Age Concern On Market Fairness Consulation
Age Concern Bermuda is “calling for accessibility, responsiveness and direct consumer support to remain central to Bermuda’s proposed competition and consumer-protection reforms, as the public consultation on Promoting Competition and Market Fairness in Bermuda approaches its September 15 deadline.”
A spokesperson said, “Age Concern welcomes the potential benefits of a stronger competition framework, including greater oversight of anti-competitive conduct, certain mergers and harmful business practices. The Government’s proposals also contemplate transferring non-housing Consumer Affairs functions into an expanded Competition and Regulatory Authority.
“The charity says the reforms present an opportunity to strengthen consumer protection, but cautions that stronger regulatory powers must be matched by a system that ordinary consumers can easily access and understand.”
“Age Concern is not opposed to reform. Stronger competition rules and more effective enforcement could provide important new protections for Bermuda’s consumers,” said Mercedes Pringle-DeSilva, Executive Director of Age Concern Bermuda. “Our interest is in ensuring that the new system combines regulatory strength with accessibility, responsiveness and person-centered support.”
A spokesperson added, “Age Concern is particularly encouraging Government to ensure that older adults and other consumers continue to have access to telephone, face-to-face and paper-based options alongside digital services. The organization also supports a “no wrong door” approach, so that consumers are not required to understand the boundaries between different regulatory agencies before asking for help. Where a person approaches the wrong organization, the system should actively assist with referral or transfer rather than requiring the consumer to start again.
“Other areas Age Concern believes should be considered as the new framework is developed include:
- “allowing appropriate support from family members, caregivers, advocates or authorized representatives;
- “establishing an expedited pathway for complaints involving healthcare, medication, essential services, suspected financial exploitation or serious financial hardship;
- “publishing clear acknowledgement, response, escalation and complaint-resolution timelines;
- “maintaining a distinct, visible and adequately resourced consumer-facing function within the broader regulatory structure; and
- “providing meaningful opportunities for older adults, vulnerable consumers, caregivers, charities and long-term-care stakeholders to contribute to market studies, policy development and evaluation of the new system.
“Pringle-DeSilva said the challenge is ensuring that stronger oversight of markets does not come at the expense of assistance for individuals dealing with immediate consumer problems.”
“An older person who discovers an unexplained charge, cannot obtain a promised refund or feels they have been misled is not thinking about market structure. They want to know where to call, who will listen, what their rights are and what can realistically be done.”
A spokesperson added, “Age Concern believes a stronger regulatory authority should be capable of addressing both systemic problems and the individual concerns that may reveal them.”
“The test for us is straightforward: after reform, will an older person in Bermuda find it easier to understand their rights, reach the right person and obtain meaningful assistance when they need it?” Pringle-DeSilva said. “If Bermuda can combine stronger competition regulation with accessible consumer support, the reform has the potential to improve both markets and individual outcomes.”
A spokesperson added, “Age Concern is also encouraging the public to participate in the Government’s consultation, which closes September 15, 2026. The organization believes that, given the breadth and complexity of the reforms, there may be merit in additional time or targeted engagement with older adults, caregivers, consumer advocates, charities and frontline organizations as the framework continues to develop.
“Members of the public can review the proposals and submit their own comments through the Government’s Promoting Competition and Market Fairness in Bermuda consultation forum: https://forum.gov.bm/en/projects/promoting-competition-and-market-fairness-in-bermuda
“Consultation deadline: September 15, 2026.”
