(Translation) Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, 1, too, would like to make a comment concerning the MLA pensions. I agree that we should see a reduction in the compensation package. I agree that this is what the people want. Mr. Chairman, I want to say that in December 1995, my constituents in Pangnirtung, Broughton Island, and Clyde River told me that the announcements that I had made were very adequate. People asked if I'd be able to make more newsletters in the future and I agreed to that. What I didn't agree with, however, were the recommendations made by the commission which included our working budget having to be reduced. My constituency budget would be cut by $6,000 and I was not in favour of that because my communities from Baffin Central are places that I have to visit.
Within the recommendations, I also spotted a portion that included a provision for newsletter spending money being limited to $1,000. This amount of money, I find, would be too small to produce a newsletter if it remains at the value of $1,000. 1 disagree with this dollar amount because of the people in my riding; I have to keep them informed of the activities and the things that are happening through our newsletter. I want to let them know about the things that I'm working on here in Yellowknife as I am the representative of those people.
I found this to be painful. The commission reviewed our constituency budget without even considering the population in each riding. I want it made very clear that even if we do see a reduction in our pensions or Our compensation, I don't mind going along with that, but I disagree with our constituency budgets being reduced if it will affect our working abilities in representing our people. I didn't agree with that at all, Mr. Chairman.