News
Attorney General Outlines Government’s Legislative Agenda in the Senate
By: Betty Vedrine
Bahamas Information Services
#TheBahamas, June 23, 2022 – As part of his contribution to the 2022/2023 national Budget Debate, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Senator, the Hon. L. Ryan Pinder outlined legislative actions by the government to meet some of its objectives.
He started off by firstly thanking the Law Reform and Revision Commission for working ‘tirelessly’ to ensure the government can proceed with its aggressive legislative agenda from day one. He then went on to highlight parts of the legislative agenda under consideration during the first half of this upcoming fiscal year.
“The ‘Evidence Amendment (2022)’ – this is fulfillment of a promise in our Blueprint for Change – to address needs of disaster victims to return to normalcy. We hope to debate, before we break for the summer, this amendment which will shorten the number of years for those that have gone missing in events of peril. This is fundamentally important to bring finality to scores of families across The Bahamas as a result of missing family members from Hurricane Dorian and allow normalcy to return to day-to-day life,” he said.
He also discussed the ‘Rehabilitation of Offenders (Amendment) Bill 2022’, which he said is ‘consistent’ with the government’s mandate.
“We will shortly table an amendment to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act to expunge records of minor offenses due to violations of emergency orders.”
As it relates to the ‘Healthcare Suite of Legislation,’ he said that in addition to the recently tabled Nurses and Midwives Bill 2022, an amendment will be tabled shortly to the National Health Insurance Bill, and introduction of a modern and comprehensive Mental Health Bill 2022.
This, he said, would be the most comprehensive health care compendium of legislation advanced in recent memory to provide a comprehensive framework for the health care, both physical and mental health care, for Bahamians.
There is also legislation foreshadowing the introduction of a Cannabis industry in the country.
“We will advance a comprehensive suite of legislation on the regulation of Cannabis, creating a new agri-business industry in The Bahamas. This legislation is internationally benchmarked against the countries around the world in the industry. The framework will be for the regulation of the medical Cannabis industry from the farm to the border, and will also provide a separate regulatory framework for industrial hemp, for wellness products and for pure industrial uses such as clothing, rope and building materials made from hemp. We will also provide a framework for the de-criminalization of possession of small amounts of Cannabis products,” he said.
The ‘Carbon Exchange Bill 2022’ will advance the monetization of carbon credits. “We will be bringing to Parliament specially drafted legislation to establish a carbon credit exchange in The Bahamas,” said Senator Pinder.
“The desire is to create a regulated framework that will establish The Bahamas as the regional, and hopefully the global center for the trade in carbon credits. We will participate in the vertically integrated carbon credit marketplace, The Bahamas — a leader in the world on this issue.”
Referring to the ‘Mining Authority Bill 2022’ as a “long overdue piece of regulatory reform”, he said it would address the mining of natural resources in The Bahamas. “The approach now is an industry-led approach without a modern regulatory envelope to ensure best international standards are being followed in natural resources mining. We are a country where there is foreign direct investment in real estate development projects, many of these require mining. We also have commercial aggregate mining.”
The ‘Nationality Bill 2022’ is being put in place to advance appropriate legislation to bring equality to Bahamian men and women in the transmission of citizenship to their children. He said this would end the issue of inequality. He said that an initial draft has been prepared and commented on internally with a view to presenting it to cabinet and ultimately tabling in Parliament.
In order to clear up any issues with the bill, the Senator said that the Constitution in Article 13 provides that Parliament may make provision for the acquisition of citizenship of The Bahamas by persons who do not become citizens of The Bahamas by virtue of the provisions of this Chapter. Advancing equality, he expanded, when it comes to transmission of citizenship, is ‘explicitly’ permitted through the legislative mechanisms of Parliament.
There are also plans for The ‘Bahamas Strategic Investment Fund Legislation’, a pledge that the government made to support community projects and initiatives.
In Our Blueprint for Change we pledge:
1)For infrastructure projects, develop PPPs to support community development initiatives
2) Strengthen legislation for a Sovereign Wealth Fund
3)A new sovereign investment fund to hold private sector investment interests (such as APD, BTC Cable Bahamas, etc.).
He said that consistent with this pledge, the government would advance comprehensive, international best practices legislation that would incorporate the flexibility for the government to undertake promises in this area ensuring the highest standards of governance.
The initial draft of the bill, he said, has been prepared and is being reviewed and refined.
Mr. Pinder also discussed Amendments to the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Act & Regulations. He said the government is seeking to update The Bahamas’ legislation relative to underwater cultural heritage by amending the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Act, along with its amendments and regulations. “The proposed amendments specifically relate to licensing requirements, costs, timeframes, geographical areas, and the current government/licensee revenue-split with respect to salvage licensees.”
In a bid to improve the current law pertaining the registration of companies, insolvency and bankruptcy, he said that there will be ‘Company Legislative Reform.’ This, he believes, would be conducive to the rapidly evolving domestic and international economic and financial services environments.
“There is a clear need to improve the current law pertaining to the registration of companies, insolvency, and bankruptcy in The Bahamas. In this vein, the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas led by the Office of the Attorney General has set a goal to revise the relevant law.
He said that Terms of Reference have been finalized and the government is now prepared to appoint a project team made up of public and private sector individuals formed to overhaul the Bahamas’ registered companies, insolvency, and bankruptcy legislative regimes.
“The goal now, is to ensure that these relevant new proposed laws remain current, modern, competitive and reflect international best practices generally. These reforms have the ability to materially change the Bahamas’ commercial offering internationally and provide another boost to our financial services and commercial structuring markets. We look to become the near shore Delaware for corporate structuring and reorganization.”
He said that the government is now armed with a distinct legislative agenda that is focused on deliverables to the Bahamian people. (BIS Photo/Ulric Woodside)
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.
The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning
areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.
Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.
Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”
General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”
He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.
Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-
standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”
Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.
Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”
She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 9 October 2026: The Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) has earned international recognition after receiving the 2026 Educational Engagement Firebrand Award at the Ignition Community Conference (ICC) 2026.
The College was represented by Dr. P. Vijay Daniel, Lecturer in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics, who
presented TCICC’s Island Smart Utility Platform project before an international audience of industry professionals, system integrators, educators, researchers and technology experts.
Organised by Inductive Automation, ICC is an international conference focused on industrial automation, technology, system integration and innovative applications developed using the Ignition platform.
TCICC’s award-winning project integrates Ignition with affordable ESP32 microcontrollers to support sustainable agriculture while providing students with hands-on experience in Internet of Things (IoT), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and automation.
The project was also featured in the conference’s Discover Gallery, providing TCICC with an opportunity to showcase its work to approximately 1,900 attendees from across the international industrial automation and technology sectors.
Speaking to the significance of the achievement for education and innovation in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Honourable Rachel Marshall Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, remarked:
“I congratulate Dr. P. Vijay Daniel and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College on this outstanding achievement. Recognition on an international platform demonstrates the talent, innovation and potential that exist within our education system. Initiatives such as the Island Smart Utility Platform show how education, technology and practical learning can work together to prepare our students for the opportunities of the future.”
The recognition also reflects TCICC’s continued commitment to strengthening applied, innovative and technology-driven education while preparing students for an increasingly digital workforce.
Reflecting on what the achievement represents for the College and its students, Dr. Candice Williams, President/CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, stated:
“This recognition is a significant achievement for TCICC and reflects our commitment to providing students with meaningful opportunities
to apply what they learn in the classroom. We are extremely proud of Dr. Daniel and the work being undertaken within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics. This award demonstrates that innovation taking place at TCICC can achieve international recognition and contribute to the continued development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
For Dr. Daniel, the conference provided an important opportunity to share TCICC’s work internationally while engaging with professionals and experts from around the world.
Sharing his experience of representing the College on the international stage, Dr. Daniel said:
“Representing the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College at ICC 2026 was a proud and meaningful experience. Presenting our project in the Discover Gallery and receiving the Firebrand Award for Educational Engagement was especially rewarding because it recognised the work we have been doing with our students.
To see TCICC and the Turks and Caicos Islands represented on such a major international platform was truly special.”
Dr. Daniel also expressed appreciation to the Management of TCICC for its continued support and for providing him with the opportunity to represent the College internationally.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Insert: Dr. P. Vijay Daniel and Mr. Menelik Astwood (Chair of Faculty for Computing, Engineering and Mathematics).
News
Stakeholders Strengthen Collaboration on Housing and Informal Settlements at World Habitat Day Roundtable
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 9 October 2026: Representatives from across Government and key
stakeholder organisations came together on Monday, 5 October, for a World Habitat Day Stakeholder Roundtable focused on housing, informal settlements and opportunities for stronger inter-agency collaboration in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Held at the Salvation Army Brighter Futures Centre under the theme “Adequate Housing for All,” the roundtable was hosted by the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) and the Department of Housing and Community Renewal, in collaboration with the Planning Department.
The event brought together representatives from agencies whose respective mandates intersect with housing, land use, infrastructure, environmental management, social development and informal settlements. Discussions focused on the challenges affecting access to adequate housing in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the need for coordinated approaches to both existing informal settlements and future housing development.
Opening remarks were delivered by Justice Carlos W. Simons KC, Strategic Lead of the Informal Settlements Unit; Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Charles Washington Misick; and Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
In his remarks, Premier Misick acknowledged the housing crisis facing the Turks and Caicos Islands, including the gap between the cost of
housing and what many residents can afford. He emphasised the need to move beyond discussions and planning towards practical action to address the challenges. “I’m calling on all of us…to get from behind the desk, from focusing on producing paperwork and nice presentations and let’s focus on actually delivering what we have been tasked to deliver” the Premier urged.
Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam also addressed the pressures on housing availability and affordability arising from the Islands’ rapid economic growth, noting their connection to the proliferation of informal settlements. While recognising the difficult circumstances faced by individuals seeking shelter, she stressed the need for responses that balance humanitarian considerations with the enforcement of laws governing land use, planning, immigration and public safety.
“This is therefore not a choice between humanity and enforcement. A mature response must be capable of holding several truths at once- that some people are genuinely vulnerable…that the state has responsibilities towards those at risk, and that equally, laws governing land, planning, immigration and public safety must retain meaning,” the Governor stated.
The Department of Housing and Community Renewal, Planning Department and Informal Settlements Unit subsequently delivered
presentations examining the issue from their respective areas of responsibility.
The Housing Department outlined current housing challenges and initiatives being pursued to expand access to appropriate and affordable housing. The Planning Department examined the relationship between housing, land use, infrastructure, safety and resilient community development, while the ISU presented findings from its GIS mapping and Social Needs Assessment Survey and outlined possible pathways for addressing informal settlements through regularisation, redevelopment and alternative housing solutions.
The presentations were followed by a guided stakeholder discussion examining issues including housing affordability, infrastructure, land availability, informal settlement regularisation, environmental and social considerations, and the roles different agencies can play in developing sustainable responses.
A key outcome of the discussion was an agreement to establish a stakeholder liaison network, with each participating organisation committing to designate a representative to serve as its principal point of contact. The network will provide a mechanism for continued communication and information-sharing among participating agencies, while helping to identify opportunities for closer collaboration on matters where their respective mandates intersect.
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