Read the Senate record.

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

Fore change. There, excuse me. October 6. Every Taxier minister is a lamb We can see daily. The name of the father, son, and holy spirit. Amen. Almighty God, by whom alone king reigns

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

and prince decrees, prince decrees justice, and from alone cometh all counsel, wisdom, understanding with thy unworthy servant. Here beseech thee thy heavenly wisdom from above to direct and guide us in all our consultation. And grant that we having thy fear always before our eyes and laying aside all private interest, prejudice and partial affections, the result of all our council may be to the glory of thy blessed name. The maintenance of true religion and justice, the safety, honor and happiness of the king, the public will, peace,

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

tranquility of St. Lucia and the uniting and knitting together of hearts of all persons and estates within the same in the true Christian love and charity one towards another through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost be with us all ever more. Amen. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Madame Clark, please administer the oath. I, George Godard, do solemnly affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to St. Lucia, that I will

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

uphold and defend the Constitution and the laws of St. Russia and I will conscientiously and impartially discharge my responsibilities to the people of St. Lucia. I do affirm Right. I, Leo Titus Privville, do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to St. Lucia that I will uphold and defend the constitution and the laws of St. Lucia and I will conscientiously and impartially discharge my responsibilities to the people of St. Lucia. So help me God. Good morning, senators.

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

>> Morning. Good morning. >> I have received correspondence from the speaker of the house of assembly advising that the following motions were passed in the house of assembly and forwarded to the senate for its concurrence. The value added tax resolution of parliament to approve draft value added tax amendment of schedule 3 order and value added tax resolution of parliament to approve draft value added tax amendment of schedules one and three order. The following bills are also sent to us. The insolveny amendment bill, the banking

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

amendment bill, the child justice bill and the firearms amendment bill. I wish to inform senators, I'm sorry, Senator Pville, could you just put up your mic, please? Thank you. I wish to inform senators that the honorable Alvina Res Reynolds, sorry, president of the Senate, has traveled on official business to participate in the second gathering of the parliame's parliamentary network on security in Valpareo, Chile from October 21st to 23rd, 2026. I have received apologies from Senator Tommy Descart informing of his in

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

unavailability sorry to attend today's sitting and we are joined by Senators George Godard and Titus Praville. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association CPA headquarters secretariat organized the advanced parliamentary development residency program practice and procedure which took place in St. Peter Gernzi. From October 12th to 16th, 2026, Senators Metonia, sorry, Senator Matonia Deterville and Honorable Senator Dr. Chandeli Haraxing attended the program. Monday the 12th of October marked the 75th anniversary of universal adult

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

suffering, uh, suffrage, sorry. A special joint sitting of the Senate and the House was convened and addressed by former St. Vincent Grenley's Prime Minister, the Honorable Ralph Gonzal. Continuing the Universal Adult Suffrage Celebration, we currently have on display exhibitions on both the lower upper and lower floors of the Parliament building. And for persons who may be wondering what universal adult suffrage means, prior to um the advent of universal adult suffrage, for you to vote in any election, you had to meet certain

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

criteria which are usually based on property and also being male. Uh with the advent of universal adult suffrage, all persons on attaining the age of majority were then able to participate in elections and we have the democratic traditions which we now so fully and richly enjoy. Um, borfett. This weekend we have and I want to make sure that all persons enjoy it fully, but please be safe on the roads. Pabyet assush. Thank you.

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

Continue to lead. Thank you, Mr. Thank you, Mr. Deputy President. Mr. Deputy President, I beg to lay the following papers standing in the name of the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Constituency Development, People Empowerment, Justice, and National Security. Statutory instrument number 216 of 2026, alien land holding licensing exemption, Lyndon Martin Lavel Order. Statutory Instrument number 218 of 2026, International Organization and Overseas Countries, Immunities and Privileges,

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Order, Statutory Instrument number 220 of 2026, excise tax amendment of schedule 1 number 15. Order statutory instrument number 221 of 2026 public finance management act resolution of parliament to authorize the minister of finance to guarantee a loan for the low to medium income infrastructural development and home construction project on behalf of the St. Lucia Development Bank statutory instrument number 222 of 2026 sovereign wealth fund of St. Lucia

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

appointment of the sovereign wealth fund of St. Lucia board notice statutory instrument number 226 of 2026 customs duties amendment of schedule 4 number two order statutory instrument number 227 of 2026 customs control and management advanced rulings regulations Mr. Deputy President, I beg to lay the following papers standing in the name of the Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Investment, Creative Industries, Culture, and Heritage. Statutory instrument number 207 of 2026, tourism development DTS taxi services order.

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

Statutory instrument number 208 of 2026, tourism development goab taxi order. Statutory instrument number 209 of 2026, tourism development Charlotte and transfers order. Statutory instrument number 2110 of 2026. Tourism development Arthur Touring Services Order. Statutory instrument number 211 of 2026. Tourism Development Comb's Executive Taxi Service Order. Statutory instrument number 212 of 2026. Tourism Development Golden Ticket SLU order. Statutory instrument number 213 of 2026.

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

Tourism Development King James Luxury Services Order. Statutory instrument number 214 of 2026. Tourism Development Pours and Taxi Services Order. Statutory instrument number 215 of 2026. Tourism Development Welcome Taxi Service Order. Statutory instrument number 217 of 2026, tourism development DBSL limited order, statutory instrument number 223 of 2026, tourism development, Nikico's Touring Services Limited Order, statutory instrument number 224 of 2026, tourism development

Part I · Opening & papers · Chamber proceedings

se taxi and tours order statutory instrument number 225 of 202 26 tourism development victory taxi and tours order. Mr. Deputy President, I beg to lay the following papers standing in the name of the Minister for Equity, Social Justice, Gender, Older Persons, Labor, Cooperatives, and Consumer Affairs. Statutory instrument number 219 of 2026, price control amendment number 14. Order. motions. Honorable leader of government business. Mr. Deputy President, I beg to move the following motion standing in the name of

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

the Minister for Finance. Whereas under section 109A of the value added tax act chapter 15.42 42 the act. It is provided that the minister of finance may by order published in the gazette amend the schedules to the act. And whereas it is further provided under section 1092 of the act that an order made pursuant to section 1091 of the act is subject to an affirmative resolution of parliament except where the amendment is to the customs tariff headings only. And whereas the Minister of Finance seeks approval of the draft value added tax amendment of schedule 3 order to

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

amend schedule 3 of the act by an affirmative resolution of Parliament to A exempt imports of personal items, foods, clothing, toys, and other household consumables contained in barrels for the period commencing from the first day of November 2026. 6 and terminating on the 20th day of February 2027. B exempt imports of toys, food supply, food supplies, fireworks, care packages, Christmas lights, and Christmas decorations by elected parliamentarians for the period commencing from the 1st day of November 2026 and terminating on

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

the 28th day of February 2027. Be it resolved that Parliament by affirmative resolution approves the draft value added tax amendment of schedule 3 order which amends schedule three of the act exempt imports of personal items, foods, clothing, toys and other household consumables contained in barrels for the period commencing from the first day of November 2026 and terminating meeting on the 20th day of February, 2027. B exempt imports of toys, food supplies, fireworks, care packages, Christmas lights, and Christmas decorations by

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

elected parliamentarians for the period commencing from the first day of November, 2026 and terminating on the 28th day of February, 2027. Mr. Deputy President, before I provide an explanation of and further details on this resolution, I wish to welcome Senator Dr. Farah Polio back to this Senate. We missed her. We must let you know that we missed you and we um were concerned about the several situations that you had. But I am always comforted by the scripture which says that God

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

doesn't give us more than we can bear. And I know that there is also a phrase which says that God gives his biggest battles to his strongest soldiers. So I wish to welcome you back. Um I wish to join Mr. the deputy president in highlighting the celebration of the 75th anniversary of adult suffrage. Uh Mr. Deputy President, we have we were not around in in 75 years ago, but we certainly are benefiting from what our forefathers have done for us. And for me it um really highlights the importance of our electoral

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

um process and our democracy and what was fought for us. Um and we have to take that a little more seriously. I believe when certain people say that they're not voting, I think history would show us that our forefathers went through a very tough time to get us to this day. And so we need to um encourage our um citizens to come in and have a view of the exhibition that is here in the parliament and pay attention to the electoral process and participate meaningfully in it because that is how we are able to live in a democratic country that we are in today. Also Mr.

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

Deputy President, it is also breast cancer awareness month and though I made mention of it on at our previous Senate meeting. I my colleagues have joined me in bringing about that breast cancer awareness during this month by wearing pink. At our last session um we were all in green um in support of the green agriculture revolution and someone said that we didn't give an explanation of it but this is what we want to portray today but the real message Mr. deputy president is for us to go and get checked. Um, early detection can save

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

our life. And lastly, celebrator Charles will help me on that one. but to take some pride in who we are as a people and our identity and make sure that you know we could stand on our own. So with that, Mr. Deputy President, I now need to go would like to go into the explanation of the resolution on the value added tax amendment of schedule 3 order. Mr. Deputy President, I rise to seek this honorable Senate's approval of the draft value added tax amendment of schedule 3 order, which gives effect to the

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

Christmas barrel concessions approved for the period 1st November 2026 to 28th February 2027. Section 109 1A of the Value Added Tax Act, chapter 15.42 42 authorizes the minister of finance by order published in the gazette to amend the schedules to the act under section 1092. The proposed order requires parliament's approval by affirmative resolution. The order will provide relief to mo from value added tax and the health and security levy on qualifying imports offering timely support to households

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

receiving essential supplies during the Christmas season. The terms and conditions of this waiver is of this mechanism is one a 100% waiver will apply to personal items, food, clothing, toys and other household consumables contained in barrels. Electronic items will not qualify. I want to repeat that, Mr. Deputy President. Electronic items will not qualify. So p cell phone, TV electronic duty free.

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

No more than two barrels per household will qualify. The maximum qualifying value will be $3,000 EC dollars per barrel. The goods must be for personal, not commercial use. The usual penalties and fines will apply while the concession is misused for commercial purposes for the same period. The order will also exempt qualifying imports for of toys, food supplies, care packages, Christmas lights, and Christmas decorations by elected parliamentarians. So that part of it, Mr. Deputy

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

President, does not apply to us in the Senate. We are not elected parliamentarians. These apply only to elected parliamentarians. These limits direct the relief to genuine household needs while protecting the integrity of the program and the public revenue. Mr. Deputy Speaker, the value of this concession is measured not only in taxes for gone, but in the real difference it makes around the kitchen tables of St. Lucian families. Every dollar saved on a qualifying barrel can remain in the household

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

budget to help meet the cost of groceries, electricity, school needs, transportation, and other daily necessities. For families already stretching limited incomes, that relief is meaningful and immediate. These barrels, Mr. Deputy President, also reflect the enduring bonds between St. Lucia's St. Lucians at home and their relatives in the diaspora. They carry food, clothing, toys, and household supplies, but they also carry care, solidarity, and reassurance. By reducing the cost of reducing them,

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

the government ensures that more of that support reaches the people for whom it is intended. Mr. Deputy President, the concession is therefore A PRACTICAL expression of the government's mantra of putting people first. It eases seasonal financial pressure, supports parents and caregivers, helps households prepare for Christmas with dignity, AND DEMONSTRATES THAT PUBLIC policy can respond directly to the everyday realities of our citizens. Mr. Deputy Speaker, President, did I say speaker before? I hope not.

Part I · Barrel concessions · Chamber proceedings

This is targeted relief with a human purpose, keeping more resources in the hands of families while maintaining clear safeguards against abuse. I therefore commend the draft value added tax amendment of schedule 3 order to this honorable Senate and respectfully seek its approval by affirmative resolution. I thank you. Senators, the question is that Parliament by affirmative resolution approves the draft value added tax amendment of schedule 3 order which amend schedule 3 of the act 2 a exempt imports of personal items, foods,