The Cayman Islands Parliament convened on Thursday, 6 February for the Fourth Sitting of the Third Meeting of the 2024-2025 Session. The proceedings began with prayer from the elected member for George Town West, David Wight.

Premier, Honourable Juliana O’Connor-Connolly tabled the report of the Standing Business Committee – Second Meeting of the 2024-2025 Session of the Cayman Islands Parliament. Premier O’Connor-Connolly thanked the members of the committee and noted the completed report and duly considered minutes were approved.

The proceedings continued with the moving of four Private Member’s Motions, specifically:

1. Private member’s motion No. 9 to launch a national awareness campaign;
2. Private member’s motion No. 10 to reduce duty for small and medium enterprises;
3. Private member’s motion no. 11 to establish secondary educational programmes; and
4. Private member’s motion No. 12 to regulate real estate agents.

Speaking on Private Member’s Motion No. 9, its mover West Bay West Member of Parliament McKeeva Bush stated that the campaign aims to highlight the diversity and strengths of the Cayman Islands with a view of building a more inclusive society. Mr Bush outlined that the Cayman Islands is home to people from “over 130 nationalities” and that the workforce – from tourism to finance strives because of these talents and skills brought from around the world.

Mr Bush further stated “Diversity is our greatest asset, what makes us unique, what fuels our economy and what enriches our lives. If we aim to be a first-class, world class, country everybody has to work together and understand where we are at.”  

Expounding on the aim of the campaign, Mr Bush said it will go a long way to encourage unity through the following:

• Media initiatives showcasing voices from different backgrounds, professions and communities. This will include the use of media to publicise information and allows for inter-generational connections amongst all communities;
• Staff at the community level to ensure programmes are implemented as intended; 
• Educational programmes in schools that encourage participation of seniors and youth;
• Public events and celebrations that bring communities together to showcase traditions, music, cuisine;
• Industry partnerships to highlight how diversity strengthens our tourism, financial and public service sectors.   

Several members of parliament supported the motion. Government members who rose to express their support include Honourable Bernie Bush, Honourable Isaac Rankine, Honourable Dwayne Seymour and Deputy Premier, Honourable Kenneth Bryan.  

For his part, Deputy Premier Bryan remarked, “Sharing our community with others in harmony is the best way forward.” However, he emphasised that, “People need to understand the sensitivities of our community.”

Member of Parliament for Bodden Town West, Chris Saunders, who seconded the motion shared statistics about the composition of the population from the census done in 2021. Mr Saunders noted “When going through the census you see the diversity, you see the richness, you see what it is that makes the Cayman Islands unique.”

In speaking to the diversity of the Islands, Mr Saunders explained, “We have enriched ourselves, our culture by drawing from others also, and others drawing from us. Forty-seven per cent of the overall Caymanian population was not born in this country. Are we now going to create a Cayman where we are saying to people who are not Caymanians who have called here home, that we are going to have the 53 per cent fight the forty-seven per cent?”

Following the supportive remarks from various MPs, Mr Bush exercised his right of reply, noting among other things, that there is a lot of work to do and a balance is needed. The motion was then passed. 

In speaking on Private Member’s Motion No. 10, its mover MP Saunders outlined that is it time to look at protecting many of the country’s small business and to look at ways to help them especially in light of recent pronouncements and developments. Deputy Premier Bryan stated that the government would accept and support the motion but also recognise that it will have some financial implications to the budget. The Deputy Premier then proceeded to highlight some of the things that are already being done within the government and its agencies to help small businesses. The motion was then passed.  

For Private Member’s Motion No. 11, its mover, Bodden Town West MP Chris Saunders outlined the intention relating to adult education and getting persons who did not complete high school back into the classroom. Premier O’Connor-Connolly said the government was happy and delighted to accept the motion. The motion was then passed.

The final Motion of the Sitting, Private Member’s Motion No. 12 was moved by Honourable Bernie Bush. Mr Bush emphasised that it was time for Caymanians to benefit from the real estate market. Premier O’Connor-Connolly advised that the government was inclined to agree with the motion, emphasising that the motion seeks greater regulation in line with what would be considered consumer protection provisions. The Premier added that regulated real estate agents in the Cayman Islands would lead to a path of transparency and fairness. Various members rose to express their support of the motion. The motion was then passed. 

The Sitting continued with Government Business. The members went in Committee to discuss amendments to the Bills brought before the House, namely:

1. Referendum (Cruise Berthing Infrastructure, Gambling and Cannabis) Bill, 2024
2. Customs and Border Control (Amendment) Bill, 2024
3. Beneficial Ownership Transparency (Amendment) Bill, 2024
4. Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, 2025
5. Grand Court (Amendment) Bill, 2025
6. Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2025

The amendments were duly moved and passed to be reported to the House.

Following the resumption of the House, the Ministers reported that the six Bills were passed by a committee of the whole House. The Bills were set down for third readings and then duly passed.  

The Sitting continued with Government Motions. Minister of Border Control, Labour & Culture, Sustainability & Climate Resiliency and Wellness, Honourable Dwayne Seymour moved a motion to withdraw Government Motion No. 6 of 2024-2025 – Public Consultation on the proposed amendments to the Immigration (Transition) Act (2022 Revision) set out in the Immigration (Transition) Discussion White Paper. The motion to withdraw was passed. 

The Attorney General then moved a motion for Government Motion No. 9 of 2024-2025 to amend the Parliament Standing Orders (2024 Revision). The Attorney General explained that the proposed amendment to the Parliament Standing Orders seeks to modernise and develop more appropriate contemporary procedures for the House of parliament. He emphasised that the timing of the amendments is most fitting in light of the fact that Parliament has been autonomous since 2020. 

The motion was supported by both government and opposition members, some of whom rose to express commendations and appreciation. The House then adopted the draft Standing Orders 2025 to come into force 28 February 2025.

Bringing a close to the proceedings, Speaker of the House of Parliament, Honourable Sir Alden McLaughlin thanked the members for their contributions. He also thanked them for their commendations. Sir Alden shared “I am beyond thankful and grateful for having the opportunity to serve as a representative for almost 25 years and to have had the opportunity to serve and get the things done that I have always been so passionate about.”

The House continues today, Friday, 7 February.

To watch Thursday’s proceedings, visit:

Fourth Sitting of the Third Meeting of the 2024-2025 Session of Parliament | 6 February | Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZAhm3a0a3g

Fourth Sitting of the Third meeting of the 2024-2025 Session of Parliament | 6 February | Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3T89GY8tto

For further information visit: www.gov.ky/governmentinparliament.  

How to follow: Watch live broadcasts of sittings on CIG YouTube and CIGTV (Logic – Channel 23, C3 – Channel 3, Flow – Channel 106).