Government

Greetings:

Heritage Month is a special time for our island to celebrate our culture, diverse heritage, and proud traditions. This year’s Heritage Month theme, A Bermudian Renaissance, captures what we’ve seen and experienced these past three years. There is a renewed interest in the talents and creative forces that continue to shape and evolve our national identity and culture.

Full live coverage of the Bermuda Day Parade will be carried starting at 1.00 p.m. tomorrow (May 26) via Government’s FaceBook and YouTube Pages. 

Stream the live coverage on the following links:  

• www.facebook.com/bermudagovernment
• www.youtube.com/citvbermuda

Live coverage will also be carried on CITV Ch. 2, Ch. 102 and Ch. 3.

The Economic Development Department (EDD) is pleased to open applications for the highly anticipated second annual global FinTech Education Programme. This transformative initiative is scheduled from 12 June to 14 July.

Ahead of the Bermuda Day holiday tomorrow, the Ministry of National Security notes that several events and activities will take place.

The Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, has issued a video message of public safety encouraging residents to be responsible during this festive period.

The Ministry wishes everyone a safe holiday weekend.

His Majesty King Charles III conveyed a message to Premier David Burt and the people of Bermuda on the occasion of Bermuda Day 2023. 

“I extend my warmest congratulations to your Premier, and the people of Bermuda as it marks its national day. I look forward to the continuing the warm friendship, and the strong and close partnership that we share, working together for prosperity, democracy and peace as we face these challenging times.

 

The Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, represented Bermuda at the 6th UK Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies (UKOT/CD) Environment Ministers’ Council. 

Held virtually on 18 May, the meeting included 31 environment ministers or equivalent representatives from UKOT/CD discussing critical environmental matters. 

Madam President, anyone who knows me on a personal level knows that Bermuda Day is absolutely my favourite holiday of the year. For years, I’ve kept to the tradition of watching the runners in the half-marathon derby speed past; enthusiastically enjoying t the parade route and stopping along the way to catch up with friends and family; and enjoying the sights and sounds of the many dance groups, gombey troupes, floats, majorettes, music trucks and walking groups that the Bermuda Day Parade has to offer.

Good Afternoon to the Minister, the Secretary of the Corporation, the Council of the Corporation, the Mayor who is travelling, Parliamentary colleagues assembled, Mr Soares and the team, and members of the media

In the Government’s 2020 platform, we committed to enhancing the corporation and the community of St. George’s through development projects that would provide economic boosts for the area to enhance community pride and honour this town’s historical roots.

“As part of Bermuda’s ongoing Education Reform, we are pleased to announce that the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS), Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science (BIOS), Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI), KPMG in Bermuda and the Association of Bermuda International Companies (ABIC) have all signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) committing their support to the Signature Learning Programmes at Cedarbridge Academy and

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to share the Government’s continued efforts to provide invaluable opportunities for the next generation of workers. I am pleased to inform this Honorable House that the Department of Workforce Development’s Summer Employment Programme has increased the number of summer student placements available from 130 to 180 spaces for the 2023 programme.

Mr. Speaker,

This morning I rise to inform this Honourable House that the month of May is recognized as Foster Care Month, not just in Bermuda but throughout the United States. Each year, the Department of Child and Family Services has taken the opportunity to publicly recognize the important role that Foster Parents, Kinship Parents and Foster Care Workers play in supporting our children and their families. This year’s theme for the Foster Care awareness campaign is ‘Foster Bermuda’s Future’.

Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker,

This morning I rise to inform my Honourable colleagues and the public about the development of a National Child Safeguarding Policy, entitled: “Working Together to Safeguard Children”. which is a guidance document for the Bermuda National Child Safeguarding Committee and sets direction for their mandate and work.

Mr. Speaker,

Good Afternoon – Deputy Premier & Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, Minister of Tourism & Cabinet Office, members of Bonnie-Jean’s family, Board Members, management and staff of the Bermuda Housing Corporation.

I am delighted that you all are able to join us this afternoon for such a joyous occasion – before we get to the primary reason for being here though – a little history is on order.

Harmony Club is one of several BHC sites being developed and upgraded as the Government creates jobs and increases the affordable housing stock.

Consumers paid 4.2 per cent more in February 2023 than a year ago for the basket of goods and services included in the Consumer Price Index [CPI].

The Ministry of Economy and Labour released the February 2023 CPI from the Department of Statistics.

“In summary, during February 2023, consumers paid 4.2 per cent more than they did a year ago for the basket of goods and services included in the CPI. This level of inflation declined from the January 2023 annual inflation rate of 4.5 per cent.”

“The price at the pump for Gasoline as of Tuesday, May 16, 2023, is expected to remain at 234.1 cents/litre,” announced Premier and Minister of Finance David Burt. “This price is equal to the February 2022 level of 234.10 cents/litre, at which prices were capped for the last fourteen months while global prices soared.” Without the price cap the price at the pump would have been 238.1 cents/litre.

Diesel, for the second consecutive month, is below its original capped price of 212.2 cents/litre and is expected to be 207.2 cents/litre, 3.9 cents/litre lower at the pump this month.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Development, led by Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, paid a visit to the Bermudiana Beach Resort in Warwick this week to witness the progress made at the site.

World Hypertension Day is observed every May 17 to raise awareness and promote hypertension prevention, detection and control. More than one billion people worldwide live with hypertension (high blood pressure), a significant cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death worldwide. 

The Minister of Health, the Hon. Kim Wilson, JP, MP, shares the following message about the significance of heart Health.