2011 Canadian Election Thread

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

So is it true that May will now be in the "Leaders" debate next go around?

Someone should run as an independent and leader of their own party just to get into the debates

If you don't have official party status, you don't get into the debates. That should be the rule they stick to.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

There have to be some incentives to serve in public office otherwise no one would do it.

I think that is more than just "some incentives".

This is one of the reasons why I have trouble getting out and voting. I hate the thought of rewarding some ###### with all that wealth.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Addick

Unless the Green Party matures at the same pace as these current young voters, which is essential to their success as multi-issue party with a green focus.

One day you'll figure out that flying halfway across the world isn't green.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Does this make anyone else sick to their stomach?

MPs Cash in on $116 million in Pension & Severance Bonanza

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released its calculations of estimated pension and severance payments paid to the 113 MPs who were either defeated or did not seek re-election in the May 2, 2011 general election. Defeated and retiring MPs will collect $4.9 million in pension payments in their first year, reaching a cumulative total of $111.5 million by age 80. In addition, another $4.3 million in severance cheques will be issued to former MPs. The pension and severance calculations for individual MPs are available HERE.

DB pensions FTW!

I almost wonder if those young, proud, bootstrapping candidates ran so that they had a chance to get the juicy pension.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by evman150

If you want valuable people to pursue careers in politics, you have to make it valuable for them to do so.

Not sure why you find this sickening.

If people are going into politics for the money then they are doing it for the wrong reason.

[Starfishy]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Does this make anyone else sick to their stomach?

MPs Cash in on $116 million in Pension & Severance Bonanza

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released its calculations of estimated pension and severance payments paid to the 113 MPs who were either defeated or did not seek re-election in the May 2, 2011 general election. Defeated and retiring MPs will collect $4.9 million in pension payments in their first year, reaching a cumulative total of $111.5 million by age 80. In addition, another $4.3 million in severance cheques will be issued to former MPs. The pension and severance calculations for individual MPs are available HERE.

When I actually went and looked at the individual numbers I wasn't that shocked at the lifetime pensions at all. I thought it was going to look a lot worse.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Fire

If people are going into politics for the money then they are doing it for the wrong reason.

That's true. It's usually power first, and then money.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by peter12

Layton was over $500,000 last year.

That is a lot of massages.

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Well a $150,000 salary (more than double the average Canadian) plus a pension worth about quadruple of what anyone in the private sector makes is really quite ridiculous. Not to mention the huge expense accounts they rack up every year (wasn't Layton over $100,000 last year?).

Public sector employees in general are overpaid for their work compared to the private sector, and it's clear to see this extends to those at the very top too.

Those university students in Quebec walking out of school into this pay scale is amazing. Great gig, if you can get it.

I have to work 35 years before I can collect a full pension, and it won't be anywhere near what these retiring MPs are going to collect. Don't start comparing public sector employees to Members of Parliament in terms of pension.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by Fire

If people are going into politics for the money then they are doing it for the wrong reason.

Idealism is nice. Idealism laced with pragmatism is better.

In any case, I'm pretty sure not many people go into politics for the money. As far as compensation goes, it just has to not be a "negative consideration", if you will.

[Tinordi]

Winning elections is a tough job. There's no certainty. And you face incredible levels of public scrutiny. If you want to get high quality candidates, which I think is in the best interest of everyone you have to offer attractive compensation.

Why would a successful business person leave their job to pursue public office if there wasn't as least some off-setting monetary incentive?

[Resolute 14]

More over, compare MP pay to that of an executive. That would be the equivalent comparable to the private sector.

[CaptainCrunch]

Some questions about the Ruth Ellen Brosseau's nomination papers.

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories...papers-110504/

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

More over, compare MP pay to that of an executive. That would be the equivalent comparable to the private sector.

Not really, there's some pretty serious qualifications necessary to be an executive.

[IliketoPuck]

It is pretty clear that for the most part, an MP is not an average Canadian expected to make an average wage. While it can be debated whether or not it is true, I think our system needs to encourage the best and brightest to run our country. I for one have no problem paying MPs what they receive, and would actually support and increase in their wages to attract even better candidates.

Imagine the good that someone like Gywn Morgan or Jim Grey could accomplish as a Finance or Economics cabinet representative.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

Does this make anyone else sick to their stomach?

MPs Cash in on $116 million in Pension & Severance Bonanza

OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released its calculations of estimated pension and severance payments paid to the 113 MPs who were either defeated or did not seek re-election in the May 2, 2011 general election. Defeated and retiring MPs will collect $4.9 million in pension payments in their first year, reaching a cumulative total of $111.5 million by age 80. In addition, another $4.3 million in severance cheques will be issued to former MPs. The pension and severance calculations for individual MPs are available HERE.

Not really, it's a tough job and like others have said you need some incentive to attract good smart people.
Besides you and me can run for public office and collect those pensions if we wanted too...

[crazy_eoj]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Why would a successful business person leave their job to pursue public office if there wasn't as least some off-setting monetary incentive?

How about a desire to improve the country?

Public service used to mean something more than a paycheck.

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by IliketoPuck

Imagine the good that someone like Gywn Morgan or Jim Grey could accomplish as a Finance or Economics cabinet representative.

I want Dana White in charge of dealing with the separatists.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by crazy_eoj

How about a desire to improve the country?

Public service used to mean something more than a paycheck.

It amazes me that the same guy who throws himself into a tizzy at the very notion of anyone other than him getting their hands on his oil money thinks people should sacrifice massive amounts of money because of their "desire to improve the country".

You sir, are a hypocrite.

[LChoy]

Should we merge this thread with the Bin Laden Thread?

The deputy leader of Canada's new Official Opposition party says he doubts the U.S. has photos of Osama bin Laden's dead body.

Thomas Mulcair, who stands in for NDP Leader Jack Layton in the House of Commons when he is away, told CBC's Power & Politics with Evan Solomon that he doesn't believe photos exist of bin Laden following his killing by U.S. forces on Sunday in Pakistan.

"I don't think, from what I've heard, that those pictures exist and if they do I'll leave that up to the American military," he told host Evan Solomon.

Mulcair also said the killing requires "a full analysis" on whether it was self-defence or a direct killing because "that has to do with American law and international law as well."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/stor...air-osama.html