Mr. Speaker, I came today to make sure my vote got recorded. That was probably the most important reason I came today. I’ve got personal reasons that should be keeping me away today, but my wife is keeping me abreast all the way through.
Mr. Speaker, I’m going to vote in favour of second reading on the simple principle of debate. The reason is — if I may steal the words of another colleague of mine — it’s going to give us the opportunity to fight like hell on a number of the lines, line by line. I welcome that opportunity.
I’m not going to pretend I’m in favour of the budget wholeheartedly. I wouldn’t want to give that impression to anyone, whether they’re in the gallery here or they’re across in those other seats. This is simply based on an accommodation of bringing it forward for the details.
As we’ve heard today from the Minister of Human Resources, they’re still working on things. They’re waiting for recommendations and details and comments from committee about possible plans on how to deal with staff. My support is really based on that, on how we deal with that.
Mr. Speaker, we have a number of days before third reading comes. I’d like to say this is my olive branch. I’d like to see the details of how these line up. It’s my belief that as we give them a few extra weeks, we’ll be able to chew a significant amount off that layoff list down to — I’m going to stay away from saying reasonable — what we can accept as a way to go forward. That said, if I don’t see that effort and commitment that we either find retirement, transfer positions, education positions or some kind of accommodation for that large number, I won’t be able to support third reading.
There are other areas that I will be raising, but I just want to let Cabinet know that I struggle with this, knowing that by supporting this budget, to some degree you support the layoffs. I don’t. I don’t support the layoffs in principle. I don’t support privatization as a principle, because I don’t think in the end anyone wins. We end up recuperating that service in the long run, and we’re no further ahead.
I don’t want to tie today up very much longer, but I will say I’m in support only in the principle for debate. I’d like to say that’s where my support ends today. Tomorrow’s a new day, budget by budget, line by line. I’m going to tell Cabinet that third reading will be the test of my resolve in this situation, because I’m uncomfortable with the plan put forward thus far. I think they still have to sell it to me. In my mind they still have to sell it to a number of Members here. Certainly I’d like to see that.
Mr. Speaker, today’s a very important vote, and I couldn’t miss it. I feel that I had to be here at all costs. Thank you.