Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed a pleasure to speak in favour of this motion. It is very exciting to be speaking on one of two issues that were front and centre in our campaign platform, the first one being a Human Rights Act, which we passed a motion for earlier in this House.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is obvious from the discussions today that a Public Service Commission is something there is a huge need for. I can say to you, Mr. Speaker, that during the campaign and thereafter, I do not think there is a day that goes by when somebody is not happy with what is happening and what they are experiencing when they go to get a job.
As I said in my statement, the complaints are on both sides. There are people, non-aboriginal people in my riding who feel they have no chance of getting a job. Then there are aboriginal people or people of diverse backgrounds who feel they are not being treated fairly. I think in many cases, that is true. That speaks to the need for an independent body.
The message I really want to send out, Mr. Speaker, is that this should not be seen as a negative attack on the management or the government itself. I know many of the human resources personnel who work for the government, and I know full well they are doing the best they can in their jobs.
I think the Public Service Commission will help those employees, so they are not saddled with a daily deluge of complaints from people who really believe they have been treated unfairly. Mr. Speaker, when we talk about this motion, I think we should be aware of the fact that we are talking about people's careers and lives.
This is not just about whether government is doing this or that, or what the people on that side believe compared to this side. It does not have anything to do with that. We are talking about people who want to have a say in their career, who want to make the advancement they feel they deserve. They want to be treated fairly for the education they have received. I think this is the right thing to do.
I think the motion is worded very well, and states the motives behind this. I do hope the government will take this seriously. We will work with the government to make this happen after so many years of talking about it.
I also have to add, Mr. Speaker, it is a great thing that we have such a consensus on this side of the floor. That is not always the case, but this is a very strong consensus, and I would like the government to be aware of that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
-- Applause