2015/16 Session Bermuda House of Assembly Official
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2015/16 SESSION of the BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT 11 March 2016 Sitting number 15 of the 2015/16 Session (pages 1425–1540) 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 11 March 2016 1425 BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT 11 MARCH 2016 10:06 AM Sitting Number 15 of the 2015/16 Session [Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, Speaker, in the Chair] Thank you, Mr. Speaker. PRAYERS The Speaker: Thank you, Attorney General. [Prayers read by Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, The Clerk: Additionally, Members, please be advised Speaker] that soft copies of these communications are avail- able, and they will be sent to you electronically. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES PETITIONS The Speaker: Honourable Members, the Minutes of March 7th and 9th are deferred. The Speaker: There are none. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS OR MEMBER PRESIDING AND JUNIOR MINISTERS APOLOGIES The Speaker: The Chair will recognise the Honour- able Premier. The Speaker: Members L. K. Scott, the Junior Minis- ter, and D. V. Burgess continue to be away. Addition- Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Good morning and thank ally, Member W. L. Furbert will be absent today. you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, colleagues. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE The Speaker: Good morning. The Speaker: There are none. RESPONSE TO ISLAND-WIDE WITHDRAWAL OF LABOUR CAMPAIGN PAPERS AND OTHER Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I rise to ad- COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE dress this Honourable House in the wake of the call by the People’s Campaign for an Island-wide with- The Speaker: The Chair will recognise the Learned drawal of labour today. Attorney General. Mr. Speaker, governments are called upon to be sensitive to the challenges facing the people whom FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY FINANCIAL they serve. In doing so, governments are to make dif- ST STATEMENTS FOR YEARS ENDED MARCH 31 , ficult decisions, and not everyone will be satisfied, let 2013, 2014 AND 2015 alone pleased, with the outcome. Immigration is one such issue that ignites the passions of many. No one FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT FOR THE has disputed the need for comprehensive immigration YEARS 2012/13, 2013/14 AND 2014/15 reform. No one has disputed the need to address the inequities that continue to exist in our society today. Hon. Trevor G. Moniz: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I There is, though, a difference in the paths that have two. various groups prefer to follow to achieve an outcome Firstly, Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to at- that we can perhaps all agree is necessary. Mr. tach and submit for the information of the Honourable Speaker, in a mature democracy, we are able to ex- House of Assembly the Financial Intelligence Agency press our views and our feelings without fear of retri- st Financial Statements for years ended March 31 , bution. I am thankful, Mr. Speaker, to live in a country 2013, 2014 and 2015. that naturally grants, understands, and encourages In addition, Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to this freedom. But with this freedom comes responsibil- attach and submit for the information of the Honour- ity, a responsibility to each other, to the wider com- able House of Assembly the Financial Intelligence munity, a responsibility that should be cherished as Report for the years 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15. much as the freedom to express ourselves. Bermuda House of Assembly 1426 11 March 2016 Official Hansard Report The call by the People’s Campaign for an Is- Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Hon- land-wide withdrawal of labour in response to this ourable Premier. Government’s plan to engage in a full debate of its proposals for comprehensive immigration reform can- The Speaker: Yes, sir. not be considered to be a responsible action. This Honourable House is a place to debate the issues that QUESTION 1: RESPONSE TO ISLAND-WIDE we as a country must face, especially the most chal- WITHDRAWAL OF LABOUR CAMPAIGN lenging, most uncomfortable issues. Certainly, Mr. Speaker, you would recall the debates on compre- Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: To the Honourable Premier, in hensive immigration reform that we have already had, light of this strike action, can the Honourable Premier particularly the long and sometimes heated debate share with this House if the Government’s current po- this past Monday. That is responsible action. sition on Pathways to Status is unchanged? The call to withdraw labour is intended to dis- rupt life in Bermuda, inconveniencing many families The Speaker: Premier. and interfering with the delivery of services. Children will not be able to get transport to school. Parents will Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. be forced to remain home from work to care for them. The Honourable Member called it a strike ac- The list of disruptions goes on. A call for the with- tion. I believe it was worded a withdrawal of labour. drawal of labour threatens Bermuda’s work to rebuild And our current position remains the same. the economy, work that produces jobs and opportunity Bermudians sorely need to provide for their families. It The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Member. will impact us far beyond our shores and far beyond The Chair will recognise the Honourable today. Member from constituency 17, MP Walton Brown. Mr. Speaker, this Government hears the con- cerns of the people regarding immigration reform. We QUESTION 1: RESPONSE TO ISLAND-WIDE know that there are those who are uncomfortable with WITHDRAWAL OF LABOUR CAMPAIGN the proposals. There are also many who welcome them. We cannot ignore the fact that the majority do Mr. Walton Brown: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. support these proposals. My colleagues and I have Can the Honourable Premier answer the fol- been urged to stay the course, because the proposals lowing, Mr. Speaker: Given that the Premier refers to are good for Bermuda. a mandate to act and to lead on these matters, will the We hear all viewpoints, and it is our duty and Premier accept that there is no such mandate, given responsibility to govern for the benefit of all of Ber- that his party prior to the 2012 election expressly muda. Mr. Speaker, that is our mandate, and that is stated it would not undertake the action they are cur- how we will continue moving this country forward, rently taking? making the tough decisions for a strong and prosper- ous future that serves the interests of all Bermudians. The Speaker: Premier. Mr. Speaker, let us debate. Let us express our views, and let us do so passionately. But let us also do so Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: No, Mr. Speaker. with tolerance, respect, and responsibility. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Honourable The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Member. Member from constituency 29. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES QUESTION 1: RESPONSE TO ISLAND-WIDE WITHDRAWAL OF LABOUR CAMPAIGN The Speaker: There are none. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. QUESTION PERIOD The question I have for the Premier is this. On the last page in his second paragraph, and I will The Speaker: Yes. The Chair will recognise the Hon- quote: “We cannot ignore the fact that the majority do ourable Leader of the Opposition. support the proposals.” What data do you have, Pre- mier, to verify that statement? Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Premier. The Speaker: Good morning, good morning. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, that is our Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: Good morning to honourable view. colleagues. Bermuda House of Assembly Official Hansard Report 11 March 2016 1427 The Speaker: Thank you. The Speaker: Yes, sir. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Supplementary? QUESTION 2: RESPONSE TO ISLAND-WIDE WITHDRAWAL OF LABOUR CAMPAIGN The Speaker: Yes. SUPPLEMENTARIES Mr. Walton Brown: In light of the growing and perva- sive discontent with regard to the Government’s ap- Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Mr. Premier, you said that proach to immigration reform, is the Premier prepared this is your view. When you say your view, who is to accept greater and greater social unrest that is “your”? Who are you referring to? likely to follow, rather than commit to a collaborative broad-debate approach reflective of comprehensive The Speaker: Premier. immigration reform? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I did not say The Speaker: Premier. your or my view. I said “our” view. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I do not sup- The Speaker: Do you have another supplementary? port the approach that there are some in this commu- nity who would like to see tensions continue to rise. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, Mr. Speaker, thank And I think it is unfortunate that Members continue to you. walk along that path. This is a very emotive issue, as I Can you clarify who “our” is then? have talked about often. And we have been swamped with people who support this proposal. So I think it is Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: The Government of Ber- inappropriate for leaders in this community to continue muda. to support raising up civil disobedient levels. The Speaker: Thank you. The Speaker: MP Brown, you have a supplementary The Chair will recognise the Honourable on that? Learned Member from constituency 34. MP De Silva [sic]. Mr. Walton Brown: Yes. Ms. Kim N. Wilson: Wilson, actually. The Speaker: Yes. [Laughter] Mr. Walton Brown: Mr.