TCI News
TCI Parliament must dissolve in 11 weeks; Elections could still be months away as PNP demands a date
#TurksandCaicosIslands – October 18, 2020 — The Turks and Caicos Islands, according to its constitution has to dissolve the House of Assembly within the next 11 weeks; Leader of the Opposition (LOO) Washington Misick is using this premise to demand a date for the next national polling.
“This Government has less than 11 weeks to the four-year anniversary of their election, 13 weeks before the date for an election must be announced, and the House of Assembly must be dissolved. In percentage terms, this government is 93% through its allotted term.”
Premier Sharlene Robinson has however, expressed that she will not be rushed in her prerogative to name the next voting day.
It could still be months before a general election is actually held in these islands. The TCI Constitution Order 2011 establishes that an election cannot happen before 35 days after the dissolution of parliament. It also gives the Premier, any premier, three months from the date of dissolution to actually state what will be the general election day.
In other words, the Turks and Caicos Islands could be well into March 2021 before any general election is held.
PNP Leader Misick, in a September 24 statement said Premier Sharlene Robinson would be ‘illegitimately’ making long term fiscal decisions if indeed a slew of measures announced were to come to fruition. The actions are touted as critical financial strategies the Turks and Caicos will take in order to ride out the Covid-19 imposed recession.
“For this Government to have squandered the last six months, and now to negotiate such a long-term commitment that will tie the hands of the next Government, is clearly unacceptable. There is also the undeniable fact that this Government is negotiating this significant obligation with one eye on the upcoming election, and may be more pre-occupied to get it done quickly, rather than get the best possible deal.
I do not believe the UK Government should allow this significant lending to be passed in the dying days of this administration. The answer is simply to call the election now, allow the people to make their choice, and let the winning party negotiate the lending, knowing they will have to live with the terms for the next four years,” said Hon. Misick.
The PNP Leader has been shepherding his flock toward increasingly vigorous campaign activities including: rallies; door-to-door visitations by its ratified candidates; erection of street signs and the announcement in August of its general election campaign manager: Jas Walkin.
The fifth all-island elected member, who is also the immediate past finance minister said the PDM Administration cannot take credit for the tens of millions of dollars which it has been able to access amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
“I said in the House of Assembly, that no one should confuse good luck with good management. I also pointed out that the $25M in the Capital Wealth Fund was not there through prudent management, but because of a law passed by the PNP Government to put money aside in good years. And finally, that $80M is reserved because of a requirement under the PFM. So, the majority of cash available left at the end of last year was not the result of prudent cash management, but luck, a law that the PNP introduced, and the PFM,” said the LOO in his press statement.
As the country’s constitutionally entrenched watch-dog, the LOO warned the premier about using her office to sway voters.
“I am especially concerned about the method of the food relief distribution announced by the Premier. It would be unfortunate if it were used as a political weapon ahead of the election – as it currently appears to be happening with small contract awards – especially in Grand Turk. Perhaps the Governor should be concerned about this as well.”
The country’s last general election date was announced on October 27, 2016, when former Premier Rufus Ewing (PNP) dissolved parliament.
Seven weeks later on December 15, Sharlene Robinson, the PDM Party Leader became the first woman premier. Hon Robinson’s first House of Assembly meeting as the new premier was two weeks later, on December 29, 2016.
The TCI constitution outlines that the House of Assembly has to be dissolved four years from the December 29, 2016 date.
by Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
PROVIDENCIALES, TCI — In a country where government press conferences are virtually non-existent, ministers are often difficult for
journalists to access and regular broadcast television news has disappeared, TCI Innovation, Technology and Energy Minister E. Jay Saunders has challenged Caribbean media to become “impossible to ignore.”
Speaking at the Caribbean Broadcasting Union gathering, Saunders argued that the Caribbean does not have a relevance problem but a “discoverability and positioning problem.”
Discoverability is precisely the issue in Saunders’ home country. Even Government’s own attempts at video news broadcasting have struggled against the realities of consistently producing a daily, weekly or even monthly newscast.
The difficulties confronting TCI media extend well beyond algorithms: limited advertising revenue, underfunding, shortages of trained professionals and insufficient human capacity leave newsrooms struggling for both staff and stamina.
Then there is the reality of operating in one of the region’s smallest societies. Politicians, journalists, advertisers, businesses and the subjects of stories often exist within the same tight economic and social circles. A controversial report that might create a ripple elsewhere can produce a tsunami in TCI, intensifying concerns among journalists about commercial and professional victimisation.
Saunders believes AI can help.
He urged Caribbean media to use the technology to transform one original story into television, radio, web, podcast, social and translated content without multiplying newsroom workload.
He also wants regional journalism structured so AI systems can find, understand and trust Caribbean sources, moving media beyond traditional SEO into Answer Engine Optimisation.
His ultimate message was emphatic: “Use AI not to make Caribbean media more artificial — but to make Caribbean voices more visible.”
For Turks and Caicos media, however, becoming visible may require more than technology. It requires an environment in which journalism can survive.
That last sentence is where I think we land the plane. It acknowledges that EJ actually has some us
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
News
BermudAir Launches New York Area’s First Nonstop Service to South Caicos, Now Just a 3.5 Hour Flight from Newark
Twice-Weekly Nonstop Flights Begin December 20 with Fares from $347 One Way, Creating Direct Access to Salterra Resort & Spa
– New Route Expands BermudAir’s Winter Turks & Caicos Network –
[New York, NY – August 20, 2026] – BermudAir, the leading premium leisure carrier to Bermuda and the Caribbean, today announced it will introduce nonstop flights to South Caicos from Newark this winter. The route places one of the Caribbean’s most secluded island destinations just 3.5 hours from the New York area for the first time.
The new service starts on December 20, 2026, operating on Sundays and Thursdays, and will be the only nonstop service to the destination
from the New York area. This seasonal service will operate through April 25, 2027. Fares start at $347 one way ($773 roundtrip) and go on sale today.
The new South Caicos route creates gives travelers two distinct luxury resort options, with direct access to Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, recently named the No. 1 resort in Turks and Caicos by Condé Nast Traveler.
Set across 85 beachfront acres with a 3,000-foot private white-sand beach, Salterra brings a full luxury resort experience to an island still defined by its historic salinas, pristine waters, bonefishing flats and uninhabited cays. Upon landing at South Caicos International Airport (XSC), guests are approximately 10 minutes from the resort.
While flights go on sale today, the airline’s BermudAir Holidays vacation-packaging division will offer curated travel to South Caicos from next month, featuring flights, hotels and authentic island experiences, with bundled discounts and value-added perks, making it even easier to explore the destination.
Previously BermudAir announced seven new routes to Providenciales in Turks and Caicos, from Newark (EWR), Boston (BOS), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), St Petersburg/Tampa (PIE) and Toronto (YYZ) which will all start in December except for Fort Lauderdale which begins October 26.
Expanded Winter Season
- To South Caicos:
- Twice-weekly nonstop from Newark (Sundays and Thursdays) from December 20 through April 25, 2027.
- To Turks and Caicos:
- Weekly nonstop from Newark (Saturdays) and one weekly direct service (Thursdays) from December 19 through April 29, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Boston (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027;
- Weekly nonstop service from Baltimore-Washington (Thursdays), from December 24 through April 29, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham (Thursdays and Sundays), from December 20 through May 2, 2027;
- Thrice-weekly service from Fort Lauderdale (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays), from October 26 through May 3, 2027;
- Twice-weekly nonstop service from St Petersburg/Tampa (Mondays and Thursdays), from December 21 through May 3, 2027; and
- Weekly nonstop service from Toronto (Saturdays), from December 19 through May 1, 2027.
“We’re thrilled to continue expanding our Caribbean network as the premium leisure carrier from North America,” said Adam Scott, Founder and CEO of BermudAir. “Now New Yorkers can fly nonstop to two distinct sides of the Turks and Caicos Islands — Providenciales and the secluded island of South Caicos, home to the exquisite Salterra and Sailrock South Caicos resorts.”
The airline consistently earns Net Promoter Scores of 70+, one of the highest ratings in the airline industry. All flights will be operated on comfortable Embraer E190 aircraft, offering passengers the airline’s signature warm service and authentic island hospitality.
“South Caicos has always felt worlds away, and that is part of its magic,” said Michael Tibbetts, Founder and CEO of Salterra. “Beginning this winter, guests can fly nonstop from Newark in 3.5 hours, land at one of the newest international airports in the region and be at Salterra minutes later. This route makes a long weekend escape and an extended stay to one of the Caribbean’s most unspoiled islands remarkably easy, without changing the sense of discovery that makes South Caicos so special.”
For more information or to book flights, visit www.flybermudair.com. Salterra will offer dedicated stay packages timed to BermudAir’s Thursday and Sunday nonstop service. To book a stay at Salterra, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, visit www.salterra.com
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