Four of today's federal by-elections are due to politicians leaving their seat early to pursue different political aspirations. New Westminster-Coquitlam (BC) becqame vacated when NDP Dawn Black resigned in April to run in the provincial by-election. Montmagny-L'Islet-Kamouraska-Riviere Du Loup was vacated when the Bloc's Paul Crete stepped down in May to run in a provincial byelection. The riding of Hochelaga in Montreal became open when longtime Bloc MP Real Menard resigned this year to take a run for City Hall.
These politicians are leaving due to their own choices and creating by-election costs as a result. One way to recoup some of these costs is to take away an MPs severance pay in such circumstances. The case for MP severance pay is questionable at best in any circumstance.
Is Canada Off Track?
Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.
Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?
You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey