Madame Speaker, I give my full support to Jamaica becoming a member of the Madrid Protocol and to the proposals in the Trade Marks Amendment Act, 2021 which are before us today.   The proposed amendments to the Trade Marks Act, not only enable Jamaica to accede and acknowledge accession to the Madrid Protocol in law, but we are also...

Madam Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to speak here today, particularly as this makes my 10th year speaking in this debate. I cannot continue without first thanking the Almighty, from whom all blessings flow. Without His strength and guidance, I would not be here. Thanks to our Prime Minister, The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, for the confidence he...

Madam Speaker, This is my first sectoral presentation as Minister of National Security for the new term of office. It comes in the middle of the COVID-19 public health pandemic, which, when added to the chronic epidemic of violence in our society, signals that the country is going through two major crises at this time. This novel coronavirus has derailed...

LABOUR DAY SLOGAN: "STAY HOME.  STAY SAFE.  CLEAN UP YU SPACE"   Fellow Jamaicans, Workers' Week and Labour Day 2021 find us still in the grip of the pandemic.  Consequently, the overall theme – Safeguarding our Labour Force amid COVID-19 – is particularly relevant.   In July 2020, almost 5 months after our first coronavirus case, employment fell by an...

Good day my fellow Jamaicans. I greet you well. Labour Day is normally a time when we come together in voluntary work for the betterment of our communities. However, for the second year in a row, the global COVID-19 pandemic has touched almost all aspects our lives. So this Labour Day we are being asked to "Tan a Wi Yard"...

Madam Speaker, The Government of Jamaica (GoJ) has provided $720 million as an incentive for Non-PATH students to acquire devices. The programme, known as the Own Your Own Device (OYOD) Incentive Programme is aimed at benefiting 36,000 non-PATH students with a $20,000 voucher towards the purchase of a tablet or laptop. The Ministry of Education, Youth & Information would like...

Madam Speaker, 2020 has been an extraordinary year for Jamaica, and the world. The COVID-19 virus - and its impact globally and on Jamaica - has been life changing. This is a once in a 100 year experience. There was no playbook prescribing a response; we had to adjust and learn as we went along. This public health threat tested...