OBA: How Much Of Tax Is Earmarked For Health?

March 19, 2019

Dwayne Robinson Bermuda Feb 14 2019“Government must tell Mr and Mrs Bermuda what percentage of the Sugar Tax has been earmarked for health initiatives – and how it is measuring the impact of the tax on people’s health,” according to One Bermuda Alliance Senator Dwayne Robinson.

Senator Robinson said, “The 2018 Budget promised that a portion of the revenues from the Sugar Tax would be earmarked for educational programmes to improve health and the 2018 Throne Speech said that the Government “pledged that funds raised by the Sugar Tax would be spent on initiatives to promote healthy living. Therefore, a portion of Sugar Tax funds will be used to assist local businesses to add nutritional information such as calorie counts and fat content to their menus”.

“But here we are, more than a year after the 2018 Budget and we still don’t know what percentage has been earmarked for educational programmes, nor do we know what money has been given to local businesses to add nutritional information details.

“We know that some money has been earmarked for the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation to help provide some capital for vertical farms, but we have had no update on this initiative, nor do we have an exact monetary figure.

“In June last year, Health Minister Kim Wilson’s said the “sugar tax will not fix obesity on its own. It will not eliminate lifestyle-induced chronic diseases by itself. The Sugar Tax will not magically reduce healthcare costs. But it is a fundamental part of the broader Government’s commitment to reduce these conditions which are costing us so dearly”.

“If it is a “fundamental part” of Government’s strategy then the Ministry must be monitoring the broader effects of the Tax. If so, can it explain what processes it has put in place to monitor whether the Tax is having the desired effect? I hope I am wrong, but the fact that we have heard nothing on this makes me suspect that those processes are simply not in place.

“This Government made promises surrounding this tax which, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, it has failed to keep. It is clear this was just a money grab at the expense of Bermudians who are paying more at the check-out. There needs to be a much more concentrated effort towards improving the health of our population besides just taxing them.”

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Comments (35)

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  1. Jt says:

    And how much corporation revenue is earmarked for the vision?

    • DeOnion says:

      LOl, all of it!

      • Black Soil says:

        We know a LOT of money is earmarked for “consultants” who don’t produce anything!!

    • Anonymous says:

      We all know the deal. All that money is earmarked for all their mates in the civil service. Bermuda gubmint, Bermuda’s #1 employer!

    • wahoo says:

      Yeah right the “vision” the same vision that got us the Grand Catastrophe housing complex on South Shore. Same “vision” that got us, our children and our children’s children into a massive debt. Same “vision” that got us on the EU blacklist. That “vision” is just that….a vision it will not become reality.

  2. truthertz says:

    Easy answer. None. Just a tax grab pure and simple.

  3. DeOnion says:

    it was just another money grab

  4. Rotten Onion says:

    We had to deceive you part V111

  5. sandgrownan says:

    Stop asking questions, lay down and do as you’re told.

    Bermuda’s future ladies and gentlemen, a PLP autocracy.

  6. RockyShores says:

    And when will the financial struggles of the family ever stop here?

  7. To Dwayne Robinson:
    When you are totally absorbed and USED, you will be sputtered out. You do have clear examples of this reality:Wayne Furbert, Gwyneth Rawlins, Maxwell Burgess, Kim Swan, Julian Hall,Jamel Simons….tons more…
    Grab your identity and sprint….very swiftly!!
    Those above mentioned names are your brothers and sisters.

    • wahoo says:

      Why not answer the question? and who is Jamel Simons?

      • TO WAHOO:
        What is submitted is what is chosen to be submitted. Thank you!!
        Jamel Simons??
        READ . Then, you will have your answer.
        Ha!!

  8. Rick says:

    Craig Trump placed you there lol. Face it the obaUBP is going to lose the next election because of him. The brothers and sisters don’t trust Craig. FACT

    • sandgrownan says:

      Then the brothers and sisters are stupid and deserve everything they get.

      • Hmmm says:

        So you think this Craig guy is going to generate more votes than the Milk Man. After Craig’s history this just shows how desperate you front street guys are. The original 40 thieves had John swan but Craig omg you can’t be that serious to have him as the leader. Jet gate 2 lo lolol.

        • sandgrownan says:

          I don’t know if he will or not, that’s kind of not the point. The PLP have a history of failure and financial mismanagement. Everything they touch dies.

          Every question or challenge is met with Craig this or Dunkley that, or even more laughable 22-16. The real issue is that people will vote for servitude and financial slavery for themselves, and even worse their children, for generations just to *stick it to the man*.

          17-21 years of failure.

    • Jt says:

      I have no issue with not trusting or voting for Cannonier. It’s called a democracy. But an imoortant and missing part of that involves the brothers and sisters holding their own choices accountable. If that doesn’t happen at the ballot box they need to find another way, and soon.

    • Anbu says:

      Then the brothers and sisters shall get everything they deserve. Plain and simple. They wanna keeo shafting themselves, then go right ahead and vote plp. Lmao. God bermudians are thick headed. Love getting tailed just cause of what the person looks like. Lol.

      • wahoo says:

        Yeah that about sums it up there is not one educated reply from plp supporters here. All about Trump and Brothers and sisters but nothing about the topic whatsoever ask a simple question and get an even simpler answer I guess.

        • Double S says:

          Agreed. The ironic they will be the first to moan and whine about rising prices. Hope it hits them all the hardest.

          • sandgrownan says:

            It will. It’s kind of the only silver lining here.

  9. Question says:

    It’s all borrowed anyway. “Earmarking” tax for something is just BS. They would have spent money on health in any case. This is just a tax increase on food.

  10. ROBERT S says:

    I would think zero.

  11. Kathy says:

    Maybe a better question is to ask the OBA how much of the import duty on fossil fuels was earmarked for renewable energy incentives? That tax is a lot higher and we all pay it!!!

  12. aceboy says:

    Stop asking awkward questions Senator. They are building a STATUE! Isn’t that enough!?

  13. Joe Bloggs says:

    Seriously? That is the best the OBA can do?

    How about the impact of suspending payments into the sinking fund? What will that mean to Bermuda in 3 years’ time? What about the “budget surplus” being dependent on suspending payments into the sinking fund? What is the economic impact to Bermuda of that decision? What about the impact of hundreds of new civil service jobs over the past 2 years?

    If that is the best the OBA can do it does not deserve to form the Government. At least the PLP understand what they are doing, whether some people like it or not. Senator Robinson suggests that the OBA doesn’t have a clue!

    • Toodle-oo says:

      ” At least the PLP understand what they are doing ”
      So they DO know that since the last election by them getting in and the actions taken so far that confidence in Bermuda is down the toilet , and will remain that was for as long as they’re in ? ?
      They really understand that ?

    • sandgrownan says:

      You clearly didn’t read the reply to the budget.

  14. Paul says:

    This to cover and continue with their mindless spending. If they really cared about our health they would correspondingly lower the cost on healthier foods and eliminate foods with artificial sweetners, such as diet sodas. But they make money, this is why they will never eliminate. Marijuana will be legalized and heavily taxed, It’s all about the benjamins…

  15. TO RICK:
    Agreed!!
    Brothers and sisters n Bermuda DO NOT TRUST Craiggie!!
    No worries!!
    What has gone around, returns, and comes back around!!

    • Rockfish#2 says:

      Amazing how some people deflect and do/say anything when asked a sensible question. Talk about shooting the messenger!

      The Senator’s query deserves a honest response from Minister Wilson.

  16. overboardhope says:

    These questions never seem to be answered.

  17. Fed Up says:

    Cash grab. Case closed.

  18. Triangle Drifter says:

    It will all go into the slush fund to pay for travel, vehicles, umteen committees, government credit cards, anything but real health improvement.