MLA pay review released

[Dion]

Report criticizes lack of transparency and overly generous packages for departing MLAs:

The report from Judge John (Jack) Major, who started his work in January, recommended better transparency in the way MLAs are paid, and significant new restrictions to a transition allowance for departing MLAs often criticized as being overly generous.

Major also called for the reinstatement of a MLA pension scheme but at the same time, the elimination of an RRSP allowance that politicians could spend on whatever they wanted.

Thus the implementation of the recommendations contained in this report would result in a decrease in total compensation, principally as a result of changes in the transition allowance and the elimination of the RRSP allowance,” Major wrote in his report.

The report also calls for a major boost to the premier’s salary, and although Premier Alison Redford originally said she would accept Major’s recommendations — she immediately said on Wednesday she wouldn’t accept this one.

“I found the premier’s salary recommendations quite surprising, not at all what I expected, and not something that we will be implementing,” Redford told reporters.

“I could not take that. I would not take that. It is not what Albertans want. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/al...262/story.html

MLAs will still be able to avoid paying taxes on a large chunk of their salary.

"The other big huge issue that I'm not happy about is he still recommends keeping the tax free portion. It's absolutely ridiculous that we have anyone in this country that's collecting money and not paying taxes on it," said Scott Hennig from the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...ub=CalgaryHome

[GP_Matt]

I thought for sure that he would come out with a recommendation to increase the salaries of all MLA's. I definitely don't like the move back to pensions though. Not if they are going to be DB pensions.

[Katie]

Hmm..very interesting.