Today, Wednesday, 29th March 2023, Senators gathered in the National Assembly Chamber in the City of Belmopan for a Special Sitting of the Senate. The meeting began at 9:03 A.M. with the Belizean National Prayer offered by Senator Kevin Herrera.
The first order of business was the Oath of Allegiance for three temporary Senators, Honourable Sheena Pitts, Honourable Orson Elrington, and Honourable Ashton Mckenzie, all of whom were Opposition Senators.
As the first Special Meeting for the month of March which is also (Women’s Month), The Honourable President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable Carolyn Trench-Sandiford in her announcement, recognised all the women in Belize and around the world, especially the women parliamentarians in the National Assembly in their efforts to create a gender-balanced in the National Assembly.
Before getting into the more juicy business of the day, Madam President, asked for a moment of gratitude to give thanks to all the women in her life who help to shaped her to be the woman that she is today. This then led her to invite Members to reflect on the women who have influenced and shaped their lives.
Following the comments made by the President was the Introduction of Bills by the Leader of Government Business in the Senate, Senator Eamon Courtenay. Below are the SEVEN (7) Bills:
- General Revenue Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill, 2023.
- Customs Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Supplies Control (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Senior Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Retired Persons (Incentives) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Thereafter, Senator Courtenay then presented the TWO (2) Papers listed below, which were ordered to lie on the Table:
No. 38/1/14 – Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal Year 2023/2024.
No. 39/1/14 – Annual Report 2020 – Office of the Supervisor of Insurance and Private Pension, Ministry of Finance.
There were FIVE (5) Motions presented, discussed, and adopted by the Senate. They are as follows:
- Caribbean Development Bank – Belize Resilience Programme – B Resilient Loan Motion, 2023.
- Caribbean Development Bank Belize – Social Investment Fund III –Additional Loan, Loan Motion, 2023.
- Official Charities Fund Motion, 2023.
- Resolution Approving the Appointment of a Contractor-General Motion, 2023.
- Resolution to Support Democratic Taiwan Motion, 2023.
As it relates to the Resolution Approving the Appointment of a Contractor-General Motion, 2023, women Senators rose in support of the Appointment of Ms. Maria Arthurs, not just regarding Women’s Month, but with respect to her qualifications and skills which verify her ability to take on the post.
Senators unanimously gave their support for the Resolution to Support Democratic Taiwan Motion, 2023, as this Motion goes down in history to further solidify Belize and Taiwan’s bilateral relations.
Intense concentration was placed on the second reading of the Bills, especially the General Revenue Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill, 2023, where Senators voiced their position during the debates.
The Senior Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was deferred for its second reading to further date. Meanwhile, the following SIX (6) Bills were passed without amendment:
- General Revenue Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill, 2023.
- Customs Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Supplies Control (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Caribbean Community (Free Movement of Skilled Persons) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
- Retired Persons (Incentives) (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 PM.
For access to the Orders of the Day, please see the link below:
http://ORDERS-OF-THE-DAY-MARCH-29-2023-FINAL.pdf (nationalassembly.gov.bz)
For access to the live broadcast, please see the link below: