Leader of the Opposition, Michael Pintard presented his response to the 2026-2027 Budget Communication flanked by members of his parliamentary caucus on Wednesday afternoon.

Pintard raised concern about the cost of living, the budget surplus projection and the financing of state owned enterprises. He also spoke about the government’s debt of $689.2 million in the first nine months of the year. Pintard said, “this figure does not come from the Opposition, it comes directly for the government’s own public debt statistical bulletin. Bahamians are therefore entitled to ask a basic question. How has the government been able to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars without returning to Parliament for the necessary borrowing resolution and approval.”

The Opposition Leader went further stating, “one of the clearest examples of this problem is in the explosion of so called loans from the Treasury to state owned enterprises. You’d remember Beaches and Parks as one of the glaring examples. Since the end of 2022, the government’s lending to public authorities has increased from under $100 million to well over $600 million.”

Pintard also spoke about the government’s budget surplus goals saying they cannot be met at the expense of meeting its outstanding payment obligations. He said, “families know the reality. You do not improve your finances by pretending the bills do not exist. A surplus built on unpaid obligations is not a sign of strength. It’s a sign of delay and deferral.”

The budget communication also included the announcement of the extension of VAT (Value Added Tax) relief for first-time homeowners by expanding zero-rated treatment to include multi-unit properties such as fourplexes, triplexes, and duplexes; particularly where at least one unit is owner-occupied. Pintard said, “when we hear a reduction of VAT for first time homeowners or a multi-purpose building, triplex or fourplex and the VAT is, again, reduced for the first time homeowner, any step in that direction is a good step. What we are saying is it’s not sufficient.”

The budget debate begins in the House of Assembly on Monday, June 8th.