Minister of Home Affairs Walter Roban Throne Speech Initiatives Remarks
Good Afternoon.
Following the November 6th Speech from the Throne, I would like to highlight upcoming initiatives which fall under my remit as Minister of Home Affairs.
The first is consumer protections for loans and mortgages. I will soon be introducing legislation that ensures new home owners and existing mortgage holders have enhanced protections for loans and mortgages.
In addition, the current landlord/tenant legislation will be modernized to provide further clarity regarding the rights of landlords and tenants, while also addressing the lack of legal protection for boarders, i.e. persons that rent rooms in homes and share common spaces. This is a timely initiative, as I am aware that during the early stages of the pandemic there were a number of complaints regarding actions by both landlords and tenants.
Another area highlighted in the Speech from the Throne is the subsea communications industry. I can confirm that a subsea cable fees regime will be completed in the near future, allowing Bermuda to not only position itself as the North Atlantic communications hub, but to reap the benefits of an industry that provides global connectivity and data protection in an increasingly online world.
Under my Ministry, The Department of Energy will be spearheading training for Level 1 solar installers - giving priority to those who have lost their jobs and are looking for new opportunities, as well as the introduction of a Green Energy and Environmental Justice Fund, which will encourage local and overseas investors to provide funding for:
installing solar for residential homes and small businesses;
additional training to develop solar installers and energy managers;
the initial investment to entrepreneurs who are looking to enter the renewable installers or energy management business.
Legislation to introduce a Regulatory Sandbox will also be finalized, allowing developers of new renewable technologies to build and test their technologies in Bermuda.
The Theme of this Throne Speech is, ‘Rebuilding Bermuda with Bermudians at Heart’.
I have no doubt that these initiatives, once implemented, will fulfil that goal. Thank you.
Following the November 6th Speech from the Throne, I would like to highlight upcoming initiatives which fall under my remit as Minister of Home Affairs.
The first is consumer protections for loans and mortgages. I will soon be introducing legislation that ensures new home owners and existing mortgage holders have enhanced protections for loans and mortgages.
In addition, the current landlord/tenant legislation will be modernized to provide further clarity regarding the rights of landlords and tenants, while also addressing the lack of legal protection for boarders, i.e. persons that rent rooms in homes and share common spaces. This is a timely initiative, as I am aware that during the early stages of the pandemic there were a number of complaints regarding actions by both landlords and tenants.
Another area highlighted in the Speech from the Throne is the subsea communications industry. I can confirm that a subsea cable fees regime will be completed in the near future, allowing Bermuda to not only position itself as the North Atlantic communications hub, but to reap the benefits of an industry that provides global connectivity and data protection in an increasingly online world.
Under my Ministry, The Department of Energy will be spearheading training for Level 1 solar installers - giving priority to those who have lost their jobs and are looking for new opportunities, as well as the introduction of a Green Energy and Environmental Justice Fund, which will encourage local and overseas investors to provide funding for:
installing solar for residential homes and small businesses;
additional training to develop solar installers and energy managers;
the initial investment to entrepreneurs who are looking to enter the renewable installers or energy management business.
Legislation to introduce a Regulatory Sandbox will also be finalized, allowing developers of new renewable technologies to build and test their technologies in Bermuda.
The Theme of this Throne Speech is, ‘Rebuilding Bermuda with Bermudians at Heart’.
I have no doubt that these initiatives, once implemented, will fulfil that goal. Thank you.
