Government

As Heritage Month comes to an end, the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Dr. Ernest Peets reflected on his visit to Tucker House and Globe Hotel Museum, which took place earlier this month (May).

The public will be aware that as part of his ongoing support of the island’s cultural institutions, Minister Peets has committed to engaging with those who oversee and manage these facilities.

~ EMO Executive will meet next week ~

The 2022 Hurricane Season starts tomorrow, June 1, and today the Minister of National Security, the Hon. Michael Weeks confirmed that the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) Executive will meet next week to assess Government’s hurricane readiness.

Happy Bermuda Day everyone!

I am so excited to extend my heartfelt greetings to you as we return for the first Bermuda Day Parade in two years.

Certainly, one of the hardest things about the pandemic has been the distance it has created between us. It has been difficult not being able to celebrate our traditions, shared experiences and vibrant culture together on occasions like today.

For this reason, we felt it was important to have a theme that invites us to remember the importance of what binds us as a people.

Bermuda Day is time for us to celebrate our unique culture, our proud history and most importantly all of the things that unify us as Bermudians.

This year’s theme, ‘Togetherness’, is extremely fitting. Not only due to a long period of being forced apart but also because throughout the recent times when we could not celebrate as a community we showed our togetherness and the best of what it means to be Bermudian by supporting one another from afar.

Bermuda Day is time for us to celebrate our unique culture, our proud history and most importantly all of the things that unify us as Bermudians.

This year’s theme, ‘Togetherness’, is extremely fitting. Not only due to a long period of being forced apart but also because throughout the recent times when we could not celebrate as a community we showed our togetherness and the best of what it means to be Bermudian by supporting one another from afar.

Happy Bermuda Day everyone!

I am so excited to extend my heartfelt greetings to you as we return for the first Bermuda Day Parade in two years.

Certainly, one of the hardest things about the pandemic has been the distance it has created between us. It has been difficult not being able to celebrate our traditions, shared experiences and vibrant culture together on occasions like today.

For this reason, we felt it was important to have a theme that invites us to remember the importance of what binds us as a people.

The public is encouraged to view live coverage of the Bermuda Day Parade which will be carried on CITV starting at 1.15 p.m. tomorrow (May 27).

Hosts Heather Whalen, Gavin Smith and guest host Beverley Howell will deliver live colour, commentary of the parade from start to finish.

Government’s live coverage of the Bermuda Day Parade can be seen on CITV OneComm ch. 2, WOW ch. 102, via the government portal atwww.citv.gov.bm, CITV Youtube and on the Government’s Facebook page.

The Governor and Director of the Overseas Territories Directorate in the FCDO Learn of Bermuda’s Marine Conservation Effort

Recently, Mr Paul Candler, Director of the Overseas Territories Directorate in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), accompanied by the FCDO Desk Officer for Bermuda and Cayman Islands, Mr Sheak Hussain, visited Bermuda.

The Department of Culture is delighted to announce this year’s 2022 Grand Marshals.  

As the public is aware, this year’s Bermuda Day and Heritage Month theme is “Togetherness”. Collectively, these individuals are deserving of this year’s recognition as they have worked in various sectors of the community to bring our people together. Today as we prepare for Bermuda Day, we shine a spotlight on their community contributions.

GRAND MARSHALS 

Her Excellency the Governor has conveyed the following message from Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of Bermuda Day:

As you celebrate the important occasion of your Bermuda Day, I would like to congratulate your Premier, and send my good wishes to the people of Bermuda. As we overcome global health challenges together, with determination and fortitude, may we look to better times in the future.

ELIZABETH R.

The Ministry of Health advises that no cases of monkeypox have been reported in Bermuda.

The Cabinet Office today outlined the events taking place to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

In the UK, The Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend takes place from June 2 – 5, and throughout the Commonwealth and the Overseas Territories there are number of events planned.

The local events are as follows:

From the Minister of Education, the Hon. Diallo Rabain, JP MP:

“Using the last working week of this school year to do intensive professional learning with all teachers in the Bermuda Public School System will be significantly advantageous to our progress in reforming education,” said Minister of Education Diallo Rabain following the announcement that public schools will close 3 days early for the summer term 2022.

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.