Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the Fiscal Sustainability Strategy was announced, the finance Minister specifically said, quote, I do not want people to presume that this is about job cuts. It's not. We are experiencing labour market shortages across sectors, and we need our public servants.
Mr. Speaker, we also need our public servants to feel valued. A large part of why I continue to ask about the status of government renewal in my reply to the budget and overall budget discussions in the House is because I want the Minister to use its findings strategically, to help place staff in areas and functions that need capacity. I also want staff to feel supported to grow and evolve in their roles or new roles that excite them. I want to stop hearing of experiences that I saw firsthand in my 15 years as a public servant where people were blind-sided and choices were made for them. Yesterday, UNW leaders and members rallied outside because, once again, choices around our public service and how they're employed are first made and framed on cost savings.
The Minister of Finance continually says that the public service is our most valuable resource as a government, and I agree. Where we disagree on is how we make unilateral decisions for their future without time for consultation and discussion. Employment is a partnership, but too often public servants find this partnership to be one-sided. I will have questions for the Minister of Finance at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Member from Great Slave. Members' statements. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
