I have taken note of a statement issued by Dr. Horace Chang, Opposition Spokesman on Housing, Water, Environment and Climate Change. Dr Chang’s statement is misleading, mischievous, unfounded and has no basis in truth. Immediately after the Government became aware of the incident, the Government put into gear, its emergency response over a matter that is the subject of intensive...

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ·         The Almighty, for His Grace and Mercy toward me ·         My Family ·         The Most Honourable Prime Minister, Mrs. Portia Simpson-Miller for her leadership and confidence in my capability to lead this portfolio ·         Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Andrew Holness, MP ·         Parliamentary colleagues for their support and encouragement ·         My Minister of State, Hon. Colin Fagan,...

Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and a sense of humility that I rise in this honourable House today to make my contribution to the sectoral debate – my very first as Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce. It is made more special since the opportunity comes in the year when our nation celebrates its first 50 years of...

A:      INTRODUCTION 1. This is my 19th year as a Member of Parliament.  Have participated in every Budget Debate since my election to Parliament, either as Minister of Finance and Planning, or as Opposition Spokesman. However, first time speaking in Sectoral Debate. 2. Honoured to have been asked to open and close this Debate.  Sincerely hope that members on both...

INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, we have come to the end of our budget process which began on May 10th with the presentation of the Estimates of Expenditure. Let me thank all who contributed to the Debate which I opened on May 24th, 2012. This budget process has been predictably difficult coming as it does at this time of crisis. We have...

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, says he will be addressing concerns regarding the country’s trade deficit with the rest of CARICOM, during his upcoming Sectoral presentation in the House of Representatives. Speaking at the launch of the Jamaica Exporters’ Association's (JEA) National Exporters’ Month on June 4th at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, Minister...

Leader of the Opposition, Andrew Holness, is urging the government to begin implementation of the tax reform measures. Mr. Holness, who was making his contribution to the 2012/13 Budget Debate Thursday May 31 in the House of Representatives, said that tax reform is necessary to increase compliance and broaden the tax base. “In the context of Jamaica, tax reform must...

In 2003, the first International Day of United Nations (UN) Peacekeepers was observed globally on May 29. Since then, the world has paid tribute to these men and women who have bravely served in some of the most hostile conditions, in order to restore an element of normalcy to the lives of the hundreds of thousands who are forced to...

In opening this debate on the 2012/13 Budget, I am mindful that my presence here is first of all a mandate from my constituents in East Central St Andrew who continue to show their satisfaction with the representation they receive by returning me to Parliament. They remain an invaluable and irreplaceable source of support, love and inspiration. Let me pay...

Fellow Jamaicans: Today on Labour Day we remember the sacrifices of the workers of Jamaica as they dedicated themselves to the struggles for realization of their hopes, dreams and aspirations. Today we honour as well our visionaries; leaders who gave of themselves unstintingly to lead a mass of people determined to find fulfilment; the Rt. Excellent Paul Bogle, The Rt....

The 2012/13 Budget Debate begins on May 24, in the House of Representatives, with Minister of Finance, Planning and Public Service, Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips, making his presentation. Dr. Phillips will tell the nation how the $612.4 billion budget for the fiscal year will be funded. On May 10, the Minister tabled the 2012/13 Estimates of Expenditure in the House,...