As part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring that Bermuda’s affordability agenda reflects the lived experiences of all generations, the Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne, JP, MP, announced the establishment of the inaugural Junior Cost of Living Commission.
The group was formed during the Ministry’s summer student programme to incorporate the youth voice in the development of Bermuda’s strategy in addressing the cost of living.
The Junior Cost of Living Commission convened in July and met weekly to develop practical recommendations on affordability for submission to the statutory Cost-of-Living Commission through the Ministry of Home Affairs, including measures not fully explored in the Affordable Bermuda Agenda.
This was another opportunity for the Ministry to be inclusive of Bermuda’s youth and to continue actively encouraging and including them in the development of policies and legislation that will also impact their future. An important element of the Junior Commission's work was the opportunity for members to draw on their experiences of studying and living overseas. Members identified several initiatives that they had encountered in other jurisdictions and considered whether aspects could potentially be adapted to Bermuda's circumstances.
The Junior Cost-of-Living Commission chaired by Mr. Einnajae Caines, comprised a diverse group of young Bermudians representing local institutions, international universities and the workforce, including:
- Mr. Einnajae Caines – Nottingham Trent University
- Mr. Mathew Moreno – Indiana University
- Mr. Jayce Fraser – Georgia State University
- Mr. Tajer Basden – Johnson C. Smith University
- Miss Kyiah Robinson – University of Essex
- Miss Nasya Burgess – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
- Mr. Christen Lugo – Leeds Beckett University
- Mr Ywione Darrell – Bermuda Monetary Authority
- Miss Ajai Peets – The Office of Youth Affairs
- Mr. Zayne Sinclair – Youth Entrepreneur
During its meetings, members examined the purpose of the Junior Cost-of-Living Commission and explored what affordability means from a youth perspective.
The discussion highlighted that affordability challenges vary across different stages of young adulthood, from education to employment and independent living. It was also noted that future policy responses must reflect these differing lived experiences.
Minister Lightbourne said, “By empowering young Bermudians to challenge ideas, test our initiatives and put forward their own recommendations, we are strengthening both our policy development and our democracy. If we are serious about building a more affordable Bermuda, we must also be serious about listening to the generation that will inherit it. The Junior Cost of Living Commission ensures that young Bermudians are actively helping to shape the solutions.”
