News
Historic day in Parliament as Constitutional Bills pass in the Lower House
Nassau, 07 Mar 2016 – History was made in The Bahamas today, Wednesday 2nd March, as Parliament passed four amendments to the country’s 1973 independence constitution, effectively removing the remaining vestiges of discrimination against all Bahamians from the country’s Supreme Law.
On hand for the vote were 37 of 38 parliamentarians as the Honourable member for Saint Anne’s Hubert Chipman remains ill.
A short description of the bills and the results of the parliamentary vote are as follow:
Bill #1:
This bill seeks the grant the legal right to a Bahamian woman to automatically pass on her Bahamian citizenship to her child born in a foreign country with her non Bahamian spouse just as a Bahamian male married to a non Bahamian woman currently has the legal right and privilege of doing under the current constitution. The results on the vote were 37 yes and 1 absent.
Bill #2:
This bill seeks to enable a Bahamian woman who marries a non Bahamian man to secure for her foreign husband the same access to Bahamian citizenship that a Bahamian man married to a non Bahamian woman currently enjoys under the constitution. The results on the vote were 36 yes, 1 no and 1 absent. Marco City MP the Hon. Greg Moss voted no.
Bill #3:
This bill seeks to grant to an unmarried Bahamian man the legal right to pass on his Bahamian citizenship to his child he fathered with a non Bahamian woman. Under the constitution, only an unwed Bahamian woman enjoys that legal right and privilege. The unwed male must provide proof of paternity by any method listed under the constitution. The results of the vote were 37 yes and 1 absent.
Bill #4
This bill seeks to eliminate gender discrimination by inserting the word “sex” into article 26 of the constitution to make it unconstitutional to discriminate against anyone on the basis of them being male or female. The results of the vote were 34 yes, 2 no, 1 abstain and 1 absent. Marco City MP Greg Moss and Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells both voted no while Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant abstained.
Mr. Moss suggested that if passed into law, amendment four could open the door to same sex marriage, but Marathon MP Jerome Fitzgerald rebutted, explaining that under the Bahamas’ constitution that was not possible. Mr. Fitzgerald pointed out that the Bahamas constitution defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman and that the sex of an individual is determined at birth by their genetic (or chromosomal) makeup. He also cautioned House members not to confuse “sex” with “sexual orientation” as they are entirely different.
A fifth bill that addresses paternity provisions was also passed.
In his closing remarks after the passage of the bills, Prime Minister Christie rose to his feet to commend House members for their vote and to underscore the historic significance of the occasion within the context of the rights of women to vote, a franchise granted to them in 1962, more than one half century ago.
“It has been more than fifty-three years since our women won the right to vote but they still do not have constitutional protection against discrimination based on their sex. This must be seen as abhorrent to our fundamental values. It is therefore a moral imperative of the first magnitude that we seize the opportunity to usher in a new era in our civilization – an era that will proceed on the righteous and unassailable premise that we are all equal before the law irrespective of whether we are male or female and that as what is good for one is good for the other without distinction.”
In the end, the entire constitutional reform exercise was about full equality, nothing more and nothing less argued Mr. Christie.
“At its core” continued the Prime Minister, “it is for me to say that this is what the present constitutional exercise is all about – nothing less and nothing more. Let there be full equality.”
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.
Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable
Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.
The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.
Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.
Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.
“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.
Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.
“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.
CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.
For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).
CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing
Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.
To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.
To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.
During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.
Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.
Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.
Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.
“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.
Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.
To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.
By Magnetic Media Newsroom
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship
with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.
During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.
Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.
“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.
The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.
Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space,
recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.
Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.
Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.
-
Education1 week agoTurks and Caicos Islands Students Excel at Cycle 13 WizdomCRM Regional AI Game National Awards Ceremony
-
Government1 week agoGovernment Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform
-
Government1 week agoParnell Urges Premier to Step Aside, Proposes Bipartisan Board to Guide Healthcare Transition
-
News1 week agoPlanning for Tomorrow: Why Sustainable Communities Begin with Good Planning
-
Bahamas News1 week agoCaught in the Net, Not Accused of Wrongdoing
-
Bahamas News2 days agoCaribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week
-
Bahamas News2 days agoCWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails