I know that any debate about health benefits is difficult, it’s emotional, and it’s a difficult thing to do. In answering the Member‘s question, it is a little bit about redistributing resources, but most importantly, Mr. Speaker, it’s about fairness.
I hope you don’t mind if I use this example, but it just keeps coming at me. In this Assembly there is myself, MLA Bisaro, the Member herself, Member
Ramsay, Member Bromley, Member Abernethy and Member Hawkins who would belong to this program. Right now, when some of us hit 60 years old, they will get so many dollars for glasses and $1,000 dental benefits. We have very nice third-party coverage through our employer. I don’t know why anybody here among us that I just named, when they turn 60, they automatically get dental benefits and eyeglasses when I don’t -- I guess I will when I hit 60 -- when we could get that coverage by our employer insurance and especially when there are people out there who do not get benefit of that dental benefit and eyeglasses even if they can afford it because they are not 60 and we do not look at their ability to pay. I submit to you, Mr. Speaker, all six of us could afford to pay our own dental benefits. This is not just about redistribution of resources; it is about what is fair and what is equitable. Thank you.