TCI News
TCI: Hon. Vaden Williams – Contribution to Debate on Status of Children Bill
#Grand Turk, January 29, 2019 – Turks and Caicos –
Good morning Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, the Status of Children Bill 2018 is among one of several outstanding Family Law Bills that had required further stakeholders consultation.
Over the last several months the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Social Development Department and other stakeholders including the judiciary conducted meetings to review this Bill.
We are here today to present the final product of their hard work, with respect to this particular bill, and Mr. Speaker I want to pause to thank them for their efforts on the collection of family law bills on a whole.
Mr. Speaker, some persons may be asking why are we introducing this bill and what is its purpose of this Status of children Bill
In a nutshell Mr. Speaker we are introducing this bill because it is important for the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure that all laws relating to children is up-to date and meets the standard of international best practices and conventions.
In addition to this Mr. Speaker, My Government is a Government that is working to protect all of the rights of all of our children.
Hence, the purpose of this bill Mr. Speaker, is to provide equal status to all of children in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
When we use the word status here Mr. Speaker, we are not speaking about immigration status of children. We are talking about how they are treated under the law regardless of whether they are born inside a marriage, or, whether they were born to two un-married parents.
As such, Mr. Speaker, the Bill proposes to repeal the `Legitimation Ordinance and the Illegitimacy Ordinance which overlap with what this bill is trying to achieve. It will also save certain sections as well as modify some parts of the provisions that are saved, to ensure that they match with the policy positions taken by our Government.
Mr. Speaker, I will highlight the issues this bill seeks to address, in five parts in accordance with the five parts of this bill.
PART 1 – Preliminary
Mr. Speaker, Part 1 of the bill simply
- Sets out the meaning or definition of key terms
- states who this bill applies to, and
- protects any related right a child would have had before this bill.
PART 2 – Status of Children
Mr. Speaker, part 2 is seeking to do several things.
- It is seeking to remove labels such as il-legitimate, legitimate, lawful or unlawful that have been pegged on to some children in our society for many generations. Our policy is that there will not be any distinction between children based on the marital status of their parent. Many children have been treated unkindly because of this, and Mr. Speaker I am happy that this caring Government is taking this important step to put the law on their side.
- Another thing that this part provides for, Mr. Speaker, is a list of several types of relationships, which shall be used in law, to determine the natural father of a child unless there is some other proof to confirm that he is not a child’s father. I will not go through the full list now, Mr. Speaker, but I do look forward to the contributions from Members of this Honorable House during the debate, and more importantly, during the Committee of the Whole.
Before I move on to the next part Mr. Speaker, it is important to highlight that this section also propose that we have provisions in our laws, for the very first time, presumptions of parentage based on artificial conception procedure.
Finally, it provides for certain conditions under which the Registrar shall file an instrument in the Registry of Births, when a father acknowledges paternity.
PART 3 – PARENTAGE
This part 3 Mr. Speaker, is making provisions for instances when a person can apply to the court to declare parentage.
It further provides for the court to require a parent test procedure it outlines matters that should be taken into account before a court order is made, and it lists the information that the results from the testing procedure should contain.
Last but not least, Mr. Speaker, it requires the Minister to approve a laboratory for carrying out parent testing procedure and enable the Minister to nominate a reporter for the approved laboratory or lab. This is important Mr. Speaker to ensure that standards are upheld and that personal information is kept strictly confidential.
PART 4 – DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY
Mr. Speaker, if there is one only area that cause strife within a family, is the manner in which property is given to other family members either through gifts or inheritance.
Clause 16 to 19 of this Part 4, Mr. Speaker, totally abolishes the distinction between children born within a marriage and outside a marriage and places them on equal footing for inheriting property, when a parent dies without a will.
We also know that there are cases where parents sometimes make paternity claim after the passing a presumed father. This bill now enables the administrator of a will to make reasonable inquiries regarding the existence of any other person who could claim an interest in the estate of the decease.
It also relieves the administrator of the responsibility to seek more information that he honestly and reasonably thinks is necessary and protects him from action being taken against him if had no knowledge or notice of a potential relationship between a person and the deceased.
It should be noted that Part 4 of this bill Mr. Speaker starts off by ensuring that the earlier provisions regarding wills and gifts that were completed or became effective before this bill, shall continue to be as is, and will not be affected by this bill.
PART 5 – MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Part 5 is the final part of this bill, Mr. Speaker, and it contains provisions relating to hearings, penalties for failure to adhere to parentage testing or seeking to tamper with tests, existing rights, regulations and repeal.
Mr. Speaker, in keeping with the rights of the child, this Government, my Government, is committed to protecting the rights of every child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment and maltreatment or exploitation.
Mr. Speaker, I look forward to the support of all members of this Honorable House on the Status of Children Bill that is being proposed here today and I now invite them, through you Mr. Speaker, to make their contributions to this very important pieces of legislation
Thank you Mr. Speaker
By Deandrea Hamilton
The Cassandra I remember never backed down from a fight.
She had an effervescent personality and was fiercely committed to her family—and that included her church and her friends. She deeply
appreciated the people God had given her, drawing on their love and support to push through circumstances no child, no teenager, should have to face.
Today, voters in a country far from where she grew up have trusted her to champion more accessible communities and better responses to people facing mental health and developmental challenges.
It speaks volumes about what happens when we believe in our children. When we refuse to set limits on who they can become, regardless of how they started. When we recognize God’s hand on their lives and support their ability to contribute and make an impact, wherever He places them.
Cassandra Toussaint is now councilwoman-elect for Ward 1 in Avon, Indiana, after defeating Republican Doug Elmore in the November 3 election. She ran as a Democrat. (youarecurrent.com)
Of Haitian heritage, she grew up in Turks and Caicos, attending Oseta Jolly, briefly Maranatha, and then TCIPS.
Her connections remain strong: friends, family and Lady Turks Gift Shop, a boutique venture she created with her best friend, Novie, from an idea they shared as teenagers.
Her family includes her father, Eliezer Toussaint, and her brother, Stoycov Toussaint, who graduated from Indiana University. Stephane Ambroise is playing basketball in Canada. Her mother, Ertha Etienne, died when Cassandra and her siblings were children.
In Turks and Caicos, her cousins Brenda, Steven, Lendcy and Sarah Cenary are, she says, successful and passionate about helping young
people and giving back to their community. Their mother, her aunt Rose Philomene Cenary, has worked in the Islands’ hotel industry for years and holds a special place in Cassandra’s heart.
“My aunt is the glue of my family,” Cassandra said, describing her love for the family and how she has always done her best to support them all.
A registered behavior technician, Toussaint says her childhood experiences inspired her to advocate for children who feel misunderstood.
Her campaign priorities included improved roads, accessible parks and facilities, and police training to better recognize and respond to autism and intellectual disabilities.
With limited money and little preparation time, she took her campaign directly to residents, knocking on doors and connecting at community events.
“Every resident deserves to be met with understanding,” she wrote.
The young woman I remember is preparing to bring that conviction into public office.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (November 6th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes Porter Airlines as it begins its service to the destination with its inaugural Toronto (YYZ) to Providenciales (PLS) route on Friday, November 6th. The airline will service the route five times weekly from the Toronto Pearson International Airport.
On December 17th, Porter will launch its Ottawa to PLS flight, a new route for the Turks and Caicos Islands. That route will be serviced twice weekly from Ottawa International Airport (YOW).
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly said the expansion of air service from Canada reflects the growing strength of that market to the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“Canada is showing strong and growing interest in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and we are pleased to see that reflected in the expansion of air service from the market. Porter Airlines’ new nonstop flights from Toronto and Ottawa strengthen our connectivity with Canada and give travellers more convenient options for reaching our islands. Canadians have always shown a genuine appreciation for the culture, heritage, natural beauty and, of course, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Perhaps it is that shared warmth and friendliness that keeps bringing them back, and our partnership with Porter will simply make it easier for Canadians to continue showing their love for our Beautiful by Nature islands. Toronto builds on an important existing market for us, while Ottawa opens an entirely new gateway to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This increased access will make it easier for more Canadians to discover and enjoy our destination, while supporting the continued growth of this important market.”
Hon. Arlington Musgrove, minister responsible for aviation, Turks and Caicos commended his team at the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) for developing this relationship with Porter.
“The launch of Porter Airlines’ new services from Toronto and Ottawa to the Turks and Caicos Islands is another important milestone in strengthening our connectivity with the Canadian market. Canada remains an important source market for our tourism industry, and these new routes will give Canadians more choice and easier access to the warmth, beauty, and hospitality of the Turks and Caicos Islands. I
commend the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority for leading this initiative and for its continued efforts to develop air service and build strong relationships with our airline partners. I also extend our sincere appreciation to Porter Airlines for its confidence in the Turks and Caicos Islands and for choosing our destination as part of its growing network of sun destinations. We warmly welcome Porter, its passengers and crew to our shores and look forward to a successful and lasting partnership,” he said.
To celebrate and promote the new flights, Experience Turks and Caicos hosted a reception in Ottawa for travel advisors and media. Organised by VoX International, our marketing agency in Canada, the event featured remarks by Market Intelligence Manager, Sharissa Lightbourne and Chairman of the TCIAA, Dwayne Gardiner. Nikeva Ariza, Director of Corporate Affairs, Communications and Public Engagement was also in attendance.
The new flights are operated by Porter’s 132-seat Embraer E195-E2. The aircraft features a two-by-two seating configuration, meaning no middle seats for any passenger. Porter’s elevated onboard experience includes complimentary beer and wine served in glassware, premium Canadian snacks, and free, fast WiFi for every passenger.
To book your flight, visit www.flyporter.com.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands (November 4th, 2026) – The Turks and Caicos Islands recorded its highest number of stayover arrivals for the third quarter of the year, with approximately 130,000 visitors welcomed between July and September, representing a three percent increase over the same period in 2025.
Preliminary figures from Experience Turks and Caicos show that the destination recorded 514,670 stayover arrivals for the first nine months of 2026, an increase of 25,048 visitors, or five percent, compared with the same period last year. Growth was recorded in every month from January through September, underscoring the destination’s continued appeal among travellers and the sustained demand for its tourism product.
Stay Over Arrivals by Quarter (2025/2026)
September closed the quarter on a positive note, with 20,204 stayover arrivals, seven percent more than the 18,795 recorded in September 2025. The year-to-date total of 514,670 is the highest number of stayover arrivals ever recorded for the January-to-September period.
Commenting on the record stayover arrivals, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly said: “These record arrivals are an encouraging achievement for the Turks and Caicos Islands and a reflection of the continued confidence visitors have in our destination. However, I’ve always maintained that the true measure of tourism’s success cannot simply be the number of visitors arriving on our shores. It must also be measured by the opportunities we create for our people.”
“Our vision is to build a stronger, higher-value tourism industry where Turks and Caicos Islanders are not simply employees, but entrepreneurs, business owners and active participants in the economic opportunities tourism creates. This is why our recent Community Connect meetings across the sister islands were so important. We want to engage directly with our communities, understand their challenges and ensure that as our tourism industry grows, the opportunities for our people grow alongside it. Ultimately, tourism must do more than bring people to our shores. It must improve the lives of the people who call these islands home.”
Cruise arrivals reflect return to regular itineraries
Cruise passenger arrivals at the Grand Turk Cruise Port followed a different trend during the first nine months of 2026, with figures reflecting a return to more typical cruise itineraries following an unusually strong period in 2025.
Last year, cruise lines added Grand Turk to their itineraries, resulting in exceptionally high passenger volumes and cruise calls. With itineraries returning to more regular patterns this year, cruise passenger arrivals declined year over year throughout the first nine months.
The destination received 62,095 cruise passengers in September, a 22 percent decrease from the 79,341 recorded in September 2025. From January through September, total cruise passenger arrivals stood at 838,533, compared with 1,016,532 during the same period last year, representing an 18 percent decline.
Cruise Arrivals by Quarter (2025/2026)
While the cruise figures reflect a normalisation from last year’s elevated numbers, the continued growth in stayover arrivals provides a positive indicator of the destination’s performance in its overnight visitor market.
It is projected that the month-on-month increases in stayover arrivals will continue into the upcoming winter season, especially with the additional airlift expected from new and existing gateways in Canada and the US.
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News6 days agoPorter Airlines Begins Nonstop Service to Turks and Caicos Islands with Toronto to PLS route
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News1 week agoTurks and Caicos Islands Records Highest Third-Quarter Stayover Arrivals
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News24 hours agoThe Cassandra I remember: A fighting spirit, now elected to serve