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In Cabinet news this week, Cabinet gave its approval for a motion to be taken to the National Assembly for six point two million U.S. dollars for financing from the International Monetary Fund. Channeled through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Cabinet says the aim of the loan is to minimize the global risk […]
Written on March 24, 2022 | Posted in
Agriculture,
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Comments Off on Cabinet Approves Amendments to Cannabis and Industrial Hemp Act
The great cannabis debate continues in various sectors of society, including the church community, notwithstanding a new iteration of a piece of law being presented before parliament in the last two weeks. While the National Evangelical Association of Belize, NEAB, has made known its views on the legalization of cannabis, the Catholic Church has also […]
Written on March 22, 2022 | Posted in
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Religion |
Comments Off on The Catholic Church Joins the Cannabis Debate
The Briceño administration read through a supplementary appropriation bill on Tuesday to retroactively approve the disbursement of one point five million dollars to the Christian Workers Union. Those monies are from the public purse and were earmarked for the compensation of stevedores for the privatization of the port in 2002. While the funds are mired […]
Written on March 18, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Senate Debates $1.5 Million Dollar Stevedore Payout
The issue of whether the content of that debate is in fact harmful to the ongoing stevedore payment case before the high court was also raised, particularly by the President of the Senate. In responding to that concern, Opposition Senator Michael Peyrefitte pointed to the issue of accountability since the monies are being drawn from […]
Written on March 18, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Senate Needs to Debate Stevedore Payout – Mike Peyrefitte
And that’s where the debate got somewhat intense. Lead government senator Eamon Courtenay rose on a point of order during which he referred to a section of the standing orders pertinent to what was being argued. What’s interesting is that the Belize National Teachers Union has been a supporter of the C.W.U. where the monies […]
Written on March 18, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
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Comments Off on Union Senator Reminds Government About F.A.R.A.
Today’s special sitting of the Senate, hard on the heels of Tuesday’s house meeting to present the budget for the 2022 fiscal year, was Janelle Chanona’s maiden appearance as senator for the N.G.O. community. Her seat as the thirteenth senator gave rise to the backing of an amendment that deals with Belize’s fisheries. Aside from […]
Written on March 18, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
Law,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Senator Chanona’s First Day in the Upper House
The injunction that has been placed on the disbursement of one point five million dollars among stevedores by the Supreme Court expires on Wednesday. It follows an application by attorneys on behalf of Port of Belize Limited which seeks to block the payment of funds to members of the Christian Workers Union. Those monies are […]
Written on March 15, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Briceño Administration Introduces Supplementary Bill for Stevedore Compensation
There will be a special sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday during which the 2022 Budget will be presented. During tomorrow’s house meeting, a new law pertaining to the legalization of cannabis, as well as the creation of an industry to support cultivation and commercial sale, will also be introduced. It’s a controversial […]
Written on March 14, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on A New Marijuana Bill to Go Before the House
The National Evangelical Association of Belize is firmly against the legalization of marijuana, as well as a government-sponsored marijuana industry. In a release issued earlier today, NEAB reiterated its position, citing a previous piece of law that was introduced in parliament and failed to get approval in the senate. The statement goes on to say, […]
Written on March 14, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on NEAB Opposes Legalized Marijuana in Belize
There will be changes in the leadership of Eastern Division in the days ahead, as Senior Superintendent, Suzette Anderson, is being transferred to Belmopan to head the Western Region. Replacing her in Belize City is Assistant Commissioner of Police, Howell Gillett. These changes come at a critical time amid the increase in gang activity across […]
Written on March 9, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Changes in Leadership of Eastern Division, Howell Gillett Returns
At its last meeting, Cabinet also recommended that the Cannabis Control and Licensing Bill be introduced at the next Sitting of the House of Representatives. Upon adoption of the Cannabis Control Bill, the licensing of the Cannabis industry and the establishment of necessary legislative framework will be undertaken. This is to govern and control how the […]
Written on March 8, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
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Health,
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Politics |
Comments Off on Ministry of Blue Economy Gets Approval to Establish Mariculture Policy
While the curfew has been lifted, and people are enjoying their first day in almost two years of not having to wear masks outdoors, the amended Statutory Instrument does still require people to wear masks in closed space settings. In order to avoid confusion, this is what the S.I. states: every person shall wear a […]
Written on March 1, 2022 | Posted in
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Law,
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Comments Off on Mask Mandate Ends for Outdoors; No COVID Tests for Belizeans Coming Back From Overnight in Chetumal
No doubt the Prime Minister’s announcement on Monday that Government will relax some COVID restrictions in March and continue to lift everything by April made a lot of people happy. P.M. John Briceño said on Open Your Eyes this morning that the burden of protecting the masses is no longer on the government. Instead, each […]
Written on March 1, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Party at Your Own Risk
Village Council Elections are quickly approaching and will likely be held in April of this year. According to Prime Minister John Briceño, new legislation is being passed to amend the act. He says this is to ensure that there’s no abuse in the voting process and that those who vote are registered to that particular […]
Written on February 24, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
People & Places,
Politics |
Comments Off on Village Council Act to Be Amended Ahead of April Election
The regulation banning single-use plastics will come into effect about a month from now. While the law zeroes in on those types of plastics that are used locally, there are more complex instances when the law will more difficult to apply. Minister of Sustainable Development, Orlando Habet, says that government will have to make amendments […]
Written on February 24, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
Law,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Law Banning Single-Use Plastics Takes Effect March thirty-first
This morning members of the media were at the National Assembly, but not to cover a House Meeting. This time, they were participating in a consultation on an amendment to the Defamation Act that governs libel and slander. It is an important issue for both traditional media houses, or mainstream media, and newer online-only entities. […]
Written on February 21, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
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Comments Off on Amendment to Defamation Bill: Channel Five C.E.O. Says Public Discourse Must Be Preserved
The owner of Plus TV based in Belmopan, Louis Wade, also attended today’s consultation on the amendment to the Defamation Act. He says the fact that G.O.B. is presenting this instead of a Freedom of the Press Act or other amendments to protect freedom of expression reveal the government’s priorities. He is asking some basic […]
Written on February 21, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Plus TV Says Freedom of Information Promotes Media Transparency
The news director for LOVE FM was also present today. Renee Trujillo says that while many want to be in the news, some are also quick to threaten lawsuits. She too called for a Freedom of the Press Act, but welcomed the opportunity to comment on the current amendment to the Defamation Act under committee […]
Written on February 21, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
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Comments Off on LOVE FM News Director on Importance of Fourth Estate
But Minister Francis Fonseca, a member of the House Committee that was conducting the consultation on the amendment to the Defamation Act, says media input is valued. He also believes that the changes will offer more, not less, protection for media houses. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education “There is an opportunity now, if people […]
Written on February 21, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Minister Fonseca Says Defamation Amendment Provides Greater Protection for Media
The Leader of the Opposition says he believes the amendments to the Defamation Bill and the suggestions given today by those most affected in the media will provide a balance between protecting reputations and guaranteeing free speech. Moses ‘Shyne’ Barrow, Leader of the Opposition, Defamation Bill Amendment Committee “I think it has to strike […]
Written on February 21, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Leader of the Opposition: a Moderate Road has been Found
The Misuse of Drugs Act is once again before the House of Representatives as a proposed piece of legislation that will ultimately allow for the cultivation of cannabis for commercial use. While it had the support of the opposition, it stalled in the upper house because of certain concerns that were raised by social partner […]
Written on February 18, 2022 | Posted in
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Comments Off on Cannabis Regulation and Licensing Bill to Go Before the House
In Cabinet news, this week the Prime Minister and his advisors approved the introduction of legislation to amend the Misuse of Drugs Bill, titled the Cannabis Control and Licensing Bill, 2022. It will address the control and licensing of the cannabis industry, and establish the legal framework for the cultivation, processing, distribution, and delivery of […]
Written on February 17, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Cabinet News: Price Gougers to be Ticketed, Amendment to Treaty of Chaguaramas to be Signed in Belize
Across the Caribbean, governments are re-examining the need for national curfews to assist in the fight against COVID-19. Just this week, Barbados and Guyana lifted their curfews entirely and Jamaica relaxed their hours. With the recent reopening of land borders in Belize, many here are wondering if ending the curfew will be the next big […]
Written on February 17, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
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People & Places |
Comments Off on COVID Chronicles: Is it Time to Get Rid of Curfew?
Since the Caribbean Court of Justice affirmed Maya communal land rights several years ago, much has been said about the consent order that was handed down by the bench. Both parties, including the Government of Belize and the Maya community, are required to work with each other in putting together a Free, Prior and Informed […]
Written on February 15, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
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Comments Off on Breaking down the Consent Order
Senior Counsel Smith also provided a summary of the C.C.J.’s decision in respect of that matter. He contextualized the significance of the community title by comparing it to vast swaths of land held by individual titleholders. Godfrey Smith, Attorney-at-law “The C.C.J. didn’t say this part now, so I don’t want it to be any […]
Written on February 15, 2022 | Posted in
Law,
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Comments Off on Understanding the C.C.J. Ruling on Maya Land Rights
