Mr. Speaker, there are no members of parliament opting into this pension plan under this legislation. I think the question is immaterial. At the end of the day constituents will make a judgment about the conduct of their MPs in all these matters.
I can say with confidence that when they do so they will see that this party and its members have fought tirelessly for the moderation of these benefits so that they are put on a fair, fully funded basis. They will see that members of the regional party at the other end continue to this day not to have learned the lessons of 1993 and continue to apologize and promote a double standard for MPs.
They have not said a single word tonight about the Blais commission. I have not heard a Tory MP utter a single word about the principle that the compensation of MPs ought to be set independently and at arm's length. They seem not to care about the conflict of interest in which we are put by legislation such as this bill.
I have not heard a single word of concern about the unfunded liability which exists in this sort of pension plan. I have not heard a single word of commendation for the Progressive Conservative provincial governments which have brought in sensible legislation to moderate pensions plans, not a single constructive word, not a single word of humility, not a single word that would contribute positively to the debate about how to make the compensation of MPs a matter for independent scrutiny and not this kind of conflict of interest. Canadians will make a judgment and I think that the judgment will be on that party.