The CMIT Programme includes housing as a benefit of the programme. The goal of CMIT is to transition families from a level of dependence towards independence of the Government system via intensive supportive services. Over the course of the coming year, CMIT will continue to employ strategies that move clients towards self sufficiency.

During the course of 2007/08 the Department for National Drug Control will be addressing the public need for an increase in residential bed capacity for substance abuse treatment. Three facilities will be brought online to provide both residential and transitional beds that will increase treatment bed capacity from 38 to 46 and transitional beds from 26 to 45. The total capacity reflects the collaboration between public and private sector agencies in the provision of treatment beds.

The Ministry of Social Rehabilitation has contracted with Uncommon Results Inc. to provide their signature programme to young people between the ages of 13 and 21 in Bermuda. The Bermuda-customised programme will be branded as ‘Mirrors’. Over the last 10 years, Uncommon Results Inc. has been invited to work with young offenders in many American cities, in the United Kingdom and in Sweden and the Netherlands.

Highly trained course leaders who are supported by a team of skilled and dedicated professionals work with the young people to help them work towards a higher sense of self-worth and self-esteem. The young people emerge from the programme with an understanding of which of their beliefs, values and principles are best suited to enabling them to achieve what they really want in life through their participation in their community. A sum of $500,000 has been earmarked for this programme.Environment, Telecommunications and E-CommerceThe Ministry of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce is provided with a budget of $38 million. The Ministry plans to introduce an Agricultural and Educational Outreach Programme in 2007/08. The aim of this programme is to link senior secondary school students with established local farms through an outreach activity that exposes them to traditional farming practices in Bermuda. In order to preserve remaining agricultural land in Bermuda, it is important to get our young people interested and engaged in farming so that they value agricultural land and work towards the productive use of such land to assist in meeting our food supply needs.

Similarly, a Fishing Apprenticeship Scheme will be introduced. As commercial fishermen approach the age of retirement, Government has seen the need for a succession plan whereby the fishing industry survives as an important commercial and cultural undertaking in Bermuda. The Ministry of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce will seek to expose more young people to the art of fishing by creating opportunities for them to become apprenticed to experienced commercial fishermen.

The availability of trained fishermen will be critically important as we look towards establishment of an offshore fishing industry within our Exclusive Economic Zone. In fact, the Ministry commenced an exploratory fishing project in early February 2007.

Encouraging Bermudian ownership and employment in telecommunications industry is a major focus of the Ministry of the Environment, Telecommunications and ECommerce.

Recent technology advances and convergence of services are driving a need for telecommunications industry reform. The objective is to achieve an optimal balance whereby Bermuda has a sound telecommunications regulatory framework that facilitates innovation and competition, ensures that Bermuda stays ahead of its competitors in support of Bermuda’s important international business sector, and also ensures that Bermudians continue to benefit from leading edge communications services at reasonable prices. In the coming year, the Ministry will develop new telecommunications legislation taking into account Bermuda’s unique market conditions and based on consultation with both telecommunications providers and users.

Mr. Speaker, another key initiative of the Ministry of the Environment, Telecommunications and E-Commerce is to develop a satellite services industry in Bermuda. One component of this initiative is the creation of an earth station facility for telemetry, tracking and control of satellites. The installation of a physical satellite earth station facility in Bermuda would be attractive for companies with an interest in North American and European satellite networks. In that regard, there may be an opportunity to issue and manage multiple virtual satellite licences associated with a single earth station facility.

In partnership with the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation the Ministry is facilitating opportunities for IT and internet access in the Economic Empowerment Zone in North Hamilton. An important part of the initiative is establishing a pilot programme to deliver basic e-literacy to persons who are not familiar with modern computer technology. The pilot is intended to help assure that persons and businesses in the Zone are not left behind in the digital economy.

Funding is also provided for the continuation of the Community Areas Programme whose purpose is to identify, design and implement neighbourhood improvement plans in cooperation with local residents and community leaders. Recent successes include Olive Bank Community Park near Khyber Pass in Warwick and the installation of park amenities in Harlem Heights in Hamilton Parish. Work is scheduled to begin on two more neighbourhood projects in 2007/08, namely, Ladies Chambers and Pig’s Field.JusticeThe Ministry of Justice is provided with a budget of $23 million. The Ministry will continue its focus on training programmes aimed at preparing young Bermudian lawyers for leadership roles in the local judiciary including the Attorney-General’s Chambers and the Department of Public Prosecutions.

Pupils obtain well rounded training by rotating through various Ministry Departments including the Department of Public Prosecutions, the Legal Aid Office and the Attorney General’s Chambers. In addition, two Junior Parliamentary Counsels will embark on a three month overseas placement with the Canadian Government.

There is also a computerisation project for Court Administration functions scheduled for 2007/08. Once completed, it will facilitate the effective and efficient court case management and administration, including warrants and payments tracking.

There will be a continued focus on improvements to Legal Aid. The Ministry of Justice has established a Public Defenders Office and Legal Aid Clinics. The creation of east and west end legal facilities will ensure equal access and representation to all those in need.

The Attorney General and Minster of Justice will begin the process of implementing the protocol and Codes of Practice necessary to bring into effect the operation of the PACE legislation.

There is also provision in the Ministry’s 2007/08 budget for the resourcing of the proposed Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA). The FIA will provide a clearing-house function for dealing with reports of suspicious financial transactions.Labour and Immigration The Ministry of Labour and Immigration is provided with a budget of $15 million.

A fundamental aspect of Government’s social policy is the provision of strategies and programmes that ensure that Bermudians have every opportunity to participate as equal partners in the workplace. It is unacceptable that there are significant numbers of Bermudians, primarily young black Bermudians, who seem to have opted out of the work place.

The Workforce Development Task Force is expecting to finalise its report and recommendations in April 2007. Government is keen to take the initiative forward in 2007/08. Preliminary recommendations include improved career decision making, literacy improvements, a one-stop centre involving training and employment and a 39 training needs analysis. It is anticipated that the complete programme will feature an interconnected series of activities that will prepare people for their first job, a new job or a better job.

It is Government’s expectation, therefore, that successful implementation of the workforce development initiative will have significant short-term and long-term rewards for our community — above all, the establishment of a Bermudian workforce system that meets the needs of the economy and ensures equal opportunities for all Bermudians.

The Department of Labour and Training will launch another important initiative in 2007/08, namely, a 14-week Paid Internship Programme to enable our young people to gain entry level jobs in the construction and hospitality industries and other fields of opportunity. It is believed that this kind of programme will enhance the likelihood that more and more of our young people will be attracted to these two most important areas of our economy.

Also, the Department of Labour and Training, working in collaboration with the Department of Education, the National Training Board and CURE, is developing a Register of Overseas Students. Employers will be able to access this Register to determine which professional and technical areas Bermudians are pursuing.

The Register will be used by the Department of Immigration which works to ensure that suitably qualified Bermudians are given the first opportunity for jobs in Bermuda.

The Department of Immigration will use its proposed budget to continue its focus on the improvement and delivery of services to its customers.

The Department of Immigration will see the completion of its computerisation programme that is expected to result in enhanced effectiveness in a number of areas.

The following initiatives will be introduced in 2007/08: Fast Pass that will speed 40 up the processing of Bermudians upon arrival at the airport; on-line application for work permits; the issuance of user-friendly credit card sized work permits; and a new application system that will speed up the processing time for passports, applications for Bermudian status, etc. and land licences; and a Border Management System that will result in speedier, more accurate and therefore more efficient processing of arriving passengers at the Island’s ports.Community and Cultural Affairs The Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs is provided with a budget of $13 million.

The funding will support many exciting programmes and provide support for a coordinating function in support of Ministry-wide initiatives in recognition of 2007 as the Year of the Family, which will be ushered in under the auspices of the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs. The Ministry will invite primary collaboration from its Parish Council partners and the Department of Child and Family Services to coordinate activities that honour families, stimulate and inspire community involvement, and reignite the importance of family.

Mr. Speaker, as a cross-Ministry, Government-wide initiative, each Ministry will be responsible for developing and commemorating the Year of the Family. Wellness, sports, culture, heritage, and the diversities of families are themes that underpin this initiative.

The aim of the Ministry is to promote social cohesion and racial harmony by participation in community activities and working at the local level with clubs and parish councils to promote effective networking strategies at the grassroots level. We are promoting our cultural aspects as well as seeking to promote family development.

In April 2007, the Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) will host Bermuda’s first National Multi-Ethnic Festival. The Festival celebrates the multi-racial and multiple ethnicities of Bermuda through art, culture, dance, music and film. The Festival features 41 the extraordinary offerings and potential of the Economic Empowerment Zone, where the festival will be held. This project is designed to promote good relations between racial groups in Bermuda by bringing together Bermuda’s vast and diverse residents.

In cooperation with the Community Centres, the Bermuda National Library plans to provide satellite libraries that are targeted to area users, particularly at the East and West ends of the Island. For example, the Springfield Community Centre may cater more to seniors; while the Boaz Island and St. George’s Community Centres could cater for teens and families with young children.

The Bermuda National Library will also introduce a Home Delivery Book Service for seniors and those persons who are shut-in. Government wishes to acknowledge with thanks a donation by the Stempel Foundation towards the purchase of a van that will be used for the new home delivery service.

The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs will be launching the North Hamilton Train Tours in May 2007. The Train Tours will tell the story of the development of black businesses during the segregated periods of the early to mid 1900s; highlighting key residential and business areas which helped to serve every basic need of the surrounding neighbourhoods at that time. As well many significant black Bermudians, associated with the development of the North Hamilton area, will be featured in the commentaries, thereby bringing attention to the roles that they each played in the development of North Hamilton.

Through the National Office for Seniors and the Physically Challenged, an all-inclusive Access Awareness Initiative will inform all persons with disabilities of the services available to them through Government and the private sector. An exposition on services and resources will be open to all members of the public. Collaboration with the Lahey Clinic’s Department of Gerontology and Geriatric Care will ensure that seniors have access to the best medical care possible through their primary care physicians in consultation with Lahey Clinic.

The Department released the calendar, Cultural Connections 2007: Folklife in Bermuda with the publication of 1,500 copies in October 2006. Public response to the calendar has been overwhelming.

The Hands On Youth Outreach Programme is another initiative within the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs that continues to achieve positive results and will continue as a programme in 2007/08. This programme is designed to motivate, stimulate and expose Middle and Senior school students (both male and female); and assist in the development of life skills needed as they transition from adolescents to adulthood. This project began in 2003 and to date, over 500 students have completed the programme.

The Department is coordinating plans for Bermuda’s participation in the Virginia International Tattoo in 2007. Bermuda will have cross-Ministry representation through performances by the Bermuda Regiment, the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band, Portuguese Dancers and H&H Gombey Dancers at the event held in Norfolk, Virginia from April 20 to 22, 2007.

Non-Ministry Departments The total allocation of funds for non-Ministry Departments including the Office of the Auditor-General, the Public Service Commission, the Parliamentary Registrar, the Ombudsman’s Office and Government House in 2007/08 is some $6 million.CAPITAL EXPENDITURE 2007/08 Mr. Speaker, as I stated earlier, the capital component of the National Budget for 2007/08 is $141 million. Of this amount, $102 million, or 72 per cent, is for the continuation or the completion of existing projects that are underway.

New projects have not been added to the plan unless there was more than a reasonable chance of starting the project in 2007/08. The spending profile for included projects has also been refined to reflect the value of work that was reasonably expected to be put 43 in place during the year. As a result, the anticipated spending on projects in the Capital Expenditure Plan for 2007/08 was reduced from an initial sum of $220 million to $141 million.

Work on the new Hamilton Police Station and Courts is due to begin in June 2007.

Similarly, work on the runways and aprons at the Bermuda International Airport will continue throughout 2007/08.

Of the $41 million in new projects, nearly one-half of that allocation or $20 million is for a second cruise ship pier at the Royal Naval Dockyard. The new dock will be able to accommodate the larger vessels that have become the standard in the cruise industry. In addition, following the discovery and remediation of air quality issues at CedarBridge Academy, Government has included funding of $1.5 million for a phased programme of testing, cleaning and remediation for all other public schools including pre-schools in 2007/08.

Other projects in the plan for the first time include renovations to the Pembroke Rest Home and an allocation to begin restoration work on Bermuda’s public golf courses beginning with the Port Royal Golf Course.

Mr. Speaker, the combined total of the current and capital components of the 2007/08 National Budget is $1.025 billion. With estimated revenue of $917 million and cash in hand of $20 million, the projected borrowing requirement in 2007/08 is $89 million all of which will be used to finance the unfunded elements of the capital budget, namely, the investment in hard assets represented by schools, facilities for seniors, infrastructure work, government buildings and vehicles and equipment.

Given the strategic linkages that the Ministry with responsibility for housing has forged with the private sector it was thought neither necessary nor prudent at this stage to set aside the initial level of funding for housing that was originally anticipated given that the Minister has been able to effectively leverage monies received from the public purse in public-private partnerships with private sector developers in order to minimise the upfront capital expenditure required from the Government.

Mr. Speaker, further it should be noted that a housing bond may be floated by the Bermuda Housing Corporation so that the wider Bermuda public can invest by subscription to the bond.Conclusion Mr. Speaker, let me conclude by restating that Bermuda is in a good place economically.

Government’s record of sound economic management continues and the outlook for 2007 is positive.

As a community, most of us have done well.

As Government we want more for our community and more from our community.

We want better results from our public school system.

We want closer alignment from corporate Bermuda to Government’s workforce objectives with respect to advancement of Bermudians.

We want improved care for our seniors.

We want more effective law enforcement and better results from programme interventions with offenders in our Corrections facilities.

We want our corporate partners to raise the bar in the realm of social responsibility.

We want greater community involvement in positive social programmes designed to assist our youth.

Government is intent on doing better so that the people of Bermuda will benefit. The budget judgments in 2007/08 will help to enhance the welfare and well being of our people by distributing the economic rewards in a fair and equitable manner such that these key policy priorities are advanced.

Government’s role is to make Bermuda a world-class jurisdiction on all fronts. We want social and racial harmony, a sense of community. We want to be inviting as a place where socio-economic and racial and ethnic differences do not threaten our social fabric. We want to see equity and social justice for all. We want to have an honest dialogue on race and a commitment to wide-reaching reforms to improve the life of the people of Bermuda. We acknowledge that across the board even more has to be done to economically empower our people and businesses.

We intend to make this happen. We intend to continue to build on past success and current success so there is a legacy of leadership and a commitment to social justice and equity.

We have confidence in the future.

‘We want more for our community and more from our community’