Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I remember at one time I had wanted to buy a laptop computer in Bathurst. I was advised to buy it in Ottawa, and I refused. I was not elected in Ottawa. People at home have the right to earn a living there, as do people elsewhere. I am not there to support Ottawa businesses. In my opinion, it is the capital, period. As for the rest, what is important is where we come from. Still, some people bring pressures to bear. In this case, for example, I was told that if I bought my computer in Bathurst, the maintenance and repairs would not be done here, in Ottawa. We constantly have to fight for these kinds of things, and I find that unacceptable. After all, their role is to provide services.
I would like to come back to the comment made by our Conservative colleague, who thought it appropriate to specify that he is a Conservative. With all due respect, I would point out to him that we were aware of that fact.
Today, we are in the presence of two chairs, that is to say the Speaker of the House of Commons and the chair of the committee. I must emphasize the fact that the budget passed today has been passed by the four political parties. Otherwise, it would not exist. The expenses were authorized by the Board of Internal Economy. The political parties are all present and the expenditures have been allocated.
Furthermore, in every office in the Justice Building, employees have an alarm button. If there is an emergency, they need only press that button in order for security services to intervene. In our party, we have a collective agreement in which there are provisions dealing with occupational health and safety. Employees in all of the riding offices should be covered by these. The House of Commons should perhaps defray the costs of these kinds of services for employees working in the ridings. These safety measures should be mandatory.
Here, we are surrounded by security guards — and I congratulate them for their work — members of the RCMP and city of Ottawa police. These people are all around the building. In the ridings, on the other hand, some people work alone. In some cases, that is where problems start. Let me give you an example. In my area, the unemployment rate is 20 per cent. Some people, who live in poverty, have frustrations. I do not mean to say by that that poor people cause problems. There are all kinds of people and all kinds of things happen. I do not believe I am the only one to express such fears. We need only think about what sometimes goes on in urban centres, amongst others. In any case, I believe that all employees of riding offices should enjoy some kind of occupational safety measures. This system should offer each and every one of them the same protection.
I would like to thank you for coming to our meeting.