Yes, Mr. Chair, I'd like to move that clause 16 be amended by replacing line 5 on page 14 with the following:
On January 1, 2013, a net salary of $137,000.
Our amendment is intended to give the Governor General the same net salary he now receives. Canadians are increasingly vulnerable in these economic times. Far too many people have lost their jobs. People are facing all-time-high personal debt levels. And there are several austerity measures in this budget that will in fact reduce the wages of the average Canadian. So while in no way disrespecting the work of the Governor General—we appreciate the work he does—we do not agree that he should enjoy a salary increase at a time when so many tens of thousands of public sector workers are losing their jobs. We don't think that's an appropriate use of our tax dollars.