Well, I have been consistent since we started on this course of trying to resolve pay equity. I said that, one, it has to be negotiated, and that would be my preferred approach rather than a third party making the decision. Two, it has to be affordable. Now, I do not know what it takes, right now, to define to my colleagues and their partners, the UNW, what is affordable. I mean they can read balance sheets just the same as we can and the bottom line is if it is not an affordable issue, none of it is imposed upon us and we could be in this situation for years. What I want to do is resolve this thing so that it is affordable, and I will get the support of my colleagues to define what affordability is and to put what is due and affordable into the hands of our employees April 1, 1998. I certainly do not want to be in the position, and I know my Cabinet colleagues and I know my colleagues in the Legislative Assembly do not want to be put in that position that it has to be further layoffs or further cuts to programs and services. That is unacceptable. But to suggest, as has been suggested yesterday in the press, and we are trying to avoid it that our offer is insulting, let us define that and we will define that in the coming weeks. The public will judge whether or not the offer of this government, which we believe is affordable, is insulting or not. I do not believe it is.
John Todd on Committee Motion 5-13(5): Resolution Of The Public Service Act Amendments Issues
In the Legislative Assembly on January 28th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Committee Motion 5-13(5): Resolution Of The Public Service Act Amendments Issues
Item 20: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
January 27th, 1998
Page 397
John Todd Keewatin Central
See context to find out what was said next.