I am utterly disgusted with MP compensation

[August1991]

Verner, along with 34 other defeated MPs who don't qualify for pensions, will receive a severance worth 50 per cent of the member's last annual salary, and paid out in a lump sum.

For Verner, that comes to $116,624.50 — the highest severance to be paid out following the recent election, and the same amount that former Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff will receive.

Gazette

If our federal politicians want to know why the public holds them in general contempt, they should look no further than the compensation that they have voted themselves.

These kids that the NDP elected in the past general election will receive over $150,000 annually and then when they lose the next election (which they will), they will receive another $75,000 "severance pay".

This amounts to a bizarre lottery in which I am forced to buy a ticket but I will never win the jackpot.

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As a quick, random comparison, members of the Maine State legislature receive about $13,000 annually.

[kimmy]

As a quick, random comparison, members of the Maine State legislature receive about $13,000 annually.

If MPs in Canada earned $13,000 annually, you couldn't get anybody *except* for 19 year old college kids to run for office.

-k

[pegasus]

If MPs in Canada earned $13,000 annually, you couldn't get anybody *except* for 19 year old college kids to run for office.

-k

$13,000 a year is pretty low. But the amounts of compensation our MPs receive are just way over the top. I think that perhaps $40,000 to $50,000 a year would be more than sufficient, especially for backbenchers, and if they really are starving at the end of their terms perhaps $10,000 compensation until they could find another job.

They could always sell their houses, that they bought in their riding on their expense accounts, as well to make ends meet. Also those big screen TVs, etc.

[Remiel]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salaries_of_members_of_the_United_States_Congress

Try the relevant comparison.

[Remiel]

Maine's legisature is also a part time job.

[Scotty]

$13,000 a year is pretty low. But the amounts of compensation our MPs receive are just way over the top. I think that perhaps $40,000 to $50,000 a year would be more than sufficient, especially for backbenchers, and if they really are starving at the end of their terms perhaps $10,000 compensation until they could find another job.

A junior clerk with the federal government ears about $40,000, a mid-level clerk $50,000. A mid level manager, below executive rank, about $90,000. An executive, say one who reports to the guy who reports to the guy who reports to the assistant deputy minister, will make over $100,000

We must remember that for anyone in any kind of responsible, secure job, we're asking them to give up that job, for a job which might only last a few years. Then where are they?

[Evening Star]

$13,000 a year is pretty low. But the amounts of compensation our MPs receive are just way over the top. I think that perhaps $40,000 to $50,000 a year would be more than sufficient,

You know that some entry-level clerical jobs pay that much, right? MP compensation should reflect the importance of the job, the fact that it is often not a permanent position, the fact that it requires a major move, and the fact that it should require quite a bit of research, public relations, and heavy media scrutiny. It could probably stand to be a little less generous than it is right now but the amount you suggest seems far too low to me.

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xposts Thanks, Scotty.

Edited May 21, 2011 by Evening Star

[Smallc]

If our federal politicians want to know why the public holds them in general contempt, they should look no further than the compensation that they have voted themselves.

Does that happen anymore? I thought it was automatically determined by an independent board. Anyway, if you want good management, you have to pay well. Many people in politics are giving up far more money.

[Handsome Rob]

Does that happen anymore? I thought it was automatically determined by an independent board. Anyway, if you want good management, you have to pay well. Many people in politics are giving up far more money.

BC's legislature voted themselves a 10% pay raise in the middle of 'The depression,' and record deficits. Not sure if the rules are the same or not.

At the very least it ought to be scaled by years of service. You want to get paid more? Do a good job and get reelected.

[Smallc]

In Manitoba, MLA compensation is determined by an independent committee. I thought it was the same at the federal level.

[Battletoads]

I think you just have a pathological dislike for anyone younger than yourself.

[Topaz]

The only way to stop or cut back on her pensions is to have an election before they get their six years in. Yes, it disgusting what they get, especially, when some of their polices put Canadians out of work and at times, with no severance. Do you think they would get back their own wages, since they are carrying a deficit? No, they do what they do and in the end walk away from Ottawa with pockets full of cash not caring whose lives they have destroyed in the process!

[Moonlight Graham]

It's totally disgusting. So are the amount in the pensions they get, at least at the federal level. Provincial i don't know the #'s.

Check out this outrageousness:

Consider the case of Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe who is due for an annual pension of about $140,000 per year. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation estimates that if he lives until he’s 80 years of age, Taxpayers will have given him $2.9 million in pension benefits.

:angry: :angry:

[nittanylionstorm07]

Gazette

If our federal politicians want to know why the public holds them in general contempt, they should look no further than the compensation that they have voted themselves.

These kids that the NDP elected in the past general election will receive over $150,000 annually and then when they lose the next election (which they will), they will receive another $75,000 "severance pay".

This amounts to a bizarre lottery in which I am forced to buy a ticket but I will never win the jackpot.

----

As a quick, random comparison, members of the Maine State legislature receive about $13,000 annually.

May I ask you why the beep you are comparing the salaries of the Canadian Parliament to that of the Maine State Legislature? This is not even including the fact that most state legislatures are part-time.

If MPs in Canada earned $13,000 annually, you couldn't get anybody *except* for 19 year old college kids to run for office.

-k

Actually it'd be the other way around... the only people that would run for office would be those that already have tons of cash set aside. No one could live on $13,000/yr. You would always have rich people, and you would never have any common middle-class people.

[Moonlight Graham]

Actually it'd be the other way around... the only people that would run for office would be those that already have tons of cash set aside. No one could live on $13,000/yr. You would always have rich people, and you would never have any common middle-class people.

But why would a rich person want to put aside what is making them rich to take a job that makes 13k? Doesn't sounds like a good idea for them. Unless they are retired.

[nittanylionstorm07]

But why would a rich person want to put aside what is making them rich to take a job that makes 13k? Doesn't sounds like a good idea for them. Unless they are retired.

Because they would have tons of investments set aside that they could live off of. Billionaires and multimillionaires don't usually make hundreds of millions/year.... most of their monetary value is held in investments.

[Wilber]

Their compensation doesn't bother me as much as their lack of accountability when it comes to expenses. At least their compensation is a matter of public record.

[RNG]

Their compensation doesn't bother me as much as their lack of accountability when it comes to expenses. At least their compensation is a matter of public record.

Serious, non-partisan question in this case. Are not their expenses public record, or at least available to the auditor general?

[Smallc]

Serious, non-partisan question in this case. Are not their expenses public record, or at least available to the auditor general?

Not yet, no. MP expenses are regulated by the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons, chaired by the speaker.

[RNG]

Not yet, no. MP expenses are regulated by the Board of Internal Economy of the House of Commons, chaired by the speaker.

Thx, didn't know that. Bummer. We need to fix that, for sure.

[Smallc]

Thx, didn't know that. Bummer. We need to fix that, for sure.

The AG (well, the AG retires at the end of the month, so the next one) will soon get the info to look through the files. KPMG auditors, who do regular audits of the board, found no problems though.

[dre]

I dont think we want these people working for peanuts, but there SHOULD be performance incentives. Maybe they get 1/2 their salary no matter what, and the other half should be based on whether not they meet the goals they set out during the election. That way theyd be less likely to make bullshit promises as well... failing to keep them would hit them where it hurts.

[KeyStone]

Reducing their compensation would make Canadian politics like that of the US.

Given low salaries and benefits, the only people interested in the post will be the corrupt politicians that know how to convert their power into financial success through selling influence to decision making in the country.

[bush_cheney2004]

Reducing their compensation would make Canadian politics like that of the US.

Given low salaries and benefits, the only people interested in the post will be the corrupt politicians that know how to convert their power into financial success through selling influence to decision making in the country.

Canadian politics is already corrupt...has been for years. The only difference is nobody goes to jail for it.

[Michael Hardner]

Their compensation doesn't bother me as much as their lack of accountability when it comes to expenses. At least their compensation is a matter of public record.

Hear hear.

Billions are wasted on certain programs but people don't notice unless there's a perception that somebody is personally benefiting.

So the government can waste millions on rework due to mismanagement, but until somebody personally tries to make a buck off the chaos the public doesn't care. That is so ass backwards.