Video: Minister Wayne Caines Press Conference
[Updated] Minister of National Security Wayne Caines is holding a press conference this afternoon [June 24] and we will have additional coverage later on and in the meantime the live video is below.
Update: The live broadcast has concluded and the 15-minute replay is below
Update 6.23pm: Minister Caines said, “Good afternoon everyone and thank you for attending,
“We are here to update the public on the Department of Immigration’s next phase of immigration reform.
“Government recognizes the importance of including every member of our community in the decision making process. To that end, we are asking for your assistance in providing information to assist us in making informed decisions on immigration policies that effect Bermudians.
“Before I go into the details, I would like to acknowledge Dr. Dannette Ming, Chief Immigration Officer from the Department of Immigration and thank her for participating here this afternoon.
“In government’s speech from the throne, we pledged to make our immigration laws better reflect our mandate of putting Bermudians first. This includes simplifying issues surrounding Bermudian status for mixed-status families.
“To this end, the Department of Immigration is requesting the public’s assistance in collecting data on the number of Mixed Status Families in Bermuda.
“A Mixed Status Family would include a family where one or more parents has Bermudian Status or holds a Permanent Resident Certificate, but their son, daughter or spouse does not have either Bermuda Status or hold a Permanent Resident Certificate.
“If your family structure fits the description of a mixed status family and you are able to assist with providing this information, we encourage you to attend the CedarBridge Academy Gymnasium on June 27 between 5:30 pm and 8:00pm.
“Following this, data collection will continue here at the Ministry of National Security, located on the 3rd floor Global House, Church Street, Hamilton, from Friday June 28th until Friday July 12th, between 12:00 pm and 4:00 Monday through Friday.
“All persons are required to present a valid form of photo identification.
“For questions, please email jscott@gov.bm or call 704-4134 or 297-7819.
“In addition to addressing the issue of mixed status families in Bermuda, the Department of Immigration is working on many other initiatives that will address long standing and/or sensitive immigration issues.
“Government will continue to keep the public updated on developments and involved in the process by periodically requesting feedback via the Citizens Forum. Again the website address for this is www.forum.gov.bm.
“The public can also keep abreast of information and announcements by downloading government’s new Tree Frog app, available for free from the Apple and Google Play store. Thank you.”
Just shows you the government computer systems are crap. They should just know this at the push of a button!
looks like he didn’t get his regular Titty Milk.
The minister says the next phase of immigration reform – what were the other stages?
Astonishing that only now are they looking for these numbers! The plp clearly is not about immigration reform, it is about dragging its feet
I just got my Belco and it’s the highest it’s ever been. And this idiot is whining about immigration. Why don’t they actually do something useful for once. They don’t give a crap about us.
Showing up in a hall to be counted and interviewed has a creepy vibe to it, and seems amateurish. What do you tell your children? Then how long will you wait until something is actually done? And what about confidentiality? Do you really want to know everyone else in this same position? You’ll all be at the hall staring at one another. Surely the CIO, Dr. Ming, should have advised the Minister on the dubious optics of this exercise.
Are you serious?
Are we in Nazi Germany in 1938?
Incredibly de-humanising, it shows just how out of touch this government is.
Is this a bad joke?
The Government wants to round up the undesirables in a school hall to count them.
This is horrible.
Driving through town. . . Chicken Farm. . . Cryptocurrency. . . TT Milk. . . West Gate literally Falling to pieces. . .When will things get done once and for ALL?
Mine the Data that supports the information on Page 33 of the 2016 Census and you will get all of what you soooo desperately seek:
Permanent Resident Certificate Holder (2016) – Total 1,879 / Bermuda Born 189 / Foreign Born 1,688 – Search the information that support these numbers that Government published. . .
How can anyone consider amending or restructuring immigration when it’s Bermudians first. How ironic is this?
Why another count? Just do what’s right.
The whole press release is absurd. It sounds sinister and creepy.
Exactly, Whether it is about 5,000 people or 1 -if it is wrong – fix it.
Two years now. Any cann any PLP supporter honestly tell anyone her what the PP has done to make things better. Just one thing?
Crickets????
“Government recognizes the importance of including every member of our community in the decision making process. To that end, we are asking for your assistance in providing information to assist us in making informed decisions on immigration policies that effect Bermudians.”
NO Bermuda Government has ever wanted my opinion before, not UBP, not OBA and not PLP. Why the change now?
Scary times
in one breath he is saying “the PLP has done extensive research on the numbers and know what the numbers are”…..then he says “we need further data to get the REAL numbers!!!”
Which is it…..
And why talk about PRC’s and members of family that dont have status and then go onto saying this is about Bermudians that are hurting and without jobs as if to say they automatically qualify for those positions just because they are Bermudian…..they DONT…people in Bermuda that dont have jobs need to go into the restaurant business and hospitality as all l see are foreigners
Sorry to say but the Bermudians you are talking about Mr Minister like to live off their grandmommies!!!