MOTIONS

 

Motion by the Leader of Government’s Business:

 

WHEREAS it was necessary to provide for the services of the State of Grenada for the year 2021 by means of a Supplementary Appropriation Act;

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2021 for the fiscal year 1st January to 31st December, 2021 be approved.

 

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Motion by Senator the Honourable Andre Lewis on vaccination and workers

 

WHEREAS we are experiencing a worldwide health pandemic (COVID-19) which has and continue to infect and claim the lives of millions of people across the world;

AND WHEREAS this Pandemic has caused economic and social fallout unknown to man in recent history;

AND WHEREAS these fall outs have impacted many working people to the extent of degrading their social status to that of poor and marginalised;

AND WHEREAS to save lives and address the economic and social fallout from the Pandemic the State of Grenada imposed a State of Emergency (SOE);

AND WHEREAS the State of Grenada (Grenada) has been following the protocols set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO);

AND WHEREAS those measures have caused the citizens to so far enjoy protection from the Pandemic;

AND WHEREAS vaccination has been introduced as another measure to contain the spread of Covid-19 and to save lives; 

AND WHEREAS the ongoing reopening of the Country’s border will continue to increase the risk of possible Covid-19 infections;

AND WHEREAS the Government through the Prime Minister has declared that the State will not make vaccination mandatory;

AND WHEREAS some employers are now openly or surreptitiously making vaccination mandatory as a condition for the continued employment of workers;

AND WHEREAS for existing workers vaccination was never a condition of employment;

AND WHEREAS many workers are opposed to and resisting the concept of mandatory vaccination on principle or as violation of rights or out of sheer health concerns; 

AND WHEREAS with the impact of social and other media pushing conspiracy and other theories against the taking of the vaccine many people are genuinely confused and could only be enlightened through active and organized public education campaigns;

AND WHEREAS in light of the above making the vaccination mandatory may lead ultimately to more industrial disputes and confrontation between employer and employee which would not be in the best interest of the country at this time; 

NOW THEREFORE, this Parliamentary Sitting of the Senate hereby resolves as follows: 

1. That no employer should make vaccination a condition of employment for existing workers.

 

1. That no worker should suffer any loss of benefits (pay etc.) for not taking the vaccine.

 

1. That where workers are coerced into taking the vaccine, the employer should be liable where there are adverse reactions associated with vaccination.

 

1. Employers must consider securing adequate health insurance for all workers in the face of the new challenges brought on by Covid-19.

 

1. That there should be at least two brands of vaccines to allow for choices on the part of those wishing to be vaccinated.

 

1. That workers who are not vaccinated ought to be tested periodically and be required and expected to function in accordance strict enforcement of the protocols.

 

1. That the State ought to put measures in place to support a pro-active education campaign throughout Grenada, Carriacou and Petit Martinique to highlight the pros and cons of taking the vaccine.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

 

If affirmed this resolution be forwarded by way of message to the House of Representatives.

 

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By Senator the Honourable Andre Lewis

Motion on setting aside funds from the Grenada National Lotteries Association for Health Services

 

WHEREAS we have seen the many challenges confronting the Ministry of Health as it relates to the provision of Health Care Services;

AND WHEREAS from time to time there are reports of lack of medication and equipment especially at the Nation’s Hospital and Out-Station Facilities;

AND WHEREAS recently, the Public were advised that the X-ray Machine services were available only to hospitalized/inpatient individuals;

AND WHEREAS it is known that the State does not have its own CT Scan services.

AND WHEREAS hospitalized patients have to access CT Scan services from a private provider at sums that may be beyond the reach of most working class and other Grenadians;

AND WHEREAS the state does not own/have MRI facilities which is a very important medical service;

AND WHEREAS it is recognized that resources or the allocation of resources  may be a contributing factor to some of the challenges faced at the Ministry of Health and Hospital services;

AND WHEREAS accepting that the Grenada National Lotteries Authority as a statutory body is a source of income for national development;

 

NOW THEREFORE, this Parliamentary Sitting of the Senate hereby resolves as follows:

1. The Grenada National Lotteries Authorities to contribute directly to the Ministry of Health for the provision of Health Care Service

 

1. That in the first instance the contributions be used to ensure that Grenada have  functioning X-Ray machines at our three (3) Hospitals that is, the General Hospital, St. George, Princess Alice Hospital, St. Andrew and Princess Royal Hospital, Carriacou.

 

1. That the funds be directed also to ensure that Grenada has its own CT Scan facility within one (1) year or a period to be advised by suitable qualified personnel.

 

1. That fund from the Authority be set aside to ensure that Grenada obtains an MRI facility within a period of two (2) years or a time advised by suitably qualified personnel.

• That the tag line “Supporting Sports Culture and Nation Building” be amended to say  “Supporting Sports, Culture, Health and Nation Building”.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT:

If affirmed this resolution be forwarded by way of message to the House of Representatives.

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By Senator the Honourable Roderick St. Clair 

 

On including the time for activities in the annual Estimate of Revenue and Expenditure document.

 

WHEREAS it is necessary to provide for the services of the State of Grenada in any budget cycle by means of an Appropriation Act; 

 

AND WHEREAS the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Fiscal Year 1st January to 31st December, 2021 was approved at the sitting of the Senate in December, 2021; 

 

AND WHEREAS the approved Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure presented the activities and work programme for the various Government Departments and Ministries; 

 

AND WHEREAS the activities and work plans of the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for Fiscal year 1st January to 31st December, 2021 and previous ones so passed, did not provide a time when each activity or project is scheduled to take place; 

 

AND WHEREAS specifying a time when each activity is scheduled to take place will contribute to improved delivery to the citizens, improved implementation, improved job performance and improved cash flow management;

 

AND WHEREAS monitoring and evaluation is a prudent management process to improve delivery and implementation rates; 

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the activities and projects items that would be presented in Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the Fiscal Year 1st January to 31st December, 2022 and beyond, be presented in a format that shows the time such as the quarter in which each activity is scheduled to take place such that citizens can benefit from improved government services, improved planning, improved job performance, improved implementation and improved monitoring.

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By Senator the Honourable Roderick St. Clair: 

 

On the need for an efficient Government farm machinery service to farmers on the mainland – Grenada

 

WHEREAS Government operated and provided farm machinery service from Mirabeau for over three decades to farmers;

 

AND WHEREAS land preparation is a vital step in land preparation for the production of crops;

 

AND WHEREAS Government has closed the farm machinery operation on the mainland – Grenada since December 2018 with the intention of supporting a public/private partnership to include a new incentive structure and subsidy framework; 

 

AND WHEREAS farmers have been expressing their continued hardship from the lack of the service since its closure and are appealing to government for reinstatement of the farm machinery service on the mainland – Grenada;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate support this motion for Government to act swiftly to reduce farmers’ hardship in land preparation by                             re-establishing a well-run and operated farm machinery service for farmers in the state of Grenada to improve our food security and agriculture production.

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By Senator the Honourable Tessa St. Cyr

On flooding in the Town of Grenville

 

WHEREAS the town of Grenville has been consistently flooding during heavy rainfall; 

 

AND WHEREAS the Government of Grenada has consistently promised to address the matter;  

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate recommends that a timetable and the 2022 budget allocation be provided by the Ministry of Works / Minister for Implementation of a flood mitigation project in the town of Grenville.

 

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By Senator the Honourable Tessa St. Cyr

 

On review of the Education Act, (2002)

 

WHEREAS education is a dynamic process with changing needs and context;

 

AND WHEREAS there are sections of the current Education Act (2002) that require adjustment; 

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate recommends a full review of the Education Act (2002) be undertaken by the Ministry of Education and a timeline be provided for said review.

 

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By Senator the Honourable Matthew Joseph

 

On Local Government for the islands of Carriacou and Petit Martinique

 

WHEREAS the Grenada Constitution (1973) clearly provides in Section 107(1) (2) for a Council for Carriacou and Petit Martinique to be the principal organ of Local  Government for those Islands;

AND WHEREAS since Grenada’s Independence no such Council was ever constituted in keeping with the Grenada Constitution;

AND WHEREAS the citizens of Carriacou and Petite Martinique have been advocating through various means, with successive governments for the institution of Local Government; 

AND WHEREAS Parliament having the powers given to it by the said Constitution, can institute Local Government for Carriacou and Petite Martinique;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The Senate recommends

1.  Local Government be instituted in Carriacou and Petit Martinique in keeping with the Grenada Constitution Order of 1973.
2. A timeline of one year be afforded for the instituting of Local Government from the date of the passing of this Motion if it is so approved.

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By Senator the Honourable Rolanda Mc Queen

WHEREAS Grenada is now facing a COVID19 pandemic that began affecting Grenada since March of 2020; 

AND WHEREAS there exists a body of Public Health Regulations and Laws for the prevention of the spread of the COVID19 virus and for the protection of the Nation and its People;

AND WHEREAS on August 11th at the Maurice Bishop International Airport it has observed and noted that health officials did not have sufficient test kits for conducting the requisite amount of swabs on arriving passengers; 

AND WHEREAS Grenada is currently in the midst of a major and unprecedented outbreak of the virus; 

AND WHEREAS there are a number of issues which could be threats to our efforts in fighting the pandemic;

NOW BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate recommends:

1. A comprehensive report be provided on the events of August 11 which resulted in the delay in swabbing passengers arriving at the airport be provided to this Honourable House.

 

1. That the Ministry of Health reviews current facilities at the airport for the safety of arriving and departing passengers , and the employees of all departments who are required to interact with the public.