Government

Good afternoon, everyone,

I want to welcome you all here today for this momentous occasion, and I especially welcome Mr. Clarence Hill, Bermuda’s first ever Olympic Games medal winner.

Today, we are here to commemorate that glorious moment when Clarence Hill put tiny Bermuda on the Olympic map by winning a Bronze medal in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games.  In doing so, Clarence Hill etched his name in the annals of Bermuda’s sporting history and forever became a global icon for us.

“Today’s modern Corrections Officer is an individual who conducts themselves with pride, honesty, integrity, impartiality and high ethical standards. Our newest Corrections Officers are well prepared for the challenges they face. And now more than ever, the public relies on Corrections Officers to carry out the mission of the Department to empower inmates to be responsible and productive citizens,” said the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP during the Department of Corrections Passing Out Parade held at the Co-Ed Facility on Friday. 

The Bermuda Road Safety Council’s slogan for July -Chance Takers are Accident Makers.  Taking a risk to overtake, speed, or drive without due care, among other actions is not worth your life or the life of another person. 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) wish to remind boaters of Bermuda’s rules and regulations for boat sewage disposal.

Please review the 

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Works and Engineering wish to remind the public that all fish waste – offal, wracks, fins and heads – must be disposed of in a conscientious and environmentally responsible manner. 

For locally caught fish, options include disposing of the waste directly into the marine environment, which will contribute to the food chain, or freezing it to use as bait or chum on your next fishing trip. Excess fishing bait must be disposed of in the same way. 

 The Department of Public Transportation has advised that full capacity, including standing passengers, is allowed on buses effective tomorrow, 8 July 2022. The number of standing passengers allowed on a bus will vary depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. Bus operators will advise when the bus is at capacity. 

All other public health regulations remain in place. Passengers must sanitize their hands and wear masks that completely cover the mouth and nose for the duration of their journey. 

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 3,909 test results, and 239 were positive for the coronavirus.

These results are from testing done on:

The Department of Marine and Ports has announced that the Boat and Moorings Section is fully operational as of today, 6 July 2022, and will begin processing all registrations. The new expiration date for registration is Wednesday, 31 August 2022. Late fees will commence on Thursday, 1 September 2022.  

“This conference has proven to be an excellent opportunity to showcase what Bermuda has done to develop our Blue Economy and Marine Spatial Plan,” said the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Walter Roban, JP, MP, following his attendance at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. 

Minister Roban attended an event organised by the French Government to promote the SARGADOM project. This project will contribute to the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the high seas on the Thermal Dome in the Pacific and the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic.”

“As the newest members of the Bermuda Police Service, you will play a significant role in our community. You will be called upon to protect the most vulnerable; you will be called upon to be fearless in the face of severe threats; and above all, you will demonstrate leadership in the discharge of your duties. Thank you for having the commitment, grit, and determination in answering this noble call to service,” said the Minister of National Security Michael Weeks, during last week’s Police Passing Out Parade for the Recruit Foundation Course 81.

The Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Reform, the Hon. Kathy Lynn Simmons, JP MP is pleased to announce that 28 students from S3 and S4 at CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute completed the first PeerForward Programme on June 21, 2022. PeerForward is Mirrors’ newest programme that develops students as peer influencers to work on enhancing a culture of college and career readiness in their schools.  

Today (July 3), the Spirit of Bermuda set sail for the Turks & Caicos with several young Bermudians on board as part of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s special summer interactive learning voyage focusing on Mary Prince, with the support of the Department of Culture.

The education programme entitled “In the Wake of Mary Prince” is a training expedition as part of a partnership with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Programme. 

And acclaimed Bermudian scholar and historian, Dr. Theodore Francis II, will serve as the onboard educator for the journey.

Her Excellency the Governor, Ms Rena Lalgie, announced the appointment of Ms Maxanne Anderson as Senior Magistrate with effect from 1 July 2022.

This appointment follows an open and competitive recruitment process and a recommendation received from the Judicial and Legal Services Committee. 

Mr. Speaker,

I rise today to provide an update on the Establishment of the Project Management Office in support of Bermuda’s Economic Recovery Plan (ERP).

Mr. Speaker,

Mr. Speaker,

I rise before this Honorable House to provide an update on Passport processing. Several weeks ago, the Bermuda public was advised of passport processing delays of 11 weeks. As the Minister responsible for the Department of Immigration, today I will:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to provide an update on the Bermuda Fire Rescue Service Airport Operations Division.

Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda Fire Rescue Service operates the Airport Rescue Firefighting Services which provides aircraft rescue and firefighting services for the L.F. Wade International Airport. This is an essential service that enables the airport to serve international commercial flights.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members,

Yesterday, June 30^th, our mass vaccination programme ended. A campaign that saw over 75% of the total population fully immunized, and over 85% of the eligible population either vaccinated or fully immunized, since our vaccination programme began January 11, 2021.

Bermuda residents have received approxiamately 135,000 vaccinations.

This is indeed great news for Bermuda. Our vaccination programme went tremendously well.

The Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks, JP, MP, stated today: “My deepest sympathies at this time are with the family of the man who lost his life in Flatts this morning.

“They are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of tragedy. I am also thinking of the other male who was injured during the same incident and pray for a speedy recovery.

“This morning’s news was disturbing to hear. The fact that another person has lost their life through such violent and unnatural circumstances has left me very disheartened today.

Mr Speaker, I rise this morning to provide an update on the Government’s financial performance for fiscal year 2021/22, which highlights continued signs of a strengthening economy, despite the considerable challenges we continue to face as a country. As highlighted in previous statements, the revised estimate produced following the onset of COVID-19 anticipated a deficit of $ 245.5M for the fiscal years 2020/2021.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today to table the Bill entitled the Banks and Deposit Companies Amendment Act 2022 (the “Amendment Act”). The primary purpose of the Amendment Act is to provide the Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “Authority”) with an express power to issue codes of conduct in relation to the manner in which an institution conducts deposit-taking business. In addition, the Amendments will allow for the regulation of banking fees, similar to provisions that exist in other major countries.

Mr. Speaker, in this Government’s 2017 Election Platform this Government pledged to put our seniors first with initiatives such as annual cost of living increases for social insurance pensions at the rate of inflation and I am pleased to announce today that it is a commitment that this Government will continue to uphold.

Premier David Burt today remembered the late Mr. Randolph Hayward Esq. who passed away on Sunday, June 26^th  aged 98. “Mr. Hayward lived a long and incredible life. He was a proud veteran of the 1^st Battalion, Caribbean Regiment, Bermuda Contingent and saw war service in Italy and North Africa. I recall visiting with him and enjoying the wisdom and wise counsel he shared. Mr. Hayward and St. Paul AME Church were inextricably linked, and he remained a committed and faithful member until the end of his life.

 Last evening (June 28), The Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain JP, MP, alongside the Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Kalmar Richards, Dr. Llewellyn Simmons, Director of Academics, and Learning First Team Members, Ms. Laurel Burns and Ms. Lisa Smith, hosted a town hall meeting to discuss education reform. 

 The meeting was an opportunity for the public to gather more information and ask questions about how education reform is progressing and share excitement about the launch of CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute as Signature Schools in September 2022.

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

Since the last update, the Ministry of Health received 5768 test results, and 205 were positive for the coronavirus, giving a test positivity rate of 4%.

These results are from testing done on:

·Tuesday: 50 positive out of 1436 results (3.5% positivity)

Congratulations to Dr. Dorothy Matthews-Paynter, who recently celebrated and is still celebrating her 100th birthday. Dr Matthew Paynter is a highly respected Bermudian trailblazer, professional hairdresser and beautician, businesswoman, entrepreneur, and community leader.

Last week, Premier David Burt, Minister David Burch and Senator Lindsay Simmons honoured the centenarian with her family and students at Victor Scott Primary School.