Quote:
Originally Posted by RedMileDJ
I don't understand how Smith and the other floor closers couldn't see this coming. It was so obvious from the start.
Cross the floor.
Piss everyone off.
Highwood vote will make you unemployed.
Does Smith get a better pension or payout because she lost as a PC, compared to being a Wild Rose? It's the only thing I can think of. She must have known this was going to happen. Or is she really that naive?
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I don't know the exact figures, but Smith will now get a transition allowance (like any other MLA), and its not as sweet a deal as it once was. Before Redford this was where MLAs would get those huge $500k type cheques for this, but now they're greatly reduced and I would guess she will get something like $100k. There is no pension anymore.
Before someone dives in and says that is too much money and she should get zero, let me note that I've seen the payouts for a wide-range of companies in Alberta. People might not love Smith, or politicians in general, but this isn't a huge amount of money in that context, is fully taxable (unless its moved to an RRSP) and in my opinion really isn't a big deal. Certainly not a reason to get into politics, where pre-Redford that may have been an enticement. I believe they also get their extended healthcare benefits half period for a few years as well. This is the coverage for things like prescriptions, dental, chiro, massage, etc.
It doesn't matter which party you are with, those are the rules across the board, although being a cabinet minister or leader of the opposition might be a factor because you would have a higher base pay for that transition allowance in the first place.