Video: Premier Cannonier’s National Address
[Updated] This evening [July 8] Premier Craig Cannonier delivered a National Address, which was televised and is also available in full below in both video and text form.
“The Bermuda we inherited on December 17th was in deep trouble; with thousands unemployed, gang shootings, massive public debt, a depressed tourism industry and a government that had grown beyond our ability to pay for it,” said Premier Cannonier.
“The problems that had been growing for years were deep and getting worse. The recent downgrades by international ratings agencies only confirmed what the vast majority of us already knew – that the excesses of the past have jeopardized our future.
“Our job, as your Government, is to stop the slide and start the recovery,” continued the Premier.
“In terms of the economy, we are pursuing a two-track strategy to renew growth while imposing discipline on the public purse.
“Both these tracks are vitally important, but I want to emphasize that we will never be able to cost cut our way to recovery. Only by opening our doors to foreign investors, only by attracting more people to our shores, can we achieve the kind of recovery that grows jobs and incomes for Bermudians.
“This is nothing new for Bermuda. We have always relied on foreign investment to grow the economy – whether through investors building hotels, allies constructing military bases or international businesses setting up shop.
“But in recent years, Bermuda has become less attractive to investors, and we’ve paid the price in jobs, business closures, lost rents and lost confidence.
“We’re working to change that, to make Bermuda a more attractive place to do business, with less red tape and more red carpet.”
The Premier continued: “Some issues will ask you to support change that you’re not yet comfortable with. Do not give in to scaremongering, and remember that we Bermudians control our destiny, no one else. What we do is up to us, no one else. We make the rules, we make the decisions.
“Through it all, we must do our best to work together – to look beyond differences that so often keep us apart. All of us have a role to play in the renewal of Bermuda, because all of us are in this boat together.
“And until the Island gets strong again, we must take care to look out for each other, helping where we can, sharing what we can – being our brother’s keeper.”
The Premier’s full address follows below.
Good day Bermuda,
Just over six months ago, against a backdrop of unprecedented economic challenges, joblessness and violent crime, Bermuda voted for change. As your new Government, we heard you and got right to work.
Tonight, I want to report to you on some of your government’s accomplishments to date and what is needed to renew the promise and prosperity of this great island.
It’s been a busy six months. I am proud of the way ministers have taken charge of their responsibilities, proud to see the love for their country in action – putting in place plans to get the Island working again. It’s a great team doing great work for the people.
As Premier, I have met with thousands of you across the length and breadth of the Island. What I have seen and heard has not only deepened my understanding of the challenges we face, but also raised my faith that we possess the right stuff to see us to a new day.
As your Premier, I am keenly aware of the hardships and struggles felt by so many. I am also excited by the energy and big dreams looking to break out and change lives.
I want you to know that this Government’s number one mission is to end the hardships and unlock the potential for the greater good.
We will not let you down.
We want to build toward a community that is fair and just in all things, where people have an equal chance to succeed; a community supported by a strong economy that enables everyone to provide for their families and pursue their dreams; a community that is safe and united by our unique life together as Bermudians.
I believe this is the beautiful Bermuda we all want to see. But there is much work to do be done to get there.
Your government is embarked on a broad mission to restore and renew Bermuda, to give it a new lease on life.
The Bermuda we inherited on December 17th was in deep trouble; with thousands unemployed, gang shootings, massive public debt, a depressed tourism industry and a government that had grown beyond our ability to pay for it.
The problems that had been growing for years were deep and getting worse. The recent downgrades by international ratings agencies only confirmed what the vast majority of us already knew – that the excesses of the past have jeopardized our future.
That is the stark reality confronting us today.
Our job, as your Government, is to stop the slide and start the recovery.
We proposed bold initiatives in the Throne Speech in February, and have been moving aggressively on a broad front to address them.
***
In terms of the economy, we are pursuing a two-track strategy to renew growth while imposing discipline on the public purse.
Both these tracks are vitally important, but I want to emphasize that we will never be able to cost cut our way to recovery. Only by opening our doors to foreign investors, only by attracting more people to our shores, can we achieve the kind of recovery that grows jobs and incomes for Bermudians.
This is nothing new for Bermuda. We have always relied on foreign investment to grow the economy – whether through investors building hotels, allies constructing military bases or international businesses setting up shop.
But in recent years, Bermuda has become less attractive to investors, and we’ve paid the price in jobs, business closures, lost rents and lost confidence.
We’re working to change that, to make Bermuda a more attractive place to do business, with less red tape and more red carpet.
The Government’s overriding priority is to put in place conditions that lead to job creation.
I have directed all my ministers to make sure their decision-making considers ways to sustain and create jobs.
I am here to report that we are making progress.
***
Since the December election, we passed a payroll tax emption to boost the hiring of Bermudians. We ended term limits which had caused international companies to move jobs out of Bermuda while becoming a barrier to jobs for Bermudians.
We established the Bermuda Business Development Corporation to aggressively promote Bermuda as a business destination of choice.
At the Cabinet level, we formed the Economic Development Committee to reduce the time it takes to get approval for large development projects. The committee’s hard work led to the final go-ahead for the multi-million dollar redevelopment of the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel – a project that will soon generate jobs for contractors and construction workers. Other projects will be announced in due course.
We lowered licence fees for the purchase of real estate by non-Bermudians and PRC holders, triggering demand for property sales and new business opportunities for Bermudian contractors.
We set up a job opportunities programme that will see Bermudians working on the Norwegian Cruise Line ships, with NCL recruiters here this month to begin job interviews.
Against long odds and the tightest of deadlines, work crews made it possible for Bermuda to welcome the Norwegian Breakaway at Dockyard for her inaugural voyage in May – the first of many visits that will increase the flow of customers into Dockyard and tourist businesses across the Island.
To provide real life exposure to job training opportunities for our young people, we’ve expanded the Career Pathways Programme to include Year 4 and Year 3 students, starting this September.
This initiative is so important, that we’ve asked the Board of Education to consider making the programme a component for senior school graduation.
We also said we would focus on raising the standards for teacher recruitment on teacher qualifications and we have. As a result, amended standards have been approved for teachers in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science.
Building on the work of the previous government, we launched the Regulatory Authority to deregulate and oversee the telecommunications industry. The Authority moved quickly to issue new integrated licences and its work to increase competition has already seen dramatic reductions in the cost of internet services, benefiting residents and businesses.
In mid-April, in a race against an international deadline, we succeeded in establishing Bermuda’s satellite slot – an exciting opening for new space-based business, providing Bermuda with a potential new revenue stream.
Across all of these activities, we have met with multiple stakeholder groups, from fund managers to hotel developers to create a climate of confidence in Bermuda; that we’re fully open for business, ready to make things work.
Two weeks ago, for example, we held a Tourism Summit with a select group of international developers to determine what Bermuda needs to finally break ground on resort development.
Significant reform has been made to the work permit system, making it more welcoming and less bureaucratic. In tandem with this work, to protect Bermudian jobs, we are increasing penalties, cracking down on employers who breach immigration rules.
***
One of the biggest challenges we faced on taking office was the terrible state of government finances – with debt growing at an alarming rate and government spending tens of millions of dollars more each year than it was taking in.
This situation was unsustainable and a threat to the very solvency of Bermuda.
We’ve taken important first steps to impose discipline and control on public finances.
New rules were issued to all government departments to hold their spending to budget allocations, with ministries required to file monthly reports to stop any slippage. New rules were also issued to manage the debt. We set responsible targets for how much we can borrow – and for the cost of that borrowing – against what the government takes in.
We raised the debt ceiling to set a responsible borrowing limit, and implemented a low-interest borrowing plan to finance expected deficits over the next three years – a strategy we believe will save Bermuda between $20 million and $40 million in borrowing costs.
In addition, we appointed the SAGE Commission to review government operations and, with input from the public, recommend changes to make it more efficient, more cost-effective and more user-friendly. Its report is expected within the next few months.
***
In terms of our public safety challenges, I can report that the work to make this Island safer never stops.
Our first priority is to stop the shootings.
We activated gang mediation with trained individuals working in high impact areas to calm tensions. We look to expand this outreach following the model of Operation Ceasefire and the work of the Inter-Agency Gang Task Force.
We launched a gun bounty programme in May in partnership with CrimeStoppers, with a campaign tagline of ‘If you know something say something’. Thank you Bermuda for saying something…as a result we’ve started to seize weapons.
We’ve instituted a Cash Back for Communities programme, whereby confiscated assets and cash are channeled back to support affected communities.
We funded the hiring for 20 new officers, providing the Police Service with the strongest support possible while expanding prevention and deterrence efforts into communities. The growth in Neighbourhood Watch programmes since December indicates we are making progress.
***
As Bermudians, it is vital that we never stop working to erase discrimination from our shores, and that government spread the principles of fairness and equity as far and wide as possible.
That is why the Government moved to pass the Human Rights Amendment Act to eliminate discrimination on the basis of age and sexual orientation.
That is why we revoked a licensing regulation that prevented Bermudian and non-Bermudian couples from purchasing a second property.
And that is why we changed the FutureCare premium so that everyone who purchases FutureCare for their health insurance pays the same price.
We also believe it’s important to instill a greater sense of accountability and responsibility for our actions.
That is why we just passed new Financial Assistance measures, requiring recipients where appropriate to attend life skills programmes, take community service or be assessed for substance abuse.
We said that we would improve the Island’s infrastructure and we’re well underway, with road alignments and widening improvements along North Shore Smiths by Police Beach. We’ve resurfaced sections of Middle Road, Happy Valley Road, Orchard Grove and the Airport.
We also decided to preserve and restore the 150-year-old historic buildings along Albert and Victoria Rows in Dockyard.
***
Tonight, I’ve focused on some of the actions we’ve taken to renew our Island. There are a thousand things to do before we’re out of the woods.
It is not going to be easy. There is no magic wand to wave, there is no quick fix. It will take time and patience, with steady leadership focused on the big and little things, with all of us working together, playing our part.
Our goal is to renew the promise of Bermuda: to shake off past mistakes and re-position the Island to meet people’s needs.
In the months to come, we will continue pushing forward our agenda of renewal and recovery. We will move toward a decision on gaming. We will launch a Tourism Authority to finally apply performance accountability to the business of Bermuda tourism.
We will introduce plans to extend the school day for the benefit of our students. Having completed extensive consultations, we will also move forward to reform our municipal governments.
Through it all, it is important that we make decisions based on the reality of Bermuda today. Everything we are experiencing tells us we must chart a new course forward, doing things better. Everything tells us we must be about solutions – prepared to change what is not working – for the sake of building the strongest possible future.
For this Government, the first imperative is to get out-of-work Bermudians back to work, providing once again for their loved ones, growing paycheques and new opportunities.
In doing so, I urge you to keep the need for recovery and renewal at the forefront of your thinking. And to remember that nothing will be handed to us on a platter, that we have to work for it. There may be no easy answers.
Some issues will ask you to support change that you’re not yet comfortable with. Do not give in to scaremongering, and remember that we Bermudians control our destiny, no one else. What we do is up to us, no one else. We make the rules, we make the decisions.
Through it all, we must do our best to work together – to look beyond differences that so often keep us apart.
All of us have a role to play in the renewal of Bermuda, because all of us are in this boat together.
And until the Island gets strong again, we must take care to look out for each other, helping where we can, sharing what we can – being our brother’s keeper.
A few days ago, I toured St. George’s with my colleague, MP Kenny Bascome. We looked at the rubble of the Club Med site, the derelict golf course and some crumbling infrastructure, and I thought: “What a disservice to the country and who we are. What a reflection of the danger of losing our way.”
Then we came to St. Catherine’s Beach and I saw a young woman, under an umbrella, with a refreshment stand offering food and drink to the beachgoers, and I thought: ‘That’s the spirit we need. Bermudians, in their own ways, taking up the challenge, being resourceful, self-starting and hopeful.’
That’s the spirit that I’ve seen all across the Island, and it fills me with confidence for the future; that we will get this Island working again for everyone, renewing the promise, restoring the hope.
It is a privilege to be your Premier. Thank you for your time tonight.
You have my best wishes. Goodnight and God bless Bermuda!
-
Update: OBA Chairman Thad Hollis said, “I believe the membership of the One Bermuda Alliance, and the electorate of Bermuda will be comforted and encouraged by the Premier’s speech.
“Bermuda has never been in such a tight corner. I believe there is widespread understanding – to paraphrase what the Premier said – that there is no magic wand to be waved. Salvation will take time and patience, with steady leadership focused on both the big and little things.
“The calm and rational way Craig Cannonier explained what is being done to renew the promise and prosperity of Bermuda makes the OBA proud he is our leader – pursuing a vision that through unity, hard work and patience we can see our way to a better day for every Bermudian.”
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Articles that link to this one:
- PLP: ‘Duty To Present Plan That Meets Criteria’ | Bernews.com | July 9, 2013
- PLP To Issue Response To Premier’s Address | Bernews.com | July 21, 2013
- Video/Text: PLP Response To Premier’s Address | Bernews.com | July 22, 2013
We don’t need another update on what occurred in the past. Pointing blame and recollecting on the past is not the answer nor the solution. We elected you to strengthen the economy and create 2000 jobs, now lets get on with it already.
You stole the whole change movement from Obama, why don’t you use it and actually make change.
Abolishing term limits and providing low class jobs on a cruise liner isn’t the panacea to Bermuda’s problems. Lets get it Premier!!!! We want a bigger and brighter future for our island and our children.
Did you read the entire speech? Honestly.
Fool
Isnt it obvious he is reading a script its pathetic, I dont think i have heard the Cannon speak from his heart yet.
The pathetic PLP ruined our country with their race based politics, their greed, and their blaming everything on the white man.
They truly played every race card in the deck and proved themselves to have no substance whatsoever. They lied to us and cheated us until we could take it no more and we threw them out.
May the OBA long be in power until we make a full recovery.
Over to you Betty T…… time for some of your usual nonsense. Just remember your party lost and you need to get over it.
To bad PLP lost the vision that was set by our for fathers who endured the hardships of the Oligarchy, UBP, whose concept was race based politics, greed, lies and cheats. Now their descendants OBA are reincarnated. That’s pathetic!!!!!
The PLP destroyed itself with greed, lies, hate, arrogance and above all EFB.
Like I said they lost the vision but hopefully they will get the vision back.
Bla ,Bla, Bla
Not a word about investigating rampant fraud and corruption?
Good for you Craig, sensible rhetoric, and yes, you really did inherit quite a mess.
i think he’s learning… now let the change begin.
Folks who have read the news over the last 6 months already know everything the Premier said. I was hoping for some new overarching policy announcements. They are doing a good job, but informed people already know that.
Bermuda must NEVER allow the plp into Government again.
Who else ya gonna put in because oba/ubp are on their way out.
I think that is the most absurd statement. We the people are in charge and we should vote “out of office” whichever party rules and is doing an inadequate job. If we do that consistently our politicians will pull up their britches and be more accountable.
You mean accountable like in the word accountability and transparency words you don’t hear about anymore. LOL
@ Family Man says:
July 8, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Not a word about investigating rampant fraud and corruption?
there was none, they lied to you and you brought it….
Then there was none under the UBP as well…
I guess transparency and accountability don’t count no more.LOL
Your premier is nothing but a front man who will soon be kicked to the back. A man of no substance, and lacking any original thought, very sad incompetent person, godhelp us if this man remains premier.
LMAO
It really is becoming a farce, its amazing that the oba’s with all their insight with what went wrong with the country, can’t see that the premier is incompetent.. OBA won the election and are the government for the next couplet of years. I can deal with that, because that is democracy and the population spoke, fair enough, but having this man in charge of the country, and unfortunately because of his position is the official representative of all of us on the global stage.. how depressing is that.. this guy is a joke, he is unable to make any type of statement on his feet, he confusing any issue he deals with as he lacks the intelligence.
come on OBA, give us a Premier that we can look up to and respect and admire, not someone who is clearly carrying out the orders of someone else, its sooooo blatantly obvious, its really stressing me out..
when you look in the past at the premiers on both sides, whether it be John Swan, David Saul, Pamela Gordon, (all of whom where very classy and competent. then you had Jennifer Smith, Alex Scott, Dr. Brown, Paula Cox (all of whom where very competent and very bright people), than you have the joke of an individual that we have now..
come on OBA, lets stop taking the people of Bermuda as idiots, this guy is an embarrassment as is intelligence is very very average, and its an insult to us all,,
now lets stop this charade and put a Premier there who the population can really respect,, can you at least do us that favor????
Come on oba, ditch this man and get mikey D or Doc Gibbo in charge please.
It matters not who wears the crown. They must dance to the music of the piper. Yankee Doodle went to town (sung)…
We all know he’s a puppet.
I think the word they used is SURROGATE. LOL
they already are
HURRY UP AND WAIT IS THE SUBSTANCE OR LACK THEREOF OF THE ANTI-BERMUDIAN ONE TERM GOVERNMENT AND IT’S MUCH BELLOW NATIONAL ADRESS TO THE COUNTRY BY IT ‘S LEADER; PREMIER CANNONIER.
TWO THOUSAND OR MORE BERMUDIANS OUT OF WORK; LET BRING IN MORE MIGRANT WORKERS THEY WILL SAVE US?
MY GOVERNMENT AIM IS TO CREATE MORE JOBS? BUT LET’S DISMANTLE THE ONLY AREA OF STABLE BERMUDIAN EMPLOYMENT; GOVERNMENT WORKERS.
IN FACT LET’S CUT THIER WAGE; IN THE MEAN TIME THE MIGRANT WORKER KEEPS THE MONEY SHOPS BUSY; FUNDS EARN IN BERMUDA BUT ONCE THEY ARRIVE OVERSEAS; THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE NO HESITATION IN TAXING THEM.
YES WE WILL BUILT A PROSPEROUS FUTURE BERMUDA; BUT FOR WHOM SINCE THIS NEW WEALTH WILL BE BUILT OFF THE BACKS OF THE BERMUDIAN PEOPLE.
Hey Alvin, there’s a key on the far left of your keyboard with letters “Caps Lock” on it. Press it once.
Did you even read the speech Alvin? By the way, blaming expats for Bermudian unemployment was tried and failed under the PLP. You’re about 20 years out of date.
That’s because plp allowed more permits for expats than ever before. Non IB expats that is. plp was part of the problem so even though they knew the solution but conflicts of interest could not allow it.
Not all expats can be blamed but many have & still do work along side Bermudian & expat managers & employers to recruit more expats before hiring a local. They use their prejudice views of Bermudians to lull their conscience.
“The only area of stable Bermudian employment: Government workers”..hmmm. You mean the bloated civil service, the ultimate jobs for the boys, why hire 1, when you can have 3, build a quango, set up a meeting with Chris Furball, replace the coffee machine with a man with a kettle.
Stable it might be, but in this case that’s a very bad thing. Stable as in stale, and needs dismantling as a chronic waste of the public purse.
Do you ever read your own writing? Not only to proofread but to realize you spew hatred.
You have no idea what you are talking about. Go back to writing drivel for Laverne’s rag…
HEY ALVIN,
HOW COME YOU WERE NOT THIS MAD WHEN THE ANTI-BERMUDIAN PLP REQUESTED THE CIVIL SERVICE TO TAKE A 5% PAY CUT LAST YEAR?
WHY ARE YOU SO SELECTIVE IN YOUR OUTRAGE OVER THE SAME SUBJECTS?
THAT AND TYPING IN CAPS LOCKS MAKES YOU LOOK LIKE JUST ANOTHER FOOLISH HYPOCRITE!
SO PLEASE ANSWER WHY YOU STAYED SO SILENT LAST YEAR WHEN PREMIER COX REQUESTED THE SAME OF GOVERNMENT WORKERS?
PLEASE!!!
Alvin, there was a peak of over 14,000 work permits under the PLP. There are now 6,700 and that number is still drifting down. (ask anyone who is trying to rent a condo out)
Permits for lower level, blue collar positions will dry up as Bermudians take on those positions after the work permit has run its course.
Of course all those missing “migrant workers” won’t be renting properties from Bermudians or paying into govt coffers, so good luck continuing to finance the civil service.
Tell it like it is, Bro.
Also, the lack of reference to alleged corruption within the former Government is likely due to the need not to prejudice future prosecutions or at least I hope so…
I don’t care what ppl think of Cannonier and the OBA….all I kno is that the money is starting to trickle back down to my level….and that’s what the blind deaf and dumb can’t or won’t admit …… ever
You must be talking about the ATM we all use. Ask the people at the Bank of Butterfield because it’s more jobs to be X. The only party you swang from was the racist UBP that you all left. It appears you forgot why the oba was formed. To fool a few blacks and make them feel important.
Luckily we don’t all work at the bank of butterfield.
LOL like my daughter says HATERS are people that can’t stand to see others suceed while they (the haters) remain idle, angry, and unmotivated
What will the O.B.A /UBP oligarchy do with him come this September.
Unlike the UBP/PLP, the OBA bylaws allow ALL members to vote in party leadership elections…..its a new era for BDA Politics @ god1st….you need to keep up with progress or get out of the f#@kin way
You sound like a hater swing voter did you teach the little daughter that?
“get out of the f#@kin way”
Government of Bermuda: Civil Service Executive
POSITION Name SALARY
Secretary To The Cabinet Donald Scott $204,774.82
Assistant Cabinet Secretary Rosemary Tyrrell $179,572.88
Assistant Cabinet Secretary Judith Hall-Bean $187,606.18
Assistant Cabinet Secretary Majiedah Azhar $179,572.88
Assistant Cabinet Secretary Florence O’Brien $179,572.88
Financial Secretary Anthony Manders $204,774.82
National Security Secretary Marc Telemaque $204,774.82
Permanent Secretary Warren Jones $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary Kevin Monkman $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary Randolph Rochester $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary Francis Richardson $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary Derrick Binns $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary Wayne Carey $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary Kathy Lightbourne-Simmons $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary Cherie-Lynn Whitter $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary Ross Webber $179,572.88
Permanent Secretary William Francis $179,572.88
17 Secretaries
Total Cost to us all $2,956,805.20
Wow!
Is this information published somewhere for public consumption?
Where are YOU S.A.G.E.
WOW is the only response I can make!!!
Oh my god!!
Imagine the salaries of the assistant secretaries and others within each department. Even if government cuts 10% of the higher level staff in each department, the $$$$ saved will be significant.
Premier should start cost cutting from there right away.
Reads like a PLP executive committee – time for a purge.
should offer early retirement for some, and pink slip the majority that can be employed in the private sector….hopefully
Salaries of every Civil Servant AND Politicians are posted every year for all to see in the Budget Book. It’s even posted online. http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=935&&PageID=233635&activetab=TabCTRL_DropDownTabsGovernment1&mode=2&in_hi_userid=2&cached=true
At least the folks above are working full time and not pulling in money from other jobs. We are paying our Ministers 6 figures http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_19667_935_233635_43/http%3B/ptpublisher.gov.bm%3B7087/publishedcontent/publish/ministry_of_finance/new_ministry_of_finance/budget_book_2013_14/sectionc13/c33_c36publicofficersalary.pdf, most of them have their own jobs pulling lucrative salaries and are not fully vested on running their ministries. Some of them are working part-time and doing a lack-luster job. Before Civil Servant salaries are cut, Ministerial and Legislature should be cut significantly.
AMEN TO THAT!!!
Part time politicians making a pretty penny while preaching pay cuts for others in full time positions. Bermuda could survive a month maybe even more without a political party but have trash collectors, public trans workers, street cleaners & the likes stop working for a few weeks & see how quick we turn into a third world country. If we’re paying the premier these figures to mainly smile, have pictures taken & say a few thoughtful words next time around I’m voting Johnny Barnes for premier.
I bet not one of them have asked to take a 15% pay cut.
They make almost 200k a year? is that even necessary?
@ swing voter The plan is to remove the interim and put the minister of economic development as the public premier ,as it is well known he runs the organization .
@ god1st I’m not convinced that your position is nothing more that a mischievous attempt at belittlement…..the membership will choose who will be primier period. The RBYC upper room era is a thing of the past man…get over it and move on with the rest of us
oops should have written the ‘I’m convinced’
Wow! Nobody can do it alone – white or black. The PLP needs white support for the benefit of Bermuda just like the OBA needs black support. PLP views expressed in these columns spell out economic disaster for all if they get re-elected.
@ Robert
He certainly will be released .
no he won’t…shut your mouth. you’re a fool everytime it opens. put money on it?
After all this talk by the premier about the commitment his party has to fixing Bermuda why hasn’t the fact that thousands of permit holders still haven’t signed the work permit declaration been addressed. Wasn’t this part of the plan by his minister to make permit holders aware of our permit laws? Why is oba allowing such disregard to Bermuda government & it’s laws by employers & permit holders to happen without consequence?
I noticed he didn’t mention the regiment or the need to end conscription, lets hope he hasn’t moved off that promise.
This was all fluff…no substance…nothing to indicate what is to come in the future…no real tangible results…yes some legislation and policies have been implemented, but what has resulted from these? how many jobs have been created? how will our economy create more revenue?
Sorry Premier Cannonier, this doesnt cut it. He seems to be more into posing and photo opps. Perhaps he should take on a Ministry himself and show his metal as right now he is looking out of his depth and grasping for straws.
@ hmmmm
The O.B.A/UBP never promised to end conscription but they will play political football with this issue.
They must evaluate and assess the risk before making the move to end conscription seeing they could be voted out at the next general election.Ending conscription comes with a price “cost and charge” black Bermudians must cough up votes in order for this form of slavery to end.
1 Garner more black votes 2 Is your soul for sale
3 you must compromise righteous morality.
Awesome man, Awesome party, Awesome job being done.
You must be smoking weed, please tell me where I can get some so I sound as dumb as you. Awesome party yes but my leader is a …… and nothing more. We need a leader who knows what he’s talking about not some smiling poster child to please the masses.
It seemed to me that there was alot of “we will, we plan” and not much “we have completed”. I had to listen to the broadcast as his constant facial movement was a distraction. Unfortunately, he came across as staged and not well rehearsed. It would have had more value if the “we will & we plan” had timelines /frames by which we could expect these wonderful intentions. Another suggestion: send him to ToastMasters as he could use the help with public speaking.
@ OBA Swing voter. The PLP took EVERYTHING, the OBA have NOTHING to work with. They have to make something out of nothing. Be thankful the plp are only a mad memory.
Bermuda Boy why are we worrying about the PLP their finished. The leader of my country is joke, stop trying to down play it like it’s not true. In the end we need someone who can fix the Island’s problems, he’s not the man for the job. The days of smiling like John Swan are over, he’s not even on John’s level.
A longer school day! These statements are thrown around without thought. They are trying to cut our pay and hours now. Why even bring up a longer school day? What quality time do students spend with their own Parents? Their first teachers. This is based on what? It sounds good! These same statements were thrown around earlier this year, based on WHAT? Overtime pay? Think, plan, consult, before you speak!
I agree the government ministers should think, plan & consult more than they do but a longer school day is a good idea. Schools have cut needed classes & part of the blame is the day is too short to cover all. Weather this is the real reason for class cuts is questionable but since we are not teachers all we can do is trust their word.
Besides the former point there’s others like children finishing classes an hour or more before parents are done work. Most kids are in after school programs for the rest of their time which is a good alternative to parents loosing work time but most are non academic. Then there are the kids who wonder the streets of Hamilton during this time. After school is not the best time for bounding it is time for homework, dinner, bath & bed maybe even some play depending on how efficient the other task are done by the child. During dinner can be a good time to talk & add some gems of wisdom but is not for solving world issues sundays are better for that. Quality time with kids is great but parents must realize that in a modern society students must get used to working 9 to 5 or longer to live. In some countries school doesn’t get out till 6pm & the students at these schools could become a Bermudian child’s competition in years to come.
They dont want to see us UNITE.. All they want us to do is keep on fussing and fighting….They dont want us live together! All they want us to do is keep on killing one another…TOP RANKIN!