Government gives senior officals pay increase
Unannounced raises prompt critics to question Conservatives' transparency
Globe and Mail
The Harper government has quietly pushed through pay increases for senior government officials, sparking criticisms that it is failing to live up to its pledge for disclosure and accountability.
Senior executives, which include deputy ministers, have been given a 2.5 per cent raise on their base salary, while heads of Crown corporations will receive increases of 3 per cent.
[!-- /Summary --] The government executives will also get a boost of 1.1 per cent to their bonus packages -- money known as "at-risk" pay that is due to them should they meet a series of goals and objectives.
The hikes were listed on the treasury board website earlier this month, but not announced in a general news release, a move that has upset government critics.
John Williamson of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation said the amount of the hike may or may not be too large, but the way it was communicated was wrong and runs counter to the Conservative government's election pledge to be open.
"The bottom line is you have a government here that did everything it could to ensure this increase stayed below the radar screen," Mr. Williamson said.
"What's got my goat is that this is a government that was elected to be more transparent and accountable."
A government spokesman said the government was not trying to hide the hike, saying they were posted on the website.
"Governments take lots of decisions each day and with each new initiative you have to determine the best way to communicate it," said Mike Van Soelen, communications director for Treasury Board President John Baird.
"I think it's open and transparent. We're talking to you today and people are aware of it."
One source said the government had a vigorous debate about whether to "post these properly and notify the media, or just do it quietly."
Mr. Williamson also questioned the bonus system, which, he said, is paid provided the mandarin meets the basic requirements for the job.
"To me that seems a bit absurd," Mr. Williamson said. "A bonus should be paid for work above and beyond the call of duty."
He estimated that up to 90 per cent of executives qualify for their at-risk pay. It would be more appropriate to pay those individuals based on budget savings, he said.
Government executives earn between $94,000 and $178,000, while deputy ministers earn between $170,000 and $288,400, not including bonuses. The heads of Crown corporations earn a minimum of $109,000, up to as high as $445,600.
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