Govt Unveils ‘Affordable Bermuda Agenda’
Minister of Home Affairs Alexa Lightbourne launched the Affordable Bermuda Agenda an “initiative aimed at delivering cost of living relief for Bermudian households and businesses.”
A Government spokesperson said, “This plan marks a milestone in the ministry’s journey following months of public engagement, industry collaboration, and policy refinement, and sets the foundation for sustained affordability across key sectors.
“Following an island wide survey that captured the voices of over 2,200 residents and 270 businesses, the Ministry hosted a Cost of Living Summit where the findings and possible solutions were explored.
“The resulting Affordable Bermuda Agenda reflects a capture of the Ministry’s findings and defines its plan to address the lived realities of Bermudians. Four priority areas are addressed in the plan: imports and food security, utilities, housing, and consumer empowerment.
“Key initiatives of the Report include:
- “A modernized Landlord and Tenant Act, which is now open for public feedback on the Government’s Citizens Forum.
- “Legislative modernisation and sustainability initiatives to support household food production and reduce import costs.
- “Strengthened utility regulation and a review of Bermuda’s energy transition to ensure affordability and fairness.
- “A National Consumer Rights Campaign to empower residents with knowledge and choice.
“The Ministry signalled the completion of phase one of its efforts, which now will seek to implement and advance legislation of critical sectors. The baton now passes to the Cost of Living Commission to advance regulatory safeguards and monitor progress.
Minister Lightbourne emphasised the “collective spirit behind the Agenda,” saying, “The Affordable Bermuda Agenda represents hope. Not only in the policies it inspired but in the collective spirit it reignited. When government, industry, and community unite, not just in words, but in work, progress is not only possible; it is inevitable.”
A Government spokesperson added, “The Ministry extends its gratitude to the Cost of Living Strategy Group, the Cost of Living Commission, and industry partners including The MarketPlace, BGA, Butterfield & Vallis, Viking Foods, Dunkley’s Dairy, and Lindo’s Group for their commitment to shared sacrifice and community support.
“Immediate initiatives launched in support of the Ministry Affordable Agenda include stakeholder commitments to provide a 20% reduction on select national brands, baby formula, rice, dairy, toiletries, and cleaning supplies, secured through a partnership.
“The public is encouraged to download their copy of the Affordable Bermuda Agenda by visiting www.costofliving.gov.bm.”
OBA Statement
The Shadow Home Affairs Minister Michael Fahy said, “The Affordable Bermuda Agenda is glossy. It looks good. But it falls woefully short on tangible long-term solutions on lowering the cost of living. As to be expected, it is style over substance. The report is full of self-congratulatory introductions and summarises what we already heard at the cost-of-living summit (where $1000 was spent on a tablecloth).
“It then outlines some items that may be brought forward. Of course, the one apparent major initiative announced at the weak press conference on Thursday is 10% reduction on designated brand products from wholesalers plus 10% reduction of the same branded products by the grocers for a nine-month period.
“Now no one will kick a gift horse in the mouth. But it is worth reminding the people of Bermuda that the OBA negotiated a 10% reduction of all groceries on Wednesdays for far more than nine months! The devil in this will be in the detail. It always is. Remember, the PLP was elected in February and the discount initiative will start 1 November. So, it took nine months to come up with something so obvious. Not much progress really.
“The OBA will do better than a glossy report. We proposed more targeted electricity reductions for low-income earners. We proposed changing planning laws to allow for different building materials to lower the costs of construction. We proposed subsidised shipping costs. We suggested ways to increase our population to help spread the cost loads.
“We are flattered however that the PLP has taken a lead from our book in negotiating with grocers and wholesalers. Overall, lots of rhetoric for the Government, and slack on detail. I don’t think the many consultants in the Ministry earned their keep on this one.”
The full Affordable Bermuda Agenda follows below [PDF here]:
I mean why dont we just nationalize Belco and move to solar, wind etc right away? that would bring down the cost of living real fast
“why dont we just nationalize Belco”
Because we cannot afford to pay appropriate compensation to Algonquin for the value of BELCo.
“move to solar, wind etc right away”
Solar power is viable for several hours each day (depending on time of year and cloud cover), wind power requires wind and there are inherent issues with windmills. Neither can meet Bermuda’s demand for electricity.
“that would bring down the cost of living real fast”
How do you come to that conclusion?
While we are at it, how about some other epic wastes of money proposals various carpet baggers have brought to town?
There is the floating solar panel farm in the Little Sound. All of that metal and electricity in saltwater of all places.
There was the wave generator idea for off the South Shore. First good hurricane would trash that.
There was the tidal turbine, for a place that only gets a 3′ tide range.
A Flatts Bridge turbine is another popular alternate power source to the dreamers. They must think that it is like Niagara Falls down there. Never consider that most of the time there is very little current under the bridge or what such a device would do to marine life swimming through.
Of course there is the wind turbine farm in a place that doesn’t have enough wind to make them viable. Then there are those pesky little things called hurricanes again.
No, the ICE is here to stay for awhile yet. The only good alternative is what they run on. LNG is plentiful, cheap and clean.
What is the hold up?
Someone needs a dose of reality.
1. Not one Government official and no one from Bermuda’s environmental groups can correctly define “climate change.”
2. Bermuda has the highest electric rate in the world, #1 big time. “Green” energy will NOT lower the cost of electricity. I say again, “green” energy will NOT lower the cost of electricity.
3. Not one Government official and no one from Bermuda’s environmental groups pushing green will tell us the Estimated Consumer kWh Rate (ECkR), what the consumer will pay, for these initiatives. Why is that?
4. I am unaware of anyone in Government or from any environmental group opening their checkbook to pay for any green initiative. If they’re so passionate about green, let them put out some green and pay for what they want.
5. There is no such thing as clean power/energy.
Government doesn’t want green energy when they make a tax of $33 dollars per barrel of oil that Belco brings in. They bring in roughly 200,00 barrels every 4 months. Do the math, this is a huge revenue generate for the government that they heavily rely on so when your mad at Belco just realize they are not the only ones getting money off the oil.
The government will shift the tax and call it something else. When I inquired about that to the RA, the reply was that it is up to the Ministry of Finance to figure it out. The same applies to gas & diesel taxes when EVs reduce the need for those fuels.
But hey, 13 new EVs for the Ministers to save the planet. We should all feel good about that.
As a reminder:
1. Not one Government official and no one from Bermuda’s environmental groups can correctly define “climate change.”
2. Bermuda has the highest electric rate in the world, #1 big time. “Green” energy will NOT lower the cost of electricity. I say again, “green” energy will NOT lower the cost of electricity.
3. Not one Government official and no one from Bermuda’s environmental groups pushing green will tell us the Estimated Consumer kWh Rate (ECkR), what the consumer will pay, for these initiatives. Why is that?
4. I am unaware of anyone in Government or from any environmental group opening their checkbook to pay for any green initiative. If they’re so passionate about green, let them put out some green and pay for what they want.
5. There is no such thing as clean power/energy.
Hydro-electric generation is about as “green” as one can get, but in Bermuda almost all electricity is generated by burning heavy oil.
Something to do with the lack of waterfalls in Bermy.
We lack both waterfalls and rivers.
A wasteful expense of money to produce a glossy brochure of Governmental gibberish.
Would you prefer that they tinker with our economy?
Both are applicable