It is exciting news to see that Brookfield, which has had offices in Bermuda for decades, has made the additional investment by buying Argo. In effect, it is doing what Bermuda is best known for in creating captives. Also, it bodes well that Brookfield intends to make a physical presence and will undertake to build new offices and a modern complex.

Here is where I make my point on social responsibility. The laissez-faire idea of introducing development in a society that has a distorted, on-the-ground economic picture owing to political interference and historical racism can be a disservice at times when not sensitive to the need for a balanced society in the future.

I know that Brookfield is a highly reputable company that will never wilfully intend to do anything that would adversely affect Bermuda or any country. On the contrary, I know that it is both prudent and sensitive. However, that cannot be said often about those who will host them.

I admit my own self-interest as a former builder. But aside from my own interest lay the larger interest of the Bermuda market that systematically destroyed opportunity for a sector of the community and thereby took away a valuable arm of apprenticeship that many Black-owned construction businesses provided our youth. This market needs correction and it is my view any major project needs to incorporate that truth into its designs.

Unfortunately, with the bigotry within the Government, one cannot expect any corrections that are not tainted happening from our leaders. Therefore, it rests on the mindfulness of the private sector, without compromising the integrity of any project, to play a role in correcting the market.

I cite this project because of the scale of its development; I would argue the same for the Fairmont Southampton deal. In fact, I would carry the same principle for any project over the next ten to 15 years.

No, this is not the equivalent of affirmative action; this is direct action and independent movement of the marketplace not mandated by a government or any law.

Nor am I saying anything new. While in caucus when the CedarBridge development was on the table, there will be those who remember me forcibly advocating that the contract should be awarded as a management contract and not given to a single contractor. David Saul was my quiet ally. It turned out that became the method used and many first-time contractors got their start, some going on to play significant roles in the industry, particularly with the Ace and XL buildings.

I believe in the free market. I also believe in conscience and therefore a free market with a conscience. They are not mutually exclusive ideas; we can have both if we choose. Profitability and conscience can live together in the same house, particularly when the end result is harmony.