MPs' PENSION PLANS |
| 1. Jean Charest, PC: | $4,525,537.00 | 6. Sergio Marchi, LIB: | $3,105,143.00 |
| 2. Brian Tobin, LIB: | $3,907,507.00 | 7. John Nunziata, LIB: | $2,734,328.00 |
| 3. David Dingwall, LIB: | $3,660,930.00 | 8. Sheila Copps, LIB: | $2,551,223.00 |
| 4. Svend Robinson, NDP: | $3,556,546.00 | 9. Andre Ouellet, LIB: | $2,636,953.00 |
| 5. Bill Blaikie, NDP: | $3,380,406.00 | 10. Don Boudria, LIB: | $2,152,672.00 |
Eighty-seven other MPs, including Bloc Quebecois leader Lucien Bouchard and NDP boss Audrey McLaughlin, qualify for this gilded pension plan that could cost taxpayers in excess of $124,076,247.00.
THE EXCEPTIONS: Ralph Klein, Premier of Alberta, has legislated that his cabinet must make arrangements for their own pensions, just like every Canadian citizen does. Pensions will no longer be funded by the taxpayers. He and his colleagues must purchase RRSPs and worry about whether Paul Martin will be taxing pensions in future budgets.
Ralph Klein's government is unique in that he started budget cuts from the top, getting MLAs off the welfare rolls. He abolished his clothing and car allowance and took a personal salary cut of 5%. Pensions were abolished for everyone who became a MLA after 1989. Is there any reason why we can't expect our federal politicians to get off Canada's welfare system and start looking after themselves?
The Reform Party MPs had agreed not to accept the overly generous pension plan offered to all Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers. However, many of them are now stepping up to the trough. The richest pension plan in the world is just too much for them to resist.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Write to your Premier, MP and Prime Minister asking if there is any reason why they cannot be responsible for their own pension plans like ordinary citizens have to. In a time when social programs are being targeted for spending cuts, it is time that our elected Members of Parliament got off the welfare rolls.
For information on particular provincial and federal policies contact The Fraser Institute, an independent Canadian economic and social research and educational organization.
ECONOMY IN GOVERNMENT COMPETITION: Each year, The Fraser Institute awards over $40,000.00 in prizes for the best proposals for the restructuring of the activities of federal, provincial, territorial and local governments that will result in a reduction in the cost of government per unit cost of service delivered. The competition is open to any interested applicant, and everyone is encouraged to apply. Send your entries to: The Centre for Economy in Government - The Fraser Institute - 626 Bute Street, 2nd Floor - Vancouver, BC V6E 3M1 - Fax (604) 688-8539.
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