Mr. Speaker, like other members of the Chamber I enjoy the opportunity to speak to Bill C-37.
What does Bill C-37 basically boil down to? It means that judges will receive a raise in a two year period of 8.3%. How many other public servants or how many other people in the country, period, can expect a raise of 8.3% in that short period of time?
There is a comparison to make. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have gone five years with a wage freeze. Are judges somehow more important? Do they have a higher priority with the government than those who enforce the law, than the Royal Canadian Mounted Police? It appears so. They are misplaced Liberal priorities, things that both you and I have problems with, Mr. Speaker.
How many other Canadian workers can count on a retroactive pay raise like the one under Bill C-37 for judges? It just does not exist for other people. It is not on the Liberal agenda for other people and it is a crying shame.
As well there is nothing in Bill C-37 that addresses the patronage process for appointing judges. It is a shame. I am sure members know only too well that it is Liberal lawyers who go on to become Liberal justices. That has to end.