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http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1165924327126&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154
Christmas pay raise for MPPs
New Democrats say public won’t be happy about big increase
Dec. 12, 2006. 05:29 PM
A provincial government plan to give Ontario politicians a 25 per cent pay raise before the legislature’s Christmas break left the New Democrats lashing out today against the “thoroughly repugnant” move.
The Liberal government, with the support of the Opposition Conservatives, surprised observers by introducing legislation to raise salaries for members of the legislature to 75 per cent of the pay of their federal counterparts.
Ontario politicians currently earn a base pay of $88,771, compared with the $147,700 paid to federal members who represent the same ridings, but unlike MPs, the provincial members do not have a pension plan.
If the bill passes, members of the Ontario legislature will earn a base salary of just over $110,000 a year — a raise of $22,000 — and will also see a doubling of their RRSP allowance, from five per cent to 10 per cent of their salary.
Premier Dalton McGuinty’s salary would jump from $159,000 to $198,600.
Provincial politicians in Quebec earn about $107,000 in salary and pension — the only ones in Canada earning more than the $88,770 paid to Ontario MPPs.
Politicians in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador get between $73,000 and $88,000. Those in Nova Scotia pull in about $66,000, while their counterparts in Prince Edward Island are the lowest-paid at just over $55,000 in salary and tax-free allowances.
Ontario’s integrity commissioner had warned the provincial legislature could soon become a “farm team” for the House of Commons if salaries aren’t raised.
Conservative Leader John Tory noted he has consistently said the issue of pay for politicians should not become an annual political football, and said he agreed to support the pay raise because it’s necessary to get the best people.
“People are not attracted to public life, or find themselves unable to seek public office for, among other reasons, the compensation is not fair and appropriate for the responsibilities involved,” Tory said.
NDP house leader Peter Kormos was kicked out of the legislature for railing against the proposed pay raises, and claimed the Liberals and Conservatives conspired to keep the pay-raise bill secret from the NDP until the last minute.
“This is repugnant, this is thoroughly repugnant,” a red-faced Kormos fumed outside the chamber.
“I’d say there’s some underhanded deals going on here.”
Kormos also said it was inappropriate for the Liberals and Tories to propose salary increases when the government is already under fire for the $3-million severance package paid to Hydro One CEO Tom Parkinson, who quit last week amid questions about his expenses.
“In the shadow of Tom Parkinson, this is the height of hypocrisy,” Kormos said. “It’s self-serving. It’s an embarrassing day for the province of Ontario.”
The Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation agreed that proposing a 25 per cent pay raise when the province is embroiled in a debate over Parkinson’s severance and a scathing auditor’s report on irregular spending isn’t very politically astute.
“In light of the auditor general’s report, it’s going to make the government look quite poor,” said spokesman Neil Desai.
But veteran Liberal Richard Patten defended the pay hike, and said political parties at Queen’s Park are worried they could lose members who want to run for better-paying jobs in federal or even municipal office.
“I think this is the right thing to do; it’s fairly humble,” said Patten, who also suggested Ontario voters could have the final say on the pay raise in next year’s election.
“If they don’t (like it), then they can boot us out.”
The Ontario legislature was supposed to break for Christmas this Thursday, but will now sit next week to ensure the pay-raise bill passes before the house adjourns.
Well, for once the NDP have it right.........I sure hope that the Govt. remembers this number when our {OPSEU}contract comes due next year.
EDIT: added the OPSEU part because I wouldn't want people thinking the CF has a contract. ;D
Christmas pay raise for MPPs
New Democrats say public won’t be happy about big increase
Dec. 12, 2006. 05:29 PM
A provincial government plan to give Ontario politicians a 25 per cent pay raise before the legislature’s Christmas break left the New Democrats lashing out today against the “thoroughly repugnant” move.
The Liberal government, with the support of the Opposition Conservatives, surprised observers by introducing legislation to raise salaries for members of the legislature to 75 per cent of the pay of their federal counterparts.
Ontario politicians currently earn a base pay of $88,771, compared with the $147,700 paid to federal members who represent the same ridings, but unlike MPs, the provincial members do not have a pension plan.
If the bill passes, members of the Ontario legislature will earn a base salary of just over $110,000 a year — a raise of $22,000 — and will also see a doubling of their RRSP allowance, from five per cent to 10 per cent of their salary.
Premier Dalton McGuinty’s salary would jump from $159,000 to $198,600.
Provincial politicians in Quebec earn about $107,000 in salary and pension — the only ones in Canada earning more than the $88,770 paid to Ontario MPPs.
Politicians in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador get between $73,000 and $88,000. Those in Nova Scotia pull in about $66,000, while their counterparts in Prince Edward Island are the lowest-paid at just over $55,000 in salary and tax-free allowances.
Ontario’s integrity commissioner had warned the provincial legislature could soon become a “farm team” for the House of Commons if salaries aren’t raised.
Conservative Leader John Tory noted he has consistently said the issue of pay for politicians should not become an annual political football, and said he agreed to support the pay raise because it’s necessary to get the best people.
“People are not attracted to public life, or find themselves unable to seek public office for, among other reasons, the compensation is not fair and appropriate for the responsibilities involved,” Tory said.
NDP house leader Peter Kormos was kicked out of the legislature for railing against the proposed pay raises, and claimed the Liberals and Conservatives conspired to keep the pay-raise bill secret from the NDP until the last minute.
“This is repugnant, this is thoroughly repugnant,” a red-faced Kormos fumed outside the chamber.
“I’d say there’s some underhanded deals going on here.”
Kormos also said it was inappropriate for the Liberals and Tories to propose salary increases when the government is already under fire for the $3-million severance package paid to Hydro One CEO Tom Parkinson, who quit last week amid questions about his expenses.
“In the shadow of Tom Parkinson, this is the height of hypocrisy,” Kormos said. “It’s self-serving. It’s an embarrassing day for the province of Ontario.”
The Canadian Taxpayers’ Federation agreed that proposing a 25 per cent pay raise when the province is embroiled in a debate over Parkinson’s severance and a scathing auditor’s report on irregular spending isn’t very politically astute.
“In light of the auditor general’s report, it’s going to make the government look quite poor,” said spokesman Neil Desai.
But veteran Liberal Richard Patten defended the pay hike, and said political parties at Queen’s Park are worried they could lose members who want to run for better-paying jobs in federal or even municipal office.
“I think this is the right thing to do; it’s fairly humble,” said Patten, who also suggested Ontario voters could have the final say on the pay raise in next year’s election.
“If they don’t (like it), then they can boot us out.”
The Ontario legislature was supposed to break for Christmas this Thursday, but will now sit next week to ensure the pay-raise bill passes before the house adjourns.
Well, for once the NDP have it right.........I sure hope that the Govt. remembers this number when our {OPSEU}contract comes due next year.
EDIT: added the OPSEU part because I wouldn't want people thinking the CF has a contract. ;D
