Hashtag: #ColeSimonsColumns
Column: ‘The Premier Must Govern For All’
[Column written by Opposition Leader Cole Simons] Premier Burt, the people of Bermuda want fairness and accountable leadership, as there is real tension in the community due to the perceived treatment of Bermudians during this pandemic. What they want is real equity from Government during this very stressful and difficult time. They want principled,... Read more of this article
Column: Creating A National Investment Fund
[Column written by Shadow Minister for Economic Development Cole Simons] Given the turbulent economic times in which Bermuda finds itself because of Covid-19, it is time for the Government to examine establishing a national investment fund to help insulate the economy from economic shocks and, at the same time, help to positively support Bermudians. Other... Read more of this article
Column: Cole Simons Helping Young People
[Column written by Shadow Education and Economic Development Minister Cole Simons] Let’s support our young people, by helping them get back to work. As you all can agree, the Covid 19 pandemic has really taken its toll on Bermuda’s youth unemployment. If you look at Bermuda’s 2018 workforce development survey, you will find that the unemployment... Read more of this article
Column: A Bermuda Economic Recovery Plan
[Opinion column written by Cole Simons] Like most countries around the world, Bermuda has been struck by the catastrophic impact of Covid- 19. We have seen lives lost and other lives compromised. From a health perspective, our recovery is admirable with the Pan-American Health Organization raising the Island’s country status from clusters of Covid-19... Read more of this article
Column: Continue To Excel In Education
[Opinion column written by Cole Simons] As parents, grandparents, and students, we must work collectively to ensure that we have a positive outcome during these challenging times. We all must make a contribution to ensure that the delivery of education remains as seamless as possible and that our students are positioned to continue to excel in education. In... Read more of this article
Column: We Need An Education Authority
[Column written by Shadow Education Minister Cole Simons] For too long politics has played too big a role in education, a situation that must change if our youth are to achieve their potential and reach the educational heights needed in today’s world. With that in mind, it is now clear that we desperately need an independent Education Authority. It... Read more of this article
Column: Improving Culture Of Education System
[Opinion column written by Shadow Minister of Education Cole Simons] There is a continuous debate over education – and rightly so as it is one of the biggest single issues facing Bermuda today. But improving our education system should begin and end with the quality of teaching and consistent and ongoing efforts to improve that quality. Our education... Read more of this article
Column: Education And Independent Thinking
[Opinion column written by Shadow Minister of Education Cole Simons] As a former Education Minister, and the current Shadow Minister of Education, I thought that I would share with the community some ideas I came across after reading an interesting article on education and independent thinking. It had a profound impact on me. It made good food for... Read more of this article
Column: Let’s Form A Maths Education Council
[Opinion column written by Shadow Minister of Education Cole Simons] It is with heavy heart, that I read the Minister of Education’s recent statement in regards to the performance of our students in the most recent Cambridge International Assessment for students in the Bermuda Public School System. These results are very similar to previous years’... Read more of this article
Column: ‘Bermudians Get The Highest Priority’
[Opinion column written by Acting Immigration Minister Cole Simons] As Bermudians discuss the non-renewal of Rev. Genevieve-Tweed’s work permit, I would ask them to consider three questions: 1. Should employers advertise jobs seeking qualified Bermudians before hiring non-Bermudians? 2. Should foreign nationals provide complete and accurate information... Read more of this article
Opinion: MP Cole Simons On New Airport Plans
[Opinion column written by OBA MP Cole Simons] The Opposition’s attempt to persuade Bermuda that the scheme to build a new airport is a stealthy way of selling the birthright of Bermudians to foreigners relies on three pieces of fiction. The first fiction is that we are signing over to the Canadian Commercial Corporation about a billion dollars in... Read more of this article
Opinion Column: ‘PLP, Get Back To The House’
[Opinion column written by OBA MP Cole Simons] In my years in the House of Assembly, I’ve learned a few important things about the working of our Parliament. The first is the huge responsibility MPs carry into the House each time we meet – to represent the needs and views of the people who elected us and also the people who did not. The second is... Read more of this article
Opinion: Today, The Dog Amnesty. What Next?
[Written by N.H.Cole Simons JP MP, Shadow Minister of the Environment and Energy] It is with great interest that Bermuda sits here today and watches its Government implement a six month amnesty on illegally held dogs on the Island. The amnesty is suppose to regularize those illegally bred animals already in Bermuda. It also tries to halt illegal breeding... Read more of this article
Newstead Belmont ‘Bad News for Bermuda’
[Written by Cole Simons, Shadow Tourism Minister] The takeover of the Belmont-Newstead hotel operations is bad news for Bermuda. It closes out a fully Bermudian operation. It casts doubt on the Island’s tourism viability. It raises concerns about other hotel properties and the bank’s own obligations. And it makes us wonder whether the Government... Read more of this article
Tourism: Invite Advertising Agencies to Bid
[Written by Cole Simons, Shadow Minister for Tourism] Bermuda’s tourism advertising account should be put out to tender as one way to re-boot the Island’s image and presence in the marketplace. Inviting advertising agencies to bid to win the blue chip contract can help generate ideas and energy in the promotion of Bermuda to the travelling public. This... Read more of this article
Cole Simons: A Vision for Our Beaches
[Written by Cole Simons, Shadow Minister for Tourism] The Government must develop a vision and plan for the use of our public beaches. These national treasures have become embroiled in controversy in recent years because there is no overriding vision for their use and because the ground rules are not clear. Ongoing battles over the use and development... Read more of this article
