Mr. Speaker, this question about the public service has come up often but, quite frankly, I do not think it is relevant to a direct part of the bill. However since we are talking about the public service, the member knows there was a report in November and he knows some of the details of the problems. I think it is unfortunate that he is using this as a politically opportunistic time to throw a dart and read out job descriptions, when in fact there has to be an understanding.
The Canadian public will certainly understand that it is extremely difficult when there is a job available to have it posted right across Canada and to potentially receive thousands of applications but not be able to physically process them in time to meet the requirements of the employer. It would actually require a computerized approach where applications would be coded and then quickly processed. This is a physical and practical problem. It is being worked on as a consequence of the work done by member for Cumberland—Colchester.
A better message to send to the Canadian public is that the intent to have national posting is certainly there and the Public Service Commission is certainly on side, but those kinds of things have to be done in a way which can be cost effective and equitable to all.
I think it is unfortunate to simply identify a problem without at least giving credit to the extensive amount of work that members in his own caucus and other parliamentarians have already done to resolve this matter.