Mr. Chairman, in fact, the regular system of consultation did operate. I am a minister and, obviously, other ministers had to be involved. This bill has an implication for the treasury board. It has an implication for other departments of government. The usual consultations certainly were held, which is only normal.
The hon. member also asked whether consideration was given to the Blais commission report. Yes, in fact, that was done.
For instance, in my remarks last night I quoted the Blais commission report at page 40, and I would like to do so again.
The report stated:
Departing members are entitled to a relatively financially secure transition from Parliament to the work force or to retirement, as the case might be.
There is another recommendation in the Blais commission report which states that the members of parliament retirement plan, the pension plan in other words, may appear on the surface to be generous, but it is not all that generous. It is one which is, in the grand scheme of things, reasonable.
The report states at page 139:
The pension plan for Members of Parliament, while appearing generous, is not necessarily out of line with public and private sector plans that recognize the impact of the mid-career hire aspect of the career path of their senior employees.