Members
Parliament
Transparency
Dr. Douglas De Couto, JP, MP

Dr. Douglas De Couto, JP, MP

1768
Speeches
616,883
Words Spoken
69
Sittings Active
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
81 words
Mr. Speaker, we also support the Fiscal Responsibility Panel’s (FRP) recommenda-tion, adopted by the Government, that 70 per cent of net CIT revenues are used to pay debt interest, reduce net debt, or accumulate net financial assets. The G overnment continues to mention a Sovereign Wealth Fund but should not become distracted. With $600 million of debt due next year …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
170 words
The FRP proposed, and the Government says they are adopting, a rule that the current budget remains in balance or surplus, excluding net CIT revenues, capital spending, and interest payments. The OBA proposes a tighter version of this rule where interest payments should not be funde d by the CIT over the medium and long term. In fact, the version …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
129 words
Mr. Speaker, it’s almost a scientific law that politicians like to spend money, particu-larly taxpayers’ money. The Premier has floated the trial balloon of implementing an income tax in Bermuda. This reflects the reality that, given our debt and spending pressures, even with the CIT, this Budget only works over the next few years. The Premier is already looking for …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
41 words
The PLP Government has almost doubled spending on consultants over the past two years to $99 million , as we have mentioned. Perhaps that is what they mean when they say taking care of their people, Mr. Speaker . [Inaudible interjection]
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
94 words
Mr. Speaker, $99 million on consultants —doubled, Mr. Speaker . To control overspending and limit tax increases on Bermudians, the OBA would strongly consider a spending rule. This rule would cap increases in current spending based on a combination of GDP growth and year-on-year expense and revenue growth, over a multi -year period. The OBA would also implement a rule …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
168 words
Mr. Speaker, Bermudians want and deserve accountability in how their money is spent, particularly the CIT funds. This means laws and transparent reporting. The PLP has provided too many Bermuda House of Assembly examples of poor decision- making on spending, veiled financial reporting, and avoiding accountability, particularly to this Parliament. Mr. Speaker, the OBA would prevent moving money between funds …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
17 words
Meanwhile, the G overnment continues to mislead the public with incorrect claims of a surplus in 2024/25.
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
205 words
The current budget already includes a $14 million slush fund, with no specific projects allocated to it. Bermudians need to know who will decide where those dollars go. We also note a $14.5 million increase in consultants’ costs for the Ministry of Finance. The One Bermuda Alliance will hold this Government accountable to answer these questions. Mr. Speaker, here are …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
99 words
Twenty million dollars a year — but still leaves Bermudians waiting in the hallways for a lack of beds. Mr. Speaker, I could go on, but the point is clear: With all the new CIT money in the system, will this Government deliver for the people of Bermuda? I believe it was Einstein who said, “insanity is doing the same …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
120 words
Mr. Speaker, the OBA plans address Bermuda’s changing demographics. We would support seniors while creating opportunity and hope for our youth, acknowledging their distinct issues and priorities. The current Government has focused mainly on our seniors, and where those G overnment plans make sense, the OBA has supported them. But our young Bermudians have been left out by this Government. …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
422 words
Mr. Speaker, Bermuda’s housing crisis requires immediate action to get people off the streets, to provide emergency shelter, and to create the supply across a range of housing types. We would immediately build and run emergency housing using existing government land and properties, such as unused school buildings. While not attractive to some, it is important to note that these …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
237 words
Mr. Speaker, the OBA would reform landlord- tenant laws to work for everyday Bermudians, not lawyers, providing more certainty over outcomes and timelines. While the G overnment has started this process, current proposals are too complex and confusing. The Government’s proposed rental registry seems like bureaucratic overreach, and we doubt Ber-mudians would welcome the PLP Government nosing into their affairs. …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
247 words
Mr. Speaker, Bermudians struggle with health care due to our shrinking and age-ing population and the costs of health insurance. Some don’t even have access to health care. Serious opera-tional issues at the hospital only make it worse. While improving health care in Bermuda is a difficult problem, the OBA’s diagnosis points to two main issues: receiving care in the …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
378 words
Mr. Speaker, as we know, Bermudians face some of the highest energy prices globally. The One Bermuda Alliance Plan for energy costs has three main parts. First, give the regulator more teeth to ensure costs passed to consumers are fairly considered and accurately tracked. For example, the regulator should ensure that all tax breaks and discounts directly benefit customers, while …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
260 words
Mr. Speaker, small businesses might not be the headline drivers of Bermuda’s eco-nomic statistics, yet they are critical to our community and the day -to-day economy of most Bermudians. Small businesses create a variety of jobs for Bermudians, providing a vibrant backdrop for our Island. Retail and restaurants are a vital part of our tourism product. Statistics show they are …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
286 words
Mr. Speaker, we do not support the Government’s blanket payroll tax break for employers. The reality is that many large firms and interna-tional businesses can support the higher tax rates, and those payments provide critical revenue that Bermuda needs right now. Plus, many large taxpayers, i ncluding IB and local insurers, will be getting tax credits already based on employment. …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
160 words
Mr. Speaker, Bermudian families, especially young families , continue to struggle with health care, energy, housing, child care, and education; they all stretch family budgets. Despite giving some blanket tax giveaways, the Government Budget statement did not mention any specific uplifts for hardship 1914 27 February 2026 Official Hansard Report Bermuda House of Assembly support, rental assistance, or food aid …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
410 words
Experience has shown that the sugar tax was not implemented correctly, was never targeted at making people healthier, and has been a widespread extra cost on many grocery store items. For example, Mr. Speaker, does it make sense that a sugar -free soda costs the same as one with sugar? The PLP Government ought to correct this obvious mistake. Mr. …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
187 words
Mr. Speaker, we would tackle home and vehicle insurance costs, which are high and growing. Bermudians pay a 3.5 per cent financial services tax on their insurance policies. The OBA would make this a progressive tax so that it has less impact on those with smaller vehicles and properties. Bermudians are keenly aware that our local insurance market is now …
27 Feb 2026 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
176 words
Mr. Speaker, tourism needs more investment. It supports many jobs and small busi-nesses, provides amenities for business visitors, and diversifies our economy. The Bermuda Tourism Authority was a good idea. Yet under this current G overnment, it succumbed to political influence, leaving most Bermudians disappointed and feeling like their money was wasted. The OBA would reboot the BTA as a …