Simon Jolin-Barrette introduced the bill, which will increase elected officials’ salaries and their allowances for other parliamentary functions by 30%.
It’s just over $35,000, which is on top of almost every MP’s salary, almost $50,000 more for ministers and $62,000 for the prime minister.
The spending account of about $40,000 before federal taxes will be retained, as will the generous pension fund, which, unlike state employees, is largely funded by taxpayers.
The minister would rely on the report of a committee composed of two former elected officials and a human resources specialist to propose this amazing catching-up process. In his opinion, the committee had full scope for its work.
However, specialist Jérôme Côté reiterates that the committee’s mandate was limited, which would explain why it did not deal with pension schemes and expense allowances.
Our Quebec MPs will become Canada’s highest-paid provincial MPs. The same does not apply to employees.
Pretty embarrassing
The CAQ bill was introduced at a time when many citizens were suffering from the effects of inflation and had to make sacrifices.
At the same time, the government is negotiating with its employees and saving on wages.
Some will even argue that the government’s performance should embarrass them when it comes to increasing the pay of their MPs.
Without paying merit for elected officials, they must set an example to the populace and their staff.
Prime Minister Legault vehemently advocated catching up on this backlog. It would have been wiser for him to conclude the negotiations with the civil servants and offer the MPs a catch-up match comparable to the final negotiation results.
One thing is certain: the altruism of elected officials should require them to live with some of the limitations that the populace must impose on themselves in a troubled economy.
Unfortunately, the government’s arrogance is unstoppable and François Legault has missed a good opportunity for restraint.
guiding principles
It is not easy to calmly discuss elected officials’ compensation and to identify the principles on which fair compensation can be based.
In a society where it’s normal to award millions of dollars to a hockey player, it’s hard to see why a prime minister would settle for minimum wage. However, this is the price to pay for engaging in the political world.
MNAs must live in similar conditions to their constituents, without their involvement impoverishing them in terms of living conditions, before entering politics.
It may be appropriate to earn the salary and continue to contribute to the pension plan they had before the election, with compensation for overtime and expenses arising from the position.