Mr. Speaker, I will start by saying I was caught a little off guard. We hear a lot about the government's need for integrity and about trying to increase integrity in the House of Commons. I came here today fully prepared to talk about Bill C-67, the veterans affairs bill but was told: "Oh, we will do it later".
The government said Bill C-67 would be the first bill up today. I have concerns because I am here for a very specific purpose which was to deal with that and now we are thrust into this debate on pension plans for members of Parliament. I am more than willing to speak on this issue because it was an issue during the election campaign. The constituents of Okanagan-Similkameen-Merritt spoke very clearly about their feelings on it.
The MP pension plan this legislation deals with is excessive. It is over and above what the private sector has for their pension
plans. That is what is so discouraging about this government in its facade to change and reform the MP pension plan.
The Canadian public, including Reformers, have nothing at all against pensions. We believe there should be a pension plan. Every member in this House should have a pension plan and all Canadians should have pension plans. Many Canadians fought long and hard to have pensions. Canadians get mad and upset when there is an excessive pension plan that is not available to all Canadians, such as this pension plan.
In the heat of debate, many people say things which may sometimes not be quite accurate. The hon. member for Calgary Centre stated in one of his speeches that the compensation should perhaps be increased to $150,000. I do not necessarily agree with what my friend the hon. member for Calgary Centre said. However the intent of what he was saying was that the whole compensation package for members of Parliament should be reviewed independently and brought back to this House so that the Canadian public can buy into this whole compensation situation. The figure is not important. The fact is that it is out of whack. An assessment has to be made by the people of this country that it is something they can agree with.
I do not need 10 minutes, 20 minutes or 40 minutes to say what the Canadian public is saying. It is clearly saying it wants the MP pension plan brought in line with the private sector. Why on earth can the government not see that is all it is asking?
What is the government afraid of in the House of Commons representing all the people of Canada? It is lining its own pockets. It is looking after its own self-interest. It is not representing the people of Canada. The government should be ashamed.