Not that we’re a skeptical bunch over here, but we certainly do have to wonder if there’s a connection between the number of long-time MLAs packing it in and the provincial government finally ordering a review of their lucrative transition allowances.
Some will argue the MLAs are leaving because they don’t agree with Premier Alison Redford’s policies, and in some cases that may well be the case. On the other hand, they put up with the likes of Don Getty and Ralph Klein and Ed Stelmach, so how could Redford be any worse to work for?
No, the timing just appears too co-incidental. Ken Kowalski is a perfect example. In August he swore he wasn’t going anywhere. Yet shortly after Redford announced that former Supreme Court of Canada Justice John Major would review the transition allowance program, Kowalski added his name to the growing list of those who are departing.
And they’re taking with them a fair chunk of cash from Alberta taxpayers. Kowalski’s transition allowance is reported to be about $1.2 million … for his transition into retirement?
Is Stelmach and his $1.08-million allowance likely to go looking for a new job? Or Iris Evans and her $698,700 farewell present? At last count there were 12 MLAs leaving and taking more than $7 million of hard-earned taxpayer dollars with them.
The transition allowance was introduced by Klein to replace the gold-plated pension plan, but many MLAs had their pension grandfathered so they’ll still receive it. Kowalski is reportedly one of those.
Given that Ken Allred was the lowest paid MLA last year at $129,734 — Kowalski earned $205,407 — one would expect that with a good financial advisor, long-time politicians would already have padded their retirement nest quite nicely.
What other job gives their retiring or quitting employees three months pay for every year they worked for the company, other than those outrageous payouts to certain CEOs and presidents that is? Heck, most retirees don’t even get the watch anymore.
So why is it that politicians think they are so special that they deserve these payouts for following their chosen career? Is it because they run the risk of losing their jobs every four years? Over the last four decades in Alberta, has there been a job with more security than a Progressive Conservative MLA?
Not that the PCs are any different from any other political party. It’s always interesting to listen to the opposition members scream about government policies … when they’re in opposition.
“Albertans know what happens when we let politicians decide their own pay,” said Wildrose finance critic Rob Anderson. “They get people like Alison Redford helping themselves to massive pay hikes behind closed doors.”
Flip the table and put the Wildrose in power and it’s a safe bet that Anderson and his cohorts would suddenly forget they called for a roll-back of the 34-per-cent salary increase the premier and cabinet ministers gave themselves in 2008.
The Liberals called for a review of the allowance back in 2010. The NDP did likewise this summer and now that the PCs have finally agreed, the Wildrose is taking its shots.
“It’s time to take politics out of the equation and let taxpayers decide how their representatives are compensated,” said Wildrose leader Danielle Smith.
Nice thought. And in reality that’s the way it should be. Sadly, politicians would never allow that to happen.
