2016/17 SESSION of the BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT 21 November 2016 Sitting number 3 of the 2016/17 Session (pages 133–270) Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, JP, MP Speaker Disclaimer: The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for informational purposes only. The printed version remains the official record. Official Hansard Report 21 November 2016 133 BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT 21 NOVEMBER 2016 10:00 AM Sitting Number 3 of the 2016/17 Session [Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, Speaker, in the Chair] The Speaker: I would also like to announce some changes in committees. First, with reference to the PRAYERS Public Accounts Committee, I would like to inform the House that the Honourable Wayne Furbert from con- [Prayers read by Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, Speak- stituency 6 will assume the responsibility of Chairman er] of the Public Accounts Committee. And the Honoura- ble Member from constituency 16, M. A. Weeks, will CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES become a member of that committee. 14 November 2016 REGISTER OF INTERESTS COMMITTEE The Speaker: Honourable Members, we have had the Minutes for the 14th of November distributed. And if The Speaker: Finally, in the [Register of] Members’ there are no objections or need for corrections, those Interest Committee, Senator Renee Ming will replace Minutes will be confirmed. Any objections; any correc- the former Senator, Marc Daniels. tions? Since there are none, the Minutes of the 14th MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE of November are confirmed. The Speaker: There are no messages from the Sen- [Minutes of 14 November 2016 confirmed] ate. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE The Speaker: There are none. The Speaker: The Chair will first recognise the Minis- ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER ter for Health. Minister Jeanne Atherden, you have the OR MEMBER PRESIDING floor. APOLOGIES BERMUDA HEALTH COUNCIL (HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS) (LICENSING) REGULATIONS 2016 The Speaker: Yes. First, I would like to inform Mem- bers that Members N. Outerbridge, the Government Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Mr. Speaker, I have the Whip, and Member D. V. S. Rabain will be, are in fact honour to attach and submit for the consideration of presently, attending the 65th Westminster Seminar in the Honourable House of Assembly the Bermuda London. And additionally Ms. Wolfe, I believe, Jamahl Health Council (Health Service Providers) (Licensing) Simmons . Regulations 2016, proposed to be made by the Minis- ter responsible for Health in exercise of the power conferred by section 15 of the Bermuda Health Coun- The Clerk: I beg your pardon? Yes. cil Act 2004. Thank you. The Speaker: And the Honourable Member, Jamahl Simmons, is attending the CPA [Commonwealth Par- The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Do you have a liamentary Association] meeting in Trinidad. second? The Clerk: The World Trade Organization. BERMUDA HEALTH COUNCIL (HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDERS) (LICENSING) REGULATIONS 2016 The Speaker: Trinidad and Tobago. Hon. Jeanne J. Atherden: Yes, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE submit for the consideration of the Honourable House of Assembly the Bermuda Health Council (Health Ser- Bermuda House of Assembly 134 21 November 2016 Official Hansard Report vice Providers) (Licensing) Regulations 2016, pro- can be assured that this is also the Government’s posed to be made by the Minister responsible for primary objective, along with upholding our global Health in exercise of the powers conferred by section reputation and relationships with our European part- 15 of the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004. [Sic] ners. Another key area of concern, Mr. Speaker, is the ability of British Overseas Territory citizen passport The Speaker: All right. Thank you, Minister. holders to continue to enjoy free movement through- The Chair will now recognise the Honourable out the Schengen area. This Government has ex- Minister for Education, Minister Wayne Scott. pressed our concern in this regard to the UK Govern- ment, and we will continue to work closely with them Hon. R. Wayne Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good to preserve the access that we currently enjoy. morning. Mr. Speaker, the Minister for the Department for Exiting the European Union attended the Ministeri- The Speaker: Good morning. al Council meetings to discuss the challenges and opportunities for the Overseas Territories following the BERMUDA COLLEGE 2015/16 ANNUAL REPORT UK’s decision to exit the EU. The UK Government is clear that the referendum result does not change the Hon. R. Wayne Scott: I have the honour to attach for UK Government’s relationship with its territories. this Honourable House the Annual Report for the Together, we reaffirmed that while the UK Bermuda College 2015/16. remains a member of the EU, current EU funding ar- rangements under the Overseas Association Decision The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. [OAD] continue unchanged, and clarified that, where territories are eligible for EU funds that have been PETITIONS covered by assurances from Her Majesty’s Treasury, those guarantees will extend to the Territories. The Speaker: There are none. Mr. Speaker, the UK Government is commit- ted to involving Overseas Territories, in accordance STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS with various constitutional relationships, as it prepares AND JUNIOR MINISTERS for negotiations to leave the EU. This will ensure that our priorities are taken into account. To this end, UK Ministers and Leaders of the The Speaker: The Chair will first recognise the Hon- Overseas Territories committed to taking forward fu- ourable Premier. ture engagement through the creation of a UK Over- seas Territories Joint Ministerial Council on European Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Good morning, Mr. Negotiations [JMC-EN]. The first meeting will take Speaker; good morning, colleagues. place early in the New Year. Mr. Speaker, the JMC- EN is under the responsibility of the Department for The Speaker: Good morning. Exiting the European Union and will be chaired by Minister Robin Walker. Under JMC-EN, our objective UK WITHDRAWAL FROM THE EUROPEAN UN- will be to develop an approach to, and objectives for, ION—UPDATE the Overseas Territories to inform the UK’s Article 50 negotiations. We will seek equality with the commit- Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I rise today ment made by the UK to Scotland, Northern Ireland, to update this Honourable House on the Govern- and Wales. The public can be assured, therefore, that ment’s engagement regarding the UK’s withdrawal this Government has been and will continue to be at from the European Union [EU]. This follows my last th the forefront of discussions with the UK Government update on the 15 of July in these Honourable Cham- on Brexit. bers. Mr. Speaker, the Government is aware of the Mr. Speaker, as Members of this Honourable UK’s successful efforts at a recent meeting of the EU House know, earlier this month I attended the Joint Economic and Finance Council to support the removal Ministerial Council in London, together with elected of low or no income tax as a criterion for EU blacklist- leaders and representatives of the Overseas Territo- ing. The Government has an active, direct engage- ries. The primary issue on the table for every territory ment [strategy] in Brussels, through the good work of was to understand the impact of Brexit on all of us. the Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance, the Hon- During my bilateral with the Right Honourable ourable E. T. (Bob) Richards, who has visited with the Baroness Anelay, Minister of State for Overseas Terri- Secretary General and Senior European Commission tories, I was assured of the UK’s commitment to work officials to promote a better understanding of Bermu- alongside this Government to ensure that our eco- da’s business model in the provision of international nomic sustainability is upheld as they negotiate the financial services. We have consistently emphasised UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The Bermuda public Bermuda House of Assembly Official Hansard Report 21 November 2016 135 that our model adds value and stability to the global opportunity to share with Honourable Members the financial system. continued progress that Bermuda College is making. Our team has continuously emphasised to Under the Bermuda College Act, its board of gover- OECD and European Commission officials that Ber- nors provides general management and administra- muda’s omission from the Panama Papers discus- tive leadership to the college. The president and staff sions is a reflection of the effectiveness of our central of the college are responsible for bringing the goals, register on ultimate beneficial ownership, held with the direction, and policies of the board into action. These Bermuda Monetary Authority, which we have main- undertakings are reflected in the Annual Report and tained for over 70 years. Bermuda’s sterling reputation will be supported by the 2015/16 Audited Financial serves us well as we continue our bilateral engage- Statement once completed by the Office of the Auditor ment with officials in Brussels. General, and which will be tabled at a later date. Cur- Mr. Speaker, I understand some of our fellow rently, the Auditor General is completing the 2014/15 leaders have made comments in the media suggest- statement. ing that UK Overseas Territories fear that Britain’s Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda College takes loss of influence in the EU as a result of the Brexit pride in its vision of being recognised both locally and vote will leave them exposed to tougher offshore tax internationally as a centre for excellence as it contin- rules imposed by Brussels. This does not concern ues to respond to the diverse needs of the Bermuda Bermuda, Mr. Speaker; we have consistently had di- community. One of the more significant events for rect engagement in Brussels and other EU nations on Bermuda College during this reporting period was the a bilateral basis.