Mr. Speaker, I do not accept the proposition that there will be a major confrontation.
I think the employees of the federal government, as indeed all people across the country, understand that the government has to get its fiscal house in order and that we have to cut government spending to do that.
Our employees expect it and we will treat them fairly and reasonably. We have gone through months and months of negotiations with the unions and examined all these propositions. It had wide acceptance from their bargaining agents except for the alliance.
We will continue to work with them in this downsizing effort to ensure that it is carried out in an efficient, effective manner and that we are fair both to the people who are leaving and to the people who will stay and continue to provide good services to the people of Canada.