Three Okanagan MLAs, first elected to office in 2009, now qualify for nearly $3 million in mostly taxpayer-funded pensions. MLA pensions kick in after six years of service. In all, 21 MLAs – including Norm Letnick (Kelowna-Lake Country), Steve Thomson (Kelowna-Mission) and Eric Foster (Vernon-Monashee) – were elected in May of 2009 and took their seats in the legislature that June. MLAs are eligible to being collecting a government pension at age 65. According to figures released by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, pensions for those 21 MLAs will amount to more than $19 million by age 85.
MLA Year 1 Pension Lifetime to 85
Eric Foster $33,012 $887,047
Norm Letnick $33,644 $904,021
Steve Thomson $41,510 $1,115,582
Calculations provided by the CTF show, on average, taxpayers contribute $4 to an MLA pension for every $1 the MLA contributes. “It’s a big day for the class of 2009 as they graduate into their new pensions, funded mainly by taxpayers,” said Jordan Bateman, the CTF's B.C. director. “MLAs should be on an RRSP plan, with taxpayers matching contributions at a dollar-for-dollar rate. Why should an elected official have a better pension than anyone else?” Bateman also says NDP MLA Jenny Kwon, who is resigning her seat to run federally, is eligible for a $75,820 annual pension at age 65, with a lifetime total of just over $2 million. If elected to the House of Commons, Kwan will begin building a second pension as an MP. “Already, Jenny Kwan will receive a pension greater than the income of the average B.C. household – plus she can start building an even richer MP pension,” said Bateman. Pensions are calculated based on an average of the MLA’s three best years of earnings and years of service, meaning cabinet ministers and committee chairs are eligible for larger amounts, as are longer-serving members. Pensions are also indexed to the rate of inflation.
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| Value for Money Audit?? |
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