Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am not in the habit of turning down money, even if it means receiving it when I am 60 years old.
I have given this issue quite a bit of consideration. I am fully aware that my colleagues have given it a lot of thought. Some have even gone as far as providing confidential Cabinet documents to the media, as I heard this morning when I tuned into the radio station...I meant Caucus information that is only available to us.
I was in support when the supplementary pension was withdrawn during the last session. I think most of the North was. The rationale at that time was to lead by example. I fully supported that because the government was in a deficit situation.
Today, now that we are in a surplus, we are reconsidering that. However, the surplus situation is not going to stay in place for very long. Our Finance Minister has indicated that we will be in a deficit situation by next year.
I really have had to give it serious consideration. I went through Hansard and went back to when the days of the supplementary pension were introduced and voted on. I wanted to see what was stated at that time. What was the rationale for introducing such a pension? However, there was no discussion in those days. The motion was put on a table and it was voted on without any discussion. Nobody said anything on it. It is really hard to go back and look at this thing historically.
I have heard the arguments for it and against it. I have heard arguments by my colleagues, stating that we will have a difficult time as former politicians after our term is done to obtain a job. However, when I look around and see what the former MLAs and Ministers are doing now, it is obvious most of them have very good jobs. If some people get elected and get a position as an MLA and do not have the qualifications prior to coming here, they are still going to have a difficult time once they leave here. They are not going to have any more qualifications other than the experience as an MLA. They will continue to have problems obtaining jobs.
I plan to live for a long time yet. I plan to be a contributing member of society for many years. I knew the terms when I was elected. I came into this position with my eyes open. I knew that the supplementary pension was gone. I accepted that. I continue to think that this pension we have currently in place is fair. I am willing to live with that.
However, what really seals my decision to vote against this bill is when I look into my own riding and see the economic and social conditions my communities are in, I certainly cannot accept it. If I had my way, all supplementary pensions would be terminated. However, we are not voting on that today. My position on this is I will be voting against it. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.