2018/2020 SESSION of the BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT 17 July 2020 VIRTUAL SITTING Sitting number 52 of the 2018/2020 Session (pages 4409–4544) Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., 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 17 July 2020 4409 BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT 17 JULY 2020 VIRTUAL SITTING 10:00 AM Sitting Number 52 of the 2018/2020 Session [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair] [Inaudible interjection] The Speaker: Good morning, everyone. The House PAPERS AND OTHER has now begun and Ms. Beale can do the prayers. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE PRAYERS The Speaker: There are some nine papers this morn- ing. The first is in the name of the Premier. [Prayers read by Kara A. Beale, Assistant Clerk] Premier, would you like to present your first paper this morning? The Speaker: Good morning, Members. Members, there was a technical issue. My mi- [Pause] crophone was not coming through. Thank you, Ms. Beale, for the prayer. The Speaker: Premier, are you with us this morning? CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES [No audible reply] [Minutes of 3 July 2020] The Speaker: Well, we will move on and come back The Speaker: The Minutes of July 3rd have been cir- to the Premier. culated. Members, are there any amendments or cor- The next Minister who has a paper or com- rections required? munication this morning is the Minister of Health. No, there are none. Minister Wilson, are you able to present yours The Minutes are confirmed as printed. now? [Minutes of 3 July 2020 confirmed] Hon. Kim N. Wilson: I am here. Yes. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. The Speaker: There are none. PUBLIC HEALTH (COVID-19) EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER EXTENSION ORDER 2020 OR MEMBER PRESIDING Hon. Kim N. Wilson: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the consideration of the Hon- The Speaker: There are none. ourable House of Assembly the Public Health (COVID-19) Emergency Extension Order 2020, pro- MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE posed to be made by the Minister of Health in exer- cise of the power conferred by section 107A of the CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT ACT 2020 Public Health Act 1949. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: We actually do have a message from The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. the Senate this morning. And [it is as follows:] The next communication this morning is in the “In accordance with Standing Order 37, the name of the Minister of Finance. Senate has the honour to inform your Honourable Minister of Finance, would you like to present House of the accompanying Bill entitled the Criminal yours? Code Amendment Act 2020, recommending the con- currence of your Honourable House.” Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Good morning, Mr. This is from the President of the Senate, the Speaker. Honourable Joan Dillas-Wright. Bermuda House of Assembly 4410 17 July 2020 Official Hansard Report The Speaker: Good morning. The Speaker: Good morning, Minister. rd MUNICIPALITIES (WHARFAGE EXEMPTION) Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch: And happy 3 anni- ORDER 2020 versary to you. Mr. Speaker— Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: I have the honour to at- tach and submit for the information of the Honourable The Speaker: Yes. Thank you. House of Assembly the Municipalities (Wharfage Ex- emption) Order 2020, as made by the Minister of Fi- BERMUDA HOUSING TRUST FINANCIAL nance in the exercise of the powers conferred by sec- STATEMENTS 2019 tion 31(5) of the Municipalities Act of 1923. Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch: To all of us, actually. The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Would you like to I have the honour to attach and submit for the do your second one? information of the Honourable House of Assembly the Bermuda Housing Trust Financial Statements 2019. BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY 2019 ANNUAL REPORT The Speaker: Thank you. You actually have three more. Would you like to do the others? Hon. Curtis L. Dickinson: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the EXCHANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE Honourable House of Assembly the Bermuda Mone- CORPORATION OF HAMILTON AND MCCALMON tary Authority 2019 Annual Report. TRUST PTC LIMITED Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch: Yes, sir, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and I notice the Premier. Premier, would you like submit for the consideration of the Honourable House to do your two at the moment? of Assembly an Exchange Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and McCalmon Trust PTC Hon. E. David Burt: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Limited, as trustee of the McCalmon Trust, reference heirs of land situated at 5 Brooklyn Lane, City of Ham- The Speaker: Good morning, Premier. ilton, etched in yellow and pink in accordance with section 20(1A) of the Municipalities Act 1923. Hon. E. David Burt: And I sincerely apologise for my Shall I continue? tardiness. The Speaker: Yes. Continue, Minister. The Speaker: No problem. SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN TRIBUTE TO SIR EVERTON WEEKS THE CORPORATION OF ST. GEORGE’S AND THE W. M. E. MEYER & COMPANY LIMITED Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to attach and submit for the information of the Hon- Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch: Mr. Speaker, I have ourable House of Assembly the Tribute to Sir Everton the honour to attach and submit for the consideration Weeks. of the Honourable House of Assembly the Sale and Purchase Agreement between the Corporation of St. TOURISM INVESTMENT (ST. GEORGE’S CLUB) George’s and the W. M. E. Meyer & Company Limited ORDER 2020 reference the lot of land situated in the Town of St. George’s in the Islands of Bermuda shown as Lot A Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, I have the honour and as described in the Schedule Annex and etched to attach and submit for the consideration of the Hon- red on the plan, in accordance with section 20(1A) of ourable House of Assembly the Tourism Investment the Municipalities Act 1923. (St. George’s Club) Order 2020. And the final one, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. The Speaker: Yes. We now move on to Minister Burch. Minister Burch. EXCHANGE OF LAND AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION OF HAMILTON AND THE Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch: Good morning, Mr. TRUSTEES OF THE DIANTHUS TRUST Speaker. Bermuda House of Assembly Official Hansard Report 17 July 2020 4411 Lt. Col. Hon. David A. Burch: I have the honour to port cashless casino gaming. Both of these stake- attach and submit for the consideration of the Hon- holders have completed their necessary steps, and a ourable House of Assembly the Exchange of Land potential operator is engaged in final conversations Agreement between the Corporation of Hamilton and with an on-Island financial institution. We are hopeful the Trustees of the Dianthus Trust, reference areas of that this will be able to progress to completion, and I land situated at Canal Road and Laffan Street, City of want to thank the Minister of Finance for his work to Hamilton, etched in green and yellow and designated move this matter close to completion. The reason why parcels B and A, respectively, and in accordance with the Minister of Finance held the gaming portfolio was section 20(1A) of the Municipalities Act 1923. due to the fact that the number-one issue delaying a Thank you, Mr. Speaker. gaming industry in Bermuda was the ability to bank the proceeds of gaming. The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. With regard to the recruitment of a chief exec- That brings us to the end of the papers and utive, Mr. Speaker, a priority for the Commission has communications. We now move on. been the recruitment of a chief executive. This Hon- ourable House may recall that the Commission en- PETITIONS gaged the services of PricewaterhouseCoopers exec- utive search in January of this year. A short list of 12 The Speaker: There are none. international candidates was compiled. And I can con- firm that a preferred candidate has been identified and STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS terms are being reviewed. I am advised and expect AND JUNIOR MINISTERS that the post will be filled later this year. With regard to the protection of the vulnera- ble, Mr. Speaker, one of the questions posed in this The Speaker: I guess nine must be the magical num- Honourable House on July 3rd was the request for an ber today. There are nine papers and communica- update on the current state of social responsibility ini- tions, and now there are nine Statements. tiatives. Such initiatives are critical and should be em- Statement one is in the name of the Premier. bedded across all gaming sectors. The Problem Gam- Mr. Premier, would you like to present your ing Council have been active with providing oversight Statement? of initiatives to ensure the protection of the vulnerable and have been engaged in developing the following Hon. E. David Burt: Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. initiatives: 1. a prevalence study—establishing a baseline UPDATE ON GAMING of empirical data and research regarding cur- rent gaming habits of Bermudian residents; Hon. E. David Burt: Mr. Speaker, as I undertook at 2. exclusion programme—the review of social the last day of meeting, I am pleased to provide this responsibility codes, particularly those on fam- Honourable House with an update on gaming and the ily and self-exclusion; work of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission 3.