Dominica, let thy blessing descend upon us here in this parliament assembled, and grant that we may, as in thy present, treat and consider all matters that shall come under our deliberation in so just and faithful a manner as to promote thy honor and glory, and to advance the good of those whose interest thou hast committed to our church. All which we ask in the name and for the sake of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. >> Amen. >> Oh, she resumes. >> Yes. >> My your indulgence, Mr. Speaker. I I felt it important for me to to uh bring this to the attention of the public that I have I have received from the electoral office my my voter ID card. So So it it seems like the vot ID cards are being uh rolled out as a final process in the confirmation exercise. Thank you. Yes, Honorable Peton, I saw you, so you may proceed. Debate continues. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to make my contribution to the 2026 2027 estimates of revenue and expenditure. But first, let me commend the Minister of Finance for his excellent presentation. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, as soon as the presentation was over, somebody said to me, "This is a master of master budget, Mr. Speaker." So I really want to thank him and the financial secretary and her team and all public officers for their tremendous work put in preparing the budget titled protecting our progress, strengthening our independence and securing our future. And Mr. Speaker, I like that. protecting our progress. Protecting our progress is important, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as Honorable Henderson pointed out yesterday, people like to say of the number of years we are in service, we are in government serving the people of Dominica. As if that is something to be ashamed of, but we have made significant progress, Mr. speaker and the leader of the opposition asked the question how should a government be judged and in fact how should we measure progress that's a fair question Mr. Speaker so Mr. Speaker I agree with my colleague Minister Henderson we have to tell our story Mr. Speaker and Mr. Mr. Speaker, it's important to tell your story. And you know when people get married, Mr. Speaker, every year they look forward to celebrating the anniversary. Mr. Speaker, after five years, it is called the wood anniversary. After after 15 years crystal anniversary, Mr. Speaker, 25 years the sales of Mr. speaker and I bet you I have some colleagues that have c have celebrated their silver anniversary and they are proud of it Mr. Speaker >> and they are proud of it not because everything is perfect when they stop to celebrate 25 years at a major milestone in marriage people come to celebrate with them Mr. speaker, not because it was perfect, but because they can reflect on where they started, the challenges that they went through, Mr. Speaker, but today they are still there standing strong together in love. Mr. Speaker, beautiful Mr. Sping, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, when you get to 50 years, it is called iconic, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I know you aiming for your 50 year anniversary, Mr. Speaker. So Mr. Speaker, if when we celebrate people anniversaries, Mr. Speaker, we are happy to do so, Mr. Speaker. We can reflect on our trials and our triumphs. This is should be the same for the Domica Labor Party government, Mr. Speaker, because Mr. Speaker, over the years, despite trials, we have had triumphs, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, honorable Henderson did a brilliant job in talking about the advancement in our infrastructure, Mr. Speaker, and road network. So I I don't need to repeat what he said, Mr. Speaker. I had some of the notes, but he handled that very well. So Mr. Speaker, I will just speak in terms of tourism. Mr. Speaker, consider Junga Bay, an a a hotel built in 2005 with 35 or 30 villas, 30 to 35 builders with 65 employees destroyed completely by tropical storm Erica. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, today Jungle Bay is a 88 villa resort employing 132 people. Mr. Speaker, that's progress. Mr. Speaker, >> Mr. Speaker, consider Secret Bay, a resort which was built in 2011. 2011, Mr. Speaker under this Dominica Labor Party it started with four villas four. Today it has 27 villas Mr. Speaker and they just celebrated their crystal 15 years anniversary Mr. Speaker employing 140 people Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker we should be proud of that and we should celebrate that rightly so. But, Mr. Speaker, there's a little part missing in that story because, Mr. Speaker, those resorts were only able to have expand and become worldrenowns resorts today because of the ro of the Roosevelt Kerry Labor Administration recrafted or restructured CBI PROGRAM. MR. SPEAKER. SO PART OF THAT SUCCESS STORY IS TO SAY ME FOR CBI. Thank God for CBI. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, so we recognize growth because of where we have started, what we have achieved, and where we plan to go. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, there's something else. And Mr. Speaker, it didn't just stop there. I want to speak more about the other hotel intercontinental resort. First of all, five-star luxury resort to open in 2019, Cabrates Compensy Resort and Spa. Mr. Speaker, when I called the manager, he told me they're employing 200 people, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, just last year we opened the beautiful ocean oasis resort in the south. Mr. Speaker, they're employing 71 people with seven vacancies. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, these four properties have created 550 jobs. Mr. Speaker, that is the growth, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, this is measurable progress. And Mr. Mr. Speaker, one thing I want to say that was very critical for my own constituency is the sea defense wall we built in Suare. Mr. Speaker, if I call Fannie today or my good friend Clarina, all of them will agree that if it wasn't because of that sea defense wall when Hurricane Maria struck, the loss of life on property could have been much worse, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, this is the progress of the Dominica Labor Party. And Mr. Speaker, our progress is also reflected in housing. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, when the Dominica Labor Party got into power, interest rates were 12 to 14%. Most people were living at home with their parents. They couldn't even afford to buy a lot, Mr. Speaker. But today mortgage interest rates are four to 5% because of innovative programs by the Dominica Labor Party government and putting money at the aid bank at affordable rates. Mr. Speaker, 5% Labor Party dropped mortgage interest rates in Dominica. And Mr. Speaker, don't talk about housing development. Just drive in New Estate and see the mansions that are up there. All of them purchase lots from the government at $5 a square foot. Mr. Speaker, that is progress, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, our progress is also reflected in the way we are preparing for the future. And that is why as a Dominican Dominican, I'm really proud that we are finally able after all these years to generate electricity from geothermal. Mr. speaker, our green gold, I call it, Mr. Speaker, because it's a resource right here in Dominica, we're using to make lives better for our people and leave some savings in your pocket from electricity cost, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, this and Mr. Speaker, finally, American Airlines and United Airlines and Contour Airlines provided direct service from the US market to Dominica. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, that's a proud that was a proud moment for us. Major milestones. And you know what has happened? People get up, Mr. Speaker. People spoil if they don't have direct service. They don't want to connect anymore. Mr. speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I present these examples not to suggest that every challenge has been solved, but because leader of the opposition, progress must be measured honestly. Mr. Speaker, our roads have improved. Our communities are better protected. Access to education has expanded. Home ownership has become more attainable. Our energy future is becoming more secure. Tourism and air access have been transformed. So, Mr. Mr. Speaker, without a doubt when the Dominica Labor Party government asks for his renewal of contract, Mr. Speaker, because a contract, a covenant in the people of Dominica, we know what will happen, Mr. Speaker, but we'll speak about that later. So, my contribution today is not really only about what you have achieved, Mr. speaker. But what those achievements now make possible? Mr. Speaker, under the leadership of Roosevel Prime Minister Roosevelt Scarit, we are building a modern, resilient, connected Dominica. Mr. Speaker, despite all the natural disasters we have faced, we have continued to move this country forward. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, progress does not mean that all your problems are solved. You're still facing global disruption beyond your control. Climate change is still impacting you. Look at the trough system in the east that affected the kalago. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, what we have done despite our challenges is to continue to strengthen our capacity, expand opportunity, and improve the lives of the people. That is the trademark of the Dominica Labor Party government. So, Mr. Speaker, this debate is not simply about numbers. It is about the type of country that we are building and the opportunities we are creating for our people. So one question should really guide this this debate. Are there more opportunities in Dominica today than there were before? And the answer is yes. There are more opportunities in tourism, small business, agriculture, construction, more opportunities in the digital economy, wellness, accommodation, transportation, and the creative industries. So, Mr. Speaker, our task now is to ensure that our people are prepared to seize these opportunities. So, Mr. Speaker, tourism provides one of the clearest demonstrations of the progress Dominical has made and the opportunities now emerging from that progress strengthening our independence. Mr. speaker visitor arrivals and normally when we present visitor arrivals during the year we focus on the calendar year but I'm going to present the statistics this on the fiscal year ending June 30th Mr. speaker 2026 visitor arrivals increased by 18% during the last fiscal year reaching a total of 527 728 visitors came to Doma Mr. Speaker half a million visitors reach Dominica in this fiscal year Mr. ical and we have to be part of that. Stay over arrivals surpass our target of 100,000 102 659 stayover visitors came to Doma Mr. speaker that is 20% both cruise arrivals also increased by 20% 4167 719 cruise passengers Mr. Speaker visit to Dominica Mr. Speaker, this growth was recorded across several of our most important source markets. The United States grew by 22%, Mr. Speaker, and represents 29% of total SEO rivals. The French West Indies, our second largest market, increased by 13%. Mr. Speaker, arrivals from the Caribbean grew by 15%. Arrivals from the United Kingdom grew by 9%. Mr. Speaker, arrivals from the Canadian market grew by 23%. Mr. speaker. These figures help us appreciate the important contribution tourism has made to Dominica's overall economic growth of 4.5%. And Mr. Speaker, I can tell you now that that direct service from Dominica to St. Thomas is performing exceptionally well. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, As >> a access B team, we are at average of 98% load, Mr. Speaker, to the point we have to consider adding another flight on that road, especially for the World Cal Music Festival. Mr. Speaker, >> they're here. They're here already. [laughter] So, Mr. Mr. Speaker, when we compare the tourism industry from where we started to where we are today, it is evident that we have grown. Mr. Speaker, we have advanced. We have expanded our tourism product. We have increased international visibility because, Mr. Speaker, we have a strong digital marketing campaign. We have a nature love campaign. We have farm trips. And there are many other things we are doing that I cannot share in this house because it's a very competitive industry. So I'll just highlight a few initi initiatives. We have invested in major national projects and upgraded upgrading key ecoourism sites. We have also positioned the destination around the qualities that increasingly define the modern traveler. nature, wellness, authenticity, adventure, culture and peace. We sust people come to do just to relax. They are stressed out. They need a break. They book invitation to come to for peace. Mr. Speaker, but Mr. Speaker, not because we have grown that we believe that we have arrived. Mr. Speaker, we have a fiveyear tourism investment plan because our goal, as I said, is to create a $1 billion tourism industry, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, we have presented that plan and for this year, we are targeting 15% growth, Mr. Speaker. So I want to thank the Minister of Finance and my cabinet colleagues for the 33 million allocated to the Ministry of Tourism. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, if you watch very carefully, most of our budget is under recurrent is not in psip. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Mr. Speaker, that investment will allow us to strengthen the product, have more targeted destination marketing, support tourism businesses, training, develop experiences that will encourage visitors to come because as you know, more visitors equals more consumption. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I was at Fresh Market recently. I was in the line at fresh market midweek Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker in front of me a number of French people Mr. Speaker that is tourism spending moving beyond the hotel into businesses Mr. speaker and at the same time I met the owner of Shaywen in Scotsed and we were talking and she said I must tell you my pal that this summer the number of French visitors here in Domnica the restaurant business is much better than last year Mr. Speaker >> so that is how Mr. Speaker tourism is moving into communities Mr. speaker in Domnica and we are going to build more resilient communities, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, tourism growth is not just about the figures, Mr. Speaker. It is about the income circulating within Dominica. That is the real growth, Mr. Speaker. But, Mr. Speaker, as I said to you, we're not satisfied with this present level of arrivals and visitor spending. We want people to spend more money. We want more money circulating in the economy touching Dominican families. And why not, Mr. Speaker? I hear people talking about quality and type of visitors. Mr. Speaker, we're not there yet. Mr. Speaker, 35 million visitors come to the Caribbean annually. 35 million. Bahamas recorded 6.1 million visitors in six months, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, we can aim to have 300,000 to 500,000 stayover arrivals, Mr. Speaker. That's a no-brainer, Mr. Speaker. Because, Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, we need more opportunities for our people, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, Dominica is not standing still as a known economist would like people to believe. Dominica is preparing for the next stage, Mr. Speaker. And that is why you were the leader of the opposition. She could have stopped talking about tourism. >> Yes, [laughter] >> MR. SPEAKER THE NUMBER OF TIMES SHE CALLED tourism if I took it out of her presentation it would cut it down to half Mr. Speaker but Mr. Speaker she's on TO SOMETHING BECAUSE DOMINICA LABOR Party is doing something Mr. Speaker in the transformation transformative um projects we undertaking Mr. speaker, the international airport, the marina, the cable car, geothermal energy, and she [clears throat] forgot the new champagne beach facility in Point Michelle. Mr. Speaker, the new cruise and ferry facilities, improved roads, upgraded tourism sites, >> and Mr. Speaker, I wanted to tell the parliamentary opposition when we going on site visits and we invite them to join us, PLEASE COME. DON'T JUST TALK EXCEPT NO I HAVE TO CORRECT that except MY COUSIN THE PARL REP FOR THE MAROT CONSTITUENCY HE'S ALWAYS THERE MR. SPEAKER WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT he's representing the people of Marot and Dom by extension >> but so Mr. Speaker, let me explain what is happening. Better infrastructure means better access. Better access means more visitors and investment. More visitors and investment means more demand for transport, food, accommodation, tours, maintenance, entertainment and professional services. This means existing businesses can expand, new businesses can open and Dominican people can earn not only during construction but long after the ribbon is cut. Vacation rentals, Mr. Speaker, are expanding. I met this gentleman from Kalibishi. We had visited his site. We visited his property sometime maybe two years ago with the honorable Lakia Joseph. Mr. Mr. Speaker, he was smiling from air to air and he said to me, "I just bought another property, Mr. Speaker. Expanding business is expanding, Mr. Speaker." So, I don't know where some people get this doom and gloom that is going on. As the minister told you, money circulating in Dominica. That is why we can present a 1.3 million >> billion dollar budget. Mr. The airport, marine and cable car will require workers, suppliers, transport providers, agencies and many supporting services. That is how infrastructure reaches the pocket of the ordinary Domican. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Mr. Speaker, I am convinced if four properties could create 550 jobs internationally at Port Marina, you can add it up that I think that will create close to about 2,000, Mr. Speaker, direct jobs, Mr. Speaker, for the Dominican people, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, the opposition leader is right. An airport is not merely a runway. A marina is not merely a place to dock a yacht. A tourism site is not merely a place to take photographs. Each of these investments is a platform for which the Dominican people can build businesses and creates wealth. Mr. Speaker, wealth. So, Mr. Speaker, our people, the businesses and communities must work with the government, Mr. Speaker, it has to be a partnership, Mr. Speaker, to turn that platform to prosperity. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, the government is giving a lot of concessions. I was trying to get the exact figure, but I think PM reported it in the House last time. the annual con um concessions that we give that is investing in private sector Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker I got a report from the ministry of invest the the invest dominica invest authority Mr. Speaker and Mr. Mr. Speaker, there about when I checked, over 40 companies in Dominica who have tax holidays, not paying taxes in a small economy like that. Over 40 companies that is government investing in the private sector. It's a partnership, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, when the airport opens, we will need we will we will we will need new taxi operators. Mr. Speaker, who will have the vending spaces? Who will provide the meals? Who will supply the hotels? Who will develop the tours? Who will manage the villas? Who will provide cleaning, beauty, wellness and digital services, who will be air traffic controllers. Right now, Dasper has an ad out for air traffic controllers, Mr. And I want to encourage our young people to apply. Who will be the immigration officers and the custom officers? Those opportunities belong to our Dominican people. Mr. Speaker, DDA trained more than 116 tourism service providers in the last fiscal year. Mr. Speaker, but Mr. Speaker, we know just because of the cable car alone that is not sufficient. Mr. Speaker, so there is opportunity in this modern Dominica, it is up to us to position ourselves to take advantage of it. Mr. Speaker, our people, as I think it's Senator Lockard said, must prepare themselves. Mr. speaker. Very important because once we open that door, it is up to you to walk through it, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, as I said, give me a moment. As I said, this spending, we are trying to build Yes. a one technology. Mr. speaker. That's why I should I should do like PM, you know, and bring my paper. I want to cut style and use a tablet. Mr. Speaker, you know, show that I YOUNG AND TRENDING, MR. SPEAKER. And Mr. Speaker, you see all the thing block stop, Mr. Speaker, technology stick on me, Mr. Speaker. >> But Mr. Speaker, Yes, Mr. Speaker, just give me a minute. >> So, Mr. Speaker, tourism is growing and that growth is important because tourism reaches directly to communities and households. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, when Dominica receives an international accol, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I'm normally scrolling on Tik Tok to see what's happening, Mr. Speaker. And I came across a traveler who said that he came to Dominica. He selected Dominica because Dominica was the number one island in the Caribbean and the number one island in the world according to Travel and Leia, Mr. Speaker, and he wanted to experience that island and he had a fabulous time in Dominica, Mr. Speaker. So when we get those international accolades and we've been getting a lot Mr. Speaker I don't even list them anymore because there are so many you know when we just started you get a little one two three four you both said that Mr. Speaker we have about 30 40 accolades every year now Mr. Speaker Dominica is trending Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker we love that because there's greater interest in our nature product Mr. Speaker and so Mr. Speaker, I am confident that we can build this $1 billion industry. So you see, as the budget is 1.2 billion, tourism alone must have its own billion. Mr. Speaker, we want visitors to stay longer, experience more, and spend more while we protect the nature and culture that makes Dominica special. Mr. Mr. Speaker, every visitor should support a chain of Dominican livelihoods. Taxi operators, farmers, fisher folk who supplies the restaurant, the tour guide who interprets our heritage, the craft vendor who sells local product. Mr. Speaker, every visitor, Mr. Mr. Speaker, as I said the and I keep repeating that because I want our people to understand that governments will put policies to facilitate growth but it is you to take advantage of the opportunity so more money can come in your pocket. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, the next question for me which is critical and important is are we ready for the increasing number of visitors and the type of visitors we are attracting? Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, just a few weeks ago, PM hosted a reception with 18 millionaires in Dominica for the first time to swim with the whales. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, we have to ensure our services are consistent and our service levels are exceptional, our products packaged properly, our restaurants familyfriendly. Can visitors easily find authentic Dominican products and experiences? These are the questions for the next level of growth. And as I said, the answer belongs is it is the answer requires stronger partnership between the public and private sector. Mr. Speaker, it is not they versus us. Mr. Speaker, it is us Sanu. Mr. Speaker, it's our industry and it's time we come together to build it. So, Mr. Speaker, when we tell the world we offering them X, Mr. speaker when they come here they receive X Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker according to travel and tour world islands that pri that prioritize rainforest conservation marine protection farmtotable dining are seeing faster percentage growth in European bookings Mr. Speaker, one thing is very clear to me. The modern traveler and this is based on all international trends. once experiences that fit Dominica. Whale watching, swimming with the whales, kaying, river tubing, chasing waterfalls, hiking, agro tourism, wellness, culture, and authentic community life. People want to actually live in a community and experience how people live. They want to feel a part of it because in most big countries there's no longer community. So people like coming to a small island where you can belong to a community and be safe in that community. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, our responsibility is to package those experiences well, price them properly and make them easy to purchase, Mr. Speaker. So Mr. Speaker, we recently launched Boute and that wasn't just for us to enjoy a good meal. Mr. speaker. It was for us to understand what we are currently offering people. What what are the what is the culinary experience one has in Dominica, Mr. Speaker? And Mr. Speaker, during BH Dominic, my niece was here visiting my 5-year-old niece and I visited one of the restaurants and we sat down, we ordered, she ordered a pizza. Mr. Speaker, when the pizza came, she said to me, "But auntie, I'm I am surprised. Why am I being given this big pizza, Mr. Speaker? She's a child. So, one thing you realize, Mr. Speaker, we have to have more child friendly menus, Mr. Speaker, because obviously if a child goes to a restaurant in another major country, there are child menu options, Mr. Speaker. So, the portions are different. And so we have to make sure that our restaurants have packages for families because if your families and you want to go and dine, you want to make sure the entire family can dine together. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, these initiatives are about they allow us to audit the experience, identify the gaps in order to improve the tourism product. Wellness tourism, Mr. Speaker, is one of the fastest growing industries, Mr. Speaker, and one of our strongest opportunities. It's a $9.8 trillion industry, Mr. Speaker, and that is US dollars. Visitors already come for our hot springs, rivers, herbs, clean air, healthy food, peace, and natural healing environment. Mr. Speaker, we now need more bookable experiences for wellness retreats and all this. I'm saying here, taking my time to articulate our opportunities because, Mr. Speaker, you can just decide you're opening a business, register it. You go to um copper companies register your own business name post it open a Facebook page put that you're offering services you have the river there and just package an experience around that advertise it online put a payment system and somebody right there Mr. Speaker and book an experience in Dominica Mr. Speaker so Mr. Mr. Speaker, healthy culinary packages, guided nature therapy and events that bring visitors during traditionally traditionally slower periods. And Mr. Speaker, I recently appointed a wellness advisory group. We have a thriving wellness committee in Dominica with many wellness practitioners, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank them for accepting to serve, Mr. Speaker, because we have to tap in that 9.8 8 million trillions in industry. Mr. Speaker, if I get 1 billion, Mr. Speaker, we good. Mr. Speaker, our Kalinago tourism pillar >> must also move from individual attractions to complete packages and we are working with the Kalago people to do just that. Mr. Speaker, soon honorable Frederick and I will be launching our Kalago website. Mr. Speaker, the only hold up is that we want to train our people. We want to guide them and help them package properly, price properly, and then we will launch the Kalago website. Mr. Speaker, so the Kalago people can earn more directly from their heritage and creativity. And Mr. Speaker, agro tourism is another major opportunity. As I said, farm-to-table meals, farm visits, flower and garden experiences, honorable lockit, cocoa and coffee tours, herbal demonstrations, livestock experiences and local food events, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, agriculture and tourism go hand in hand and farmers and fishers can earn additional income, Mr. speaker, by participating and and and offering experiences for visitors on their farm, Mr. Speaker, or on their boats. So, we'll be focusing more on helping our people prepare themselves for those opportunities because, as I said, this is what the average visitor wants today. So, Mr. Mr. Speaker, the government the central message of my contribution is that the government creates opportunities but it's up to the citizens to create prosperity. So I am very happy that the government in this fiscal budget is placing an additional $19 million at the ed bank. Mr. Speaker, so as we're discussing tourist opportunities right there, Mr. Speaker, we have made the financing available that somebody can go now and apply to the EDBA to either start a new business or expand on the business that they have. Mr. Speaker, but Mr. Speaker, there's one thing. Business requires discipline, focus, and the willingness, Mr. Speaker, to start, Mr. Speaker. And so, Mr. Speaker, I think that government also offers a lot of training programs. You know what I find is absent? Not many people lining up, rushing to register for those programs. So there and the the minister spoke to it and the minister of education will speak to the number of free training opportunities we have and I am begging our people take advantage of it. Equip yourself. So Mr. Mr. Speaker, the market is growing, Mr. Speaker, and so we have to figure out what are the gaps and position ourselves to create those businesses to fill the gaps. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, I can give you a simple another simple example. Somebody forwarded me an email they received randomly from a a group coming from Japan. They were trying to book a taxi operator and they did not know how to access information on Dominica. They were planning their trip for 2027. They're coming next year somewhere in April and they were trying to connect with Dominican service providers. And so they randomly send somebody who had a DM a message through his website and Mr. Speaker, that is an opportunity as I said for operators to I to for operators, Mr. Speaker, to provide that service, Mr. Speaker, and have a website or an app or use social media platforms, Mr. Speaker, to advertise that that if you want to come to Dominica, you can book through my web page. You can book through my website or through my Instagram or Facebook page. Mr. speaker and Mr. Speaker I was very pleased though whilst I was thinking about that to see that a Dominican launched a remote Dominica app doing that very same thing. So Mr. Speaker so our people are thinking our people are finding the solutions and one of the other challenges we have especially during festivals is transport Mr. Speaker transportation transportation is scarce Mr. speaker. So I was speaking to a few Dominicans about doing a ride and sharing act. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, to my amazement, they had proposals already. Mr. Speaker, that is what I'm talking about. Mr. Speaker, some people are positioning themselves to take advantage of the new opportunities that is emerging in this country. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, I'm hoping very soon that we can meet with them to see how we can partner to launch that ride sharing act. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, so we are well aware that buildings lead of the opposition do not build economies. People build economies. Mr. legal. That is why the greatest investment that we will ever make as a government is in our people is in developing their skills, building their confidence and pursue and encouraging them to pursue their dreams. Mr. Speaker, our young people are talented. They understand technology. They are creative. They're expressive and connected to the world in ways that I wasn't when I was their age. Mr. Speaker, although I still think I can be considered young, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, the opportunity before our youth is to convert that talent to income, Mr. Speaker, enterprise and be part of national development. And that is why, Mr. Speaker, I always tell my youth, the same phone, the same phone that they use for entertainment can be used for education and also to create income. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I see them all the time scrolling, looking for jokes, laughing. But these people they're looking at are creating income. Mr. Speaker, the more views they get, the more money they make. Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, our people can use their phones to access free courses online, study video production, digital marketing, coding, photography, culinary arts, content creation. Mr. speaker and it we at the ministry are willing to partner with them. Recently we had a young lady sorry who wrote a proposal for content creation on Tik Tok because she said to me that minister we know that your marketing market mostly and promote domly on Facebook and in Instagram but the Tik Tok audience is different and you have to craft your messages and your videos to attract them because a different audience the messaging is different and so Mr. Speaker she presented a proposal to us which we accepted Mr. Speaker. So now she's engaged as a tick tock promoter for discover Dominica authority. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I also met a young entrepreneur in Dominica who went to study now has a medical spa open. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, I am so happy that we have a we have medical spas in Dominica because as far as I know, we have about three. Mr. Speaker, Mr. speaker, micro needling, new services being out offered out there in the beauty industry. Mr. Speaker, you could only find those services in the US, Mr. Speaker. You have to travel to do those things. And these are natural ways of getting your body to heal itself, Mr. Speaker, with minimal invasion, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, I am so impressed by this young woman. She studied, she returned home. She opened a business. Mr. Speaker, she's offering those services. But Mr. Mr. Speaker, she has her own product line, Mr. Speaker, made from local Dominican herbs, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, we have to celebrate those things. There are things happening in this country, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, micro needling is like a natural botox. So, if any of the ladies out there, you want to tighten your scene, Mr. Speaker, you as a Mr. Speaker, >> we call it gently a little more relaxed. I want to encourage you try out our medical spas and do some micro needling, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, I'm speaking from experience. >> Yes. Yes, Mr. Speaker. Natural, it's not painful at all, Mr. Speaker. So, let us support our local businesses who have invested, Mr. Speaker, in the country and keep the money in Dominica. There's no need to travel for certain services anymore, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, this is the kind of initi initiatives we plan to multiply across the country. I have listed so many opportunities this morning and most of them cause very little investment startup cost. Most of them, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, we can all we have to do, Mr. speaker is package those things professionally. Mr. Speaker, because we have to understand when we do something, we're not doing it for ourselves. Mr. Speaker, we have to package things information, Mr. Speaker. So when somebody comes to buy local products, Mr. Speaker, they can read the label, they can understand the ingredients in in the good, Mr. Speaker, because you know people are allergic to different things, Mr. Speaker. So that is one area and I'm hoping that in this fiscal year we with our small tourism enterprises that service sell products to foreigners Mr. Speaker we can ensure that all of them go through the bureau of standards Mr. Speaker so Mr. Speaker I spoke about the loan at a bank Mr. Speaker for entrepreneurs and so now Mr. Speaker, I also want to commend this Dominica Labor Party government for another $19 million, Mr. Speaker, for educational advancement. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I believe if we do our research that the Dominica Labor Party has achieved its target of a university graduate for all sold and MAY HAVE EVEN SURPASSED [laughter] THAT TARGET, MR. speaker and Mr. Speaker, I was reflecting on my own educational journey and I remember when I told my mother I wanted to go and study, she was very concerned, Mr. Speaker, because she used to say I have hot food, I like friends, I like to do. So, she didn't believe that I'd be focused on my studies, Mr. Speaker. But here I was saying to her that I want to go and study and in order to secure the loan I needed a land paper Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker I can tell you my mother pondered on that for months Mr. Speaker and I said but what happened in the well my lady wanted me to go and travel and say I get vex you know I get upset but Mr. speaker. When I reflected on it, my mother didn't have an easy upbringing. She had to work in the hospital, at hotels, singing rooms, doing officer [clears throat] to to make an income, Mr. Speaker. So, you know how long it took her to raise that money to build a home, Mr. Speaker? And then here it is. I'm asking her and I think it's easy to give me a land paper to secure that loan. Mr. Speaker, I could understand the concerns, Mr. Speaker. And that is why, Mr. Speaker, we have to be proud as a people always for what the Dominica Labor Party under Roseville has done for education in this country, EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT AND REMOVING ALL BARRIERS TO EDUCATING yourself as A DOMINICAN FROM PRIMARY UP TO TERTIARY. MR. SPEAKER, we must always be proud and never forget how it was tough for our parents to send us to school. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Mr. Speaker, I'm very I praise I thank God, Mr. Speaker, that I spoke to my father and finally, Mr. Speaker, after months my mother agreed that Mr. Speaker, every month um for the years I was studying and the loan had to be repaid. Every month my mother, make sure you pay that loan. You know, Mr. Speaker, I could understand. But thank God for the Dominica Labor Party government, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, the investments we are making in our people, Mr. Speaker, they have to honor it, Mr. Speaker, there are many young people we have educated. We have paid their tuitions. They out there working all over the world. And Mr. Speaker, we are happy for them, Mr. Speaker, because that is what empowerment is, Mr. Speaker, that you can take the investment that this government has made in made in you and go anywhere and shine. And we are happy for it, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, that is why I'm equally proud of the Dominicans that also returned home to contribute to nation building. Mr. speaker because that is also equally important. Some of us have to stay home and return home Mr. Speaker to help in nation building. So when the government educates you, Mr. Speaker, invest in you. It is not okay to just stay on the way side or and complain and criticize. Mr. Speaker, come join and help Mr. speaker because when you needed us, we were there for you. And so now your country needs you. It's expanding. Let us join forces together, Mr. Speaker, to build dynamic Dominica. So, Mr. Speaker, one thing I will say, development also requires a change in mindset. Mr. Mr. Speaker, we cannot speak about creating opportunity while allowing jealousy, fear of competition or necessary obstruction to prevent people from making an honest living. As the minister, I come across these things too often. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, you have individuals who are trying to establish businesses, provide services, and support their families. only to find obstacles placed in their way by ordinary people, Mr. Speaker, that think if they open that business there, they will compete with them, Mr. Speaker. And so, Mr. Speaker, we have to deal with that culture, Mr. Speaker, of not wanting to facilitate or others, Mr. Speaker. There is room in this dynamic modern Dominica. There is room for many more businesses, Mr. Speaker. And really and tr truly, we should not be seeking to compete or block somebody, Mr. Speaker. We should be seeking to complement and collaborating with each other, Mr. Speaker. And that is why, Mr. Speaker, I'm exceptionally pleased about this new creative um this this industry, this new agency for creative, Mr. Speaker. But Mr. Speaker, this will require our buoy artists, our our all our musicians, our a processors to come together. It will require the free seas for that investment to be fruitful. Commitment, cooperation, Mr. Speaker, and compliance. So here it is again the government is creating the opportunity is going to establish the agency. It is putting $3 million down. But in order for that opportunity to bring prosperity, it requires us to work together as a people. Mr. Speaker, so I'm hoping, Mr. that this new initiative will be successful, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, and I will not go over the examples on some of the critical measures, Mr. speaker because honorable Pina did so and some of my other colleagues did so as well. The savings that is going to be left in the pockets of Dominican from the flat rate income tax 10% Mr. Speaker one flat rate for everybody Mr. And you know what is beautiful about this one flat rate? In some countries when you have one flat rate that's it there are no deductions in Dominica after the one flat rate you can still deduct from the taxes that you pay if you have a mortgage interest Mr. Speaker and if you have a student loan Mr. Speaker so Mr. Speaker some people will end up paying no taxes Mr. Speaker savings in your pocket and Mr. speaker. Um the customs no more compounding and if you are a small business and you want to buy tools with the no compounding and the fiscal license you can obtain at the small business unit your taxes comes to like if you're paying to pay $300 almost like $50 Mr. Speaker that is s that is money left in the pockets of Dominican people. So Mr. Speaker, I don't need to go into detail, but I can tell you we are leaving more money in the pockets of Domicans and Mr. What can you do with it? As I said, we are growing in the tourism industry. We do not have enough rooms. You can use that money if you have a down to start buying your blocks and cement. Start putting it on the side to build that down so you can take advantage of that opportunity, Mr. speaker because we need about 600 more rooms to achieve our targets in 5 years. Mr. Speaker, so this savings is timely, Mr. Speaker. Money at the aid bank, income tax, flat rate, customs reform, all of it equals to more money in people's pockets to take advantage of all the opportunities available in this new economy we are create building. Mr. speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I'm not saying all that that people cannot use a little dollar to to have some fun, Mr. Speaker, because Mr. Speaker, I want everybody to go to Branbe this weekend for breakfast. Mr. Speaker, I will be in the red light section, Mr. Speaker. >> So, red light section, Mr. Speaker. Five more minutes. >> Yes, that's fine. >> And Mr. Speaker, we had a successful um biker fest, [laughter] Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank 767 bikers and DFC for ensuring that we had a great event, Mr. Speaker, and generally a safe event because safety is important. Safety is a must, Mr. Speaker. But there are a lot of events growing around our summer calendar. So more people can come and visit Dominico during this during the summer from the from the region and other islands. Mr. Speaker, I really wanted to mention one critical thing and that is about our environment. Our nature is our brand. It's an economic asset. Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker, this indic um dumping and abandoned vehicles along the road. Mr. Speaker, dairex, Mr. Speaker, disposing garbage anywhere, anyhow, on any day. Mr. Speaker, these things have to stop. It doesn't have to take a government to regulate it for you to stop it. You have to know where your value is, Mr. Speaker. She said, my colleague said it right, sense of national pride. Because I was talking to somebody at Solid Waste and they said to me, Dominica doesn't have a garbage um collection problem. We have a garbage disposal. That is true because when you are in the other countries, Mr. Speaker, you cannot dispose garbage any day. Mr. Speaker, you have to wait FOR DAYS OF COLLECTION to put out your garbage, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, they are doing their best to collect the garbage. But people are dumping GARBAGE EVERY DAY. WHETHER THEY'VE been full or not, they're dumping their garbage. And we have to do better. So, I'm happy of the new opportunity to privatize this industry. Mr. Speaker, we already doing it at our tourism sites. We have people's choice award services and stars services from Maho and they're doing a phenomenal job, Mr. Speaker. So, it's something the government is already doing and I'm happy it's going to be expanded, Mr. Speaker, because keeping this country clean and green is critical for our growth in tourism, Mr. SPEAKER. AND FINALLY, MR. SPEAKER, before I close, I must talk about the beautiful, hardworking people of the Sufra constituency. A lot is happening in the Supra constituency and I'll have a town hall meeting to share more of what's going on and the opportunities available under this new budget. But we spent a lot of money. We did the alum stream about $2.2 million. The expansion of the playing field in Pm Michelle over $600,000. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, we completed the repair of the Scots super defense wall. Mr. speaker and we are about to start this project the the to to fix the deal the drainage stabilization and to build cert road to reduce flooding and to make the road safer Mr. Speaker so Mr. Speaker nearly $10 million has been spent in the Sufra constituency in the last fiscal year Mr. Speaker and and we deserve our fair share Mr. Speaker, I know some colleagues look at me and they say, "Boy, you all got you're getting a lot." But the suare constituency is faithful. Mr. Speaker, >> problem. And so, Mr. SPEAKER, ON AUGUST 11, we'll be opening our brand new suare preschool funded by Jungle B. Mr. Speaker, partnership, Mr. Speaker. So, Mr. Speaker, I want to say this, Mr. Speaker. The government is doing its part to facilitate growth. Dominica clearly is not where it was. 25 years ago, Dom has grown. Dom is prospering. The government is making major investments to create more opportunities for people to advance themselves, create businesses and and increase their income. Mr. Speaker, what is now required is for the people now to take advantage of those opportunities. invest in yourself. Invest in a course. Invest in um um starting a new business. Build an an apartment below your house. Take advantage of this opportunity. So, Mr. Speaker, it comes down to this. This is a strong partnership between the Dominica Labor Party government and the Dominican people. And Mr. Speaker, if it were you and you have you scanning the room for a partner, Mr. speaker because I spoke about marriage and anniversary and the staff >> AND MR. SPEAKER IN ONE CORNER you have one person who was elected in 2014 a leader of a political party re abandoned the people and gave him a mandate to serve and resigned on the people Mr. Speaker would you say I am leaving the one I'm married to for that person you have another leader Mr. speaker of the United Workers PARTY GOVERNMENT WHO SAYS I LOVE DOMINICA. I want to serve Dominica. But during Dominica's hardest years, Maria and Kobe, where was it? Mr. Speaker, in South Sudan, Mr. Speaker, so Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt, MR. SPEAKER, WHEN IT COMES for us to renew our covenant with the people of Dominica, they will look around the room, look at their options and say, "I >> I >> Roseville Scarit and the Dominica Labor Party, you are still the one I love." WITH THAT, MR. LIGER, I ENDORSE THE 2026 2027 YES, Honorable Alfred, you are recognized. You may proceed. Mr. Speaker, I stand to support this budget for the fiscal year 2026 2027. This year, I had a very hard time preparing my presentation. um I started something and scrap it. I think this budget made me dizzy, Mr. Speaker. But I'll present a summary of all those things that are in my head. But before I do so, I want to send special greetings to the people of Pisa Sanovan to for me Casi Bruce proper and thank them graciously for the opportunity to serve them. Also, Mr. Speaker, I want to give high commendation to the Minister of Finance and all those who played a part in preparing [snorts] this budget. Mr. Mr. Speaker, this budget is presented at a time when everybody says the world is changing fast. I going a little slower because some go too fast. But be sure, Mr. Speaker, that our purpose shall remain clear to serve the people of Dominica the best we can. Across the globe, we see the same pressures. Food and fuel prices going up without warning. We spoke about climate events getting stronger and more frequent. New technology is changing the way people work. High interest rates that make borrowing even more difficult. Wars are disrupting trade. Mr. Speaker, no country is untouched. They they are not these are not just like news we see on TV. These are realities. They are not just headlines. They show up in our homes. They show up in the price of bread. Some of those bakers now they held on to the same price but the loaf is now smaller. They show up in the roofs we want to reinforce and the windows we want to install. And they show up in questions that children are asking. Why go to school? Why I must study? Will there EVEN BE A GOOD JOB for me when I graduate? But Mr. Speaker, we cannot control global wind. But this Labor Party administration with a ship that is captained by honorable Roosevelt Scaridge, we choose how we want to set our sails. This budget is part of how we choose to set our sales to ride out some of the storms. I skipping thing, Mr. Speaker. Anything somebody say already, I just leaving THAT OUT. THE BUDGET ensures that we continue because see BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE ADDRESSED THINGS. I think the public understand well long before we even start speaking they understood you know so the BUDGET ENSURES THAT WE CONTINUE TO PROTECT our vulnerable. Mr. Mr. Speaker, our moto is building resilience and this budget will help us to brace to save to build and invest so that the next storm or the next price shock that comes does not break us. This means stronger infrastructure, stronger farms, stronger health system, stronger and more relevant education and a stronger economy that can stand on its own. Mr. Speaker, our greatest resource is our people. So this budget pays great attention to education, health, and job creation, especially for our young people and women. This is a responsible budget. It's honest about challenges, no trick. We don't skirt around things. IT'S CAREFUL WITH DOLLARS and it's hopeful with our future. Mr. Mr. Speaker, in a time when this world is changing so much, the biggest responsibility that the Ministry of Education has is not just to ensure that schools teach subjects and cover curriculum. It is to protect our children's future. to make sure that every child in every community at every school have access to safe school, qualified teachers, and an education that prepares them for jobs that do not even yet exist. I speak about those jobs that will become in the international airport and the geothermal energy plant and all of those projects that we are now undertaking. Mr. Speaker, now universities are reviewing what they offering because some of those jobs that our children will work in are not even existing yet. Mr. Speaker, it was hard, but the Ministry of Education is working to ensure that no matter what happens in this world, our students will have a strong spiritual foundation, the knowledge, skills, and character to thrive and not just survive. This is what we have been working at and this is how this budget facilitates us as we build our future in Dominica. Mr. Speaker, what I like about us is that we are not favorous. Some people are too favorous. Can you be >> they just doing stuff forous? Free favor. Well, whatever. But no free [laughter] you. We are not we are not so Mr. Speaker we are not free. We plan we set foundation and then we build. So therefore there's very little waste. Mr. Speaker, we have increased and protected access at all levels. As of now 32 out of our 45 government schools now have early childhood centers. UN so we are heading for universal early childhood education and the 33rd early childhood center in Superior Primary a gift from Jungle Bay and friends will be handed over on Tuesday to the Ministry of Education. >> Mr. Speaker, we continue to protect universal primary and secondary education. You know, Mr. Mr. Speaker, that universal secondary education there holds a very close place in my heart. You know, if I choose to have a eulogy, I said I want eulogy when I die. But if I choose to change my mind, THEY HAVE TO PUT THAT IN IT. THEY HAVE TO PUT THAT PART IN IT, MR. SPEAKER. BECAUSE IN MY TIME, MR. SPEAKER, I understand fully what it is to do your best. And when I see election list come out, people who did worse than you, their name on that list, but your name is not on that list. Because if your surname is bonnet, you not in it. It was about surname, about what business, who was your father? I was one of the lucky ones, Mr. Speaker, because my principal herself put herself out to find me a space at A SECONDARY SCHOOL. HOW MANY AND I tell you something now in first form, I came out first twice. and second free times among scholarship children. So who making me think is because I was stupid. I didn't MAKE THE LIST. NO, MR. SPEAKER, YOU KNOW HOW MANY OTHER CHILDREN LIKE ME DIDN'T get a chance [snorts] and nobody did anything. Nobody felt the agony that you feel in the schoolyard when your friends have been jumping up because they passed they passed and you didn't make it. Nobody cared if your intelligence went down the drain until the Dominica Labor Party take on the initiative of universal secondary education. SO WE HAVE TO PROTECT universal secondary education. Mr. Speaker, I'm tell I'm just giving you a summary. This is the only administration who has paid so much attention to students with special needs. We celebrate the abilities and we embrace the differences of students with special needs. We celebrate them in special Olympics. We celebrate them in beauty pageantss. We celebrate them in clubs. We celebrate them in art competitions. Mr. Speaker, nobody nobody in Dominica uses the word mumu orbee. Well, let me tell you something. WHEN I WAS SMALL, WE DIDN'T KNOW the names of students who were visually or speak who were hearing or speech impaired. Only name we knew for them was Mumu. So everybody was calling the child mumu. He grew up to be a big man mumu. And nobody knew that his name was whatever it was. No, Mr. Speaker, this word is out of our vocabulary. So therefore, God always bless this Labor Party, you know, because Mr. Speaker, now everybody have their identity. Now we have a link with the Ministry of Health. We catch these children early. We assess them. If they can sit in a normal class, we put them in a normal class. In addition to the classroom teacher, the government of Dominica pays a special teacher to sit with them and we follow them all the way off. THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE FOR students with special needs and what all the schools that we built on repaired after the hurricane. We made sure we have access for special needs and special washroom. Mr. Mr. Speaker, we the center of excellence for special education at Tibo will give us something to shout about because it will be a pleasure to own the fact that we have a center which can offer quality care and education in nurturing one of our most vulnerable groups. Then we see the budget this year that we recognize also that people living with disabilities must be active participants in national development and in this budget allowance is made for government to establish the national commission on persons with disabilities. Mr. Speaker, that will be recorded in our history. It has not happened before. It's not something that we are resurrecting. It's not something that we are building on. is something that we are doing because we are interested in what happened to the most vulnerable in our communities. Mr. Speaker, we have increased school attendance through safety nets program. We didn't just say and say oh 45% attendance average attendance for the year 45%. This Dominica Labor Party administration ensured that measures were put in place to address the issues of absentism among students. And we speak about all the safety net programs you have in place from transportation to school feeding program to uniform. And we must never leave out the free health care for under 16. Because when a child is sick, their parent have to keep them home saying they ain't got money to take them to doctor. When a child is sick, the parent have to wait and say next week and next month. When a child is sick, if the child can recover, we win this week. We have a system where the child can be given health care and go back to school by next week, not being at home waiting and and rubbing with castor oil and doing this one. Note, Mr. Speaker, because we have to choose between bread and taking our child to a doctor. And Mr. Speaker, we must not forget the net for all program. If you have a child at home, $10 for internet. That also has helped too because now if children have flu symptoms, we ask them to stay home because you don't want one child having the whole 17 children sick. But when that child stays home, a number of schools are still teaching children online while they are absent. So this child when that child comes back to school, that child can fall in and follow. Mr. Speaker, we must never take these things for granted. Because you know I said in a meeting at home some of the things that we take for granted people in other countries have to register they have to full forms they have to line up they have to follow up and when they get to the table they might well be told you are referred to next year in Dominica because we do not have to do all that and it comes all we hear is we got from this answer is yes we must not take these things for granted. Just on Monday, the minister of education from Anguila messaged me, Minister Alfred, we need to talk about all those safety nets program you all have so I can see how we can implement some in our system. So, you know, it's irritating a little because some Yes, you have to because some things that people looking onto Dominica for Dominican people stand with their hand in their pocket and say, "So, why is that? You know, so why is that? If you just knew what happening in other places and how people are asking us questions, you we wouldn't stand and just say, "So why is that?" Mr. Speaker, when attendance goes up, performance goes up, too. We are happy to report that we saw improvements in all subjects at all schools at all levels both among males and females. Mr. Speaker, we are especially happy that our boys are now performing at the same level with our girls. Therefore, Dominica is coming out of that original statistics where they're saying boys are underperforming or girls are outperforming boys. Mr. Speaker, I'm just hoping we can make it better because Dominica is coming out of that data. Somebody out there is going to call us now to ask us about those best practices because a number of other countries are still struggling with that. So, Mr. Mr. Speaker, Dominica also continues to perform above regional average at CEC. Mr. Speaker, we advance TVET education in Dominica. Mr. Speaker, I'm happy that the conversation about TVET is changing and everybody I hear say not academically inclined. I put the brakes on them. That's not I don't know where that term come out. It's nonsense. It's not true. It doesn't make sense because our children are choosing skill subject not because they are not academically inclined because they understand that the jobs that the markets are asking for is about skills. Mr. Speaker, look at my dress. >> Yesterday I WAS WEARING A DRESS COMPLIMENT MRS. Joan Jac and the TVET class at Goodwill Secondary. Today I'm wearing a dress compliments Miss Nalda Thomas and the TVET sewing class at Northeast Conference. SO I am saying the TVET program HAS MADE IT ALL THE WAY UP TO PARLIAMENT and is GOING MR. speaker and you can get their phone numbers if you WISH AND IT WAS THE WAY is when they were checking on making sure the measurement correct and try it first and man I tell you let's get serious with this and take them seriously Mr. Speaker all public secondary school students do at least one TV subject at CXC this year we had 12 skilled subjects and we receive an average pass of 92%. We speak about traditional skills like agriculture, technical drawing, food preparation and clothing and textile. But we also speak about more modern skills such as industrial technology, electronic document processing and management, theater and arts, and home and family management. The government of Dominica expresses congratulations to all of our students. And Mr. Speaker, I wish to spend maybe three minutes so that I can finally put this JSP story to rest. Mr. Speaker, people said, "Oh, why do the JSP now?" JSP was a good thing. JSP, JSP, Mr. Speaker, JSP is junior secondary program. It was a junior secondary program operated in the spaces at primary schools because we didn't have spaces at the secondary school. So the students did the same four core subjects using the same textbooks as first form and second form in high school and we complemented it with a skill program. Now when universal secondary education come came comes along came along all the students went to secondary school. So if we run so junior secondary program can now be done at secondary school because that is where junior secondary is first and second form and sometimes third form. That is why at the primary school when the children got grade one or grade two, they went straight to second form or third form at the secondary school and they did the work. >> So there's no need. I was a junior secondary school program teacher. I had about nine children on my last group. When we went to the secondary school, we all went down to the secondary school. We went down with our sewing. We went down with our woodwork. We went down with everything. We even took some of the tools from the primary workshop and we brought them down. So I am saying after today let that junior secondary program story rest in peace because we have passed that level we are now looking at industrial skills under the TV program. Okay Mr. speaker since we began to award national vocational qualification I want to say that our national vocational qualification certificate they are recognized in all carryong countries because we follow caner's standard our TVET council office is very busy currently we have 120 portfolios under review we have 58 students waiting for their certificates and Mr. Mr. Speaker, our goal is if we can certify 200 skilled people in one year, we good. You know, we're good. And Mr. Speaker, we have grown. Now, we are doing what we call the PLA. The PLA is where you go to where people work and you certify them based on what they already know. A number of firms and institutions are calling us to certify their skilled workers and that or like now we have 85 people registered for an NVQ certificate through PLA because if a person already know to lay tiles you'd have to make them go for a whole skill training. You go and you assess them on the job that they're laying the tile and you certify them as that. You certify them based on their units that they have mastered. Same thing with cosmetology. If a person working doing nails, you can call us in. We can do them at level one nail preparation. Everybody working in the cosmetology shop don't have to be able to take it all the way up to acrylics. I say good to acrylics. I not so I'm not so thinking those things. A person can just be there preparing the nails >> and then the customer goes to another person. Then the customer go to the last person who will put the design. So you really don't have to be certified in the whole thing. If it's nails you can prepare for now. We certify you with nails. Oh I know. Let me have something Mr. Speaker. I don't have to take you on you know to take my time. Mr. Mr. Speaker, all now we are engaging a consultant to help us to do the operationalization plan for the TVET center of excellence because that place will not just be for secondary students. It will be for everybody to go back to school. Okay. OCS eyes on us with that center there because we'll be doing in preparing people for industry. That is why I want to say to the people of Ros. Everybody telling told the casibus young people get ready. Everybody saying get ready. I want to say to Rosov get ready because when we have students coming from all over the Caribbean to do industrial certification in welding, they're going to want places to stay >> and the closer they are to the center is the better for them. So everybody need to be getting ready for what is going on. Mr. Speaker, today might be the last time you might hear me talking in parliament about adult education as it is now. As it is known because when adult education was big people going in a place with a piece of book in a plastic to learn to read and write. But Mr. Speaker, Dominica's literacy rate is at 94% and counting. We are we are the eighth in THE 10 MOST INTELLIGENT PEOPLE IN THE REGION. So if a person think we s Yes. So therefore Mr. Speaker all like now we are offering adults not just numer basic numerous skills but we are teaching them new skills and we are sharpening skills they already know. And more than 500 people have benefited from 10 skills program conducted islandwide and in the prison. Mr. Speaker, we talking from small business management to conversational French. No conversation. That's important. If that tourism thing and people come on our show in a we're going to be talking about conversational German. YES. YES. YES. SO WE'RE GOING THERE. We're doing tile laying to cake making and decorating mechanics and plumbing to we construction and installation. Mr. Speaker, refrigerator and air condition. Let me tell something about we before we just fix weave on people here on people head. We go now we give them edge edge before you know we learn edge. Why we learn edge? Now Mr. Speaker, you can put the person to sit in front of you and you take a profile of the shape of their head and their hairline. You can feel the texture of their hair. You can go by the hair and you can make the wig for them to suit their face. CUSTOMIZE CUSTOMIZE IT TO SUIT the person. Mr. Speaker, you know what HAPPENING THERE NOW? BETTER GOING TO HAVE MORE PROBLEM TO RECOGNIZE if it's a false hair or a real hair >> because now the thing customized to feel like your hair to look like your hair to shape like your face and you don't need it too long because your normal hair is not long so you don't that is what we are teaching our people know how oh I know that I fig Mr. Mr. Speaker, we receive a $44,000 and counting under the LEAF program called Unlocking Potential: Equipping Marginalized Communities for Tomorrow's Job. 200 adults ranging from 18 to 29 years are enrolled in this program, which will run until February 28th, 2027. Our major focus includes [snorts] community based vocational skill training in level one and level two. We're talking about same thing auto mechanics but this time we going up a little higher with it. How many skills? So Mr. Speaker, I'm very happy that the conversation on skills education is changing and it was it was never as bad as some people made it look. Some people were not just not informing themselves. Some of these children are leaving school and they're going straight to their shop with their sewing. One time they opening their shop. Some of them are going into employment one time and we are happy that people are beginning to trust the skills that these children have. Mr. Speaker, we invested in teachers and technology in schools. The OC has harmonized curriculum. It is digital. You teachers can now go there. They can ask AI lesson plan for them. They can make it their own. They meet other teachers from overseas. They download teaching aids. They get songs to go with the lessons. They get rhymes to go with the lessons. Boy, I tell you, when I was a teacher, the hardest part of everything was to write pre. But not now. Teachers are long. They know how to use technology. We roll in. Mr. Mr. Speaker, what we are doing now is we are looking for some young people who are interested to prepare, help us prepare virtual field trips. So a child can sit down in a class in Cassie Bruce and watch the big screen and they can now be visiting the marina in Portsmouth sitting down in class. So children, now we are going to go to Portsmouth and we're going to pass through the Kalago territory and watching through the Kalinago territory. Nice. Nice. THE REAL THING IS THE BEST. But if we can do that because we will get sponsorship for people who want to do some of those things. So at least we can pilot them. And then what we do is among the OCS countries, we share the resources. So a child can sit down in a class in St. Lucia and also visit the marina in Portsmouth using some of the resources. And we too can use what St. Lucia have and our children can be sitting down in Pon Point. I know a place in St. Lucia. So, Mr. Speaker, the IT Institute for Dominica conducted various training in the future of tech and AI innovation. And Mr. Speaker, this year the salary of early childhood teachers were increased by 25%. Oh, look up then. Mr. speaker $600 they used to pay preschool teachers we sometimes 200 and sometimes what the parents pay that you have to take away from now preschool teachers in a room well furnished with all their resources no rent to pay no light to pay and they're still getting a reasonable salary from the government of Dominica and we still exploring ways of actually standardizing that thing because this is important and Mr. Mr. Speaker, all principles who met the requirement, they received transportation allowance and all at the beginning of school teachers receive an allowance to help them by teaching material. First time we was last year ever first time we boy anyway I wish but my car go back there. Mr. Mr. Speaker, you see that tax um that 10% tax and that custom reform the next meeting we have of teachers somewhere in February and March next year I going to pass outside of the building before they know because I going to tell you so when you have a teachers meeting you see in fall ride I can guarantee you if you see that by next year March when teachers having meeting take a pass by the building I am telling you you will see right back there. Yes. BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THAT DOES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LONGING to get a vehicle and other things that they cannot afford it. Now teachers will have right to Mr. Speaker. We continue to explore and support ways to develop the Dominica State College. you in already to a 7% of children I should go college now as long you are a high school graduate you can go to college the government of Dominica we provide a subvention of more than $3.7 million last year for salaries we also paid more than $2.6 $6 million for students. And before one person we in the community are going college and as long you go in college you come of a precious precious as if you know you they walking their hands. So they saying ouch you know IT. YES. AS IF THEY CANNOT walk in THE COUNTRY. WHAT NOW PRE I HAVE 47 TRAINING cases going college. You me because of what this government has done before 30 40 50 children graduating now no less than 300 children in a college graduation and so I want to give com the high commendation to the college for the work they have done they have worked well but Mr. Mr. Speaker, we in a process now of reviewing the reports from the consultation because the whole plan is to reposition the college same thing back in school to be future oriented to be innovationdriven you know to respond to the needs of our project. Yes. And the industry. Mr. Speaker, I was going to say something about the gate program. The gate, you know the gate what you can walk through to go university, government assistant, tertiary, government assistant for tertiary education. You know his gate. So you can just walk through that gate without land paper. What do you know that? Oh, so but miss honorable Dennis gave such a good example. But I am saying that we continue to honor that. And so we extend thanks to the Republic of Cuba, People's Republic of China, Mexico, Morocco. We also outside of that facilitate students to pursue scholarship opportunities for through OAS. And while we want to congratulate our 10 doctors who are coming home from Cuba who joins together for them, yeah, I should show you by Dominicans resilient. Give us that. Yes. And and for the people who wanted us to hurry up, evacuate, evacuate since January, come out, come out, come out. And the students said, "Minister, we don't have no reason why we need to come out. We can stick it out still. We are happy to welcome them home at the end of their study." In this budget, we hear about the 10 Dominican students will re who receive scholarships from the University of Guyana and additional scholarships in Romania. We're looking at fields like the the like aviation and other disciplines that we need. That's our focus to make sure we have people who can serve in these places when we have completed because we don't want it to ever be said that we are to get young people from outside to work in those projects when they are finished. There will be projects again there'll be institutions and whatever. We do not want it to be ever said that because Dominica didn't have young people to serve, we have to go for outsiders. No, Mr. Speaker, we're making sure we training people and they will serve. Mr. Speaker, in this budget we u honorable Charles talk about the additional $19 million at a bank for people who want to take student loan. And our focus, as we said, is preparing students to pursue studies in accordance with our national projects. Mr. Speaker, we have also built resilience. Everything we do, we we think building better to withstand storms, not storms like hurricane alone, you know, all kinds of storms. This include constructions of new structures, completion, rehabilitation of schools, repair work, and enhancing programs at school. Mr. Speaker, I talk about a few like the additional classrooms at Cashibro Secondary costing us just over $1 million. We know about our six schools in the package from the People's Republic of China costing us more than 20 million US. That is a big money $20 million US that include the TVET center of excellence and five primary schools. All our projects are on time, work is on schedule and we're expecting to receive all of those schools together somewhere in November. It will finish and they'll hand over in December. What we have to do is not wait for it not to work. Some people are holding their breath and waiting for it not to happen. They'll suffocate. They'll suffocate [clears throat] if they continue. What we need to do is to let's hope and pray that things will go as they are going so that we can get our school. Mr. Speaker, more than $180,000 was spent doing work at the Goodwill Primary School and we still have some money to spend there doing the yard. They have waited a long time and we are happy. We have work to continue in Cornwall Street and we will spend almost a million dollars to do work at the Dominica State College. We also gave protective gears to school especially for the Tibet students. We gave fire disting extinguishers too. And Mr. Mr. Speaker, we build resilience in our students by strengthening our pastoral care and mental health education at our schools, counseling, social work because if children cannot learn if they have too many things on their mind. So we are happy that we didn't just build strong schools but we also tried to build strong minds. We are happy that when something happen and a child get pregnant in school, we embrace the child. We embrace the student. Sometimes we give them counseling all the time from at home. We call and there are some when I was a principal, I try to tell the principal come and tell my mother that with me. We do that. And if we have to buy the layers, we buy the layer too and we put them in bags and we take them home and we support that home so that that young girl can come back to school. And we have now some of them who are nurses and some of them who are working in offices. If we had decided to just let them go on the west side, we would have another recurring problem to deal with now. So we are happy, Mr. Mr. Speaker for the arrangement that are made at schools through this government's policy to embrace students. Mr. Speaker, we have strengthened parental participation in students education. As of now, we have our four district PTA and we are hoping that those district PTAs will play a major role in the mentoring program that we discuss in the budget. So, we're hoping that they will share their skills. I look at the profile of some of those people who are on those district PTAs, some of them are PSCs, some of them are business people. I think we'll get some good mentors there. Mr. Speaker, a lot is going on in education. I giving you a little summary. But the thing that really makes my heart glad is that Dominican schools are becoming happy places again, especially primary schools. We saw all the videos. Because we see teachers using the curriculum and teaching children learning learning is fun. Now students are happy, parents are happy and Mr. Speaker parents not afraid to share their satisfaction and when students are happy and parents are happy that's because teachers are happy. Mr. Speaker, teachers are happy. I was in the system and I've never seen teachers so happy as they are now. Just look at the footage from teachers day last year and I waiting for this year. Mr. Speaker, this is what is going on. The ministry of education, human resource planning, vocational training and national excellence will receive the second highest allocation 76.9 million or 11.4% % of the pay. This budget has made provision for the strengthening, continuation and completion of ongoing works and the implementation of new initiatives. But most importantly, it will fund teachers salary and we will continue to run our safety net programs that support learning while easing up the cost on parents. Mr. Speaker, these are not just figures as we say. They represent another demonstration of this government's commitment to education as a key driver of national development. So we have set the foundation and this budget is about to take us to the next level because one of the major tasks this year is to future proof learning because Mr. Mr. Speaker, in order for Dominica to realize the social economic gains of quality education, it must have a school curriculum that is future ready, inclusive, and sufficiently fle flexible. As such, work will commence on the development of a TV core curriculum for lower secondary school under the whistle program. This project is to develop a comprehensive curriculum which integrates technology, life skill, TVET, entrepreneurship, arts and resilience education while serving the needs of all students in both general and special education setting. So, Mr. Mr. Speaker, it's very challenging to provide quality education to all and sometimes it's formidable. I can spell words but I can't always say them but you know I don't even worry. Mr. Speaker, when you say your first part at four year at 3 years and 11 months and you never stop talking if you stumble over a word that is a compliment. So and and there Mr. speak. I said that in public and do you know the number of parents who call me after that their child three years old and not speaking what can I do that their child you you know because some people just give up you know when their child 3 years are not speaking the real person beh that's why I want to extend gratitude and appreciation to all the churches and the organization who are helping in in education to my p honorable when I'm shepherd the PS and all the officers I have to send call one by one I will take my time I have to thank the honorable prime minister too and the cabinet colleagues are always supporting the education thing because you see they a lot of things rotating around education you know if tourism want to do a program they have to come in the school sports want to play a football they have to come in the school if small business want to do a training they have to come in the school the the health in the school in the school the garbage in the school. BUT NOW THEY PUT SOME BIG BOTTLES BY THE SCHOOL TO put plastic bottle. Everything is in school. So I thank them. We have gardens now where minister all schools have backyard garden now. Big thing. If you see the size of those watermelon, all schools have backyard garden now. So everything we thank them. And I want to take a little time my little rest of time. Mr. Speaker, that was a summary of what's going on. The minister of education here. Mr. Speaker, I want to take a little time now for to talk a little bit. No, we have other people to talk and come talk a little bit of what's going on in Cassie Bruce. Mr. Mr. Speaker, no Bruce constituency that is ranging from all the way up to formal. Okay, >> I see the minister for take Wakama but the next war in Wakama. >> Mr. Speaker, in Casu's constituency, we have worked hard. We have worked hard to bring projects, improving infrastructure, supporting local business, advocating for vital services. And I want to thank Camera and say thank you to all of you for your support and for your dedication in making sure things happen from road repair to education in in initiative to housing to agriculture. How long we not in the same place as we were last budget? Mr. Speaker, we have moved. True or false? >> True. I'm a teacher. you not at point A at the end of the school year, something has happened. So, we are not where we were last year. We have moved our train at Sansville Primary School nice and dry because we spent more than $100,000 fixing the roof. Our much needed additional classroom at Cassie Bruce Secondary will be handed over to us for the new school year, just over $1 million. Our early childhood center in Cy Bruce was upgraded to include extension, new washroom, principal office, tile floor, cute little washrooms. If you see those thing, you don't want to think it's a toy, but they were specially made for le people at more than $123,000. We increased safety at Cibro Secondary by fencing the school more than $121,000. Tuition and transportation was paid for 47 students attending college. All students benefited from all safety net programs. All programs at both the primary school and the secondary schools were supported. Mr. Speaker, Cass is not missing out. You know, jealous of Sufy. Sufi doing everybody have their different culture and their different need. But Cas is not missing out on the health repair work of health center cost almost $200,000. The Cas Health Center is being upgraded and made smart to improve water storage and electricity and that is costing us more than $2 million. And when it it is finished, it will be called the High St. Thomas Health and Wellness Center. Mr. Speaker, we call her nurse madam as she that's how we call her. Nurse Madam gave exceptional service as a healthc care provider and we are very glad that her legacy will find a home in that center. Mr. Mr. Speaker, our people 18 and o over 18 and under 60 and over continues to receive free healthcare. Mr. Speaker, me too. Mr. Speaker, last time I went to do a procedure at the hospital to the counter. They gave me the price. I pull out my dollars. I also pull out my card. Then the lady said, "But your date of birth is not on the paper. How old are you?" I said, "I'm going to be 61 just now." She said, Well, you just pay $300. I say, "Oh, I'll be 61 in the next couple months. I over 60." You know, I Mr. Speaker, I was happy to say that. I I put all my put back my card in my purse. I put back my rest of my dollars in my purse and I was happy to pay my $300 for my procedure. I didn't even realize I was Imagine. I said, "Oh, you know, they give me a discount because I 60." He says it's for everybody even if you can afford or not. Mr. Speaker, I got my discount on my health procedure and I am glad in pass. We have 20 people under Yes, we care and that means a lot to us and I really want to thank the people who are giving care because more and more it's becoming more difficult to get people to give care to um elderly people. People still receiving housing. We have seven people who got houses that cost almost $2.5 million. We have people receiving building materials of all sort according to what stage they are. But I said to people, don't just stay there. Help yourself and we'll see what we doing. If you're on foundation, let me see if I can get some cement and steel for you. And when you to do the block, check me again. Let me see I can get some blocks for you. And our people are helping themselves and they're getting the assistant that they need. But the thing that we look forward mostly for now with the housing is the relocation of the people who are at risk. We are happy that 27 acres of land has been purchased. We paid for the land in full. We also pay for the crops. We have funds to begin. The tending process is almost complete. Site preparation continues and movement of machine will begin soon. Mr. Speaker, I take the opportunity to thank the people from the PY Supra area especially and good hope for their patience and people are now coming to our constituency minister. Mr. Speaker, just so we they come and take a ride on the road. Mr. Speaker, $100 million spent by us of that 300 million. But I tell you, those bikers, they did a good thing for us. Boy, voice notes flowing. Voice notes. Boy, that is a road boy from up there. Boy, those bikers had the time of their lives on that road. And one voice note was said if they just fix from the roundabout to to boy. And Mr. Mr. Speaker, I'm happy that this budget has presented for us to do this piece of road from roundabout to Guadia. And it's not just about the nice road and the ride, but it's about the vulnerability issues that this project has addressed. Um, we feel safer now. We had some rains and we didn't have much anything to do there. So, I'm saying that this road, the measures have served their purpose. And, Mr. Speaker, even if the gas price go up a little, we saving the money on shocks. So the money we save on shocks and on tires because we have nice road. We'll buy the gas with that for the meantime. We occupation and buy the gas. And more than that, the value of the land in that area has increased. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our fishermen for their work. When you have a disaster, they transportation and they can get over that new facility. They have the land inside and a nice area where they can clean up and wash up and just jump on their vehicle poo poo and go selling their fish. It cost us more than $440,000. But I'm saying we waited a long time and we are happy. We also want to encourage other people in the food security business like our farmers to get ready to do what they supposed to do. Mr. agriculture will share his own but the whole note what other people say get ready for what is to come we're happy that the feeder road in modest will get attention um and our farmers will do what they have to do Mr. Mr. Speaker, the new water system $7.5 million the last disturbance but we are hoping that that will complete soon you know but in the meantime if you have a competition for who can be in bit you can come for me if we don't come out first we'll come out second yeah because Mr. Because cash people have learned why we res have we spend 10 days without water. You hear us calling radio station you know we don't going in the river we have our pocket we doing our business and we already water will come for next two weeks we we because we understand that it was not government fault when the rain came and wash out the work that was done already otherwise by the end of March we would have our system so we thank the for their effort and now it's a little better because they did something to help us out. Mr. Speaker, I think we're enjoying the fruits of our labor. Even if the electricity I hear my husband that noise I hear there as 10:00 noise let me listen well go on the back porch listen Mr. Speaker, you think our people stupid now them people washing at 10:00 in the night now we because they went to a session they told them in the night the rate lower so now all group washing machine in action in Bruce you understand what I'm saying so we don't just go to session for going and listen sick when the people tell us a thing we try it out and somebody said they see their light bill went down already by $12 in one week so we we enjoying we enjoying the fruits of our labor For Mr. Speaker, in the Casibus constituency, we appreciate our prime minister because he works hard. He has a burden for his people. He have a purpose for this country. He have a vision for the purpose and he have a plan to fulfill the purpose with total commitment. And that is why we appreciate him and we stand with him. And even if the world has become complicated, we don't care. We are praying. We are strong people. We made progress. The challenges are there. We are happy the food price is not going to go up too much and we are also happy that we'll benefit from customs reform and the people of Cy Bruce they don't have to follow no world newspap to see the effects of the climate change and that's why I want to big up those people who are in the disaster and royalty and her team and some people came there we had a competition and and we just warned them just like that and somebody was saying but yeah they gave us walkie-talkie we we don't we got zero on the use of walkie-talkie. Let not us, Mr. Speaker. We know to use Rogers Rogers over we good. Those people take this thing so there people take this thing so seriously. You would not believe. Same color t-shirt and we had who we putting in first aid in that station. Who in that station? Who in that station? And we just won that like that. So I express gratitude to them for their work and the seriousness with which they do that. Our sports, our students continue to excel in sports and we are happy that under the BNT cycle 11 attention will be paid to our field. Mr. Speaker, we are doing well in culture since April. We started to practice. So if a person think they winning, they have an extr and Mr. Speaker, we want a good place to practice. So, you know what? Without blocking our spot on the road, without blocking a spot on the road, we pick the music and children dancing. And if you're not in the group and you want to learn, you can stay on the side and shake it. Shake it. If I didn't have a bad leg, I will show you how it going. But anyway, so Mr. Speaker, I thank everybody, the health workers, the teachers, the youth officers, everybody. They say don't call names, but I must give play gratitude to pay some gratitude to Mr. Johnson what are you what we do now without I to give the senator to a high level of gratitude Mr. speaker since match I've been struggling with help since m and I following them but the going I can't keep up because already but what we do what we have to do the the the young people they now they leave me behind because the gap widening I'm a senior citizen now so I thank those younger people for helping out if the young people because those young people want to do that moves now they want to I don't mind if the older people want visit sick and so but you those young people the energy just not there again. So I thank the young people for keeping it up. I want to thank my husband my love Mr. Speaker let me tell you something when God make me have that money in mind you know speaker miss Mr. speaker and not laughing suff you know but he's there and he supports and YOU KNOW HE DOES IT WITH SO MUCH grace I want to thank him man for his support he's a he's a real good guy he's a good guy the rest of the family also thank you I thank God for his enablement all the people who are praying all the labor groups disaster group if I forget somebody please excuse me. Mr. Speaker, I know sometimes we are troubled on every side. Sometimes we are in distress, but we are not perplexed. We are not in despair. We may be persecuted, but we are not forsaken. We may be cast down, but we are not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9. Mr. Speaker, with all of that, I want to say, may God bless us as we continue to protect our progress, strengthen our independence, and secure our future. God bless us. God bless Dominica. Jesus love you. And I love you, too. Good morning. I take more. >> You had an additional 5 minutes. >> Yes. Honorable Grant, I saw. No. >> Yes. Honorable Grant, you are recognized. You may proceed. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to give my full contribution, my full support and contribution to this year's budget. Let me express my thanks to the Minister of Finance, the Financial Secretary, the PS, and all those who are involved in this budget process. Mr. Speaker, in preparation of the this year's budget, Mr. Mr. Speaker, I took my time to go back a bit in in history, Mr. Speaker, and when the Dominica Labor Party first won elections in 1961, the mission has not changed, Mr. Speaker. In 1961 and in 2021, the mission is the same. We stood for people who were previously at the mercy of the elites. We were committed to the expansion of water, electricity, roads, schools and the opportunities in agriculture. We presented a form of leadership which the people then and now can identify and understand. Mr. Speaker, over the past decades, we have seen the transformation across the landscape of Dominica. Despite the crisis, despite the disasters, Mr. Speaker, we have seen that this government continues to transform not just the landscape but the life of every Dominican. Mr. Speaker, very often people refer to the debt to GDP and the level of debt that this country has. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, we have seen Maria. We have seen Erica. But Mr. Speaker, more importantly, we often compare Dominica with many other Caribbean islands. But no Caribbean island have seen the level of devastation we have seen in the last 10 years. Mr. Speaker, so we have to bear in mind this, Mr. Speaker. We often quick to compare Dominica with the other Caribbean island, but there is no island that have seen a Maria or have seen an Erica. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, the debt just to respond to disasters is over $700 million. Now, let us imagine that we do not have that debt. What would be the state of our housing? What would be the state of our healthcare? What would be the state of our agriculture industry? Because that is where the money went. Mr. Speaker, what is evident is that despite all these shocks, despite all these disasters, we continue to stand tall. We continue to stand firm. We have build back better. But most importantly, Mr. Speaker, we have allowed and kept people living in dignity. Over the past two decades, we have placed Dominica on a solid foundation and we have done so through the support of the CBI. We have seen the schools, we have seen the hotels, the health center, the hospital. We have seen the reduction in the debt across the country. Mr. speaker persons have benefit whether it's through education assist assistance whether it's through health care we have seen the construction of the international airport Mr. Speaker we have seen the construction of the maria marina these are the things that the CBI has brought for us Mr. Speaker and they are tangible across the country Mr. Speaker very often we hear about this 10 pillar Mr. Speaker but Mr. Speaker, we have gone past 10 pillars. Nothing new is being proposed. When you look at tax reform, Mr. Speaker, this Labor Party administration started tax reform dating back in 2001. Dutyfree and incentives. Mr. Speaker, there's no other government that have granted concession to our small businesses. And this is evident, Mr. Mr. Speaker, in the creation of the fiscal incentives act and where you can get a tax-free break between 15 and 20 years, Mr. Speaker, this is what we are doing for our small businesses. Mr. Speaker, so this is nothing new when we come and we hear about 10 pillar, Mr. Speaker, we heard the 10 pillar man, Mr. Speaker, talking about geothermal and what the reduction in electricity is going to do. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, while I'm on my feet, I would like to express congratulations, Mr. Speaker, to the honorable prime minister and Dr. Henderson. Um, in 2017, I had the privilege of being part of the Dominica Geothermal Development Company. My role, Mr. speaker was to set up the company and we had a group of young Dominicans at the time Dalton Elwa Shaiisha Birmingham um Gary Schillingford Alan Tus and a number of others who worked on this company Mr. Speaker, I remember during Mariel because we started 2017. It was in September sometime in October, November. I was actually working on the port at the time helping with relief efforts and the prime minister called me and said, "My brother, what you doing on the port? Geopal is critical to our development. So, you should go back to work." and we had several meetings, the Clinton Foundation, the World Bank. So, it was a small staff, Mr. Speaker, but we kept the company going and that shows the level of commitment from the Prime Minister and Dr. Henderson. And this is why today we now have this geothermal plant. Mr. Speaker, the simple truth, Mr. Speaker, Labor is working. >> Dominica is on a solid foundation. Over the last two decades, we have poured monies into every growth engine this country has. Mr. Speaker, we have connected all the moving parts. We are expanding. The reality is we have made bold initiatives. We have given the incentives and we are securing the future of generations to come. What we are dealing with now, Mr. Speaker, is the bread and butter issues. We are creating an environment where our young business persons can see their way, can grow their business and expand. Whether you are a farmer, a rental owner, a shopkeeper, a hairdresser, we are creating an environment where you can thrive. We are at a cru crucial stage in our development, but more importantly, we have to ensure that every Dominican continues to live in dignity during these difficult times. Mr. Speaker, during preparation of any budget, there are two things which you you must take into consideration. You must be able to identify and estimate your revenues and your expenses. You must consider uncertainties. But most importantly, as this administration has done over the last two decades, is ex exercise fiscal prudence. We have seen an increase in revenue over the last five years. In the last fiscal year, we saw an increase in VAT of just over $12 million. We saw an increase in income tax. What does this mean? It means that the measures, the policies and the investment that this government is making is bearing fruit. What it also means more people are working. There's an increase in the consumption of goods and services. Companies are not only investing but they are expanding. Mr. Mr. Speaker, to support my interpretation, let us look at some figures from the Dominica Social Security. 2020 contributions 62 million 2021 66 2022 73 million 2023 76 million 2024 75 million 2025 90 million. During that six-year period, Mr. Mr. Speaker, contributions have increased by 50% of 30 million between the period 2020 and 2025 and that means more people are working and therefore they are paying into the Dominica social security. This is why I am confident that this government and this budget is taking a practical and sound approach to driving our economy upwards, but most importantly increasing the spending power of all Dominicans. Mr. Speaker, we heard the complaints of the young professionals, the middle class. We listen and we responded. And very often we hear about tax reform and tax reform. But Mr. Speaker, it's important to note prior to 2000, anyone earning as low as $1,000 had to pay tax. And who who who are these people? The messengers, the drivers, the clerical assistants, all these people had to pay tax. And what we did from 2001, we gradually increased who had to pay tax. So we shifted from 1,000 to persons owning over 1250. In 2008, we increased this again to persons over 1,500. In 2009, we increased again to persons owning over 1,666. In 2015, this was increased to 2,83. And in 2018, Mr. Speaker, we increased it to $2,500. So, anyone who earns under $2,500 as of today does not pay tax. Now, let us look at what this means when we have reduced the flat rate across the board for every Dominican. Mr. speaker, whether you're a police officer, whether you're a nurse, a government administrative staff, or you're in the private sector, the first 30,000 on your $48,000, Mr. Speaker, is taxfree. And bear in mind that all the allowances, Mr. Speaker, it's important to note all the allowances that exist previously still exist with this 10% flat rate. So, we're talking about the residential allowance, the mortgage allowance, the student interest allowance, the home insurance, and the medical insurance. Mr. Speaker, all these allowances still exist. And Mr. Speaker, while I'm on medical insurance, it's important to note that what this government is trying to do is encourage our citizens to take medical insurance because medical is very expensive. And the reason for giving us the allowance is that if you sign up, Mr. speaker, you get a tax rebate because of having medical insurance. We heard over the last few days, Mr. Speaker, that this new 10% is only for persons earning a certain amount, the lawyers, the doctors, the accountants, the land surveyors, the engineers. Mr. Speaker, what I would like to urge all these professionals who are now earning those savings, you can now pass it on to your employees. So if you have a housekeeper, Mr. Speaker, you can give her an increase. If you have a grounds man, if you have admin staff within your private practice, within your private office, the savings that you are getting from shifting your tax bank from 45% to 10%, you can pass it on. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Mr. Speaker, if you if you are going out because you now have more disposable income, if you are going out to eat, Mr. Speaker, I would like to encourage persons to tip your waiter. Ensure that the hardworking people in the hospitality interest industry, Mr. Mr. Speaker, ensure that they get a little extra something before you leave. Don't take your change. Leave it at the table to ensure that the hardworking people within the hospitality industry gets a benefit. So, Mr. Mr. Speaker, what I did is to outline that everybody within this country is going to benefit one way or another from the 10% flat tax. Mr. Speaker, you're also going to see an increase in the consumption of local goods and services. Mr. Speaker, this government has always been about putting money in people's pocket and what we did with our measures, we saw the interest rate drop, Mr. Speaker, and sometimes we tend to forget. So it's important that we remind person before this administration came into power a mortgage was as high as 8 and 9%. This has now dropped to a a low four 4 and a.5%. And if you're a public servant we heard that the minister of finance said that we have a 2% and persons are already applied and approved. But Mr. Speaker outside of the mortgage we also had the sale of lots Mr. speaker and this morning I came across a land for sale in the Kanefield East area, Mr. Speaker, for $26 a square foot. Bear in mind that these are the lots that government also sold 5, 10, 15 years ago at $5 per square foot. These lots are now being sold for $26 a square foot. So with all these measures, Mr. Speaker, what we are encouraging persons to do is take a mortgage, take a student loan, improve yourself to ensure that you have a bright future here in Dominica. Mr. Speaker, the customs reform measure is huge. This is going to benefit every Dominican and is going to touch every room within your house. Mr. Mr. Speaker, one of the complaints is that importing vehicles has always been very expensive and costly. So, Mr. Speaker, with your permission, let me just look at one two examples of I mean what Dominican's ordering now. So, let's look at a vehicle under 10 years a Suzuki Swift >> 2017. Mr. Speaker, prior to this measure, it would have cost $32,000. With the new measure is costing $28,000. But, Mr. Speaker, it gets better. If you are a public servant and you're entitled to duty free as a traveling officer, this is going to cost only $22,000. Mr. Speaker, we have different class of drivers. We have different class of persons. You might want an SUV. You might want a CRV or you want might the more popular ones the Subaru XV. Prior to this measure, Mr. Speaker, it would have cost every Dominican $40,000. With this measure, it's going to cost $35,000. That's a saving of $5,000. But, Mr. Mr. Speaker, if you are a public servant and you're entitled to duty-free, this is going to cost $28,000 for a CRV or a Subaru XV. Mr. Speaker, what we are doing is giving citizens the power to buy vehicles under 10 years. Mr. Speaker, we are making it easier for the average public servant to own their own vehicle. Mr. Speaker, this measure does not only apply to vehicles. I sat with customs, Mr. Speaker, to try and get a better understanding of this measure and I looked at a 40ft container of food items, including freight and the cost of purchasing before you start adding duties. This is going to cost you $220,000. What you would pay in terms of the duties normally before this measure is $76,000. With the new measure where you remove compounding is going to cost $70,000 to pay to customs. Now, what does this mean for the average consumer? Just as an as an example, if you have 1,500 boxes, Mr. Speaker, of conflicts or any other food item within that container, automatically each item within that container would reduce by $4. Now, what this means, if you're importing a stove, a fridge, it's an automatic reduction. There will be and should be, Mr. Speaker, an immediate reduction in the cost of food, clothing items, spare parts, tires, building materials. Everybody will benefit and have more spending power because of the customs reform and the removal of the compounded. Mr. Speaker, this is not a selective measure. It is not on some items. It is on all items. Therefore, a reduction would be on every item within the country. Mr. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, I support wholeheartedly the $17 million made available or will be made available to the aid bank at 3%. $19 million, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker, what does this mean for our small business owners? Mr. Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of working for just about 10 years with small businesses across the country at the NDFD. Whether is the fishermen, the agrop processors, the farmers, the nail techs, the hairdressers. How do you see how do you see this benefiting them? Mr. Speaker, that is the question everybody is asking. where it gives them the opportunity to buy new equipment whether they need working capital to digitize their small businesses. So Mr. Speaker, it's important that we break this down so that the small business understand institutions including credit unions. Mr. Speaker, if you are taking a business loan, it's 8 to 9%. So as a small business, you decide that you need $30,000 for the expansion of your business. you are given 10 years. What this means is you'll pay $380 a month, but the interest or the cost of borrowing, Mr. Speaker, is $15,000. So, at the end of the 10 years, you end up paying back $45,000 on a $30,000 loan at the commercial institutions. With this facility, $30,000 at $3.5%, you would be paying $296 a month. It's just about $100 difference, Mr. Speaker. But importantly, at the end of the loan, you would be paying just about $10,000 less in interest. And as a small business owner, this is significant. So, what you have is not only savings in terms of financing, you have a custom reform measure, you have the exemption what we did a few years ago in terms of your packaging. And, Mr. Speaker, as a soul trader, the 10% flat tax is also going to benefit you. So what we would what we are doing is giving all businesses the opportunity to expand to stimulate the economy further to create more jobs. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, within my own constituency, I will be having discussions with the young man who wants to do poultry, who wants to set up a pig farm, the hairdressers, the nail techs, all the shops and restaurants, even persons who are interested in the small guest house, the taxi business. We are going to have discussion, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that they benefit from this facility. Mr. Mr Speaker, the farmers insurance as a representative for a farming community, I welcome this initiative because anytime a little wind blows, the planting fall, Mr. Speaker, and I believe that the farmers, not just in the western constituency, but across Dominica is going to benefit from this significantly. Mr. Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Public Works, we continue to invest heavily in roads. The Lubia tobagel Road is on stream. We have seen the mounting of several bridges and just the public to note, Mr. Speaker, due to the breakfast fet, we temporarily open the road from this today to Tuesday to allow for visitors to travel safely to Gran. Mr. Speaker, every time I stand here in this honorable house, I must express my gratitude to the people of Wesley, Woodford Hill, and Palm Tree. >> Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank them for their patience and understanding while we construct one of the largest and most transformational project this country has seen. They have been real patriots. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report that while we have our challenges, while we have our inconveniences, the people of Wesley Woodford Hill and Palm Tree stand firm in support of this project. And it's important that we recognize the effort. Mr. Speaker, you had a number of persons who were relocated. They had to redo their farms. And while they were compensated fairly, Mr. Speaker, it is no easy task to give up your home of 30 years and in some cases 40 years. So they must be commended for this, Mr. Speaker, and I thank them for their continued understanding during this time. Mr. Speaker, in the West constituency, we continue to focus heavily on the employment of our young people and we have seen through the NP program a number of persons have transitioned. So we have persons who were previously mentors and now nurses. Previously persons who were admin assistants. They have m have graduated into plan quarantine officers. Some of them have graduated to teachers. Some of them are within the public service. And this is a significant milestone for a small constituency for rural constituency. Mr. As you know, rural comm constituencies across any any country within any part of this world are challenged because the difficulty and the lack of access to many things. But within the western constituency, Mr. Speaker, we can say that we are creating and we have seen the benefits of the international airport. So we have a number of persons who are working there. But more importantly, as we prepare for the international airport, we have seen the creation of a number of businesses and a number of new ventures are starting up. And I would like to encourage my constituents to take advantage. Mr. Speaker, one of the areas that we are we are focused on is to ensure that a number of the young professionals, the policemen, the firemen, and the other professionals within the constituency own a piece of Wesley. And that is important, Mr. Speaker, if you are from Wesley, I believe I'm of the firm belief that you should own a piece of Wesley. And recently, we started to sell lots and Mr. Speaker, and it's important to highlight it's for persons without land. So, we are not we are not selling to persons who are looking for a second piece. We are ensuring that young persons within the constituency who do not own land get a piece of land within West, Mr. Speaker, at a mere cost of $5 per square foot. Mr. Speaker, with all these measures and as some persons say the goodies that we have given in this budget, how are we going to how are we going to cushion the loss of revenue? Mr. It's a simple it's a simple question. It's a simple answer. This government has always been prudent. We have always been responsible in terms of our investment and the management of the country's resources and within the public works ministry as we are responsible for public utilities. Um I would just like to give one one example. So we had seen a shift from from May 2026 to June 2026 a reduction in the public service utilities of $400,000 and that is that is due to directly linked to the geothermal resistor. So when you look at this on an annual basis just on electricity, we'll be saving $5 million because we are also implementing other measures to reduce the cost of electricity to the state and to the citizen. As we speak, Mr. Speaker, we are conducting an audit to ensure that if we are paying for street lights, we are getting those those lights from DOM. Also we are conducting an audit as it relates to standpoint. The Wasp builds the state for every standpoint. So if we have a standpipe we conducting an audit to ensure that they are operational and they exist. So all these are ways that we are looking to reduce just within the ministry of public works reduce the cost to the state. Mr. speaker there in lie where we will be getting the money to cushion the loss of revenue for the $43 million which would be and that is just within the ministry of public works. How we going to continue with the cushion Mr. speaker with the international airport the cable car expected in the next 18 months we're going to see an increased consumption of goods and services increase in terms of the number of person occupying hotel rooms also in the other incentives as it relates to returning Dominicans all these increases Mr. Speaker will lead to an increase in revenue for for the state Mr. speaker questioning the 4.4 45 what $43.5 million that we are giving up in terms of revenue. There are number of other measures that we are looking at to ensure that we run and continue to run an efficient government service in terms of providing our goods and services to all our citizens. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the staff within the ministry, PS Lanclot, PS Delaw, and all the other staff who continue to make the public works what it is. But Mr. Speaker, while I'm saying thanks, I must say a heartfelt thanks to the various road patching crews across the country. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Mr. Speaker, I have I have stopped a few times and patching roads in the sun is no easy task, Mr. Speaker, and I must commend them for the work that they're doing across the country. So, Mr. Speaker, I thank all my constituents, the stalwarts, the various members of the organization who continue to support the work that this government is doing, but more importantly, continue to support their parliamentary representative. Mr. Mr. Speaker, we in the Wesley constituency, we have seen the work of this administration. We believe that there is no other party and as it is now, there's no other individual that can bring proper representation to the people of Wesley. So, Mr. Speaker, I thank you for your time and I give my full support to this budget. Thank you. Yes, Honorable Fedry, you may proceed. [clears throat] You are recognized. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um, Mr. Speaker, I stand to to have my full support for this year's budget um appropriation uh especially with allocations to the ministry I I serve uh rec expenditure of um 10.2 2 million and also a capital budget of 57.1 million. But u Mr. Speaker, I want to start by um saluting the wonderful people of the Sabb constituency all the way from Wakama close to Gas Bruce um to the Hart Garden Bridge um the folks who have allowed me the opportunity to serve them in this in this in this parliament and also to um the the wonderful people who serve within the ministry that I I am happy to to be a part of. Um looking at the looking at the um the budget presentation by the Mr. Finance we want to thank him for that wonderful um presentation. I see that there are a number of priorities that link directly to my constituency and also the ministry I serve. Um the priority investments I I see here is the the construction of the multiple center in the Baga community. Uh also we we see a number of um environmental sustainable um initiatives. also we look in a in a more profound way at at at sustainable waste management and also the continuation of the NB program. Uh Mr. Speaker when I when I look at the the in particular the cyber constituency targeting the cargo territory because I said it before here in this in this house that the this the constituency is caught up with two two two very unique communities. The cargo territory on one hand and also the Atkinson community unique communities. The Atkinson committee has the entries and Atkinson community and also the Kako territory bad river salibu sensei m river and the tuna village conquer. So it's it's a it's a it's a dynamic community. But in in the in the budget address there there's specific reference to the cargo territory speaking to the the the country investment in the in the emergency shelter also the east coast roads that guab all the way through the cargo space um to to hatner garden and importantly Mr. Speaker also the sago primary school which is which is 85% complete. I happened to to visit you a few weeks ago and and the work is is is progressing um in a in a in a very good manner, Mr. Speaker. And also with within the the constructs of the orange economy, you will see that the cargo culture will be highlighted. >> Um traditional and craftsmanship, music, dance, storytelling, the cuisine, indigenous culture, indigenous heritage, um and product development and also marketing. And and so Mr. Speaker, when you look at the the the concept of the development of the rural communities, the Atkinson community will will benefit from that that part of the the budget space. Mr. speaker and we speaking about um developing the Atkinson um and and um upgrading this Atinson playing field and other green spaces within the community installation of the of of modern playground facilities landscaping the the green spaces providing seating providing walking areas lighting and also major amenities across the village. Uh we speak also Mr. Mr. speaker to planting of native trees and to enforce um environmental stewardship and of course we'll work in collaboration with the the cargo council on one hand and also the Atkinson council on the other hand. Mr. Speaker, we we will also benefit from the the community mentorship program. Uh and so there'll be establish a mentorship program where we will connect with retired professionals, farmers, artisticans, trades people, entrepreneurs, educators and we'll connect youth to those people. Mr. Speaker, and we'll be part of this entire movement across the country in terms of evolve infrastructure, Mr. Speaker, but we will also benefit from the the continued rehabitation of roads within our the constituency. um in Atkinson and in Kagago territory as well and also look at additional feeder roads for access of farmlands to farmers. Mr. Speaker, importantly though the the the budget spoke very candidly about um environment and and sustainability important an important two important concepts for island Mr. Speaker and and so we have highlighted a number of priority um um um areas. We're speaking about environmental sustainability programs, a sustainable waste management initiatives and expansion of renewable energy. Mr. Speaker, um protection of natural resources, um climate smart agriculture, agroforestry initiatives and also um strengthening the resilience to climate change. Mr. speaker. So these these budget items um directly align to to what happens within the cyber constituency especially at Kinson territory and also more targeted at the um at the Ministry of Environment. Mr. Speaker, um there are some key highlights, Mr. speaker in the in the in the budget presentation and it speaks in in a very profound way about the the protecting of our our country is natural capital and and so Mr. speaker, we'll be protecting nature and in so in so that we will be protecting our economy. We'll have healthy forests and and and and which will reduce frauding and all of those wonderful things that we do in in in in environmental protection. Um we know that um what we have as a product in Dominica is beyond just what we see on the on the land space but also what happens in the marine space. So all of this will be taken into consideration, Mr. Speaker. And um as we continue to to promote and to to um project Dominic as the first climate region in the country, is it important to make major investments in in in these areas? Uh Mr. Speaker, I I was sort of um pulled out of the conversation yesterday by my by my good comrade Vince Henderson. I I love to connect the history because it's important. People who do not know where they come about may not be too aware of where they're going. And so as honorable Vince Henderson, Dr. Vince Henderson, I I I think we have had major achievements in the last 26 years. But because we have we are we are developing country, Mr. Speaker, and we understand that um the effects of climate change have affected us many times in in our in in our recent in our recent um history. So Mr. Mr. Speaker, we are making investments in these um when we look in a targeted way at at um at um what we do within the mission environment. Mr. Speaker, we I I could report to the to this honorable house that um about 53 um hectares of forest was um areas reforested. If we if we do the math, a hectare is about two and a half um acres. uh that would be about 150 acres of of of land have been reforested. Um 16 thou plus 16,000 plus hectares is under active conservation. We have had um um 670 schools and volunteers and community groups engaged a mixture of all of those and we have been able to secure more than um $3.7 million in biodiversity financing. Mr. Speaker, I would I want to briefly go to to um the what I would like to coin the transformation of the waste management in our country. Um we we spoke about it in in in the budget address, Mr. Speaker, as well. And so we we really want to move from uh uh let's collect and dump and forget mentality um to a to a a recover, recycle and reuse. And so we can we can see in the construction of what they call the circular economy that we can use waste as as a resource that we can we can use to um to to to grow our economy as well. And so there has been major investments over the over the over the last year. Mr. Speaker, uh we we want to expand the national recycling program. We're going to bring in some new recycling officers as we call them. And also very importantly, Mr. Speaker, for the record, we will be doing a human resource audit at the STOL risk management corporation to ensure that we have the right people and we empower those who already existing in ensuring that while we're doing the entire reform that we we have the human capacity to manage that that um that corporation. Just the recycling to in in our in our you know based on our data has been very successful. We've had over 12 tons of recycled materials. We have 92 bales of plastic processed. We had over 500,000 bottles, plastic bottles exported. Uh we have over 20,000 bottles calling from schools. That means that the youth is involved and young people are involved. And also one particular school, Mr. Speaker, the Clifton Primary School. Uh the minister is not here. Uh we collecting more collecting more than 18,000 18,000 um bottlers. So we we're moving on, Mr. speaker and and in the within the constructs of the waste management um policy and and align realignment we are looking at green innovation Mr. Speaker and we we have received more than $600,000 US dollars for a fuse kitchen um plastic recycling um project and also we we'll be doing a a 500,000 um dollar eastern carbon dollars project in Sufria as it relates to composting. It's a very very important initiative to see how we can we can use waste to to as as a revenue stream. Uh Mr. Speaker also we also want to do a we'll be doing a rose organic p W pilot project and also do an anorobic um digestion project in Portsmouth. Uh Mr. Speaker we we we be we're moving across the country and we spoke um um last year at the budget about decentralization. We want to look at this again this year Mr. Speaker and we'll be doing um what do you call the echohubs. So these are these will not be dumping sites or labass as we call them. They will be echo hubs and what it really means is that you will have you there will be this there's the science about it. You will bring the materials in it be processed able to collect it. You will to recycle and so the the the mileage from from the rural areas into the existing landfield will be limited and we'll have this done in a in a in a proper way. So we're making investments in this. Um we'll be looking of course at at the composting recycling Mr. Speaker also hazardous waste management um and also importantly Mr. Speaker we were had we were very hard hit after hurricane Maria because we had we had a lot of disaster debris and this is something we have to look at very very carefully apart from the household refuse and commercial waste we do have debris that comes in after a major disaster. So, we are we are putting this as part of our plan. Mr. Speaker, we have we've been working with um some of the the local businesses here to look at the tire recycling or tire processing and um we're hoping that we can give them incentives to to to to pre-process some of those at the at the facilities. So, less of these coming to the landfill as we continue to to um to um get away from tipping at the landfield. Also, Mr. Speaker added to that, we are we are pushing feverishly on on having a a decentralized or a new location for a pond slash um um derelic site because we realize that we we do have a the a limitation at at the landfield to take in those those those material. And so we'll be doing this in this financially to ensure that as part of the the sustainability of the of the waste management that we can we can do that in good term so we can have a cleaner and um and more um better managed um waste management system Mr. Mr. speak also but this is the the important bit about all of this is there has to be some some reform of the laws that we have and there has to be the the ownership of of of waste management by the citizens and I'm hoping that when we do um the do decide on the exact um um fees in from January that everyone will come on board um to ensure that we have the the revenue to to manage and and to do to do the work at the service management corporation. And so we we do have a national campaign, Mr. Speaker. Um we have been we've been championing the keep Dominica clean and green which has which ties nicely with um tourism and um we we have um support from the OCS um um states. Uh we we have been able to bring in separation beans. We'll be able also to do a lot of public education. But something Mr. speaker. We think that people know we have to educate them about it more than ever and we will we will target a number of communities also to to do some cleanup campaigns and also continue um competitions among the youth um to ensure that they they are part of the conversation and part of the solution moving forward. Mr. Speaker, uh Mr. Speaker, I I I come as you know already I come from a uni community. I I um which I argue many times um most of us have some heritage connected to it. The Kagago people um we we had a major event hit in our community on April 26 major trough system in in our space that affected the entire east coast but for me it affected me a lot in that in the in the cargo space and we able to do some relief. Uh we we we restored the road we ensure that um homes were were were intact. We also provided some support to families etc. Mr. Speaker and I really want to salute the the the support of of some of our partners UNP UNICEF um Israel aid ODM the public division our department thank you honorable grant the forestry department um also agriculture housing and health because we've been able to bounce back as as it is from a major system that affected the community Mr. Speaker and so Mr. Mr. Speaker, we we we continue to build the resilience and and we in the cargo space are continuing to be part of the resilience story that that um that we push on on our national agenda. Mr. Speaker, um we have a small product in Chicago space. Um we we with some some um assistance to small businesses, bucket gardening, etc. Mr. Africa, a US million, $1 million with the from from the from the from the Indian government helped to implement it through the UNDP and working with the the car council as well to ensure that um we can empower um folks in that space and I I spoke briefly just now about the the the emergency shelter which will be much more than just a shelter itself um during times of of disaster but also a cultural space that we can express our our our culture and our trust assets. that we have in our heritage. Mr. Speaker, um the the KF a big fund we established a few years ago, Mr. Speaker, um the Cargo Development Fund helping to unravel the the the the trouble of having a a land space that is in common with no land title. And so being able to find a way to to to to allow some relief to to entrepreneurs within the Cana space to access monies for housing, for agriculture, Mr. speaker, tourism, education, and and in in the last financial year, we've dispersed $1.6 million, and there are 57 beneficiaries who benefited from that from that that that project. And we and this year in the budget as well, we will see another million dollars allocated for the the Kagago development fund to ensure that Kaga people are on a level playing field to access necessary finance. And um some of these will go also into ecoturism or equultural tourism as we say indigenous crafts um cannobing basket making um nature tourism the trade development also Mr. Speaker and just basically um allowing the cargo folks to to uh to um to h the enterp the entrepreneurial skills. Mr. speaker. Um the NEP is a major flagship project of the government and we can see it was it was um it was presented here as part of the the the presentation by the M minister of finance. Um to date, Mr. Speaker, we we are almost um parallel public service. We have 3,764 participants. Um um in the last financial year, we had 58 new interns coming in and we are partnering, Mr. speaker with um 394 organizations, private sector people, hotels, restaurants, barber shops and so my call also to those folks who are partnering with us to be diligent while while we as a government are absorbing interns into the system. We're expecting them to play the part as well to ensure that they they they um help to graduate as we say these interns from from the program. Mr. Mr. Speaker, um good news again. Um 68% of of the of the NP interns are are women. It's a it's a major thing because we know in the international circle the gender issues are important part of the conversation and we see 68% of of the participants being interns and if you realize Mr. Speaker, I'm saying participants because they they are part of a bigger program. It's it's it's something that is that is unique that's different and I think uh it's something that we we can we can we can um we can appreciate as that that helps people to grow and and become um um citizens that contribute to this the society. Mr. Speaker, Mr. speaker in within that workforce we are able to develop some skills over 1,000 of those interns were trained and we're talking about technical certification also financial um literacy entrepreneurship other education also um how to maintain equipment within the within the the program so Mr. Speaker in terms of career successes briefly for the NP um 378 interns transition into full-time employment And and so in the last year the graduation rate was 14%. Is really really really good and um but the target for this year will be 20%. So being very ambitious and that's why the call on the private sector the partners is it's it's important to help reach that target number. Um we are supporting communities with within the project. Mr. Speaker, as you all know, school feeding for um for 3,00 2,356 children. We care for 528 vulnerable people and we have over 180 caregivers trained. Mr. speaker and and even in the even what what we we we normally call the NP the one the wonderful folks we see along the highways we have we have recrafted that that sort of notion and we and we speak to them as as providing uh what you call environmental services and Mr. Speaker we've been able to maintain in the last year 320 kilometers of highway there's community beautifification happening there there's now landscaping of government facilities Mr. speaker and and we are presently Mr. Speaker on disaster response operations so big things and so what you normally know as the NP uh the beautifification is is is it's an environmental service that we offering to the citizens of the commonwealth of Dominica Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker um we need to continue protecting our natural heritage and and so our ecourism site investments are key for us Mr. Speaker uh we have completed the middle falls rehabilitation we also the major upgrades to boarding lake and while we have the the aerial the the cable car coming through there are people who want to engage in the on the trail itself so we have to keep on maintaining that Mr. Speaker we are continuing to to maintain parts of the the white national trail some serious work in Tito Gorge Mr. We have added co the kolu and antito to to the list of echo sites in the last financial year and so we'll be doing work here as well and also various visitor facilities across the country. Mr. Speaker briefly the the the W&T or the national trail we will be reestablishing a dedicated um trail management unit. We'll be bringing in some some some new trail wardens. We'll be looking at we looking at different ways to finance it. Mr. speaker and it's very important to to the collaboration in mission of tourism to ensure that um the the people use our spaces um pay for that service to enjoy the nature. Mr. Speaker um and also part a big part of what we do we have brought it into the mix and we've been able to do some eting and we have seen some serious um um um allocations of funds for for the titting services and we've been able to Mr. speaker to to to build some serious partnerships within the community. So within the protected areas, Mr. Speaker, say for example, the the the um the Monita National Park and the Caris National Park in the last financial year, the revenue have increased from $1.6 million to $2.2 million. And so there's in the last year with the ticketing system and the and the rigorous which we go and collect our our our fees we've been able to increase that um by 37.9%. And we expect to see more of that in the next year. Um but importantly Mr. Speaker this has to be reinvested and so I report to the parliament that we have to invest in national parks. We invest into the biodiversity infrastructure also in visitor safety Mr. speaker and also in educating people about what it is to be part of a country that is called a child and so you have to be part of that movement Mr. Speaker and so uh Mr. Speaker 9 95% of our kicking frame um infrastructure has been complete staff have been trained and and we expect and we have already seen improved visitor experiences Mr. Speaker um briefly Mr. speaker um the forestry division we are we doing a lot of work there uh waterershed management climate resilience disaster recovery and also Mr. speaker, we're looking at a lot of nature based solutions. There's a there's a sort of notion in in developing countries that that every every situation that happen that that that goes through a crisis, we have to pour some concrete and build a wall and and we say that there we able to do some nature based solutions. So we are we are restoring plants around the river river banks. We're doing vetiviver stabilization in some areas. Uh we are also reforesting parts of the country, Mr. Speaker, and also we're doing some serious coastal protection. Mr. Speaker, the vision moving forward, Mr. Speaker, uh we we are pushing towards a 2030 in our minds. It's important. It's part of the UN mission as well that we're pushing towards a 2020 2030. And so want to increase our recycling to 70%. want to re we want to restore more than um 75 acres of of forest again um also protect 30% of the land and sea reduce landfill um deposits by 40% established Dominic as the first echco hub and divert 60% of organic waste from the landfill and increase our our protected area revenue by 30%. And Mr. Speaker, we also want to do the human capacity piece to train 15 young environmental leaders and have a transition of 16% more young people into permanent employment within the within the NP. Mr. Speaker, and so we're hoping that doing all of this with within the our ambit as the Ministry of Environment, we will we will um we will see u visitor satisfaction improving more than 25% at our various sites. Mr. speaker. Um within within this budget, I I I I want to conclude, Mr. Speaker, um the protecting our nature is is is empowering people and also building prosperity. I I I I I see that the budget is committed to protecting our forest, safeguarding our biodiversity, modernizing our waste management system, Mr. speaker, strengthening our climate resilience, empowering the Kagago folks, um building stronger communities and growing sustainable um tourism, investing in young people, Mr. Speaker, and securing a a cleaner and green and more prosperous Dominica. But before I close, Mr. Speaker, I want to circle into two activities we'll be have which will be coming up in the next few few months and weeks. Um on on the 9th, Sunday the 9th will be will indigenous people's day which we do celebrated on Monday and and the United Nations has celebrated this day. I had a I had a converation this this this a few months ago with the cargo council and we want to propose that that might be the ideal day to have a cargo day as an official holiday because it's it's a world indigenous people's day and so we're pushing this. So this year we celebrating midwives and we will have a we will celebrate our midwives in Kag space who have um brought um forth people like myself into this room and so we have this activity for them on Monday Mr. speaker. Importantly, fast forward, the week of September 19th is Kaga week. There'll be a number of activities in during a Kaga week. Uh where we will celebrate culture, we have food and beverage and we'll have a we'll have a a good time or a ba and we also celebrate our heritage and importantly to to salute um the the the warriors who protected these lands for many many moons within our space. Mr. Speaker, um Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for your time with me. Thank you for the my parliamentary colleagues. Thank you for the the cabinet of ministers who always hear my stories about Kagago warrior spirit >> and there that's the one key word I think you know about me representing the people in the kago territory but importantly Mr. speaker to always remind people that a lot of places across the country is kind of space still like the kio and the kibish and the bowi and the kashaku and the so actually those names remain in the creole culture and so I really want to celebrate those folks who actually live in those spaces and um and who still honor the ancestry and um not only those people who living within the cargo space but those who have an affinity to the the kago heritage and who will support my movement moving forward to ensure that the kago people remain a a significant part of the car of the Dominican society. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> Yes, >> Senator Parish, you're recognized. You may proceed. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. still morning. No, the afternoon. Good afternoon, parliamentary colleagues. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. I rise for just a few minutes to make some short contribution on the budget debate that's presented before the house. First, let me congratulate the minister of finance for taking up challenge coming back this year. I'm presenting what everybody is calling comprehensive. I also want to congratulate the leader of the opposition for what I would like to call a very well well done presentation yesterday. She [snorts] put her heart and her effort into establishing what many are calling a a mature response to the budget. I would like to stay within that vein, Mr. speaker, but I'd also like to recognize how nurturing and how caring she was and how warm she was. But in a family, they are fathers and mothers and everybody has different roles and everybody has to do their part and do their job, right? Mr. Speaker, while it is it is commendable and and the the the government must be congratulated for and recognized for the type of performance that they've had. When you zoom out and you look at what is happening with the numbers and seeing the 98% in in in public in investment program coming in under what we what we said we would spend making sure that we didn't overspend globally. That is something that on the face of it looks commendable. people would say, "Wow, thanks for saving us some money." You know, Mr. Speaker, the process that we're going through here is is one where two separate things are happening. The budget of just is being presented. One is a is a statement of fiscal policy. What are we looking to do in the in the coming fiscal period that will create some economic buoyancy and stability, right? But also the estimates are being presented. These estimates is a document that will tell us how we are going to strengthen and to look at those and to look at developing those those policies and those programs that we set out in the policy statement. Now, Mr. speaker to support to scrutinize to not support you have to look at both and some sincere scrutiny must be given but what we often do and what the conversation is often skewed at Mr. Speaker is looking at simply what is being presented now and what it intends to do and Mr. week on the face of it, you say, "Wow, boy. 10% income tax across the board. We're not doing bans anymore." That's great. Of course, it is. We're looking at tax reform and and we're looking at import reform in the tax in in the area of taxes and how we're we're removing the compounding, something that Dominicans have been asking for for years. Of course, that is a good idea and that can't be debated. When you talk about farmers and the the the insurance scheme for farmers, of course, Mr. Speaker, that is something that is remarkable and noble. And I've heard many times that in the development of small island states, the avenues you have for developing a country are very few and far between. Of course, we have limitations. So, what you would do and what I would do are not going to vary that far. Now, Mr. Speaker, in passing a bud and and and in looking at approving the finances that we're about to approve in this house, we have to do a little more digging. We have to go further. Luckily, what we have in this chamber is the benefit of historical data. We can look at what we did last year in similar areas under similar headings under similar ministries the approvals that we had last year what did we do with it Mr. Speaker, when you go into the details line by line, item by item, that's where you get the real story of whether we're doing some whether the arithmetic is telling the story or whether performance is actually telling the story. And for the next couple of minutes, Mr. Speaker, that is what I I would like to do. I would like to, you know, stay in the vein of the opposition leader, be responsible, but also responsibility without accountability is flawed and hopefully we can get some of that done before we get to lunch. Right. In his presentation, the Minister of Finance remarked and I quote, "The investments these investment builds the infrastructure and the productive assets needed to expand economic capacity and resilience through these initiatives. This government aims to strengthen our productive capacity, promote inclusive growth, and enhance the quality of life." But, Mr. Speaker, when when when when you when you match that statement against the performance of a number of the delivery ministries under the PSIP program for last year, we started getting into a little bit of our pixels in the picture of our financial performance start to get clearer. And I and and I will not attempt to to be as eloquent a storyteller as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I listened to him yesterday and I was blown away by his this his craft. Mr. Speaker, but we're going to go a little further than storytelling today. Right, Mr. Speaker, under the Ministry of Tourism, under the Ministry of Finance, develop economic development and climate resilience, education, human resource planning, vocational training, housing, health, sports and youth development and public works. We have significant underperformance and I know in the in the spirit of of I I don't know somebody asked me if the opposition leader used to teach she was giving out score cards yesterday and and that's fine but we're seeing Mr. Speaker, these line items are telling a different story. And now the question becomes, is it that these ministers who I have uttermost respect for, is it that they didn't have a place to spend the money or was it the was it that the money wasn't available? Mr. Speaker, the question still hangs because a number of presentations have gone and you haven't heard anybody so far, I stand corrected, Mr. Speaker, explain why that is. And we must not seem to to ridicule honest dialogue that asks for accountability in these areas. When we go closer, Mr. Speaker, and we start looking more into the figures, and the figures are available to all of us. They're not online yet, but they're available to all of us. We start to see areas, very few, two of them, and I'd like to touch on them who have exceeded their allocations, the approved allocations from budget last year. First one I'd like to touch on is the Ministry of Environment, Rural Modernization, Kalanagago upliftment, constituency empowerment, exceeding its budget by over 20%. When you go into that, Mr. Speaker, you recognize that the high I want to be responsible with the words that the overage is under the national employment program fear. We love the NP. We've heard many people mention about the growth, the graduation and and so forth in the national employment program and employ a a program that was developed to empower people across the spectrum. Not debatable. Do we have ideas of how that can be improved? Of course. And we have ideas inside and outside of Dominica. We've heard the talk about it. We've heard everybody talk about how national employment program can be improved. Sure, that's not what we talking about today. What we are trying to figure out is why our the cost under that program that single line item in the Ministry of Environment was increased in a single fiscal period by 60%. Over what was what what what was allotted last year, what was allocated last year right now, Mr. Speaker, you know how we feel about the NP, but that needs to be explained. Somebody needs to say why. And we we we're we're in a situation where these same people under national employment program verified or not you see it on social media. You hear it in the conversations that they get paid late and so on and so forth. And Mr. Speaker, these things happen. These things happen understandably. Everybody of us here understand the the the in the in in the running of a business far as the running of a country that these things can happen. But we owe it to them to say, "Hey, this is a challenge that we're having. This is why we need these things to to to to this is why this is slow and this is why we had the overexpenditure. Maybe we employed 60% more workforce or maybe our workforce increased by 60 our workload increased by 60%. We can't just gloss over it like it didn't happen. Something must be done." Mr. Speaker, in that same ministry, I I just heard the minister talking about the the the reforestation program and so on and so on and so forth. But there are several areas where he could find $16 million to spend here, but he couldn't find it for the Cardonago development fund and $1 million dollars and he couldn't find $35,000 on the reforestation program. That kind of difference, Mr. Speaker, requires accountability. Because after the Minister of Finance presented, Mr. Speaker, I saw a lot of memes going around showing all of the things that we're proposing in the budget. But the budget is more than just memes. Real people's lives are being affected. And of course, Mr. Speaker, we understand that. But we need to explain to them why. Under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, the numbers tell a even bigger story. Tell us a bigger story. Not necessarily because the numbers are bigger. They just tell a a bigger story. And Mr. Speaker, what what I'm about to say must not be construed for a criticism. They're just seeking for clarification. You go into the into the estimates and you see where the money went. There's no ambiguity as to where the money went. The money went into the transmission lines. And we understand all of the challenges that go. We heard the minister speaking yesterday and he an experienced minister, senior minister talk about the challenges that he saw the men doing the transmission lines what they went through. So it's understandable that there will be challenges. It's understandable that there will be challenges but I have a problem with Mr. Speaker. I shouldn't say a problem because it's not it's it's not that serious. All right. And again, I I I I have to appreciate the Minister of of Foreign Affairs and Energy. When you talk about the geothermal project, you have to respect the the revolutionary leadership that has gone into making this a reality. The minister said it yesterday, it took long. It took more money than we expected. And what I appreciated him saying yesterday, we have proof of concept. Dominica has proved that it can work, that we can get the job done. That is not debatable. Mr. Speaker, and all of us here inside and outside of the chamber will defend our geothermal project. We will defend it because it will save us in the long run. But, Mr. Speaker, here here's the question. We we we cannot seem we cannot seem to downplay people's lived experience cannot seem to gaslight people into showing but look how great we did why are you complaining look how but people having lived experiences Mr. Speaker and the question they are asking Mr. Speaker is how much is it going to cost March 5th we came out we came the the the the geothermal came online Now we have confirmation from the minister July 31st full power. But how much is that going to cost? Because you see our resilience, Mr. Speaker, is more than just being impressed with how far we've come. >> It is about understanding is about understanding that we really should have been further. We really should have been further along and it's going to take all of us in order for us to get there. And we still have a long way to go, but we have to survive now. We have to make sure that we can survive now so that we can reach the future that we're promised. So we have questions, Mr. Speaker, and accountability says we owe to the people of Dominica to clarify some of those things that they have. Huh. Mr. Speaker, beyond the ministries that overspend, there separate a more troubling category. of projects that were approved in this house when nothing has been spent. Nothing. These are capital projects approved by the parliament where nothing was spent. Procurement of the information system inland revenue, future housing development program, retaining walls in Belch, reconstruction of the ferry terminal, guard rails and road safety, vendors market, York Valley, um PCA rehabilitation, panel bridges, new public library which has been deferred, solar wind power street lights community waste storage improvement, Kalanago territory zero waste project. No money has been spent there yet. We don't hear any explanation [clears throat] as to why. And that Mr. speaker raises the question. >> Thank you very much. You're all paying attention now. Raises the question. So what gives us the confidence that we will do it this year? As revolutionary and and and as and as groundbreaking as this budget seems to be, if that is our per our performance from 12 months ago, what confidence do we have? Where is our accountability that says we able to do it this year and this is why you should support it? That's the question, Mr. Speaker. That's the conversation. That's the honest dialogue that's happening. Why didn't you do anything there last year? What was the difficulty that prevented you from from from doing that? Under under the Ministry of Education, Mr. Speaker PSIP allocation for the ministry, 14.8 million. 3.2 is our revised projected spend. And you heard the minister of finance talk about the schools and and and all of the the things that is happening on the schools and so on and so forth. But that is not reflected in the figures that we have and those are the minister's figures. Those are not anybody cooking up these books and bringing them to the parliament. Those are the minister's figures. How are we reconciling these differences and the questions that arise when we see that type of performance particularly in areas where the minister says these investments are supposed to create the stability and the economic buoyance that we are looking for. Of course, Mr. Speaker, we we see that the GMA school is needing another half a million dollars for its neverending continuation project that was supposed to cost less than 100 million or less than $50 million is in the region of 150. Still no explanation as to what happened at the auditorium roof. Still no report available to the public as to what happened and who's taking responsibility for it? I mean, somebody would have raised a question about professional malpractice. Somebody would have raised a question about contractors not doing what they're supposed to do. And in some societies, I heard that from an old man before, you know, the phrase is next would have to roll, I guess. Welcome to Dominica because, Mr. Speaker, the building was just demolished, you know, and we just moving on quietly. No accountability, nothing to say, just moving on. And by the way, give us a half a million dollars more because the project's still ongoing. [snorts] It's a fair question, Mr. Speaker. That's not unreasonable cuz it's the people's business. I want to know. Mr. Speaker I I would like to touch on I would like to touch on the growth that we we spoke about that the Minister of Finance spoke about. But you know I would just like to note and and maybe the Minister of Finance can clear it up in his wrap-up. There's a discrepancy between the 4.5% growth and the 3.16% that is in the documents. And and this is not an allegation because the IMF also reported that Dominica grew by 4.5%. But in these documents it is saying that our growth is 3.16. So the minister can probably clarify where we got that from and um in in his wrap-up and he can he can give us some information as to as to how we can we can which figure we should be taking also. Also, Mr. Speaker, there's there's some there's some discrepancy, maybe not a discrepancy, but just a calculation where it relates to the the 1% projected growth confirmed by the IMF as well in their article 4 and the 2.2%. And maybe the the they the it would be nice if the minister of finance can can can just you know clarify what that discrepancy is because what it is showing what is coming up here Mr. Speaker is that we are using we are using the projected draw down of grants at $17 million. Well no not this year. Last year we projected $ 117 million in grants to be collected and we only collected 41 million in grants. That was grant money. Question now becomes what gives us the confidence that we are going to receive the level of grants because if we're using the same arithmetic the grants money is is is going to be different and maybe that's why the IMS projection is different from us because they were discounting the grants. we're not factoring it in as much as we as much as we are and that obviously, Mr. Speaker, will change the figure. So maybe the the the Minister of Finance can can just touch on that. Um yeah, I I I there's a lot, Mr. Speaker, and I I know that time is running out. I would like to point out something that I think is very important. between what we say and what we do. And the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Agriculture in all of the Minister of Finance presentations, those are considered delivery ministries. Delivery ministries. Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Minister had eight p eight pages that spoke to agriculture. what we plan to do, what the allocations were going to be. But when you match that across the allocation that was made for the Ministry of Agriculture, it was only 3.5% of the overall investment budget. It's even worse for tourism. Same amount, well, no, not the same amount of pages, but four or five pages talking about tourism. Of course, everybody believes in that. and we place a lot of emphasis on that. But the PSIP allocation for that ministry was only 0.58% of what we talking about. Worse than that, only $2 million was spent. What I'm bringing up, Mr. Speaker, is that our rhetoric is not matching our energy. What we're saying is important to us. We're not putting our money behind it. And even still with the limited resources that we're allocating to it, there's still questionable performance. And that is something we have to rectify because if that type of performance persists, we're going to have some issues reaching the goals that we set. We're going to have some issues reaching the targets that we're expecting to create the economic buoyancy that we talked of. Right, Mr. Mr. Speaker, with limited time as I wrap up, I'd like to talk about a few things in the Marriott constituency. One hour seniors, one hour seniors, >> seven more minutes. >> Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Huh? No, I'm fine. One one hour seniors. The the contribution of the people of Maragot to the development of of Maragot and the Northeast and Dominica is undeniable. One of the things I've I've continued to notice is that I see too many seniors fending for themselves. Too many people who have worked hard in their youth on whose shoulders we stand, they seem to be fending for themselves. I think more can be done to assist them in the area of housing, in the area of assistance, in the area of medical care, providing them with the aids that they want. Something has to be done cuz too many of them fing for themselves. And everybody knows what I'm talking about. And those on the other side murmuring, they have compassion for it. It's convenient to moment now. But all of us have to go to that road, Mr. Speaker. Cuz time longer than time. >> Yeah. I'm saying we need to reach out to we we we need to look out for our seniors. Are we doing things? Absolutely. >> Raising funds. I I heard a minister a minister talking about Yes, we can. I want to see it more. >> I want to see it more. >> To translate that, Mr. Speaker, but the point can't be negated. What I'm suggesting is that the Yes, we care can care a little more. Agreed. Thank you. Moving on, Mr. Speaker. on the area of youth and sports. I heard the minister of the minister in junior minister talking last night and talking about how revolutionary the grassroots movement is. The constituent of America continues to tune out national international athletes all the time. Undeniable. We need to give back to them. They have some sporting facilities in the constituency that need attention. the li park playing field, the dressing room and and and and the changing room and all those things. We need some attention. It needs some attention so that we can chill out more Addison and the young people's ambition can be realized. Kudos to the coaches, Godwin and and and I to Lisa and all the people working with the young people helping them to build their talent, but they need some support. Mr. Speaker, we're running out of time, so we're going to move fast. Obviously, Mr. Speaker, talking about the sports and youth, we know about the Wales Hardcourt and all of the upgrades that that it needs. I know that the parl has been looking for some assistance. Some of it has not been recognized. We need the assistance. We need some lighting. We need to cover the stands. We need to do all of those things. Right. So, Minister, yeah, I see now he's apparently know about it. Work with us, please. Mr. speaker on our farm roads on our farm roads the rehabilitation is absolutely needed and we can name all of the farm roads but I know the minister of agriculture is very familiar with it and and I I I am sure that he has it on his docket but just to remind you our bread basket we need it Mr. Speaker, I love this. I love how this is going. The Minister of America does agree say no about it. Sto slope stabilization after the trough of April 26. Mr. Speaker, a lot of things happened on the northeast that are very frightening in the Maragot constituency particularly and the road leading to the main airport. There is a critical area that needs some assistance because the alternative road to the main road is being compromised and the slide that is between there is compromising both roads and if we don't if we don't put a stitch in time we're going to have a situation where both accesses will be compromised cutting off access to the main airport that is on the back street road right next to the fisheries right there many other places especially in north end there's something going on in the north end Similar to what is happening in the Kalanago territory, we see large areas of land sliding all at once. There are people's homes, land, roadways that are being compromised because of this and it definitely needs some serious attention. I wouldn't go into naming all of the the areas, but we know them and and and for prosperity, we can we can we can look at them. On the matter of roads, Mr. Speaker, on the 19th of January, I wrote to the honorable prime minister with a proposal or suggestion as it relates to the Harden Garden to Portsmouth Road. new project. I'm assuming still in the early phases of the project suggesting that this is an opportunity for us to mandate inclusion very very early into the project particularly for our truck drivers, heavy equipment operators and our and our and our our skilled men in construction particularly in the Maragot constituency. Mr. Speaker, a large project like that shouldn't be going through your constituency without giving entrepreneurs and young entrepreneurs at that the opportunity to participate at a very high level and to change their economic standing and contribute to the development of our country on a project like that that is going right through their through their neighborhood right in front of their house. They should be given a mandated opportunity to participate at a high level. Not just to carry water and drive people's trucks, but to be able to buy their trucks, fix their machinery, start their new business, take a loan and invest into machinery and equipment so that they can participate at the level that is required. Mr. Speaker, finally on the Maragot Bay port. I know it's early days, but I didn't hear anything mentioned by the by the Minister of Finance as it relates to the establishment of the port of entry. There also didn't see any allocations for it in the estimates. I concede that it's early days. I concede that. >> I concede that, Mr. Speaker. However, there is a there is a committee that has been established, an advisory committee that is that has been established to work with the interest groups and the stakeholders and the government agencies to make sure that this is being established in in in in the most efficient and sustainable way that can impact not just the northeastern Maragot but the entire country. I I I want to to impress on the minister of finance that this is something that should be should be taken as seriously as we can because of the impact it is it is supposed it it is it is able to have >> one minute >> in conclusion Mr. Speaker, to be clear, supporting initiatives of national importance and supporting initiatives that will bring relief to people's is never the question. A a a good Dominica and a and a thriving Dominica benefits every one of us regardless of your political side, your religious preference, or whatever the case may be. But it has to come with accountability. Trust is built on transparency. And if we're looking for all hands on deck and to build this country together, we have to do it together and collaboratively. That's the only question we're asking. I look forward to I look forward to some of the questions being addressed and for some of the problems that we have being solved. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you honorable host. >> Yes, honorable >> Roy, you're going to deliver. >> Yes, Mr. >> Okay. >> You are recognized. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. >> So, you may proceed. Thank you for the opportunity to to present and for the record I just want to place my full support to this budget. I think that is one was crafted to reduce [snorts] to assist our citizens with the cost of living and it can only take a government Mr. speaker who cares for people that can carefully craft a budget that honorable Paris could not find any fault on. So when he was struggling trying to to get something negative, he resorted to say that we're not taking care of the citizens in Marot which I find is very unfortunate of the Yeah. of the senior citizens. That's very unfortunate. >> Yeah. I'm I'm not too sure if he's aware of the non-contributo pension that the over 65 are b are benefiting from and even the free healthcare for over 60 and of course the yes we care which every constituency is benefiting from. So I think honorable Paris you could have done better than that. But um having said that I'll move on to to the the meat of my discussion this afternoon. But firstly I want to say good afternoon to the people of the cottage constituency. Um they are the ones who have me here and I want to thank them for the support and continued prayers as I serve them with my full energy and might. So Mr. Speaker, I think that's a budget as I said that we have listened to the plight of the people and we have addressed that and no wonder you know that this Liberal Party government is in power for 26 years because we are listening and will be there for many more years to come because we are a government that responds to the needs of the people. So it's not by chance or by luck is by good policy and by listening to our people we always put measures in place to address that. So Mr. Speaker, a lot have been said about cost of living. Yesterday, today they'll say tomorrow about cost of living. But we need to put that into context and we cannot divorce agriculture from cost of living. >> So anytime you speak cost of living, we must speak food production. Mr. speaker >> and I will hasten to say that on most of the talk shows so some of the opposition pressure groups they would say nothing is happening in agriculture but sometime I I really try to understand why maybe we are not seeing too much on our side maybe we need to increase our PR at the ministry or it's just that they're looking for sympathy from the so-called beasts who are the farmers in Maragot and Salsbury. However, today I will I want to set the record straight, Mr. Speaker, but to put it into context, I must look at the evolution of agriculture in Dominica, Mr. Speaker, so we can understand where we were and where we are and where we are going. Mr. speaker. So in the 19th and 20th century, Mr. Speaker, we did limes, a lot of limes. We're the world greatest exporter for limes and the lime oil. We had big essence in Sufu here and around the country shipping to the US and the UK even that Mr. speaker after they get alternative substances to replace that and market pressures we lost the market but during that time we had to move to co and vanilla good quality premium price on the UK market across the globe it's pended time and again market pressures competition from other countries we lost the late 50s, early '7s, we moved to bananas. Banana was king in the 80s, early '90s. I think in 1989, banana would have contributed with other commodities about 100 million to the Philippine, which was equivalent to around 24% to the GDP. Even that too because of loss of of preferential treatment and again competition from the Latin American countries we lost our market share but we warned that we would have to diversify but between 95 and 1999 little was done to diversify. Instead, the regime at the time offered farmers $1 a pound and as a result, it left DBMC with a debt of $36 million and it took this administration to recover that debt. Mr. speaker. So many times the mention about the golden age of agriculture in the 80s and the '90s but I like figures Mr. Speaker. So they were saying that up to this point they were saying that but let's compare like with like in 1990 under one of the freedom party agriculture contributed 40 million US or 108 million EC to the GDP in 1997 under the United Workers Party. Agriculture contributed 38 million US or 102 million EC. These are World Bank stats. In 2024 under the Dominica Liberal Party, agriculture is contributing 84 million US or 226.8 million EC. They might say that was then. But if we have to take the Q value for example of the $102 million in 19 97 and use an average annual inflation of 2% it only value $181 million. So that says even our present time with all the golden age they were speaking about and BA was king and things were better in the sector agriculture is contributing more to the economy than under the freedom party and under the United Workers Party. Mr. speaker. So that thing that say nothing has happened in the sector that have me real baffled and this argument they want to have is that they were 24%. Now we are sent into set. They think it was higher but but but Mr. Speaker you need to understand the economy is [clears throat] expanding. >> We have more sectors to deal with. We saw growth in tourism, construction, financial services, housing, education. So in fact, we have a larger economy, Mr. Speaker. So you're going to compare 24 in 1990 and 17 in 2026. So that's why I prefer to use the dollar value. And I still put inflation on average 2% and still not enough to meet what we are contributing to our sector because we have diversified Mr. Speaker and that did not happen overnight Mr. Speaker with all that progress we have made we met with challenges Mr. speaker several disasters and storms in 2007 we had hurricane Dean 2008 we had Omar we had 2015 Erica 2017 we had Maria Mr. Speaker coupled with that we are plagued with pest and disease treases a virus black toa degraing disease now the leaf are yellowing in the coconuts and the lift goes on top of that we are battling the climate change Mr. more ferocious winds and storms and hurricane even drought things we never used to get Dominica we having long period of dry periods where we can't even grow any crop affecting production so climate change is real in the 80s and 90s we were not experiencing that so banana could be king but now we have to invest every time we struck down we have to invest and bounce But the sector still remain standing Mr. Speaker because of the investment we have been making. So after we came Mr. Speaker, we didn't just sit down and say okay we dead. We stood up. We brush our knees and we said we are going to put a strategic plan to revitalize the sector build on three pillars. Mr. speaker the first phase was recovery then you move to transformation and now we're experiencing the growth Mr. Speaker so let's start with recovery Dr. give a nice history yesterday so today I'm the deputy lecturer of history so it's my turn is a nice history >> when hurricane Maria passed Mr. speaker just to provide seeds, planting material, equipment and other tools and other fertilizer to ensure farmers can bounce back quickly that cost government 36.1 million. Mr. Speaker, all looking to farmers for free. That's why we to bounce back the sector so quickly. In matter of weeks, we're able to harvest lettuce and other vegetable. Mr. Speaker, lest we forget the banana and planting sector affected because you know winds can just devastate their area because they are very very um soft crops that is very vulnerable to winds. Wind potted take a couple of your plants from France 20,000 bananas 25,000 plantains that cost us over $1.2 two million doesn't know the speaker just like the main roads and other archeries every feeder road in Dominica all of them were affected we spent $30 million rehabilitating feed the road creating access so farmers can get to the farm we must not forget that we are still in recovery phase I must mention the car home bridge we just completed as well. >> Yes, >> it was gone since tropical storm Erica. Nobody said that, but I think it was done to silently so farmers now can access K through MU. They couldn't have done that after hurricane or chemical storm Erica. So that investment that we're making, we did road in neber and we continue to do feder roads every year as we observe we add two under budget. So incrementally we can address all the federal roads. So this final we'll do new fun land and then we're going to do modest federal road in Cibbrus. Mr. Speaker, all the pens for poultry for pigs, rabbits, small minions were destroyed. We don't just tell the farmers to build back on the old. We spend $7.9 million, Mr. speaker giving contracts and buying material to build back all the pens that were destroyed so that we can produce meat to ensure protein security and to support the abato that we have newly constructed Mr. Speaker. So that's the work of a current government. We send us cry die. We need to remember that. Remember we seen in recovery phase down to livestock feed. We have to purchase. There was a time not just because of um the shortage of um Maria caused some vessel could not dock I think was was the gizot because of the cis wells and the suppliers do not store more than 3 weeks over feed because they can go quickly we had to bring in feeds from guaglo all to the cost of the government speaker >> the government can easily said that's not our business because we are not the suppliers that is a per sector initiative but Because of the caring government that we are, we stepped in and got feed from Guadloop. We called one of our partners and they bring out a whole bag of animal feed to ensure that our animals could have been fed. Mr. Speaker, we still recovery. Mr. Speaker, we s livestock production. The Senica livestock farm was totally destroyed. we have to build it back because we must ensure that we have proper genetic pool to supply to our farmers. So we did that. We spend a few millions there and in addition to that we have a contract approved to bring around 80 heads of smalls and rabbits so that we have some proper breed at the station so we can do crossbreeds and pro to our farmers. So by somewhere October we'll see a shipment of some live animal which will supplement the artificial incimination that we have introduced on Mr. Speaker. So, so we are doing what we have to do >> so they can talk. I like the conversation on the radio is happening. >> We don't only focus on crops and livestock. We we look at fisheries. We procured over 104 outboard engines to the farmers or the fishers, beg my pardon, to the fisher free of charge. We give it to them so they can restore their livelihoods. go back in the sea, catch the fish and bring in fish for people to ensure security again. Mr. Speaker, when we say the engines were enough, we build and provide 54 fishing vessel. Mr. Speaker, 54. One vessel worth between 25,000 and $65,000. So do the math. One vessel will be the cheapest is 25,000. >> Most expensive is 65. All built by local local contractors, Mr. Speaker. All the money stayed there. We still in recovery, Mr. Speaker. You know, so so sometimes when I hear them kind of thing, they hurt me. You have your side, hold your side. >> But if it good, say it good. You know that's why God was punish people. Sometime we can be ungrateful because sometime people that benefiting they are the one benefiting in silence >> and I mean we can even they are the ones who are propelling this kind of information but in future Mr. Speaker, we have to rehabilitate the Marot complex and the one in Roso after Maria at a cost of $20 million. Mr. Speaker, so that just a summary of the recovery phase of our approach. So if you look at transformation, Mr. Speaker, that is the business starting transformation of the sector. Something they thought that would never happen in Dominica. We no longer have to import tissue culture plants because we have our own lab in Posmouth that is producing tissue culture plant. Mr. Speaker, thanks to the government of the people's republic of China for providing a gift to the government and we are doing Mr. Speaker, we have so many young guys down there headed by Dr. Kevin Douglas. Again I'll tell him that in public in public I'll congratulate him because he recently received his doctorate. He's he's doing very well. Young men and women >> that are doing the cultures at the lab so far. >> Yes. They have produced over 17,000 pineapple slips. Mr. speaker. They've done over 19,000 of the dashing slips, abandoned plantings. They've finalized all the protocols and we're working on 20,000 plantings and 5,000 bananas. And they're not only doing stuff in the lab, we are collaborating with Kadi because we the facility is like a research facility and we didn't work in other areas on the field. So for example offseason white potato something PM always speak about we brought in nine varieties and we all know also we are in trials to ensure that when the real and variety that we able to import is done we can plant offseason all during summer so that means we're going to have a white potato year round Mr. speaker. So now we're in the trial phase and they're getting some good gold good results. We are introducing two new varieties of sweet potato and we have introduced two new varieties of dashing and that variety of dashing you get a a bigger comb size. It comes quicker and it reduces the cost of production because of the foliage that it produced. So we're doing travel cardi and they're doing very well. In addition to that there are two diseases in recover that are affecting us. the Tanya yellow bony disease and we have the the yamust they are doing some on that and getting some good so it's not just culturing plants down there we are doing actual research work done by Dominicans Mr. Speaker that is what we call transformation Mr. Speaker in the law as well we have what you call a seed storage facility in other terms we can see a seed bank that was done to be resilience in the sector so if you're struck by a storm we have them seeds in local terms in a bunker they cannot be destroyed so next day once roads are clear we can go in and give farmer seeds so we can start back one time >> we have even added some drone to the program Eka purchased a drone Mr. Speaker where we can lift the seeds in case the road is blocked and supply the country with seeds by drone Mr. Speaker that is what you call transformation and we are still in that phase section Mr. Last year I said we're going to produce 50,000 seedlings. Persons thought that I was I was joking and ambitious but we did it in different stages. So far we have sold over 10,000 citrus seedlings. That's about 200 acres of of citrus planted from that program. And in addition to that we are constructing a curious certification facility in London. >> Senator Paris knows about it very very well alandary where we can do 50,000 citrus plant in a cycle >> and that Mr. Speaker is one of the only facility in the eastern Caribbean Mr. called transformation. >> It has a lab. We have cold room. We have rum room. We have screen shares. Stateofthe-art again opportunities for our young scientists to go in and work. But one thing Mr. Speaker I think you may have some interest in is going to be so advanced we can actually clean our indigenous variety. So either the rootstock we say that we we want to preserve the lab is be so advanced you can do the necessary procedures and clean it out and reintroduce it back into the speaker that's how advanced that we are that's what you call transformation Mr. Speaker >> in terms of protected agriculture that again is the next dimension to transformation. We have been purchasing green houses agoponic system supporting farmers providing the incentives again trying to battle against the impact of climate change. They say the 80s and the '9s you just cannot compare it. There are more challenges. So no longer we can do urban field effectively. So we need to support the farmers to put investment in to grow the crops under conditions are conducive so we can maintain our production and that is tied into supplying the high value vegetables or crops that the member for Salsbury spoke about in a presentation. So what we did Mr. Speaker, we did an assessment in all these markets with church, hmat, fresh market and we found out the crops that imported like the cauliflower, the cabbages, sometimes tomatoes, broccoli and the quantities and they were saying okay if we can get that consistently with the dessert quality will not have no need to import. So we have targeted farmers around the country supported them with the shelter structures and the green houses and support them to bring in the path for the hyonic system. Our guy Vince Morgan is doing very well between managert on that. So now we have seen already a reduction in the importation of high value items. For example, your cherry tomatoes. Yes, >> we no longer import cherry tomatoes again and that's been done by one supplier, Mr. Vmog. I must I must shout him out, Mr. Speaker. So, even urban irrigation systems, we spent over $2.5 million providing farmers with water tanks, drip lines, water pump, automatic um um irrigation systems. Um um timers. Yes, automatic timers. Someone has solar as well. We gave that to farmers for free. Over 100 farmers benefited from that program >> and we have already seen the difference in the supply of vegetables through that program. Mr. Speaker, so there going to happen a little funny when they say that >> the a Mr. Speaker, a brand new abatto >> 6.4 4 million girls. Mr. Speaker, >> so we've done a new chicken abatto and we have rehabilitated the pop section. We've tested it's it's working properly. Everything is automative. You just press bottle and thing just spinning and burning session. When you talk it, you got to bag and you just put in the cooler and we're good to go. So we've moved to a new phase now, Mr. speaker and I'll thank the except for that through the ministry of trade. >> Yes, >> they are the ones now marketing the the the um the the the chicken they pay the farmers and they will sell the chicken. For example, when we did the first C run the farmers delivered on Wednesday the chicken by Friday they had larger dry. So now farmers now ready now to produce for the battle. But what we have done we also put a production component at the ministry to the abata. So we've so far identified 30 farmers that is broer farmers. Each of them will do 1,000 birds and we'll support them with the chicks with the feeds to make sure that they produce for the avatar. And they're given a folder if a portfolio when to feed, what time to do that, when to give vitamins, everything. So in six week, we have our birds same size. >> So the feeding ratio, everything is there because we're talking about standards. If you walk into the laba, it's based on in it was set up based on international bed practices. So we want birds the same size come 5b is£5. You bring it the Wednesday in two days you get your money selling that in two days we have to make a special harvest and and slaughter this week because the demand for that chicken is so high you know so we are doing well we are doing well Mr. Speaker in terms of that and the production component of it it's it's kicking up and everything farmers are excited involved and we'll continue support them similar will be done for the pigs the support we'll give them when the pig component is ready for sort Mr. speaker. So I'm I'm happy for them to speak but for livestock we did not stop there looking at the entire life of value chain we saw one component missing >> that was the provision of animal feed >> you know sometime we need to lift for private sector but we government we cannot wait all the time because we have to make sure farmers are happy so we have to intervene so now we are constructing an animal feed meal Mr. Speaker, the shed already is already rehabilitated at Long House. The meal is on site in the shed. Now we waiting for the contractor to bring in the technicians from India to install and then we're going to go out to invite the private sector now to the PPP to run that feed mill. One thing I will say about the feed mill, we want to incorporate some local um elements to it. So we have done we have cava we've done the growth rate is to give some group result so we can use as a stack base to incorporate in our field. So what it does now is going to open some more avenue for farmers now to even plant more cavas to provide to the field mill more for farmers more in their pocket everybody happy Mr. Speaker, another area we give a lot of focus on that's financial year is apiculture. That's that's our bees our farmers will do bees the culture. I remember once um Mr. speaker was at a OCS minister's meeting and some consultant came in and when I the stats of the OCS islands and the number of heights that the countries have and I said Dominica the bottom I said no we have more Florida than all them countries there >> St. has X ammon ga has that St. Vincent even St. I said what? No, no, no, no. Immediately when I came back, I said a policy with the ministry, we are going to double our number of hives. We will 600. I told them we're going to give 600 more last financial year and we need it for free to our farmers and the upcoming financial year again we're going to give 600. So at that time we'll surpass the number of hives in OCS and in addition to that we provided all the the the beef farmers with gears the coat you know the smokers only extractors all that for free >> at a value of over $1.5 million Mr. Yes. >> And it has healed the results. >> We've seen international recogn. So we must support a sector, I think, that has h youth potential and will continue to provide support to our agriculture farmer. Mr. Speaker in reference to agrop processing that's a sector I have close to my heart as well we would have seen the increase in the number of agro products since hurricane Maria quality stuff packaging and labeling is international standards it will sit on the shelf on all local supermarkets but that didn't happen overnight That was hard work. We have sessions. We trained and we spent plenty money. We spent $4 million, Mr. Speaker, last financial year providing grants to the a processors to make sure that they can increase production, put food safety measures in their in their facilities. And on top of that, we still provide the equipment like industrial blenders and other stuff, stainless steel tables. And I can tell you they are very very happy about, Mr. Speaker. And we're seeing the results on the supermarket when they go shopping. We can buy local. And I want encourage everybody to continue to to provide that support to them by just buying a product so they can invest back into the businesses. But then, Mr. speaker, we think that we can take it to the next level. We're speaking about I spoke about the cottage types industry, you know, you know, kitchen, you know, look at industry. Yes. >> But we we need to commercialize that scale it up, Mr. Speaker. So that's why in this budget, you will see we have a million dollars. >> Yes. to commence the establishment of a multi-purpose agro processing facility and we seen that as a big contributor to assist us in achieving our gold of 700 million >> contribution to GDP by 2030 Mr. speaker that we have done a lot of work. We have done a fability study. We have designs. We have custom. We have estimate working very closely with ministry of trade and foreign affairs to assist us. We already allocate we have already identified a location to have that >> established and we'll provide more information at the right time. Mr. Speaker, but that we're very happy for that's taking this sector to the next level. And in addition to that again under the dom a sum of about 520 farmers again will be supported for a processing in addition to what we have done already. So our processors are in good hands. We are going to do well and then we are going to export not just for domestic purposes but our our interest and our goal is to put our locally manufactured produced goods on shelves throughout the region in the US and [clears throat] the UK and our airport Mr. Speaker will assist us to do that. So Mr. As I move on, we had some issues at the ministry with mechanization and again I want to thank the government of the people's republic of China who provided us with 28 pieces of ters tractors. We even got a mini excavator Mr. Speaker in that mix. And last white potato season we saw a huge difference where we had no issues to teal lands and our farmers did well. So much so we seen an increase in production of of of of ginger and sweet potato because of the ting services that we have. So we have a focus at the ministry minister Mr. particular where we provide some special arrangements for root crops because we think root crop is a resilient crop. You know we are very vulnerable to storms and and and hurricanes. So we focus a lot on root crops. So that is why you could have seen that we had 830 acres of root crop established that financial year with a estimated marketable yield of $44.7 million that's just root crop and just to provide some data on the increase in acreages for the financial year 2024 2025 for dash we had 254 acres Last financial year we had 390 acres. >> Wow. >> For yams in 2425 we had 5 um 59.4 acres. 2526 we had 105 acres. The speaker for Ginger 2425 we at 25.7 acres. 2526 we at 70 acres. for sweet potato >> we at 68 acres in 2425 in 2526 we had 110 acres Mr. speaker. That's the emphasis we put on root crops because we think it's a resilient crop and they have a long shelf life. In time of disasters, they can be there to provide food for us. And that's why again we had the first ever OCS root cup symposium held in Dominica at the intercontinent at the intercontinental sometime earlier this year. Mr. Speaker, for plantain speaker, we did well as well. We saw an increase of from 840 acres to 93 acres, Mr. Speaker. And if you were to put a dollar value to Harvest Hills, that would be over $21 million, Mr. Speaker. So the transformation is real. It's evident. So I don't know why they're not seeing. But as we expanding one of my priority areas, we are putting a lot of focus on youth in agriculture. >> Yeah, >> that's radical. We speaking food security and to ensure the youth are involved in agriculture. So Mr. Speaker, every Monday morning, once a month, sorry, every month on a Monday morning, I meet with the executive of of NA. They come to my office where we are what we discussed last meeting did the follow up where I can assist I move on and they are doing very well but we know young persons like innovation because the effort to modernize the sector we need to do that for them. So in doing so we are already establishing some agropacks for the young farmers and we'll have a formal MOU with NA to manage. We have received five smart greens already that will be done in the north agricultural region where we will bring the young farmers on site. We'll bring in aquaculture, hydroponics, vertical agriculture, aquaponics, urban nutrient system for them. They will come there. They'll spend a year or two. We'll train them agronomy, marketing, everything. They plant what they plan, their money is theirs. But after year two, we want to make sure that we can win them and from there they can go and open their own business in the sector. So that's how we bring the entrepreneurship component for the young farmers that we're talking and and that's not no pie in the sky. That's real. If you go to one mile round, you seen the five green houses there. What we're waiting now is for the contractor to finalize the contam to have it installed. So that's where we are. In addition to that, we've put in a hydroponic system which we are going to put in the South region in Gran Bay. >> Yes. >> In Gene River for young farmers >> to manage, work, make money and learn. In addition to that, we we already doing some work in the southeast region in Laplin on the administration where we're going to install some milking houses, rehabilitate what is there and have the young farmers in that area, work them, make money, learn, train and then go on their own. So that's the focus and investment we are making in young farmers. So then we move to the northeast region. We'll go to the east. We'll go to the west in this every region in Dominica and regions. We have seven. We are going to install a for young entrepreneurs in agriculture to learn, make money and grow. So that way the growth pillar now is coming. Mr. Speaker, but we cannot forget the landless facility for young farmers. Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> We received over 300 applications. Mr. Speaker, >> we are in the process of reviewing. >> Last week, the cabinet approved 22 young farmers who will occupy over 70 acres of land. So, it's not just talking and we're not doing what we doing what we have to do. That is transformation. That is progress. That is putting young people first. Mr. Speaker, so the land list as I said is ongoing. Every week we review. But what we found very interested when land and service did the assessment they found over 171 lots occupied on state land and that was equivalent to over 540 acres of land occupied. So what we are doing, we are not going to run them. We are going to regularize them, Mr. speaker because the land is working the land is productive. So we'll come to cabinet with a special paper to regularize the persons that are on the land that were identified to be that bank for the landless program. Mr. So there's a a program we have to bring in as well which we call the migrant farm labor program because one of the first issues or challenges that we identified when I came as minister is the issue of farm labor the cost the scarcity and the quality from labor farmers complain at every of our tong formal meetings with farmers. So we had to do something about it. So we have the program we can approved where farmers can apply for migrant labor. There's a special committee who sits on application. There's an next technical committee who goes out and inspect and make sure everything's okay and everything. So so far we've assisted over 40 farmers and we have brought in around 151 farm laborers and we already seen results on the farm. There are farmers who call me personally and tell me thank for the program because now they can expand, they can grow. So that's one of the reasons we are seeing an increase in production for >> 20 more minutes to zero. >> Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'll be fine. But I suspect none of my colleagues ask about the medicine of cannabis survives because about a year ago that was a hot topic >> and I don't get no question no query. So people believe that it was dead but Mr. Speaker I have news for them is now it is alive. >> So for the year we still we stayed quiet. We did a lot of work >> and I must commend Dr. Kazm at the ministry medium allaro for the work they've done with our consultant Dr. Mashel over the year. So what we are Mr. Speaker we submitted the draft Dominica cannabis authority bill to the ais chambers for review and finalization that was done in February. So we waiting on the final draft of that bill. So once we get that bill, we'll come to parliament, have it passed, and that's when we can institute or establish the authority to manage the industry. Since we've done that, Mr. Speaker, and we had the cannabis symposium at the state house, >> we got a lot of proposals, calls, and interests. Um, IDA is on board with us who are reviewing and doing the diligence and and from what from what we have seen so far, Mr. speaker that sector it is estimated that that sector that industry can bring in about 20 to$60 million US a year Mr. speaker which is equivalent to around 4 to 5% or 4 to 8% contribution to GDP. So there's huge potential we are not asleep but there was some back room work that we have to do. We've done it where we are. We're waiting on the final draft. We can come here and then we can see we can start building a medicine cannabis industry >> that has potential to contribute up to 8% to GDP. And I will not sleep until I see that happen. Mr. whom have their different concept on nice day. But when it is done just as how we can remember Vince for Geot, >> you all remember Ran Rui >> for a buoyant, vibrant and sustainable medicinal cannabis in the Commonwealth of Dominica. Mr. Speaker cannabis. Yes, that is it. And after we done all that, Mr. Speaker, we spoke about the infrastructure, the systems, the support, the input. Mr. Speaker, we are very vulnerable to climate. We need to have that insured. Mr. Speaker, >> yes. >> So that is where we saw the birth of the agricultural farm insurance. We cannot leave our farm exposed. True. Agriculture is a very risky investment because of the climate change and storms and winds and drought and et. So we have a $1.5 million in the budget that will go towards a policy to protect our farmers creating a safety net for them so that can invest in confidence. Mr. Speaker, so I'm so happy for that. We are in discussions with with ministry of trade again and next year where we came up with a a model where can be protected and the government can benefit. If we look at in 2024 Mr. Speaker when hurricane Barry hit Grenada the May of that year they invested $500,000 in a policy biggest crop in the July and they were paid off $3.5 million. The policy that we have discussing and attracting and negotiating is about 1.5 million for the policy. If we are to have a diameter of the storm from Dominica the distance about 25 to 50 kilometers and have some excess rainfall we can get paid out up to 8 to9 to$10 million speaker. So that's the kind of negotiations we have been making for the past year. So you have a chemical cyclone with a radius of 25 to 50 km with excessive rain 1.5 million policy we can get paid out between 8 and $10 million within 15 days. Mr. speaker. I mean >> in April 26 we add system in the east affected Kago >> and Cassie Bruce >> I led the team with who did the assessment I had my boot son I was on the ground I submitted the report and the damage to crop and livestock was $3 million we had to fight that >> but if we had that insurance will have no headache to say we're going to get the money. They will pay off within [snorts] 15 days. So that is what we're talking about of government that is strategic put people first and we are securing or protecting our investment as the title of the budget said Mr. Speaker. So Mr. Speaker, I can go on and on and on speaking of transformation, >> but the part where I need to call on our citizens, private sector, investors, those who have money in the bank, even foreign, even foreign investors, >> I all we need the private sector to invest in the sector. Mr. Speaker, government can do everything. We build a we building feed me. We do citrus that we giving free boat. We free engine oil. How much more can we do? So we need persons to invest in areas that make sense. For example, we need persons to grow borers on large scale. >> Yes sir. >> We need persons to invest in torn houses that can do up to 20,000 birds. >> We need people to invest in aquaculture. We have makis we cannot supply when a person to invest in hatchery when we are importing live cheeks one trick is 10.95 for a ber a layer is another price again 750 or 795 we importing live birds we have one in s must come on them but that's not enough to supply the demand on the market you know so we just need investments in area critical so that we can have a sector that's sustainable and less dependent dependent on stuff that we're bringing in. So I'm calling again. We are putting $19 million in aid bank again and 3.5% interest again. We calling only public officers, the policemen, the firemen, all MPSC's. That's a good side gig. Get a loan. Invest in the sector and you won't regret it. Mr. As I wind up, I really want to express my gratitude to to my PS R and Slim, our technical team. Um we have a very responsive director, Mr. um um Kian Stevenson. Um our two projects, Stalifa head extension, Miranda Stevenson, Dr. Kazmi, head of policy, Dr. Douglas at the lab, all the team leaders, second officers, administration staff, they've done a wonderful job. >> Yeah, >> you would have seen it by the 95% that was disclosed by the leader of the position. So I'm grateful for them and we wouldn't have done it without their support and and persistence in achieving our targets. Our partners FAO EA OCS commission cariccom our Chinese technical mission our Cuban technical mission we cannot forget them. They were very helpful during the last commission to ensure that we met some of our tax. Mr. can but I wind why not I cannot not say hi to the people of cottage constituency very supportive people very patient people very loyal people Mr. Speaker cottage has been with Liberal party from 1995 Mr. Oscar brought that sit over and he has maintained it. I must commend him for that. So these are people that I cherish and I respect. We've done quite a bit um for the past three and a half years since I I I'm par for cottage. We did a few infrastructure works that need to be done. We did some road in 7 pie in Tatan back road and cottage in ga in the road and as you would have heard in the budget we're going to sign a contract for the green feeder road um which I'm very happy about for housing we'll be to talk a few lives up there not able to build any new house but finish what started and do some repairs um with support straight from the PM office and I must thank the PM for that we do some work on the l of playing field continues as we try to brew the flame only playing field in the constituency. So we must have it kept expanding and the minister for sports promised me lights senator honorable Oscar judge you promised me lighting the lamb of playing field I sent for whole capin to lag to year our only playing field in the court conituency so I'm waiting for the lights thank you very much And I'm working with my my good friend Dr. Henderson. >> Yes sir. >> On the rehabilitation of the the the basketball court in Salai. >> Um which is coming soon. So I'm going for that. Um the Kana road. Thanks to my my friend again my colleague Minister for Community Development. We sought approval for making it access to Kana heritage site. So that's on stream. And um our guys in Tukari the the Simos farmers. We have a nice sim to curry bay. We got approval from the OS commission to build a seamos processing facility into curry um committed approve the acquisition of the land already. So we're waiting now for OCS to just start up and get that constructed by end of that should be that should be done. So I'm very very happy for that. And of [clears throat] course I cannot close Mr. Speaker without speaking about our marina. Me and um the from postmouth we we have it. Yes. Because you know all the bries fall. I'm so happy for because upon completion that's going to create over 300 full-time jobs in the north. A project that was spoken of since in the 50s and the 60s every government had the cabris marin manifesto. And only one government could deliver that marina was the Dominica Labor Party. God, I'm so grateful for when you say I drive up the swap road going to intercontinent and and I look left >> and I see like business water. Mr. Speaker, sometime I feel so emotional. >> Yeah. Because it's something that I grew up little year of and now it has been realized. I'm so grateful for that and it's going to bring some opportunities to our farmers. They can sell more to persons who have luxury to the guys who have skills in capry and plumbing and electrical. So it's not just a marina but it's the opportunity that the marina is going to provide for employment in the north of the country. Mr. Speaker with that >> in the cottage constituency. So with that, I just want to lend my support again and reiterate my full support to this budget. A budget that's going to transform the life of Dominicans and a budget that has responded to the needs of Dominicans. Thank you very much, Mr. SPEAKER. >> MR. MR. SPEAKER, I move that this honorable house be suspended until 3:30 p.m. this afternoon. >> Seconded, Mr. Speaker, [laughter] it has been moved and seconded that the House be suspended until free this afternoon. Those in favor? >> Those against? The eyes have it. House stand suspended until free this afternoon. Mr. Speaker,