Mr. Speaker, the public is clearly confused over the situation of binding arbitration. It seems that some in this Cabinet are unaware of how a strike will affect Northerners. It seems that some believe that everyday people should just get a loan to make ends meet, or just tighten their belts and cut back on their "luxurious" spending. These ideas are sadly out of touch with the concerns and realities of everyday people and businesses alike.
I've heard just in the last few days from so many concerned constituents; nurses, civil servants, business owners, and students, to name a few. Students of Aurora College have informed me that, if the strike goes through, they will be unable to complete their schooling in time to get back to their regular jobs, being left with incomplete credentials while still being saddled with the costs and debts of having attended course and programs. There are countless more stories, but I do not have time to go through all of them here today.
The Minister of Finance understandably worries about binding arbitration setting a dangerous precedent, yet the UNW has publicly stated, "This would be a one-time, non-precedent-setting offer." I urge the Members of this House to consider these words carefully.
Mr. Speaker, to quote the words of the Honourable Premier, "If you don't like the process, change it." Well, Mr. Speaker, I believe our constituents have heard this message loud and clear. They have heard Ministers say, "We are just following the process." They have read that the Premier hasn't been briefed on all the options available. They know that time and the process are running out, and they know that this process has been going on for years. They know that time is of the essence, and are afraid of the consequences of a looming job action.
I implore the Members of this House to heed the requests of our constituents and to remember that we are serving here at their pleasure. It is not only the union members who want to see change; students, families, business owners, the list goes on. Our constituents want to see a fair resolution to this dispute. Yesterday the vast majority of people made it clear to us that this process is broken, and it is now up to this House to step up to the plate and fix this broken process before the worst happens. Now is the time to act. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.