Mr. Speaker, in March 2024, the Government launched the Red Tape Reduction Consultation with a clear purpose: to hear directly from the people of Bermuda on how we can modernise Government, improve service delivery, and reduce bureaucratic barriers that hinder business development and economic activity.

We received over 100 submissions with various suggestions for Government ministries and departments. These were then shared with the relevant Ministers, who have been working with their teams to implement them.

In this year’s budget statement, I provided a brief overview of the government's progress. I confirmed that since the consultation closed, the Government had:

• Launched pay.gov.bm, enabling residents to pay for parking tickets online.
• Revamped Online Services section of the Government’s website to offer simplified navigation, easier digital application access and submissions, online payments, and improved search capabilities.
• Introduced socialinsurance.gov.bm, where residents can now submit applications for pensions, contribution records, name changes, and benefit claims.
• Initiated phase one of enhanced digital applications for the Transport Control Department (TCD) via forms.gov.bm, including online applications for Project Ride Instructor approvals, tint and signage exemptions, licensing fee exemptions, and vehicle importation and replacement forms.

I rise today to further update this Honourable House and the people of Bermuda on the Government’s Red Tape Reduction Consultation progress. In particular, the progress made from the public within the Ministries of Tourism & Transport, Culture and Sport, Economy & Labour, Cabinet Office & Digital Innovation, and Health.

The Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture and Sport.

Mr Speaker, the submissions for the Ministry of Tourism & Transport, Culture and Sport mainly centred around the desire for more Transport Control Department (TCD) services to be accessible online, simplify licensing processes, and reduce waiting times.

Building on its digitisation efforts, I am pleased to share that phase two of enhanced digital applications at the Transport Control Department will go on Monday, July 14. This next phase will introduce additional online services, including:

• Applications to reclassify a registered vehicle’s category
• A digitised Classic Motor Car application for vehicles 25 years or older
• A simplified process for obtaining Sporting Association Trailer Permits

These upgrades will further streamline the customer experience by reducing the need for in-person visits, improving communication, and providing applicants with tailored guidance, regular updates, and estimated response times. By moving more services online, the Ministry is making it easier and more efficient for residents and businesses to navigate essential transport services.

There have also been other meaningful strides in reducing red tape regarding vehicle inspections. As of January 2025, the Ministry has implemented a revised vehicle examination policy, focusing exclusively on critical safety elements such as brakes, tires, and lights and removing cosmetic issues like faded paint or minor surface rust as grounds for failure.

The Ministry of Economy & Labour

Mr. Speaker, the Red Tape Reduction Consultation produced numerous submissions related to Immigration processes and employment policy.

I am pleased to report that the Department of Immigration has advanced its comprehensive digitisation project with steps having already been taken or underway:

• A vendor has been selected
• A key site visit to the Bahamas took place to see the digitised system and processes in action.
• And a full-time project manager will be hired this summer to oversee implementation.

This project will streamline processing, improve transparency, and ultimately create a dashboard that allows applicants to track the progress of their submissions, one of the most common requests received in the Consultation.

Mr. Speaker, the need for clearer and more accessible work permit policies was another frequent point raised. On 5 June, the Department of Immigration published a revised Work Permit Policy. The revisions are designed to modernise and clarify work permit processes, enhance fairness and transparency, and better align with Bermuda's current and future workforce needs. 

In continuing with this Government’s commitment to transparency and inclusive governance, the policy was made available for public consultation after its publication, which closed on 4 July. This ensured that the voices of businesses, workers, and stakeholders were again heard and considered before the new policy is scheduled to come into effect in September 2025.

Mr. Speaker, the digitisation of Immigration services and the update of work permit policies are foundational steps toward a more efficient and accessible system that better serves the needs of businesses, workers, and families.

The Ministry for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry for the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation has played a key role in driving improvements to customer service and streamlining Government operations in response to the Red Tape Reduction Consultation.

To further improve service quality, automated customer feedback forms were launched, are now being monitored, with corrective actions taken where necessary. In departments such as Planning, reforms are being made to ensure applications are assessed holistically, recognising the importance of balancing economic drivers like international business and tourism with fairness and accessibility.

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry has progressed in streamlining the planning and building approval process. This includes:

• Retroactive applications no longer need to go to the Minister as appeals, reducing the time to process.
• Employed additional plan reviewers to process Building Permits faster

These efforts represent a practical, thoughtful response to the suggestions raised during the Red Tape Reduction Consultation and reflect the Government’s ongoing commitment to digital transformation and improving how we serve the people of Bermuda.

The Ministry of Health

Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Health received several submissions from the public focused on two main areas: streamlining professional registrations and addressing health and safety enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, the Bermuda Health Council is progressing work on new electronic systems for professional registration. These improvements will help ease administrative burdens by providing a more seamless submission and review process.

Submissions were also received calling for the streamlining of occupational health and safety inspections. The review confirmed that delays stemmed from a lack of qualified Safety Officers, which resulted in multiple, uncoordinated inspections. The Ministry has responded by recruiting for vacant posts, with the goal of re-establishing routine joint inspections with agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service, to reduce red tape and improve efficiency.

These changes ensure the Ministry can meet its mandate while delivering services more efficiently.

Mr. Speaker, the overwhelming message in the Red Tape Reduction Consultation was clear: there is a strong desire for better efficiency, responsiveness, and modernisation in Government processes.

This wasn’t just an exercise in listening, it was a commitment to act. We have taken action to make Government work better, and we will continue to improve process throughout the Government.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.