That is good because his income went down when he was elected.
The fact is that there is a significant exposure for employers when they manage these funds. They have the downside risk of ensuring the funds are there for the employees and retirees. That being the case, the employees have the risk of employers taking funds from the pension and going bankrupt. We need to understand that there are significant risks on both sides which is why there needs to be an enforceable rules based system by which we can ensure fairness to all parties.
What disappointed me most about the government's arbitrary and unfair treatment of superannuates was when it chose to ignore the rules based system as put forth in Bill S-3 and to pursue a policy that was short-sighted, unfair and consistent with the government raiding the EI fund and using funds designed for specific interests and to meet general revenue needs. I have seen a few public policy initiatives by the government that have disillusioned me but the treatment of superannuates' pensions at that point was something that united all opposition parties.
A good many members opposite agreed privately but of course they had to be whipped into shape at the appropriate times. Many of them were appalled even with their own government's heavy-handed approach to superannuates, people like RCMP officers and retirees, and people in the military. They served their country and were treated shabbily by the government in ignoring its own guidelines in the brief. I understand exactly why the hon. member would move the motion. I am sure he can remember the government's unfair and heavy-handed approach at that time.
It is very difficult for the government to expect private sector employers to follow guidelines set forth by legislation passed in the House, or as introduced in the Senate in the case of Bill S-3. How can we expect private sector employers to follow those guidelines the government ignores those guidelines when it is convenient? I think that would be a principle upon which all members in the House could agree. Certainly all opposition members would agree that the government ought to follow its own guidelines.
That trust was broken between the government and public sector employees at the time of its arbitrary theft of the funds from the superannuates pension. It was absolutely unacceptable and disillusioning. Every member of the House at that time heard countless appeals from superannuates, from people who had served this country. For the government to have turned its back on those people speaks of the unprecedented and near toxic levels of arrogance that emanate from government benches. It is only getting worse as members of the natural governing party feel increasingly ensconced in their feudal chairs.
Those issues can be dealt with through some of the work that is being achieved by the PC/DR Coalition and other opposition parties. As we bring together like-minded intelligent Canadians seeking better government in the interests of all Canadians, by the time the next election occurs there will be a competitiveness--