Mr. Speaker, not too many members of the House end up getting a pension plan because the average years of service are less than the vesting years of six. I can tell the House that in the case of third party members none of them would make it to the six-year vesting period anyway.
They like to talk about the private sector, but in the private sector individuals do not get an opportunity to opt in or opt out. They are told that this is the plan and because of the actuarial integrity of the plan people are required to be a part of it. The Prime Minister has indicated to members of the third party that they will have the opportunity to opt out, and indeed they can.
When it comes to the overall compensation package for members of the House, we are lowering that compensation package. We are taking a leadership position by cutting the pension by 33 per cent.