Most people in Ontario would like to earn more for their work and this includes Ontario's 103 Members of Provincial Parliament. The difference, of course, is that lawmakers are responsible for setting their own pay and unlike the private sector - where market forces establish pay rates - there are no easy signposts for setting MPP salary levels. If politicians vote themselves a pay raise they are accused of having a conflict of interest. If they don't, they argue they are not being adequately compensated. It's a thorny issue.

The solution employed at Queen's Park to solve this dilemma is to turn this task over to the province's Integrity Commissioner who makes a recommendation to the parliamentarians. But since a salary increase only comes into effect following a provincial election, taxpayers get a say too.

If a proposed salary increase is out-of-line with the public's expectations it can be reflected at the polls if a clever politician makes it a campaign issue. The input from voters at election time might, therefore, mean that MPP pay level is less than what elected officials want or even what the Integrity Commissioner believes they deserve.

Premier Ernie Eves appears to understand this. In a letter to Integrity Commissioner Coulter Osborne he asked that a proposed 25% pay increase MPPs are scheduled to receive following the upcoming election be reviewed and lowered. "I believe that recent economic circumstances require that the pending increase be re-visited," he wrote.

Mr. Eves' timely intervention deserves credit. By re-opening the salary debate he has taken the first step towards quashing this wildly excessive pay raise. His involvement is also a signal to taxpayers that politicians are ultimately accountable for establishing their remuneration.

Given that MPP pay has already increased by 9.3% since 2001 it is difficult to accept an additional 25% boost - that's a 36.6% raise over four years. After all, if the job of lawmaker is so poorly paid at $85,240 why are so many members seeking re-election

A similar willingness not to fleece taxpayers cannot be said about Dalton McGuinty. The Liberal leader says he is committed to democratic accountability but when it comes to pay for politicians he prefers the system remain closed and taxpayers remain out of the process. "Our bottom line is that this issue should be decided by an independent, third party - not by politicians looking to score political points before an election or to line their own pockets after one," he said.

Mr. McGuinty is attempting to hide behind a third party and slip the pay raise past taxpayers. He should be reminded that a truly accountable politician would not take a raise simply because a commission suggests it. If Mr. McGuinty favours a 25% pay raise for all MPPs he should have the courage to state so publicly.

It is hoped Mr. Justice Osborne will provide direction - and a more reasonable salary increase, if any - in short order (i.e. before the vote). But if he cannot do so by Labour Day, the party leaders vying for government will have a responsibility to inform taxpayers exactly what pay raise their MPPs are willing to accept. Otherwise voters might be hoodwinked into thinking the 25% pay raise will not happen simply because the file is under review.

MPPs are not out of the woods yet. But that's because the buck stops at Queen's Park, not at the Integrity Commissioner's office.