Emotionalism can have its place. People can feel that they have an indivisible link to this country and that this is the tie that binds and that alone should qualify them for a preferred status. We agree. Where we disagree is the manner and the extent to which they get a preferred status among other non-Bermudians. We say that the line in the sand should be drawn to recognise and acknowledge any contributions, that have been made, by the grant of a Permanent Residents Certificate - not full Bermudian status. There is still a hierarchy of scale and while the long-term resident may feel that he or she is a true Bermudian, there should and must be a distinction between long-term residents, not withstanding their contributions, and Bermudians.

Even without Bermudian status, people who have the qualifying connection and who are here under work permit control will find that the Immigration Department, the Board, the Ministry and the Minister are not hard-nosed or lacking in compassion. There would have to be insuperable issues relating to conduct which would merit in our view the separation of parents from children who are here with the grant of Bermudian status. Work permits are not generally turned down in such scenarios, unless there is a Bermudian who naturally has a primacy and superiority of right. We want to make the system work for all without fear or favour. Our task is to be objective despite recognizing the personal. Objectivity also requires putting people's experiences and reaction into a historical context, defining the rationale and making a sincere attempt to strike a balance between the subjective and objective.

Alongside of these discussions, we also have to continue to compile as much data as possible on the length of residence, occupation and demographic information on long-term residents so that when we make decisions these are not based on arbitrary feelings but on empirical knowledge. The results of the Census 2000 will be helpful. However even in the interim, we have sought to improve the information flow and have written to various organizations representing the long-term residents so we can be less speculative and more scientific in the analysis as opposed to having to extrapolate based on less current statistics.

Also, much has been said about the concept of sustainable development. Although there is considerable debate as to how many people Bermuda can absorb, we do not, as yet, have the hard empirical data that may be required. Up to now, little attention has been devoted to assessing the consequences of this change to the local physical environment. However, in recent months, there has been a lot of interest generated, and the recognition of the need for there to be clarity of focus in seeking to address the issue.

A number of Government Departments have been meeting as part of a working group with members of the private sector to establish a methodology for determining what we can absorb in terms of our future development. However, our form of democracy is committed not to the few but to the residents as a whole. Our system does not benefit Bermudians to the exclusion of others. In fact some would argue eloquently and strenuously to the contrary that we have developed and done very well but in

 

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The Minister has proposed a heirarchy of rights which may conflict with Section 11 of the Bermuda Constitution.


This was not evident by the Minister's posture during the public forums during which she encouraged an atmosphere of anger and fear which resulted in a whole litany of problems being blamed on the presence of Bermuda's Long Term Residents.
What organisation has she written? What were the results of her survey?
What has been most disturbing about the Government's handling of this issue is that it is prepared to make decisions without adequate information. As a result of holding forums without presenting adequate information, the whole discussion descended to vitriol and acrimony. To the best of our knowledge, the Government still does not have adequate information with respect to number of Long Term Residents, yet it is in the process of preparing its White Paper. Clearly its motives are political rather than moral and humane. The Coalition received word following the ruling-Progressive Labour Party's conference last fall that the real issue for the Government is that because the majority of Long Term Residents are white and unlikely to vote for the PLP, the Government will not grant Long Term Residents status (citizenship).