Agreed.

--- Agreed

Agreed.

--- Agreed

Question.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. When we began this session, I indicated that it was my expectation that before we completed this sitting, we would address the issue of restructuring the salary and benefits package available to Members of the Legislative Assembly and to Members of Cabinet.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to the reduction of salary and benefits entitlements by seven per cent, and in addition to making the decision that there will be no increases during the life of this Assembly, we have also accepted, and collectively agreed, that radical surgery is necessary to rationalize the pension plan which has been available to Members of the Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Chairman, we've said many, many times that we, as elected leaders of the Legislative Assembly and as elected leaders of the Northwest Territories, must lead by example.

We fully intend to lead by example and we will lead by example, as of April 1, 1996.

In this regard, we have come to agreement that, effective April 1, 1996, the existing five per cent pension plan available to MLAs will be terminated.

--- Applause

Let me repeat that: It will be terminated and it will mean a big amount of reduction to some Members. At this time, Mr. Chairman, if allowed, I would like to move the following motion:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This motion will reduce the post-April 1996 access to benefits by more than 50 per cent. In real dollar terms this means an annual saving on pension liabilities of approximately $750,000; and, a savings of more than $2 million over the life of the 13th Assembly.

--- Applause

The public told us in clear terms during the election that changes to pension entitlements were necessary. They were right. Public expectation, assisted by the report on the MLA compensation, has guided us through this process of change.

I am satisfied that these are reasonable, responsible and substantive changes which again demonstrate our collective commitment to making difficult decisions which affect all of

Mr. Chairman, it's a very, very difficult time in the Northwest Territories. It's difficult not only for our employees, but it's a difficult time for those who are unemployed and those who are in business and it is also going to be a difficult time for us, as elected people. But we're on this boat together and if we continue to sail it together, we'll get to the end of the ocean together and we will see brighter times in the future. We will see it with a reduced pension, my friends, but we will see some brighter times.

With that, I would just like to let the people of the Northwest Territories know that we said from the beginning, all 24 of us have said it, we will lead by example. With this motion and with Members of this Assembly supporting this motion, we will have done that.

With that, Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote.

--- Applause

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A couple of weeks ago there was an article in the newspaper about the fact that I was very chagrinned by the fact that we might be reducing our benefits. I would like to state, since the press is here today and they weren't last time I spoke, that I've always been in support of reducing the overall benefits of the Members of this Assembly.

We are moving today to save this Assembly over 18 per cent of the costs that have been put into our wages, benefits and salaries. I support this overall savings, although I am not totally in support of the way it is being done. I feel that we still have some work to do to make things simpler so people will know how much they're taking home every two weeks and how much they're going to be getting every month, so we can deal with our creditors, plan for our holidays and what not.

I guess I just wanted to indicate that I intend to continue moving in this aspect in the future to make things more simple and to be more transparent. Thank you.

--- Applause

Question.

Mr. Morin, Mr. Kakfwi, Mr. Antoine, Mr. Ng, Mr. Henry, Mr. Erasmus, Mr. Ootes, Mr. Miltenberger, Mr. Roland, Mr. Rabesca, Mr. O'Brien, Mr. Picco, Mr. Enuaraq, Mr. Barnabas, Mr. Evaloarjuk, Mr. Ningark, Mrs. Groenewegen, Mr. Arlooktoo, Mr. Todd.

--- Applause

Agreed.

--- Agreed