Salary report must be shelved

May 04 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/ Editorial

MLAs should receive a pay raise of nearly 29 per cent, bringing their base pay to $98,000, according to an independent commission. The commission makes some good points, among them that even with a salary that is nearly double, the premier would still make less than several government employees, including his own deputy minister. But it betrays itself when it asks why would anyone want to submit themselves to the public scrutiny that goes with being an elected politician. Why indeed? That the people tasked with determining pay for MLAs cannot comprehend the allure of elected office is incredibly troubling. Money is often the least of concerns for politicians, most of whom indeed made more money in the private sector. And that’s a good thing. The ability to directly affect change and make a difference – while not monetarily significant – is of incredible value and its shocking the commission doesn’t recognize this.

By entering politics, our MLAs receive a comfortable salary and a job that, while not for everyone, most find so appealing as to wage public campaigns to be rehired every four years. Rare is the politician who serves one year, finds his bank account is not as plush as he would like it to be, and drops out to return to the public sector. As it is – with a base salary today of $76,100 – nobody in government is living below the poverty line. The other problem with such a pay raise is the disconcerting signal it sends to workers on minimum wage – which has not even kept up with inflation – and government employees who must actually negotiate for their pay raises.

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By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff May 04 2007
Higher salaries are getting the green light from local MLAs. Tom Christensen, from Okanagan Vernon, and George Abbott, from Shuswap, fully support the findings of the independent commission that reviewed MLA compensation. “What they are recommending is not out of line or unfair,” said Christensen. “As a cabinet minister, I will still be making less than a backbench federal MP.” The three-member panel is calling for the basic MLA salary to increase from $76,000 to $98,000 a year. Cabinet ministers could receive an additional $49,000, while the premier’s salary could increase 53 per cent to $186,200. The panel also recommends creation of a pension plan for MLAs.

Christensen says he primarily supports the report because of the process that was followed. “Few issues are more difficult to deal with than your own compensation so it was appropriate that it went to an independent commission,” he said. “I know the public has a keen interest in this issue. I encourage them to read the full report and base their judgement on that.” The report must now go before the Legislature for consideration. The NDP has already come out against the recommendations, but Shuswap MLA George Abbott isn’t sure if that will shelve the issue. “I can’t speak for what the NDP is thinking,” he said. Abbott believes the report is fair and balanced. “It recognizes how hard MLAs work and the impact on professional and family life,” he said. Abbott, who is health minister, also defends additional pay for cabinet duties. “I have a serious set of responsibilities. I manage an annual budget of close to $4 billion,” he said.