I understand your perspective, what you are doing, namely, you need to work smarter, if you like. However, there is nevertheless a limit to what you can do. We all agree that you can stretch an elastic band, but there is a limit as to how far you can stretch it without it snapping back. You wind up putting a band-aid on a wooden leg rather than treating the problem or remedying the situation.
As for the other aspect, I do understand the principle, I come from the teaching world. It was already difficult to find new teachers before I became a member of Parliament. There is a great deal of competition—I am changing fields—in the public service, there is fierce competition with other public services, whether they be at the provincial or municipal level, or with private enterprise, for similar jobs. At one point, we thought we had what was a solution—today we know that this is not true—in order to save some money: subcontracting.
Will Public Works turn to this pool of subcontractors, who are not public servants, in order to staff positions which, in the long run, are going to wind up costing us more money because we have not found the individuals who will officially replace public employees?