On Friday, 10th February 2023, a Special Sitting of the Senate was held in the National Assembly Chamber in Belmopan. The meeting began at 9:01 A.M. with the Belizean National Prayer which was offered by Senator Michael Peyrefitte. Thereafter, there was the appointment of temporary Senators the Honourable Mark King and Dr. Honourable Sharmayne Saunders, both of whom first subscribed to the Oath of Allegiance.
As the first Meeting for the Year 2023, The Honourable Carolyn Trench-Sandiford, President of the Senate presented a report on the work and accomplishments of the Senate in the previous year, 2022. This report entailed the total number of meetings held by the Senate, all Bills, Motions, and Papers that were entered on the Order Papers during that year. Madam President then went on to highlight some of the benefits of being a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and Parlamericas and the knowledge-building sessions that are provided to assist Members of the National Assembly. She further touched on the collaboration and initiatives between herself and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to enhance the National Assembly to bring about a more efficient and effective Parliament. Some of these initiatives include the convening of the Children’s Parliament; A Women’s Parliamentary Caucus; the strengthening the Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT) and education and knowledge platforms of the National Assembly; the renovation and re-designing of physical spaces and amenities of the National Assembly and its grounds for a modern and inclusive parliament, one that takes into consideration the next generation of parliamentarians; a National Assembly logo and crest to distinguish it as a separate and distinct branch of government; strengthening the capacity of the staff of the National Assembly and addressing its human resource, legal, technological and financial challenges through the work of the National Staff Assembly Committee, and in moving it towards greater autonomy. To conclude her announcement, Madam President expressed her gratitude to the Clerk and staff of the National Assembly for all their assistance and hard work.
Following the remarks from the President was the Introduction of 4 Bills by the Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Eamon Courtenay. Below are the FOUR (4) Bills:
- Financial Services Commission Bill, 2023;
- Credit Reporting Bill, 2023;
- Fiscal Incentives Bill, 2023; and
- Notaries Public (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The Financial Services Commission Bill was approved with Amendments and the other THREE (3) Bills were approved without amendment.
Thereafter, Senator Courtenay then presented the THREE (3) Papers listed below, which were ordered to lie on the Table:
No. 35/1/14 – Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure of the Central Bank of Belize for the Fiscal Year 2023.
No. 36/1/14 – The Twentieth Annual Report of the Contractor General – April 01, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
No. 37/1/14 – Civil Works Contract Agreement for Upgrading of the San Estevan Road (Banquitas Bridge – San Estevan Village) 2023.
On the Agenda as well were FIVE (5) Motions that were presented, discussed, and ratified by the Senate. They are as follows:
- Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Air Services Agreement between the Government of Qatar and the Government of Belize Motion, 2023.
- Resolution Authorizing the Ratification by Belize of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean Motion, 2023.
- Inter-American Development Bank – Trade and Investment Facilitation Program for Belize – US$8 Million Loan Motion, 2023.
- Inter-American Development Bank – Program for Digital Innovation to Boost Economic Development in Belize – US$10 Million Loan Motion, 2023.
- Inter-American Development Bank – Program for Sustainable and Inclusive Belize – US$15 Million Loan Motion, 2023.
The meeting was very interactive as always and was later adjourned at 1:29 PM.
For more information on the Orders of the Day, please see the link below:
