Premier David Burt reflects on the challenges and triumphs of 2024 in his Christmas message

Christmas Message 2024: Premier David Burt

“Season’s Greetings Bermuda.

I am privileged to address you during this time of reflection, celebration, and hope. This holiday season calls us to cherish family, friendships, and shared moments around our Christmas tree and over cassava pie that define Bermuda’s community spirit and traditions.

For many in our society, Christmas brings the joy of gift-giving—a tradition of showing love and appreciation to those we hold dear. Yet, I recognise that not every family in Bermuda will find it easy to put gifts under the tree this year.

The cost of living, brought on by global events, has created new challenges, and many Bermudians are working harder to make ends meet. This reality highlights the importance of building a fairer Bermuda where every family has the chance to thrive.

This year, the Government has advanced its vision for a fairer Bermuda through bold investments and transformative policies. The Mid-Year Budget Review introduced a $25 million social investment package addressing critical areas like mental health, youth development, and public safety.

The 2024 Throne Speech reinforced this commitment with a comprehensive agenda to promote fairness in housing, healthcare, and financial services while supporting our seniors, removing red tape, and protecting vulnerable populations.

Building on these efforts, the Government has outlined further measures in the 2025/26 Pre-Budget Report to ease financial pressures and ensure economic progress reaches every home. Taxes on energy and mobile phones, as well as car licensing fees, will be reduced.

At the same time, customs duties on vehicle parts, tyres, and building materials will be eliminated to lower everyday costs. Homeowners and renters will benefit from a 50% cut in land tax, and the personal duty-free allowance for returning residents will increase—offering families more breathing room in their budgets.

These measures aren’t just financial policies—they are meaningful steps to address the real pressures Bermudian families feel. Combined with continued investments in healthcare, infrastructure, and housing, they reflect the Government’s dedication to listening, responding, and building A Fairer Bermuda for All. Amidst this work, it is important that we also remember what this season is truly about. For Christians, this holiday is about the Birth of Jesus Christ.

In this season, it is important to reach out to those in need, whether through a kind word, a helping hand, or a simple gesture of sharing what you have with those who may be less fortunate. The true spirit of Christmas lies in uplifting one another and strengthening the bonds that unite us as a community.

As the year comes to a close, it is also a time to reflect on those who we have lost. My heart goes out to all those families who will mourn the loss of a loved one’s presence this Christmas. Let’s keep those families in our thoughts and make a special effort to reach out to them.

As a community, we mourn the loss of cherished leaders who dedicated their lives to service, including Dr Erskine Simmons, Canon Thomas Nisbett, and Canon James Francis. Their contributions have left a legacy of servant leadership that will continue to inspire future generations. We also remember two former members of the legislature, Kenneth Bascome and Leslie Robinson, whose contributions to the fabric of Bermuda will not be forgotten.

Even as we reflect on these losses, we celebrate the achievements that have united us in 2024. Bermudians were filled with immense pride as we watched our flag flown at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Our athletes served as powerful ambassadors on the world stage, inspiring us all with their excellence and giving us hope.

I pray we all carry that same hope into the new year, as there are many reasons to be hopeful in Bermuda. Our economy continues to grow with increased activity, tourism arrivals, new businesses coming to our shores, and job growth.

And with the addition of the redevelopment of the Fairmont Southampton—the largest hotel project in our history—which will create hundreds more jobs and new opportunities for Bermudians, it is clear that we are striving toward a more prosperous future for our island.

Our work is far from finished, but as we reflect on this progress, I hope it fills us with optimism for a brighter future. Bermuda’s strength has always been rooted in our unity, our ability to support one another, and our pride in shared successes as Bermudians.

Through this unity and continuing to work toward greater fairness on our island, we can ensure that 2025 is a year of continued progress, opportunity, and shared prosperity.

To all the families in Bermuda, I pray that your holiday season is filled with love, joy and peace.

And from my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

A specialized Domestic Violence Court is set to open next month, to deliver swifter hearings and resolutions for victims.

The initiative comes amid alarming statistics, with nearly one-third of cases handled by the Department of Public Prosecutions involving domestic violence.

Between January 1 and November 30 of this year, 140 Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) were issued. It marks a significant increase compared to previous years: 80 orders were issued in 2023, while 91 were granted in 2022.

Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Kim Wilkerson revealed these figures in the Senate, describing domestic violence as a “public health crisis,” noting that recent reports only capture part of the problem, and that, “many people in the community continue to suffer in silence”.

Her remarks came alongside an update on the Domestic Abuse Court Programme, which is expected to pilot next month. She described its impending launch as a turning point for how Bermuda addresses this critical issue. 

“From that moment, the courts will begin handling domestic violence cases with more urgency and a deeper focus on the issue that it demands,” she said. “The principal intent underpinning any Domestic Violence Court Programme is to try to resolve cases faster, provide early intervention, provide better risk assessment, and provide better support to women and men in our community through community agencies and safety supports.”

Senator Wilkerson outlined several key components of the new court framework:

• Faster implementation of protection orders 
• Possibly allowing police officers to apply for protection orders on behalf of survivors 
• Introducing evidence-based prosecutions that do not rely solely on survivor testimony – in order to reduce further trauma for victims 
• Exploring a version of Clare’s Law, which allows individuals to inquire about a partner’s history of domestic abuse – a law that has seen success in the UK 

Additionally, Senator Wilkerson emphasized the need to hold perpetrators accountable, adding that sentencing guidelines will be reviewed to ensure penalties reflect the severity of the offenses. 

“We will explore options for specialized rehabilitation programs that address the root causes of abusive behaviour, as well as the introduction of mandatory counselling for offenders,” Senator Wilkerson stated. “For those who commit the most severe acts of violence, we will ensure that they face appropriate criminal penalties, with no leniency for repeat offenders.”

Senator Wilkerson stressed that addressing domestic violence requires a multi-agency approach. She called for collaboration with community stakeholders to provide survivors with essential resources and support.

Specialized training for the judiciary and police to identify psychological forms of abuse, such as coercive and controlling behaviour, was also suggested.

“As we embark on this important journey, I want to emphasize, Madam President, that the Domestic Violence Court Programme is not just a place for legal proceedings, but a vital part of our commitment to create a safer and more supportive environment for all of Bermuda’s residents,” she said.

The pilot phase of the Domestic Abuse Court Programme is expected to begin next month, offering hope for quicker justice and more support for survivors of domestic violence.