Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take part in this debate and pleased as well to gain further insight from the hon. member for Winnipeg—Transcona.
Hon. members such as he who have been in this place a long time have different perspectives on this issue from a new member of parliament. That is the case with many of the members in the Progressive Conservative Party. We are here for the first time, a year as of June 2.
I think there is some important insight to be gained from members such as he who have indicated yes on the 2% raise in terms of merit, in terms of whether it is deserved. The hon. member has said he would defend that position. I would agree with that and the Progressive Conservative Party takes that stance.
However, it is an issue of timing. With respect to that, the Progressive Conservative Party has taken the stance that given the sustained high level of unemployment in this country, given the average salary of the average Canadian, we do not feel this is the time to implement such a raise.
With respect to the other element of Bill C-47, the element that would pertain mainly to the official opposition, the Reform Party, once again when one looks at merit those members should be treated no different from any other member of Parliament. In essence we feel they should be welcome back into the pension plan in whatever form they choose, whether the severance type of arrangement or the regular pension plan.
However, it is important that sanctimony be left at the door and that it should also be left out of the press releases. We all need to be a little prudent as to what we say not only here on the floor but at home in our constituencies. When I return to Pictou—Antigonish—Guysborough I am sure I am going to receive questions about this. Every individual member is going to be forced to have a gut check. They are going to be forced to check their conscience and decide what they choose to do if this raise is passed through the House today.
When one looks at the bigger picture as to what MPs receive in terms of remuneration and the work done here, one has to take a wider view and see what salaries are paid in other professions, doctors, lawyers, professional athletes, professional entertainers and heads of corporations. One has to make a comparison in those areas when looking at this increase. I am sure there is going to be a great deal of scrutiny about it in the coming days.
There is certainly an element of sensitivity about Bill C-47, but the discussion that has taken place here today and the opportunity that members and parties have had to put their perspective forward is an important one.
Once again I indicate that we are not supporting the legislation because we cannot pick and choose elements of the bill we want to see implemented and what elements we do not want to see implemented. We find ourselves in the position of not supporting it wholeheartedly.
The political angling and the reality of what is going to occur is important. I hope a lesson was learned in all this. A lesson in process may have been absorbed. There has been a great deal of criticism about a perceived gold plated pension by the Reform Party and a great deal of political hay was made out of that characterization over the years. Reformers now find themselves in the official opposition status. They have moved forward in their political aspirations.
I could not help but notice in the remarks of the House leader of the Reform Party the reference to when they achieve government. Pipe dream is the word that comes to mind. If the Leader of the Opposition chooses to take clothing allowances, housing allowances like Stornoway, a car allowance, all those things, while in opposition, one can only shudder to think what would happen if he were ever to achieve his aspirations of the prime minister's office.
I am not going to engage in partisan remarks but that is on the record observation. Bill C-47 has been brought to the floor and I guess the timing is suspect with but a day remaining. It was a government priority to bring this bill forward and that has to be questioned in terms of why we would bring this to the House of Commons on the day before it closes.
We choose not to support the legislation and yet we are going to be subject to criticism too because there is no opting out provision. The hypocrisy is there for all to see. We can choose not to support it yet we will be the beneficiaries of it. Those will be the glaring remarks in the editorials.
There is no option. It is a piece of legislation that allows us no option but to take the raise. There should not be different levels of members of parliament, those who are receiving a certain set pay compared to what other members of parliament receive.
There has also been reference made to what individuals may choose to do with that 2% increase accrued over the life of this parliament. I do not think here in the House of Commons or in the media is the place to talk about what individual members choose to do with it, whether they choose to put a percentage of their salary into a certain charity or name those charities. That is an individual choice every member is going to be forced to make.
The opportunity is there for Canadians to judge for themselves as they will and to choose how to react to this and ultimately come the general election they will choose to make this a large issue or a small issue. In the grand scheme of things, it is not a major issue for most Canadians. More important issues will come to the floor, one would hope, on the national agenda and then we can earn our pay, so to speak. Canadians can then judge for themselves what members have earned their pay. Those results will no doubt be seen at the time of the next general election.
The timing of this is suspect and it also comes in very close proximity to Bill C-37 which would also raise the salaries of judges. I am sure there is an inevitable comparison that will be made again between the decision of this government to bring forward those types of legislative initiatives so close to the end of this parliament.
On behalf of the Conservative Party all I can say is that we did not ask for it and we did not anticipate it. The members of this party did not run with the expectation that we would be receiving an increased salary. We also did not feel it was a priority at this time.