Topic: Chris Saunders
FOI shows sharp rise in HSA board meetings and pay
The Health Services Authority Board met 190 times in the space of 18 months and was paid almost half-a-million dollars during that time, according to information obtained by the Compass.
MP: Some HSA board members paid more than medical professionals
Payments to HSA board members have increased ten-fold with some directors now earning more than full-time medical professionals.
Key takeaways from Bodden Town West candidates’ forum
The three-way contest for Bodden Town West turned into a contrast between the old and the new, with Chris Saunders defending his seat against challenger Haymond Rankin and former minister Osbourne Bodden.
‘No one is above the law’, says Ombudsman in parliamentary meeting
The first public meeting of the Ombudsman Committee was held in Parliament and broadcast online on Wednesday, with Ombudsman Sharon Roulstone updating MPs and...
New alliances and rivalries emerge amid departure of political heavyweights
With the departure of some of the faces that defined Cayman politics for the last two decades came clear signals of the shape of things to come.
MP, barrister back top lawyer on changes to ganja laws
Chris Saunders, independent MP for Bodden Town West, said he agreed with the view that ganja amnesty bins should be set up at ports of entry.
MPs propose review of National Conservation Council’s oversight
A conversation on planning applications this week saw MPs strongly suggest that the National Conservation Council’s powers in the process are excessive.
Saunders tables consumer protection legislation
Independent MP Christopher Saunders has updated a six-year-old draft bill which sets out rules for protection of consumers in the Cayman Islands.
MPs vote in favour of investigating high fuel prices
Lawmakers have voted in favour of establishing a government committee to review the cost of fuel in the Cayman Islands.
MPs vote for independent investigation of high electricity bills
West Bay West MP McKeeva Bush, stating his electricity bill tripled over two months this summer to more than $4,000 and led to him being put on a repayment plan, has called on lawmakers to investigate how local power companies bill their customers.
Bill released for early pension withdrawals to pay mortgages
The government is seeking public feedback on proposed amendments to the National Pensions Act, which would allow Caymanians to withdraw money from their pension plans to buy or build homes or pay off their mortgages.
Government foots $73M medical bill for uninsured Caymanians
The Cayman Islands government paid almost $72.7 million to cover healthcare costs of uninsured indigents, veterans and seafarers last year, $39.7 million more than had been originally budgeted for the year.
CUC: Higher usage, not rising fuel rates behind bill increases
The Caribbean Utilities Company Ltd. says more use of air conditioning as the summer temperatures rise is behind the higher electricity bills many in Cayman are seeing this month, rather than any substantial increases in fuel rates.
MPs support motion to increase pension-withdrawal limits
Local legislators have unanimously voted for government to consider increasing existing withdrawal limits for Caymanians to be able to access more money from their pension funds to pay towards mortgage or land loans.
Legislators question legality of road EIA under ‘defunct’ conservation council
Members of Parliament have questioned the legality of an environmental impact assessment on the East-West Arterial extension which was ordered by the National Conservation Council, now that the council is not operating because several of its members' terms have expired.
Kenneth Bryan hosts half-term district meeting
A dazzlingly bright screen, audio that echoed across the waterfront, free popcorn, raffle prizes and even walk-on music – Kenneth Bryan’s district meeting was a political spectacle.
Cabinet repeals requirement for temp jobs to be advertised
One week after the removal of former Deputy Premier Chris Saunders, Cabinet has repealed a requirement initiated under his watch for temporary jobs to be advertised before work-permit applications were submitted.
Landfill deal dubbed ‘unaffordable’ as costs escalate
A plan to replace Cayman’s landfill site with a suite of waste-to-energy and recycling facilities had snowballed into an ‘unaffordable deal’ that risks ‘bankrupting’ the country, former Finance Minister Chris Saunders has claimed.
Premier says he asked Saunders to step down
Premier Wayne Panton, near one week after the exit of his former deputy, took to government radio on Monday to address the situation saying MP Chris Saunders was offered a chance to resign before having his appointment revoked.
Tension between Saunders and governor revealed in email exchange
A heated dispute between Governor Martyn Roper and former Deputy Premier Chris Saunders appears to have set off a chain of events that culminated with Saunders' sudden exit from the PACT administration on Tuesday.
Who gets what in the Cabinet reshuffle?
Following Chris Saunders' exit from the PACT government, Premier Wayne Panton reshuffled Cabinet. Here are the current portfolio assignments.
Cabinet shake-up as Saunders exits PACT government
In a surprise move Tuesday, Deputy Premier Chris Saunders has resigned from the PACT government, citing differences with Premier Wayne Panton which he says prevent him from working with the Newlands MP.
International Women’s Day brings renewed call for increased maternity leave
As millions of women celebrate International Women's Day today, an advocacy group in the Cayman Islands has renewed calls for changes to local laws that would increase maternity leave.
Labour ministry to tackle workplace discrimination of Caymanians
While the majority of businesses are providing Caymanians with job opportunities, Minister for Labour Chris Saunders says there still are companies which do not and that “remains a challenge”.
The Resh Hour with Deputy Premier Chris Saunders
Deputy Premier Chris Saunders joins Compass journalist Reshma Ragoonath to discuss Cayman's COVID-19 response.
Financial secretary clears up ‘row’ over government deficit
Financial secretary Kenneth Jefferson explained the $50 million gap between the 2020 budget deficit estimates of the former and the new government in Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday.
Saunders lauds ministry after auditor general’s report
Finance Minister Christopher Saunders commended the public service for steadily improving financial management and reporting, following the latest report by the Office of the Auditor General.
The first 100 days: How PACT could look to make a quick impact
As the Cayman Islands looks ahead to a new era under the leadership of Premier Wayne Panton, a blueprint for the possible direction of the country is beginning to emerge.
Saunders names possible coalition partners
Bodden Town legislator Chris Saunders named a string of candidates he is supporting on election night and expressed confidence that a strong coalition of independents will form the next government.
Panton, Saunders among contenders in leadership race
Wayne Panton and Chris Saunders have emerged as two of the most likely leaders of a coalition of independent candidates if government is defeated at the polls next week.
Proposed UK Overseas Territories MP bill a no-go
Governor Martyn Roper has said the UK government has no intention of taking forward a proposed draft legislation that would give Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies representation in the British Parliament.
Gov’t shoots down motions on pensions and vacations
Government members, on Thursday, voted down Opposition motions aimed at reviewing the impact Cayman's pension changes and increasing vacation leave for employees.
Raznovich: Same-sex rights not open for political points
LGBTQ advocate and barrister Leonardo Raznovich wants Cayman’s MLAs to stop what he calls a “political contest” with the rights of same-sex individuals.
Premier ‘disillusioned’ as bill ends in defeat
The Domestic Partnership Bill’s defeat in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday may have shown a divided legislature, but Finance Minister Roy McTaggart said that is where the division ends.
Gap in maternity leave flagged
Maternity leave in the private sector is 20 days shorter than that of mothers who work in the public sector.
For moms like Kate Theron,...
OfReg executives grilled on fuel prices, broadband quality
OfReg’s ICT executive Alee Fa’amoe has said, based the regulator's current operational trajectory, it will be not be able to meet its mandate of getting better prices at the gas pump nor fasater internet speeds and prices within the next year or two.
OfReg energy boss: Electricity bills are dropping
Consumers using 1,000 kilowatts monthly have been paying less on their electricity bills since March, OfReg’s executive director of energy and utilities, Gregg Anderson, has said.
OfReg chairman takes aim at audit report
OfReg chairman Linford Pierson went on the offensive Wednesday, taking aim at the auditor general’s performance audit into the local regulator and questioning the report’s validity and its objectivity.
Changes coming in law regarding foreclosures
Amendments to the Registered Lands Law to address concerns over foreclosures in Cayman will be making its way to the Legislative Assembly near year’s end, Attorney General Samuel Bulgin said Thursday.
East End retirement home project on hold
The eastern districts will have to wait a while longer for a new retirement home as Premier Alden McLaughlin said on Thursday that government will not be embarking on any new capital projects.
Government clarifies scope of Private Funds Law
In an effort to take the Cayman Islands off the EU tax blacklist, government introduced last-minute, ungazetted changes to the Private Funds Law, on Wednesday.
Premier says ‘radical rethink’ needed for pensions
Premier Alden McLaughlin has called for a “radical rethink” when it comes to how Cayman’s current private pensions system operates.
Opposition calls on government to convene House sitting
North Side MLA Ezzard Miller is calling on the Opposition to join him in convening a special sitting of the Legislative Assembly to debate a motion of no confidence in House Speaker McKeeva Bush.
Opposition: Cayman needs to fight blacklist
Opposition lawmakers expressed concern over reports that European Union ambassadors have recommended the Cayman Islands be blacklisted as a non-cooperative tax jurisdiction.
More Caymanians opt for private schools
Enrolment in private schools is increasing as more local parents opt out of placing their children in Cayman’s government-run public schools, the Public Accounts Committee heard last week.
Constitutional changes expected to be confirmed by Privy Council in February
Cayman's constitutional changes order are expected to be confirmed by the Privy Council in February 2020, according to a statement from the Premier's Office.
Final cost pending for John Gray High School project
The final projected cost for the John Gray High School project is still pending as negotiations are still in progress, Education officials have said.
MLAs concerned for port workers’ safety
Legislators express concerns for safety of port workers.
Saunders objects to single national count for referendum
Bodden Town West MLA Chris Saunders has raised the red flag on government’s proposal to have one national counting of ballots on Referendum Day. However, the Premier's Office said Government has carefully considered the matter and has determined that it is in the national interest to provide a national count for a referendum on a matter of national importance.
Neighbours outline objections to Beach Bay resort
Around 40 neighbouring residents spelled out some of their objections to a 125-room Mandarin Oriental hotel and condo development in Beach Bay during a meeting of the Central Planning Authority Wednesday.
Saunders raises concerns about Constitution changes
MLA Chris Saunders says he’s concerned that some of his fellow members are making it too easy to make changes to the Cayman Islands Constitution.
Saunders continues push for healthcare reform
Cayman’s health insurance system remains in urgent need of reform, despite the revelation that private sector profits are much lower than previously thought.
Opposition members attend Commonwealth conference
Opposition Leader Arden McLean and MLAs Christopher Saunders and Kenneth Bryan will be attending the 44th annual conference of the Caribbean Americas and Atlantic region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, which begins 15 July in Trinidad.
Government will examine free childhood healthcare
The Legislative Assembly has unanimously approved a motion that directs the government to consider how it might provide free healthcare for Cayman’s children.
Miller holds on to Opposition leadership
Ezzard Miller officially remains Leader of the Opposition, despite a letter from all four members of the political group requesting he does not speak on their behalf.
Same-sex marriage: What your representative said on the issue
Cayman Islands legislators unanimously backed a private members’ motion last week supporting government to appeal the decision by the chief justice that legalised same-sex marriage to the “full extent of the appeals process”.
UPDATE: Speaker Bush calls on governor to fire Human Rights chairman
Speaker McKeeva Bush has called for Human Rights Commission Chairman James Austin-Smith to be immediately fired by Governor Martyn Roper, following the commission’s statement Thursday criticising government’s decision to appeal the chief justice’s decision to legalise same-sex marriage.
Opposition plans ‘alliance’ ahead of 2021 election
The coalition of independents led by Leader of the Opposition Ezzard Miller plans to form a political group that will run a candidate in every constituency at the next general election.
Governor meets with Opposition
Cayman’s new governor, Martyn Roper, meets with members of the Opposition on Tuesday, his second day on the job.
Dormant accounts could net government $4 million
Government could collect some $4 million in revenue from dormant bank accounts this year “if all goes well,” Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson said in Thursday’s Public Accounts Committee hearing.
Opposition questions claims over port’s economic benefit
Opposition politicians continued to argue against government’s cruise port plan at the latest in a series of public meetings Wednesday night.
MLA Bernie Bush hospitalized
West Bay North MLA Bernie Bush is expected to undergo heart surgery at Health City Cayman Islands later this week.
EDITORIAL – Health insurance: A product divorced from market reality
Already burdensome health insurance costs are spiraling out of control – as many readers know from personal experience. Last week’s Public Accounts Committee review of recent Cayman Islands Monetary Authority reports quantifies just how out of control it is.
Governor Choudhury explores Grand Cayman
One advantage to being the governor in a tourist destination is getting to play the tourist.
Illegal dumping rife, claim legislators
On-the-spot fines are being considered as a new penalty to deal with illegal dumping, following complaints from legislators.
EDITORIAL – Public health agency needs policy reform, not personal attacks
By now, the troubles of the Health Services Authority are well-documented and well-known. Everyone in the Cayman Islands is aware that years of mismanagement at HSA have resulted in uncollected debts, cash shortfalls and other problematic “symptoms” about which we editorialized just last week.
MLAs question need for government land sales
The Legislative Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee last week questioned government’s reasons for selling off Crown-owned properties determined to be “surplus” in a five-year-old review by the Lands and Survey Department.
Lawmakers skeptical of CarePay ‘fixes’
Efforts to prevent a reoccurrence of bureaucratic bungles that led Cayman Islands taxpayers to spend US$1.8 million for nothing during the CarePay contract debacle drew skepticism from lawmakers who noted there had been little accountability in the wake of the disastrous deal’s end.
Opposition firms up roles in shadow government
The members of the Legislative Assembly who are not part of the governing coalition announced Tuesday that they have formally organized in opposition.
Election over, scramble for gov’t begins
The Cayman Islands voters have had their say. Now it’s time for the 19 people they elected to decide who will run the government for the next four years.
Election candidates split over immigration restructure
Three candidates in Wednesday’s general election took deeply divided positions on immigration reform, with some favoring a work permit moratorium and others seeking to take the granting of work permits away from the Immigration Department entirely.
Education, employment hot topics at Bodden Town West forum
Education and employment were hot topics Friday at the James Manoah Bodden Civic Center for candidates running in Bodden Town West.
