Mr. Speaker, I will leave the grandstanding and political posturing to my colleague across the floor and concentrate on facts.
The RCMP is a government funded agency. Like all government entities it is expected to live within its established budgets. Decisions concerning the manner in which money is spent by the RCMP are operational questions appropriately left to the professional management of the RCMP. As is the case in several provinces, the RCMP is a provincial police force in British Columbia under contract with the provincial government.
First, as of December 1, 1998, 4,284 of the 4,286 authorized police contract positions in B.C. were filled. That is an average of 99.9%. It is not a bad batting average. Second, there have been no layoffs of RCMP members. Third, overtime is allowed for critical operational situations. Fourth, RCMP boats and aircraft are being maintained and are available for emergency use.
I would like to quote a letter from the RCMP commanding officer in British Columbia to the RCMP men and women in a division. It indicated that public safety remained its number one priority and would not be compromised.
Let me say as parliamentary secretary that I share the priority of public safety, not politicking the way the members across are doing.