The Senate passed the Health Council Amendment Act after Government suspended normal procedures to force a vote, with the Opposition objecting to keeping 12-month imprisonment penalties for violations. The Junior Minister for Public Works announced the final steps in merging two government development companies after 6 years of work, promising no job losses but noting staff reviews will happen. Senators also approved allowing slightly larger electric and hybrid cars (1 inch longer, 1 inch wider) to give consumers more vehicle options as Bermuda moves toward banning gas cars by 2035.
Health Council Amendment Act passed despite Opposition objections over imprisonment penaltiesGovernment completed 6-year merger of two development companies (WEDCO and BLDC) into one entityNew size limits approved for electric and hybrid cars to help reach 2035 phase-out of gas vehiclesSummer safety reminders issued covering beach, boating, and road safety
Bills & Motions
Bermuda Health Council Amendment Act 2024 - passed third reading after forced votes
Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024 - passed with Opposition support to fix fee payment deadlines
Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 - passed to allow larger electric vehicles
National Heroes Act 2024 - introduced for first reading, will be debated next meeting
Notable Moments
Government had to suspend parliamentary rules and force two separate votes on the Health Council bill after Opposition raised multiple objections
Opposition questioned government competence, citing repeated "administrative mistakes" requiring corrective legislation throughout the year
Junior Minister promised comprehensive written responses to questions about lifeguard staffing and police capacity for summer safety
Debate Transcript
22 speeches from 2 speakers
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you, Madam President. Madam President, today I wish to encourage Senators and the members of the public to join forces with the Ministry of National Security and the Govern-ment as we aim to have a happy and safe summer . The sun is officially, as our forebears would say, …
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, today I wish to encourage Senators and the members of the public to join forces with the Ministry of National Security and the Govern-ment as we aim to have a happy and safe summer . The sun is officially, as our forebears would say, across the line, and we are all excited to once again experience all that beautiful Bermuda has to offer during the summer. As the weather continues to warm up, I would like to provide a few key reminders, safety tips and words of caution to help us navigate the season as we all spend more time outside. Madam President, beaching and boating are favourite summertime activities for many of us. In order to preserve safety, it is important that we exercise heightened caution when our outdoor activities take us near or on the water. Beachgoers are encouraged to heed the signage and advice given by the Department of Parks and our lifeguards. Parents are reminded to be particularly attentive to young children in and around the water, and older children should be taught good beach etiquette to ensure that beach days are safe and enjoyable for all beachgoers. Madam President, the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard will provide full maritime coverage over the summer months. The boating public can expect to see the Coast Guard on frequent inshore patrols. I implore residents to respect the authority of the Coast Guard, and I remind everyone that they have the power to issue tickets and arrest any individual sus-pected to be in contravention of the law. Madam President, it is important that boat operators check their vessels before every trip by ensur-ing that safety equipment is functioning. Whenever boaters plan to be out on the water, they should make sure that someone on land knows where they are head ed and when they can be expected to return. Boat operators should not allow their vessels to be occupied by more people than the safe capacity of the boat [allows], and life preservers should be available for eve-ryone on board. Taking these simple steps wi ll allow boaters to truly relax and be safe on their Sunday Fun Days . Madam President, speaking of boating, I want to remind boaters and watercraft operators to control their vessels responsibly and without the impairment of drugs or alcohol. We all know that operating a vessel requires skill and that one must pay attention to what is going on out on the water. I implore boat operators to be responsible and moderate their consumption of alcohol while in control of any marine vessel. Madam President, just as I am asking the public to exercise caution on the water, I also want to re-mind us to be cautious as we travel on the road. Sum-mertime in Bermuda means an increase in social gatherings and an increased [number] of people traveling on our roads, including our beloved tourists and return-ing university students. We are all aware of the devas-tating effects of drunk driving. Alcohol impairs our abil-ity to safely operate vehicles and increases the danger to other road users. Accidents involving serious property and personal injury can and, regrettably, do occur.
Bermuda Senate Madam President, I encourage people to enjoy their social gatherings and activities, but please do not drink and drive. Madam President, the Bermuda Police Service will continue with their roadside sobriety testing programme. Motorists can expect to be st opped along their journey and questioned on their alcohol intake by the police. To avoid the legal consequences of drinking and driving, please use a designated driver, taxi or other prearranged transportation for your travels. Madam President, my final cautionary message today is one of personal responsibility. It is hot outside, and hotter temperatures can sometimes mean hot heads and short tempers, particularly when alcohol consumption is involved. It is the personal responsi bility of each of us to ensure that we do not allow a small annoyance to inflate into an incident of life- changing domestic violence or antisocial behaviour. As we move about and participate in the liveliness of the summer season, I encourage us to promote the friendliness and respectfulness for which Bermuda is known. Madam President, it is my hope that this summer will be memorable for us for all of the right reasons. I look forward to our people thoroughly enjoying County Games, Cup Match, beach parties, barbeques, family gatherings in the parks and beaches, camping, outdoor concerts and all of those activities we like to do during the summer. Let us make this summer one of watching our children master new skills, spending quality time with our loved ones and exploring all that our Island home has to offer. Let us do all of this with a mind- set of individual responsibility and safety. Madam President, we must all work together to keep Bermuda safe over the summer. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Senator Dill.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS The President: There are none.
FIRST READING OF PUBLIC BILLS
NATIONAL HEROES ACT 2024
REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (ANNUAL CORPORATE REGULATORY FEES) AMENDMENT ACT 2024
MOTOR CAR (ELECTRIC OR HYBRID PRIVATE MOTOR CARS) AMENDMENT ACT 2024
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, National Heroes Act 2024, and that is in the name of Senator the Honourable Owen Darrell, the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport. The second is the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024, and that is in the name of Senator Arianna Hodgson, the Junior Minister of Finance. The third is the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024, and that is in the name of Senator Rev. Dr. Emily Dill, Junior Min-ister for Transport.
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 given. I will take them in the order in which they were presented. The first one was the update on the Amal-gamation of the West End Development Corporation and the Bermuda Land Development Company. That was presented by Senator Leslie Robinson. Would any Senator care to ask questions on this Statement? Senator Robinson, OBA, you have the floor. QUESTION 1: WEST END DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND BERMUDA LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , UPDATE ON AMALGAMATION
Sen. Dwayne Robinson: Thank you, Madam President. And good morning to my colleagues and to the listening public. Just really quickly I wanted to ask the Junior Minister if she would be able to expound on the delay, the resourcing challenges within the Attorney General’s Chambers, and if we could get a bit of an explanation of what those delays were and how they were resolved?
QUESTION 2: WEST END DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND BERMUDA LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , UPDATE ON AMALGAMATION Sen. Dwayne Robinson: Also, there is a mention of no job losses from the merger over to the very specific language. But near on that same page 4, we see once companies have amalgamated, a full staff review will occur and adjustments will be made as necessary. So, it is ensurin g that there will be no job losses during the merger, or as a result of the merger. However, there is going to be a review. So, I just wanted to ask if this Government can ensure that there will not be any job losses as it is saying in the Statement. Or will [the Government] say there will not be any job losses until these jobs are reviewed? So those are my two questions. The President: Two questions. Thank you. Would any other Senator care to ask questions on this Statement? 534 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate Opposition Leader, Senator Robin Tucker, you have the floor.
QUESTION 1: WEST END DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND BERMUDA LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , UPDATE ON AMALGAMATION Sen. Robin Tucker: Good morning, Madam President. My question comes from page number 4. The first bullet point does mention that the Chief Financial Officer at WEDCO is now acting in a dual role for both entities. So, I am just wondering what that structure will look like. Will there continue to be one person in that capacity? Or is it envisioned that there will be an additional hire for that type of leadership? QUESTION 2: WEST END DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND BERMUDA LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY , UPDATE ON AMALGAMATION Sen. Robin Tucker: And the second question I have also relates to jobs. And I just wanted to know if there is going to be retraining, retooling for staff particularly where there are overlaps in skills and things like that, where one position is no longer . . . you do not n eed multiple people for that one position because of the merger. So have they considered, or is there training that is being done to up- skill staff in preparation for other positions even? Thank you, Madam President. The President: Your two questions. Would any other Senator care to ask questions on this Statement? Seeing none, then we will wait for the response to questions. [Pause] Sen. Leslie Robinson: First of all, Madam President, with respect to the question about job losses, no one has been hired in any of the vacant positions. One person from the CFO, [the Senator] had asked, that was another question, Madam President, that was asked. This is how they are going t o be going through efficiency and savings by just having one person for the CFO position. And there was a question about training. There is training that is occurring. Also, Madam President, just a little bit more about the vacant positions that we have. [They] are being covered by existing staff at the moment. And then with respect to the . . . I think it was the Attorney General’s Chambers, Madam President, at this point I think it would be best to not comment too much on the Attorney General’s Chambers. There is some hiring that is going on there. But at this point, we are not commenting on that. It is not part of our Ministry. [Pause]
The President: Senator Robinson, is that — Sen. Leslie Robinson: Yes. Madam President, I have answered all of the questions.
The President: Thank you, Senator Leslie Robinson. We will then move on to the second Statement. And that is the Statement that was given by Sen. Dr. Emily Dill, Junior Minister of National Security. And that was on Summer Safety. Would any Senator care to ask questions on this Statement? Senator Dwayne Robinson, OBA, you have the floor.
QUESTION 1: SUMMER SAFETY
Sen. Dwayne Robinson: Thank you, Madam President. Just because they were mentioned within the Statement, I just was wondering if we could get a brief update on the situation with lifeguard staffing and how that is coming along. And will we see all of the beaches staffed adequately for the safety of peopl e who are enjoying them?
QUESTION 2: SUMMER SAFETY
Sen. Dwayne Robinson: And also, we know that the Bermuda Police Service has had reductions in their budget and has a bit of manpower issues. So I am just wondering how confident the Junior Minister is that [the Police Service] will be able to properly maintain road safety, pol ice road safety and also manage antisocial behaviour, because we have seen an increase in both. So I just wanted to have that concern addressed. Thank you.
The President: Thank you. Would any other Senator care to ask questions on this Statement? Hearing none, then it is over to you, Senator Emily Dill.
[Pause]
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator Robinson, for the questions that you have asked. I know that there has been an increase with regard to the lifeguards. But in order to give you a comprehensive response to the questions that you have asked today, I would ask that you …
Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Senator Robinson, for the questions that you have asked. I know that there has been an increase with regard to the lifeguards. But in order to give you a comprehensive response to the questions that you have asked today, I would ask that you se nd them to me and I will provide for you both a written and verbal response at our next meeting.
The President: Thank you, Senator Emily Dill.
Bermuda Senate We will now move on to the next item.
ORDERS OF THE DAY
The President: The first Order of the Day is the third reading of the Bermuda Health Council Amendment Act 2024 in the name of Senator Arianna Hodgson, Junior Minister for Health.
BILL
THIRD READING
BERMUDA HEALTH COUNCIL AMENDMENT ACT 2024
Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move that the Bill entitled the Bermuda Health Council Amendment Act 2024 be now read a third time.
The President: Would any Senator care to speak on the third reading? No. Object . . . sorry.
[Inaudible interjections and laughter]
Sen. Robin Tucker: Yes, Madam President. We object. [Crosstalk] The President: Senators, you need to voice your objection.
Sen. Robin Tucker: Madam President, we object to the third reading of this Bill. We support the amendment; but we object to this Bill in its totality.
[Crosstalk] [Pause] The President: There are three objections.
Sen. Dwayne Robinson: Yes. I also support the objection of the Opposition Leader.
The President: Senators, I just needed to confirm that there are three objections. And therefore, we are opening the floor.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoI object, Madam President. The President: Standing Order — [Crosstalk] The President: Senators, Standing Order 35 comes into play. And, therefore, when there are three objec-tions, — [Inaudible interjection] The President: —we need to carry it over. All right. We can carry it over to the next day of meeting. …
I object, Madam President. The President: Standing Order — [Crosstalk] The President: Senators, Standing Order 35 comes into play. And, therefore, when there are three objec-tions, —
[Inaudible interjection]
The President: —we need to carry it over. All right. We can carry it over to the next day of meeting. [Pause]
The President: You are going to suspend? [Crosstalk ]
The President: Minister, do you want to—
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 35
Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you. Madam President, I would like to move that we suspend Standing Order 35 and move straight to the next step and take a vote on this matter, please. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Minister. Senators, just to be reminded of what usually happens when there are three objections, we either go to a vote . . . unless the Government decides to suspend [Standing Order] 35. As [Standing Order] 35 has been suspended, then—
[Crosstalk ]
The President: There is the motion. A motion has been presented by Government to suspend. And therefore, we will have a division now. [Pause] The Assistant Clerk: Senator Tucker.
Sen. Robin Tucker: Ms. Beale, can you just clarify the ayes and the nays, please?
[Crosstalk ]
The Assistant Clerk: The motion is to suspend Standing Order 35. So, if you are in agreement with suspending Standing Order 35, you say Aye.
DIVISION [Suspension of Standing Order 35]
Ayes: 6 Nays: 5 536 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate Sen. Hon. Owen Darrell Sen. Robin Tucker Sen. Arianna Hodgson Sen. Dwayne Robinson Sen. Lindsay Simmons Sen. Douglas De Couto Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail Dill Sen. John Wight Sen. Leslie Robinson Sen. Hon. J. Dillas -Wright Sen. Kiernan Bell
The Assistant Clerk: With a vote of six to five, the motion passes. The President: Senator Hodgson, it is over to you.
[Motion carried by majority on division: Standing Order 35 suspended.] Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Yes. Thank you, Madam President. Then I move that the Bill do now pass. The President: Are there any objections? Sen. Robin Tucker: Yes, Madam President. We object to the Bill passing. Thank you, Madam President.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoMadam President, I object. The President: There are four objections. Sen. Kiernan Bell: I object. Sen. John Wight: I object. The Assistant Clerk: Okay, Senators. This is a motion to pass the Bill. If you are in favour of passing, you say Aye. If you are not, you say Nay. …
Madam President, I object. The President: There are four objections. Sen. Kiernan Bell: I object. Sen. John Wight: I object. The Assistant Clerk: Okay, Senators. This is a motion to pass the Bill. If you are in favour of passing, you say Aye. If you are not, you say Nay.
DIVISION [Third Reading and passage of the Bermuda Health Council Amendment Act 2024] Ayes: 6 Nays: 5 Sen. Hon. Owen Darrell Sen. Robin Tucker Sen. Arianna Hodgson Sen. Dwayne Robinson Sen. Lindsay Simmons Sen. Douglas De Couto Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail Dill Sen. John Wight Sen. Leslie Robinson Sen. Kiernan Bell Sen. Hon. J. Dillas- Wright [Laughter] The Assistant Clerk: With a vote of six to five, the motion to pass the Bill passes. The President: Senator Arianna Hodgson, you passed the Bill. Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam President. [Motion carried by majority on division: The Bermuda Health Council Amendment Act 2024 was read a third time and passed.] [Pause] The President: We now move on to the second item on the Order Paper, and that is the Registrar of Com-panies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024. That is in the name of Senator Arianna Hodgson.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
SENATE VISITOR The President: And before she presents her Bill, I would just like to acknowledge Venous Memari from the Registry Office. Welcome to you. (She is in the Chamber.) The President: Senator Hodgson, when you are ready.
Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move that the Bill entitled the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024 be now read a sec-ond time. The President: Is there any objection to the second reading? No objection.
BILL
SECOND READING
REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (ANNUAL CORPORATE REGULATORY FEES) AMENDMENT ACT 2024 Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam President. The Bill before the Senate is the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024 . This Bill amends the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Act 2024 and the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corpo-rate Regulatory Fees) (No. 2) Act 2024 to allow for the payment of annual corporate regulatory fees in 2024 by exempted and overseas entities as was intended and
Bermuda Senate communicated since the announcement of these fees in the 2023/24 Budget Statement. Madam President, Senators will recall on the 13th of March 2024 the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Act 2024 and the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) (No. 2) Act 2024 were passed in the Senate. In order to include corporate regulatory fee revenue in the 2023/24 budget as forecast, the 2024 Acts took effect from the first reading in the House of Assembly on February 9, 2024, with the written consent of the Governor pursuant to section 2(1) of the Provisiona l Collection of Revenue Act 1975. Madam President, the 2024 Acts align corporate regulatory fee payment deadlines for each type of entity with the existing annual fee deadlines specifically set for exempted and overseas entities by January 31, and for local entities by March 31. Given that the effective date of the 2024 Acts fell after the payment deadline for exempted entities, this Bill clarifies and allows for an exceptional payment deadline for exempted en-tities for the year 2024 as was intended and communicated since the announcement of these fees in the Budget Statement in support of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of 2023/24. Madam President, this Bill amends the commencement date of the 2024 Acts to the 1 st of January 2024. It amends the payment deadline for 2024 only to the 31 st of March for all entities, or such other date determined by the Registrar and published in the Official Gazette. The Bill further validates any payments received from overseas or exempted entities prior to the amendment of the payment deadline. Madam Presi-dent, the Accountant General has confirmed that upon the passage of this amendment, an accrual wi ll be recorded to recognise the corporate regulatory fee revenue for fiscal year 2023/24. Madam President, the Bermuda Business Development Agency legal focus group has been consulted on this Bill and has no objections. Madam President, as a reminder to the Senate, the new regulatory fees are to be levied on all entities on Bermuda’s Cor-porate Register in respect of which the Registrar of Companies has regulatory, supervisory and compli-ance oversight. The driving force behind the introduc-tion of these new regulatory fees is the expansion of the role performed by the Registrar of Companies in recent years, which has resulted in the need to hire significant numbers of additional skilled personnel and to enhance infrastructure. Madam President, the regulatory fee applicable to exempted and overseas entities is set at BD $500 payable annually, and that for local entities set at BD$150 which is also payable annually. The introduction of these regulatory fees is expected to add approximately $6 million to the public purse each year. Madam President, in summary, this Bill simply clarifies and allows for the 2024 corporate regulatory fees due from exempted and overseas entities to be payable as intended in the 2023/24 Budget Statement. Madam President, with those brief introductory remarks, I now present the Bill entitled the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024 and welcome comments from other [S enators]. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Senator Arianna Hodgson. Would any Senator care to speak on this Bill? Yes. Senator De Couto, you have the floor.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoThank you, Madam President. If you will recall, the One Bermuda Alliance supported the original Act for all the reasons stated by the Junior Minister. And we support this Amendment. It is important to get some of these details right. We do have a little reservation on these sorts of …
Thank you, Madam President. If you will recall, the One Bermuda Alliance supported the original Act for all the reasons stated by the Junior Minister. And we support this Amendment. It is important to get some of these details right. We do have a little reservation on these sorts of what I will call administrative mistakes coming through. And while we appreciate that no process in-volving humans is perfect, and these things can and do happen, and of course this is the sort of process that we have to fix it, we do feel that in aggregate over the year we have seen perhaps a few more of these than we would like to see. And I hope that this Government is able to appropriately resource the relevant departments with the appropriate expertise to get these things right more likely than not the first time. But on this instance, of course we are happy to support, as stated. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Senator De Couto. Would any other Senator care to speak? Senator John Wight, you have the floor. Sen. John Wight: Thank you, Madam President. Just to say that I support this Bill. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Senator Wight. Would any other Senator care to speak on the Bill? Hearing none, then it is over to you, Senator Hodgson. You have support for your Bill. Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam President. And I would like to [thank] those who did support this Bill this morning. So, I move that the Bill entitled the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024 be now read a second time.
The President: Is there any objection to the second reading? No objection.
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 26 538 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam President. I move that Standing Order 26 be suspended in respect of this Bill.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. [Motion carried: Standing Order 26 suspended.] Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Bill entitled the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024 be now read a third time. The President: Is there any objection to the third reading? No objection.
BILL
THIRD READING
REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (ANNUAL CORPORATE REGULATORY FEES) AMENDMENT ACT 2024
Sen. Arianna Hodgson: Thank you, Madam President. I move that the Bill do now pass.
The President: It has been moved that the Bill entitled the Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024 do now pass. Is there any objection to that motion? The Bill is passed.
[Motion carried: The Registrar of Companies (Annual Corporate Regulatory Fees) Amendment Act 2024 was read a third time and passed.] The President: Thank you, Senator Arianna Hodgson. And thank you, Senators, for your support of the Bill. We are moving on now with the next item on our agenda, and that is the second reading of the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024. That is in the name of Senator Emily Dill, the Junior Minister for Transport. Senator Dill, you have the floor.
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you, Madam President. Madam President, I move that the Bill entitled the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 be now read a second time. The President: Is there any objection to the second reading? No objection. BILL SECOND READING MOTOR CAR (ELECTRIC OR HYBRID …
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you, Madam President. Madam President, the Bill for consideration before the Senate today is the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 . This Bill proposes an amendment to the Motor Car Act 1951 with the specific aim of increasing the permissible di-mensions of electric …
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, the Bill for consideration before the Senate today is the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 . This Bill proposes an amendment to the Motor Car Act 1951 with the specific aim of increasing the permissible di-mensions of electric and hybrid private motor cars. Madam President, the Ministry’s 2022 Throne Speech initiative outlines a policy to phase out the sale and importation of internal combustible engine (or ICE) vehicles by 2035. Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions globally, and reducing or eliminating these emissions will not only lessen Bermuda’s impact on global emissions, but also enhance local air quality. During the consultation process for the initiative, a prominent concern was the availability of electric and hybrid vehicle models. As the world rapidly transi-tions to zero- emissions vehicles, such as electrical vehicles, Bermuda has faced challenges in accessing these models due to countries with larger markets be-ing prioritised by vehicle manufacturers. Madam President, the car dealership industry has repeatedly expressed concerns about the shortage in availability of such vehicles due to market availability to Bermuda and has called for larger vehicle sizes for electric and hybrid models. BADA, or the Bermuda Auto Dealers Association, had requested 180- inch by 74-inch, an increase of 5 inches in length and 3 inches in width. This would have allowed an additional 32 car models to be purchased. The legislation allows a car size to be 176 inches by 72 inches, or an increase of 1 inch in length and 1 inch in width. This would allow 11 new and additional models in the Island. Whilst we understand the desires, we seek to strike a balance, as it is important to note that as technology advances and the production of EV [electric vehicle] batteries becomes more efficient, these batteries are expected to become both more efficient and more compact. Consequently, the need for larger EVs and hybrid vehicles may diminish and may even potentially allow for a reduction in vehicle size requirements in the future. Madam President, electric vehicle, or EV, dimensions are partly determined by the size of the battery units. Battery energy density over the past decade has mostly focused on increasing vehicle range. Therefore, the frequency of recharging has decreased over time. Many EVs now manufactured have a range be-tween 250 and 300 miles when fully charged. The
Bermuda Senate increased range is directly linked to larger batteries, which has led to larger EVs to accommodate the batteries. The size increase could mean fewer EV model options available for the local market due to the current statutory specifications. Hence, the maj ority of EV models available on the Island are now slightly either too long or too wide for Bermuda. Without change, this inhibitor could prevent the intended transition to zero- emissions vehicles and also slow Bermuda’s progress in reducing exhaust emissions and the many other benefits of the adoption of EVs. Madam President, hybrid vehicles play a crucial role in the transition to zero- emissions vehicles by bridging the gap between traditional internal combustion engines (or ICE vehicles) and fully electric vehicles (or EVs). By combining a conventional engine with an electric motor, hybrids offer improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions compared to ICE vehicles. This dual power train allows consumers to experience the benefits of electric driving, such as reduced fuel con-sumption and lower emissions, without the range anxiety associated with EV models. Further, hybrids often serve as an entry point for consumers, who are gradually adapting to the new technologies. As battery technology and charging infrastructure continue to improve, hybrid vehicles are paving the way for the broader acceptance and adoption of fully electric or zero- emissions vehicles, thereby accelerating the shift toward a sustainable transportation system. In summary, the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 represents a forward- looking adjustment to existing regulations designed to support the Ministry’s 2022 Throne Speech initiative to phase out the sale and importation of inter-nal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 to transition Bermuda to environmentally friendly vehicle technologies. It reflects a commitment to adapting our legal framework to keep pace with technological advancements and the evolving needs of modern trans portation. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you. Would any Senator care to — Senator Dwayne Robinson.
Sen. Dwayne Robinson: Thank you, Madam President. And just to signal that we in the Opposition, the OBA, do support this piece of legislation. I just have a few concerns to bring to the Junior Minister and indulge her answers. With the additional measurements that are being requested, are we sure that this is going to open up the industry in the way that they are looking for? Be-cause we do not really want to be coming back and constantly kind of amending the size and weights. I s there any additional research from Government’s end on where that size may be given as far as the electric vehicles are concerned? Obviously, we see electric vehicles and other vehicles getting larger, and the roads are remaining the same size. So just any sort of look at infrastructure and how we would be able to accommodate vehicles, as it seems they continue to increase in size, but as you know, Bermuda roads are not increasing in size. So just to manage potential road safety risks. And we heard that the 2035 date is set for fully electric vehicles on the Island. I just wanted to empha-sise the need to verify whether or not our electrical grid, whether or not our infrastructure, is moving at that pace to make that particular market level. Also, with the EVs, we assume that when the industry has come to Government and said, This will help us bring in additional models , there is perceived that there may be a spike or a boom in the purchasing of electric vehicles. Are we as an island prepared for a potential rise and spike in the number of electric vehicles that are on the road as far as the charging stations were mentioned and the electrical grid was mentioned? What are the strides on the back end of this to make sure that if there is a spike, because there are a lot of new models being brought in, that we can sustain that as an island? As a Government, we would hope that the responsibility of not just passing this particular legislation, but the foresight to make sure that it does not have any adverse, unforeseen consequences put forward. So I just wanted to get a bit of insight from your Junior Minister on that. But otherwise, we are supportive of this Bill.
The President: Thank you, Senator Dwayne Robinson. Would any other Senator care to speak on this Bill? Hearing none, it is over to you, Senator Dill.
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you, Madam President, and thank you, Senator Robinson, for those questions. It is really interesting, because certainly in researching this and understanding the industry and how it continues to evolve that, strangely enough, what we are finding is that as technology continues to advance there is the potentiality that …
Thank you, Madam President, and thank you, Senator Robinson, for those questions. It is really interesting, because certainly in researching this and understanding the industry and how it continues to evolve that, strangely enough, what we are finding is that as technology continues to advance there is the potentiality that in actual f act the battery sizes . . . at this point in time the need to increase is because of the need to accommodate the size of the batteries. When in actual fact what we are finding is that as technology increases, the battery sizes are intended to decrease. So at this point we do not see that as a problem. And certainly this growth is incremental. So as opposed to having introduced 32 new models, there will just be 11 new models that will become available. And we believe that we will be growing incrementally and able to certainly be able to (what is 540 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate the word I want to use?) accommodate the needs of the increase in the purchases of electric vehicles. Thank you. Okay?
The President: Yes. So, Senator Dill then, you will want to pass your Bill.
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you, Madam President. Yes. I now move that the Bill entitled the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 be now read a second time. The President: Thank you, Senator Dill. Are there any objections to that motion? No objections. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 26
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillMadam President, I move that [Standing Order] 26 be suspended in respect of this Bill. The President: Is there any objection to that Motion? No objection. [Motion carried: Standing Order 26 suspended.]
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillMadam President, I move that the Bill entitled Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 be now read a third time. The President: Is there any objection to the third reading? No objection. BILL THIRD READING MOTOR CAR (ELECTRIC OR HYBRID PRIVATE MOTOR CARS) AMENDMENT ACT …
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillMadam President, I move that the Bill do now pass. The President: It has been moved that the Bill entitled the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 do now pass. Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. The Bill has passed. [Motion carried: …
Madam President, I move that the Bill do now pass. The President: It has been moved that the Bill entitled the Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 do now pass. Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. The Bill has passed. [Motion carried: The Motor Car (Electric or Hybrid Private Motor Cars) Amendment Act 2024 was read a third time and passed.]
The President: Thank you, Senator Dill, and thank you, all Senators. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER 8
The President: Senators, I now need to suspend Standing Order 8 to allow the Minister to introduce his Bill.
[Motion carried: Standing Order 8 suspended.]
The President: Senator Darrell. Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, under the provisions of Standing Order 23, I move for leave of the Senate to introduce a Bill entitled the National Heroes Act 2024. The President: Is there any objection to that Motion? No objection.
BILL
FIRST READING
NATIONAL HEROES ACT 2024 Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Madam President, I hereby introduce and read for the first time by its title a Bill entitled the National Heroes Act 2024. Madam President, I ask that the said Bill be set down on the Order Paper for its second reading at the next day of the meeting.
The President: Is there any objection to that motion? No objection. The Bill will be introduced for the next day of meeting. Thank you, Minister Darrell.
MOTIONS
The President: There are none.
CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES
The President: Would any Senator care to speak on either of these items? Senator Wight, John Wight, you have the floor.
Sen. John Wight: Thank you, Madam President. I would like to send condolences to the family of the late Terry Stevens. Terry, a good friend of mine, was a life insurance agent for BF&M for many years. And he, very sadly, passed away on the weekend. So I would like to send my condolences to his wife, Joan, and the entire family during this difficult time. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Wight.
Bermuda Senate Would any other Senator care to speak? Senator De Couto, you have the floor.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoThank you, Madam President. First of all, I would like to congratulate Jessica Lewis who will be attending the Paralympics in Paris. This would be her fourth time in a row as a Paralympian representing Bermuda. So, I want to send her congratulations and luck during her competition. I obviously …
Thank you, Madam President. First of all, I would like to congratulate Jessica Lewis who will be attending the Paralympics in Paris. This would be her fourth time in a row as a Paralympian representing Bermuda. So, I want to send her congratulations and luck during her competition. I obviously also of course extend my congratulations and good luck in advance to all of our eight Olympians, which I will not read out here [due to] time constraints. I would like to send my condolences to the family of Dennis Ottley, a constituent in constituency 25. And to his wife, Mrs. Cynthia Otley, and his children Dee- Anna and Dennis, at this difficult time. And finally, Madam President, I would just like to send support and let those in the Islands of Granada, Barbados, Cayman, Jamaica and all the other islands with this hurricane barrelling down, either having barrelled down or about to barrel down, to send our thoughts to them, as we know what that is like. And I exhort all of our fellow Bermudians to start your prepa-rations early and please be ready for an active hurricane season. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator De Couto. Would any other Senator care to speak? Senator Dwayne Robinson, you have the floor.
Sen. Dwayne Robinson: Thank you, Madam President. I would just like to congratulate Dr. Carika Weldon and her company, CariGenetics, on the work that they are doing in her Caribbean Prostate Cancer Whole Genome Pilot Study. I know it is not exactly a topic that one would expect from a young man to bring up, around prostate ca ncer. But definitely we have seen more and more cases of younger men developing this. And I just wanted to encourage young men and old men to make sure that you do set up yourself for screening and not wait until something goes wrong or you are noticing health issues. And I just wanted to commend her for getting the data on the Caribbean specifically because we do not actually have that sort of data for us and those statistics. And I just wanted to also thank her for that com-munity meeting that she had along with the community and local stakeholders within that. So congratulations. And again, do not wait until something goes wrong. Get a checkup.
The President: Thank you, Senator Robinson. Would any other Senator care to speak? Senator Emily Dill, you have the floor.
Sen. Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. DillThank you, Madam President. Madam President, I would like to offer condolences today to the family of the late Colleen Dagmar Dill. She is the wife of the late Sydney Dill and she is a very, very well -known member of this community. She had six children who are also …
Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I would like to offer condolences today to the family of the late Colleen Dagmar Dill. She is the wife of the late Sydney Dill and she is a very, very well -known member of this community. She had six children who are also very well known. And her greatest treasure was her children, her grandchildren, her great -grandchildren. And she was a mentor, a counsellor, a disciplinarian to everyone and just a true matriarch of the Dill family. She passed this past weekend with her children and great -grandchildren by her side. Miss Colleen was a devout Anglican and served as the President of the Guild at St. Monica’s Mission for many years. And she was also a dedicated fan of the North Village Community Club where her sons starred as football players, and one of them is now President, Mr. Shervin Dill. Stories are told of how she washed the teams’ jerseys back in the day before we had washers and dryers. And she was famous and greatly appreciated at North Village Club for handwashing and hanging those red-and-white jerseys on the clothesline. Her trade was a babysitter, and she brought up numerous babies and adults in the North Shore Glebe Road area. She is well known, respected and loved, and she will be missed tremendously. I would also like to offer condolences to the family of Mr. Gary Smith, the husband of Mrs. Silvia Smith. Mr. Smith was very well known and was a devout Bible scholar. And we certainly wish [to send] our condolences to his entire family on his passing. On a happy note, I want to take a moment for us to offer congratulations to our weekly host, “Mr. Gospel,” Mr. Kelly Zuill, on his 61 st year celebration as a gospel music radio announcer here in Bermuda. He introduced gospel music on the air, and he will celebrate 61 years [in] July. and we offer to him our sincere thanks and appreciation for all that he does. I would also like to take a moment, Madam President, to offer congratulations. Just about two weeks ago, the AME Church Annual Sunday School Convention was held at Mount Zion Church under the leadership of Dr. Shangri -La Durham- Thompson. And it was really heartwarming to hear the reports of all 11 of the AME Churches that are still about the business of pouring into the lives of young people and taking the time, giving of individuals, giving of their time to ensure that young people learn about God and learn to love God and their fellow man. And I want to also acknowledge this weekend the AME Youth Young Peoples [Division]. They will be celebrating their young people in their annual iRock! Awards, which celebrates teenagers. I just want to thank them for the work that they continue to do in t his community. And last but not least, I want to celebrate Dr. Wannita Smith who was honoured this past Sunday at 542 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate a concert that was held at St. Philip AME Church. She is a young adult. She is an ophthalmologist who has a business in Bermuda. But she gives unreservedly of her time and energy to her local church, and she was celebrated this past weekend, acknowledging her outstanding contribution in this community. So I offer kudos to her and allow both the Senate Chamber and the Bermuda community to be aware of the tremendous work that she has done and the thank -you that was extended to her on behalf of St. Philip Chur ch. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Dill. Senator Robinson, you have the floor.
Sen. Leslie Robinson: Thank you, Madam President. I want to extend condolences to the family of Sharon Louise Talbot. She is a member of Bethel AME Church. But more so, she was a longstanding employee at Lindos in Devonshire. She always greeted persons with a wonderful smile on her face. So we just want to recognise the family and wish them all the best, her sister, Carol Smith, and the rest of the family. I too want to share in the congratulatory remarks for Kelly Zuill. Last year we were amongst many who celebrated his 60 years in gospel. And the fact that he is carrying on even for an additional year, 61 years non-stop, that is just a wonderful feat. And as Senator Dill pointed out, he was the one who really introduced gospel music to the airwaves of Bermuda, and he has been going on ever since for 61 years. I also want to . . . and I know the Minister will mention this about the Olympians, and we already heard about Jessica Lewis. But we just also would like to congratulate all of Bermuda’s Olympians, and we wish them well as they go on to compete. Thank you.
The President: Thank you, Senator Leslie Robinson. Would any other Senator care to speak?
Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Madam President? The President: Minister Darrell, yes.
Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you very much, Madam President. I would like to congratulate, first and foremost, the United Dance Productions, known in our community as UDP, on an exceptional junior company show-case, Madam President, under the direction of legendary dance director herself, Ms. Suzette Harvey. I would also like to congratulate, and I would like to call him my mate. We have had many conversa-tions, and I was actually first made aware of his success and his qualifying for the Olympics through his mom, who is a friend of mine. And that is none other than Mr. Jah- Nhai Perinchief, who has qualified for the Olympics in the discipline of triple jump. So I would love to see Senators, if they have not already, congratulate him on their Twitter later. Also, congratulations to the new President — another one of my mates, new President of the Bermuda National Trust Council Board, Mr. Mark Orchard. You would have seen that was released and announced yesterday, and he is replacing Ms. Alana . . . I am forget ting her last name now. I want to wish him all the best. Congratulations to the continued celebrations, the 175 th year of the Portuguese celebrations and their committee, on a successful event this past weekend. With the whole fun, which was for family. And it was a wonderful bookend to the week after the Department of Culture held a series called the Bermuda Heartbearts Lecture Series, which highlighted the 175- year history of the Portuguese in Bermuda. And I was happy to be at that event. I am extending best of luck to the Pacers Track Club, Madam President, who fly out today. A team of 39 individuals (actually, they went yesterday) to the 2024 Flying Angels International Track and Field Championship in Toronto. Congratulations to the Bermuda Piano Festival, Madam President. A real triumph held recently at the Masterworks Museum. And finally, we have already congratulated the organisers of Carnival Weekend. After we witnessed such a spectacular finale performance by Fire Wayne. And the daily, in their article today, forgot to mention him, and he actually performed at the finale at the Tribute to the Heroes, which you were at, Madam President. (Thank you for attending on Sunday.) And I must congratulate all three Bermudian soca stars who performed at almost every single party over the weekend, Fire Wayne, a gentleman by the name of Ponaflex and Mr. Photogenic. They are all in-credible stars, and I wish them all success, much success, as they continue to improve their craft as creatives in Bermuda. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Minister Darrell. Would any other Senator care to speak? Hearing none, then I would just like to associate myself with the congratulations to Dr. Carika Weldon certainly on the research that she is doing on the cancer amongst males. Because I think not only for Bermuda, but also for the Caribbean. And we do wis h her well in that because I think that is an area that has not had much time and research spent. So, congratulations to her on that. I would also like to associate myself with the congratulations to Shangri -La Durhan- Thompson. And my own comments, I would like to say congratulations to Ms. Barbara Astwood, who will be celebrating her 90 th birthday on Saturday. She was a nurse tutor at King Edward [VII Memorial Hospital] for many years. And I think she is deserving to be mentioned
Bermuda Senate because she has done a tremendous amount of work not only in the hospital, but for the community. With that said then, we will move on. Minister Darrell.
ADJOURNMENT Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Thank you, Madam President. Madam President, I now do ask that the Senate adjourn until Wednesday, July 17. The President: Thank you, Minister. Would any Senator care to speak on the motion to adjourn? Senator De Couto, you have the floor.
PARLIAMENTARY REGISTER OF INTERESTS — CALL FOR PUBLIC TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoThank you, Madam President. Some of us may recall last week, Madam President, there was some discussion of interests. That is a topic I would like to get into a bit today. And as a re-minder to those listening in, of course you can go to the parliamentary website, parliament.bm …
Thank you, Madam President. Some of us may recall last week, Madam President, there was some discussion of interests. That is a topic I would like to get into a bit today. And as a re-minder to those listening in, of course you can go to the parliamentary website, parliament.bm , and you can find the forms allowing you to see the declaration of all Members’ interests. And I am sure if anyone listening would like further information on how to do that, any Member of either of the House of the Legislature would be pleased to assist them. There is a lot of information on there including directorships, investments, travel. So, I would urge members of the public to review those and decide their views on the interests of the various Members. But I would also like to give the listening public some facts that will allow them to draw some of their own conclusions about [whether] their interests are be-ing properly represented, Madam President. Now, we just recently passed the Health Council Amendment Act, which is part of a piece of reducing health care costs. So I thought I would start off with the fact that in 2017, the Premier instructed civil servants to make a grant to Dr. Ewart Brown. In total, $1.2 million was paid to him as a rebate for MRI fees. Of course, the MRI fees were reduced in an attempt to reduce health care costs. So I think the listening public, the general public should consider whether their interests were truly looked out for when that money was paid back to Dr. Ewart Brown. In 2018, Cabinet approved an $800,000 (quote/unquote) “loan” to Savvy Entertainment. And we know that that money is gone. So, Madam President, was that in the interests of the general public? We know that between 2020 and 2022 a company owned by the Premier’s FinTech advisor earned $3.6 million through no- bid contracts in violation of government procurement rules and laws. Madam President, was that in the interests of the people of Bermuda? We know that for fiscal years 2023 through to 2025, a total of $480,000 (or, as I like to say, nearly half a million ) in consultant fees were granted to the wife of a different FinTech advisor to chaperone Cabinet Ministers around Dubai. Is that in the interests of the Bermudian public? Further, Madam President, the Premier, who is an owner of Hitch, has directed the Transport Minister to implement ridesharing, which of course Hitch will play a role in, which has — Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Madam President, Madam President, point of order. The President: Minister —
POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motive]
Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: That is imputing improper motive. Those facts are not true, Madam President. And I would like the [Senator] to withdraw that. The Premier has not directed the Minister of Transport to do anything of the like.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoMadam President, if I may quote the Premier? “What I have told the Minister of Transport is very simple. If the taxis won’t pick them up, then we need to make it available for others to do so.” Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Madam . . . Madam President, that …
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoIt is a factual statement. The President: Senator, I would like for you to retract the statement with reference to the Premier. Your comment about what he actually said is — [Crosstalk]
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoI will retract the statement that the Premier has directed the Minister of Transport. But it is a question of fact what the Premier has said, and I would urge the listening public to make their own determination on how a Minister, when spoken to by the Premier, might interpret …
I will retract the statement that the Premier has directed the Minister of Transport. But it is a question of fact what the Premier has said, and I would urge the listening public to make their own determination on how a Minister, when spoken to by the Premier, might interpret that. Now, I have my inter-pretation, Madam President. My view is that the public should carefully consider whose interests are being served by that. And Madam President, a $3.2 million contract was awarded to a former PLP party chair who installed solar power at the National Stadium. Financing was put in place by the Government without the proper approv-als by the National Sports Centre Board and with financial transactions not occurring according to that own 544 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate board’s financial procedures. And the project is still not complete three years later. Again, I would ask the public to consider — Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Madam President, point of order.
POINT OF ORDER [Imputing improper motives] Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Again, the [Senator] is factually wrong and imputing improper motives. The project, as I have said in here, is partially complete. I have said it; it is on record. So for him to say it is not complete is wrong, Madam President. And this line of whatever he is going down in is inappropriate.
The President: Senator De Couto.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoThank you, Madam President. The President: Would you correct that particular statement?
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoLet me correct the statement from The project is still not complete to The project is not fully complete, Madam President. The President: Mm-hmm.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoAnd I ask the public to consider, Have their interests been fully taken care of through those actions? So add that up. That is $9.3 million of direct spending by the Government. Now we have another $16 million that has been spent on the Gaming Commission with no gaming. Is …
And I ask the public to consider, Have their interests been fully taken care of through those actions? So add that up. That is $9.3 million of direct spending by the Government. Now we have another $16 million that has been spent on the Gaming Commission with no gaming. Is that in the interests of the general public?
The President: Mm-hmm.
Sen. Dr. Douglas De CoutoRecently, Madam President, the Government brought a Bill that was passed to allow the Government to borrow money, put it in the Sinking Fund and then spend it without any accountability to the Legislature or to the people or through the budgeting process. I ask you, Madam President, Is that …
Recently, Madam President, the Government brought a Bill that was passed to allow the Government to borrow money, put it in the Sinking Fund and then spend it without any accountability to the Legislature or to the people or through the budgeting process. I ask you, Madam President, Is that in the best interests of the Bermudian people? All of these actions, frankly, make no sense to me. And my question to the Bermudian people to consider, to look at those facts is, Whose interests are being served? Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator De Couto. Would any other Senator care to speak? Senator John Wight, you have the floor. BERMUDA CASINO GAMING COMMISSION’S LACK OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Sen. John Wight: Thank you, Madam President. I will be fairly brief, as usual. The announcements this morning included the Bermuda Casino Gaming Annual Reports and Audited Financial Statements. And when I reviewed the materials, I did read that the audit of the financial statements for the 2019/20 is the most recent year. Madam President, in my view this is unacceptable. These financial statements are not complicated to prepare; in fact, they are pretty basic. There are no revenues, for example. The majority of expenses are paid to staff, board members and consultants. Madam President, audited financial statements are of most use when they are prepared on a timely basis. I am a supporter of strong governance, whether it be for government enterprises or private en-terprises. In fact, I think Government should be a leader in strong governance, a role model for all organisations. Over $16 million has been paid by taxpayers since the first year in 2015. With controversy in our community regarding the Gaming Commission, I think it is especially important if the audited financial statements are presented to the Senate on a timely basis. Taxpayers have a right to know how their funds have been spent. So as we sit here in July 2024, the fact that there are no audited financial statements for the 2020/21 year, the 2021/22 year or the 2022/23 year to me is unacceptable. So, I would strongly recommend that they be audited as a matter of some importance. Thank you, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator John Wight. Would any other Senator care to speak on the motion to adjourn? Senator Dwayne Robinson, you have the floor.
ROAD SAFETY —CALL FOR SCHOOL CURRICULUM ON ROAD SAFETY
Sen. Dwayne Robinson: Thank you, Madam President. And I just wanted to take my time to highlight the need for me to urge the Government to respond to the increases in road collisions that are happening. We have gotten to a point now where we are seeing almost six to eight collisions a day. And it is just, in my opinion, completely unsustainable. I heard in another place that an MP for the Government called it a crisis or a national emergency.
The President: Mm-hmm. Sen. Dwayne Robinson: And I would like to support and echo that statement, that it is indeed a national crisis. And that we have a toxic road culture here in
Bermuda Senate Bermuda that is embedded from a young age. And I believe that we now need to look at how we can reform education —because there are a lot of education reforms currently going on —how we can reform our education to tackle that toxic culture from a young age t o teach young children from age primary throughout high school safe road habits and safe road protocols. Though they may not be able to drive, you can start a curriculum from a young age that just at least introduces our youth to the prospect of how to cross the street properly, how to identify safe habits of driving. And I mean, I have a two- year-old. And he will tell me when the light is red, and I need to stop. [Laughter] Sen. Dwayne Robinson: So if he can do it, I am sure we can work on a way to get that implemented into our education system, because policing is a part of it, but it cannot be the entire solution. We need to work on educating our students and young people and also educat-ing thos e who are not so young. For a long time it was considered the young guys who were speeding and being reckless. But we are seeing all age groups being involved in collisions, all age groups being affected by road collisions. And all of us in this Chamber and all Bermudians utilise the roads. So, it is something that I believe needs to be top priority. Because the more that we continue to speak about it but not take any steps toward actually addressing it and partnering with the community, more than slogans, more than marketing and advertisemen t, but real, sustainable capital spent to make sure that we have a curriculum within our schools that teaches this and reinforces this so by the time they get to Project Ride, by the time they are looking to get their car li-cence, they have had at least 10 years of gradually increasing road safety knowledge and road safety protocols drilled in that we could possibly see an increase and even reformation to tie in Project Ride and the licensing contract with that. We always have the concern that we have seen the police budget reduced over subsequent budgets. We have seen that the recruitment process is hav-ing its issues even with any reserve police. And this is also something that I think needs to be addressed. How can we work with the police to make sure that there is an adequate resource to handle not just the spike in crime, but also the huge spike in road collisions that we are seeing? It has to be an identifiable breakdown ei-ther between education and how we are policing the roads, how our people are being able to obtain licences. We have to figure out where that issue is. I call on Government to make it a top priority to coordinate, along with the three . . . Ministry of National Security, to figure out and drill down on how we can bring in the Ministry of Education, how we can work on getting our people to drive more safel y, to also make sure that our roads have a fully functioning and up to date, fully equipped Road Safety Unit. Because if we have a lot of cases that are not being solved, we have criminal cases that need investigation, how can we expect our police, who are on demand, to properly conduct road policing? So I really believe that we have seen a lot of money being found, or I would say money being utilised for various community initiatives. But this is literally injuring and killing Bermudians consistently. And we have not seen a budgetary response, a financ ial response. We heard it from a Government MP. But is this road safety issue a national crisis, a national emergency to our Premier and Minister of Finance, who holds the purse strings to provide additional support to this particular situation? I have given suggestions because I know it is always, The OBA criticises, but we don’t give suggestions . They have my suggestions. They can either utilise them or not. But we need to see a comprehensive emergency call for how the Government is going to improve and educate and ensure that we have a change in our road culture so that we can start to see a dec line and a decrease. Yes, I am not removing the personal accountability of everyone who drives. Everyone who gets on a bike, everyone who gets behind a w heel has a personal responsibility to be safe, and I agree with the Government on their calls to improve personal re-sponsibility. But at the same time, the Government has a responsibility to educate its people to enforce safe driving habits and enforce tha t within our education system. So we have to call upon the community to do its part and make sure that they are stepping up where it is required to ensure there are fewer accidents. But we also have to ensure that we as Legislators do our piece as leaders in the community and ensure that this is being tackled. So with those comments, Madam President, I yield. Thank you.
The President: Thank you, Senator Robinson. Would any other Senator care to speak on the motion to adjourn? Senator Robinson, Leslie Robinson, you have the floor.
ROAD SAFETY —PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY Sen. Leslie Robinson: Thank you, Madam President. I also appreciate Senator Robinson’s comments regarding road safety. I do, however, want to get back to the point about personal responsibility. And I know he has said that there needs to be more education, et cetera. But I want to go down the road of personal responsibility. And I think about even myself. As I get in my car every day, and some of the things that I do, I know that I should not do or I can do better. So even, for example, I get in my car and I turn on the radio. And sometimes the music is blasting. And this time 546 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate of the year I love my soca music, and it is blasting, yes. Going down the road every morning in traffic, I have got that music on. However, sometimes the music is so loud that I cannot even hear when a siren, when an emergency service vehicle is coming. And then I have got to stop short because I look behind and I am like stunned—Oh my gosh! And this is just one example of taking some personal responsibility. And I am sure we can all think about what we do. Sometimes, hey, you have got your cell phone in your hand. None of us should! But we have it, and we take it out. And we might be doing some digits instead of . . . many of our cars, as we know, we can be hands -free. But sometimes we still pick up that phone. And then sometimes you are driving, you have got your child, your spouse, your significant other in the car. And you are having a heated debate, argument. You are trying to deal with your child, who is fidgeting or whatever, saying whatever. All of these things, Madam President, I am saying are things that can distract us while we are driving. And we are all guilty of it in one shape or form. We might be the best driver, but you get a call right away while you are driving, and it could be some type of emer gency or something, and it can mess you right up. So I want to talk, as I said, about personal responsibility. And we all need to be better drivers. Also, when I was coming through years ago, I remember my dad teaching me how to drive. And he said to me, Leslie, stay two and a half car lengths behind the car that is in front of you. He said, Even if a car overtakes you and pulls in front of you, slow down and remain at that two and a half car lengths behind. And nowadays we can look at it. I am sitting at my gate, and I just look at the stream of traffic coming both ways be-fore I can even get out into the main road. And I can see we are not two and a half car lengths behind each other. Again, and I am saying it for myself, and I know that we all can attest to it. There are many times we drive and we are not two and a half car lengths behind each other. Also, Madam President, even with speed. And we know what the speed limit is, and we all know what we feel that it is safe to drive before we think that we might get caught by the police. We know that. We know that. And again, I say to all of us to slow dow n, to think about the rules of the road and to try as [much as] possible not to have any distractions. Some may come up unexpectedly. But do not have any distractions be-cause again it is all about our personal responsibility on these roads. And I echo Senator Robinson: We have too many accidents on our roads. But I believe that a lot of it is to do with personal responsibility, Madam President.
PLP GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY Sen. Leslie Robinson: The other thing I want to mention as well, Madam President, is that I was a bit disappointed with Senator De Couto’s remarks only because I do not want people to think that this Government cannot manage money. And, you know, we can talk about governments. Each government, every government that there is could be accused of diverting money one way when it should have been the other way. As long as there is accountability for where that money is going . . . no, not all the time where ever y taxpayer agrees with how the money is being spent or where it is going. But this Government has been fiscally responsible. This Government has produced a balanced budget, the first time in a long time. And in some instances, we will probably make surplus es. So, I do not want us to leave here today and even the general public thinking that this Government is not fiscally responsible and is not doing what it set out to do, which is to ensure that every Bermudian is going to be able to live a better quality of l ife in this country. I get very concerned when there are allegations out there saying this and that about where money has been spent. I could look and I can remember back when the OBA was in Government. And all I have to do is say the word “Jetgate,” and we can all go down that path. But I will not do that. But again, let us just know that with every Government there will be concerns about where the money might be going. But this Government is fiscally responsible. Thank you very much, Madam President.
The President: Thank you, Senator Robinson. Would any other Senator care to speak on the motion to adjourn? Senator Robin Tucker, you have the floor.
PARLIAMENTARY REGISTER OF INTERESTS — CALL FOR PUBLIC TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER
Sen. Robin Tucker: Thank you, Madam President. Before I get into the crux of what I did want to speak to, I would just like to make a comment as it relates to my Senate colleague’s last comment. And I will be very quick. I am not going to sort of revisit anything. I will just say that Senator De Couto in his remarks purely stated facts on record. And they are not allegations. So if anyone would like to check them, Google is available; all of the resources are there. So I will leave it there, just encourage people t o check details and decide for themselves.
THE VILLAGE IS FAILING IN RAISING OUR CHILDREN Sen. Robin Tucker: What I wanted to talk about today is, there is a well -known African proverb that states that It takes a village to raise a child. I ask today, Madam President, What happened to our villages? Many of our
Bermuda Senate homes are in trouble, and we are seeing the symptoms of the sicknesses that are in our homes in the community. We see children showing blatant disrespect and disregard for authority in our schools and on our streets, a general disregard in the community for ad-herence to basic rules of the roads, excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking and the like. We see young ladies and young men partaking of substances, fighting in schools. We have all seen the video clips circulating. I struggle to find a more appropriate word, but it is embarrassing. And the parents of those children should be embarrassed. I as a person in the community am embarrassed by the behaviours of some things that I have seen. So we see young ladies and young men, as I said, partaking in substances, fighting in schools and on the streets while their friends egg them on. Some parents are afraid to correct their children. Others have given up trying. And some do not even know where to start. And again, some of it is because the village has failed. Children are struggling with their mental health. One study conducted by a Ph.D. student, Daniel Cavanagh was his name, and psychologist Shawnee Basden. As it was reported in the RG [Royal Gazette] late last year, that study found that 31 per cent of middle and high school students surveyed had moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety. We should be alarmed! This is alarming, and it begs the question, What is happening in our homes and in the community? What is happening to our children? We keep talking about things that are happening externally. We keep talking about the things, the results of the things that we see. But we are not talking about the core of the issue. The community things that we are seeing are the results of things that are happening in our homes. We have in a lot of ways lost the plot. Some of our children are bearing the emotional, generational scars of their parents. Some of our children have been abused or forced to grow up too quickly. And some lack the mental maturity to function appropriately as adults and with basic life expectat ions. So they do their best to try to figure life out and simply learn to survive even if it means surviving is at the ex-pense of somebody else. We have a problem, Madam President, and I simply today want to raise that alarm. Because there are things that we need to talk about and stop sugar -coating it and acting like it is not as bad as it seems. It is bad. We lack accountability and basic standards. When did it become acceptable, Madam President, for children and their parents to use profane language toward teachers or parents to their children? It simply is not acceptable! And it is not acceptable for us to see it and hear it and not say anything, t hose of us who know better. I get that we do not want to put ourselves at risk, but at the same time what option do we have? Are we the village or not? If we are not the village, we need to stop talking about, It takes a village, because it is simply words and it is nothing more than that. When did it become acceptable for children to disrespect seniors or any adult, for that matter? It is not and never will be and never should be. Where is the village when they know these things are happening or see these things happening and say and do nothing? And then we are surprised at the outcomes that we get. Not acceptable. Some parents are working multiple jobs out of necessity because necessities like food and a roof over your head and electricity are high. And they must be away from home to feed their children and to keep a roof over their children’s head. I understand it . I have said in this Chamber before my grandmother was a sin-gle mother of six children. And she made it work. She made it work after my grandparents, my mother’s . . . the older children, after they got divorced, my granny had to figure it out! And there are parents . . . I am not saying that there are not parents who are figuring it out. Those are not the parents I am talking to. I am not talking to the people who are addressing certain things. I am talking to those who are not. So that whole scenario about, I can’t be home and all of that is not new. But there was a standard of expectation that we have let go by the wayside. Grandparents and the people in the village who looked out for each other who now simply cannot afford to retire as they once did, so many are not even i n the homes to keep a watchful eye over the children. So many children are left to raise themselves. Many of our teachers are hamstrung and cannot redirect children for fear of parental pushback or from the children themselves! This is nuts what we are living with! Our churches, Madam President, of which I am a member of one . . . our churches used to be part of the village, playing a pivotal role in children’s lives. But, Madam President, too many of our churches today are silent on the hard matters! We hear crickets from them! We have and they have become so entrenched in their own situations, their own lives and what have you that we forget about the children and take the road of least resistance and ignore them because it is easier. We want to give people the sugar -coated, the nice things, let us love each other, sing Kumbaya and keep it moving. We have a problem, and I am sounding the alarm. Some of us do not accept the gravity, Madam President, of the problem. But instead of sounding the alarm, we hear frequent reminders about the struggles of our ancestors, which sometimes appear to be an excuse for where we are. To be clear, remembering where we came from is vitally important; I am not say-ing it is not. But we (and I mean the collective “we”) have been given a baton. And it has come to us with blood, sweat and tears of those who came before us who have endured so that we—our people, all of us — can become educated, can gain status, can embrace a 548 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report
Bermuda Senate number of opportunities, achieve goals. We are not hindered from doing anything. That is not to say that the struggle may not be a little bit more difficult. How do we know that we can overcome it? The people who came before us over-came it so that we could have things a little bit better. So we need to take that baton, Madam President , and run and keep our eyes forward and keep running. We remember where we came from, but we have got to keep it moving! It may not come easy, as easy as it has for others. But there is nothing holding the collective we back but ourselves. The baton has been passed to us, and now individually we must ensure that our attachment to the past is not greater than our commitment to the future. It is time for the village to wake up from its sleep and get back on its post. The h ealth and future of our generations, our community and our Island home depend on each of us being a functioning member of this community so that we look out for each other, we hold each other accountable for raising ourselves up and with the support of that collective village. Thank you, Madam President. The President: Thank you, Senator Robin Tucker. Would any other Senator care to speak on the motion to adjourn? None?
Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: Madam President, I will have just a couple of brief words.
The President: Minister.
PLP GOVERNMENT CONTINUING TO SET BUDGETS THAT BENEFIT AND IMPROVE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES Sen. the Hon. Owen Darrell: And just some observations, Madam President. And I would say that I have heard three very passionate speeches on the motion to adjourn this morning, one from the Senator across the aisle speaking and echoing sentiments regarding safety on the roads that we heard from the Chair of the Road Safety Council in another place. So that is something that I think all Bermudians can resonate with. We open up our WhatsApp in the morning and it is shocking the number of accidents and carnage that we see on the roads. If you are in some cases unfortunate enough to be some other groups and you start hearing the sto-ries as to how these accidents took place and what -not, it is even more shocking and disappointing as to how people are traveling on our roads. So those sentiments are definitely well received. I know my Senate colleague definitely did follow up and agree with some of those, and I know that the Member in another place, MP Dennis Lister III, is doing all that he can with the Road Safety Council to bring awareness, to step up patrols and other things of the like. Also, we heard a very passionate speech from the One Bermuda Alliance Senate Leader on values and her views on where they have been and what we need to do as a community to bring [back] those good old-fashioned values that we have been accustomed to in thi s Island. Then we had another, I would not even call it a speech, Madam President. I am not sure what that was—I like to call it grandstanding —from the other One Bermuda Alliance Senator. We have also become accustomed to that, Madam President. And I guess the disap pointment for me is that in a week where community . . . and I gave a speech on motion to adjourn last week on all of the positive things that we are seeing in the community and things that everyone is doing and all about people first . The Member from the other side had an opportunity to get up and really dig in to some of the positivity that is happening in his own community. You know, we saw celebrations of the Portuguese coming to Bermuda. We saw government departments putting in. And some of his colleagues thanked the department for the work that they have done. There were celebrations at (they call it) the House of Azores, Casa dos A çores, that he was at, Madam President! And just an exciting time of community and culture in this Island. And he gets up here, and he gives rumour and innuendo and does not highlight some of the things that I would have thought would have excited him. So I would like to push back on some of the things that were said. I know this One Bermuda Alliance Senate Leader would like to think that everything said was factual. But it is the innuendo that comes with it, it is the smoke that comes around it, it is the rumour that comes around it, Madam President. And what we have in Bermuda is, luckily, the Government does not control the police force. So when she talks about investigations and how we are looking into matters, there has been no wrongdoing in some of the matters that were brought up earlier. And as my Senate colleague said earlier, and we hate to say it, but there is only one political party in this country’s history that has had a leader step down in disgrace, Madam President. And that directly comes from financial interests and whatever happened in their back room as to the reasons why that party forced him to step down in disgrace. So, you know, while one political party might like to try to throw smoke and mirrors and innuendo, I can tell you that the Progressive Labour Party is focused, as I said last week, with all of the positive things that are going on. And we will continue to focus on people, Madam President. We will continue to set budgets that benefit the betterment of programmes and social programmes so that the things that the One Bermuda Alliance Senate Leader is talking about and is upset about, she can see much improvement in this country
B ermuda Senate with the budgets t hat the Government has s et to improve some of t hese programmes. Madam President, it looks like we may leave Senate early today. And I am going to use this opportunity, Madam President, to go around to some of these summer day camps to see tangible and real results as to how we dispersed the budgets and the finances of this country into areas that directly touch the community. I am going to do that. And I will send pictures. And I will even send some to the Senate [Opposition] Leader so her colleagues could put them on Twitter, Madam President. Because I am shocked that as leaders in this community and especially a young man in this community, and I am sure he would love to do great things in the community, the only thing I ever see is negativity, Madam President. And as I stated last week, I am taking a new approach, Madam President. It is an approach of positivity, an approach of highlighting the service that we are doing in this community, Madam President. So while some will try to get up here and speak on matter s of interests and again these doom- and-gloom rumours and innuendo, Madam President, the Progressive Labour Party is going to focus on the work that we are doing for the community and the positivity. So with that said, Madam President, I will wrap up my remarks. And I love how some people like to put all of my movements on Twitter. So for the rest of the day, Madam President, if he would like, I am going to get out in the community and I am going to look at the positive and see the positive work that we are doing in this community. Thank y ou, Madam P resident. The P resident: T hank y ou, Mi nister O wen Darrell. And w ith that, S enate stands adj ourned u ntil Wednesday, J uly 17. Thank y ou, Senators, f or your at tention and work this morning. [At 12:05 pm, The Senate stood adjourned until 10:00 am, W ednesday, 17 July 202 4.] 550 3 July 2024 Official Hansard Report