VICTORIA: The BC Division of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released an estimate of Glen Clark's "cost" to taxpayers, including an estimate of Mr. Clark's taxpayer-funded pension.

"Mr. Clark may be gone as premier, but his past decisions while he was Employment and Investment minister, Finance minister, and Premier will cost British Columbians plenty," said CTF-BC director Mark Milke.

Total provincial debt increased by almost $6 billion while Mr. Clark was premier, from $27 billion in 1995 to approximately $32.9 billion today (and an estimated $34.7 billion by the time the next budget is introduced.)

Ten years from now, Mr. Clark will be eligible for his MLA pension at age 51, at which time he will be entitled to collect up to $49,094, which will increase to $96,892 by the time he reaches age 75. "Former premier Glen Clark could collect a cumulative total of $1.7 million by the time he reaches age 75," noted Milke