Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have several returns to oral questions, if I may. One was asked by Mr. Barnabas on March 22nd, with respect to the income effect of the changes to wages and benefits.
The following information will be tabled in the Legislative Assembly today:
Examples of the effect in changes in wages and cost of living allowances for an excluded employee in several communities. These examples will show that the value of the total compensation for the same job under the new structure remains constant except for cost of living differences between the communities.
Comparisons of northern allowance with average VTA by constituency and community. These comparisons show that the new structure provides a better tax advantage on average than under the old system.
Comparisons of northern allowance with combined average VTA and settlement allowance by constituency and community. These comparisons show a consistent reduction in the allowance.
The information shows a simpler and fairer wage structure that no longer has a major focus on travel to the South. The wage structure with the northern allowances provides a reasonable and competitive rate of pay for the job that allows employees to meet their basic and recreational needs.