A “discussion” document or Green Paper on full Caricom membership for Bermuda is to be made public in the first quarter of 2026.

The update came from Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs, in response to questions in the House of Assembly from Michael Fahy, the shadow minister.

Details were scant on what level of movement would be permitted if Bermuda, which is an associate member of the group, went to full membership.

Mr Fahy also asked whether there had been “any preliminary work in reaching out to potential stakeholders such as international business that could assist in the publication”.

Ms Lightbourne said the ministry has been “consistent with the response, that is, to confirm the ministry, upon receipt of the draft membership agreement, will review it — and based on the contents and components included, that will form the basis of a discussion paper and the subsequent consultation”.

When Mr Fahy asked whether her response meant “no”, the minister said she would restate her responses as applicable.

He then asked for the circumstances under which the Government would consent to the free movement of nationals of Caricom states to Bermuda.

Ms Lightbourne said that since free movement did not exist, “accordingly it is not contemplated that such a provision would be included in Bermuda’s Caricom membership negotiations”.

The One Bermuda Alliance MP said that under the Treaty of Chaguaramas, it was the goal of Caricom members to engage in free movement.

He added: “Which, despite what some may say, can be a very good thing for Bermuda — let’s make that clear.”

Mr Fahy said that during the last meeting of Caricom heads of state, there were now four states seeking “the free movement of persons”: Barbados, Belize, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, and Dominica.

He then asked under what circumstances the Government “would accept that the free movement of persons is beneficial to Bermuda”.

Ms Lightbourne said the contents of the draft membership agreement and the provisions to include free movement would “not be explicitly as presented, and so that’s why my response is that it does not exist”.

“But there are skilled labour and other categories which would include stress-free travel for those that would wish to visit other Caricom states for leisure,” she added.

“So those are the types of things that are included in the CSME [Caribbean Single Market and Economy].”

Mr Fahy pressed with the query, noting that Barbados was seeking roughly 100,000 additional workers to boost its economy and that the Bermuda Government was seeking more than 8,000 additional workers.

Ms Lightbourne said Bermuda would have “similar negotiation that will be appropriate once the draft membership agreement has been shared with the secretariat”.

In response to the shadow minister’s query whether full membership would be “put to the people of Bermuda via referendum”, Ms Lightbourne told the House that “any decision related to Caricom membership will include meaningful public engagement and brought to this honourable House”.

Asked whether her reply indicated it would not, Ms Lightbourne repeated the response, to which Mr Fahy said: “I think the minister has made the position clear of ‘no’.”