Length of sessions

[Topaz]

Well, the politicans are gone and some of the media are saying that they may not come back until late Sept. or even Nov. Since the politicans do make a very good pay cheque from taxpayer do you think we should change the way they get paid? People scream when they hear about teachers getting 2 months off but it seems both privincial and federal gov't are getting better in the vacations than the teachers. Any thoughts?

[Alta4ever]

Well, the politicans are gone and some of the media are saying that they may not come back until late Sept. or even Nov. Since the politicans do make a very good pay cheque from taxpayer do you think we should change the way they get paid? People scream when they hear about teachers getting 2 months off but it seems both privincial and federal gov't are getting better in the vacations than the teachers. Any thoughts?

Just because Mp's aren't sitting in the house it doesn't mean they aren't working. They do have constituency offices to be in, events to attend, consituents to meet with, reseach and drafting of private members bills. If you actually knew an MP you would find out just how hard they do work when they aren't sitting in the house.

[M.Dancer]

Well, the politicans are gone and some of the media are saying that they may not come back until late Sept. or even Nov. Since the politicans do make a very good pay cheque from taxpayer do you think we should change the way they get paid? People scream when they hear about teachers getting 2 months off but it seems both privincial and federal gov't are getting better in the vacations than the teachers. Any thoughts?

My first thought is, wow, this is actually a reasonable post with naught in it of the new world order, super intecontinental highway or aluminium futures...

And then of course....Never in the field of human congress have so few been paid so much by so many...

[guyser]

Just because Mp's aren't sitting in the house it doesn't mean they aren't working. They do have constituency offices to be in, events to attend, consituents to meet with, reseach and drafting of private members bills. If you actually knew an MP you would find out just how hard they do work when they aren't sitting in the house.

Yes, Tony Clement works soooo hard. Why he only has time for the beach , a swim, a boat ride , a walk for ice cream and all in one day.

How does he manage?

Work consists of going into the local towns and cutting a ribbon, maybe once a week or every other week. I do concede when in session they are likely working long hours, however........... 'til Sept or Nov ?

[Topaz]

Just because Mp's aren't sitting in the house it doesn't mean they aren't working. They do have constituency offices to be in, events to attend, consituents to meet with, reseach and drafting of private members bills. If you actually knew an MP you would find out just how hard they do work when they aren't sitting in the house.

I do as a matter of fact, I'm talking about the amount of time they spend in Ottawa working for the $125.000-250,000 yearly wages.

[M.Dancer]

I do as a matter of fact, I'm talking about the amount of time they spend in Ottawa working for the $125.000-250,000 yearly wages.

At least you could do is some basic research and know how much they make.

The base is $155,400

They can eran extra for extra duties.

More than half of federal MPs receive salary top-ups for additional House and caucus duties.

As of April 1, vice-chairs of House committees will receive an extra $5,600, chairs will get $11,000, House leaders will earn $38,600, and the prime minister will receive an additional $155,400.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/307945

[Alta4ever]

I do as a matter of fact, I'm talking about the amount of time they spend in Ottawa working for the $125.000-250,000 yearly wages.

They do work when they aren't in Ottawa. As I said if you actually new your MP and followed them around for a week you would find how wrong you really are. Most of our MPs work very hard for their constituencies and only take two to three weeks a year for vacation. They spend very little time with their families because they are trying to serve us and better our country. All you seem to be able to do is criticize everything that someone else does for you. While you and I do not have the same political leanings we can both show a little respect for the hard work, stress and public scrutiny, that they go through. While there are a few exceptions to the rule, most work very hard and if you compare what they make next to what a CEO gets for running a corporation (not nearly as important as our government) you would find their pay scale sorely lacking.

If they didn’t do the job would you, I doubt you’ve ever run for public office.

But then again like too many others on this board you do not listen or consider, you just run with you preconceived notions, and ignore all else.

[eyeball]

Never in the field of human congress have so few been paid so much by so many...

...for so little...

[guyser]

They do work when they aren't in Ottawa. As I said if you actually new your MP and followed them around for a week you would find how wrong you really are. Most of our MPs work very hard for their constituencies and only take two to three weeks a year for vacation.

I think you are a bit too flowery with the praise.Do they work hard, most do. Their jobs are made easier than most in the same responsible position because they have no monetary constraints.

While there are a few exceptions to the rule, most work very hard and if you compare what they make next to what a CEO gets for running a corporation (not nearly as important as our government) you would find their pay scale sorely lacking.

It may not be as important, but the politician has no board to report to, no securities regulator to please and can be canned at a moments notice.

With a CEO comes risk reward. Can the pocitician say the same? Nope.

If they didn’t do the job would you, I doubt you’ve ever run for public office.

But then again like too many others on this board you do not listen or consider, you just run with you preconceived notions, and ignore all else.

Umm......pot meet kettle.

[Alta4ever]

I think you are a bit too flowery with the praise.Do they work hard, most do. Their jobs are made easier than most in the same responsible position because they have no monetary constraints.

It may not be as important, but the politician has no board to report to, no securities regulator to please and can be canned at a moments notice.

With a CEO comes risk reward. Can the pocitician say the same? Nope.

Umm......pot meet kettle.

It obvious you have never followed an Mp around or even hard a look at their schedual either. They are accountible to the voters and can be turfed in an election. Define monitary constraint? Everyone has a monitary constraint, I think you are a little jealous of the salary, my advice is that maybe you should run for office in the next election.

[CANADIEN]

It obvious you have never followed an Mp around or even hard a look at their schedual either. They are accountible to the voters and can be turfed in an election. Define monitary constraint? Everyone has a monitary constraint, I think you are a little jealous of the salary, my advice is that maybe you should run for office in the next election.

Most ordinary MPs would make more money, and with less hassle, insults, scrutiny and stress in their personal life if they had kept their previous job.

That being said, perhaps the sessions should be shorter with less time between them.

[guyser]

It obvious you have never followed an Mp around or even hard a look at their schedual either. They are accountible to the voters and can be turfed in an election. Define monitary constraint? Everyone has a monitary constraint, I think you are a little jealous of the salary, my advice is that maybe you should run for office in the next election.

Obvious? Hardly.

I see the Health Minister enough , (does daily in the summer work for you?) to know that he is not working all the hours you want to fawn all over on him for.

Ohh...accountable to the voters. Great, so we could turf him or any others after the four years. So swell.

I suppose the fact a CEO could be gone in as little as two hours is lost on you.Can we turf an MP because of X in two hours ? Nope, but go ahead and make the comparison.

Monetary restraint ...the MP's ability to book appt's, meetings, travel , dinners etc on the taxpayer dime.

A struggling business may not have the money to book lunch at Mcdonalds. Yes everyone has monetary restraint , the MP has to keep it within his budget, and we know that virtual unlimited budget handcuffs them so. Hope the lobster is fresh, 1.5 lbs is ideal.

Of course lets not forget the CEO is spending money his company produced or investors placed with his firm.

Did the MP get his budget by something he produced? Oh wait, he spends taxes. Yup, fair analogy.

Yes, so jealous. The problem is I really couldnt afford the pay cut.

Stop your fawning please. They do work , just not quite as hard as you want people to believe.

[Fortunata]

Most ordinary MPs would make more money, and with less hassle, insults, scrutiny and stress in their personal life if they had kept their previous job.

And some of them should have kept their previous job.

[Remiel]

Personally I think that many of the jobs on the Hill, like Prime Minister, are severely underpaid, irrespective of what they do when the House is not sitting. That said, I am inclined to believe that most are not working as hard during the summer as they ought to be. To be fair, if they were working at a normal job, they would probably get several weaks vacation, so I can accept that they take some time off during the break for that, but the rest they should be working.

[guyser]

Personally I think that many of the jobs on the Hill, like Prime Minister, are severely underpaid,

I agree.

The PM is paid a pittance, and like him or not (whoever is in office) those late nights at meetings, the incessant calls and info sessions, the travel......that is a lot of hard work. Being away from his kids and no real downtime to chill with them must be hard on the family.

Of course when they leave office is when the real dough rolls in, but that may or may not be anytime soon.

[Alta4ever]

Obvious? Hardly.

I see the Health Minister enough , (does daily in the summer work for you?) to know that he is not working all the hours you want to fawn all over on him for.

Ohh...accountable to the voters. Great, so we could turf him or any others after the four years. So swell.

I suppose the fact a CEO could be gone in as little as two hours is lost on you.Can we turf an MP because of X in two hours ? Nope, but go ahead and make the comparison.

Monetary restraint ...the MP's ability to book appt's, meetings, travel , dinners etc on the taxpayer dime.

A struggling business may not have the money to book lunch at Mcdonalds. Yes everyone has monetary restraint , the MP has to keep it within his budget, and we know that virtual unlimited budget handcuffs them so. Hope the lobster is fresh, 1.5 lbs is ideal.

Of course lets not forget the CEO is spending money his company produced or investors placed with his firm.

Did the MP get his budget by something he produced? Oh wait, he spends taxes. Yup, fair analogy.

Yes, so jealous. The problem is I really couldnt afford the pay cut.

Stop your fawning please. They do work , just not quite as hard as you want people to believe.

I don't believe I know. You just have no appreacation for what is being done for you.

[guyser]

You just have no appreacation for what is being done for you.

Thats true.

I dont appreciate the gross amount of taxes we pay , the wastefulness of govt, the dumb moves....shall I go on?

[Remiel]

Of course when they leave office is when the real dough rolls in, but that may or may not be anytime soon.

I would not be surprised if part of the reason politicians take those jobs when they are done is because they are the real payoff for what they put up with when in government. Better to pay them better when in office than leave them feeling they have to do that to get the worth of what they put in.

Edited June 26, 2008 by Remiel

[Alta4ever]

Thats true.

I dont appreciate the gross amount of taxes we pay , the wastefulness of govt, the dumb moves....shall I go on?

It us not the Mp's that are wasteful it is the huge civil service that is costing more. Not to mention that we have areas of the country that have too many MP's because of mimium riding numbers for certain provinces, such great for thought from Canada's worst Prime Minister, PT. But thats a different story anyway, this argument is about work ethic.

[Fortunata]

It us not the Mp's that are wasteful it is the huge civil service that is costing more. Not to mention that we have areas of the country that have too many MP's because of mimium riding numbers for certain provinces, such great for thought from Canada's worst Prime Minister, PT. But thats a different story anyway, this argument is about work ethic.

We don't demand more civil service. We just want service for the money we do put in. Managers empire build; managers see administration and not the "service" part of civil service. You go to some departments and it's like they are doing you a favour instead of realizing that if not for you they would not have the job they do. And they forget that they should finish their conversation with their co-worker after they serve you instead of making you wait until they finish. They forget they are there to do me, the public, a service. Not all are like that of course but I have run into it enough to think it happens quite a lot.

As far as PT goes, wasn't he voted in as Canada's best PM and Mulroney the worst?

[Fain]

Leaders get paid more. Way of the World