Speeches by The Hon. L. Craig Cannonier, JP, MP

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

213 words

Oh yes, the heat has got to be turned up. And my goodness. My eldest daughter told me: No, no, no, no. I got it. She is a little crazy. So, smart —she is loyal. When she turns it on, it is going to be a problem. So, she went up there and tore things up. Did you know that …

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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427 words

And I heard the Honourable Minister Tinee [Furbert] say . . . She mentioned about how . . . I wrote it down here somewhere about the violence. Yes. This report is a work in progress. I accept that. I do accept that. But I tell you what else is a work in progress: crime. And these guys at a …

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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28 words

I do not think he can ride a bike, you know. You would have noticed in the paper not too long ago, our wonderful Royal Gazette— [Inaudible interjection]

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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269 words

—mentioned that BF&M had experienced 70 per cent increase in profits over a period of time. You then would have read in the paper that Argus experienced an 18 per cent increase in profits over a similar period of time. And as you know, Mr. Speaker, I have been speaking to this matter of these consolidations that are taking place …

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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19 words

No, I am not talking about the banks. I am talking about the insurance companies right now. [Inaudible interjection]

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

19 words

So, this is . . . And I mentioned that . . . I believe that — [Inaudible interjection]

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

66 words

I will leave that for you. I will leave that one for you. I mentioned that there is a proverbial war coming, and what I was looking at was the local businesses now having to fight to survive with these large conglomerates and that doctors’ offices cannot own a pharmacy but yet an insurance company, [an] even larger busi-ness, can …

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

35 words

And then we start seeing where now the large insurance companies are buying up doctors’ offices. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: That’s right. Go ahead. You are on a great wicket. [Inaudible interjections ]

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

266 words

And so, I am very much concerned, and I am hoping that the Government is taking the opportunity to speak to these insurance companies about how we are going to move forward. Because GEHI has its challenges. It is offering more than what it costs. They are doing their part. So, the offering for health insurance there with GEHI . …

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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29 words

Between my wife and I on insurance, I am talking about thousands of dollars less. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: And the benefits? Make sure you say that.

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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36 words

So, there needs to be an intervention. I did get a call from an insurance company the last time I spoke, and I am sure I will get another call. Bermuda House of Assembly [Inaudible interjection]

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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13 words

Now, I am not trying to be an Honourable Zane De Silva. [Laughter]

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

101 words

But what I am saying is that collectively I think we all understand that some inter-vention needs to be placed here. And, Mr. Speaker, you yourself can speak to the issues that we are having with some of the insurance companies and coverage. Now, I must say, I had great coverage when I was with . . . I had …

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

35 words

So, now that the merger has taken place with Argus and it has been approved with BF&M, I can assure you, Mr. Speaker, the next thing that we are going to see pop up —

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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3 words

—is a pharmacy.

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

50 words

I can assure you that . . . Listen, again, I am not faulting them because they are looking at . . . We mentioned earlier today, sometimes you know these large companies do not . . . They lay off an experienced . . . a brother back here.

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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15 words

They experience increase profits due to this cost -saving. Some Hon. Member s: Yes. Yes.

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

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68 words

So, it is not where you are, but it is where you are headed that makes a difference. And I smell something that is headed towards us. This is a problem. Now, for the pharmacies that are out there and the doctors’ offices, I am saying to them, You need to open up an insurance company because if they can …

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

30 words

Come together and open up your insurance company, and I want the Honourable Zane De Silva to lead it. An Hon. Member: That is right. [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]

6 Dec 2024 House of Assembly

Official Hansard Report - House Of Assembly

21 words

Now, this is not an attack, but what I am asking for the insurance companies to do is have a heart.