Government

“It’s time to grab your favorite hat or cap and get ready because, on Wednesday, May 24th, we are hosting the 2nd Annual Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy ‘Hat Day’ Fundraiser,” said the Principal of Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, Ms. Margaret Phillips.

“After a successful ‘Hat Day’ in 2022, we decided this creative fundraiser will become an annual event.”

Yesterday (May 15), the Bermuda Road Safety Council launched Road Safety Week 2023. The Minister of Transport, the Hon Wayne Furbert, JP, MP, provided opening remarks.

This year’s theme is Changing Minds, Changing Behaviors. The Minister was joined by Bermuda Road Safety Council members, along with the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service and Bermuda Police Service.

REMARKS
Minister of Transport
The Hon. Wayne Furbert, JP MP

Good afternoon,

The public is advised that there will be live coverage of the Bermuda College Commencement Ceremony Thursday, May 18, 2023, beginning at 2.30 pm.

The community can watch live via Government’s FaceBook and CITV Youtube channels.

Coverage will also be carried on CITV, One Comm Ch. 2, Wow Ch. 102, and Digicel Ch. 3.

Join us in celebrating this year’s Bermuda College graduates.
 

Last week, the Premier, the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, attended the annual Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) Meeting with elected Leaders of the Overseas Territories. The meetings took place in the UK and were chaired by the Rt. Hon. Lord Goldsmith, Minister of Overseas Territories. 

The Joint Ministerial Council is the highest political forum between the UK Government and Governments of the Overseas Territories.

As an outcome of the JMC, below is the Joint Communiqué which was issued on behalf of the attendees at the conclusion of the meetings.

Commissioner of Education Mrs. Kalmar Richards and acting Education Minister, the Hon. Walter Roban JP, MP,  today expressed disgust at acts of vandalism at the Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy – Bermuda’s school for special needs students. 

The school was vandalised last week, causing extensive damage to the glass doors, windows, and other areas. 

The vandals also damaged a specially equipped bus owned by the charity Friends of Hope Academy, which transports students to curricular and extracurricular events.

“As we approach Elder Abuse Awareness Day, celebrated internationally on June 15th, Ageing and Disability Services will host a Seniors Tea to highlight the importance of social engagement in reducing the risk of elder abuse,” said Ms. Keeona Belboda Senior Abuse Registrar.

“Social isolation is a primary risk factor for abuse, so on June 9th from 1-4 pm in St. David’s at the Open Door Christian Assembly, we are looking to bring seniors together for a fun and informative event to raise awareness on this issue.”

“The 7th Annual Mirrors Student Art and Digital Competition is now accepting submissions until Friday, June 23rd. This year we are asking young artists to submit artwork in response to the theme, ‘My Happy Place,’” said Ms. Jeanene Todd, Programme Manager for The Mirrors Programme. 

“The competition is open to Primary, Middle, and Senior School students. Entries should be delivered to the Masterworks Museum no later than 5 pm on Friday, June 23rd, to be featured in the exhibit between June 30th – July 25th, 2023.” 

Good afternoon.

I am pleased to be here today for the official opening of the Hilton Hill Diabetes Centre.

The Bermuda Diabetes Association (BDA) has significantly impacted so many people in Bermuda. They have led our community to reduce the prevalence of diabetes.

Expanding your premises has allowed the BDA to create a purpose-built facility in the heart of North Hamilton which can support your growing programs and services to persons with diabetes or who are at risk.

Good day, Bermuda,

During May we celebrate Foster Care Month, and today the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors and the Department of Child and Family Services are delighted to present a campaign of love, ‘Foster Bermuda’s Future’.

Firstly, I want to thank the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) for helping to organize the ‘Foster Bermuda’s Future’ awareness campaign.

Under the authority of The Children Act 1998, DCFS is responsible for all child protection matters pertaining to young people ranging from newborns up until the age of eighteen (18).

Good day, Bermuda,

Thank you, Minister, for shining a light on Foster Care in Bermuda.

The Department of Child & Family Services has been observing Foster Care Month for over 20 years.

This year, we wanted to do something different with our recruitment drive, so we created ‘Foster Bermuda’s Future’ to spread awareness.

The Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation is currently accepting applications for the High-Performance Sponsorship programme.

Applications for the High-Performance Sponsorship programme will be open until June 30^th, 2023, for those who meet the criteria. To apply, persons can visit: www.youthandsport.bm.   

The aim of the sponsorship is as follows:  

To recognize Bermudian athletes who clearly demonstrate the commitment and performance as a high-performing athlete.

Tomorrow (May 11), the Department of Culture will host its 3^rd Annual Cultural Stakeholder Conference, which will bring together key members of the island’s creative community.

The Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Sen. Owen K. Darrell, JP,  will open the event, which takes place at the Spinning Wheel Entertainment Complex from 6.00 pm. – 9.00 pm.

Tomorrow’s event is free and open to the public.

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is pleased to announce that new updates and improvements to enhance the user experience and productivity of the Bermuda Job Board are now live. 

Launched in August 2022, the St. David’s Draft Community Plan is a collaboration between the St. David’s community, local stakeholders, the Department of Planning and the BLDC. The first Community Plan of its kind in Bermuda, it highlights what St. David’s Islanders most cherish about their island – the unique heritage and culture, the expanse and beauty of the parks and nature reserves, as well as the stunning scenery, and identifies the area’s challenges and what improvements are needed.

“We have received initial feedback from stakeholders, and now we look forward to getting broader input on the proposed recommendations,” said Minister of Public Works Lt. Col. the Hon. David Burch, OBE (Mil), ED, JP, MP, as the Ministry launches the second phase of consultation over the regulatory structure governing water and wastewater.

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) offers tradespersons and individuals in the construction industry or seeking a career in these fields the opportunity to participate in a short four-day course to obtain a valuable qualification. 

Participants will earn National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) certification aligning with international standards through one of six short four-day training courses held at the Department of Workforce Development on:

The Ministry of Health, Department of Environmental Health is offering asbestos abatement courses May 15 – 25.

“Asbestos is a respiratory hazard that is quite harmful, and anyone intending on working to remove asbestos must be properly trained,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson, JP, MP. “These courses are vital to ensuring that anyone working with asbestos remains safe.”

“If you desire a challenging but rewarding career that can lead to professional development and community appreciation, then I encourage you to apply to become a Corrections Officer,” said Minister of National Security Michael Weeks, JP, MP.

Minister Weeks’ remarks come as the Department of Corrections (DOC) launches its latest recruitment campaign for Corrections Officers. Applicants should apply via the Government Careers website by 17 May 2023.

In recognition of His Majesty King Charles III being crowned today (May 6), the Acting Governor Mr. Tom Oppenheim, MBE and the Acting Premier the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP formally opened the Coronation Gardens at the Botanical Gardens this morning.

The creation of the Coronation Garden reflects His Majesty King Charles III’s work in support of the environment and sustainable farming. It is part of the Micro Forest Project, which is a native and endemic reforestation project from the Bermuda Zoological Society which began in November 2021.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the strengthening of the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard.

Mr. Speaker, Honourable members will know the Royal Bermuda Regiment Coast Guard launched in February 2020 as a marine force for the protection and security of Bermuda’s inshore waters, including 24- hour Search and Rescue capability.

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and pride that I announce the distinct achievement of the Department of Public Transportation team who won the Best E-Mobility Project Award at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF) for the progress of the electrification of the public bus fleet. This is a significant accomplishment for the Department and Bermuda and a testament to our commitment towards a more sustainable future.

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to provide this House and the listening public with an update on Education Reform. I want to take this time to remind honourable members that Education Reform is critical to our country’s success and provides our students with the tools necessary to thrive and succeed in their own country.

Good morning, Mr. Speaker.

In the 2022 Speech from the Throne the Government committed to expanding the Child Daycare Allowance programme, and continuing work to reform Financial Assistance. Today, I am pleased to table in this honourable house the financial assistance reform policy paper which maps out the framework to strengthen the social protections for Bermudians. The changes will assist Bermudians with maintaining a dignified standard of living.

Mr. Speaker, I rise briefly to remind this Honourable House that tomorrow is the much-anticipated coronation of King Charles III, an event that is expected to attract an audience in the hundreds of millions.

Mr. Speaker, the new British monarch was born Charles Philip Arthur George Mountbatten-Windsor in Buckingham Palace in 1948, the eldest son of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh.