The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

THE Government was yesterday urged to adopt a “smart Immigration” policy similar to the likes of Canada, providing a clear path towards citizenship and selectively allowing in individuals with vital expertise that can help grow the economy.

Dr Johnathan Rodgers, who gave a presentation at the Rotary Club of Nassau yesterday, told Tribune Business: “We have to deal with the situation. I’m all for regularising those who are here now, but we have to stem the flow.

“We spend about $200 million, I estimate, in providing services to these individuals. I understand that we are our brother’s keeper, but the US has to play a bigger role, as they have more resources to deal with migrants. We need to have a tighter policy.”

Dr Rodgers added: “We can adopt a smart Immigration policy like Canada has or Australia, or even Great Britain, where there is a clear path towards citizenship, where they selectively allow those people in who can help their economy grow.

“They look to see where there are deficiencies and you bring those people in to fill the void. We don’t even know how many students we have studying abroad in the different professions or specialties. There is no data bank. Everything is based on political expediency and not on sound economic grounds or data.”

Commenting on the hotly debated issue of whether or not MPs should be required to publicly disclose their tax status, Dr Rodgers said tax evasion has been embedded into Bahamian culture.

“We have lost, as a country, our economic, financial, ethical and social barometer. Good, bad, right and wrong, are all combined into one grey zone,” said Dr Rodgers.

He added that the ongoing fiscal reform debate had opened up a “can of worms”, which the Government would find difficult to close.

“You can’t expect the general population to pay their real property taxes if you, who have been appointed as government to manage the affairs of the country, are not paying taxes,” Dr Rodgers said.

“Members of government are really held to higher standards than the general population. You expect those who you have elected, and those who they have put in positions of power, to do the honourable thing, and when they don’t that sends a clear message that anything goes.”