Government

A supplement touting Bermuda’s effort in preparing for net-zero and holding the Bermuda Risk Summit has been published in the Spring 2022 issue of Bermuda: Re+ILS online publication (see link here: Bermuda: Re+ILS digital edition).

A supplement touting Bermuda’s effort in preparing for net-zero and holding the Bermuda Risk Summit has been published in the Spring 2022 issue of Bermuda: Re+ILS online publication (see link here: Bermuda: Re+ILS digital edition).

Following Friday’s House of Assembly passage of the Fairmont Southampton Hotel Act 2022, Premier David Burt along with the Minister of Tourism, Vance Campbell will host a town hall meeting on Thursday (May 12).

Premier Burt and Minister Campbell will be joined by Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU) President Chris Furbert.

The town hall will take place from 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm at the Warwick Camp Dining Hall.

Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon. E David Burt, JP, MP, today announced that ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has reaffirmed Bermuda’s A+ Sovereign Credit Rating as well as Bermuda’s A-1 short-term rating and its AA+ transfer and convertibility assessment. S&P also maintained the “stable” outlook for Bermuda’s Credit Rating.

Fresh from competing in the Caribbean, members of Bermuda’s Carifta Team recently met with the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets, who congratulated them on their success at the 49^th Edition of the Games.

As the public is aware last month the Carifta Games took place in Jamaica and Barbados, with Bermudian athletes delivering outstanding performances on the track and in the pool, resulting in several medals being won. 

Today the Department of Culture shared the Heritage Month Calendar of Events.

The public will be aware that May is Heritage Month, and for the first time since 2019, the Department is reintroducing in-person events to highlight and celebrate Bermuda’s culture and traditions.

The Minister of Social Development and Seniors, the Hon. Tinee Furbert, JP MP, joins the Department of Child and Family Services in celebrating Foster Care Month in May.

Minister Furbert stated, “I am pleased to stand with the Department of Child and Family Services as they appeal to the Bermuda public for support with our foster care system. We have many children who require a foster family. We ask those community members who can assist to come forward and help us in this area.”

“An important step in Bermuda’s tourism recovery,” said Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Vance Campbell today after the House of Assembly passed the Fairmont Southampton Hotel Act 2022.

Mr. Speaker, today I will be tabling the Motor Car (Liveries) Amendment Act 2022 (“the Bill”). 

The Bill aims to amend the Motor Car Act 1951 to create an offence for operating a minicar livery without a licence, amends Part VIB to expand the types of vehicles that can be used on a guided tour and addresses related matters in legislation. 

Mr. Speaker, except for changing the year from 2021 to 2022, the content of the Bill is the same that was introduced on 10 September 2021 and passed in this Honourable House on 24 September 2021.

Mr. Speaker,

This morning I rise to lay the 2020 – 2021 Annual Report of the Department of Financial Assistance as prescribed by the Financial Assistance Act 2001, section 3 (4) which states: “the Director shall as soon as practicable after the end of the Government’s financial year make to the Minister and publish in such manner as he thinks appropriate a report of his activities under this Act for that year.”

The Annual Report highlights some significant results achieved during this reporting period, which include:

Mr. Speaker, I rise to report to this honourable house, the recent progress about the Ministry’s on-going commitment to embedding a sound Litigation Guardian Service framework into Bermuda’s Court. As you may recall, the Litigation Guardian Service operates as a mechanism of child safeguarding, under the provision of the Children’s Act 1998 Section 35 and 36.

“I am sad to report that we had three coronavirus-related deaths since our last update on April 27th,” said Minister of Health, Kim Wilson. “I am sorry for these losses and extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.”

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 8859 test results, and 344 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 4.0%.

These results are from testing done on:

·Tuesday: 71 positive out of 1466 results (4.8% positivity)

Sunday, May 1, is the start of Nurses Month in Bermuda, a time to celebrate nurses for the work they provide for the community. Bermuda Nurses Association (BNA) started the month by returning to the traditional celebrations of attending Church service at Mount Zion AME Church in Southampton with Pastor Jahkimmo Smith and First Lady Lashonna Smith. Following the church service, there was Brunch at Bella Vista to announce the 2022 Nurse of the Year.

Recently (April 29), Premier David Burt presented local track star Jah-Nhai Perinchief with a $25,000 cheque to assist the young athlete in his continued sports endeavours.

 The public will be aware that the Bermudian triple-jumper has performed outstandingly on the local and international sports stage.

The Ministry of National Security today advised of the retirement of Chief Fire Officer Lloyd Burchall.

Mr. Burchall was promoted to Chief Fire Officer on May 1^st, 2013, succeeding Mr. Vincent Hollinsid.

Mr. Burchall indicated that his retirement will be effective immediately.

Mr. Burchall joined the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service in February 1982 and, during his more than four decades of service, has held several positions.

Earlier today, the Minister of National Security, Michael Weeks, visited the scene of last night’s home explosion incident.

 Minister Weeks commented, “This incident continues to be foremost on our minds today. It was incredibly tragic to learn that one of the injured persons has succumbed to their injuries, and I extend my sincerest condolences to the family of the deceased. 

“This morning, I had an opportunity to speak with some of the area residents, who were understandably still very shaken from last night’s occurrence.”

Following a positive formal decision by OECD Forum for Harmful Tax Practices, Bermuda anticipates removal from EU’s Annex II

In November 2021, the OECD’s Forum for Harmful Tax Practices (FHTP) issued Bermuda with an urgent recommendation to initiate certain exchanges of information relating to economic substance. These exchanges were completed in December 2021, fulfilling the recommendation well in advance of its April 2022 deadline.

Recently, the Minister of Economy & Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, joined the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) for a joint hotelier stakeholder meeting hosted at Rosewood Bermuda.

This meeting is a follow-up to one held at the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club in December 2021. It represents stakeholders’ ongoing commitment to having an open dialogue about the hospitality industry’s challenges and viable solutions.

The Bermuda Road Safety Council would like to extend it condolences to all the families that have lost a loved one on our roads this year. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Good morning to the media and the people of Bermuda.

Bermuda’s economy continued to trend in a positive direction in the 4th quarter of 2021 capping a year of strong economic growth.

4th Quarter GDP

After adjusting for inflation, real GDP increased by 1.0% during the fourth quarter of 2021 and represents the third straight quarter of growth compared to the corresponding quarters of the previous year. 

Today, the Ministry of Economy and Labour released the Quarter 4, 2021 Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by Expenditure publication. 

 Minister Hayward explained, “After adjusting for inflation, the Real GDP increased 1.0 per cent for the final three months of 2021, capping off a strong year of economic performance. The Bermudian economy experience a robust rebound in 2021 compared to lower activity in 2020 when the economy began to re-open fully with the easing of COVID restrictions.”