Video: Minister of Youth, Sports, Families
Addressing the media after the Throne Speech, Minister of Youth, Sports, Families & Community Development Glenn Blakeney said he views his newly-created portfolio as the “social conscience” of Bermuda and pledged to pursue the broad range of policy issues falling under his remit with vigour and determination.
Mr. Blakeney said while he had “a wide and interesting and challenging array of responsibilities” to contend with, he intended to deliver fully on all areas of his Ministerial mandate. He said he is particularly excited by the commencement of work on the island’s National Aquatic Centre, saying he is satisfied the major capital project will be completed on time and on budget.
And he also pledged to revive the old boxing programme once run out of the Pembroke Youth Centre on Angle Street, a programme that produced Bermuda’s only Olympic medallist Clarence Hill who won a bronze in the heavyweight class at the 1976 Montreal games. Mr. Blakeney even suggested Mr. Hill, who he said had contended with personal and legal problems since his Olympic triumph, might well play a key role in a revived boxing initiative.
The Minister said his portfolio also encompassed everything from human rights and race relations to child and family services and the island’s historical and cultural activities. He said he would endeavour to demonstrate “a degree of sensitivity and a degree of compassion without compromising the integrity of the process” in his new role.
Mr. Blakeney said perhaps the most critical issue facing his Ministry is a gang-related initiative aimed at helping the children of victims of gun violence deal with ongoing trauma. He also said given austerity measures announced by Premier Paula Cox to reduce Government spending by at least $150 million in the coming fiscal year, he is hoping to launch a series of partnerships with the private sector to help underwrite the costs of some of his Ministry’s most essential activities.
Watch below, and you can view other videos from the post-Throne Speech press conference here.
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