Premier Announces Review of MLA Compensation

Sunday, February 04, 2007 04:35 AM

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell says, "Compensation levels need to reflect the important work that MLAs conduct on behalf of British Columbians in their ridings and the Legislature, but must also be at a level that is fair and balanced for taxpayers."

The current base pay for an MLA is $76,100 annually. Cabinet Ministers, the Leader of the Official Opposition and the Speaker of the House receive an additional allowance of $39,000 annually and the Premier receives an additional allowance of $45,000 annually. Since the MLA pension program was cancelled in 1996, the Legislative Assembly contributes nine per cent of the MLA's base salary to an RRSP.

Campbell has appointed a three-member Independent Commission of Review, which, he says, has been given broad terms of reference to collect data, receive public input, and make recommendations to the Speaker of the House within 90-days. Results of the report will be voted on in the spring legislative session.

The Premier notes MLA compensation has not received any significant increases since the recommendations of the 1997 Citizen's Panel Report on MLA Compensation were adopted.

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Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 04:35 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Gofaster on February 4 2007 5:14 AM

Considering they havent been to work since december....

Posted by: acrider54 on February 4 2007 6:57 AM

All overpaid for the little they actually do for us. No money for health care, minimum wage earners, daycare, close schools, close extended care facilities, no money for highhway upgrading but lots of money for 2010 and give themselves a raise. Typical Liberal government

Posted by: lunarguy on February 4 2007 6:59 AM

Interesting that the independent review group consists of 2 people who when their wages are reviewed are linked to what ever an MLA gets. So not really independent review at all !

Posted by: Andyfreeze on February 4 2007 8:14 AM

All overpaid in terms of what they actually do.A base salary of 76,100 and an expense package of 39,000 is more than enough thank you! And they work maybe 6-7 months of the year? If that? We have all heard Campbells crap about attracting the best blah,blah,blah.Most people will not make that much in a year ever,so why are these political opportunists worth so much more?It's just too bad that more people don't stand up and tell them to start earning it!Look at the condition of our health care system for one example.An absolute meltdown and we are suppose to give these idiots a raise?Like health minister George Abbott has actually earned his paycheck?Not a chance.He is a talking head and should be fired.There is money for raises and money for such losing propsitions as the Olympics but no more for health care?NO RAISES for these guy's in the good'ol boys club in Victoria until they get off their overpaid cans and earn it.And that includes Gordon Campbell,the biggest phoney of them all.

Posted by: diplomat on February 4 2007 11:33 AM

"On January 31 (1997), the Citizens� Panel released its report on compensation to Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Panel, composed of five private citizens, was appointed last September and charged with reviewing MLAs� base pay and allowances and recommending a pension plan or equivalent. The Panel�s report recommends raising Members� salary from a current base of $32,812 plus $16,406 tax-free allowance to a straight taxable level of $69,900."

The NDP was running the province then.

The three-member Independent Commission of Review now appointed by Campbell probably does consist of private citizens as well, although we haven't been told yet who they are.

Perhaps we may have to wait for the Spring legislative session to get their names.

Posted by: owl on February 4 2007 11:58 AM

I think they should not be paid at all. Those jobs should be reserved for the idle rich.

;-)

Posted by: Andyfreeze on February 4 2007 1:01 PM

You may very well be right Diplomat but there is one thing that is for damn sure...you can bet this so called "independant commission" will be stacked in the governments favor.Gordon Campbell is an arrogant control freak and a master of spin.NOTHING in his government is independant!Not even the people who work for him!They do as they are told or else!Campbell is also very careful how much time he spends in the public eye because if you get too careless,it all becomes more noticable.They WILL get their raise...that is a given.Everything else leading up to that is a waste of time and money.

Posted by: diplomat on February 4 2007 3:06 PM

The control thing wasn't any different during the 1990s, as we all witnessed. There wasn't even one MLA who ever stepped out of line intentionally either.

Just observe what Harper does/did when one of his flock crosses over the Harper line.

Have you ever heard anything resembling personal opinions coming out of Hill and Harris, statements that don't jive with the party line?

Cookie cutter statements, only.

Posted by: Chadermando on February 4 2007 5:43 PM

Didn't Campbell give all ministers a huge 50% pay raise as his first order of business when coming to power 6 years ago?

I think they are all over paid. Why don't the big-corp and unions they all work for just up their payments for the work they do for them? They obviously don't work for British Columbia.

Posted by: Palopu on February 5 2007 8:17 PM

The test is very simple. Salaries remain the same. Any MLA who is not satisfied with his compensation need not let his name stand in the next election. I am sure that any number of people will step forward and take his place. If the Premier is not happy with his compensation he is free to leave also.

All these dudes are in Government by their own free will and knew what the job paid when they threw their hats in the ring. If they dont like it now, then they can leave. For some the sooner the better.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on February 6 2007 8:06 PM

Right on Palopu!Wonder why it is people tend to think that these opportunists are a cut above? Do some people actually think they are worth so much more than the rest of us? We elected them so that makes US the boss does it not? Doesn't that make them ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES who work for us? Oh silly me...how could that be possible? Shame on me!