Videos: Commercial Immigration Public Meeting
Last night [Jan 14] a public meeting was held at the Cathedral Hall on Church Street to provide information on commercial immigration, with Madeleine Sumption of the Migration Policy Institute presenting an overview on the concept.
According to the Migration Policy Institute’s website, the Washington-based organisation provides “analysis, development, and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at the local, national, and international levels.”
Minister Michael Fahy stressed that the Government has not made any decisions on the matter, and the meeting was held to provide information.
In his opening remarks, Minister Fahy said the Ministry invited Ms. Sumption to Bermuda to deliver a presentation on models of Commercial Immigration around the world to “start an informed conversation to see if there is a suitable model for Bermuda.”
“The Ministry of Home Affairs has been examining the concept of Commercial Immigration as a method of stimulating economic investment,” continued the Minister.
“Various models are being used in close to 20 countries, including St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Malta, Mauritus, the US, the UK, Canada, Singapore, Monaco, Portugal, Latvia to name a few.”
1 hr and 20 minute video of the meeting:
Minister Fahy continued, “These countries use commercial Immigration to grow their economy and stimulate inward investment in areas such as jobs creation, financing for capital projects and improving their tourism products.
“We understand that Commercial Immigration may be beneficial to small countries as investor’s funds can be used in a number of creative ways to improve their economies.
“Tonight Ms Sumption will outline commercial immigration models used in jurisdictions around the world and outline the pros and cons of the various models. It is important to keep an open mind.
“The Government has not made any decisions in respect of any models or variations of models or for that matter on whether Commercial immigration is something to be pursued. Any assertion to the contrary are quite simply, false.”
Those in attendance included Minister Michael Dunkley, Minister Bob Richards, Minister Wayne Scott, Minister Patricia Gordon Pamplin, Minister Trevor Moniz, MP Glenn Smith, MP Sylvan Richards, MP Susan Jackson, MP Cole Simons, MP Lovitta Foggo, MP Derrick Burgess, MP Lawrence Scott, MP Walter Roban, Senator Marc Daniels, Senator Diallo Rabain, Senator Lynne Woolridge, former Opposition Leader John Barritt, and BIU President Chris Furbert.
Minister Michael Fahy speaking after the meeting:
Opposition Senator Diallo Rabain speaking after the meeting:
BIU President Chris Furbert speaking after the meeting:
Minister Michael Fahy’s full opening remarks follow below:
Good evening and thank-you for coming to this information session on global models for Commercial Immigration, presented by Ms. Madeleine Sumption of the Migration Policy Institute and hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Ms Sumption is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute in Washington DC, which is an independent think tank looking at immigration trends world-wide.
Ms Sumption oversees the research agenda of the International Program as its Assistant Director for Research. Her work focuses on labor migration, the role of immigrants in the labor market, and the impact of immigration policies in Europe, North America, and other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. She is also a nonresident fellow with the Migration Policy Institute Europe.
Ms. Sumption’s recent publications include Rethinking Points Systems and Employer-Selected Immigration (co-author);Policies to Curb Illegal Employment; Projecting Human Mobility in the United States and Europe for 2020 (Johns Hopkins, co-author); Migration and Immigrants Two Years After the Financial Collapse (BBC World Service and MPI, co-editor and author), Immigration and the Labor Market: Theory, Evidence and Policy (Equality and Human Rights Commission, co-author), and Social Networks and Polish Immigration to the UK (Institute for Public Policy Research).
Ms. Sumption holds a master’s degree with honors from the University of Chicago’s school of public policy. She also holds a first class degree in Russian and French from Oxford University.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has invited Ms. Sumption to Bermuda to deliver a presentation on models of Commercial Immigration around the world so that we may start an informed conversation to see if there is a suitable model for Bermuda. As you know this is in line with a Throne Speech initiative to start a conversation in this regard.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been examining the concept of Commercial Immigration as a method of stimulating economic investment. Various models are being used in close to 20 countries, including St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Malta, Mauritus, the US, the UK, Canada, Singapore, Monaco, Portugal, Latvia to name a few.
These countries use commercial Immigration to grow their economy and stimulate inward investment in areas such as jobs creation, financing for capital projects and improving their tourism products.
We understand that Commercial Immigration may be beneficial to small countries as investor’s funds can be used in a number of creative ways to improve their economies. Tonight Ms Sumption will outline commercial immigration models used in jurisdictions around the world and outline the pros and cons of the various models. It is important to keep an open mind.
The Government has not made any decisions in respect of any models or variations of models or for that matter on whether Commercial immigration is something to be pursued. Any assertion to the contrary are quite simply, false.
Tonight is about information gathering and giving the public an opportunity to hear the facts from an independent, non-political think tank on commercial immigration. We feel this is the best way to start the conversation is to first share information on the subject with the people of Bermuda.
We encourage your feedback and the Ministry will host further sessions in the near future to examine recommendations and concerns. We are providing a Questionnaires and Comments sheets so you may share your thoughts with us.
Today’s presentation is for information purposes only. Please save your questions and comments for the conclusion of the presentation – all questions should be directed through the moderator, Mr. Glenn Jones.
Again, thank you for coming. I look forward to fruitful dialogue.
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Funny I didn’t see any 102.7 propaganda callers there….some people just not interested in the real deal. I guess calling talk shows and talking random ignorance brings them comfort
The majority of folks at this meeting did not seem to be enthused about this policy. There seemed to be big questions as to why this is needed at this time? Even some that would appear to be OBA supporters did not seem to be in support of it.
Fahy needs to put this on the shelf.
You wonder why this is needed at this time?
I don’t know if you had missed this, but thousands of Bermudians were thrown out of work over the past few years. They would like jobs. In order to create jobs, someone has to set up businesses. This is a way of encouraging people to invest here in businesses that provide new employment to Bermudians.
Do you get it yet?
I was disheartened by the two attacks on the Minister’s eligibility of being Bermudian. People came through the door with agendas. Their minds were already made up. To be fair, the presentation was short but I think it spelled things out adequately. If you want to learn more, the rest is up to you to find out.
I applaud the Minister for his statement; however, I do not believe that the Government would invest this amount of money and time in a “consultation” campaign for a policy that they would not eventually support – it does not make sense.
This type of “consultation”, i.e. the education campaign that Minister Crockwell will be running next month in regards to Gaming also comes to mind – is not consulting. You have made a decision and then come to the people and say “we are giving you the opportunity to be heard” – - that’s putting the cart before the horse.
Q
I agree. Kind of like the ‘wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing’ approach.
THANKS BERNEWS!!!
There is no other news media on Island that provides REAL information in a timely matter the way that you do!
You play an integral role in our community & we appreciate all that you do
Hats off to Dennis, the video man!
The comment about Fahy is at approx 33 minutes into the video.
did you notice the lack of hackling to her ‘question’ as compared to the outright condemnation and threats uttered after tough questions were asked during the Big Conversation? Like I said, some people are only able to wallow in ignorance….Fahey could have simply answered that he is as Bermudian as anyone else but her question on Fahey’s status had nothing to do with the subject matter.
It is the usual PLP supporter hatred, that is why I am not part of that organization anymore! Hate, Hate and more Hate! Any honest minded person can see we need foreign investment, white, black or otherwise for the betterment of all. No as the other PLP supporter stated, it is to benefit the white people. Hate, Hate and more Hate! I will never support you again, as long as your core members continue to work in silos and not for all of Bermuda. In the last 14 years that I helped you get in, what constructive ideas to create new revenue do we come up with? Nothing, but we pushed away the bread and butter we had, by biting the hand that was feeding us. Hate, hate and more hate…
Sounds like a 1960′s slogan in the deep south.
Thank you for the hope of politiacl maturity. That is the same reason why I can’t support them either. It’s out in the open hate. As i also respected my friends reasoning on the UBP I could not support them either. I do support the OBA but only as far as they are a little more attractive that the PLP.
LOL Insaying that I do credit some of the PLP members as they are not all bad but they let the haters speak for them a little to much.
It’s better to be open then being subliminal and discreet that’s the problem in Bermuda people pretend to get along.
So , are you in the fake white group or the fake black group ?
Or are you just always obnoxiously honest so that that’s what all of your company is like too ?
Come now Mazumbo most people here do get along. It’s just you and your friends that remain in isolation. Perfering to stick to your little group cut off from the majority.
LOL
And it’s even better to… you know… not be a disgusting racist at all.
Mazumbo, I don’t “pretend” to get along with anybody. It’s phony people like you that “pretend” to get along.
Now, shouldn’t you be attending to belco poles, or is today your day off when you write opinion pieces?
That’s an unfortunate surname, “Sumption”
Ok after watching that the lady in the purple showed up for the Q & A part only just so she could ask something a friend nugged her to ask. What was the perpose of the question and following statements? My question is who was the friend and why could that person not go to the meeting themselves and if they were there why could they not air their concern? Could it be so as to be able to deny they had any conection to it? Anyway it’s obvious the lady was there to cause issues or to vent either way she was not interested in an answer.
LOL
She is ignorant, plain and simple.
OBA please keep going down this road. It could help stimulate our economy. Ignore the rude obnoxious haters. They are living in the past. Time for new ideas.
“rude obnoxious haters” – like the lady in purple?
“Rude and obnoxious??more like a ghetto attidude, than you want to know why the young people act up!!Why is it she wanted to know if Mr Fahey was Bermudian??would she ask the same question if that was a Mr E.F Gordon standing up there or any other great leaders that came from down south???i think not..
Well quite frankly I don’t think she would’ve asked Dr. E.F. Gordon or any other great leader from down south because they defended the rights and interest of African Bermudians unlike Mr. Fahey!
How is Fahy not defending rights and interests of African Bermudians ?????
Cause he is white and all whites are bad (except Zane Desilva of course) and out to destroy black people socially, economically, spiritually and and any other lly you can think of…
Have you not got the memo?
Mazumbo, don’t you have a Belco wire to install or change?
You are a sickening, sickening individual.
What’s that “the people who look like me syndrom” thanks again for reinforcing the fact that the PLP could not ever stand and rep me or my family on any stage with that rational.
LOL
I went to the meeting trying to put aside any preconceived ideas of what this program was about. However, after hearing this information first hand, I can only conclude that this isn’t something that we as a country need. Though it may have some benefit in other jurisdictions, but with the complexity of our economy and social structure, I don’t see how opening us up to so many risks as well as the fact that some of the results can’t be accurately quantified or adequately sustained, can this program can be of any lasting benefit.
I also find it strange that for a party that claims not to be the UBP they somehow find a way to pursue some of the same policies that only benefit a certain segment of our population.
certainly not impressed OBA
How does it only benefit a certain segment of our population?
It doesn’t at all and don’t expect the poster to explain themselves.
Just continuing with the hateful narrative. Just another day in good old BDA.
I guess they buy a house and spend money in the economy.
How many people are you expecting…Millions of 30 to 50 year olds or 30 to 50 year olds with Millions.
Why are we using the term an”African Bermudian”? You are either Bermudian or not. Can we not just leave race behind? Whatever you think of this policy, please don’t just look at it along lines of colour. All Bermudians have a view that should be considered, both and neither black, white, purple whatever.
It’s an identity terminology, like French Canadian, Irish American, Israeli American, Dutch Afrianers ect, etc.
I gather you don’t have an issue with those names!!!!!!
Then there’s the rhetorical comments, skinks and cahow’s are the true endemic or indigenous entities to Bermuda, and I guarantee that any ethnic group that resides or born in Bermuda,( British, American, Canadian, Portuguese, Azorean, Italian, Sri Lankan, Philippine, etc are proud to call or proclaim their heritage but its a problem when Black people ESPCIALLY in Bermuda identify with Africa.
Something wrong with that picture !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunatly they can’t I sometiomes don’t think they think they are Bermudian.
LOL ps don’t let them fool you either put them in cc and they even hate on West Indains and Jamacans too. They are only concerned with bettering their lot f everyone else.
The reason why there is so much suspicion when it comes to immigration matters is because it was used in the past to under mine the natural rights of Bermudians; particular black Bermudians. The past UBP government
ran a status Bermudian policy that was race based and many have not forgotten that. Interesting term this so-called commercial immigration;it reminds me of the term collateral damage which came into common use during the Vietnam war to mask the killing of civilians by the American military.
Another most recent term been used is the term rendition; used to describe the taking of combatants off the battlefield in the so-called war against terrorism and taking them to a foreign country without the rights of the Geneva Convention which pertain to prisoner of war. Commercial immigration just another term for the selling of Bermuda past ports/ and or Bermuda status.
Mr. Williams, you lost me when you started talking about Vietnam and everything else below that in your comment.
I don’t see at all how that has anything to do with the topic here. Unless you’re saying that the collateral damage of this commercial immigration will be Bermudians losing their jobs?
Even though he lost you at Vietnam and everything else below what he said before that is true ,factual and valid don’t get sidetracked from the point.
Oh no, I know the point of all this. I just don’t see what Vietnam and terrorism have to do with The Bermuda Government’s investigation of commercial immigration as an idea to boost the economy.
Lol. Talk about smoke screens and distractions.
Wow…
There really IS no low that you won’t stoop to, is there?
Yes, Alvin and you forget all the west indians who got status too!
The bottomline is, that the OBA, like the UBP, is carefully constructing a system which is designed to protect WHITE interests. They are doing it by way of importing whites to increase their numbers and then granting those same persons citizenship and the power/right to vote. The tragedy is that their Black supporters, Black Premier Craig Cannonier and his Black MPs are deaf, dumb and blind to the OBA whites determined intentions–by any means necessary.
If you were to listen to the speaker, commercial immigration is most popular with Asians in particular the Chinese. Doesn’t exactly support your theory does it? The objective is to find people with high net worths and get them to spend money in Bermuda, creating jobs too. The other stuff is in your head.
I forgot to mention that Premier Craig Cannonier isn’t at the helm of the OBA ship–he isn’t the real captain of their ship. He merely wears the title of leader, but in actuality he isn’t. I’m told that, behind closed doors in those out-of-the-way locations where the white elite meet in secret, he is viewed and referenced in a different flickering light. He is on borrowed time–their time.