• Revelations of 96% bonus eligibility confirmation of bizarre federal math
  
• Senior mandarin bonus scheme eligibility a function of just "showing up"
  
• CTF rang the alarm bell six-years ago: What do Paul Martin and the others think

OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today responded to news that 96% of senior federal public servants received performance bonuses totaling $39 million for the 2001/2002 fiscal year. Some 4,036 senior mandarins received bonuses totaling $39 million, including $3 million to just over 100 deputy ministers, crown corporation presidents and special operating agency heads and another $36 million to just under 3,900 senior executives from assistant deputy ministers through to the director level.

Welcome to official Ottawa where red ink equals green pocket cash
" While we are of course upset by such generosity in light of the seemingly infinite list of recent scandals - gun registry cost overruns, the sponsorship fiasco, corruption allegations at the Immigration and Refugee Board, bribery charges at Health Canada, a failed classification system at Treasury Board, continuing mismanagement of SIN numbers at HRDC, the privacy commissioner's expense extravaganza, just to name a few - sadly, this is par for the course when it comes to executive compensation in official Ottawa," said Robinson gasping for breath after reciting the list of recent federal scandals.

Did you show up Here's your bonus
" This bonus scheme is nothing new. Back in 1997, some 97% of 3,000 senior federal public service managers received bonuses totaling $12 million," added Robinson. "The only thing that seems to have changed over the past six years is the increasing size of the bonuses paid out. Some people say life is about simply showing up, this rule most surely applies when it comes to bonuses for senior mandarins."

Another issue Paul Martin and crew won't talk about
" Bonus pay for meeting and exceeding organizational targets for service delivery and/or financial performance can work if properly applied. However, this federal scheme of arbitrary and unconscionable bonusing has existed for almost a decade and despite repeated annual demonstrations of its inadequacy it continues to exist and flourish," concluded Robinson. "It would be nice to know where Paul Martin and other Liberal leadership candidates stand on this issue. So far, their decade-long silence is deafening."