DeSilva And Caines Resign From Cabinet
Premier David Burt advised that Zane DeSilva and Wayne Caines “have accepted his invitation to resign from the Cabinet.”
Premier Burt said: “The events of this weekend seen widely on social media did not represent this Government’s months of struggle and hard work to keep Bermuda safe. Every citizen has been forced to make significant changes in how we live, work and socialize; ministers are no different. It is this that I communicated to Ministers DeSilva and Caines.
“As these men depart the Cabinet I am frustrated and immensely disappointed that this incident has deprived the community of two extremely hard working and dedicated ministers.
“Both men worked tirelessly during the months of the pandemic response to keep Bermudians safe and to support our economic recovery. Their energy and zeal demonstrated a genuine care and concern for the people of Bermuda. I will remain forever grateful for their contributions.
“In the coming days I will set out the assignment of responsibilities following this unexpected change. Make no mistake, our commitment is unchanged and each day continues to be devoted to doing the best that we can to create opportunities for Bermudians.”
Update | Background Information
Zane DeSilva served as the Minister of Tourism and Transport, while Wayne Caines served as the Minister of National Security.
Their resignation follows after videos of an event circulated on social media showing a number of people, who were not wearing masks, dancing to music at Blu restaurant. A number of people commented on the videos, noting that Wayne Caines and Zane DeSilva appeared to be among those seen in at least one video.
Following the video circulation, a Government spokesperson said, “M.E.F. Enterprises Limited was granted a large group exemption for the Meals on Wheels charity fundraising dinner, under the Public Health [COVID-19 Emergency Powers] Regulations 2020, by the Minister of National Security.
“The exemption was granted under regulation 5 [4], permitting a group of more than fifty persons to assemble on Friday, July 3rd 2020 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm at the Blu Bar and Grill Restaurant and as required, a notice was placed in the Official Gazette prior to the event.
“The notice required persons to wear masks and to adhere to guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health. From the videos shared, it can be seen that those rules were not being adhered to at all times during the event.
“The Government will conduct an inquiry and if it is confirmed that rules were violated without reasonable excuse, sanctions will be issued under Section 7[2] of the Public Health [COVID-19 Emergency Powers] Regulations 2020, which permit the Minister of Health to close an establishment that does not comply with health directions.”
A Meals on Wheels spokesperson told Bernews, “Meals on Wheels is fortunate to receive many donations from the community and we are grateful for them. Often the fundraising activity goes on without our knowledge and without our being involved. That was the case here.”
A Blu restaurant spokesperson told Bernews, “On Friday, July 3rd a fundraising dinner was hosted at Blu restaurant. Guests arrived wearing masks, sanitized their hands and were temperature checked by security at the entrance.
“The sit-down dinner proceeded without any incident during the 2 hour period, however at the end of the evening a surprise saxophonist played as some guests were leaving and, in the excitement, social distancing was not maintained.
“We realize that with summer now upon us that it is getting hotter and masks are being removed when they are not supposed to, however we understand that this is still not acceptable behaviour at this time.
“We fully intend to adhere to all protocols as laid out by the Government and will be closing Blu for 2 days to conduct rigorous training for all staff. We will ensure all protocols are fully understood when a situation arises where social distancing is not being followed and how this should be handled.
“Bermuda has worked very hard to maintain its current COVID-19 status and we intend to do our part to ensure it stays this way. We apologize to the public and our valued guests as we work to navigate the changes and developments that each evolving phase brings.”
OBA Leader Craig Cannonier had said, “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.”
Good! Now reduce ministerial payroll as well@
They will be back like Cannonaire came back.
LMAO
This is it !!! Cannonier got the nerve after Jet Gate to be talking. What respect and trust do the people truly have in him?
What rules did he break?
A question that will never be answered.
Yup ask the former OBA Chairman – he resigned over JetGate!
That was over internal party communication, not putting peoples lives at risk or breaking the law.
Internal communication? Yeah right! Keep believing that and you will never win another election dumb a$$! It was about integrity and possible fraud!
Now do the Commission of Inquiry and numerous AG reports on ‘questionable’ Government contracts. And yet you still voted for them. So who is really the ‘dumba&&?’
What rules did he break? He got on a private jet and flew to a meeting to bring gambling to Bermuda by a key player.
That is a huge no no in anti-bribery laws.
Sacked! Good riddance!
Right thing to do. Burt could not have these guys around any longer.
The Premier has been bragging how Bermuda has some of the most strictest measures to prevent the spread of the Covid19 and we see this…how insulting to the many Bermudians who are suffering from the pandemic. I mean, for months Bermuda had become a police state. The government brags that there are no covid cases confirmed like it’s some great challenge in an Island with a population the size of a large University. Give me a break!
The next step would be to take these people to court and fine them to the maximum and use that money to help suffering Bermudians. In fact, every single person in that party should be fined to the maximum as well.The property owners of that place should be fined as well and shut!
This is probably the most embarrassing thing I have ever heard in the longest time. The premier must take responsibility for this. I’m sorry, but politics aside- this really is a slap on the face of every single Bermudian.
Agree 100%
I agree 100%.
This was a huge middle finger to those of us that have been doing our part. These rule breakers need to be fined just like all the others. Why wouldn’t they be?
Relax. They resigned and that will be all that happens here! No fines will be levied as they will say they have been harmed enough!
However back on planet Earth they should be fined big time and the proceeds given to meals on wheels!
Agree
AAron, you are ABSOLUTELY CORRECT with respect to everything you have expressed. Some politicians have an arrogant and dictatorial attitude: Do as I say and not as I do. However, the people have the real power to snip their wings.
I don’t think they should be Ministers either – too many instances of immaturity and hubris.
Wow. Surprised that it came to this. I mean I get it but having the minister of tourism resign in the middle now, is not a goodbtging. However, it does finally show that the government is ask all to play by the same rules. Caines was actually growing on me so I kinda of disappointed to see him go.
However, word on the street was the Premiere Burt’s days were numbered and he was due to be pushed out before the Covid 19 pandemic. I wonder if Caines and Desilva were part of the exit committee. Something tells me that we haven’t seen the last of these two.
After these last few months of craziness, I’m sure they are looking forward to a little rest.
False. They were the ones behind the coup to get Marc Bean out and Burt in, that’s why they have been kept around this long.
Premier Burt, thank you for doing the right thing.
Maybe the curfew should remain until this virus has been eradicated.
Now what about all those other people? Can they be fined! The Restaurant, fine them too.
We don’t have any Covid-19 it appears, but if one case gets on an airplane, the way people are acting, it will spread like wildfire! Physical distancing has gone out the window!
A very sad day in Bermuda, sorry to see it come to this,after everything the island has been through these past few months☹
In light of what has been done, the Premier has no other choice but to make the decision that he has, because protocols would demand it but I put further into question, the restrictions of the mask being worn at this stage, which I am amazed how many people are buying into propaganda, and we really need to phase out some of these restrictions.
Call it insensitive, but I call it not being practical to the real realities that exist among us, most places we are allowed to go, we shouldn’t have to wear the mask, if other protocols are in place, like the temperature taking, and looking for signs of people who look or are sickly among us, but the majority of our population are not walking around infected, but we treat it as if we are carriers of a disease.
The Ministers did need to lead by examples, but I think the very protocols they put in place, should have been lifted when we entered phase 4.
I agree
you are forgetting people can by asymptomatic!!!!!
I totally agree not everyone is wearing a mask. All those who hasnt been wearing a mask who’s is apart of the cabinet and opposition should retire then!!
BURT. Thanks for the good the leadership. Hopefully it stays in place. I
You are kidding right? Burt had no choice.
Just the latest in a long list of PLP blunders.
25-11. You are getting what you voted for.
Trust me the obaUBP will not win the next election so sit down and shut up.
Agreed!
Stop grasping at straws. They were fired and you still are sniffing around. Your OBAubp will not see the light of office for at least another decade so sit down.
You gotta love karma
Agreed. Reminds me of a past post of Caines dancing and singing around his pool… private eyeys… If anybody he should have been setting the example!
Cannonaire, did you really had to stoop to the childish comment ” If this happened to OBA MPs, I am sure he would be leading the calls for resignations” ?? This is not n election campaign! Stop trying to make yourself look good at another’s expense and mistake. Comments like that will NOT get my vote. We have struggled to come together as a country and that comment blantly displayed your attempt at division.
Just facts
Hahahaha. CC is right. Burt did the right thing.
Don’t blame Craig, these ministers broke protocol and suffered the consequences, end of story.
All of Bermuda has been sacrificing and adhered to Caines demands. So for him to flaunt the rules is inexcusable.
But he’s absolutely right. The PLP demanded resignations every damn week whilst in Opposition. And plus it ain’t the OBA who seeks to exploit and widen divisions in this island.
This is a sad day for Bermuda.2 very dedicated hard working men who have assisted in keeping the island safe,have allowed themselves to become pray.
A very unfortunate situation however they gave the premier no choice.
Blessings and thanks to both former ministers for their valuable contributions.
Wow finally, some political testicular fortitude by the premier. Absolutely the right decision particularly when it comes to Caines who’s childish behavior is a constant source of embarrassment. It can’t be seen as one rule for them and one for the rest of us, so while I’m sure this isn’t ideal as the party subs bench isn’t exactly overflowing with talent it’s the right thing to do. Don’t be surprised if 6months for now there’s a cabinet reshuffle and both make a reappearance, that’s a long time in politics
@Judy. Whtever either administration does on this island its abt politics. Even this pandemic, frm the beginning.
Whoa!!!
“Meals on Wheels is fortunate to receive many donations from the community and we are grateful for them. Often the fundraising activity goes on without our knowledge and without our being involved. That was the case here.”
I think this is illegal – or should be.
Zane should never been near a government remember port royal and wayne caines had a second life line
Why would this shift your vote? The same tactics won tons of PLP votes 3 years ago, no????
Someone please help me understand, if we are told that there is no active cases in our island, would you not have celebrated as if this was early March when the rest of the world was wearing mask? We have done well with the control and the spread of COVID-19. Thanks to Caines, Zane and all that sat in the room to make decisions to keep our little island safe.
I understand that, that they are Minister of this Goverment, but who without sin case the first stone. But is this a sinful act or people enjoy themselves, like we did before Covid?
Would Goverment Minister be ask to resign? For showing they are people too.
We are too quick to judge, we need to ask ourselves if we was amongst our friends and family, would we be wearing mask or would we let fear keep us in our home/car/bike/office wearing a mask.
Key thing to remember, there was no active cases in fourteen days. Nothing from nothing is nothing or am I wrong too, that we can catch this COVID-19 from a person that has nothing, come on people, use some common sense. This shelter in place has created a bunch of zombies .
If you felt so strongly about the people at the party not wearing a mask, then make all attendees and workers get a test and quarantine until results were back. Simple. That would to me be punishment in of its own way. Getting a swab pushed in your nose and having to stay in your house until results came back, no work no pay.
Please help me understand without argument .
You have missed the point.
They set the rules for everyone to follow but they ignored them.
If there is no threat on island from Covid as you seem to believe, why do we still have a curfew? Maybe all these press conferences and restrictions were bogus, and just politics in the lead up to an election?
Ex-Minister Caines was the one wanting everyone who broke the rules, to be held accountable. Have you seen the speed on the roads 15 minutes before curfew because people especially young men aren’t treated so nicely if they are not home in their beds by the dreaded curfew. He wanted accountable; well Burt held him accountable.
FINALLY…Thank you @No Common Sense!!
The simple answer to help you understand is that this government literally threatened the community with fines, lockdowns, business closers and even jail. They told us that we who break the laws would be held to the highest account . Why don’t you ask those who have already paid the piper for their infractions and ask them if they were shown any leniency!………. ‘You should be judged by the same measure to which you judge.”
Stop being a fool Caines should have been fired when he talked about TITTY MILK on social media.
Now we need to monitor the many Ministers that are driving in their GP’s talking on their cell phones!
This restriction was in place long before mask wearing!
No loss, but they’ll be back.
Let’s call it like it is, it was a 57th birthday party for the ex-Ministers wife.
Obnoxious, entitled, arrogant…… while thousands are unemployed wondering when they will see their next paycheck, you party and put us all at risk for going backwards to phase 3 or 2 or shelter in place.
You used meals on wheels! If you can afford this type of party for a 57th birthday, maybe you can donate $1,000,000 to this charity! A fitting punishment.
Its definately the OBA that tries to exploit and lead division !!! That was very petty for Cannonier. Bermuda unfortunately just lost two very good and dedicated Ministers. Well done to them on all their efforts in improve our beloved island home.
yes but this is the preachers who have been telling us folk what to do and yet they don’t have to. This is not a communist state yet ( soon come )
PEFECT wrong is wrong All lives matter ——you would of thought that the management would of known better – and steered the rookie party planners in the right/ lawful direction — guess they just saw the bottom line and wanted the almighty dollar — APPARENTLY this was to be the first of several events SBJTTW
Kudos to Me Burt for acting swiftly and decisively. Hard to feel sorry for either of them, politicians are not supposed to be naive. For Caines it was the third strike and he still reminds me of the little kid in primary school always shouting ‘Me, me, me’ to the teacher, ever the attention seeker. Zane won’t miss the ministerial salary but he will miss the attention and the perks. However, memories are short in Bermuda and I wouldn’t be surprised to see either back in cabinet in six months time.
“A Meals on Wheels spokesperson told Bernews, “Meals on Wheels is fortunate to receive many donations from the community and we are grateful for them. Often the fundraising activity goes on without our knowledge and without our being involved. That was the case here.”
Begs the question, if The Family Centre are aware of 3 fundraising events (to be held within a 13 days period) at Tucker’s Point
Begs the question if Family Learning Centre are aware of three Fundraising Dinners to be held within 12 days (5th, 10th and 17th July – all at Rosewood (Tucker Point) — Hopefully MEF will have trained their restaurant staff at these establishments too! Notice of approval to host these three dinners can be viewed on Bermuda Government website.
If the Blu staff were Bermudian and especially if they had proper union (hospitality division BIU) representation, I am certain that the rules would have been meticulously followed. There are so many hypocrisies on display here, where does one even start!
Where as i think the Premier is absolutely correct ( and probably highly embarrassed), The organizers and indeed the establishment ( Blu ) and the PATRONS of which MANY were seen and are known must take a fair bit of the punishment. EVERYONE at that event should be tested and re tested AT THEIR EXPENSE! Surely if “PROTOCOL” was carried out they all had to sign in with pertinent contact info as do I if i go to a restaurant. All you have to do is look at causes of spikes in US states and UK. Wake up people.
I agree! Wearing of mask inside cause me to get headaches and dizzy. When we entered phase 4 face mask should have ended unless a person is unwell. It is too hot to have to wear a mask now that summer is upon us. If people are subjected to having temperture checks that should be enough.
Why are people forgetting the masks can protect us from asymptomatic individuals. They may not be ‘comfortable’ but they do save lives
I agree ! ITs too hot for a virus to survive and what about the rest of our body parts that are uncovered. Are we now afraid of one another, most people recover statistically anyway. It is still too much ambiguity surrounding the wearing of mask, it js just for the sick but microorganisms can seep through the mask anyway.
Bad Boyz, Bad Boyz…whatcha gonna do…whatcha gonna do when Burt comes fuh you?? Very wise decision, Premier Burt. Its sad to see two hard working Ministers go (I personally know how hard Zane has worked in all of his portfolios) but…both have been an embarrassment to your administration before…..this is now the second time. Dey gots tah go!!
Can we raft up now ?
Yes. Since phase 4 began.
I am very sorry to see Minister Caines go. His heart was for the people of Bermuda. Zane was just a pretty face.
I will not patronize and MEF restaurants again
Pretty face? Where!
Begs the question if Family Learning Centre is aware of three Fundraising Dinners to be held within 12 days (5th, 10th and 17th July – all at Rosewood (Tucker Point) — Hopefully MEF will have trained their restaurant staff at these establishments too! Notice of approval to host these three dinners can be viewed on Bermuda Government website.
Stop! Are you new here? It is clear you have an axe to grind with Tuckers Point. We get it!
Learn how to post.
Why boycott MEF restaurants? It’s so dumb. In that case, we all might as well boycott 80% of businesses in Bermuda because everyone is breaking the rules where they can get away with it. Leave MEF alone.
Also, isn’t this Zane’s third sacking?
In my opinion this was a complete overreaction. Bermuda has not had a single case of the virus in over two weeks and with virtually no offshore travellers the risk of spreading any of the vastly overrated ‘virus’ was next to zero. Nevertheless poli-theatrics is what many live for so it seems. Both these gentlemen served to the best of their abilities and should be commended for it regardless what anyone thinks of them personally.
Still feel this way with the positives on the Delta flight?
Perhaps the new cases have been avoided by the sensible people observing all the rules?
If they get let go why can’t those police officers who was allegedly involved in that sexual assault be held accountable for their actions as well.
There is more to this story. That is not been told????
It would be nice to be able to understand if you were making a statement or asking a question .
Yes… where is the Titty MILK Wayne Caines asked about on social media?
Accountability from the PLP?, I take my hat off to you Mr Burt
EYE IRITATION.
Would you beleive that some people touch may their faces over 100 times a day.
The People of Bermuda have been asked to wash hands; sanatize hands; and social distance.
To take that one step further people are complaning of eye iritation, to solve that problem thoroughly rinse face and eyes with plain water only.
Never dry hands on a cotton flannelette towel which could be contaminated, only use paper towel to blot off the water.
After washing hands some people feel free to tough their face and in particular their eyes , which caused some eye discomfort, the reason for this is hands are not thoroughly rinsed from of soap or the over use of kitchen detergent .
The same eye iritation can be caused by using variouse types of Hand Sanatizers wich can also cause eye discomfort.
Some People are not removing their mask properly they gab the middle, NEVER TOUCH the filter.
Only use the ear strape only to rempve and replace nask and wash hands over again.
Steam clean
If you are short on masks ,hold mask by the straps only, close over a pot of boiling water the hot steam will Sanatize mask some people will use the spout of a kettle be carefull not to scald you hands. kitchen tongs works well for that proceedure.
You can hand of machine wash a cloth mask in soap and hot water dont forget to rinse well they dry.
Interesting that the resignations had to be requested, rather than offers accepted.
Side note- I find it even more disappointing that the (former) national security minister is dancing and singing out to a song that says: “all I wanna do is smoke (marijuana), drink….“ Whether he’s on the clock or off the clock blowing off some steam, it’s completely unacceptable for someone in that position to be promoting that lifestyle while there are still people in jail right now for living that way. Even if you’re for the legalization of marijuana, we can do better as a people than to just get high and drunk all the time. A government minister co-signing that song by his actions sends a terrible message.