Two hundred days a year away from home plus twenty to thirty days for custodial care of the ship and being away on courses. Two hundred days away from home on a naval ship means being away from home. Remember it's not just this year, it's every year. There isn't any overtime. When they are Master Warrant Officers, they are getting ready to retire.
Rentals follow the same pattern.
The letter to you from the Minister of National Defence, if you exclude the bureaucratic weasel wording, says that they do serve with unlimited liability, that the social and economic aspects are adversely affecting the morale of the personnel and their families, these are quotes, that there are deficiencies in these areas and that they do lag behind the public service. That letter also admits to a social contract between the Government of Canada and the members of the Armed Forces. Let me summarize this social contract for you. The lives and the labour of the Armed Forces members will not be wasted or spent lightly. If Parliament or the Cabinet is going to send them in harm's way, then it does so for interests that are vital to Canada.