Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as this sitting draws to a close, I would like to express my appreciation for the work of the members of the public service of this government. In the last few years, we have faced unprecedented change and challenge. With cuts to federal transfers, we have had no choice but to downsize, consolidate departments and reduce wages and benefits. We have decentralized and privatized some functions and transferred others to communities and boards. At the same time we have piled more work on fewer staff. With the creation of two new territories, and the implementation of new structures of government in the west, there are even more challenges on the road ahead. Yet through all of the change and uncertainly, we are surrounded by loyal, dedicated and hard-working staff. People who have and will continue to implement these tough policies and to make the changes work.
I had the opportunity to speak with a few of our managers last week, and I can tell you I was very impressed with their energy and commitment. Energy and commitment that I believe can be found throughout all levels of the public service. I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for the work of all of our employees, to everyone working for community governments and for our boards and corporations. Mr. Speaker, the time has come to stop the erosion of our staff resources. We need our workforce, both in the east and the west, more than ever as we face the challenges ahead. As Minister Todd stated in his Budget Address at the beginning of this sitting, our staff is our most valuable resource. It is time to provide some stability and certainty to these people.
To that end, I am pleased today to announce that for the remainder of its term, this government plans no more layoffs, either due to division or to department consolidations.
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Beyond that, we will also continue to try to find alternatives for those who have already been given notice.
We know the future western government will have to be smaller. With the creation of Nunavut, we may need to look at rationalizing some organizational structures. But as much as possible, we plan to do this through ongoing staff turnover, reassignment and voluntary separation.
Again, Mr. Speaker, let me repeat, there will be no more layoffs during the term of this government.
Our staff really is our most valuable resource and this government is committed to taking care of that resource, both for today and for the future. Thank you.
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