Mr. Speaker, my question is for the President of the Treasury Board.
During this time of government downsizing we have heard a lot of talk about fairness and equity. However today we read in the papers about an example that does not seem too fair at all. It is a special retirement allowance for deputy ministers. On top of the regular public service pension, deputy ministers get an extra 2 per cent per year without paying a cent of their own. That could be an extra $30,000 a year for life.
Why do the government and the minister hand out golden treasure to the top executives but give a lump of coal to the rest of the public service?