Election Grist
Thu, February 16 KT Beriefly, when it happens, and if reported, some of us get incensed/appalled at the generous "departure pay outs" to politicians . The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has outlined in the following link that their self legislated "remuneration" goes into what might generously be called fiscal debauchery. The words theft and fraud also come to mind. This article itself is not too long but it should evoke a stirring to read the enclosed links and reply as suggested in one of them.
It should also be a timely reminder of John Diefenbaker and his quote that "Governments and babies should be changed often and for the same reason"
KT
Dear Supporter:
$261,000.
That’s how much 21 Alberta MLAs got paid, combined, in 2011-12 for sitting on the Standing Committee on Privileges and Elections, Standing Orders and Printing.
Despite 21 MLAs being paid at least $12,000 per year (the chair and vice-chair get paid $18,000 and $15,000 a year respectively) to sit on this committee, do you know how many times this committee has met since 2008?
Not once.
Clearly the way we pay our MLAs needs to change.
Ever since the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) discovered and blew the whistle on the secret 30% MLA and cabinet pay hikes in 2008, we’ve been calling for a citizens’ commission on MLA pay. Premier Redford stopped short of that, but she did launch a one-man “independent” review.
The CTF’s Scott Hennig appeared before Justice Major recently to lay out the CTF’s recommendations for MLA pay, which included reversing the 2008 secret 30% cabinet pay hike and committee pay, making 100% of their salary fully taxable and eliminating the over-the-top “transition allowances.”
In total, the CTF made 12 recommendations in their 35 page submission to Justice Major. You can read the CTF’s submission here: http://taxpayer.com/sites/default/files/Reversing-the-Kowalski-Legacy.pdf
Unfortunately, neither the government, the Legislative Assembly, nor Justice Major’s committee put out a single news release to alert the media to his province-wide hearings. As such, virtually all of the remaining public sessions were cancelled.
But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still have your say. Justice Major’s commission will accept submissions from Albertans until February 24th.
And he needs to hear from Albertans, and how!
If Albertans don’t stand up and tell Justice Major that they want to see transparent, fully taxable MLA pay and the elimination of gold-plated perks like these transition allowances that gift MLAs three-months salary for every year served, he will likely recommend rich transition allowances remain.
Moreover, if only a few people make submissions, the government will claim that nobody was interested in this issue.
It’s time to take action!
Can you take 10 minutes right now and send Justice Major a piece of your mind?
Mail:
MLA Compensation Review
801, 9718-107 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 1E4
OR Email:
submissions@mlacompensationreview-alberta.ca
Be sure to cc the CTF at updates@taxpayer.com and Premier Redford at premier@gov.ab.ca
If you are looking for more information on MLA pay, don’t forget to read the CTF’s submission: http://taxpayer.com/sites/default/files/Reversing-the-Kowalski-Legacy.pdf