Local MLAs are blasting a report that alleges they will pocket millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded pensions. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has slammed an independent committee that has recommended a pension program be established for MLAs. Based on a number of factors, the CTF has calculated what it believes each provincial politician in the province could receive. “The CTF is against pensions for MLAs altogether and it is trying to put the most negative spin out. The numbers they are using are disingenuous,” said Tom Christensen, Okanagan Vernon MLA. Considering salary and being in office until 2013, the CTF estimates Christensen could receive a total pension of $1,089,049 until age 80. For Shuswap MLA George Abbott, the estimate is $1,542,820. Christensen says there are a number of flaws in the CTF’s calculations including the assumption that he will continue to seek re-election and that residents will vote for him. Abbott also questions the CTF’s interpretation of the proposed pension program. “They make a number of assumptions of when people will collect it and how long they will live. But they neglect to say MLAs must buy-in,” he said. If the pension program were to move ahead, Abbott expects it could personally cost him $200,000 to cover his years in office. The CTF claims taxpayers could provide up to $4 for every $1 contributed by an MLA to their pension plan. “This is the same type of gold-plated pension scheme abolished just 11 years ago because, according to the current premier while he was in opposition, it was too rich,” said Maureen Bader, CTF director, in a press release.
But Christensen says a pension plan is necessary to recognize the years of service MLAs provide to the community, and the years they put private careers on hold. Christensen added that the current proposal is far less than current federal pensions. “This pension is much more reasonable.” Abbott is also quick to defend the recommendation of the independent committee that review MLA compensation. “It is considerably less generous than the proposal we considered a year ago,” he said.
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