Let me be very clear.
The bill eliminates duplication. There will be savings because people who used to do the same task twice will no longer do so. I met with union representatives in Shawinigan and Jonquière. They're obviously concerned. Annual salaries of $50,000 and $60,000 are significant in the regions.
Here's what I'm asking the government. Instead of concentrating the public service in Ottawa, can the government make an additional effort to decentralize it? That way, the jobs under fire in Shawinigan, for example, could be replaced by jobs currently in Ottawa, where—you'll recall—the public service is understaffed. This would help fill the gap.
I'm really looking at the two components separately. This would save money and, at the same time, the federal government would fulfill its duty to upgrade the public service and decentralize the government.