~Parliament Chair says adopted laws have “stranded” at Government, announces referendum and no-confidence ordinances, district fund and stronger financial oversight.~
PHILIPSBURG:--- Chairperson of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams has placed the independence of Parliament at the center of her agenda for the new parliamentary year, warning that the legislature must strengthen its ability to research, scrutinize and act independently of the executive branch.
Wescot-Williams delivered an extensive assessment during the closing meeting of the 2025-2026 parliamentary year on Monday, September 7.
“If I had to name a theme that dominated my work as President this past year, it would be the independence of Parliament,” she said.
She defined that independence as Parliament establishing, as much as possible, its own agenda and processes, rather than waiting for the Council of Ministers to set the pace of its work.
Wescot-Williams said Parliament must continue debating important national issues across party lines, independently investigating matters and holding ministers accountable for the governing accord and programme.
“Whatever we can research independently and act upon, we should,” she declared.
Adopted Laws “Stranded” at Government
Wescot-Williams said several initiative ordinances adopted by Parliament have failed to advance after reaching the Government.
She specifically identified the plastic-bag ban and timeshare ordinances as examples of legislation that has “stranded” within the executive branch.
The Chair said this is one reason she has repeatedly called for common national priorities between Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
Wescot-Williams said she is also awaiting the Government’s response to motions and commitments made during the recent handling of the 2026 national budget.
The statement again raises concerns about Parliament's effectiveness when the Government does not implement adopted laws, motions and commitments.
Referendum and No-Confidence Laws in Process
Stepping outside her institutional role as Chairperson, Wescot-Williams announced that her draft referendum ordinance and draft motion-of-no-confidence ordinance are both progressing.
She said she expects to bring the two pieces of legislation before her parliamentary colleagues.
The referendum ordinance could establish a clearer legal framework for future referenda, while the no-confidence proposal is expected to address the process surrounding parliamentary motions that can result in the dismissal of ministers.
Wescot-Williams did not provide a date for the submission or debate of either ordinance but said both remain actively in process.
Government Commits to District Fund
Wescot-Williams also announced that the Government has committed to creating a district fund following a motion she submitted.
She said the proposal was not made on the spur of the moment but reflects her conviction that certain parts of governance should be decentralized and brought closer to communities.
“People want to help. People want to get involved, but it must be structured,” she said.
“We must bring pride and ownership back to the communities.”
Wescot-Williams said she will issue a challenge to Sint Maarten’s districts to begin organizing so they can use the funding for community projects once the district-fund proposal is formalized.
She said the fund should become part of a broader effort to increase community participation and give residents a direct role in improving their districts.
Stronger Oversight of Government Spending
The Parliament Chair identified the Committee for Country Expenditures as one of the bodies that must be strengthened during the new parliamentary year.
“Oversight of Government’s expenditure is not a formality,” Wescot-Williams said. “It is one of the clearest ways this Parliament holds the executive accountable for how public funds are used.”
She pledged to strengthen the committee’s work and make financial oversight a more effective part of Parliament’s operations.
Wescot-Williams also said she has drafted a brief addressing confidentiality and parliamentary access to information.
She stressed that confidentiality should be respected where legitimately required but warned that parliamentary scrutiny is “sacrosanct.”
A Paperless and More Efficient Parliament
Wescot-Williams outlined several pillars that she believes should guide Parliament’s work during the 2026-2027 year.
One of her priorities is creating a paperless Parliament.
“It is time our operations reflect the century we live in,” she said.
The Chair also wants improved protocols between Parliament and the Council of Ministers, greater efficiency in organizing parliamentary business and a more open institution whose work is visible to the population.
She said Sint Maarten operates under a dualistic system separating Parliament and Government, but acknowledged that parliamentary results still depend heavily on cooperation from ministers.
“This working relationship is not a courtesy; it is a necessity,” she said.
She also called for staffing improvements, capacity building and the development of a formal function book clearly defining the duties and compensation of parliamentary personnel.
Parliament’s Independence Through Regional Cooperation
Wescot-Williams said Parliament strengthened its position during the past year by expanding cooperation with regional and international parliamentary organizations.
She highlighted Sint Maarten Parliament’s access to ParlAmericas as a major achievement, noting that the organization’s reach extends beyond the immediate Caribbean region.
Through those contacts, she said, Sint Maarten now participates at the table of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s regional structure.
Wescot-Williams said she will continue encouraging the Government to join relevant regional organizations while pursuing every available avenue for parliamentary cooperation.
Small island developing states face many of the same problems regardless of their constitutional or electoral systems, she said.
Regional connections, in her view, can help protect and strengthen Parliament’s institutional independence.
Cross-Party Work Produced Results
The Chair credited several parliamentary committees and working groups with bringing MPs together across party lines.
She pointed to the Women’s Caucus, the proposed GEBE committee, the Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Work Group and parliamentary efforts involving health, small and medium-sized businesses, waste and the environment.
Wescot-Williams said these initiatives demonstrated that parliamentarians can set aside party politics to work on common national concerns.
She also called for the Committee of Petitions to become more representative and responsive to public needs.
Parliament Moves Deeper Into AI
Artificial intelligence and digital transformation will remain central themes during the new parliamentary year.
Wescot-Williams said Parliament’s focus will be on building digital trust and ensuring that new technology strengthens democracy rather than weakening privacy, public confidence or citizens’ rights.
The theme for 2026-2027 will be: “Building Digital Trust: Responsible AI for a Stronger Democracy and Empowered Communities.”
She said digital transformation cannot simply mean acquiring new technology.
“It is about ensuring that technology serves the people, strengthens our institutions, continues to protect rights and contributes meaningfully to the development of our entire community,” Wescot-Williams stated.
Parliament formally established its Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence Work Group on February 17, 2026.
The group is responsible for assessing Parliament’s digital environment, supporting a digital-transformation programme, recommending frameworks for AI governance and ethics, identifying innovation priorities and promoting digital literacy among parliamentarians, staff and the wider community.
Privacy and Cybersecurity Must Be Protected
Wescot-Williams warned that privacy and protection must remain paramount as Parliament and Government expand their use of AI.
She said responsible AI requires more than a single policy. It needs an entire ecosystem beginning with an assessment of the country’s readiness.
That system must be supported by legislation, privacy protections, ethical governance and strong cybersecurity.
Her remarks followed Parliament’s ratification of the CPA UK and UNESCO Caribbean AI Workshop Outcome Statement on Responsible AI and Parliamentary Action in the Caribbean.
Wescot-Williams and MP Ardwell Irion attended the workshop in Anguilla from June 21 to 23 as members of Parliament’s AI work group.
Health Coverage for Small Businesses
Wescot-Williams also listed several policy matters she intends to pursue as an individual Member of Parliament.
These include urgent health coverage for sole proprietors and microbusinesses, energy relief, cleanliness and environmental protection.
She announced work on a proposed amendment to the civil-servants law that would allow employees to take responsibility for indispensable care needed by family members and others.
Wescot-Williams said she hopes such a “care act” can eventually become part of a wider national agreement.
She is also exploring an energy project for civil servants, possibly through pension administrator APS, involving investment loans for solar-energy systems.
Tax reform and detailed scrutiny of the 2027 national budget will also remain among her priorities.
Parliament’s Annual Report Due Friday
Wescot-Williams announced that Parliament’s 2025-2026 annual report is scheduled to be released to the public on Friday, September 11.
She said publication had been delayed because of the handling of the 2026 budget and preparations for the opening of the new parliamentary year.
Once completed, the report will be published on Parliament’s website.
Wescot-Williams said it will provide an overview of the institution’s work during the parliamentary year.
New Parliamentary Year Opens Tuesday
Parliament will officially open the 2026-2027 parliamentary year on Tuesday, September 8.
During the opening reception, the 14th annual President of Parliament Award will be presented to a young person who has made a positive contribution to Sint Maarten.
Wescot-Williams said the committee received a record number of nominations. The top five nominees will be invited to the reception, where the winner will be announced.
Individuals and organizations contributing to responsible AI, stronger democracy and empowered communities will also be recognized.
Closing the parliamentary year, Wescot-Williams said her approach was guided by the need to apply Parliament’s rules fairly but firmly, encourage MPs to develop their own institutional voice and hold the Council of Ministers accountable.
The work is “sometimes slow, sometimes frustrating, always necessary,” she said.
Her message for the new parliamentary year was clear: Parliament must become more independent, more transparent, more technologically capable and more effective in ensuring that laws, motions and government commitments produce results.