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Our Accomplishments

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

  • Partnered with the EEZ in North Hamilton to promote the ‘Shop Local’ initiatives to benefit our local businesses
  • Pursued ‘Job Makers’ policies to maximise opportunities for skilled entrepreneurs to build strong businesses, employing Bermudians.
  • Successfully signed over two dozen Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEA’s)
  • Extended the Payroll Tax Relief Scheme for Apprenticeships to encourage business growth
  • Extended Payroll Tax Relief to the Hotels and Restaurants to foster opportunities for businesses to reduce expenses, maintain jobs and investment in Bermuda
  • In 2011 we announced Payroll Tax roll-backs to 14%
  • In 2011 we announced similar 2% rollbacks in the majority of other payroll tax categories
  • In 2011 we announced that the maximum Payroll Tax recoverable from employees was reduced from 5.75% to 5.25%
  • In 2011 we announced additional Customs Duty relief on Capital Goods in specified sectors all designed to reduce expenses for businesses, stimulate investment and retention of jobs in Bermuda
  • Opened the new London Office to promote business development and tourism
  • Deferred Customs Duty for retailers for up to 3 months to aid their cash flow in recessionary period
  • Signed new pre-clearance agreement with the United States Department of Homeland Security for private planes
  • Waived of Stamp Duties for first time home buyers on properties under $750,000.00
  • Waived the fee for businesses to operate on Sundays
  • Created a home buyer tax credit worth up to $24,000 in closing cost assistance in helping Bermudians to purchase their first home
  • Established the Economic Round Table which brought key business partners and organisations together to share ideas about what is best for Bermuda

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

  • Commissioned the Mincy Report on young people and are now implementing the recommendations
  • Established the High Risk Adolescent Intervention Team to effectively deal with youth and family issues
  • Established the New War Memorial in the Cabinet grounds to honour those who served to protect our freedom
  • Created the memorial for those Lost at Sea
  • Developed the Mirrors programme for our young people
  • Made Day Care for our young children more affordable; more than 425 families benefitted
  • Ensured that the local media implemented their own Media Council to better serve our community
  • Maintained the status of National Heroes Day and selected new National heroes that cross racial, social and political boundaries
  • Enacted the Parental Responsibility Act
  • Created the Cultural Legacy Fund
  • Created the Women’s Council

CULTURE

  • Developed a National Cultural Heritage Policy Document
  • Named Dame Lois Browne-Evans as the Island’s first National Hero
  • Named Sir Henry Tucker, Dr E.F. Gordon and Dr Pauulu Kamarakafego as additional National Heroes in 2011
  • Supported the Annual Dr Pauulu Kamarakafego Memorial lecture series
  • Completed a draft Artillery Action Plan detailing the restoration of Bermuda’s unique collection of artillery pieces
  • Restored Fort George, Fort St. Catherine, St. David’s Battery and the Martello Tower, St. George’s
  • Successfully held the 400th Island Anniversary celebrations
  • Promoted the Emancipation Day celebrations
  • Dedicated the Sally Bassett Sculpture in the Cabinet Grounds
  • Passed legislation to reduce the practice of property ‘fronting’ thus preserving land and homes for Bermudians

JOBS & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

  • Introduced new Economic Empowerment Zones in the east and west
  • To encourage the hiring of more apprentices, implemented the Payroll Tax Relief Training Scheme for apprentices
  • Used the $1.15M Unemployment Fund to re-train and re-skill unemployed Bermudians
  • Created the Jobs Corp programme targeted at young people
  • Hired young people to work under skilled tradesmen to work on restoring historic buildings and properties
  • Grasped the seriousness of the unemployment situation and took the initiative to prepare Bermuda’s first-ever Unemployment Register
  • Consistently ensured that young Bermudians were proud recipients of the late Hon. David H. Allen Internship programme awards
  • Supported Bermudian recipients of the Technology Internship Programme
  • Changed the Immigration policies in many job categories to put Bermudians first and denial of work permits to foreign workers
  • Established the National Training Board skills assessment programme
  • Established the Hustle Truck Programme to assist casual workers to become more skilled and active participants in the island workforce
  • Created the Economic Round Table – to bring key stakeholders together to determine areas for job growth
  • Established the Railway Trail Training Initiative
  • Started the Woodshop Training Programme
  • Announced new scholarships for mature students/employees working in Government

EDUCATION

  • Created the Public School System Strategic Plan for the years 2010 – 2015
  • Introduced the concept of licensed teachers to raise overall standards
  • Introduced free education at the Bermuda College
  • Established the “Jump Start” program for aspiring young Bermudians
  • Created a new Commissioner of Education and revitalised Board of Education
  • Increased the financial value of scholarships awarded by the Bermuda Government
  • Established a partnership with the University of West Indies allowing at least 5 Bermudians to attend with an 80% tuition reduction during the 2011- 2012 academic year.
  • Partnered with Capital G Bank in the launch of public school scholarships
  • Introduced the Technology Leadership Forum Internship Programme
  • Introduced scholarship programmes in the Bermuda Police Service and HM Customs whereby mature, working adults can enhance their educationthrough subsidised support
  • Enrolment in the Bermuda College increased by 25% after the fees were lowered or eliminated
  • Announced 12 winners of the Dr. Barbara Ball Scholarships for studies in the field of health
  • Reduced class sizes in Primary 1-3 to increase attention to each student
  • Completed the first class Berkeley Institute School – for today’s students and for future generations of students
  • Endorsed the plan to make the Bermuda College a full service community college
  • Increased the value of Teacher Training Awards
  • Introduced School Support Rules to assist parents to support their children
  • Established a partnership with the Institute of Talented Teachers to maximise the potential of our academically gifted students
  • Orchestrated a National Literacy Campaign for students
  • Provided attendance officers for each public school
  • Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Holland College, Prince Edward Island, Canada so that more Bermudians can be educated overseas
  • Created the Aspiring Leadership Course to develop future leaders in education
  • Introduced Technical Certification in the public high schools
  • Developed the National Certification programme for selected skilled trades
  • Provided teacher and principal training through the Lead ‘n Learn group
  • Introduced more Bermuda-centered cultural education
  • Introduced a new S4 Citizenship Course

ENERGY

  • Introduced an Energy Green Paper and Energy White Paper to provide a policy framework to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels
  • Established an Energy Rebate Programme to residents who install ‘green energy’ hardware
  • Made changes to the Planning laws to make it easier for our citizens to install green energy at their homes
  • Established the Energy Commission
  • Eliminated import duties on complete solar hot water systems
  • Provided up to $1500 in rebates for qualifying solar hot water systems
  • Eliminated import duties on solar photovoltaic systems
  • Provided up to $5,000 in rebates for qualifying solar photovoltaic systems
  • Eliminated import duties on wind turbines

ENVIRONMENT

  • Established the Sustainable Development Unit bringing sustainable development policy to the centre of Government
  • Enacted new legislation specific to protecting the marine ecosystems
  • Implemented new waste haulier licensing requirements
  • Created the Salt Marsh Restoration & Boardwalk at the new Cooper’s Island Nature reserve for all Bermudians and visitors to enjoy
  • Catered to over 100,000 visitors to the Annual Exhibition in the past five years.
  • Installed interpretive signage on the Railway Trail National Park
  • Re-designed the formal garden at the Botanical Gardens
  • Initiated the Fisheries Warden hotline 705-FISH to protect fisheries
  • Strengthened Fisheries Regulations to preserve our fish stocks
  • Continued to implement the recommendations of the Fisheries White Paper
  • Passed legislation to stronger enforce our Littering laws
  • Provided financial support to non-governmental organisations with their campaigns to preserve open spaces such as Buy Back Bermuda
  • Drafted an Agricultural Policy for the Island
  • Prohibited certain non biodegradable products from being imported to the island
  • Worked with Ministry partners to devise broader conservation management policies for both public and private landholdings
  • Built a new Recycling facility for the island (Public Works)
  • Instituted mandatory threshold standards on vehicle emissions
  • Developed a new Bermuda Plan
  • Introduced the Environmental Awards programme
  • Expanded the water treatment facilities at both ends of the Island

GOVERNMENT REFORM & ACCOUNTABILITY

  • Commissioned a Civil Service review to ensure that Bermuda is receiving the most effective and efficient service
  • Implemented new rules for the issues of contracts to private companies increasing the transparency of the tendering process
  • Enacted a new travel policy to reduce travel budgets
  • Created the Office of Project Management and Procurement
  • Created the independent Ombudsman’s office
  • Provided funding so that the independent Ombudsman’s Office can obtain independent legal advice when required
  • Proceeded with Municipalities reform to increase the voter’s rights in how the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George’s are run
  • Introduced the Public Access to Information (PATI) Legislation
  • Established the Bermuda Monetary Authority as an independent Authority
  • Ensured that contracts awarded by Cabinet are fully disclosed in the Official Gazette
  • Reviewed the anti-corruption legislation and proposed the Good Governance Act, 2011.

HEALTH

  • Embarked on comprehensive review of the Health Care system in Bermuda
  • Prepared a National Health Plan
  • Improved health care for all
  • Improved health care choices for Seniors
  • Empowered those with disabilities
  • Introduced Phase One of Future Care
  • Opened the Lamb-Foggo Urgent Care Centre in St. David’s
  • Commenced work on the new state of the art Hospital complex, the largest public private partnership in Bermuda’s history
  • Constructed the Sylvia Richardson health care facility in St. George’s
  • Expanded the Health Insurance Programme (HIP) to include dental care and additional benefits
  • Opened the Women’s Treatment Centre for females recovering from drug addiction
  • Established a unique healthcare partnership with quality hospitals in the United States
  • Enacted anti-smoking laws in public places
  • Established the Bermuda Health Council
  • Completed the Rockaway Seniors Housing
  • Initiated a Food Label Literacy Campaign
  • Developed a Nursing Education Pathways programme to encourage Bermudians into the profession
  • Proudly announced the appointment of Bermudian Dr Chantelle Simmons as the first Bermudian Chief of Psychiatry at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute
  • Launched a guaranteed income scheme for 10 Bermudian doctors
  • Initiated a repatriation of physician’s initiative. The Bermuda Hospitals Board gives Bermudian doctors who are practising overseas assistance with moving their practice to Bermuda
  • Continued to grant Bermuda Hospitals Board Scholarships to inspire Bermudians to enter the health care business
  • Supported the Nursing Council Scholarships to inspire Bermudians into the nursing profession
  • Completed a Mental Health Strategy to drive policy, treatment and resource decisions
  • Established a medical agreement with Howard University and Bermuda
  • Created the first Cardiac Prevention & Rehabilitation Centre

HOUSING

  • 78 new housing units at the Grand Atlantic, Warwick
  • 96 new housing units at Loughlands, Paget
  • 86 new housing units at Harbour View, Southside
  • 38 new housing units at Perimeter Lane, Pembroke
  • The implementation of ‘rent geared to income housing’ for over 300 families
  • Housed over 800 Bermudians through the Bermuda Housing Corporation
  • Ensured the Bermuda Housing Corporation received a clean bill of financial health through successive reviews by the Auditor General
  • The purchase of the Harmony Club in Paget to add to the housing stock for Police Officers
  • Provided more helping programmes provided to BHC tenants to assist families with developing sustainable  skills in budgeting, home maintenance to be successful tenants and home owners

JUSTICE

  • Modernised the Legal Aid Scheme
  • Created the Witness protection Unit to protect vulnerable witnesses
  • Enacted the Jurors Amendment Act to increase the numbers of potential jurors for trials
  • Implemented the Police and Criminal Evidence Act

NATIONAL SECURITY & PUBLIC SAFETY

  • Stricter penalties for Firearms offences
  • Stricter Bail Act provisions
  • Electronic Monitoring for those on bail
  • Witness Protection for those witnesses who require it
  • A new Inter-Agency Gang Task Force
  • A new Ministry structure to better co-ordinate the important border control work
  • New amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act powers to confiscate assets which were obtained through the commission of criminal acts
  • A new Financial Intelligence Agency
  • Our authorities were responsible for the confiscation of $22 million in assets from a company which committed offences against our laws
  • New Southside Police Station
  • New Hamilton Police Station
  • Newly renovated St. George’s Police Station
  • The new Ministry of National Security to demonstrate our commitment to security
  • A new second Police Support Unit to tackle community problem areas
  • More targeting of the ‘big players’ in the drugs and organized crime world
  • An inspection of the Bermuda Police Service to improve performance

OUR INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Committed government resources to the improvement of Health Care facilities such as a new acute care hospital and new regional clinics
  • Developed a New Hospital Master Plan where work is now underway
  • Refurbished our waste management facility at Tynes Bay
  • Added additional reverse osmosis systems throughout the island to increase water supply
  • Upgraded Waste Treatment facilities to better manage the handling of liquid waste
  • Commissioned studies and plans for the eventual replacement of the more than 100-year old Causeway
  • Completed major road improvements and sidewalk repairs at Middle Road, Warwick; Pender Road in Sandy’s; South Road, Southampton and at Blue hole Hill, Hamilton Parish
  • Discuss with private sector stakeholders ideas on advancing our technology infrastructure such as island wide wireless capability and ‘fibre to the home’

SENIORS

  • Eliminated the Driver’s Licence fees for our seniors 65 and older
  • Eliminated the Vehicle registration fees for seniors 65 and older
  • Reduced the price of prescription drugs by allowing quality generic drugs to be imported
  • Increased the pensions payable to our seniors ten times since 2002 with the most recent increase in 2011
  • Enacted the Seniors Abuse Register Act
  • Hosted the national Conference on Ageing
  • Established the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged
  • Completed the Rockaway Seniors facility for over 100 seniors
  • Added prescription drug benefits
  • Established mandatory licensing and standards for all elder care facilities
  • Eliminated a long standing policy of discrimination against Bermuda’s War Veterans

SPORTS

  • Supported the Island’s hosting of the CARIFTA Games in 2012
  • Supported the Island’s hosting of the Island Games in 2013
  • Continued to fund the National Sports Centre with the on-going construction of the internationally-certified Aquatics Centre
  • Installed new fitness equipment at Shelly Bay
  • Installed a new fitness trail at the Arboretum
  • Installed new playground equipment at the Dark Bottom Playground, Cove Valley, St. David’s
  • Pledged significant funding for two of our National Sports, Cricket and Soccer
  • Passed the Anti Doping in Sports Act, 2011

TELECOMMUNICATIONS & E-COMMERCE

  • Continued to discuss with telecommunication operators the direction of telecommunications reform
  • Carefully responded to changes in the telecommunications market ensuring they enhance and strengthen our telecommunications environment
  • Supported activities that encourage competition 
  • Supported technology apprenticeship development programmes
  • Supported all efforts by providers to provide greater choice to consumers
  • Supported Technology Week

TOURISM

  • Completed a Tourism Master Plan
  • Stimulated the new hotel development at Tucker’s Point and Newstead
  • Passed the Morgan’s Point Resort Act and completed the Southlands Land swap
  • Passed the Park Hyatt Resort Act
  • Developed the Heritage Wharf in Dockyard for the berthing of larger cruise ships to boost Bermuda’s Tourism industry
  • Completed the Port Royal Golf Course re-development
  • Introduced the highly successful PGA Grand Slam of Golf to Bermuda
  • Introduced new airlines servicing Bermuda: Westjet. JetBlue, AirTran
  • Introduced the new ‘Yacht Policy’ allowing visiting yachtsmen and crew up to 90 days to visit our Island
  • Introduced the ‘Bermuda Nights’ entertainment
  • Employed students and Seniors as Tourism Ambassadors
  • Assisted with the opening of the Newstead development with Customs duty relief
  • Launched the ‘Feel the Love for the New York Mets’ tourism promotion
  • Permitted larger cruise ships at the new Heritage Wharf, Dockyard
  • Established a ‘Tourism in Schools Programme’ to heighten the awareness of Tourism in our schools and promote it as an industry of opportunity
  • Reorganised Bermuda’s overseas Tourism promotion offices
  • Partnered with international cruise lines to sponsor Bermudians training in the industry
  • Passed the legislation allowing Rosewood – Tucker’s Point to expand
  • There are more Bermudians being trained in leadership through the Fairmont Hotels now than in 2007
  • Created the Tourism Fund

TRANSPORTATION

  • Developed a National Transportation Management Plan
  • Set up the Taxi Authority review Committee to garner more input from the taxi industry
  • Implemented more flexible ferry service schedules
  • Revolutionised water transport with the introduction of fast ferries
  • Increased the number of concessions and duty free shopping opportunities at the LF Wade International Airport
  • Reduced landing fees for aircraft
  • Modernised the Fire & Rescue services at the Airport
  • Reduced the average age of the bus fleet
  • Improved the St David’s bus service
  • Completed the new TCD operational and emissions testing centre
  • Reduced TCD waiting times and made the annual licensing regime electronic and far more user friendly
  • Implemented free public bus transportation for all students
  • Successfully implemented the Electronic Vehicle registration
  • Completed the $18 million runway re-surfacing project on time and under budget
  • Expanded Project Ride to better prepare young riders for the road
  • Encouraged entrepreneurship by expanding the mini bus services
  • Improved the Bermuda Aircraft registry to improve our international standing and reputation

YOUTH

  • Increased the resources contained within the High Risk Intervention Unit
  • Commenced implementation of the important Mincy Report on young black males
  • Renovated the Shelly Bay Playground for our young people
  • Established the pilot Youth Apprenticeship Scheme to restore historic, listed buildings.
  • Expanded the ‘Healthy Schools’ programme
  • Modernised the Adoption Act to better protect the interests of our young people
  • Grant support to many existing youth programmes
  • Grant support to many existing youth sports programmes
  • Created Job Corps