Today was the first of three days of budget debate, each one starting at 10:00 in the morning and ending at 6:00 in the evening. It kicked off this morning with the Opposition Leader's formal response to the PM.
At two hours, her speech was longer than the PM's, which clocked in at one hour forty minutes.
And while she rebutted many claims, she did give the government a little big up - but it came crashing down when she lashed back at the prime minister for insulting her. Courtney Menzies was there and here's her story.
The first day of the budget debate for the fiscal year 2026/2027 started - as usual - with a response from the Leader of the Opposition. Tracy Panton was quick to refute some of the claims made by the Prime Minister in his budget speech two weeks ago.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"The Prime Minister also proudly boasts that inflationary costs had fallen to 1.1% this year which does not accurately represent what Belizeans are feeling in their pockets for basic commodities. The last few everything from fuel at the pumps, to water rates, to electricity rates, to grocery items, to rent expenses, to property, to trade license fees have all seen marked increases. Every Belizean is singing the same tune."
"The stated unemployment rate also appears questionable. It should be noted this figure represents individuals actively seeking employment. The figure does not accurately reflect reality. Nowhere, and I mean nowhere in Belize, can you gather a group of 100 individuals who fulfill all the requirements for employment and expect to find any situation in which 98 of them are gainfully employed."
She was also quick to discuss the rising fuel prices. And later in her speech, she had a request for the government:
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"As it is now, 41% of every dollar spent on the price per gallon of regular fuel and 46% of premium prices go directly into the government's coffers from revenue replacement tax, import duties, excise tax, environment tax, and GST. While liquid petroleum stocks better known as butane are now spared well until today from the PM's insatiable appetite it is only a matter of time, today, that the cost of butane will be increased and be touted as necessary by unpredictable global developments."
"As an initial temporary measure, we call on this government to reduce the fuel tax by $2 to help lower high fuel costs for struggling households."
And it was during this speech where fireworks exploded between her and the prime minister. In the last budget debate, Panton had a medical emergency after she had been standing for a while. This time, she had a tall stool brought in to assist her - and when the PM made some remark about it about under the microphone - that set the Opposition Leader off.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"He definitely had the solution for inflated costs of petroleum at the pump. It was the current prime minister who was then the leader of opposition, I have some time to go so rest up, who led the public protests calling for government to lower the fuel tax by $2 per gallon. Back them premium was $10 per gallon and now - don't make fun of my disability, you prime minister who say you are concerned about the disabled in this country, do not make fun of my disability. don't worry I am standing tall. You should be ashamed of yourself, your wife who has dedicated her life to those with disabilities, you should be ashamed of yourself."
And during Panton's 2 hour speech, the PM couldn't hold back a few yawns.
But she continued to discuss topics like health - including the issue with the Cuban Medical Brigade.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"This year's budget falls short of improvement to healthcare facilities. No new investments are envisioned for the country's number 1 referral hospital in Belize City which desperately needs a roof we're told by hospital officials. No mention of the rebuilding or replacement of the polyclinic in Port Loyola. No sums allocated for district public hospitals save $67,000 proposed pediatric wing at the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk."
"How do we intend to address adequate patient care if Belize yields to the pressure of the United States to end its longstanding relationship with the Cuban Medical Brigade. We have always shown profound respect and regard for our friends, our allies, our international partners who have consistently helped us in the arduous work of nation building. It is troubling that both our democracy and our sovereignty are at risk if we do not follow the unreasonable demands of those who seek to have unbridled power in this hemisphere."
"We take this opportunity to formally request an audit of the NHI financial statements. To the best of our knowledge there has been no audits conducted since 2020. The system is operating without any accountability."
But Panton also paid credit where she believes it is due.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"The Albert Constituency receives $10,000 monthly from the consolidated fund via the contingency development fund."
"We also administer a monthly grocery bag assistance program provided via the office of the prime minister totaling $5,000 which provides food vouchers valued at $50 each to 100 Albert families every month."
"We do acknowledge that when specifically requested, Albert residents have been recipients of lifesaving oncology services, dialysis treatment and emergency procedures through the patient care assistance program available by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. I am very fair member for Toledo West. Albert students in primary secondary and tertiary institutions have received tuitions grants from the Ministry of Education."
"On behalf of the beneficiaries of these programs, we take the opportunity to express gratitude to the prime minister and his executive for the support afforded to our constituents."
Panton ended her speech by getting a little teary eyed when mentioning the women who inspire her, including her own mother.
Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition
"I'm especially grateful for the example of my mother, Mrs Andrea Taegar, who taught me by the way she lived her life what selfless principled leadership truly looks like."
Panton took to Facebook after the meeting to issue a statement on what she referred to as her disability. She stated that she has a temporary injury to her right leg and feels discomfort and pain when she is standing for long periods. She added that with time and therapy, she believes she will fully recover. She then stated, quote, "What deeply troubles me is that the holder of the highest office in this land, the Prime Minister of Belize, would seek to ridicule or bully another person in this way. Only an ignorant person would find such conduct amusing." End quote.
