Government

The Ministry of Economy and Labour is pleased to advise that there is an upcoming biometric collection session for Bermudians seeking Canadian Visas. The public will recall that due to the impact of COVID-19, the Canadian Government instituted a travel ban for Canadian public servants. As a result, representatives from the Consulate General of Canada in New York could not facilitate the Biometric Identification Process for Canadian Visa Applicants in Bermuda.

Recently, the Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, was on the road promoting Bermuda as the best place to domicile new international business, innovation tech companies and modern infrastructure projects. The Minister attended the Bermuda Business Development Agency’s (BDA) Executive Forum held in New York City on May 11^th where he led the Bermuda delegation in sharing the value proposition of Bermuda with international media, investors and business leaders across various industries.

“The Government is committed to strengthening working relationships with our tourism stakeholders” said  the Minister of Tourism, the Hon Vance Campbell, JP, MP, as he visited tourist accommodations across the island to meet with managers.

Minister Campbell, accompanied by M.P. Crystal Caesar, met with Mid Ocean Club General Manager Austen Gravestock, Grotto Bay Resort Managing Director JP Martens, and Cambridge Beaches General Manager Clarence Hofheins.

Mr. Speaker,  today marks the last day of Road Safety Week in Bermuda.

On Monday, 16 May 2022, at City Hall, the Bermuda Road Safety Council launched Road Safety Week from 16-20 May 2022. This year’s theme is “Drive so that others survive”.

The Council, along with the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service and Bermuda Police Service, had booths available on site where information was shared to raise awareness about road safety, promote safe and responsible road use, and ultimately reduce road casualties.

Mr. Speaker, later today I will lay before this Honourable House the Bill entitled “Land Valuation and Tax Amendment Bill 2022”.

Mr. Speaker, in the 2022/23 Budget statement I, on behalf of the Government, committed to the people of Bermuda “relief now and more relief to come” and with that as the focus one of the items stated was that we will provide Land Tax relief for our local nursing homes. The Land Valuation and Tax Amendment Bill 2022 to be tabled today is another demonstration of the Government continuing to deliver on its promises.

Mr. Speaker,

Today, I rise to provide my Honorable Colleagues and the Bermudian community, with an update on the History and Legacy Committee and the adoption of its terms of reference.

Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to provide an update to this Honourable House on the progress of the St. George’s Marina Development Project.

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with section 28 of the Bermuda Monetary  Authority  Act 1969, I am pleased to table the Bermuda Monetary Authority  Annual  Report 2021 (the “Report”).

Mr. Speaker, today I am tabling the Bill entitled the Electricity Amendment Act 2022; legislation that will create a regulatory ‘sandbox’ for energy innovators.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, on 30 January 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a ‘public health emergency of international concern’, and by 11 March 2020, the WHO had confirmed COVID-19 as a global pandemic.

MR SPEAKER,

I rise today to provide an update to the house and the listening public on the tremendous amount of work that is being done within the Ministry of Education, the Department of Education, and the Learning First Programme. It was on March 4th that I last rose to provide an update on the on-going work within these groups, but, I am happy to say that there is still much work taking place and great things to report about.

MATH INTERVENTION PROGRAM

MR. SPEAKER,

Mr. Speaker, I said back in February, “There is no tourism without transport”, and the future of Bermuda’s economic recovery depends on our air and sea visitation in 2022. Today I will share an update on the cruise industry.

Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda 2022 cruise ship season is shaping up better than originally forecasted at 50% occupancy when I officially reported the numbers during the budget debate.

To the Graduating Class of 2022:

On behalf of the Government of Bermuda, I congratulate each of you for reaching this pivotal milestone in your lives.

“I am sad to report that we had two coronavirus-related deaths since our last update on May 11,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson. “I extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 9183 test results, and 307 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 3.3%.

These results are from testing done on:

•        Tuesday: 58 positive out of 1494 results (3.9% positivity)

•        Wednesday:  33 positive out of  1286 results (2.6% positivity)

Tomorrow (May 19), as part of the Heritage Month observations, the Bermuda Post Office (BPO) will issue a commemorative stamp series highlighting the St. George’s Historical Society.

The series highlights the 100^th Anniversary of the formation of the organization, which was solidified with the passage of the St. George’s Historical Society Act on May 13, 1922.

Good Morning,

It is with great pleasure that I announce the start of our consultation on a National Plan for People with Intellectual Disabilities and their families.

Intellectual disability is recognized internationally as the term that describes people who have:

This Friday (May 20), the Department of Culture will host a special Heritage Month edition of Creatives Live! – featuring a trio of singers – Toni Robinson, Sheila Smith, and Samantha Smith.

Happening on the City Hall steps, this extended version of the popular open air concert series will take place from 12.30 pm – 2.00 pm.

Friday’s Creatives Live! concert will be carried live via the Bermuda Government’s Facebook page.

Recently (May 13), Premier David Burt and the Head of the Public Service, Dr. Derrick Binns recognized the Attorney-General’s (AG) Chambers’ Drafting Section Administration Team, as the April recipients of the Public Service Excellence Award (PSEA).

The PSEA is a programme that aims to encourage outstanding achievement and recognize Public Officers who are demonstrating admirable service delivery. Each month an individual or team is selected for their outstanding public service accomplished in the last 60 days.

Today, the Minister of Economy and Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, released the February 2022 Consumer Price Index publication from the Department of Statistics.

 The Minister explained, “In February 2022, consumers paid 2.5 per cent more than they did a year ago for the same basket of goods and services.”

Last evening (May 12), Premier David Burt and Minister of Tourism, Vance Campbell hosted a town hall meeting to discuss the Fairmont Southampton Princess. The Premier and Minister were joined by Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) President Chris Furbert.

The meeting was an opportunity for the public to gather more information about the benefits of this project, which will create jobs and create economic growth.

There has been much discussion about reforming cannabis laws. There have also been some misunderstandings. So I wanted to try and clarify what is happening.