such a known pres-ence at XL and beyond, a friend to everyone.
And finally, just joining in on the congratulations for Lisa Reed. She is a phenomenal woman. I had the opportunity to have tea with her, I think, on
the afternoon of the award. It was quite remarkable. She is a remarkable person and it was well deserved
and well done to the Women’s Resource Centre for
hosting that event.
Madam President, I wanted to talk about my
colleague to my left, the Education Minister. [She] was
the spearhead, but it certainly took place under the
former Minister Diallo Rabain. It was the Minister’s
Debate Challenge. Debate is near and dear to my
heart certainly. But I was . . . I had the opportunity to
witness over the weekend of March 15, and 16, along
with Minister Caesar, the Minister’s Debate Challenge
held at the CedarBridge. I just want to congratulate Gladstone Thompson who has been doing this for
years and to see debating revitalised in these young
Bermuda public school students was incredibly amazing. The effort was assisted by Kim Jackson and the Mirrors team.
But I particularly want to congratulate the winners in the 10- to 11- year-old category. They were
Russian Thompson, Xela Hall and Connor Faries . And
that was a team really from a mixture from Bermuda
public schools. That was Northlands, St. David’s Primary and Harrington Sound and they made a phenomenal team. And in the 12- to 14- year-old category
Nylah Matthews, Rudy Puhekker, and Etana Holdipp -
Lynch were the winners.
42 26 March 2025 Official Hansard Report

Bermuda Senate And Madam President, to see these young
people debate and the . . . obviously the kind of tag
line for the dynamic debaters is listen, think, speak.
And I think if we could employ that everywhere
through this House these young people could teach a thing or two. So, just hats off to them and congratulations to them. And to you too, Minister. It was an effort
well done.
Thank you, Madam President.

The President: Thank you, Minister Wilkerson.
And I would just like to add my congratulations, join the Senators on their congratulations to Lisa
Reed as well as to Tariq Lynch -Wade. I think they are
outstanding and much has been said about them. I think we raise them up as individuals that so many
Bermudians, young and old, can look to as Bermudi-ans who have really excelled in their field.
I would also like to join the Senators who expressed condolences for Mr. Eugene Woods.
I would just like to indicate that I want to express condolences to a former CEO of the hospital,
Mrs. Sheila Manderson. I am not sure if any of you
have read about her passing. But Sheila Manderson
was the former CEO of the hospital [passed away along with] her husband, Neville Manderson. And if
you catch anything in my voice it is because I worked
very closely with her at the Bermuda Hospitals Board many years ago. This couple were friends of both my
husband and I because Mr. Manderson worked at
Bermuda College where my husband also worked. So I want to express condolences to the family. And this
couple died within three days of each other and that is
why I can get choked up right now when I think about it. But they were wonderful people who did quite a lot
for this Island when they were on the Island. So, I am just expressing it today to the family.
And with that we now move on to the Adjournment. Minister Wilkerson.

ADJOURNMENT
Sen. the Hon. Kim Wilkerson: Madam President, I
move that this [Senate] do adjourn until April 2.
The President: Would any Senator care to speak on
the motion to adjourn?
Yes, Senator Marcus Jones, OBA Leader in
the Senate, you have the floor.

Sen. Marcus Jones: [INAUDIBLE]

The President: Oh, I beg your pardon. My mistake. I
thought you were indicating you were to be speaking.
Would any Senator care to speak on the motion to adjourn?
With that said then, Senators, I thank you for
all your hard work today in completing the business of the Senate. [I] indicate that the Senate does stand
adjourned until next week Wednesday, the 2
nd of April.
Thank you.

[At 3:58 pm, the Senate stood adjourned until
10:00 am, Wednesday , 2 April 2025.]