Mr. Chairman, the government has already responded to that. It is to cover the G.S.T. costs of employees' vacation travel assistance. The government has already said that it covers the tax for travel on those, too. They have already set a precedent. It is because of that they had to cover the G.S.T. too. The employees could take them to court. If they do, it is based on the precedent, not on whether or not they have the right to cover those for the employees. Everyone in the country pays G.S.T. For the less fortunate people, it is good to get G.S.T. money back. However, we are not talking about less fortunate people here. We are talking about people who have good jobs. The G.S.T. covered is on benefits. It is not part of their salary. It is over and above what they get. I do not think that ordinary people who do not work for the government are given that kind of privilege. I do not think we should be paying it. If the teachers' association is not happy with that, by all means, take the government to court. The possibility is that it will lose both cases, both the tax law and the G.S.T. I do not wish to see it as an expenditure, when we really do not know whether or not we should allow that kind of cover when everybody else has to be tightening the belt and paying.
Samuel Gargan on Committee Motion 46-12(3): To Delete $193,000 Under Activity Employee Benefits, Personnel
In the Legislative Assembly on December 7th, 1992. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 46-12(3): To Delete $193,000 Under Activity Employee Benefits, Personnel
Item 18: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
December 7th, 1992
Page 321
Samuel Gargan Deh Cho
See context to find out what was said next.