OBA: ‘Ministers Are Not Leading By Example’
[Updated] It is “very disappointing to see that some Ministers are not leading by example,” OBA Leader Craig Cannonier said in reference to the videos circulating showing two Cabinet Ministers at a social event in close proximity to others without masks, with Mr Cannonier saying “their actions set an extremely bad example to the rest of Bermuda.”
Mr Cannonier said, “The Premier and Health Minister have spent months telling the public to obey social distancing rules and urging them to wear masks. It is therefore very disappointing to see that some Ministers are not leading by example.
“According to the notice in the Official Gazette which allowed this event, ‘The conditions are as follows: all persons attending the event must wear a face mask and maintain appropriate physical distancing at all times.’ The order was signed by the Minister of National Security, Wayne Caines.
“It was Minister Caines who publicly berated the owner of Mr Chicken for its customers not practicing social distancing. Minister Caines was willing to go as far as shutting down that business. His behaviour at this party is, therefore, hypocrisy.
“From the videos that are circulating, it is clear that Zane DeSilva and Minister Caines were not adhering to their own rules. Mr DeSilva in particular is clearly seen dancing on stage next to the saxophonist with no mask or any apparent attempt to exercise social distancing.
“Minister DeSilva has, with the Ministry of Health, set protocols to ensure the safety of Bermudians when tourists enter the country. As Minister of National Security, Mr Caines has been urging us to wear masks and practice social distancing. Their actions set an extremely bad example to the rest of Bermuda.
“We are told that the Department of Health is investigating the restaurant, but this is just an attempt to deflect from the behaviour of these Ministers. It also begs the question why an investigation can be held so quickly into something like this, but not into the Department of Child and Family Services.
“The Premier cannot stay silent on this issue. If this happened to OBA MPs, I am sure he would be leading the calls for resignations. Is he going to demand the resignations of these Ministers for this flagrant abuse?
“If he does not, how can we take these Ministers seriously knowing that when it suits them, they will defy their own Government’s protocols. They have lost the people’s respect.”
Update 11.01pm: Premier David Burt advised that Zane DeSilva and Wayne Caines “have accepted his invitation to resign from the Cabinet.” Read the full statement here.
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#zanegate
Zane and caines have to go. Caines in particular – he berates mr chicken, he berates party goers then he does this.
Who can now take him seriously?
Who ever took zane seriously – the man who had to pull the bus timetable.
Caines broke the rules he signed off! He has to go but does burt have the balls to sack him and zane?
And who could replace them? Kim swan – amother ubp leader in a plp cabinet? Hahahaha
They both have to go. No ifs or buts. Go.
All u all need to stop Hating cause there is Not One of you all In Neither PARTY’S that do right FOR BERMUDA AND IT’S PEOPLE! Stop trying to get VOTES!!!
b/s – they could not even follow their own rules! They have to go
Oh yeah , that old ‘no party , all parties’ excuse .
Will you be voting a party of hypocrites back in who put us in 3Bn of debt using that lame old reasoning or is that a stupid question ?
This has nothing to do with votes, this is about putting peoples lives at risk by not following their own imposed rules. Zane and Caines have to go.
finish your esl classes before attempting to post again.
This strike 2 for Minister Caines alone. The actions of these ministers send very wrong signals to the community and therefore heighten the risk of infection. They have to step down and the Premier must set an example or he should step down too. This is not America!!!
Lock ‘em up!!
What a pair of absolute jokers.
Why people so surprised. People in power and Mp’s in both Political Parties have been doing stuff way worst than this. I would run out of space name and shaming. And nothing happens…. Its not what you know, its who you know on this island.
The two PLP Bermudas smmh
Yes – and the other half are left to eat cake
How odd (not) that Blu has taken the responsibility when 2 Ministers are too stupid to do what they are supposed to do and set the example. If the public fail to comply it results in summonses and an appearance before a magistrate. When 2 Ministers fail, it’s not their fault. Boycott MEF.
The silence from the PLP is deafening.
The silence from the premier is deafening
Yup. And that tells us eveything
This is absolutely ridiculous from this two ministers, they should serve by example for the people of Bermuda special our kids they just graduated from high school and they couldn’t have a proper graduation and a prom but this two went to a dinner and doing something like that .. Pathetic .. For the people of Bermuda now do something good (Resign)
Not cool ministers. For months we’ve heard Caines go on and on about curfew, public safety, wear your masks, etc but yet can’t do it himself. And DeSilva making travelers jump through hoops….smh. If you all can act like this then dont expect the rest of us to follow rules. Bermuda is too hot to be wearing masks in the summer. Blu publicly apologized but have these two?
Tell the Col. I just caught 3 rats in as many days in a neighbour hood nears his .
i am getting good at this now, 17 so far this year.
Well the new company that was responsible for the entertainment just happens to be the new company owned by Zara, Zane DeSilvas daughter, Saturday was Joanne DeSilvas birthday and you got it Zane’s wife, not only was there a saxophonist but a DJ, plenty of dancing and socializing, staff with no masks. Oh it’s nice you raised money for meals on wheels but I actually wonder how many there actually have ever heard of Meals on Wheels or what they do. I guess you had to disguise the party as fund rIser. Come clean.
First the Titty Milk incident and now Breaking the Government of Bermuda’s own rules about Face Masks,time for this clown and his sidekicks to go.
Very surprised by Minister DeSilva’s behavior, however, not so by Minister Caines’. Judging his past behavior, he needs to grow up and get some help with his ADHD. Totally irresponsible. Politically, his career is done.
Welll the Peanut Gallery will go crazy on Social media with this one !! I don’t feel they even needed to Resign or be asked to ! They were well within their rights to enjoy the party ! The dancing wasn’t so instep lol . We’ve been held by shelter in place for health and safety for so long . The two in question must recalibrate themselves with the qualities of leadership !! We must also remember our Covid status is excellent. People have been congregating illegally all this time in larger than the law prescribed numbers. So to fire these two ministers over this err in judgement is not required. Removed to the Backbench is great enough !!! We need competent people to do our business…