Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would initially like to indicate my support for the Premier's comments. I think they demonstrate the leadership role we have been talking about in this House since we were first elected. I agree fully as well that we do need a change to the compensation package for MLAs, including the pensions. To me, the single biggest issue is the pension fund. I support the change recommended in this commission's report. I also recommend the changes that will simplify the system that we now have. It will make it more transparent and easier to understand.
By my very basic math, we spend, including our pensions, $3.3 million approximately every year. So if we can restructure the pension plan, as has been recommended, where we acknowledge the responsibility to the Members who have paid into the current program and come up with a transition plan to accommodate Members who are part-way through their term and don't have six years, there is almost $1 million projected savings, which I think is very significant.
The fundamental message is we have to be showing the people that we are going to take a cut equal to or greater than what we are asking all our employees and non
government people to take that are funded by the government.
With those basic comments, Mr. Chairman, I agree with the need for change and I agree that we have to deal with this issue by March before we leave here next week, so we can get past this issue, send the message that has to be sent, and start dealing with the other issues before us. We don't want to spend an overly long period of time on this issue. Thank you.