Video: Post Throne Speech Press Conference

Minister of Health Kim Wilson, Minister of National Security Michael Weeks, Minister of Labour Jason Hayward hold a joint media conference to highlight their Ministries respective Throne Speech initiatives.

Minister Kim Wilson’s full statement follows below:

Good afternoon.

In this year’s Throne Speech, the Government of Bermuda set the agenda for a Fairer Bermuda for All through various initiatives. This afternoon, I would like to expand on those initiatives impacting our health, and I am pleased to report that we are making steady progress, particularly in fostering a healthy community.

It is worth noting again that for the third consecutive year, we have maintained a freeze on the Government’s portion of the standard health benefit. This is one of our key fairness initiatives, ensuring that healthcare remains accessible and affordable for everyone.

The Ministry of Health is committed to promoting healthy people in healthy communities. This is not just about individual well-being—it’s about taking a comprehensive, collaborative approach to tackle the broader societal and environmental factors that impact our health.

This means championing physical fitness, preventing diseases, and nurturing inclusive, safe, and supportive environments that enhance mental and social well-being.

We know from our data that non-communicable diseases, such as heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and dementia, are leading causes of death in Bermuda, with diabetes and chronic kidney disease significantly affecting health as well.

In this year’s Speech from the Throne, it was emphasised that chronic diseases are significantly affecting us, straining our healthcare system, raising costs at all levels, and reducing the quality of life that people should be able to enjoy.

To lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other conditions, new laws will be passed to remove foods with industrially produced trans fats from our food supply. These fats have been scientifically proven to cause these health problems.

The Department of Health has been clearing the path and building capacity to perform local testing and working with advisors at the Pan American Health Organization [PAHO] and the UK Health Security Agency. Education and consultation will precede any legislative change and once the legal controls of trans fats are adopted as policy various stakeholders internal and external will be convened to familiarize everyone with this issue and their role in reducing the risks of trans fats in the food chain in Bermuda.

A high intake of trans fats poses serious health risks, increasing the likelihood of death from any cause by 34%, coronary heart disease deaths by 28%, and coronary heart disease overall by 21%.

Despite having no known health benefits, trans fats—found in partially hydrogenated oils [PHOs]—are commonly added to foods to extend shelf life. The food industry values these fats for their ability to add firmness to margarines, provide plasticity, and maintain emulsion stability in shortenings. Yet, these functional benefits come at a steep price to health, with significant risks that far outweigh any convenience they provide.

By July 2024, 58 countries, covering a population of 3.7 billion, have implemented top-notch policies to eliminate trans fats. In 2022, CARICOM Ministers of Trade and Health committed to enacting laws by December 2024 to remove trans fats from Caribbean foods by December 2025.

Also in this year’s Throne Speech, the Ministry of Health will continue to build on the commitment made in the Mid-Year Budget Review, to expand and enhance mental health initiatives.

Our goal is to create a Bermuda where mental health is understood and supported without stigma. Key initiatives include:

1.Launching a mental health awareness campaign to educate the public and encourage help-seeking behaviors.

2.Implementing a suicide prevention strategy.

3.Establishing a community outreach program for tailored support.

4.Starting a National Health Advocacy Program with conferences, school programs, and training.

5.Supporting the MH GAP program to integrate mental health services into primary care.

6.Piloting a school-based health behavior intervention program.

7.Hosting a Youth Mental Health Summit.

8.Providing grants to support mental health organizations.

9.Creating an emergency fund for complex mental health and social support cases.

By building on existing programmes, supporting existing third sector agencies, and focusing on youth mental health, a more inclusive and supportive environment will emerge for mental well-being in our community.

As you would have seen in the 2024 Throne Speech, we did not forget our seniors. We understand that being on a fixed income can be incredibly challenging. With the rising cost of living, it’s even more difficult to manage expenses.

When it comes to healthcare, we know that these financial constraints can lead to delays or even a lack of necessary care. Your health is our priority, and we’re committed to finding solutions that ensure you receive the care you deserve, without added financial stress.

As we eagerly await the rollout of the new universal healthcare plan, the Government is committed to expanding access and enhancing the quality of HIP and FutureCare. This means you can look forward to more comprehensive preventative visits to your doctors, better prescription drug coverage, and reduced copays.

These changes, set to be introduced during this Session, aim to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, ensuring that you can afford annual check-ups and the medications prescribed by your physician. This is all part of our commitment to making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.

You can expect the release of specific information on what the various benefit enhancements and extensions will look like for HIP and FutureCare participants in the short term, as we work toward increased access and affordability to healthcare and a better quality of life.

Lastly, while the journey toward Universal Health Care has not happened as quickly as we would have preferred due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the Government remains fully committed to its mission of ensuring that all Bermudians have access to quality, affordable health care.

In the year ahead, the UHC Programme will pursue some important goals. To start, in collaboration with healthcare stakeholders, we will determine the healthcare services to be included in the core benefits package for all.

This is the package of healthcare services that all residents will be able to access. We will also determine how much the services will cost. We will explore various ways to make these vital healthcare services available to everyone in a sustainable way, while also evaluating how our options will impact the economy.

As I conclude my remarks today, I want to emphasize the urgent need to strengthen Bermuda’s healthcare system. We must improve health outcomes, increase efficiency, and ensure quality, affordable healthcare for all. The high costs of our current system are not reflected in our health outcomes, and this must change.

Aligned with the theme of this year’s Throne Speech, “A Fairer Bermuda for All,” we are launching crucial initiatives that will help foster a more equitable society. Our efforts include legislation to eliminate trans-fats, enhance mental health initiatives, and advance HIP, FutureCare, and Universal Health Care.

The upcoming legislative session will be a significant step forward in our mission to enhance health outcomes. We want to build healthy people in healthy communities, ensuring that every Bermudian can thrive.

Thank you.

Minister Jason Hayward’s full statement follows below:

Good day to members of the media and the listening public.

Following Speech from the Throne, the Ministry of Economy and Labour remains committed to the plans and initiatives that will continue to create a fairer Bermuda for all. I am happy to share the Ministry’s priorities over the upcoming parliamentary Session.

Bermuda’s workers have proved to be the solid foundation on which economic progress is made. The Government is taking several steps to improve labour conditions, including advancing the minimum hourly wage, strengthening Employment and Labour Relations Tribunal awards, retaining older workers, and investing in workforce development.

Progressing the Minimum Wage

During this Session, the minimum wage will be further strengthened.

In September of this year, the Ministry of Economy and Labour released a position paper titled Progressing Bermuda’s Minimum Hourly Wage Rate. The purpose of the Position Paper was to outline the Government’s commitment to progressing the minimum hourly wage rate beyond the current $16.40 and to propose a framework for achieving this.

The establishment of a minimum hourly wage in Bermuda was a significant step towards ensuring fair compensation for employees and reducing income inequality. However, a further step needs to be taken to ensure all employees can maintain a reasonable standard of living and that their purchasing power is not diminished when the costs of everyday goods and services rise.

The Government supports the Position Paper’s proposal to progress the statutory minimum hourly wage rate every two years by the annual average inflation rate, utilizing the Consumer Price Index [the “CPI”] as the indicative measure, capped at 2.5% per year. Using this methodology, the newly proposed statutory minimum hourly wage rate to take effect in 2025 will be between $16.81 and $17.23.

Strengthening Tribunal Awards

The Department of Labour and the Employment and Labour Relations Tribunal continue to experience non-compliance by some employers who reject their legal obligation to honour the Tribunal’s binding award of compensation to the employee [in the absence of an Appeal].

In many instances, the employer will not reinstate or reengage the former employee and, also, will fail to honour the award or make arrangements to pay the worker. In this legislative session, the Ministry of Economy and Labour and Department of Labour will advance greater protections for workers in enforcing Tribunal awards.

Encouraging the Retention of Older Workers

In alignment with the Position Paper on Retaining the Local Workforce and to encourage the retention of those Bermudians over 65 who wish to continue working, the Ministry of Economy and Labour will introduce legislation to eliminate the employer’s portion of payroll tax for those Bermudian employees so retained.

In 2018, the Labour Advisory Committee produced a report entitled ‘Reviewing the Retirement Age’. The report concluded that:

Older workers should, without discrimination by reason of their age, enjoy equality of opportunity and treatment with other workers as regarding recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, working conditions and career development.

The Ministry of Economy and Labour is committed to providing benefits to businesses that retain able-bodied, capable workers beyond age 65. These changes will aim to retain the current workforce while other efforts will focus on growing the Island’s economy, creating more jobs that support an increased working population.  As “baby boomers” reach retirement age, many remain capable and able to carry out their duties with competence.

Investing in Bermuda’s Workforce

The Department of Workforce Development will continue to be the principal vehicle for equipping Bermudians with the skills and opportunities to thrive in this growing economy.

The development of skilled trades is essential for the economy’s growth, sustainability, innovation and success. Skilled trades offer a viable career path for many individuals interested in pursuing a career in a hands-on, practical field. These careers can provide a steady income, job security, and opportunities for growth and advancement.

During this Session, the Ministry of Economy and Labour will:

• expand apprenticeship opportunities in construction and skilled trades;
• expand solar energy training for electricians;
• accelerate hospitality training to meet the growing demands of the industry and;
• launch a new career development platform to close the workforce gap by developing students and job seekers and directly connecting them to employers.

Supporting Long-Serving Employees

To assist long-serving employees facing unexpected unemployment and loss of income, the Employment Act 2000 will be amended to​​ increase the maximum allowable severance pay from 26 weeks to 32 weeks for those employees in continuous employment for 13 years or more. This increase will be accompanied by a legislative amendment to remove the requirement to pay payroll tax on redundancy pay.​ This will help provide stability and fairness for employees during a time of transition.​

The Government’s commitment to taking measurable steps in support of our workforce is clearly demonstrated with these initiatives. Continued economic growth and sustainability requires ongoing engagement and undertakings of this nature. The Government and the Ministry of Economy and Labour remain committed to supporting our workers and creating a fairer Bermuda for all.

Thank you.

Minister Michael Weeks’ full statement follows below:

Good afternoon everyone.

I am happy to share with you the Ministry of National Security’s initiatives highlighted in the 2024 Speech from the Throne.

Firstly, I am pleased to announce that on Friday, I will be tabling the National Violence Reduction Strategy in the House of Assembly. This comprehensive plan is the result of extensive efforts and collaboration among various stakeholders over the past months. Recognising the multifaceted nature of violence affecting Bermuda—whether physical aggression, psychological abuse, or anti-social behaviour—we understand that a one-size-fits-all solution would not suffice.

To address this, we convened a two-day consultative workshop that brought together representatives from government agencies, private sectors, faith-based organisations, sports clubs, and community groups.

Their invaluable insights have helped to shape a strategy focused on prevention, intervention, and integration. Our mission is clear: to implement strategies that will reduce violence in Bermuda, particularly gang violence, through collaborative efforts.

This National Violence Reduction Strategy is more than a policy document; it is a commitment to create a safer Bermuda for all. It emphasises identifying root causes, promoting educational awareness, and strengthening both institutions and individuals.

We aim to protect the most vulnerable and ensure accountability for those who perpetrate violence. Importantly, the strategy focuses on redemption over punishment, offering pathways for individuals to reintegrate into society without stigma.

This includes support for relocation and opportunities for those seeking different social and economic environments.

A key component of this strategy is our youth. We believe that by steering young people away from destructive behaviours and harmful mindsets, we aim to prevent the cycle of violence from continuing into future generations. We are leveraging established programmes and interventions tailored specifically to Bermuda’s needs, promoting inclusion rather than exclusion.

Our approach involves collaboration between perpetrators and victims, fostering a community-wide commitment to peace and mutual respect.

We stand at a pivotal moment where collective action is essential. This strategy is a call to all sectors of our society—to stand together against violence in all its forms and work towards a future where peace and respect are the norms. By uniting our efforts, we can restore the sense of safety and community that previous generations cherished and that we aspire to provide for the future.

In addition to the Violence Reduction Strategy, I am excited to announce the reinstitution of the Bermuda Youth Counselling Services under the Department for National Drug Control.

Originally launched in 2002 as a standalone unit, this service provided vital outpatient counselling and case management to young people aged 10 to 18 who were at risk of drug and alcohol abuse. Over time, the programme evolved and was integrated into other services, but we have recognised the pressing need to re-establish it as a dedicated resource.

By reviving the Bermuda Youth Counselling Services, we aim to address current gaps in substance abuse treatment and counselling for adolescents.

Utilising age-appropriate interventions and treatments, we will provide targeted support to help our young people overcome challenges related to substance misuse. This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting families and individuals in need, ensuring they have access to the resources necessary for healing and growth.

Lastly, I want to emphasise that our legislative initiatives outlined in the Throne Speech will go hand-in-hand with the initiatives we outlined under the Mid-Year Budget Review.

One of our priorities, made possible by the additional funding, is the empowerment of our youth with the expansion of the ministry’s support for sporting and community clubs across the region, recognizing the critical role they play in fostering teamwork, discipline, and healthy lifestyles. By assisting where possible, the aim is to help these clubs and their youth programmes to create even more avenues for young people to get involved in constructive, community-focused activities.

For young people who may be struggling, including those involved in the Gang Violence Reduction Taskforce’s outreach programme.

We are dedicated to providing opportunities for them to advance their education and develop vocational skills. For participants nearing the end of high school, we will offer assistance to help them obtain their GEDs in the upcoming academic year. Those who meet the entrance requirements for Bermuda College will receive financial support to cover tuition, fees, books, and materials. We are also expanding training options to include apprenticeships, local certifications, and opportunities for overseas training.

In addition, we are expanding the Community Counselling Programme to offer more personalised support to those impacted by violence and trauma. Recognising the profound effects on families, children, and victims, this programme provides access to trained grief and trauma counsellors for a series of individual and group sessions. Addressing the emotional and psychological needs of those affected is crucial for promoting genuine healing and recovery within our communities. Thank you…….And now, ladies and gentlemen, I welcome my colleague the Honourable Jason Hayward, Minister of Economy and Labour to speak about the initiatives under his remit.

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