Premier Cannonier Reflects On OBA’s First Year
[Opinion column written by Premier of Bermuda Craig Cannonier]
I’ve been asked often in the past week or so what I am most proud about the OBA Government’s first year in office.
There’s much we’ve accomplished, but the steps Bermudians have taken to work together for each other is what comes to mind.
In the past year, we’ve seen Bermudians from all walks of life take part in actions that indicate things are changing – for the better.
Think of the Christian churches coming together for a National Day of Prayer last May to raise the spiritual element across the Island.
Think of the historic contract agreement this summer between the Bermuda Trades Union Congress and Government which took into account the government’s debt situation.
Think of the Tripartite Committee of business, labour and government representatives working together to broaden planning input into strategic possibilities for the Island.
Think of the effort of major grocers coming together to expand food cost relief for their customers.
And think of Government ministers and blue collar workers accepting pay cuts for the sake of a larger good.
Change begins with action and in each of these cases the action is towards a more cooperative and collaborative Bermuda. We’re not there yet, especially if you spend time reading the rude comments on the various media websites or listening to the hypercritical Opposition. But beyond the short-tempers and the politics, the actions I’ve listed above are very encouraging signs that Bermudians are starting to move in the right direction.
One of my goals as Premier is to bring Bermudians together, to break down the divisions and end ‘the wars’; to create a new place where all feel welcome, safe and secure knowing that their government is working for the benefit of everyone.
The past year has given me confidence we can get there.
There are two reasons I believe this.
The first is my faith in people to do the right thing, to consider the welfare of others, to act with care and love, to be, as I’ve often mentioned, our brother’s keeper.
The second lies in the grim set of challenges we all face as Bermudians – unemployment, gangs and violence, massive public debt and huge government deficits, all of which undermine national strength.
I believe Bermudians now see these challenges as things that affect the whole of us, not just others. It gets back to the one understanding of Bermuda that guides much of my thinking as Premier, and that is that we are all in this boat together.
The challenges we face today and the decisions that we take to deal with them are, in my eyes, a great opportunity for the Island to re-set the way we work and live with each other. I see them as opportunities to begin building toward a more caring and inclusive society, striving always for economic and social equity, making sure to leave no one behind.
I don’t think anyone can disagree with these goals. How we go about achieving them is what makes for political debate.
For the OBA Government, our approach this first year has been to focus most of our energies on turning around the economy, creating opportunity, restoring confidence in the Island as a place to do business, doing whatever it takes to protect and grow jobs for Bermudians.
We have done much else to get Bermuda moving in the right direction again. The Human Rights Amendment Act to eliminate discrimination on the basis of age and sexual orientation stands out, as does our work to strengthen Police operations leading to the lowest crime in more than a decade.
But the more we do, the more I realize there is so much more to do.
This Government was elected to change the trajectory Bermuda was on – to end the loss of jobs, to stop the shootings, to get a grip on the debt and to get our schools producing graduates with the skills to make a good life for themselves anywhere on the planet.
It’s a big job that will take years of hard work. I want you to know that we’re on it, we’re up to it and we’re moving forward. The past year has shown us that the critics will always be there, tearing at us. We don’t have a problem with that because whatever we decide, whatever actions we take will always be guided by what we think works best for Bermudians.
In the coming year, we will continue to push forward with Bermuda’s economic recovery because it offers the most immediate relief to the many families and individuals who are struggling to make ends meet.
My biggest concern as Premier – the thing that keeps me awake at night – is that relief will not happen as fast as it needs to happen. But rest assured, we’re going to keep at it every day. We have a great team of strong performers, dedicated to making Bermuda work better for you and your loved ones. It’s why we were elected a year ago and it’s what keeps us moving forward today.
In closing, I would like to thank Bernews for the opportunity to have my say on the Government’s first year and take the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
- Craig Cannonier
it’s been a fantastic year for all,we have not had to listen to Dreb or da cog for 12 months.
Words have power but Words also can be as empty as the nut that speaks them, if you find that this first year has been fantastic, I would think that you were alright before the O.B.A came into power and you are doing o.k for yourself now.
You do not sound like any of the Bermudians who continue to be over looked by the present administration when it comes to bare necessities are just every day survival. I still look around and see far to many Filipinos and Indians working doing jobs that Bermudians who are un-employed can do, and far to many Bermudians who don’t have the basic right to have a accommodation of their own to rent,mostly due to the cost of living and the high rental amounts still being charged.
If you are fine with the past year maybe you are one of the blood sucking fools that is helping to squeeze the life of our locals at the till or maybe you just happen to be related to these same crooks. or just maybe you like being exploited by your own and don’t know no different and to foolish to see you maybe in the same struggle, but just because you now have a government that look more educated, seemingly you think we are on the right path.
I have met many educated fools in my day and most of them are leaders in some form, but I am grateful for the intelligent folk i have met who make the educated ones look just as stupid as some of their decisions they make every day, like take the Education ministry and putting it in the hands of a individual that will have to balance two ministries, now that is utter stupidity. especially at a time when you have education failing at a rapid rate, but that is what happens when fools that are educated think they are intelligent and they clearly are showing they are not.
So the first year in power has not proven anything , because they have not been in power long enough to even scratch the surface, go back to your drawing board joker and come out and see if you can catch bat man, where ever that joker is.
What % of you want to wager that the Premeir just signed his name at the bottom after someone wrote it for him?
click Like – he wrote it!
click Dislike – someone else wrote it!
Yada yada and more yada.
Sit down for a live interview and tell us about your first year Premier Cannonier.
I am sure Gary Moreno or Sherri Simmons would love to interview you.
Would never happen. Way too risky
He is afraid to be interviewed by such folks, he is not got the fortitude to do such…as he is incapable of answering such questions and standing on his feet.
Last night was a poor pre-practice interview.. I was sleeping thru it… Many of the projects and polities were started under the PLP. He failed to acknowledge that, instead took credit for work initial by the PLP…. LIES again…Will this Premier stop it…
He is afraid to be interviewed by such folks, he is not got the fortitude to do such…as he is incapable of answering such questions and standing on his feet.
so are you…crawl back under the slimy rock you came out from!
That’s your problem you slept through 14 years and just woke up when the s___t hit the fan. just go back to sleep
Why did you bother to listen then? Just so that you can complain. When I see your name I just skip to the next one as you write the same nonsense every time
This comment was directed to Betty Trump
I would like to agree with your comments because I think Gary Mareno and Sherry Simmons would give the Premier a real run and hit him hard with real questions and don’t just sit behind a paper that other’s help to write.
To Gary and Sherry I would like to say if the opportunity presents itself, I would like you to ask this gentleman one question. when there are more then 5000 unemployed able body Bermudians out of work, why is the criteria for financial assistance still the same and has not been relaxed to accommodate Bermudians to be able to live in their own country and not have to go to the U.K to survive under their welfare system, since we have a government that seemingly is in favor of being under Britain then why not ask Britain for financial assistance to deal with the level of homelessness we have and is getting greater by the month, and I am not referring to folk out on the street.
Far to many Bermudians are misplaced without a place of their own and are now living as many as three families deep in accommodations that is only suited for one coupled, but because there is so much pride in Bermuda this is a taboo, this should not be in a country that is suppose to be so financially influential.
It use to be said in law that every person has the right to a place of abode, this is crazy in a country that has so much, but I really feel the day of reckoning is fast approaching to a time in history that we have never seen the likes of before and all those noses stuck up in the air will quickly come down.
Well said MR. Santucci………….I could not have said it any better… your on a roll today !!
You can’t say it better, becasue you’re an idiot
I just love you ! Especially when the UBPoba diehards feel that the FACTS are on the table and they are incapable of blocking them with Spin…
Love YOu.
You’ve completely lost it, haven’t you?
And you’re placing balme on the OBA for this state of affairs? They may or may not find a way out, but they have 5 years to make a start.
So, sounds like a threat from Mr. Santucci. Really? Given the absolute s*** show that was the PLP in government and the chronic financial mess they left behind, you’re talking about what? A revolution? To achieve what exactly and imprtantly, with what?
This is schoolyard politics with no grasp of reality. Sure, lambast the OBA for not moving fast enough, even highlight ideological differences but to randomly say a day of reckoning is approaching?
Financially influential. Guess what, it isn’t. Bermuda and Bermudians are not special. The sooner that is accepted, the sooner we can move on.
You really need to work on your grammar and your sentence structure.
Touche
He’s been interviewed by Moreno before, so why should he be afraid? He is trying his best, but ofcourse the PLp/BIU people always have to pull the OBA down at every chance they have. Tell us Betty, what shape do you think our country would be in if not for the over-spending and massive over runs by your PLP people? Maybe, had they listened to the out-cry from the voters about their over-spending, then this new Government would be securing our money for the future, but it’s all gone. So how can anyone of your PLP’ers even have the nerve to speak against this man who was dealt a rotten hand from the beginning? Miracles are needed, you;d better get on your knees Betty Trump and pray that your words, one day, will not come back to bite you in your —!
@say it like it is……..but come correct now…………….
…..I agree with you, He sure was handed a rotten hand from the UBPoba at the beginning. He was selected for all the wrong reasons by the UBPoba to lead the party. It was not based upon his capabilities, or competence, intellectual ability and talent, but rather due to the fact that he was BLACK and a surrogate. This was required in order for the UBPoba to gain the votes of the swing black voter and others. He was merely a part of a political strategy, that worked, but now has come to light for many as a major mistake. Some were fooled, and blind sighted to what the actual strategy the UBPoba has employed.
Many realize this now, and I think if they could change it in a hurry if they could tomorrow. The UBPoba have shown they lack a high level of creditability and dignity, over this past week. Folks have seen this for themselves now, and only the blindfaithfulness followers like yourself will continue to live in “UBPoba DENIAL”…
But I excuse you, I understand your suffering from “UBPoba DENIAL SYDROME”… time hopefully will cure you…..
Move the chess piece JETGATE 4……..while the fans press this dislike …click…
So your not for affermitive action?!!?
LOL
its been more expats working then ever wow what a new bermuda
Not true.
How can you ‘dislike’ – it is simply not true.
Every expat rents an apartment from a Bermudian. Every expat buys groceries from a Bermudian owned store. Every expat buys a bike or car from Bermudian owned businesses. Am I getting through to you yet or are you that ignorant? PLP scared them all away and now we are penniless with 100s of empty apartements and overdue mortgages. What are you not understanding here? We need expats.
So we need to make it attractive to come here. Bermudians will actually have to give concessions. To make foreigners welcome instead of complaining about them.
Good points. Question. Although unquestionably having ex-pats here and taking jobs is beneficial for those who have… how is it helping those to have not? To clarify, if I lost my job and cannot find a new job, thrown out of my house or apartment because I could no longer afford it; how will the expat’s renting an apartment, buying from Bermuda owned businesses, etc., etc., help me?
What is your profession?
Factually untrue and tired argument.
Majority of Business in Bermuda is owned by Black Bermudians
Majority of Realestate in Bermuda is owned by Black Bermudians.
Majority of Morgages in Bermuda are owned by Black Bermudians.
I know a place and it is called AFRICA.
In this place there are one billion people.
In this place there are sixhundred and fifty million (650)M people that live on less than $2.00 per day.(according to the UN and world bank)
Even in this place called south AFRICA Mr Mandellas place,forty percent
40% of this population live on less than $2.00 per day.(According to the news media during Mr Mandellas Funeral.
I Know this place called Bermuda and we are very very fortunate to live in this place.
OBA,keep up the good work.As my granny says ‘nobody in their right mind would vote PLP’.
You are absolutely correct, remember the old saying ” empty cans make the most noise”
The OBA is trying to turn Bermuda around.Premier Cannonier did inherit an island in trouble,and with help can turn it around.
Mr.Roban asks why the liquor bill,to allow stores to sell alcohol on Sundays was pushed through the House?Heaven forbid,does he not know,Bermudians love to drink!
See clearly, Reality Strikes and Wine Connoisseur need to pay attention to the Avatar generated by using the same computer. You have lost credibility.