2015/16 SESSION of the BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT. 27 November 2015 Sitting number 3 of the 2015/16 Session (pages )

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1 2015/16 SESSION of the BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT 27 November 2015 Sitting number 3 of the 2015/16 Session (pages ) 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.

2 Official Hansard Report 27 November BERMUDA HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT 27 NOVEMBER :03 AM Sitting Number 3 of the 2015/16 Session [Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, Speaker, in the Chair] PRAYERS [Prayers read by Hon. K. H. Randolph Horton, Speaker] CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 13 and 20 November 2015 The Speaker: Yes, Honourable Members. We have our confirmation of the Minutes for the 13 th and 20 th of November. These Minutes should have been received. Any objection to those Minutes? There are none. Then the Minutes are confirmed. [Minutes of 13 and 20 November 2015 confirmed] MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR The Speaker: There are none. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE SPEAKER OR MEMBER PRESIDING The Speaker: There are none. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE The Speaker: There are none. PAPERS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS TO THE HOUSE The Speaker: There are none. PETITIONS The Speaker: The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 2, but is not here in reference to Petitions. Then we will go to the next one. The Clerk: Petitions. An Hon. Member: It is right here. [Crosstalk] CROWN GLOBAL LIFE INSURANCE LTD. CON- SOLIDATION AND AMENDMENT ACT 2015 CROWN GLOBAL LIFE INSURANCE (BERMUDA) LTD. CONSOLIDATION AND AMENDMENT ACT 2015 Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo: Sorry. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move for leave to introduce the following petitions: the Petition of Reid Finance Limited requesting the enactment of a Private Act as set out in the Bill entitled the Crown Global Life Insurance Ltd. Consolidation and Amendment Act 2015, which accompanies this petition; the petition of Reid Finance Limited requesting the enactment of a Private Act as set out in the Bill entitled the Crown Global Life Insurance (Bermuda) Ltd. Consolidation and Amendment Act 2015, which accompanies this petition. I ask that the said petitions be referred to the Joint Select Committee on Private Bills for consideration and report. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you. Any objections to that? None. Carry on, Honourable Member. Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo: That is it. The Speaker: That is it? Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo: Yes. STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS AND JUNIOR MINISTERS The Speaker: The Chair will recognise first the Honourable Premier. Premier Dunkley, you have the floor. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning, Mr. Speaker, to you and colleagues. The Speaker: Good morning. GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I am pleased to rise and inform the Members of this Honourable House about a

3 November 2015 Official Hansard Report 2015/16 Throne Speech pledge that has already been delivered on. Mr. Speaker, you and the Honourable Members of this House were present on November 13 th, a mere 14 days ago, when His Excellency the Governor read our very forward-thinking, ambitious Speech from the Throne, which outlined a raft of bold initiatives aimed at restoring confidence in Bermuda and restoring opportunity for Bermudians. In that speech, Mr. Speaker, we all heard the Governor read a specific section related to government boards and committees. I would like to remind Honourable Members of that particular section: The Government will open up the process for citizens wanting to serve on government boards and committees, providing, for the first time, the opportunity to formally apply for positions... Government expects this initiative will see boards and committees draw from a larger talent pool than has been the case in the past. It is to be followed in 2016 by a functional review of government boards to determine how their productivity and effectiveness can be increased and decide which boards are no longer required. Mr. Speaker, in that regard, effective immediately, residents wanting to serve on government boards and committees can do so by visiting the Cabinet Office web page on the government portal [Gavel] The Speaker: Just a minute, Premier. [Pause] The Speaker: Carry on. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In that regard, effective immediately, residents wanting to serve on government boards and committees can do so by visiting the Cabinet Office web page on the government portal and completing an Expression of Interest [EOI] form. Mr. Speaker I must stress a very important point, that this is the first time that any government of Bermuda has opened up the process so that members of the public can formally apply. And our Government is elated to have piloted this initiative to fruition. Needless to say, Mr. Speaker, government boards and committees play a critical and important role in good governance by providing independent and expert governance or advice. They also provide an effective link between Government and our community. Mr. Speaker, I also should note that since making the public announcement only two days ago about opening up boards and committees, we have been extremely encouraged with the level of feedback from individuals who have expressed interest in serving. And while we are encouraging as many interested residents as possible to get involved, more specifically we are hoping that more women in our community embrace this opportunity to serve. As we noted in our Throne Speech, Government hopes to use the extension of this opportunity not only to achieve a more diverse representation, but a more gender-equitable representation in this important area of public service. Mr. Speaker, to quote former US Secretary of State and current Democratic Presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton: We must support the rise of women leaders in the public and private sectors because they bring firsthand knowledge and understanding... and their perspectives will add great value as we shape policies and programs that will eliminate barriers to bring women into all economic sectors. Mr. Speaker, the former Secretary of State was addressing the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Women and the Economy Summit. And the Government supports Mrs. Clinton s sentiments. Mr. Speaker, this Government is keenly aware of the important value of women in our community. And it is vital for us to facilitate an environment of opportunity that motivates, empowers and inspires women at all levels in our community to succeed. For our part, Mr. Speaker, we will continue to address challenges of gender equality and shape policies that ensure that women have the same opportunities and advantages that men have to achieve. And finally, Mr. Speaker, as I close, I wish to note that the very swift delivery of this Throne Speech pledge within 14 days is not only an indication that this Government continues to work at a rapid pace in implementing programmes and initiatives to benefit our people, but more importantly, it is in keeping with our commitment to increase the levels of openness, transparency and equal opportunities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Finance Minister. Minister E. T. Richards, you have the floor. SOLVENCY II EQUIVALENCE FOR THE BERMUDA INSURANCE SECTOR UPDATE Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be able to provide the House of Assembly with an update on Solvency II equivalence for the Bermuda insurance market. Mr. Speaker, the Solvency II Directive introduces a modernised risk-based The Speaker: Just a minute, Minister.

4 Official Hansard Report 27 November Honourable Members, if Ministers are giving statements, I need to hear them. There must be more respect. Carry on. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Solvency II Directive introduces a modernised risk-based regulatory regime for insurance and reinsurance undertakings in the European Union [EU]. The Directive also provides for the assessment of the insurance regimes of countries outside the EU. The Directive will take effect on the 1 st of January Mr. Speaker, the European Commission has determined that the regulatory and supervisory regime in force in Bermuda for insurance and reinsurance undertakings and groups should be considered to meet the criteria for full equivalence set out in the Directive. Captives and special-purpose insurers which are subject to different insurance requirements have been excluded from the requirement to comply with the Directive. The Bermuda Solvency II Delegated Act shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of three months of notification of that Act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the Parliament and the Council have both informed the commission that they will not object. The period can be extended by three months at the initiative of the European Parliament or the Council. Mr. Speaker, Bermuda is in the financial services business, and thousands of jobs, both Bermudian and guest workers alike, depend on the success of this sector. The Government, therefore, is committed to helping Bermuda s financial institutions to succeed in global markets. This decision directly supports our commitment to the financial services sector and the livelihoods of those employed in it. Mr. Speaker, I wish to express my sincere thanks, firstly, to Mr. Jeremy Cox and the Bermuda Monetary Authority team for doing such an excellent job, with tireless effort, in orchestrating the regulatory equivalency exercise at home and abroad. Secondly, I wish to thank the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers [ABIR] for orchestrating a well-structured engagement strategy with the Government of Bermuda, the Government of the United Kingdom, the Bermuda Monetary Authority, and various institutions in the EU and other places. Specifically, I wish to express my sincere thanks to Brad Kading and Leila Madeiros of ABIR. I also wish to express my sincere thanks to the Insurance Advisory Committee, the Bermuda Insurance Management Association, and the Bermuda International Long Term Reinsurers Association for their dedicated attention to these matters. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, I wish to thank the Ministry of Finance team with responsibility for this area: the Financial Secretary, Anthony Manders; the Assistant Financial Secretary for Regulation, Pamela Burrows; the Office of the Attorney General; as well as EU Counsel to the Finance Ministry, Alastair Sutton, for coordinating and managing the Government s responsibilities at home and abroad in relation to this Directive. Mr Speaker, meeting an imposed deadline is difficult, but reaching a goal that many thought to be impossible is a feat of determination, endurance and extraordinary discipline. Congratulations to the entire Bermuda team. You have truly performed a great service to Bermuda. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. [Desk thumping] The Speaker: Thank you very much, Minister. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Minister of Education, Minister Wayne Scott. The third matter on Health Insurance should not have been [on the Order Paper]. Hon. R. Wayne Scott: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning. The Speaker: Good morning. BERMUDA COLLEGE ACCREDITATION Hon. R. Wayne Scott: Mr. Speaker, this morning I rise before this Honourable House to first congratulate Bermuda College on its recent re-accreditation with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Commission for Institutions of Higher Education, and secondly, to share with this Honourable House and the people of Bermuda the significance of accreditation to our students who are contemplating post-secondary education at the college. Mr. Speaker, the college was first accredited in 2010 for an initial period of five years. In March 2015, the College completed its self-study for reaccreditation, culminating in a visit by the NEASC Site Visit Team and the recent announcement of its reaccreditation success. At its meeting in September 2015, the NEASC Commission resolved that Bermuda College remain accredited and that its next comprehensive evaluation would not be required until 2025, or in 10 years. Mr. Speaker, this is indeed good news for Bermuda College and for Bermuda. As the Island's only post-secondary institution, this independent validation process proves that Bermuda College, after rigorous scrutiny, has met and continues to meet the required standards for recognised quality education. This has been demonstrated in its substantial compliance with established qualitative standards, its integri-

5 November 2015 Official Hansard Report ty in statements to the public about its programmes, its institutional commitment to improvement and its sufficiency of institutional resources. The college has proven that it possesses sufficient human, fiscal and physical resources, as well as the commitment of its faculty and support staff, to ultimately fulfil its mission of ensuring student success. Mr. Speaker, accreditation is important to Bermuda College, as it is about providing options and opportunities for its students. Through its 17 articulation agreements and the more than 100 overseas institutions that its graduates have transferred to, Bermuda College students complete their associate s degree at the college at a tremendous savings and are then accepted into the third year of a four-year college or university, some of which offer tuition discounts and other financial incentives. In addition to the excellent value this arrangement provides, students at Bermuda College enjoy the benefit of small class sizes and the ability to work while they study, and they are afforded tremendous networking opportunities with prospective employers. It is a win-win situation for our graduates, who have cited these reasons as a real benefit of attending the college, time and time again. Mr. Speaker, the accreditation has also augured well for professional and career-minded individuals who continue to avail themselves of the international organisations and agencies that offer a myriad of credentialed and professional designation programmes through Bermuda College. (Mr. Speaker, I think I am getting to the point where I need my glasses to look at these Statements.) The NEASC Commission, in its detailed report, commended the college for its contribution to the local economy through the development of its Associate of Science degree in nursing in response to Bermuda s need to train more local nurses. The college was also applauded for the local and international internships and other short-term work placements it provides. Accreditation is not only important to Bermuda College and its students, but also for our Island as we endeavour to provide a quality pool of human resource capital to remain competitive. Mr. Speaker, with more students taking advantage of the home fees offered to Bermudians studying in the United Kingdom, Bermuda College is seeking more articulation agreements with European institutions and is giving strong consideration to offering an A-level exam option at the college in the future. Mr. Speaker, I have requested the Bermuda College to take the lead in establishing a task force that includes educators from both the public and private high schools. The task force will be asked to consider alternative and additional pathways for our local students to earn a baccalaureate degree both on-island and off-island. As the Island's only tertiary institution, it is crucial that both its quality offerings and viability be maintained. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me once again commend the faculty and staff of the Bermuda College, under the leadership of its President, Dr. Duranda Greene, and her executive, for the continued commitment to the vision of Bermuda College and the provision of sound tertiary education for Bermuda s students. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. That completes the Ministerial Statements. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES The Speaker: There are none. QUESTION PERIOD The Speaker: We now move into the question period, but first... Yes, Honourable Member? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Yes, question to... The Speaker: Oh, yes, just one second, Honourable Member. [Laughter] The Speaker: All right. We will first look at the Premier s Statement. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member Walton Brown. You have the floor. Mr. Walton Brown: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning, colleagues. I did actually wait to be recognised by the Speaker before I stood up to speak. [Laughter] The Speaker: We noticed. QUESTION 1: GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Mr. Walton Brown: Mr. Speaker, I am encouraged that the Government has decided to open up the appointments to government boards by allowing the public to be able to send in requests. My question for the Premier is, who will decide who gets to sit on the board once the process has been opened up? The Speaker: Premier? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I thank the Honourable Member for that question. All requests and determinations of interest will be sent on to the relevant minis-

6 Official Hansard Report 27 November ters and ministry for them to review. This will broaden the pool and will allow more people to come forward. The Speaker: Yes, MP Walton Brown? Mr. Walton Brown: Second question. The Speaker: Yes. QUESTION 2: GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Mr. Walton Brown: Can the Premier tell us, given that part of the intent is to ensure an increased representation of women on government boards, can the Premier tell us, concerning the boards, what is the percentage currently staffed by, or occupied by, women? The Speaker: Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I cannot give an exact number, so I would rather not try to speculate. But not enough. And that is one reason why we have done it. take a look at. All the boards are listed. They can see what the boards do. And they can express their interest, going forward. The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. Yes. Mr. Walter H. Roban: Supplementary. The Speaker: Yes. SUPPLEMENTARY Mr. Walter H. Roban: In light of what the Minister has said, I would like to ask the Minister if he was aware that there was always, down at the Cabinet Office, an open-door process where anyone could walk in, and if they expressed an interest in a board, there were forms that they could fill out at the Cabinet Office. That was certainly the policy under the majority of the time of the previous administration. Is the Minister aware of this? The Speaker: Premier. The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 6. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Go ahead. SUPPLEMENTARY Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: My supplementary is that... I hear the Premier, as far as opening up the process. Can the Premier explain what is different now than what he is proposing? From what we understand, for what we did, the same information that the minister who made the decision... I am trying to figure out, what is so closed now that is going to be open? I do not understand it. The Speaker: Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I am happy to help the Honourable Member. I will reread the Statement if you would like me to. But to save time, in the past, there has not been an avenue for any member of the public to formally apply for government boards. All the government boards are listed on the website. People can formally apply to government boards. In the past, what used to have to happen is, you had to know somebody or know the Minister and put your name forward. We want to broaden it to everybody who wants to serve in the present time. Now it is there for people to Mr. Walter H. Roban: I am sorry; the Honourable Premier aware of this? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, we know that that open-door policy was not made aware of and people did not know about it. Now it is out there. We have publicised it. And since we sent out the media release two days ago, there have been people who have expressed an interest it was surprising as soon as we released it. So now we are getting it out to a broader range in the community. Clearly, if you look at the government boards, if you talk to people in your constituency and as you circulate in the community, you will know. Anybody who keeps their head above the sand will know that not enough people know about the boards that are available for service and the work that they do. And so, this is trying to express it from one side of the Island to the other and one end to the other. And I think this conversation and question period today will help that even more. So I am glad that we are having this today. The Speaker: Thank you. The Chair will recognise the Leader of the Opposition. Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Good morning. Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: Supplementary. The Speaker: Yes.

7 November 2015 Official Hansard Report SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: Mr. Speaker, the Honourable Premier stated that he did not have the supporting data to back up the claim that there is a shortage of women participating on government boards. So I would like to ask, because he placed so much emphasis in this statement of the need to open it up by specifically attracting women, why does he feel that there is a shortage of women in existing boards if he does not have supporting data? The Speaker: Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I would like to correct the Honourable Member. I did not say that. I said I did not have the exact numbers of women on the board. But anyone can do the exercise himself at the present time. The Honourable Members can look at the boards that are listed. They can add them up. And they can check out men and women and go from there. Anybody can do it. In fact Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: But you ain t done it. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: later on in time [Inaudible interjections] The Speaker: Just hang on. Just sit down for a minute, Premier Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Yes, sir. The Speaker: while everybody gets settled. [Pause] Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I understand some Honourable Members might have had a rough night. But this is a relatively easy thing that we are talking about, allowing more people to get involved. And I am happy to have the exercise done if Honourable Members do not want to do the exercise themselves to bring the exact numbers. But I did not say what the Honourable Member said. What I said was I do not have the exact percentage of women serving. But I am happy to do the exercise for those who cannot do it for themselves. exact numbers. But any data to support his claims that there is a shortage of ladies serving on government boards. Does he have any number? The Speaker: Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I made it very clear in my remarks that there is a higher percentage of males serving than women. And certainly, I believe that in our society, there is a higher percentage of women than males. And we would like to see more people coming forward, and we would like to see more women coming forward. It is not that difficult, Mr. Speaker. This is not a difficult thing. We do not need to be debating this. We are opening it up for all people, and I would hope they would agree with that, Mr. Speaker. It is going to be a great day. The Speaker: Thank you. Thank you. Yes, MP from constituency 6. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Mr. Speaker, it has not been closed. That is the point we are making. The Speaker: I am sorry? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: It has never been closed. The Speaker: What is your question? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Here is the question. I am asking that The Speaker: Is it a new question? Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Yes, supplementary. The question is that The Speaker: Honourable Member, you have already had two supplementaries. [Inaudible interjections] Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: I only had one. The Speaker: Yes, that is correct. You had one. SUPPLEMENTARY The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Premier. Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: Thank you. Supplementary. The Speaker: Yes. Hon. Marc A. R. Bean: I would like the Honourable Premier to inform this Honourable Chamber what, if any, supporting data he has? We are not asking for Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: So, once these names go to the Minister, there still could be political interference as far as from the Minister s point of view. Will the names then go to the Premier for final approval? The Speaker: Premier? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Honourable Members here today and people listening in the public should be

8 Official Hansard Report 27 November aware that all board-requested appointments come from ministries for the Premier to sign off. And that will still be the way it will go forward. The Speaker: Thank you. Yes, MP [Inaudible interjections] The Speaker: Just sit down. Sit down. We will wait until everybody is ready. [Pause] The Speaker: MP Roban. SUPPLEMENTARY Mr. Walter H. Roban: Thank you, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I peruse the Government s Statement, there is one thing that seems to be missing. And I am asking the Premier, because the Premier did, in his supplementary, in his Statement suggest that anybody can go and find what they are looking for as it relates to these boards. Would the Premier please, because it is not in the Statement, identify exactly where one can go to find a totally consolidated list of all of the boards of government? It is not in the Honourable Premier s Statement. So I am asking if he could provide that information here today for the benefit of us in this House so that we can do the exercise that he has suggested, or members of the public. There is no identification of where they can go. The Speaker: Thank you. Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, on the top of page 2, it says, [one] can visit the Cabinet Office web page on the government portal and complete an Expression of Interest. It is quite easy to find, Mr. Speaker, because I looked at it yesterday. Thank you. The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. We do not have any questions for the Finance Minister. Oh, you had a question for the Premier? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, I did, yes. The Speaker: I am sorry. MP De Silva has the floor. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Premier, top of page 2, you talked about the web page that is going to be available. My question to you is, have you made any other plans, because not everybody... Of course, like you said, you are glad we are asking these questions. Hopefully, the listening public will be a little bit more informed. But do you have any other advertising plans so that this could get out to, you know, maybe our younger people and some of our seniors, too? The Speaker: Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: I thank the Honourable Member for that question. We started two days ago. There was a media release that said that. And the DCI [Department of Communication and Information] has also put it out in social media to try to expand it a little further. And I think the Honourable Member well, all Members will agree that our young people are certainly social media-savvy. So they should pick it up there. The Speaker: MP De Silva, another question? Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Yes, second question, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: All right. QUESTION 2: GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: With regard to, specifically, we are hoping that more women in our community embrace this opportunity to serve, Premier, have you gone out to women s organisations like the sororities, women s church groups, women s sporting clubs like the hockey clubs and netball clubs, Girl Guides, of that nature? Have you done that, or do you plan to do that? The Speaker: Premier. Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, by the announcements yesterday and... sorry, two days ago and today, I think people, everyone who listens to the House of Assembly and media releases will hear the message. So we will continue to put the message out there. The Speaker: Thank you. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So I guess the answer is The Speaker: Supplementary? QUESTION 1: GOVERNMENT BOARDS AND COMMITTEES SUPPLEMENTARIES Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Supplementary. So the answer is no, you are not going to do that?

9 November 2015 Official Hansard Report Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I think that it is important to reach out as much as you can. And we are reaching out, Mr. Speaker. But sometimes, people have to also express their interest by looking at what is out there and coming forward themselves. So, announcements from the Government and from the House of Assembly, I think most people look at them. And if there is an interest, they will go out there. The challenge of reaching out individually, Mr. Speaker, one, is that you have a big risk of missing somebody whom you should have contacted. We are going to reach out in blanket to everybody. And we try to get the message out there as much as we can. And people will come forward, Mr. Speaker. I am confident in that. The Speaker: Thank you. Thank you, Premier. MP De Silva. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: Supplementary, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Yes. Hon. Zane J. S. De Silva: So, Mr. Premier, based on what you just said, do you not think that five letters to five women s organisations would not do a good job for you and accomplish what you are hoping to accomplish? An Hon. Member: Five letters? [Crosstalk] The Speaker: Just a minute, Premier. I think the Honourable Member knows how the House works. Premier? Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Mr. Speaker, I will take the comments on board. I do not think it makes sense to debate back and forth a point like this. Government is going to reach out. If the Minister sorry, the former Minister will give me the five names, I will include those and other people we will reach out to. The Speaker: Thank you. MP Burgess? Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Mr. Speaker, it has already been answered. The Speaker: All right. There are no questions on the other two, so that completes the Question Period. CONGRATULATORY AND/OR OBITUARY SPEECHES The Speaker: The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 3. MP Foggo, you have the floor. Ms. Lovitta F. Foggo: Firstly, Mr. Speaker, very briefly in response to the information shared by the Honourable Minister of Education, I would like to congratulate the Bermuda College in its endeavours to ensure that it stays at the forefront of education and is providing programmes which will ensure that its graduates are indeed marketable in the workforce and putting them in good stead for continuation of their tertiary education overseas. And in particular, all kudos go out to Dr. Greene, Mr. Speaker. Secondly, I would like to give heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Mansfield Bojangles Smith, who departed... and I would like to associate, I think, the whole House. He was a well-known figure in St. George s, and in particular with the St. George s Cricket Club. And he was known by many as an overall sportsman, putting his hands in various sports, and particularly, again, in cricket and in table tennis. Bojangles, I guess everyone would know, basically was sincere in his efforts to ensure that St. George s was known and was understood to be the supreme (I guess, if you will) club and have the first-class sportsmen under its umbrella. And that was always his aim, to make it clear to everyone that the St. Georgian sportsmen were a force to be reckoned with. And so, his sons, one sadly who predeceased him, and that was Ray, who was known as a local boxer, and educator... but everyone knows Wendell Smith, who indeed is an educator, former principal, and certainly still keeps his hands very much in the sporting arena. And of course, again, they know Clay, another well-renowned sportsman in Bermuda, who is doing much to ensure that his love of sports and his sports interests are being shared amongst the youth. And his two daughters, Phyllis (and the second one escapes me). But his two daughters, one of them who is really a phenomenal singer; both of them are, actually. But I say all of that to simply say that the Smith family is well known to all of us who are St. Georgian. And all of Bojangles s efforts will be remembered by us in St. George s and in Bermuda at large, because his love of his sports and his interest in sharing his skills with others have been wide and far on these isles. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 6. MP Wayne Furbert, you have the floor. Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Minister read earlier about the Solvency II, and I am not going to talk about that.

10 Official Hansard Report 27 November But I believe that the House should congratulate and send congratulations to Mr. Jeremy Cox for the years of service and the persistence from his office to reach this final conclusion. It is clear that he has worked hard, I am sure, under pressure from the outside committees or whomever. But yet, he stayed the course, to be sure. And this process, I noticed the Minister did not thank the Progressive Labour Party, which I understand. But the process began under the Progressive Labour Party years ago. Yesterday the process was completed. So both parties have been involved in this process and working with Mr. Cox. But we especially send thanks and congratulations to Mr. Jeremy Cox for what he has done for the country. Thank you. The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Member. Would any other Members care to speak? The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 16. MP Michael Weeks, you have the floor. Mr. Michael A. Weeks: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning. The Speaker: Good morning. Mr. Michael A. Weeks: Mr. Speaker, I would like this Honourable House to acknowledge the exploits of two of our up-and-coming young cricketers in England. The first one, Mr. Speaker, is a young Marcus Scotland. He is the grandson of one of our icons in Cup Match it was not my team, but one of our icons in Cup Match, Mr. Rupert Scotland. An Hon. Member: Who did he play for? Who did he play for? Mr. Michael A. Weeks: He played for the other team that does not have the cup. But, Mr. Speaker, this young Mr. Marcus Scotland has been picked on the under-13 team in Surrey County, on the county team. He has been recognised as one of the best 24 cricketers, Mr. Speaker, in his age group in Surrey. And he is one of 19 players who have been selected to the squad. So, I think kudos should go out to this young man. I would like to associate the whole House, Mr. Speaker. Yes, and his father is Cleon Scotland, a Western Stars man, but we will talk about that at another day. [Crosstalk] An Hon. Member: And his mother is from St. George s. associate the whole House, of another cricketer in England, Delray Rawlins. Delray Rawlins, this is the second season at Sussex Academy. Mr. Speaker, this is the second year, and he has been picked again to be on the Sussex Academy team. And these two youngsters, both of them, one is 13 and one is not even 17 yet, they are doing Bermuda proud. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise now the Honourable Member from constituency 14. MP Glen Smith, you have the floor. Mr. Glen Smith: Thank you and good morning, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Good morning. Mr. Glen Smith: I would like this Honourable House to send congratulations to a Mr. Tyler Butterfield. He has had an amazing season in the triathlon world, representing Bermuda and flying... I would like to associate the entire House. Thank you. It is amazing discipline when you are doing an Iron Man Triathlon. You are doing either a 2.4 mile swim in rough waters, which we are probably talking about South Shore (we are not talking about Paradise Lake); and there is a 112-mile bicycle ride that you have to ride all over these mountains and hills, and what have you. And then there is a marathon of 26.2 [miles]. So this year, he has travelled over 980 miles by just being in pure competition; that is not talking about the training that he has had to do. So, we are very proud of what Tyler had done, and he is certainly flying Bermuda s flag in every race he does. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you. Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member, D. V. Burgess, from constituency 5. Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to start off where Member, Ms. Foggo finished on the passing of Mr. Bojangles Smith. As you know, Mr. Smith produced some fine sons. I know of three of them. They are not only good cricketers, played for St. George s Cup Match team, Randall and Clay. They certainly were an annoyance to the Somerset team. [Laughter and inaudible interjections] Mr. Michael A. Weeks: Yes, okay. Mr. Speaker, I would also like the House to recognise the exploits, and I would probably like to Hon. Derrick V. Burgess, Sr.: But they were not only good cricketers, but his three sons that he produced, they were good sportsmen. Their manner on and off

11 November 2015 Official Hansard Report the field should be exemplified by many. And so, I just want to say that. But also, Mr. Speaker, I would like for this House to send condolences to the families of Mr. Warren Somner. Most of you that travel through Hamilton Parish to get to the airport met him at the Red Cap. He was down there for at least 35 years. And also, Mr. Robert Hollis from the great parish of Hamilton, who passed, certainly another fine gentleman. And I am sure their families will sorely miss them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Member. The Chair will now recognise the Minister for Community, Culture and Sports. Minister Gordon- Pamplin, you have the floor. to acknowledge and send congratulations to all the participants in the Premier s Concert, which was held last Saturday night at the Ruth Seaton James [Auditorium]. And there was just a broad spectrum of talent of our young people pianists, dancers, just the whole nine yards. And CedarBridge Academy had a group where they will be putting on a play. And I think that Members would be well served to try to avail themselves of the opportunity to see that play. We were able to see an excerpt from it at the start of the Premier s Concert. And finally, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that this Honourable House send congratulations to Berkeley Institute s class of They had An Hon. Member: Was that your year? Hon. Patricia J. Gordon-Pamplin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and good morning to you, and good morning, colleagues. The Speaker: Good morning. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon-Pamplin: Mr. Speaker, I would like for this Honourable House to send congratulations to St. George s Cricket Club. They recently opened their upstairs lounge, [Gavel] The Speaker: Keep it down, guys, please. Hon. Patricia J. Gordon-Pamplin: And I think that they have done a sterling job in renovating that whole area up in the upstairs part of their club. And the product, which has been where they were able to showcase the work of some of our master craftsmen in doing the renovation, I believe that they, the craftsmen, have done the club proud. And the club has done wonders for the community. And I think they need to be congratulated. I would also like to ask this Honourable House to send congratulations to the 19 graduates of Cohort 11 Mirrors Programme. They succeeded in their processes, and they were able to have their homecoming on Sunday. And I think that to see the young people, who were ranging in age from 14 through 17, they really did themselves proud. And to see how they themselves signed up for the programme and were able to stick with it. There were 25 who started, 19 completed. And I think that that was a good sign. And the ones who did not complete this time, as was mentioned, maybe the stars did not quite align for them under these circumstances. However, the programme will continue to reach out to those who did not complete. But I want to send congratulations to those who did. And finally, Mr. Speaker well, actually, not finally. But I would like to ask this Honourable House Hon. Patricia J. Gordon-Pamplin: No, that was not my year. I was a little bit behind that. The class of 1963, who on Saturday night caused the premiere to be shown of their film, Respice Finem, which spoke of the history of the Berkeley Institute, which started literally from the 1800s with all of the history relating to, from the time of Mr. Berkeley, who was a pastor, having the idea, all the way down through some of the post-1963-class era, and the impact that the Berkeley Institute has had on the development of Bermuda as a community and as a society. It was very well put together. Lucinda Spurling was filmmaker, along with two other young ladies. And they have done a sterling job. So, while the premiere was perhaps a little limited in its application and its showing, I think that once it becomes available, all people, all Members should avail themselves of the opportunity to have a look at that programme. And I am being asked to associate Members of the House. The Speaker: Thank you, Honourable Member. Would any other Honourable Members care to speak? The Chair will recognise the Honourable Member from constituency 35. D. P. Lister, you have the floor. Hon. Dennis P. Lister: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to ask these Honourable Chambers to join me in sending condolences to the family of the late Neville Butch Bean. Mr. Speaker, as a Somerset man, you would know the importance that Mr. Bean played in our community in just being one of those folks who take no nonsense. And I would include the Speaker, as well as all the Somerset Members here, Mr. Speaker, Somerset family and others across the floor. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I am going to ask all Members of this House to be associated with that, because those who knew Mr. Bean were truly impacted by Mr. Bean.

12 Official Hansard Report 27 November In fact, it was last Friday while we were here in this Chamber that I got a call that he had taken sick. And I immediately went out and called and spoke to his wife. And I expressed my concern, and he did pass the following day. But, Mr. Speaker, in my years of political life here in this Island, Somerset particularly, Mr. Bean was one of those whom I enjoyed having conversation with. He was one of those I looked forward to working with us when he worked with us in the Sandys Community, because he always made sure what he was responsible for doing he got done. He always was straightforward in what he had to say to you, Mr. Speaker. He did not hold punches. He let you know when you were on the right track, and he let you know when you were on the wrong track. And you appreciate those type of people around you, Mr. Speaker, and that the contribution that they bring is truly a genuine one. It keeps you balanced, Mr. Speaker, because he is not going to say what he thinks you might want to hear. He is going to say what needs to be said. So his passing, Mr. Speaker, will surely be a sad loss to not only his family, his wife Lizze, his daughter Licinda, his sons Keith and Antoine, Mr. Speaker, but to our Sandys community as well. So, Mr. Speaker, I just thank this House for joining me in sending those condolences. The Speaker: Would any other Members care to speak? Then that concludes our congratulatory and obituary speeches. MATTERS OF PRIVILEGE The Speaker: There are none. PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS The Speaker: There are none. NOTICES OF MOTIONS FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE HOUSE ON MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE The Speaker: There are none. GOVERNMENT BILLS The Speaker: The Chair will recognise the Honourable Premier. FIRST READINGS ROYAL BERMUDA REGIMENT (JUNIOR LEAD- ERS) ACT 2015 DEFENCE AMENDMENT ACT 2015 Hon. Michael H. Dunkley: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bills for their first reading so that they may be placed on the Order Paper for the next day of meeting: the Royal Bermuda Regiment (Junior Leaders) Act 2015, and the Defence Amendment Act Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you, Premier. Any objections to that? The Chair will now recognise the Honourable Minister of Finance. Minister Bob Richards, you have the floor. BERMUDA MONETARY AUTHORITY AMENDMENT ACT 2015 INSURANCE AMENDMENT (NO. 3) ACT 2015 Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am introducing the following Bills for their first reading so that they may be placed on the Order Paper for the next day of meeting: firstly, the Bermuda Monetary Authority Amendment Act 2015; and secondly, the Insurance Amendment (No. 3) Act The Speaker: Thank you. Are there any objections to that? There are none; thank you. OPPOSITION BILLS The Speaker: There are none. PRIVATE MEMBERS BILLS The Speaker: There are none. NOTICES OF MOTIONS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY TO CONDUCT SPE- CIAL INVESTIGATION INTO SERIOUS ALLEGA- TIONS OF EXTORTION AND BRIBERY AGAINST SITTING MINISTERS OF THE GOVERNMENT The Speaker: Yes. Honourable Members, this brings us to the point where we left off last week, and I have come back with a ruling in regard to that particular motion. SPEAKER S RULING [Standing Order 23(4)] The Speaker: And I would like to start off by bringing Members attention to Standing Order 23(4), which

13 November 2015 Official Hansard Report speaks to the fact that A Member may amend a notice of motion standing in his name if such amendment does not... materially alter any principle embodied in the motion. I would also like to state that in regard to notice of motions, the Standing Orders are silent, in fact, on whether an Honourable Member can in fact amend a notice of motion. This, in fact, should be done once the motion is put to the House. Honourable Members, already in this House, a precedent has been established in that this very same motion was placed on the Order Paper in the previous session. And, Honourable Members, in light of that, my ruling is that the motion should be placed on the Order Paper for the next meeting. And I am placing it on the Order Paper. I want to make this very clear to Members: I do not expect it to sit on the Order Paper as some other motion similar has sat. I am expecting this motion, as any motion that is looking at the integrity of Members of the House, to be handled immediately. So it will be placed on the Order Paper, as orders do sit on the Order Paper for two weeks, and then I expect it to be brought forward. [Pause] The Speaker: Yes, Ms. Wolffe. ORDERS OF THE DAY The Speaker: Honourable Members, the first order that is on the paper should not have been placed on the Order Paper, as this is a negative resolution. So it should not have been placed on the Order Paper. We move now to Order No. 2, in the name of the Honourable Minister of Finance. The Chair will recognise the Honourable Minister E. T. Richards. DRAFT ORDER GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES (FEES) ORDER 2015 Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Mr. Speaker, I move that consideration be given to the draft order entitled the Government Authorities (Fees) Order 2015, proposed to be made by the Minister of Finance under the provision of section 4 of the Government Fees Act The Speaker: Thank you. Carry on, Minister. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Thank you, sir. I move that the order entitled Government Authorities (Fees) Amendment Order 2015 be now read the second time. Mr. Speaker, this is a housekeeping Bill. The Government Authorities (Fees) Act provides for the remuneration of members of statutory bodies for meetings. Statutory bodies are listed in the First Schedule. Mr. Speaker, the Order amends eight entries in the First Schedule. This is essentially housekeeping, as I mentioned, as the bodies have existed for several years. Amendments are needed for the following reasons: 1. either the establishing reference or the name of the body is incorrect; 2. the body is not listed in the Schedule; or 3. the entry is not needed in the Schedule, as payment is provided in the parent Act. Now, Mr. Speaker, I can just run through what these are here right now. The Speaker: Yes. Carry on. Hon. E. T. (Bob) Richards: Under the Ministry of Health, we are talking about: under Health, the Allied Health Professions Act 1973, the amendment amends the legislative establishing reference and name of the Bodies, and inserts the Allied Health Professional Conduct Committee; under the Pharmacy and Poisons Act 1979, the amendment amends the name of the body; under Environmental Protection, the Agriculture Act 1930, the amendment inserts establishing reference for Board of Agriculture; under Endangered Animals and Plants Act 2006, the amendment amends establishing reference for Scientific Authority; under the Clean Air Act 1991, the amendment inserts Environmental Authority under s3a of the Clean Air Act; under the Veterinary Practitioners 2008 Act, the amendment inserts Veterinary Practitioners Council; under Conservation Services, the Historic Wrecks Act 2001, the amendment deletes Bermuda Historic Wrecks Authority from the Act because the Wreck & Salvage Act was repealed and because remuneration is provided under the Historic Wrecks Act 2001; and lastly, under Bermuda National Parks Act 1986, the amendment has to do with amending the name to the National Parks Commission. Those are all the amendments, Mr. Speaker. The Speaker: Thank you. Would any other Honourable Members care to speak? The Chair will recognise the Leader of the Opposition. Member Marc Bean, you have the floor.