News

PM Christie Remarks at at ‘Yes’ Bahamas Campaign Referendum Launch

Published

10 years ago

June 6, 2016

Remarks by The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie Prime Minister Commonwealth of The Bahamas at the Launch of the YES Bahamas Campaign “Equal Rights for our Sons and Daughters” on Sunday, April 10, 2016 Harry C. Moore Library College of The Bahamas:

It is my very great pleasure to be here today in order to welcome — with excitement and with gratitude — Lady Sharon Wilson and Lynn Holowesko, as the official Co-Chairs of the YES Bahamas Campaign.

I look out at this room and I see people from all of the nation’s political parties, happy and excited to work together in service of this great cause – and it underscores for me the importance of what is at stake. All of us here today are in full agreement that some things are bigger than politics – equal rights for our sons and daughters certainly meets that standard.

Although he couldn’t be here today, I want to thank the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, Dr. Minnis, for his unquestionable commitment to equal rights for Bahamian citizens. He has worked with the Constitutional Commission, he and I have sat with church leaders, and he worked with me to recruit the very impressive Co-Chairs we are introducing today. I thank him for his resolve and his determination.

He and I agree that the YES Bahamas Campaign must be one that brings Bahamians together. Already, so many people have asked how they can help – we have heard from students and teachers, mothers and fathers, leaders in the church, artists and athletes, Bahamians from across our islands.

The YES Bahamas Campaign will bring people together in common cause, and the Co-Chairs who will run the campaign will bring their very considerable determination, experience, and energy to this historic movement for change.

Lady Sharon Wilson has been a teacher and a Chief Magistrate, runs one of the nation’s leading law firms, and is currently serving as President of the Senate. She is active in her church, the recipient of awards too numerous to list here today, a member of multiple boards, and known for her considerable philanthropic and charitable work.

Mrs. Lynn Holowesko has served as a Senator and as President of the Senate, Chaired both the Bahamas Environment, Science and Technology Commission and the National Trust, Co-Chaired a Panel of Experts on Environmental Law for the United Nations, and is – clearly — a very distinguished member of the Bahamian Bar.

In other words: these women are formidable and outstanding leaders! They have already done so much to contribute to our country, but clearly they are not content to rest on their laurels – their presence here today shows their deep patriotism and their dedication to building a more just Bahamas. They will be supported by an excellent team lead by former Senators Cheryl Bazzard and Heather Hunt who will act as Co-Executive Directors. Both of these ladies represent the next generation of outstanding leaders. Each in their own right continues to serve our nation well.

Thank you all so much for bringing on board your enthusiasm and your expertise. I am confident that under your leadership, the YES Bahamas Campaign will both educate and inspire.

Before I turn things over, I want to take a moment to outline how we arrived at this moment – to put this referendum in context, and explain its purpose and importance.

The Bahamas Independence Order of 1973 was an Act of the British Parliament that provided for The Bahamas to become an independent sovereign nation, and our Constitution is an appendix to that Act. The 15 Bahamian men who attended a Constitutional Conference in London in December of 1972 are known as the Framers of our Constitution. To this day, the students in our schools learn of their leadership and contributions.

They created a Constitution which prevented Parliament from passing laws which would discriminate based on race or creed or place of origin – but they did not include sex – that is, they did not insert any language in the Constitution which would prevent Parliament from passing laws which discriminate against men or women.

This referendum is simply about bringing our Constitution up to date to reflect our shared values as a society. Men and women will always be different, and no law or change to the Constitution could or should ever change that – in fact, we celebrate our differences – but we do believe that as citizens who share the same responsibilities, the time has come for men and women, our sons and daughters, to share the same rights.

I know this is a value shared by Bahamians because a long process of consultation has led us to this moment. The Constitutional Commission, appointed in 2012, has traveled far and wide throughout the country, holding town halls and meeting with citizens. The Commission consulted not just widely but deeply, holding extensive meetings with lawyers, academics, church leaders, and many other citizens who wanted to share their views. I acknowledge in particular the very substantial role that was played in the process by the late Dr. Myles Munroe, the founder of Bahamas Faith Ministries. He and other Leaders met many times with the Constitutional Commission and me. They gave excellent suggestions, were very energetically involved, and very committed to seeing the Constitution reformed so that men and women could achieve equal rights as citizens.

Earlier this month, the bills received overwhelming support in the House of Assembly, and then passed unanimously in the Senate. So now they go to the people – and this is a constitutional referendum, so the people’s word is final and binding.

On Tuesday, June 7th, Bahamians will be asked to vote YES on four common sense changes to our Constitution, so that Bahamian men and women are able to pass citizenship to their families in the same way, and so that it will be impossible for any future Parliament to pass laws discriminating against either men or women.

I want to be clear: these bills do not propose radical change. Instead, this is about making sure that the supreme law of the land reflects our values and our commitment to fairness.

The First proposed Amendment would allow children born abroad to obtain Bahamian citizenship from either their Bahamian father or mother, in those circumstances where the other parent is not Bahamian. Right now, only Bahamian men are entitled to pass their Bahamian citizenship to their children born abroad in these situations.

This amendment says: Bahamian mothers and their children should have the same rights as Bahamian fathers and their children.

Amendment Two would enable a Bahamian woman who marries a non-Bahamian man to secure for him the same ability to apply for Bahamian citizenship – following the same steps, and subject to the same considerations – currently afforded to a Bahamian man married to a non-Bahamian woman.

I would like to emphasize that the second bill would NOT make citizenship automatic for foreign husbands of Bahamian women, just as it is not currently automatic for foreign wives. It merely grants those spouses the same right to apply for citizenship, following the same very long process.

There is nothing easy or quick or convenient about becoming a citizen this way – the process typically takes more than 10 years, and involves interviews and inspections to ensure the marriage is legitimate.

Immigration officers are given the same investigative powers as police officers as they determine whether a marriage is legitimate. And as of 2015, it is now a criminal act to participate in a fraudulent marriage, punishable by a fine or jail or both.

Thus, amendment two is designed only to help real Bahamian families, and its purpose is to give Bahamian women the same rights as Bahamian men.

Amendment Three would correct that provision in our Constitution that currently discriminates against men. The change would mean that an unmarried Bahamian man could pass on his Bahamian citizenship to a child fathered with a non- Bahamian woman, if he is able to prove by DNA evidence that he is the father. This right currently belongs only to women.

We are ready for a Constitution that supports fathers who want to keep their children close.

Amendment Four would update Article 26 of the Constitution, so that it would become unconstitutional for Parliament to pass any laws that discriminate based on sex, which is defined as “male or female”.

There have been some questions about the intent and the possible effects of this change. The purpose of this amendment is only to ensure that Bahamian men and women are equal under the law.

I am going to emphasize that in The Bahamas, by law – under the Matrimonial Causes Act — marriage must be between a man and a woman, and this amendment will not change that.

In fact, the lawyers who drafted the language of the amendment went out of their way to protect traditional marriage, by defining “sex” as meaning “male or female”. The language is clear, and the intent of Parliament – which any future court is likewise obliged to consider – is also crystal clear.

And I am advised that there have been NO cases in Commonwealth countries like ours, with a Westminster-style Constitution, in which the right to non- discrimination on the basis of sex led to a judicially-created right to same-sex marriage.

I repeat: this referendum will not cause same-sex marriage to become legal in The Bahamas. Marriage in The Bahamas will be legal only if it is between a man and a woman, and male and female are determined at birth.

I am so emphatic because it is so important for Bahamians to vote on what is really at stake – equal rights for our sons and daughters – and not let false rumours or incorrect information hold sway.

This referendum does not seek to change Bahamian society or our traditional values – instead it seeks to change the Constitution so that it more clearly reflects those values, and our shared belief in fairness.

And so with full confidence, with immense gratitude, and with great anticipation — the baton is passed – to these very distinguished Co-Chairs, and to the many Bahamians who believe in equal rights.

I know the coming weeks will see a great celebration, an outpouring of support from those who are excited to make history, and in particular, the involvement of first-time voters, who have become eligible to vote since the previous election.

The YES Bahamas Campaign will be relying on Bahamians young and old for their creativity and enthusiasm, visiting each of our islands, and providing information to Bahamians on each of the amendments. And the Constitutional Commission will continue a very intense schedule of information sessions, which will also be held across the islands, where Bahamians can ask their questions in person and receive answers and information from legal experts.

In carrying out this work the Commission will continue to operate independently and with neutrality. Its job is to educate not to advocate for a Yes or No vote.

I want to share a conversation I had recently with an old-timer in my constituency. He asked me about the referendum, and I explained it the way I’ve done so here today. I’m not sure he was completely with me, though, until I asked him to think about his grandchildren who were playing near us in the street. Did he think that his grandsons and his granddaughters should have different rights as Bahamian citizens? He was indignant at the very thought. He wants the best for all his grandchildren – his dreams for the girls are no less grand than his dreams for the boys. And so he agreed — he wants them to grow up in a country where they are equal under the law.

I know this gentleman will be voting YES on June 7th, and that in this he will be joined by Bahamians from all walks of life, across our beautiful islands. Because there are moments to unite as a nation, moments when we come together to do the right thing, and this is one of those moments.

Bahamas News

Walk for the Cure Every Saturday This October

Published

1 day ago

October 1, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Nassau, Bahamas, 1 October 2026 – Every Saturday this month, communities across The Bahamas will take steps in support of cancer patients and survivors as CIBC Caribbean’s Walk for the Cure returns to New Providence, Abaco, Eleuthera, and Grand Bahama.

CIBC Caribbean Head of Country, Terrance Gibson, said, “Each Saturday in October represents another community coming together, another opportunity to raise awareness and, most importantly, more support for the organizations that are doing this work every day.”

The month of activities begins this Saturday, October 3, in New Providence, with participants gathering at the Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre for a 6:30am start.

CIBC Caribbean Walk Champion, Antionette Fox, said the series of walks gives communities across the country an opportunity to contribute to a cause that directly supports Bahamian cancer organizations.

“Every Saturday for the month of October, there will be a walk that you can participate in to contribute towards this worthy cause,” Fox said.

In New Providence, the morning will extend beyond the walk itself, with Zumba, wellness activities, informational vendors, and opportunities for participants to connect with organizations working directly with cancer patients and survivors.

Gennie Dean Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group President Duquesa Dean said participants do not have to complete the full route to be part of the morning.

“Just come out…there is something for everyone, come for the community,” Dean said. “There’s a survivor ceremony, so come and participate and celebrate the people who have gone through cancer and are here as evidence that you could live after a cancer diagnosis.”

The Gennie Dean Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group is one of eight cancer organizations in The Bahamas that benefit from funds raised through Walk for the Cure. The others are the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Groups of New Providence and Grand Bahama, Cancer Society of The Bahamas, the Cancer Societies of Abaco, Eleuthera, and Grand Bahama, and the Cancer Association of Grand Bahama.

Dean explained that CIBC Caribbean covers the cost of staging WFTC, allowing donations raised to support the work of beneficiary organizations.

For her organization, that assistance translates into tangible support for people navigating cancer, including food assistance, financial aid, prosthetic breasts, and mastectomy bras, as well as programs such as Step Into Wellness, which promotes movement and healthy living among cancer patients and survivors.

Corporate partners are also helping to strengthen this year’s effort. Bamboo Shack has joined the initiative as a gold sponsor, with representative Ghandi Pinder sharing that the cause has a personal significance for her.

Pinder recalled shaving her hair in solidarity with her sister after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and began losing her hair during chemotherapy.

“We see you, we’re here with you, we’re in it with you,” Pinder said of Bamboo Shack’s message to those affected by cancer.

She also encouraged more of Corporate Bahamas to support initiatives that directly impact the communities they serve.

“At Bamboo Shack, we always say a better Bahamas begins with you… Together, we can make a difference,” she said.

Registration for Walk for the Cure is $30 for adults and $15 for children and can be completed at any CIBC Caribbean branch. CIBC Caribbean clients can also donate through online banking.

The New Providence Walk begins promptly at 6:30am on Saturday, October 3, at the Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre, followed by Walk for the Cure events in other islands each Saturday throughout October. The Grand Bahama WFTC event will be held on October 10 and the Abaco and Eleuthera WFTC events will occur on October 17 and October 24 respectively.

Gibson added, “Some will walk for themselves, some in celebration of a survivor, and others in memory of someone they have lost. Whatever brings you to Walk for the Cure, every person who shows up becomes part of a much bigger expression of support for those affected by cancer.”

Bahamas News

The Bahamas Reaffirms Support for Ukraine at International Conference in Toronto

Published

2 days ago

September 30, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

TORONTO, Canada —Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell has reaffirmed The Bahamas’ support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the international effort to secure the return of Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war.

Speaking at the two-day Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War, held in Toronto on September 28 and 29, Minister Mitchell thanked Canada, Norway and Ukraine for convening the conference and said The Bahamas was honoured to participate.

“I first want to add my thanks to Canada, Norway and Ukraine for convening this important conference,” Minister Mitchell said. “We are honoured to have been invited and to be here.”

Minister Mitchell said The Bahamas supported the position expressed by Antigua and Barbuda from the CARICOM Region, while also drawing on remarks delivered by Prime Minister Philip Davis at them United Nations.

He said The Bahamas’ own history made it impossible for the country to remain silent when them territorial integrity of another state is under attack.

“Just a couple of days ago, our Prime Minister spoke at the United Nations about a people with a history of struggle for identity, arising out of the struggle against slavery, and how we cannot be silent in the face of the attack on the territorial integrity of another state,” Minister Mitchell said.

He noted that Canada and other countries have stood alongside Caribbean nations as they confront their own regional challenges, including the situation in Haiti and difficulties facing Cuba.

“We are a region which is far away from Ukraine, but we identify with the struggle,” he said. “In this case, we want to be sure that our voices are heard in support of the defence of the territorial integrity and the people of Ukraine.”

Minister Mitchell said the principle of territorial integrity carries lessons well beyond the current conflict and deserves particular attention from smaller states.

“We think that the question of territorial integrity is a lesson for all to inwardly digest,” he said, adding that The Bahamas particularly appreciated Canada’s approach to its role as a “middle power” in international affairs.

The minister also reflected on the broader historical context surrounding Russia and Ukraine. Referring to a recent interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin that he encountered on social media, Mitchell described the discussion as an example of historical revisionism.

He recalled the days of writings and experiences of Soviet-era dissidents including Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Andrei Sakharov, as well as the struggles that took place during the Soviet period and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union.

Minister Mitchell said the historical interpretation presented in Putin’s remarks offered a markedly different account of those developments and placed responsibility for the situation in Ukraine on what Putin described as Western intellectual elites and their actions.

“That was very interesting,” he noted.

Drawing on the work of political scientist Samuel Huntington, Minister Mitchell suggested that political systems can retain characteristics of their predecessors even after major upheavals or revolutions.

“The Czar has been replaced, but what do we have today?” he asked. “A kind of pre-emptory, antidemocratic, autocratic behaviour attacking another state?”

Minister Mitchell concluded by reaffirming The Bahamas’ support for the objectives of the Toronto conference and calling for practical opportunities for the country to contribute.

“So I am, on behalf of The Bahamas, supporting the aims of this important conference,” he said. “Please assure us, or let us know, what practical ways we can help.”

He said The Bahamas’ participation itself was an important first step.

“We hope that, in this instance, the fact that we are here and that our voice has been added to this cause is at least a good start.”

News

Record-breaking eye care mission transforms vision for thousands in Providenciales

Published

3 days ago

September 29, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Turks and Caicos Islands, September 29, 2026 – Beaches Turks and Caicos, the Sandals Foundation, and Great Shape Inc.’s iCare programme have completed a record-breaking one-week humanitarian eye care mission in Providenciales, delivering free optical services to more than 4,800 individuals. The 2026 venture brought together 52 volunteer eye care professionals from the United and Canada who provided comprehensive screenings, advanced laser treatments, and thousands of pairs of glasses to residents across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The mission’s services covered multiple areas of eye health as medical volunteers conducted over 1,000 health screenings paired with educational sessions on eye care and the risks associated with prolonged screen use. Among the most significant clinical achievements were 122 Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) procedures, a treatment for open-angle glaucoma, and 13 panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) procedures, an outpatient laser therapy used to halt the growth of abnormal, fragile blood vessels on the retina that can cause bleeding and vision loss.

In addition to clinical interventions, the team distributed over 150 pre-made prescription glasses, more than 2,500 sunglasses, and over 1,400 reading glasses during the mission week. A further 700 custom prescription glasses are being completed and will be delivered to patients in the coming weeks. In addition to adults, students from 16 government and non-government schools throughout Providenciales also received vision testing and care.

Kyle Knowles, Minister of Health and Human Services for the Turks and Caicos Islands, praised the collaboration as “timely” and highlighted the unmatched visual support provided to the community. “We are grateful for this continued collaboration with the TCI government and the Sandals Foundation,” Knowles said. “We have seen where these eye care professionals come here and share their expertise with our schools and our communities, free of charge. This is what teamwork looks like here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Deryk Meany, General Manager of Beaches Turks and Caicos, noted the historic scale of the mission. “We have witnessed a record number of optical services being offered this year which augurs well for the people and children of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” Meany said. “The support that the Sandals Foundation and Great Shape Inc.! has received from the government of the TCI is phenomenal. As an organization, we are conscious of the support that is needed and the opportunities that we have to share in this mission.”

Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture emphasized the value of early screening for students in an era of increasing digital device use. “To be able to provide early screening for our students is priceless,” Taylor said. “With the consistent use of gadgets by our children, the health screening and education is timely for us within the education ministry. We are grateful for this support from the Sandals Foundation and the Great Shape team. If there are challenges identified by the team, parents will be able to provide the necessary care for the children.”

For Nadienne Crossman, vice principal of the BEST Institute, the competence and warmth of the volunteer team was a highlight. “The services provided by these professionals was unmatched,” Crossman noted. “The team who visited our school allowed every student to feel comfortable while they were being tested. As teachers, when we got to the community site, we were treated with respect by everyone. To be able to see multiple specialists free of charge was outstanding. Sandals Foundation and the Great Shape team provided a safe space for us to care for our eyes.”

Steven Stern, Founder of iCare, credited the enthusiasm of volunteers and the seamless support from local partners. “The team for this project was enthusiastic with every client that we saw,” Stern said. “They were creative in using technology to assist with translation while they also learned so much about the TCI culture. The support from the Sandals Foundation and the government of the TCI was simply magical. We are looking forward to returning already.”

The Sandals Foundation coordinates logistics and covers costs for transportation, food, and beverages for the iCare clinic and its teams, while Beaches Resorts provides accommodation free of charge. The close of the 2026 mission stands as a testament to the power of cross-sector collaboration — uniting government, hospitality, and nonprofit expertise to safeguard vision and opportunity for an entire community.