Anderson: Time For Tories To Step Up
Will PCs show leadership by ditching lucrative severance packages?
EDMONTON, AB (March 4, 2011): Wildrose Finance Critic Rob Anderson is urging PC MLAs to demonstrate leadership in a time of fiscal restraint by dumping lucrative taxpayer-funded severance packages that afford defeated and retiring MLAs three months’ pay for every year served.
Anderson’s private member’s bill – the Legislative Assembly (Transition Allowance) Amendment Act – comes up for debate on Monday. Debate will be from 3-5 p.m.
It calls on the Legislature’s Members’ Services Committee to replace the MLA “transition allowance” with a retirement allowance that would not exceed one month’s pay for every year of elected service.
“Leadership begins at the top, and it’s time for the PCs to show what they’re really made of,” Anderson said. “We’re also in the middle of a PC leadership race, and we’ll be watching to see how Alison Redford, Doug Horner, Doug Griffiths and Ted Morton will vote on this. Will they make a break with the past, or will they continue to fight for their taxpayer-funded entitlements while running deficits and racking up debt? If they vote against this, clearly they are not committed to true fiscal responsibility.”
Sitting MLAs will still be eligible for their transition allowance, calculated up to the day the Act takes force. They, and all future MLAs, would then be eligible only for the Retirement Allowance, calculated from that day on.
“With their uncontrolled spending, this government has forced a new fiscal reality on us – one of new debt and structural deficits that our children will have to pay for,” Anderson said. “The least they could do is take this hit on themselves and accept a retirement allowance that is in line with real world standards and is fair for taxpayers.”
The Wildrose Caucus stands for free enterprise, less government, increased personal freedom and democracy.
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MEDIA AVAILABILITY
Who: Rob Anderson, Wildrose Finance Critic
When: Monday, March 7, 1:15 p.m.
Where: Alberta Legislature, 10800 97th Avenue, Edmonton, at the Assembly entrance
If Bill 202 is voted on Monday night, there will be a dial-in media availability with Rob Anderson to discuss outcome.
When: 5:15 p.m.
Calgary: 1.403.775.1284
Edmonton: 1.780.669.5289
PIN: 989160
For further information or to arrange an interview, media are invited to contact:
Brock Harrison
Communications Co-ordinator, Wildrose Caucus
Ph: 780-399-2890