[h3]B.C. Liberals considering 29-per-cent pay hike[/h3]CTV.ca
British Columbia's governing Liberal party could see their salaries jump by 29 per cent if they accept an independent commission's recommendations, but the Opposition party has voted against the pay hike. [/p]"We've rejected it," NDP Leader Carole James told CTV British Columbia on Wednesday. When asked why, she said: "It's very clear it doesn't meet the public interest. To look at a 29 per cent pay increase is excessive, when you look at what other unions and employees are getting in the public and private sectors." B.C.'s politicians haven't had a pay raise in more than 10 years.
[/p]The commissions also recommended giving the premier's salary a 54-per-cent hike to $186,200, retroactive to April 1. [/p]In Ontario, the premier makes $198,620 each year, including tax-free expense allowances - more than any other province. [/p] Here are what the other premiers get paid: [/p] [ul][li]Quebec: $182,543 [/li][li]Northwest Territories: $164,659 [/li][li]Nova Scotia: $150,824 [/li][li]Alberta: $145,380 [/li][li]Newfoundland: $141,160 [/li][li]Saskatchewan: $139,047 [/li][li]Nunavut: $138,640 [/li][li]New Brunswick: $124,804 [/li][li]Manitoba: $122,068 [/li][li]Prince Edward Island: $111,743 [/li][li]Yukon: $85,445[/li][/ul] Several callers to a CKNW Radio show in Vancouver were outraged with the idea of a steep pay hike. [/p] "How dare they even consider giving themselves a raise," said one woman. [/p] Another caller said the MLAs are "stealing from us." [/p]Premier Gordon Campbell said his party will not be swayed on how the New Democrats voted. The Liberals were planning to meet Wednesday night to discuss the issue, and one option could be voting on a scaled-back raise. "I'm concerned about public life," Campbell told reporters. "I'm going to be concerned about MLAs and their families, and I'll get a change to listen to our caucus and then I'll make some decisions." [/p]The pay-raise would add $22,000 to MLAs' base salary, along with the reinstatement of a pension plan that was scrapped more than 10 years ago. The current base salary is $76,100.
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Outrageous.
