Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, before I start my statement, I asked yesterday in the House if we could get a piece of plywood to divide myself and Mr. Picco. I would settle for a pair of blinders. Mr. Picco has stolen my thunder in the statement I was going to make today. Thank you, buddy.
--- Laughter
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the pending salary and benefits reductions to northern workers. Mr. Speaker, I want to qualify the following remarks by stating that I recognize that the Minister of Finance, Mr. Todd, has, in the famous words of my honourable colleague, Mr. Miltenberger, .'a huge" task and responsibility that must be managed; the deficit. Mr. Speaker, this is a job I would not even wish on my honourable friend, Mr. Picco.
In all seriousness, Mr. Speaker, I have some strong reservations regarding some of the reductions in general in the across-the-board equity on others. Mr. Speaker, it is difficult enough for the residents of Kivallivik to face these reductions, but to add to this the appearance of disparity.
Mr. Speaker, when this Assembly addressed and voted on the amendment to the Public Service Act, I spoke to this amendment. The gist of my statement was that I was not pleased with the amendment nor with the speed at which it was brought forward and processed. I also indicated that I was fearful that if we did not pass this amendment, these reductions would come on the backs of the unemployed, the poor and the less fortunate.
It was also my understanding that this move would greatly bring about an end to our embarrassing financial situation. Mr. Speaker, it is not my intent to criticize the Minister of Finance; I merely state my feelings on the mess that we find ourselves in. Mr. Speaker, a number of my honourable colleagues have spoken about the need to carry out these extreme measures in a caring, fair and compassionate way. Mr. Speaker, it is also not my intention to question the honourable Minister's definition of "caring, fair and compassionate" because I am sure it would be reasonable.
Mr. Speaker, I will add my voice to the issue of equity. Mr. Speaker, along with a number of my honourable colleagues, we have serious concerns about the reductions to the VTA, settlement allowance and ultimate removal, especially the impact that they will have in the off-road communities. Mr. Speaker, I seek consent to conclude my statement.