When the Trade Licensing Bill, 2022 was first introduced in May of 2022, it generated major pushback from performers to peddlers, all insisting that the new legislation would tax them into extinction.
So, then the Ministry of Local Government took it back for consultation and review. It went to the house on October 13th - where it was passed and sent to the Senate last Thursday. And that's where the real scrutiny and trouble began. UDP Senator Beverly Williams said it was almost like they hadn't reviewed the legislation before tabling it:
Beverly Williams, UDP Senator
"This bill, Madam President, is a true-true representation of the creole, proverbs. You pick, you pick, you pick, until you pick up poke knuckle. And you pick up this one, and I'm certain that even if they read it, then I know I will be scolded by Senator Courtney. They never read it. I am pretty certain. What is this, Madam President, if it's not a tax? A tax on the poor people with the already high cost of living. When you resort to taxing the peddlers, then you know something is very, very wrong."
"All the peddlers will do is to add that tax onto their cost, and the cost of living keeps going up. This is expanding, as I said, Madam Speaker, revenue stream for the town boards, for the village councils with no accountability, no structure."
"Nothing is there, and there are so many other inconsistencies in the bill. Obviously, they did not read it, Madam Speaker. And of course, you'd like to see those corrections before anybody should agree to the bill."
Kevin Herrera, Business Senator
"I'm hoping that the leader of government business will be able to send this bill to committee so that perhaps we can discuss these issues a little more."
Eamon Courtenay, Leader of Government Business
"It is clear that there are a number of errors, sections that are cited that need to be corrected. Senator Herrera and Senator Williams raised some issues of policy, which can possibly be looked at and considered. And therefore, Madam President, we on this side have agreed that the bill should remain in committee for consideration and possibly amendment before the question is put."
"And therefore, Madam President, I ask that the bill be kept in committee, send committee."
Without the support of the independent senators or the opposition, the government side would not have been able to get enough support to pass the legislation so it was sent back.
