On July 23, 2014, when the OBA announced their plan to grant status to thousands of non-Bermudians, they did exactly as many had predicted. On the UBP wish list for decades, the OBA have finally boldly declared their true intentions to increase their voter base.

Double speak exposed

In his ministerial statement regarding the OBA’s decision to allow the granting of status to PRC holders, Minister Michael Fahy stated,

“Immigration records indicate that 1,455 PRCs are potentially eligible for status under Section 20B of the Act. We do not know how many children of these PRC holders are eligible for status, but believe the number is minimal – possibly a few hundred.”

What Minister Fahy has purposely avoided telling Bermudians is that there are up to 1,237 spouses of PRC holders who will receive status within 10 years and that there are approximately 2,960 children of PRC holders.

So let’s do the math: 1,237 spouses and up to 2,960 children of PRC holders. That equals to a potential 4,200 additional persons receiving status over the next 10 years.

Why did Minister Fahy not mention those numbers?

“PRCs already have the right to live and work in Bermuda. They have full freedom of employment, free of immigration control…the granting of status to PRCs would eliminate workplace protections for the hiring of Bermudians first. No such protections exist.”

A policy guideline for employers that was produced in April 2013 by Minister Fahy’s Ministry of Home Affairs (Department of Immigration) clearly states that:

“it is expected that employers will fill jobs in Bermuda in the following order:

1. Bermudian

2. non-Bermudian spouse (including the widow or widower) of a Bermudian

3. divorced parent of a Bermudian

4. Permanent Resident‘s Certificate holder

5. non-Bermudian with a qualifying Bermudian connection

6. other non-Bermudians”

Why is Minister Fahy misleading the people of Bermuda about the existence of this policy?

“It is very possible that new status holders will look to buy a home and that those purchases as they happen may cause the market value of people’s homes to rise.”

So how does this bode for Bermudians who are attempting to save to purchase property when prices will rise?

The OBA is clearly not looking out for the aspirations of Bermudians who are struggling to purchase their first home.

Coupled with their recently amended Companies Act 2014, which allows foreign companies to buy our residential-zoned land, the OBA has clearly shown that they wish to empower non-Bermudians to own more property in Bermuda.

Let’s not forget that current government estimates that 38% of our residential-zoned property is already owned by non-Bermudians.

“Cayman may grant PRC status after legal and ordinary residence for a period of eight years based on a points system, with full status after being naturalised as a British Overseas Territory Citizen.”

Non-Caymanians now outnumber born Caymanians in their own island. If the OBA continues on this path, Bermudians too will be outnumbered in our own island.

Disregarding Bermudians again

Minister Fahy has held no meetings to present facts to the Bermudian people and engage in public dialogue. As with the removal of term limits, Minister Fahy is once again making decisions that benefit non-Bermudians at the expense of Bermudians with none of the OBA’s promised collaboration and transparency.

Minister Fahy is also conveniently failing to mention that with the removal of term limits, Bermuda is now facing a new wave of up to 7,500 guest workers who will one day potentially demand that they be granted residency rights and eventually full Bermudian status. It is clear that the OBA is committed to opening up immigration for non-Bermudians to claim Bermudian status, whilst showing zero concern about those Bermudians who are forced to leave Bermuda to reside overseas. There is an ongoing pattern that is emerging that runs counter to the best interests of Bermudians:

• Abolishment of term limits

• Canceling of referendum

• Plans for privatization of government jobs

• Cutting government scholarships from $760,000 to $40,000

• The ongoing JetGate scandal, including Senator Fahy’s connection with OBA’s secret underground election campaign

Fellow Bermudians, we were promised openness and transparency by the OBA. Instead we are forced to endure one secret deal after the other. The motives of the OBA are now crystal clear.

“And If I have to make it easier for rich white people to own land in Bermuda, that is fine!” — MP Bob Richards HoA, March 1, 2013.