THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH VERBATIM REPORT OF THE 32ND REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE CARIBBEAN, THE AMERICAS AND THE ATLANTIC REGION Embracing Change in the Way we do Business: Efficient Government GRAND CAYMAN 24TH – 30TH JUNE 2007 Table of Contents OPENING CEREMONY..................................................................................................................1 PRESENTATION OF FLAGS.........................................................................................................1 PRAYERS................................ ............................................. ................................................................2 WELCOME BY HON. EDNA M. MOYLE, JP, MLA, SPEAKER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, CPA PRESIDENT (CAYMAN ISLANDS).............................2 REMARKS BY HON. D. KURT TIBBETTS, JP, MLA, LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS.............................................................................................................................................3 REMARKS BY HON. W. McKEEVA BUSH, OBE, JP, MLA, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION......................................................................................................................................5 REMARKS BY HON. DR. WILLIAM F. SHIJA, SECRETARY GENERAL (CPA SECRETARIAT LONDON)............................................................................................................6 OPENING OF CONFERENCE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR ...............8 VOTE OF THANKS BY MR. ALFONSO WRIGHT, MLA, CHAIRMAN...........................9 SESSION 1: THE COMMONWEALTH, THE CPA AND PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY: HOW TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC...............................................................................................................................................10 PRESENTER: HON. DR. WILLIAM F. SHIJA, SECRETARY GENERAL (CPA SECRETARIAT, LONDON)...........................................................................................10 SESSION 2: DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE CITIZEN...........................................................................................................................20 PRESENTER: MR. OTTIWELL A. SIMMONS, JP, MP (BERMUDA)...... .......................................20 SESSION 3: THE ROLE OF A SECOND CHAMBER IN LEGISLATURES IN THE CARIBBEAN.....................................................................................................................................26 PRESENTER: MR. CONRAD LEWIS (BELIZE).................. .......................... ......................................26 SESSION 4: LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTERDICTION: REGIONAL COOPERATION..............................................................................................................................38 PRESENTER: HON. SAMUEL W. BULGIN, JP, QC (CAYMAN ISLANDS)... ........ .....................38 SESSION 5: UNDERACHIEVEMENT OF MALE YOUTH IN THE REGION .......................46 PRESENTER: HON. D. GISELE ISAAC-ARRINDELL, MP, ANTIGUA.......... ............................46 SESSION 6: DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RECOVERY........ ..................................65 PRESENTERS: HON. MICHAEL D. LETT, MP (GRENADA)............................................ ...............65 MR. OSBOURNE V. BODDEN, MLA (CAYMAN ISLANDS)...............................65 HON. REUBEN T. MEADE, MLC (MONTSERRAT)......................................... .....65 SESSION 7: TERTIARY EDUCATION TOWARDS A NEW REGIONAL APPROACH.... ..................................................................................................................................80 PRESENTER: DR. HASSAN SYED, PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS........ .......................................................................................80 SESSION 8: THE ROLE OF THE CIVIL SERVANT: EMBRACING A NEW CULTURE OF GOVERNANCE..................................................................................................92 PRESENTER: SEN. PROFESSOR RAMESH DEOSARAN (TRINIDAD & TOBAGO)...........92 SESSION 9: CLIMATE CHANGE, WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FUTURE........................................................ ...................................................................................104 PRESENTERS: HON. KEESHA WEBSTER in collaboration with HON. DAVID CARTY, MLA (ANGUILLA).....................................................................................................................104 DR. GARY GOODYEAR, MP (CANADA) ...............................................................107 SESSION 10: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: LANDFILL AND DISPOSAL OF REFUSE/BEAUTIFICATION ...................................................................................................112 PRESENTER: MR. ROLSTON M. ANGLIN, MLA (CAYMAN ISLANDS)..................................112 CPA INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE REPRESENTATIVES FOR THE REGION Antigua & Barbuda Hon. D. Gisele Isaac-Arrindell, MP Speaker of the House of Representatives Bermuda Hon. Dame Jennifer M. Smith, DBE, JP, DHumL, MP Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly Jamaica Hon. Michael Peart, MP Speaker of the House of Representatives EXECUTIVES OF THE REGIONAL CPA Cayman Islands Hon. Edna M. Moyle, JP, MLA Speaker of the Legislative Assembly - Chairperson Mr. Cline A. Glidden, Jr, MLA Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Antigua & Barbuda Hon. D. Gisele Isaac-Arrindell, MP Speaker of the House of Representatives Barbados Hon. Ishmael A. Roett, MP Speaker of the House of Assembly British Virgin Islands Hon. V. Inez Archibald, MLC Speaker of the Legislative Council Grenada Hon. Lawrence Joseph, MP Speaker of the House of Representatives Represented by Hon. Michael D Lett, MP Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Montserrat Hon. Joseph Henry Meade, MLC Speaker of the Legislative Council CWP Representative - Nevis Hon. Marjorie Morton President of the Assembly Regional Secretary – Trinidad & Tobago Ms. Jacqui Sampson CPA SECRETARY-GENERAL Hon. Dr. William F. Shija NAMES OF PARTICIPATING DELEGATES Anguilla: Hon. David A. Carty, MLA, Speaker Antigua & Barbuda: Hon. D. Gisele Isaac-Arrindell, MP, Speaker Bahamas: Mr. J Kwasi Thompson, MP, Deputy Speaker Mrs. Verna Grant, MP Mr. D Shane Gibson, MP Mr. Leon D Rahming,Secretary Barbados: His Honour Ishmael Roet Mr. David Thompson Senator Andrew Bynoe Mr. Pedro Eastman Belize: Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, MP Mr. Conrad Lewis, Honorary Secretary Bermuda: Hon. Dame Jennifer M. Smith, DBE, JP, DHumL, MP Hon. Walter Lister, JP, MP Mr. Ottiwell A. Simmons, JP, MP Senator Wayne M. Caines, JP, BA LLB (Hons) Mrs. Shernette M. A. Wolffe, Honorary Secretary British Virgin Islands: Hon. V. Inez Archibald, MLC, Speaker Mrs. Alva McCall, Honorary Secretary Cayman Islands: Mr. Cline A. Glidden, Jr, MLA, Deputy Speaker (Opposition) Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Government) Mr. Osbourne V. Bodden, MLA (Government) Mr. Rolston M. Anglin, MLA (Opposition) Grenada: Hon. Michael D. Lett, MP, Deputy Speaker Mr. Adrian Hayes, Honorary Secretary Jamaica: Sen. the Hon. Syringa Marshall Burnett, CD, JP, President of the Senate Senator Prudence Kidd-Deans Mr. Lenworth M. Blake, JP, MP Mr. Ralph Montaque, Secretary Montserrat: Hon. Joseph Henry Meade, MLC, Speaker Hon. Reuben T. Meade (Opposition) Mrs. Claudette Weekes, Honorary Secretary Saint Lucia: Hon. Dr. Rose Marie Mathurin, President of Senate Mr. Kurt Thomas, Honorary Secretary Trinidad & Tobago: Mr. Harry Partap, MP - Opposition Member Sen. Professor Ramesh Deosaran - Independent Senator Ms. Jacqui Sampson – Regional Secretary Mrs. Lynette S. Joseph-Guevara, Secretary Turks & Caicos Islands: Hon. Clayton Greene, MP, Speaker Hon. R. Dohahue Gardiner, MP, JP Hon. Arthur T. Robinson, MP OBSERVERS CPA Secretariat, London: The Hon. Dr. William F Shija, Secretary-General Mr. Ian James McIntosh, Executive Officer, Administration Canada: Dr. Gary Goodyear, MP United Kingdom: Mr. David Clelland MP 32nd REGIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE CARIBBEAN, THE AMERICAS AND THE ATLANTIC REGION OF THE COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION 24 – 30 JUNE 2007 GRAND CAYMAN CAYMAN ISLANDS [25 June 2007] [Flag of Bermuda presented and National Anthem played] OPENING CEREMONY Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): PRESENTATION OF FLAGS British Virgin Islands. Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): [Flag of the British Virgin Islands presented and Na- Can we all stand for the presentation of flags? tional Anthem played] The Flag of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): Grenada. [Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Flag pre- sented] [Flag of Grenada presented and National Anthem played] Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): Please remain standing for the presentation of flags of Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): countries represented at this 32nd Commonwealth Jamaica. Parliamentary Association Conference. The Flag of Anguilla. [Flag of Jamaica presented and National Anthem played] [Flag of Anguilla presented and National Anthem played] Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): Montserrat. Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): Antigua and Barbuda. [Flag of Montserrat presented and National Anthem played] [Flag of Antigua and Barbuda presented and National Anthem played] Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): Saint Lucia. Mr. W. Alfonso Wright, MLA (Cayman Islands): Bahamas. [Flag of Saint Lucia presented and National Anthem played] [Flag of Bahamas presented and National Anthem