Establishing conditions for job creation, reducing the cost of living and widening the scope of human rights are just three accomplishments touted by Premier Craig Cannonier as evidence that his Government is “getting the job done”.

In an opinion printed in today’s Royal Gazette, Mr Cannonier lists ten decisions — among “many others” — he said would get Bermuda “moving in the right direction”.

At the top of his list is the formation of an Economic Development Committee to “speed up job-growing activities and cut red tape”.

The Premier said the scheme had helped fast-track project developments at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Pink Beach, Morgan’s Point and Grand Atlantic, as well as the bidding for a new St. George’s hotel.

Claiming that the One Bermuda Alliance had also “advanced fairness and justice”, since its election victory 16 months ago, Mr Cannonier said: “I am very proud of the fact that we changed the Human Rights Act to outlaw discrimination on the basis sexual orientation and age.”

For years campaigners had called for the scope of human rights legislation to be widened to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. But those calls were repeatedly ignored by governments, until the OBA came into office.

Reducing the cost of living was another achievement that the Premier trumpeted, saying it demonstrated the need for Government to work with the community.

Last year government persuaded some grocery stores to increase their Wednesday price discounts from five percent to ten percent.

It has also been instrumental in deregulating the telecommunications industry, and through negotiations with Belco is hoping to see fuel bills for some customers reduced.

“We will continue to push for cost-of-living reductions wherever we can,” the Premier said.

This year’s Budget, which reduced Government debt without increasing taxes or slashing jobs, has also put Bermuda on the road to recovery, the Premier claimed, as had ditching failed policies introduced by former administrations, such as term limits for guest workers.

The creation of a Tourism Authority and the Community Driven Development programme are two Government initiatives that the Premier said will create jobs, and enable Bermudians “to realise new dreams and better support their families”.

And he rounded out his top ten list of achievements with a recent downturn in crime, increasing Financial Assistance funding, and a renewed focus on support for St George’s which “suffered over the last decade from a puzzling level of official indifference that damaged its ability to function, its commercial life and its spirit”.

See Page 4 for Mr Cannonier’s full statement.