Members
Parliament
Transparency
Dr. Douglas De Couto, JP, MP

Dr. Douglas De Couto, JP, MP

1768
Speeches
616,883
Words Spoken
69
Sittings Active
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
695 words
Mr. Speaker, the Corporate Income Tax ( or CIT) is a potentially transformative resource for Bermuda. However, it is no silver bullet and brings its own challenges. We have spoken often of the uncertain nature of the timings and amounts of the CIT, and the uncertain number of taxpayers. This means we must budget conservatively around the CIT. It is …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
277 words
Mr. Speaker, a key element of many of the Government’s statements around the CIT is the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund, funded by CIT revenue. It connotates wealth, obviously, and also plenty —a solution to our financial problems. This is, of course, politically attractive. However, we have many other uses for the CIT money before setting it aside for …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
74 words
Mr. Speaker, after millions of dollars spent, we are very disappointed to see no progress on the development of gaming on the Island, and no progress in eliminating or reforming the Gaming Commission. As in most of the other areas of our economy, if we want a better result, we are going to have to change how we do things. …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
63 words
Mr. Speaker, we have spoken a lot about the general state of Bermuda, its economy, the Government’s plans, and its financial performance and we have provided a few points about what the OBA would do in specific areas . So now we turn to our overall vision for the finances and economy of Bermuda and her people. 10.1 Philosophy of …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
711 words
At its heart, our philosophy is that all Bermudians must be empowered to achieve our dreams, and success in whatever ventures we choose. While we want to ensure the appropriate social safety net is in place, we must aim for fewer and fewer Bermudians to need it. We view creating opportunity for Bermudians in three pillars: local business and economy, …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
387 words
Mr. Speaker, a second well - known pillar that creates opportunity for Bermudians is hospitality and tourism. These sectors bring foreign currency into Bermuda, and more importantly, provide a wide range of jobs for Bermudians and consume a wide range of services in our economy. Tourists provide a good market for many Bermudian entrepreneurs, retailers and service providers, that we …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
177 words
Mr. Speaker, International Business brings foreign currency into Bermuda and provides high quality, well -paying, often comfortable jobs for Bermudians. Our objective with IB is to continue the growth and success of it in Bermuda. We’d maintain Bermuda’s top- ranked regulatory reputation and provide IB with efficient and effective Government services, such as immigration processing and other local infrastructure like …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
278 words
Mr. Speaker, a key opportunity for Bermuda’s economy lies in Hamilton, which is the perfect site for creating the housing that Bermuda needs without further encroaching on the miniscule amounts of open space we have left. While Government has loosened some restrictions for building and development in Hamilton, more should be done. After all, if investors and developers wouldn’t want …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
224 words
Mr. Speaker, as we have seen in multiple areas across our economy and fi-nances, a critical underlying issue is the number of people living and working in Bermuda. We must consider it an urgent national priority to make it more attractive for young Bermudians to return home, for Bermudians and people working here to stay here, and for new people …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
7 words
What a timely question. 11. Specific Proposals
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
19 words
Mr. Speaker, we were very disappointed that Government has not scrapped the sugar tax. [Inaudible interjections and laughter ]
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
185 words
It’s well- known that this tax has not achieved its goals and only increased food prices for Bermudians. It’s not too late for Government to get rid of it. Another tax we would suggest cutting, targeting better or even eliminating, is the Foreign Currency Purchase Tax, or FCPT. This 1.25 per cent must be paid on all purchases of foreign …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
203 words
Mr. Speaker, we have provided ample evidence that shows just how hollow the Government’s claims of fairness really are, as businesses and Bermudians in the local economy continue to struggle and cost of living outstrips whatever small pay increases people are getting. We have shown how Bermuda’s biggest challenge is our shrinking and emigrating population, which the Government continues to …
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
10 words
Point of order, Mr. Speaker! [Laughter and inaudible interjections ]
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
12 words
Point of order. Personalisations, Mr. Speaker. Personalisations. [Laughter and inaudible interjections ]
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
6 words
Point of information, Madam Deputy Speaker.
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
11 words
Point of information, Madam— Hon. Wayne L. Furbert: No, no, no.
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
14 words
Point of order, Mr. Speaker. [Hon. Dennis P. Lister, Jr., Speaker, in the Chair]
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
34 words
The Member is unintentionally misleading the House. I believe we outlaid specifically the things we would take out of it. Not that we would not take anything out of it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
9 May 2025 House of Assembly
Official Hansard Report - House of Assembly
5 words
Point of order, Mr. Speaker.