April 23 2012: Alberta Provincial Election

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by Slava

Heres a released internal poll from the Hehr Campaign, which pretty much alludes to my thoughts and information:
http://www.kenthehr.com/2012/04/inte...drose-locally/

Kent Hehr is a non-entity.

[kn]

Top 12 MLA transition allowance payments to outgoing provincial politicians:

Ken Kowalski: $1,189,000
Ed Stelmach: $991,000
Rob Renner: $872,000
Barry McFarland: $720,000
Iris Evans: $698,000
Janis Tarchuk: $645,000
Richard Marz: $544,000
Cindy Ady: $512,000
Mel Knight: $512,000
Lloyd Snelgrove: $512,000
Hugh MacDonald: $491,000
Kevin Taft: $405,000

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ri...099/story.html


Nice gig!

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by kn

Top 12 MLA transition allowance payments to outgoing provincial politicians:

Ken Kowalski: $1,189,000
Ed Stelmach: $991,000
Rob Renner: $872,000
Barry McFarland: $720,000
Iris Evans: $698,000
Janis Tarchuk: $645,000
Richard Marz: $544,000
Cindy Ady: $512,000
Mel Knight: $512,000
Lloyd Snelgrove: $512,000
Hugh MacDonald: $491,000
Kevin Taft: $405,000

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/ri...099/story.html


Nice gig!

Few names will be added to that list on Tuesday.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by First Lady

Few names will be added to that list on Tuesday.

Yes but Redford says she won't take the money

[Senator Clay Davis]

How is the allowance based? Time served?

[The Goon]

Went to vote in the advance polls earlier this afternoon. Perfect, we were in and out in three minutes (Calgary West). My 19-month old son entertained all the election workers by applauding when Mommy and Daddy put their ballots in the box.

Looking forward to seeing how things shake out Monday night - I'm a political junkie, so these things are exciting.

[kn]

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

How is the allowance based? Time served?

Believe it's three months pay for each year served with no cap.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

How is the allowance based? Time served?

They get 3 months for every year served, based on their best (highest) paid months. There is no cap.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Of course its based on the highest paying months, and of course there's no cap. And that doesn't even include the pension does it?

[Jacks]

Looking on taxpayer.com they say that Kowalski might get the $1,189,900 plus a $54,000 annual pension. Sickening.
http://taxpayer.com/blog/09-12-2011/...e-calculations

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

And that doesn't even include the pension does it?

It replaced the pension plan.

[Senator Clay Davis]

It's disappointing we have to pay so much. Most politicians had good jobs prior to joining politics and likely will have good jobs when they leave, and we basically give them a massive handout. I'd be cool if they had to take the same severance packages that the law requires (certain amount of weeks per number of years served)

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Of course its based on the highest paying months, and of course there's no cap. And that doesn't even include the pension does it?

There's no pension save for an RRSP allowance. These rules are basically guaranteed to be changed no matter which party wins though. I think that maybe the NDP (?) haven't said they would, but I feel confident in saying they won't pull off another Quebec surprise!

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It's disappointing we have to pay so much. Most politicians had good jobs prior to joining politics and likely will have good jobs when they leave, and we basically give them a massive handout. I'd be cool if they had to take the same severance packages that the law requires (certain amount of weeks per number of years served)

True but if you pay politicians peanuts and don't give them good pensions you will get bad people. Successful private business people would never leave their jobs to serve us.

If I had a choice, I'd pay the Prime Minister of Canada about 20 million dollars a year. I want the best people in Canada fighting for that job.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

True but if you pay politicians peanuts and don't give them good pensions you will get bad people. Successful private business people would never leave their jobs to serve us.

If I had a choice, I'd pay the Prime Minister of Canada about 20 million dollars a year. I want the best people in Canada fighting for that job.

I think most people agree. The problem is when they want to pay themselves that way!

[Senator Clay Davis]

I don't have a problem with pay when they're in office, I just don't think we should be paying so damn much for transitional allowances. Kevin Taft serving 11 years and getting a $400,000 check from our tax dollars doesn't seem fair to me, especially since again he'll probably have a good job waiting for him in private life. I'd be cool with $100,000 max.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

I'd be cool with $100,000 max.

First Lady would know better but I think the WR is proposing 1 month for every year served with a 12 month cap. That seems fair.

[First Lady]

Originally Posted by Jacks

First Lady would know better but I think the WR is proposing 1 month for every year served with a 12 month cap. That seems fair.

That's correct. And Libs suggesting same with a 8 month cap.

NDP's no change and I don't recall PC's looking to change it either.

[killer_carlson]

Danielle smith with an excellent speech in Edmonton tonight.

[Rerun]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Believe it's three months pay for each year served with no cap.

Sweet work if you can get it. Alberta law states that an employee is entitled to 1 weeks wages for every year worked up to cap of 8 weeks wages.